Converging Meniscus Lens, Filled with Fluid

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the focal length of a converging meniscus lens made of glass with an index of refraction of 1.55, combined with carbon tetrachloride, which has an index of refraction of 1.46. The lens has radii of curvature of 4.5 cm and 9 cm, and the lensmaker's equation is applied to determine the focal length of the glass lens, yielding a result of 0.16 m. The user contemplates how to treat the carbon tetrachloride as a lens, ultimately concluding that it should be treated as having a flat surface for calculation purposes.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of lensmaker's equation
  • Knowledge of optical properties of materials, specifically indices of refraction
  • Familiarity with the concept of focal length in optics
  • Basic principles of fluid behavior in optics
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the lensmaker's equation in detail to understand its applications
  • Explore the optical properties of carbon tetrachloride and its effects on light
  • Research the behavior of fluids in optical systems, particularly meniscus effects
  • Learn about combining multiple lenses and their focal lengths in optical design
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in optics, physics educators, and anyone involved in optical design or lens manufacturing will benefit from this discussion.

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Homework Statement



A converging meniscus lens is made of glass with index of refraction n = 1.55, and its sides have radii of curvature of 4.5 cm and 9 cm. The concave surface is placed upward and filled with carbon tetrachloride which has index of refraction n' = 1.46. Using the result in (i), or otherwise, determine the focal length of the combination of glass and carbon tetrachloride.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


[/B]
"The result in (i)" is that \frac{1}{f_{1}} + \frac{1}{f_{2}} = \frac{1}{f} for two thin lenses in contact.

I think the way to approach this problem is to use the lensmakers equation to find the focal length of the converging meniscus lens, and again to find the focal length of the 'lens' formed by the carbon tetrachloride. Using the result from part (i) to combine them completes the problem.

For the meniscus lens I have \frac{1}{f} = (n-1)(\frac{1}{R_{1}} - \frac{1}{R_{2}})

which works out the focal length to be f_{1} = 0.16m.

My question is how to treat the second lens... Can I say that the fluid will behave like a lens with both sides having equal radius of curvature, as given by the meniscus lens it's sitting inside?

It seems to me that the fluid will have a meniscus, so saying it has a flat surface seems wrong, but at the same time, I can't think how to justify the meniscus having the same radius of curvature as that of the lens it's sitting in.

I hope that makes sense,

thanks!
 
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Sorry - This post can be deleted - I am expected to treat the surface as flat.
 

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