PHYSICS · Single correct · A Level · Physics · Measurements and their errors · Measurements and their errors
Problem
In repeated focal-length measurements, students consistently read distances from the front surface of a thick lens instead of from its principal plane. Which of the following actions would most effectively reduce the systematic error introduced by this practice?
(a) Use a smaller object to minimize depth-of-field effects during focusing.
(b) Measure both object and image distances from the same principal plane reference point.
(c) Average a larger number of independent distance trials.
(d) Measure both distances from the lens’s center of curvature instead of its surface.