L-3 SPHERICAL MIRRORS

1. PURPOSE:

To investigate the relation between focal length, object distance, and image distance for converging and diverging spherical mirrors; and to determine their focal lengths.

2. BACKGROUND:

The procedure of experiment L-1, Thin Lenses, is applicable with mirrors as well. Review it, and keep it in mind during this experiment.

3. APPARATUS:

Optical bench, three lens holders, four carriages, illuminated object box, screen, positive and negative mirrors, rod or pencil for use as a reference pointer, object-image screen and holder, flat mirror.

4. PROCEDURE:

For each mirror, take data over as wide a range of object and image distances as possible, for all combinations of object and image character (real and virtual). Use whatever methods are most accurate and appropriate in each case.

Pay close attention to experimental uncertainties and how they propagate. Note that the uncertainty in a given setting of a lens is not the same size for all combinations of object and image distance.

5. RESULTS:

Determine the focal length of each mirror, and state its uncertainty.

Show a graph of image distance versus object distance for each mirror. Also show graphs for 1/q vs. 1/p for each mirror.