THE INDIAN PUBLIC SCHOOL

ERODE.
XII-Physics Practical (Code
- 042)

Physics
Lab manual (2023-24)
 4. Frequency of AC mains with a sonometer

RHS

Aim : To find the frequency of the ac mains using a sonometer and an electromagnet.

Apparatus required: Sonometer having a soft iron core, an electromagnet, a step down
1
transformer, hanger with kg slotted weights, meter scale, stand for electromagnet, weighing
2
machine.

Formula 1
Frequencyused:
of ac mains using a sonometer, fAC = T
Hz.
4l
m
Term explanation:

l = resonating length, in metre,

T = Tension in the string, in newton and
m = linear mass density of the wire (i.e., mass per unit length of
wire)M
m = L kg m-1 where M = mass of the wire in kg, L = length of the wire in m.
Theory:
Frequency of ac is defined as the number of ac cycles per second, fAC.

An electromagnet is made by passing electric current in a coil wound around a piece of soft
iron. This is nothing but a current carrying solenoid with soft iron as its core. The core
acquires magnetic properties on passing electric current through the solenoid and loses
magnetism on switching off.

If AC of frequency fAC is passed through this electromagnet, the polarity of the ends of
electromagnet changes (N pole to S pole or vice versa) once in every cycle of AC. If the
electromagnet is held close to the string of a sonometer wire, near its centre, the string will be
attracted towards it when the electromagnet is magnetized and thrown away when it is
demagnetized. Thus the sonometer wire will vibrate under the electromagnet. As the string
will be attracted by electromagnet whether there is a north pole or south pole on its near end,
the frequency of vibration of string ( ν )will be twice the frequency of the ac fed to
electromagnet( ν = 2 fAC )

1 1
So, 2 fAC = ν = T
Hz. Therefore, fAC = 4l T Hz.
2l
m m
Observation: LHS

Length of the sonometer wire, L = 1.50 m

Mass of sonometer wire, M =2.544 x 10-3Kg

Mass per unit length of sonometer wire (i.e.,
linear mass density).
m = M = 0.00169 Kg/m
L

Frequency of ac
Mass of
Tension mains
hanger and Resonating
T=Mg
weights length,l
S.No M fac=
1

(x 10-2 m) T
(Kg) (N)
4l
m

(Hz)
1. 1.5 15
2. 2.0 20
3. 2.5 25
Mean, fac= Hz.
Procedure: RHS

1. Check if pulley is frictionless.

2. Place sonometer parallel to one edge of the working table, such that, the pulley remains
projected out of the perpendicular edge. See that there are no kinks in the string of
sonometer and its one end is rigidly fixed. Pass string over pulley such that it stretches
horizontally over the box of sonometer and attach a hanger of 1 kg weight on its free
2
end.
3. Connect the electromagnet to the secondary of step down transformer and plug primary
of the transformer in ac mains. Hold the electromagnet in a stand and bring it close to
the sonometer wire just above the centre of its length.
4. Switch on the mains and adjust the wedges on the sonometer, starting from minimum
separation till you get maximum amplitude of oscillation of the sonometer wire.
At this resonance condition, rider flies off. Note the length of the sonometer wire
between the wedges and also note the load suspended on the string.
1
5. Increase the load on the hanger in steps of kg weight and measure the resonating
2
length. Take atleast 3 observations with three loads 1.5kg, 2kg and 2.5kg.
6. Switch off ac supply and take out sonometer wire. Measure its mass M and length L.
M
Then find its linear mass density m = L
kg m-1
Result: RHS

The frequency of ac mains by using the sonometer is =

Hz.
Precautions:

1) Sonometer wire should be horizontal and free of kinks.

2) Magnet should remain in the middle of vibrating segment and close to

wire.

3)Resonance position should be noted when wire has maximum amplitude

of Oscillation

Sources of Error:

1) Slotted weights may not have fixed value.

2) Pulley may not be frictionless.
3) Sonometer wire may not be of uniform cross-section
06. Focal length of convex lens RHS

Aim: To find the focal length of a convex lens by plotting graphs between u and
v
Requirements:Convex lens, lens holder, metre scale, white screen, lamp with object.

Formula used:

1. For calculation:
𝑢𝑣
𝑓= cm
(𝑢−𝑣)
2. For u-v graph:
𝒇 = (|𝒖𝟎|+𝒗𝟎 ) cm
𝟒

Term explanation:

f  focal length of the convex lens in

cm u  object distance in cm
v  image distance in cm

u0, v0  perpendiculardrawn to the u, v

axes in u-v graph in cm

Theory:

When a ray of light, parallel to principal axis is incident on a convex lens, after refraction, it
passes through focus. Another ray which passes through optical center goes straight and these
refracted rays meet and produce real inverted images. The nature and size of image depends
on position of object.

1 1 1
Focal length formula is   where u is object distance in cm, v is image distance
f v u

in cm and focal length of lens in cm.

32
Observation: LHS

Rough focal length of the given convex lens = cm

Object Image Focal length,

distance, u distance, v f=
𝒖𝒗
S.No Lens position (cm) (cm) (𝒖−𝒗)
(cm)
1. 2f-4
2.
2f-2
3.
2f
4.
2f+2
5.
2f+4

Mean (f) = cm.

Procedure: RHS
a) Obtain rough focal length of given convex lens by focusing the image of a distant
object on the wall.
b) Mount the given lens on the lens holder and place at 2f distance from the object.
c) Place white screen behind the lens.
d) Move the screen forward and backward so that the image of the object is obtained.
e) Note the position of the object, image and the lens.
f) The distance between the object and the lens is u and the distance between the
image and the lens is v.
g) Repeat the above steps with lens at (2f-4),(2f-2), (2f+2) and (2f+4) positions from
the object.

Result:

The focal length (f) of given convex lens

1) By calculation, f= cm
2) By u-v graph, f= cm

Precautions:

a) Do not place the object closer than the rough focal length of the lens. This will
produce a virtual image.
b) Tips of the object and the image should be at same height and should correspond
with center of curvature.
c) Keep your eye at least 30cm away from image to view the image clearly.

Sources of error:

1. The uprights may not be vertical.

2. The parallax may not be removed properly.
3. Personal error.
4. Sign convention not applied correctly.