Experiment-411 F

REFRACTIVE INDEX OF LIQUIDS

USING PLAIN MIRROR AND CONVEX
LENS (LIQUID LENS)
Ajeya PadmaJeeth and Jeethendra Kumar P K
KamalJeeth Instrumentation & Service Unit, Tata Nagar, Bengaluru-560092, INDIA
Email: labexperiments@rediffmail.com

Abstract
Refractive indexes of few liquids are determined using illuminated object and image
screen by the method of liquid lens and compared with value obtained in the previous
experiment using concave mirror

Introduction

In the previous experiment refractive index is determined by filling the concave mirror with
liquids and measuring their radius of curvature. Refractive index of liquid also can be determined
using plane mirror. In a plane mirror image is formed behind the mirror. Using convex lens this
image can be formed on to a screen. This principle is used in this experiment.

A liquid embedded between the plane mirror and convex lens is called liquid lens. Figure-1
shows the liquid lens. Presences of liquid between the sandwiches facilitate determination
refractive index as in the previous case. The presence of liquid alters the radius of curvature of
the liquid lens. Hence by measuring the radius of curvature refractive index can be measured as
in the previous experiment.

µ= = …1

Where c is velocity of light in vacuum =3x108 m/s

v is velocity of light in the medium through which it is travelling

If R1 is the radius curvature of the plane mirror-convex lens combination in air and R2 is the
radius of curvature plane mirror-convex lens combination with liquid in between then the
refractive index is given by

µ= …2
The presence of liquid in between the mirror and convex lens increase the focal point hence
image is formed further in compare to air in between the mirror and convex lens. Hence R2 is
larger than R1. The liquid between plane mirror and convex lens now forms a plano-concave lens
(plain side due to mirror and concave side due to lens) hence the focal point is increased or
resulting in larger radius of curvature. Figure-1 shows the liquid embedded with plain mirror and
convex lens.

Figure-1: Liquid lens; inner circle concave lens formed by the liquid outer circle convex
lens boundary, square boundary is the mirror

Apparatus used
Figure-2 shows the instrument used to determine refractive index and velocity of light in liquids.
It consists of illuminated object and semi transparent screen. A LED light is used to illuminate
the object printed on semi transparent acrylic sheet. The image of the object reflected from the
mirror can be viewed on the image screen by the side of object. By moving whole set on a retort
stand, the image can be focused.
 Figure-2: Liquid lens apparatus: Illuminated box fitted to retort stand and convex lens
placed on a mirror on the base of the stand

Experimental procedure
1. The refractive index illuminated box is fitted to retort stand (12.5mm dia) as shown in
Figure-2 and switched on.

2. The plane mirror is placed on the base of the retort stand and above which the convex
lens is placed as shown in Figure-2.

3. The light from refractive index illuminated box falls on the plain mirror and the reflected
light is pass through lens is focused by moving the illuminated box as shown in Figure-3.

Figure-3: Image focused

4. The distance between the retort stand base and illuminated box is noted. This is radius of
curvature of the mirror-convex lens combination.

R1 = 11.3cm

5. The convex lens is removed from the mirror and few drops (about 2ml) water is poured
on the center of the plain mirror and the convex lens is placed over it. The liquid under
the convex lens takes the concave curvature shape. Along with the plain mirror is
behaves like a concave mirror reflected light to the image screen. By adjusting the
distance clear image of the object is seen and distance between base of the retort stand
and illuminated box gives

R2 =15.5cm

Refractive index µ is calculated using Equation-1

µ= = = 1.37

6. Trial is repeated 2-3 time focusing and refocusing and average value is noted in Table-1
 7. Experiment is repeated by taking different liquid between the mirror and the convex lens.
The corresponding radius of curvature and refractive index calculated are tabulated in
Table-1.

8. Velocity of light in the liquid is calculated using formula

v=
9. Velocity of light in water
vwater = =2.188x108m/s

Similar calculations are made for all the liquids and velocity light in different liquids are
calculated and presented in Table-1.
10.
Table-1: Refractive index of various liquids
Liquid Radius of Refractive index (µ) Velocity of
(Media) curvature Expt. Concave light x108
of concave mirror (m/s)
mirror (R) method
cm
Air 11.3 1.000 1.000 3.00
Water 15.5 1.371 1.384 2.18
glycerin 18.6 1.64 1.588 1.83
Coconut oil 17.7 1.56 1.578 1.92
Groundnut oil 19.0 1.68 1.636 1.78
Bee Honey 19.5 1.72 1.800 1.74
Dettol 16.3 1.44 1.459 2.08
Soap water 15.9 1.40 1.421 2.14
Sugar syrup 16.9 1.49 1.542 2.01
Olive oil 19.0 1.68 1.685 1.78

Important Note

Organic liquids such as acetone, benzene etc are generally available in chemistry lab that al so
can be used to determine refractive index. However, while using organic liquid care is take to
see that liquid doest spill out the concave mirror and touch the bottom painted portion of the
mirror. Organic liquids dissolve paint hence we have used household liquids only.

Result

The refractive index determined are listed in Table-1 and compared with standard values.
Refractive index of water and glycerin are well known and % error in measurement is 0.6% and
8% respectively. These indicate the accuracy of measurement.
Velocities of light in different liquids are different liquids and velocity of light decease as the
refractive in increase. In bee honey the velocity (1.66x108m/s) determined is the minimum in this
experiment and in water (2.16x108m/s) is the maximum.

Reference

[1] Amitabh Joshi and Juan D serna , Refractive index of a transparent liquid measured
with a concave mirror, School of mathematical and natural sciences, University of
Arkansas @Monticello, AR 71656, USA