Government Girls’ Polytechnic,

Bilaspur

Name of the Lab: Applied Physics Lab

Practical : Applied Physics Lab

Class: 1st Semester (CSE, IT, ET&T )

Teachers Assessment: 20 End Semester Examination:
100

EXPERIMENT NO 1

Object: To measure radius of curvature of given curved surface using

spherometer.

Apparatus: Spherometer, convex (curve) surface , a big size plane glass slab.

Procedure:
1. Raise the central screw of the spherometer and press the spherometer gently on the
practical note book so as to get pricks of the three legs. Mark these prick as A B and
C.
2. Measure distance between the pricks (points) by joining the points as to form a
triangle ABC.
3. Note these distances (AB,BC AC) on notebook and take their mean.
4. Find the value of one vertical (pitch) scale division.
5. Determine the pitch and the least count of the spherometer and record it stepwise.
6. Raise the screw sufficiently upwards.
7. Place the spherometer on the convex surface so that its three legs rest on it.
8. Gently turn the screw downwards till the screw tip just touches the convex
surface.(The tip of the screw will just touch its image in the convex glass surface)
9. Note the reading of the circular (Disc) scale which is in line with the vertical (pitch)
scale. Let it be a (It will act as reference).
10. Remove the spherometer from over the convex surface and place over a large size
plane glass slab.
11. Turn the screw downwards and count the number of complete rotation (n1) made by
the disc (one rotation become complete when the reference reading crosses the past
the pitch scale).
12. Continue till the tip of the screw just touches the plane surface of the glass slab.
13. Note the reading of the circular scale which is finally in the line with the vertical (pitch)
scale . Let it be b.
14. Find the number of circular (disc) scale division in the last incomplete rotation.
15. Repeats the step 6 to 14 , three times. Record the observation in tabular form.

Applied Physics Lab Manual: 1st semester (ET&T, CSE, IT) 1

Observations.

1.Distance between two legs of the spherometer In triangle ABC marked by legs of the
spherometer
AB=....................................cm
BC=.....................................cm
AC=.....................................cm
Mean value of l =(AB+BC+CA)/3=..............................cm

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2. Least count of spherometer.

1 pitch scale division = 1mm

Number of full rotations given to screw=5
Distance moved by the screw =5 mm
Hence pitch p=5mm/5=1mm
Number of divisions on circular (disc)scale =100
Hence , Least count=1mm/100= 0.01mm=0.001cm

Table for sagitta (h).

Serial Circular (Disc) scale Reading Number of No of disc Total
No. On convex On plane glass complete scale Reading
Of surface initial sheet Final rotations on divisions in h = n1xp+x
Observation (a) (b) plane (n1) incomplete X (L C)
glass sheet rotation mm
x=(a-b)
or (100+a)-b

(a) (2a) (2b) (3) (4) (5)

h 1=
h2=

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Calculations:
1. Find value of h in each observation and record it in column 5.
2. Find mean of value of h recorded in column 5
Mean value of h= (h1 +h2+h3 )/3 mm=....................mm=.........................cm.
2
3. Calculate R=l /6h+ h/2 cm=............................cm.

Result :
The radius of curvature of the given convex(curve ) surface is .........................cm.

Precaution:
1. The screw should move freely without friction.
2. The screw should be move in same direction to avoid back –lash error of the screw.
3. Excess rotation should be avoided.

Sources of error.
1. The screw may have friction.
2. The spheremeter may have back-lash error.
3. Circular (Disc) scale division may not be of equal size.

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 EXPERIMENT 2

Object:- To determine the value of “g” using simple pendulum.

Apparatus required:- A metallic spherical bob with a hook, clamps stand, split cork, fine and
inextensible thread, stop clock/watch, verneir calipers, meter scale, a chalk piece etc

Formula used:-
(i) T=2 (l/g)

Where T =time period of oscillations.

L=effective length of pendulum
G=acceleration due to gravity

(ii) A second a pendulum is the pendulum whose oscillation period is 2s.

Methods:-
1. Take a vernier calipers and find its vernier constant. Also find its zero error, if any
,with its proper sign.
2. Measure the diameter of given metallic bob along different axes and find the mean
diameter of bob. Apply appropriate zero correction and determine the corrected
diameter of the bob. Let it be d. Then find radius of bob r=D/2,
3. Either using vernier calipers or a meter scale note the length of the hook attached to
the pendulum bob let it be ’h’.
4. Take a then inextensible but strong cotton thread of length about 2m.Tie one end of
the thread tightly to the hook of the bob. Pass other end of the thread through the two
split half pieces of cork. Hold the cork firmly in the clamp stand and ensure that the
cut of cork piece is at right angle to the edge of the table.
5. Place the stand on the table/stool, in such a way that the pendulum bob is just 2-3cm
above the floor of laboratory.
6. Mark a line, with a piece of chalk, just below the pendulum bob and parallel to the
edge of the table. Mark a point A just below the bob in its equilibrium poison and two
other points B and C on mutually opposite sides of point A on the line at a distance of
about 8-10 cm.
7. Adjust the length of thread below the cork piece so that sum of the length of thread
+length of hook+ radius of pendulum bobs.
8. Displace the pendulum bob by hand from its mean poison. A to the marked point B on
the line parallel to the edge of the table. Gently release it so that the bob starts
vibrating to and fro about its mean position. A along the starlight line ABC and there is
no spinning motion of the pendulum bob, If it is so then it is alright.
9. Note the least count of your stop clock/watch. also note zero error, if any present in
the stop clock/watch with its proper sign. Then find the value of zero correction. Zero
correction is negative of the zero error.
10. Just like step 8 displace the bob to mark B on line marked and gently release it so
that it starts vibration to and fro.
B)Start the stop clock/watch.
11. Observe the motion of pendulum bob. After starting of stop clock, the bob goes to
point B, returns to its mean position A, then goes to left extreme position C and finally
returns back to mean position A and again start moving start moving towards right,
count 1.
12. In this way let the pendulum completes 19 vibrations. Now be alert. as soon as the
pendulum complete and find the corrected time taken by the pendulum to complete
20 vibrations.
13. Increase the effective length of pendulum in steps o f 10 cm each to 90 cm,100
cm………….. And repeat th steps 10-13 every time so as to measure the
corresponding values of time token by the pendulum for 20 vibrations for each length.
14. In the manner take readings for pendulum to complete 20 vibrations.
15. Dividing the values of times for 20 vibrations by 20 determine the value of time period
T of pendulum corresponding to different lengths. Also find the values of T square.

Applied Physics Lab Manual: 1st semester (ET&T, CSE, IT) 5

Observations
Vernier constant of vernier calipers (V.C.) =……………………cm
Zero error of vernier calipers (with sign) =……………………...cm
Zero error correction of vernier calipers (with sign) =…………cm
Observed diameter of the pendulum bob
(i)………………..cm (ii)……………………cm (iii)…………………cm
Mean value of observed diameter of pendulum bob=…………………….cm
Corrected diameter of pendulum bob D=…………………………………cm
Radius of pendulum bob r=…………………………………cm
Length of the hook of pendulum bob h=……………………cm
Least count of stop clock/watch=…………………………...s
Zero error present in stop clock=………………………s
Zero correction in stop clock=…………………………s

Calculation
1. From the observed data plot a graph by taking length of pendulum L along X-
axis and the time period of oscillation T along Y-axis.The graph obtained
.the graph is parabolic.
2. Plot a graph by taking length of pendulum L along X-axis and T squre along
Y-axis. The graph obtained is shown, The graph is a straight line inclined to
either axes.It shows that
T square propositional to the L

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 3. From L-T square graph determine the length of the pendulum corresponding
to T square =4 s square the time period of pendulum is T=2 .This length corresponds
to the length of the second’s pendulum.

Precautions.

1. The thread used should be weightless ,strong and inextensible.

2. The point of suspension should be fixed. It is possible when the clamp stand is rigid.
3. Lower faces of split cork should be in same level.
4. Length of the pendulum should be counted from the point of suspension to the centre mass
of the pendulum bob.
5. The pendulum bob should vibrate should be small.

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 EXPERIMENT 4

Objectve : To determine surface tension of water by capillary rise method.

Apparatus Required:
A capillary tube of uniform and narrow bore, a metallic plate to hold the capillary tube and
fitted with a needle of adjustable height , a clamp stand , an adjustable turn table , a flat
bottomed glass dish, a trayelling microscope , magnifying glass , a thermometer etc.
Diagram:

Formula : Surface tension of water S=hrρg/2

Where h= height to which water rises in capillary tube
r = radius of bore of capillary tube
ρ= density of water at room temperature
g= acceleration due to gravity

Procedure:
1. Take a capillary tube of uniform and fine bore( diameter of the bore must be less than
1 mm). Clean the capillary tube first with alkaline solution and then with mild acidic
solution.
2. Take a flat bottomed glass dish and clean it also. Wash the dish as well as capillary
tube with water.
3. Take a turn table whose glass height can be adjusted . Place it on the table and put
the glass dish on it. Raise the turn table by about 2-3 cm from its minimum height
position. Fill the dish with tap water such that the free surface of water lies just below
the edge of dish .
4. Mount the capillary tube on a metal plate P. A needle N with sharp tip is also mounted
on the plate P. Moreover the height of needle N may be adjusted.
5. Fix the metal plate with capillary tube and needle in a sturdy clamp stand keeping the
capillary tube and needle vertical. Adjust the portion of clamp on the vertical stand so
that the capillary tube is partly dipped in water taken in the dish D. Adjust the needle
N so that its tip just touches the water surface . If the adjustment is correct then tip of
needle will just coincide with tip of its inverted image formed due to reflection from
water surface.

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 6. Take a travelling microscope and check that it can move both horizontally as well
vertically. Clean the microscope.
7. Find the vernier constant along the horizontal as well as vertical scale of microscope.
Generally it is 0.001 cm.
8. Raise the microscope to a suitable height, keeping its axis horizontal. Adjust the
position of the eyepiece of microscope carefully so that the crosswires are clearly
visible. Moreover one of the crosswires should be horizontal and the other vertical.
9. Place the microscope near the adjustable turn table . Adjust the height of microscope
so that one can see water meniscus in capillary tube through the microscope. Using
rack and pinion arrangement move the microscope tube forward or backward till
sharp, inverted image of water meniscus is clearly visible. Using fine adjustment
screw on vertical pillar of microscope set its position such that image of meniscus M
just lies on the horizontal crosswire. Take this reading of the microscope on the
vertical scale by noting the reading of main scale as well as vernier scale. Let the
reading be ‘y’.
10. Gently lower the adjustment turn table to its minimum height taking care that metal
plate containing capillary tube and needle is not at all disturbed. Now lower the
microscope so as to focus it on the free pointed needle tip. Again note the reading on
the vertical scale of travelling microscope . let the reading be ‘y0’. Then the height ‘h’
up to which water has risen in the given capillary tube is given by h=y- y0.
11. Repeat steps 9 to 10 at least three times and then find the mean value of ‘h’.

Applied Physics Lab Manual: 1st semester (ET&T, CSE, IT) 9

 EXERIMENT NO 6

Objective: To determine refractive index of the material of the prism using graph.

Apparatus required: Drawing board, white sheet of paper ,prism , drawing pins, pencil, half
meter scale, office pin, graph paper and protector.

Drawing:

Theory: The refractive index (η )of material of the prism is given by

η= sin ((A+Dm ) /2 )/ sin (A/2)

where Dm angle of minimum deviation,
and A angle of prism.

Procedure:
1. Fix white sheet of paper on the drawing board with the help of drawing pins.
’
2. Draw a straight line XX parallel to the length of the paper nealy in the middle of the
paper.
3. Mark point Q1 ,Q2,Q3 .....on the straight line XX’ at suitable diatance of about 5 cm.
4. Draw normals N1 Q1 , N2Q2.......on points Q1 ,Q2,Q3 as shown in figure.
O, o o
5. Draw straight lines R1Q1, R2Q2, R3Q3......making angles of 35 45 ......60 ( write
value of the angles on the paper) respectively with the normals.
6. Mark one corner of the prism as A and take it as the edge of the prism for all the
observation.
7. Put the prism with its refracting face AB in the line XX’ and point Q1 in the middle of
AB.
8. Mark the boundary of the prism.
9. Fix two or more office pin P1 and P2vertically on the line R1Q1 . The distance between
the pin should be 10 mm or more .
10. Look the image of point P1 , and P2 through face AC.
11. Close your left eye and bring open right eye in line with the two images.
12. Fix two office pin P3 , and P4 vertically , and 10 cm apart such that the open right eye
sees pins P3 , and P4 and image of P2 and P1 in one straight line.
13. Remove pins P3 , and P4 and encircle their pricks on the paper.
o o o.
14. Repeat steps 7 to 13 with points Q2, Q3 ...... for i=40 45 ......60

To measure D in different cases.

15. Draw straight lines through points P4, and P3 (pin pricks) to obtain emergent rays
S1T1, S2T2 and S3T3 .......
16. Produce T1 S1, T2 S2 and T3 S3.......inward in the boundary of the prism to meet
produced incidence rays R1Q1, R2Q2, R3Q3 at points F1,F2,F3.....
17. Measure the angle K1F1S1 , K2F2S2 and K3F3S3 ... These gives angle of deviation D1 ,
D2 , D3 ......
18. Write the value of these angle on the paper.

To measure A
19. Measure the angle BAC in the boundary of the prism. These gives angle A.

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 20. Record your observation as given below.

Observatios.

Ange of prism A=...........

Serial No. Of observation Angle of incidences (i) Angle of deviation (D)

Calculation:
Plot a graph between angle of incidence < i and angle of deviation <D by taking <i along X-
axis and <D along Y-axis. From this graph, find the value of angle of minimum deviation Dm
corresponding to the lowest point of the graph.

Let the value of angle of minimum deviation Dm =............

Then index (η )of material of the prism is

η= sin ((A+Dm ) /2 )/ sin (A/2)

Result:
(i) I-D graph indicates that as the angle of incidence (i) increases, the angle of deviation
(D) first decreases, attains a minimum value Dm and then again starts increasing
for further increase in angle of incidence.
(ii) Angle of minimum deviation Dm....................
(iii) Refractive index of the material of the prism (η )=........................

Precaution :

(i) The angle of incidence should lie between 35 deg to 60 deg.

(ii) The pin should be fixed vertical

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 EXPERIMENT NO 7

Object:- To determine focal length of concave mirror & convex lens.

Appratus required:- Optical bench, three uprights, two pointed needles , a convex lens, sprit
level, T-rod.

Theory and formula:- let an object be placed at a distance u from the convex lens and its
image is formed at a distance v from the lens on opposite side, then
1/f=1/v-1/u
Where , f is the focal length.
Taking u as –ve and v as +ve for real image.
Then 1/f = 1/v+1/u
Or f= uv/(v+u)

Procedure:
1. Place the optical bench on a plane horizontal surface by taking help of sprit level. Place
the upright on the optical bench.
2. Find the rough focal length of convex lens by producing the image of a bright distant
object, on the wall or paper screen . The real image is obtained on the wall if the object is
placed at a distance greater than the rough focal length of the lens.
3. Mount the given convex lens at the centre and the needles on its either sides on the two
other uprights. Marks the two needle as object and image .Adjust the height of the
needles so that the tips of the needle reach the middle of the lens.
4. Take the T-rod and measure its actual length on the scale of the optical bench . Now
keep the T-rod such that its one end touches the tip of the object pin and other end to the
optical centre of the lens (which is the middle of the lens.) Measure the distance between
the length of T-rod and distance between pin and lens on the scale . Similarly , find the
Bench error for the image pin.
5. Now , place the object pin between F and 2F and look for its real inverted image from the
other side of the lens. Move the image pin and remove the parallax between object and
image pin. Record position of lens and both the pins.
6. Take 6 or 7 sets of readings by moving the object pin by 2 or 3 cm.
7. Correct the bench error for each reading by moving and calculate focal length for each
set of reading.
8. Determine the mean focal length.

Observations:
Table for bench Error
Correction for Actual length Position of Position of Distance of Bench error
of T-rod Lens Lens Lens
u-pin
v-pin

Observation for Focal length

S.No. Position of Uprights Observed Distance Corrected Distance

Object Lens Image Object Image u= v=
PQ OL P’Q’ OP OP’ OP’-α OP’-β
cm cm cm cm cm cm cm
1.
2.
3.

Calculation: From the formula f=uv/(u+v).

1.
2.

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3.

Mean f = Average f

Result: The focal length of the given convex lens is ………….cm.

% Error = (Standard value- Experimental value )/Standard value. X 100.

Precautions.
1. The parallax should be removed from tip to tip.
2. Index correction for u and v should be carefully made and applied separately.
3. The upright should be vertical , stable and not shaky.
4. The height of pins should so adjusted that they may reach the middle of lens (optical
centre of the lens).
5. Lens should have less focal length and be thin.
6. The principal axis of the lens should be parallel to the length of the optical bench.
7. While removing the parallax, the eye should be kept at least about 25 to 30 cm away
from the image pin.

Applied Physics Lab Manual: 1st semester (ET&T, CSE, IT) 13

 EXPERIMENT NO 9

Objective : To determine mechanical equivalent of heat by using Joules calorimeter.

Apparatus required: Newton’s laws of cooling apparatus consisting of a calorimeter with a

stirrer and a lid and a double walled bigger vessel, two half degree thermometers, stop clock ,
arrangement for heating of water.

Diagram:

Formula used As per Newton’s law of cooling the rate of fall in temperature
dθ/dt =- K (θ –θ0) and loge (θ –θ0) = -K t +C
Where θ = temperature of hot water at time t,
θ0 = temperature of the surrounding and K and C are two constants.
Procedure:
1. Take the apparatus for studying cooling of a hot liquid (i.e. a double walled metallic
vessel) and thoroughly clean it. Between the two walls of the vessel. Pour ordinary
tap water so as to fill it completely. Place the apparatus on a table.
2. Suspend the two thermometer from a stand and compare their readings. Taking the
reading of one of these thermometers to be correct, find the correction to be applied
to the other thermometer.
3. Suspend the thermometer T2 , to which the correction is to be applied , in water
taken in the double walled vessel.
4. Heat water in a water bath so that its temperature is about 40 deg C above the room
temperature. Pour this hot water in the calorimeter C so that the calorimeter is nearly
th
filled 3/4 of its height. Put the calorimeter in its place i.e. in the centre of double
walled vessel. Place the lid over the calorimeter. Through in lid pass the correct
thermometer T1 and a stirrer S into the calorimeter. However, thermometer should not
touch the walls of calorimeter. Moreover, ensure that lid of the calorimeter is tight
enough.
5. Note the temperature of water in the double walled enclosure.

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 6. Note the temperature of hot water and simultaneously start the stop clock. Gently stir
the hot water and note the reading of thermometer T 1 after every one minute time
interval. After 6 reading you may increase the time interval between successive
reading to 2 minutes and so on.
7. In this manner continue to take the readings of the temperature of water taken in the
calorimeter , till water temperature is about 5 deg C above the room temperature.
8. Finally again take the reading of thermometer T 2 so as to note the temperature of
water in the double walled enclosure. Mean of the initial and final temperature
recorded by T2 is noted and correction is applied in it. The temperature so obtained is
the mean corrected value of the temperature of surrounding. Let it be θ0
9. Find the value of temperature difference (θ –θ0) for various observations and then
find the values of log (θ –θ0) for each observation.
10. Plot graphs (i) between (θ) and t by taking time t along X-axis and temperature of hot
water (θ) along Y-axis.

Observation:

Room temperature recorded by thermometer T 1 =................................°C ( Being used in

calorimeter)
Room temperature recorded by thermometer T 2 =................................°C ( Being used for
enclosure)
Therefore , correction to be applied in reading of thermometer T 2 =................................°C.
Initial temperature of water taken in enclosure =................................°C
Final temperature of water taken in enclosure =................................°C
Mean observed value of temperature of enclosure =................................°C
Mean corrected value of temperature of enclosure θ0=................................°C

Table for time (t) and Log(θ –θ0)

S. No. TIME t in Minute Temperature of (θ –θ0) °C Log(θ –θ0)
warm water θ°C

1
2
3
.
.

Calculations :
(i) Taking time t (minute) along X-axis and temperature of warm water θ°C along Y –axis
plot a graph . The graph is the cooling curve of given hot liquid (hot water). The
graph is exponential curve.
(ii) Taking time t (minute) along X-axis and Log(θ –θ0) along y-axis plot a graph. The
graph obtained is a straight line curve having –ve slope .

Result : The cooling curve enclosed.

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Applied Physics Lab Manual: 1st semester (ET&T, CSE, IT) 16
Precaution:
1. The space between the two walls of the double walled vessel should be filled with
running tap water so that its temperature is same as the room temperature.
2. The initial reading od two thermometers should be checked and if these difer then
suitable correction in reading of one thermometer should be applied considering other
thermometer as the correct.
3. The outer surface of the calorimeter should be dull black so that it loses hest at a
faster rate.
4. The calorimeter should not touch the walls of the double walled vessel.
5. Bulbs of the thermometers should be immersed in water but should not touch the wall
or bottom of calorimeter / double walled enclosure.
6. The lid must fit tightly in the calorimeter otherwise some water may evaporate during
the course of experiment.
7. The initial temperature of hot water should never be more than 40 °C above the room
temperature.
8. Stirring of hot water in calorimeter should be continuous and gentle.

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