Dispersion of light by a prism

Aim: (i) To calculate refractive index µ of a prism for various wavelengths (λ) of Hg and to find
dispersive power of the material of the prism.

(ii) To plot µ-1/λ2 curve and hence determine Cauchy’s constants for the prism material.

Apparatus: Spectrometer, prism, Hg lamp and spirit level

Theoretical background

When a ray of light is refracted by a prism, the angle between the incident and refracted ray is
called the angle of deviation δ. For a given prism angle A and wavelength λ, δ depends on the
angles of incidence i and emergence r (See Fig. 1). The angle of deviation is minimum when the
angles of incidence i and emergence r make equal angles with prism surfaces, i.e. i= r. We
denote this angle of minimum deviation as δm which depends on the wavelength of the light used.
Refractive index of the prism for a given wavelength of light λ is related to the corresponding δm
by,

( )= (1)

If µ1 and µ2 are refractive indices of the material

of the prism for wavelengths λ1 and λ2, and µ is
the refractive index of λ, which is the mean of λ1
and λ2, then dispersive power is defined as

= (2)
Fig. 1
Using Eq.(1), µ(λ) of the prism can be obtained experimentally by determining δm for the
corresponding λ. Thus a calibration curve of µ-λ can be drawn for the prism from which the
refractive index can be determined for a given wavelength or vice-versa. The experimental µ-λ
curve can be described with a fair degree of accuracy by the empirical Cauchy’s equation,

( )≈ + , (3)

where C and D are Cauchy’s constants for the prism material. The plot µ versus 1/λ2 is a straight
line from which C and D values can be determined by fitting the data with Cauchy’s relation.

The dispersion of the material of the prism is defined as ⁄ , which can be obtained from the
Cauchy’s formula in eqn. (2),

= , (4)

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Experimental set up:

In this experiment, we will use a prism spectrometer to measure the deviations of light for
various wavelengths. The detail description of the spectrometer is already provided as a separate
note. Before starting the experiment please identify all parts of the spectrometer. Familiarize
yourself with the focusing adjustments and also coarse and fine movement of different parts.

Fig. 2: Experimental set up

Procedure:

1. DO NOT PLACE THE PRISM ON THE SPECTROMETER YET.

2. First check leveling of the spectrometer base, prism table, collimator and telescope. If
needed, level them using the adjustment screws and a spirit level.
3. The collimator is adjusted for parallel beam of light and the telescope for focusing the
parallel beam by Schuster’s method (details of which is given in another experiment). But the
present set up may not require it.
4. Adjusting the telescope: While looking through the telescope, slide the eyepiece in and out
until the crosswire comes into sharp focus. Point the telescope at some distant object and
view it through the telescope. Turn the focus knob of telescope until the image is sharp. The
telescope is now focused for parallel light rays. DO NOT change the focus of the telescope
henceforth.
5. Ensure the Hg lamp is fully illuminated and placed close to the slit of the collimator. Check
that the slit is partially open.
6. Adjusting the collimator: Align the telescope directly opposite the collimator and look
through the telescope, to see a focused image of the slit. If necessary, adjust the slit width

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 until the image of the slit as seen through the telescope is sharply focused on the crosswire.
The collimator is then set to produce parallel light from the slit.
7. Determine the vernier constant of the spectrometer. Report all the angles in degree unit.
Details about reading angles in spectrometer are given in the manual for finding angle of
minimum deviation.
8. Angle of prism: (Refer Fig. 2)
 Place the prism such that its vertex is at the center
of the prism table, directly in line with the
illuminated slit.
 The opaque face (AC) should face towards you so
that light from the collimator is reflected at the
two faces AB and AC.
Telescope Telescope
 Rotate and adjust the telescope to position I where Position-II
Position-I
the image of the slit reflected at AB is centered on
the crosswire. Record the angular positions on
each vernier.
 Now, turn the telescope to position II for the
image reflected at AC and record again the
angular positions on each vernier.
 Take three independent sets of readings for
telescope position I and II on each vernier. Let the Fig. 2
mean of these three sets of readings of the two
verniers V1 and V2 are respectively,
telescope position I: α1 , α2
telescope position II: β1 , β2
 Then the mean angle of the prism A is obtained using
= ( + )/ , where = ~ and =
~ .
9. Direct ray reading: Remove the prism from the
spectrometer and align the telescope so that the direct
image of the slit is seen through the telescope centered
on the crosswire. Record the angular position of the
telescope on the two verniers as D1 and D2. This will be
the reference angular position for any measurements
later.
10. Angle of minimum deviation: (Refer Fig. 3)
 Replace the prism on the spectrometer table so that it is
oriented as shown in Fig. 3.
 Locate the image of the spectrum with naked eye. Then
rotate the telescope to bring the spectrum in the field of
view.
 Gently turn the prism table back and forth. As you do so,
the spectrum should appear to migrate in one direction
until a point at which it reverses its direction.
 Lock the prism table. Now, using fine adjustment screw
Fig. 3

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 of the telescope fix the crosswire on one of the spectral lines of wavelength λ1 at an extreme
end.
 Then move the prism table using fine adjustment screw so that the angle where the line starts
reversing its direction is precisely located. Take three such independent readings. Let the
mean of these readings on the two verniers V1 and V2 for λ1 are θ1 and θ'1. Calculate the mean
value of δm(λ1) as follows:
1
δm(λ ) = [(θ ~D ) + (θ′ ~D )]
2
 Similarly, note down the angles of minimum deviation for all the spectral lines, whose
wavelengths and colors are given in the chart. (see last page)
11. Calculate the refractive index for each wavelength using Eq.1 and then determine the
dispersive power using Eq. 2.
12. Plot µ ~ (1/ λ2) and determine Cauchy’s constants by least square fitting.

OBSERVATIONS

Table 1: Determination of vernier constant (VC) of the spectrometer

Value of 1 small main scale division (MSD) = ………

……. vernier scale divisions = ….. main scale divisions

Hence, 1 vernier scale division = ………… main scale division (VSD)

Vernier Constant (VC) = (1 – VSD) x MSD = ………

Table-2. Determination of the angle of the prism

obs Reflection image1 Reflection image 2 2A (degree) Mean 2A A

(degree) (degree)
T = M + (VC
T = M + VC
Vernier (V)

Vernier (V)

Vernier
Main scale

Main scale
(degree)

(degree)
Mean T

Mean T
x V)
(M)

(M)
xV

1
2
V1 2 = = ( + )
= ~ = 2
3
1

V2 2 = =
= ~
3

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Table-2. Direct ray reading

Vernier Obs. Main scale (M) Vernier (V) T = M + (VC x V) Mean (degree)

1
V1 2
3
1
V2 2
3
Table-3. Angle of minimum deviation for various λ

Color Vernier Obs Main Vernier T = M + (VC Mean δm(λn) Mean δm(λn)
/ λ( Scale(M) (V) x V) (degree) (degree) (degree)
nm)
V1 1 θ θ ~D
2
( )=
Color 3
……………
V2 1 θ′ θ′ ~D
.
2
3
. . .
.
. . .
.
. . .
.
V1 1 θ θ ~D
2
Color 3 ( )=
V2 1 θ′ θ′ ~D ……………
2
3

Table-4. Determination of refractive indices ( ) and data for − / plot

angle of the prism, A = ….

Color (nm) 1/ (nm-2) ( ) ( )

.. ……….. ……….. ………..

………..
.. ……….. ……….. ………..
………..
.. . . .
.
.. . . .
.
.. . . .
.
.. . . .

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Calculations:

Dispersive power of prism =

Cauchy’s constants: Using least square fitting in − 1/ plot

C = ….. D = ……

Precautions:

1. Do not touch the refracting surfaces by hand. Place the prism on the prism table or remove it
from the prism table by holding it with fingers at the top and bottom faces. The reflecting
surfaces of the prism should be cleaned with a piece of cloth soaked in alcohol.
2. Rotate the adjustment screws slowly. Do not force any movement. If something is not
moving check the clamping screw. Use fine adjustment screw after locking the clamping
screw.

Questions: 1) What is normal and anomalous dispersion? Where do you get anomalous
dispersion?

2) What are the factors on which the dispersive power of a prism depends?

Additional Reading:

1. Feynman lectures on physics, volume 1. Narosa Publishing House, Delhi

2. Practical Physics, R.K. Shukla and A. Srivastava, New Age International (P) Ltd.