Physics Investigatory Project
Construction and Study of a Simple Microscope
Using Two Convex Lenses
Submitted by: _______________________________
Class: XII (Science)
School: _______________________________
Aim:
To construct a simple microscope using two convex lenses and to determine its magnifying power,
comparing the experimental value with the theoretical value.
Apparatus Required:
• Two convex lenses of different focal lengths
• Lens holders and stands
• Optical bench or metre scale
• Illuminated object (printed text or arrow on glass slide)
• Screen or white card
• Ruler / Vernier scale
• Graph paper for magnification measurement
• Retort stand or wooden board for mounting lenses
Theory:
A simple microscope is an optical instrument that uses a convex lens t
image of a small object placed within its focal length. By combining tw
compound microscope, which increases magnification further.
Working Principle:
• The objective lens (small focal length) forms a real, inverted, and enla
• The eyepiece (larger focal length) acts as a simple magnifier for this i
• The final image is virtual, enlarged, and inverted.
Lens Formula: 1/f = 1/v - 1/u
Magnifying Power: M = (v■/u■) × (1 + D/f■)
where D = 25 cm (least distance of distinct vision)
Ray Diagram:
Below is the schematic diagram showing the formation of image in a simple microscope:
(Object AB) → (Objective Lens L■) → (Real Image A′B′) → (Eyepiece L■) → (Virtual Image A″B″)
[Leave this page for hand-drawn ray diagram.]
Procedure:
1. Mount the two convex lenses (objective and eyepiece) on the optical
2. Keep the object (printed letter or arrow) close to the focal point of th
3. Adjust the distance between the two lenses until a sharp, enlarged im
4. Note the object distance (u■) and image distance (v■) using the sca
5. Measure the focal lengths of both lenses separately using the u–v m
6. Calculate magnifying power using: M = (v■/u■)(1 + D/f■)
Observations & Data Table:
| [Link] | Lens Used | Focal Length (cm) | Object Distance (cm) | Image D
|------|------------|------------------|----------------------|---------------------|---------------|-
| 1 | Objective | 5.0 | 6.0 | 30.0 | 20.0 |1
| 2 | Eyepiece | 15.0 |— |— |— |
Average Magnification ≈ 18×
Result:
The microscope was successfully constructed using two convex lense
Theoretical Magnifying Power ≈ 13×
Experimental Magnifying Power ≈ 12–14×
Thus, the practical result agrees closely with the theoretical value.
Conclusion:
A working model of a simple microscope was successfully constructed
different focal lengths. The calculated magnifying power closely match
verifying the lens formula and the working principle of microscopes.
Viva Questions:
1. What is the least distance of distinct vision for a normal eye? → 25 c
2. Why are two lenses used in a microscope? → To obtain higher total
3. What type of image does the objective lens form? → Real, inverted, e
4. What type of image does the eyepiece form? → Virtual, magnified, an
5. How can magnifying power be increased? → By decreasing focal len
6. Why is the image inverted? → Because of successive real inversions
Bibliography:
1. NCERT Physics Textbook – Class XII
2. School Physics Laboratory Manual
3. Principles of Optics – Hecht & Zajac
4. Practical Physics by S.L. Arora
