PHYSICS SBA 3 – Measuring Focal Length of Convex Lens Page 1

PHYSICS SBA 3 – Measuring Focal Length of Convex Lens

(I) Basic Information (From Reminder)

➢ Topic
 Measuring focal length of convex lens
➢ Apparatus to be handled
 LED source with letter “4” as the object
 Plane mirror
 Metre rule
 White Screen
 Spherical convex lens with holder
➢ Skill required
 (1) Graph plotting
 (2) Making accurate measurement
 (3) Skills in finding focal length from different experimental and graphical method:
- By light source and mirror,
- By the graph of 1/v against 1/u
 (4) Drawing ray diagram to identify the position and natures of image formed.
➢ Time Allowed (40 mins)
 20 mins (Practical)
 20 mins (Report writing)
➢ Marks Allocation (20 Marks)
 Skill (4 Marks)
 Report (16 Marks)

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PHYSICS SBA 3 – Measuring Focal Length of Convex Lens Page 2

(II) Sample Task

➢ Objectives
 (1) To measure the focal length of a convex lens by using different methods.
 (2) To verify whether the relationship between the object distance and image distance of the real image
formed by a convex lens follows the lens formula.
➢ Theory
Method (A)
The focal length of a convex lens can be estimated by using a mirror as shown in Figure 1(a).

When the light source is located at the Focus of the lens, the light rays from the light sources will become
parallel to the principal axis after passing through the lens. A mirror placed behind the lens will reflect them
back parallel to the principal axis.
Finally the light rays will be focused back to the same position of the object and hence, the position of the
Focus can be found.
Note: The lens and the mirror MUST be placed completely vertically and parallel to each other to get an
accurate result!
Method (B)
Another method to find the focal length of the convex lens is to measure several pairs of object distance and the
corresponding image distance of the real images formed as shown in Figure 1(b).

The relationship among the focal length f of the convex lens, the object distance u, and the image distance v can
be summarized by the lens formula:
1 1 1
= +
𝑓 𝑢 𝑣
Rewriting the lens formula in the following form:
1 1 1
= (−1) × +
𝑣 𝑢 𝑓
The graph of 1/v against 1/u plotted will be a straight line with slope = –1 if it follows the lens formula.
The focal length f can be calculated from the x-intercept or y-intercept of the graph.
Note: No real image can be observed on the screen if the object distance is smaller than the image distance
(i.e. u < f)!

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PHYSICS SBA 3 – Measuring Focal Length of Convex Lens Page 3

➢ Apparatus
 Spherical convex lens with holder (1)
 Plane mirror (1)
 LED source with letter “4” as the object (1)
 Metre rule (1)
 White Screen (1)
➢ Procedures
 Part 1 : Rough estimation of the focal length f of the convex lens with a plane mirror
1. Set up the apparatus as shown in Figure 2.
2. Use the LED source with letter “4” as the object and place the screen side by side next to it.
3. Move the lens-mirror combination until a sharp image is formed on the screen..
4. Measure the separation between the _____________ and the ____________ which is the focal
length f.
(LED Source / Screen and the Convex Lens)
5. Record down your result.
 Part 2 : Measuring the focal length f of the convex lens by graphical method
1. Set up the apparatus as shown in Figure 3.
2. Use the LED source with letter “4” as object and place it 50 cm from the lens.
3. Use the screen to location the position of real image formed on the opposite side of the lens.
4. Measure object distance u and image distance v and tabulate your results in Table 1.
5. Move the LED source closer to the lens and adjust the position of the screen until a clear image
is formed on it again. Measure and record the ______________________________ and
___________________________________ in Table 1.
(Object Distance u and Image Distance v)
6. Repeat step ________ for different value of u.
(Step 3 to 5)
7. Plot the graph of 1/v against 1/u in Graph 1

➢ Results
(1) Data Recorded
Part 1 : Rough estimation of the focal length f of the convex lens with a plane mirror
The focal length of the convex lens is roughly estimated to be f = _______________ cm.

Part 2 : Measuring the focal length f of the convex lens by graphical method
(Correct your data in finding 1/u and 1/v to 2 sig. fig.)
u / cm
v / cm
1/u / cm-1
1/v / cm-1
Table 1

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PHYSICS SBA 3 – Measuring Focal Length of Convex Lens Page 4

(III) Possible Follow-up Questions

Question Answer
Can we find the focal length of the lens using the graph Yes.
v against u? Draw a line of v = u
The intersection point is (2f,2f)
***
Explain:
1 1 1
+ =
𝑢 𝑣 𝑓
2 1 2 1
→ = (𝑃𝑢𝑡 𝑢 = 𝑣) & = (𝑃𝑢𝑡 𝑣 = 𝑢)
𝑣 𝑓 𝑢 𝑓
→ 𝟐𝒇 = 𝒖 = 𝒗
∴The intersection point is (2f,2f)
Describe graph of 1/v against 1/u. 1/f is the x-intercept AND y-intercept of the graph
Slope of graph is -1
***
Explain:
1 1 1
+ =
𝑢 𝑣 𝑓
𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
→ = (−𝟏) × +
𝒗 𝒖 𝒇
Compare to equation of straight line 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑐:
1/f is the y-intercept (also x-intercept)
slope = -1
Can we find the focal length of the lens using the graph Yes.
v/u against v? Slope of the graph is 1/f
***
Explain:
1 1 1 𝑣 𝑣
+ = → +1=
𝑢 𝑣 𝑓 𝑢 𝑓
𝒗 𝟏
→ = ×𝒗−𝟏
𝒖 𝒇
Compare to equation of straight line 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑐:
-1 is the y-intercept
slope = 1/f

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PHYSICS SBA 3 – Measuring Focal Length of Convex Lens Page 5

Describe the image formed in Part 1. Real, Same Size, Inverted

What happen to the images formed if the lens is broken / The images formed are dimmer
part of the lens is covered? Size & Position Remains Unchanged
How does the separation between the plane mirror and It does not affect.
the lens affect the focal length measured in Part 1?
Can the above methods be used to measure the focal No.
length of concave lens? Because the image formed by concave lens is virtual,
which cannot be projected on the screen.
State the applications of convex lenses. Magnifying Glass (u ∈ (C, F’))
Slide Projector (u ∈ (F’, 2F’))
Camera (u ∈ (F’, ∞))
By Lens Formula, calculate the image distance if the /
object distance is ? cm.
Suggest another method to measure the focal length of Projecting the distant object on a screen by the convex
convex lens. lens
How to improve the experiment in Part 2? Measure the distance using a larger object distance to
reduce percentage error.

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PHYSICS SBA 3 – Measuring Focal Length of Convex Lens Page 6

Remarks
➢ Construction Rules for Ray Diagram
Convex Lens Concave Lens

➢ Natures of Images Formed by Convex Lenses

u (C, F’) F’*1 (F’, 2F’) 2F’ (2F’, ∞) Distant Object*2
Size*3 Magnified Image Magnified Same Size Diminished Diminished
Orientation Erect Formed Inverted Inverted Inverted Inverted
Type Virtual at Infinity Real Real Real Real

Object :    NO
IMAGE     

*1 Object at F’ : Light Ray become Parallel to Each Other → X Intersection → X Image

2
* Distant Object : Image Formed on Focal Plane
*3 Size : Largest – when Near F’
Smallest – when Near C of Convex Lens / → ∞

➢ Focal Length VS Size of Image

Convex → Largest when Near Focus → Smallest when Near C / → ∞
Concave → Largest when Near C → Smallest when → ∞
Lens Focal Length Shorter Longer
(C, F’) Larger Image Smaller Image
(F’, ∞) Smaller Image Larger Image
Convex
Consider Distance Larger Image Smaller Image
between Object & Focus [When Focus is Close to Object] [When Focus is Far Away from Object]
Concave ALL Smaller Image Larger Image

➢ Object Moving Direction VS Image Moving Direction → SAME DIRECTION

Lens Object Direction Image Direction
(C, F’) C → F’ C→∞
Convex
(F’, ∞) F’ → ∞ ∞→F
Concave ALL C→∞ C → F’

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PHYSICS SBA 4 – Measuring the Internal Resistance of a Battery Set Page 7

PHYSICS SBA 4 – Measuring the Internal Resistance of a Battery Set

(I) Basic Information (From Reminder)

➢ Topic
 Measuring the internal resistance of a battery set
➢ Apparatus to be handled
 Battery set
 Rheostat,
 Ammeter,
 Voltmeter,
 Press switch,
 Connecting wires with crocodile clips
➢ Skill required
 (1) Graph plotting
 (2) Making accurate measurement
 (3) Use of rheostat
 (4) Skills in connecting circuit
 (5) Skills in finding the internal resistance, e.m.f. and the maximum current can be drawn from a battery by
graphical method
 (6) Basic skills in calculations involving Ohm’s law
➢ Time Allowed (40 mins)
 20 mins (Practical)
 20 mins (Report writing)
➢ Marks Allocation (20 Marks)
 Skill (4 Marks)
 Report (16 Marks)

Information are for Reference Only and May Not be Accurate

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PHYSICS SBA 4 – Measuring the Internal Resistance of a Battery Set Page 8

(II) Sample Task

➢ Objectives
 (1) To determine the e.m.f. of a battery set.
 (2) To determine the internal resistance of the battery set.
 (3) To determine the maximum current output from the battery set.
➢ Theory
All batteries are also conductor for the current to pass through, so they also possess resistance which is called
the internal resistance. The maximum voltage that can provided by the battery is called the electromotive force
e.m.f. This e.m.f. of the battery only depends on the chemical used in it to provide electricity and is a constant.

For a circuit consists of a rheostat and a real battery shown in Figure 1(a), it can be represented by an equivalent
circuit with an ideal battery of e.m.f. ε and internal resistance r.

The terminal p.d. V across the two ends of the battery and the current output I from the battery are measured by
ideal ammeter and ideal voltmeter as shown in Figure 1(b).

From the law of conservation of energy, the e.m.f. ε of the battery can be related to the current flow I, the
internal resistance r of the battery and the terminal p.d. V in the following equation:
𝑉 =𝜀−𝐼×𝑟
→ 𝑉 = (−𝑟) × 𝐼 + 𝜀
Hence, the e.m.f. ε and internal resistance r of the battery can be found
Note: Assume that the voltmeter and ammeter are both ideal in this experiment.

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PHYSICS SBA 4 – Measuring the Internal Resistance of a Battery Set Page 9

➢ Apparatus
 A Battery set (unknown e.m.f.) (1)
 Ammeter (1)
 Rheostat (1)
 Voltmeter (1)
 Press switch (1)
 Connecting wires with crocodile clips 6 Connecting wires with crocodile clips (6)

➢ Procedures
1. Set up the apparatus as shown in Figure 2.
(a) Connect the rheostat and ammeter in ______________with the battery set. (Series)
(b) Connect a voltmeter in ____________________ with the battery set. (Parallel)
2. Adjust the rheostat to have ____________________ resistance at the beginning. (Maximum)
Record the ammeter I and voltmeter reading V on table 1.
3. Adjust the rheostat to obtain other pairs of ammeter reading I and voltmeter reading V.
Take the ammeter and voltmeter readings and record them in Table 1.
4. Repeat Step ______ to obtain other pair of ________________ and ______________ readings.
(Step 3, Ammeter and Voltmeter)
5. Plot a graph of voltage V against current I in Graph 1.
Note: For a better result, you should take a pair of results as fast as possible and open the circuit by the press
switch at once when you are not working on it!

➢ Results
(1) Data Recorder (Correct your data to 2 d.p.)
Current
I/A
Voltage
V/V
Table 1

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PHYSICS SBA 4 – Measuring the Internal Resistance of a Battery Set Page 10

(III) Possible Follow-up Questions

Part 1: Voltage-Current characteristics of an unknown resistor
Question Answer
Describe the Graph of V against I Slope : -r
y-int : e.m.f.
x-int : maximum possible current output
Calculate the internal resistance and e.m.f. of one cell Internal Resistance = Slope / 2
e.m.f. = y-int / 2
What is current? Amount of Charge 𝑄 pass through Cross-Section 𝐴 in
a Time Interval 𝑡
What is voltage? General Term to Describe Energy Transferred per Unit
Charge. Refer to e.m.f. OR p.d.
What is e.m.f. (Electromotive Force)? e.m.f. of Dry Cell is Electrical Energy provided by Dry
Cell
per Unit Charge passing between Points
What is Ammeter? ➢ Measure the current flow between it
➢ Connected in Series with Circuit Component
➢ Internal Resistance : → 0 (Extremely Small)
What is Voltmeter? ➢ Measure the voltage of the component
➢ Connected in Parallel with Circuit Component
➢ Internal Resistance : → Infinitely Large (Extremely
Large)
What is resistivity? Resistivity of Material is Numerically the Resistance of
a Sample of Unit Length and Unit Cross-Section Area
Draw a circuit diagram to represent the circuit. /
What is Ohm’s Law? Ohm’s law state that
Current through Metallic Conductor is Directly
Proportional to Voltage between its Ends
(If Temperature & Physical Conditions are Constant)
What is the use of rheostat? ➢ To limit the current flow through circuit (protect the
circuit)
➢ To vary current flow through resistance wire
What happen if the battery is shorted by a metal wire? The resistance of circuit is greatly reduced and current
flow becomes very large and heat up the circuit
Possible consequences:
➢ Battery go Flat Quickly (R  → I  →
Overloading)
➢ Short Circuit → Overloading → Heat up Wire
Quickly → Fire

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