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Question

The radii of curvature for a thin convex lens are $10 \ cm$ and $15 \ cm$ respectively. The focal length of the lens is $12 \ cm$. The refractive index of the lens material is

The correct answer is

1.5

Calculating Refractive Index of a Thin Convex Lens

Problem Analysis

The question requires determining the refractive index ($\mu$) of a thin convex lens. We are provided with the focal length ($f$) and the radii of curvature ($R_1$, $R_2$) for both surfaces of the lens. The lens maker's formula connects these parameters.

  • Lens Type: Thin Convex Lens
  • Focal Length, $f = 12 \ cm$
  • Radii of Curvature: $R_1 = 10 \ cm$, $R_2 = 15 \ cm$.

Using the standard sign convention for a biconvex lens where light travels from left to right, the first surface (convex) has a radius $R_1 = +10 \ cm$, and the second surface (concave relative to the external medium) has a radius $R_2 = -15 \ cm$.

Solution Steps

  1. Identify the lens maker's formula:

    $ \frac{1}{f} = (\mu - 1) \left( \frac{1}{R_1} - \frac{1}{R_2} \right) $

  2. Substitute the known values, applying the sign convention:

    $f = 12 \ cm$, $R_1 = +10 \ cm$, $R_2 = -15 \ cm$

    $ \frac{1}{12} = (\mu - 1) \left( \frac{1}{10} - \frac{1}{-15} \right) $

  3. Simplify the expression in the parentheses:

    $ \frac{1}{10} - \frac{1}{-15} = \frac{1}{10} + \frac{1}{15} $

    The least common multiple of 10 and 15 is 30:

    $ \frac{3}{30} + \frac{2}{30} = \frac{5}{30} = \frac{1}{6} $

  4. Insert the simplified value back into the lens maker's formula:

    $ \frac{1}{12} = (\mu - 1) \left( \frac{1}{6} \right) $

  5. Isolate and solve for $(\mu - 1)$:

    Multiply both sides by 6:

    $ \frac{6}{12} = \mu - 1 $

    $ \frac{1}{2} = \mu - 1 $

  6. Calculate the refractive index ($\mu$):

    $ \mu = 1 + \frac{1}{2} $

    $ \mu = 1.5 $

The refractive index of the lens material is 1.5.

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Similar Questions

  1. Consider following statements for refraction of light through prism, when angle of deviation is minimum. 

    A. The refracted ray inside prism becomes parallel to the base. 

    B. Larger angle prisms provide smaller angle of minimum deviation. 

    C. Angle of incidence and angle of emergence becomes equal. 

    D. There are always two sets of angle of incidence for which deviation will be same except at minimum deviation setting. 

    E. Angle of refraction becomes double of prism angle. Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

  2. The work function of a metal is $3 \ eV$. The color of the visible light that is required to cause emission of photoelectrons is

  3. In the figure shown below, a resistance of $150.4 \Omega$ is connected in series to an ammeter A of resistance $240 \Omega$. A shunt resistance of $10 \Omega$ is connected in parallel with the ammeter. The reading of the ammeter is __________ mA.

  4. A slanted object AB is placed on one side of convex lens as shown in the diagram. The image is formed on the opposite side. Angle made by the image with principal axis is :


  5. A spherical surface separates two media of refractive indices 1 and 1.5 as shown in figure. Distance of the image of an object 'O', is : 
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  6. If the measured angular separation between the second minimum to the left of the central maximum and the third minimum to the right of the central maximum is $30^\circ$ in a single slit diffraction pattern recorded using 628 nm light, then the width of the slit is _________ $\mu$m.
  7. A finite size object is placed normal to the principal axis at a distance of 30 cm from a convex mirror of focal length 30 cm. A plane mirror is now placed in such a way that the image produced by both the mirrors coincide with each other. The distance between the two mirrors is:
  8. Two polarisers $P_1$ and $P_2$ are placed in such a way that the intensity of the transmitted light will be zero. A third polariser $P_3$ is inserted in between $P_1$ and $P_2$, at particular angle between $P_2$ and $P_3$. The transmitted intensity of the light passing the through all three polarisers is maximum. The angle between the polarisers $P_2$ and $P_3$ is :
  9. In a Young's double slit experiment, two slits are located 1.5 mm apart. The distance of screen from slits is 2 m and the wavelength of the source is 400 nm. If the 20 maxima of the double slit pattern are contained within the central maximum of the single slit diffraction pattern, then the width of each slit is $x\times10^{-3}$ cm, where x-value is ________.
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Important Questions from Optics

  1. Consider following statements for refraction of light through prism, when angle of deviation is minimum. 

    A. The refracted ray inside prism becomes parallel to the base. 

    B. Larger angle prisms provide smaller angle of minimum deviation. 

    C. Angle of incidence and angle of emergence becomes equal. 

    D. There are always two sets of angle of incidence for which deviation will be same except at minimum deviation setting. 

    E. Angle of refraction becomes double of prism angle. Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

  2. The work function of a metal is $3 \ eV$. The color of the visible light that is required to cause emission of photoelectrons is

  3. In the figure shown below, a resistance of $150.4 \Omega$ is connected in series to an ammeter A of resistance $240 \Omega$. A shunt resistance of $10 \Omega$ is connected in parallel with the ammeter. The reading of the ammeter is __________ mA.

  4. A slanted object AB is placed on one side of convex lens as shown in the diagram. The image is formed on the opposite side. Angle made by the image with principal axis is :


  5. A spherical surface separates two media of refractive indices 1 and 1.5 as shown in figure. Distance of the image of an object 'O', is : 
    (C is the center of curvature of the spherical surface and R is the radius of curvature)

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