Equipment needed for experiment
- A mirror or lens capable of producing a real image.
- A mirror or lens holder (optional, but convenient). These are in the lab kit and look like little "A" holders.
- Any small object that can be viewed using the mirror or lens. This can be from the lab kit or from around your home. Have some fun with this!
- Ruler of some type.
- Camera to take picture.
Do the mini experiment
You are given very little guidance on purpose. You should use your knowledge of geometric optics to accomplish these tasks.
- Produce a real image of your object using your mirror or lens. Make sure everything is steady so you can take photos and make measurements.
- Take a photograph of the real image that provides sufficient evidence that the image is indeed real, not virtual.
- Take a side-view photograph (like is done in ray diagrams) that clearly shows the object and lens/mirror and some type of marker for where the real image is located. You can place a dummy object at the real image's location so I know where it is.
- Measure both the image distance and object distance. You'll need these numbers for your mini report. Uncertainty is not needed. :)
Turn in the mini lab report
- Provide the photograph that shows unambiguously that the image is real.
- Explain in words how you can tell from the photograph that the image is real
- Provide the side-view photograph showing the locations of the image, object, and lens or mirror. Make sure it's clear where your image is, perhaps with a dummy object or marker of some type.
- Sketch a qualitatively ray drawing showing how all three primary rays combine to form your real image. This does not need to be to scale.
- Explain how you can tell from your drawing that the image is real.
- Report your image and object distances.
- Use your image and object distances to calculate your lens's or mirror's focal length; be sure you get the correct sign. Uncertainty analysis is not needed.