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Refractive Index of Prism

The document describes a laboratory experiment to determine the refractive index of a glass prism using a spectrometer. Key steps included measuring the angle of the prism, measuring the angle of deviation of light passing through the prism using the spectrometer, and using Snell's law and the measured angles to calculate the refractive index. The experiment yielded a refractive index of approximately 1.54 and an angle of deviation of 40 degrees 58 minutes for the glass prism.

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Vansh Yadav
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729 views8 pages

Refractive Index of Prism

The document describes a laboratory experiment to determine the refractive index of a glass prism using a spectrometer. Key steps included measuring the angle of the prism, measuring the angle of deviation of light passing through the prism using the spectrometer, and using Snell's law and the measured angles to calculate the refractive index. The experiment yielded a refractive index of approximately 1.54 and an angle of deviation of 40 degrees 58 minutes for the glass prism.

Uploaded by

Vansh Yadav
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Laboratory Report for finding the refractive

index of a prism using a spectrometer

Aim- To determine the refractive index of a prism using a


spectrometer
Apparatus- A spectrometer, a spirit level , a source of
monochromatic light, a glass prism, magnifying lens and a
reading lamp
Theory- A spectrometer is an instrument used to probe a
property of light as a function of its portion of the EM
spectrum. It measures spectral components of a physical
phenomenon. When a beam of light strikes a surface of a
transparent surface some portion of light is reflected and the
other one is transmitted. The transmitted or refracted ray
has a small deviation of the path from the incident angle. This
phenomenon is known as refraction. In simpler terms
refraction is due to change in speed of light when passing
through one medium to another. It is given by Snell’s Law as
follows:
Sin(i)/Sin(r) = n2/n1
,where i is the angle of incidence and r is the angle of
refraction and n1 and n2 are the refractive indices of the first
and second medium respectively. The refraction in a prism is
shown below:

Fig: Refraction of light by a prism


Snell’s law can be applied to the ray of light at each surface
which leads to two equations:
Sin(i1) = nSin(r1)……..(a)
nSin(r2) = Sin(i2)…….(b)
Here the angles of refraction (r1 and r2) are not independent
and the are related by the equation:
A=r1+r2 ……. (1)
Where A is angle of prism
Now applying the law of exterior angles we can get:
δ = (i1 − r1) + (i2 − r2) ……. (2)
Now adding (1) and (2), we have:
δ = i1 + i2 − A……….(3)
Now solving equations (a) and (b) for i1 and i2 respectively:
i1 = sin^-1(nsinr1),
i2=sin^-1[nsin(a-r1)]
Substituting the values of i1 and i2 in equation (2) we finally
get the value of angle of deviation as
δ = sin−1 (nsinr1) + sin−1 (nsin(A − r1)) − A.
In case of minimum deviation,
i1=i2 and r1=r2
Thus i=A/2
Hence from equation number (3) we get:
i2 = (δm + A)/2
Substituing this value in equation (b) we have:
n = sin((δm + A)/2)/ sin(A/2)
where δm is the angle of deviation and A is the angle of
prism.
Procedure:
(A) 1.The spectrometer and the prism table are arranged in
horizontal position by using screws.
2.The telescope is then adjusted to obtain a sharp and
distinct image.
3.Later the slit is illuminated by a monochromatic light and
the light source and slit adjusted to obtain a vertical image of
slit.

(B): Measuring the angle of prism


1. Place the prism on the table and lock the prism table in
such position so that the incident beam strikes on one of the
edge of prism.
2. Now, locate the images using the telescope
3. The angle through which the telescope is moved gives
twice of the angle of prism. Thus, half of this angle is the
angle of prism.
Measuring the angle of deviation:
1.Place the prism so light falls on one of the polished faces
and emerges out of the other polished face.
2.The Vernier table is slowly turned in such direction so
image of slit is directed towards decreasing angle of
deviation.
3.The image will be stationary at a certain moment and the
Vernier table is fixed the the same position
4.Note the respective main and Vernier scale readings.
5.Turn the telescope parallel to collimator and note the ray
readings.
6.Observe the difference between ray and deviated readings.
This angle is known as angle of deviation.
7.Refractive index of prism is found using the formula:
n = sin((δm + A)/2)/ sin(A/2)
Precautions:
1.Slit should be narrow as possible
2. Both vernier scales should be read
3. Prism should be properly placed

Observations:
1 Main scale division=0.5 degree
No of divisions on Vernier=30
Least count=value of 1msd/total no of vsd = 30’/30=1’

Calculations:
Vernier I Vernier II

MSR (In Degrees) VSC (In Minutes) TR (In Degrees) MSR (In VSC (In Minuets) TR (In
Degrees) Degrees)
V 318 35 318.5833333 138 35 138.5833333
Deflected ray reading (i) B 319 9 319.15 139 20 139.3333333
R 319 36 319.6 139 34 139.5666667
Direct ray (ii) 360 4 360.0666667 180 2 180.0333333
V 41 29 41.48333333 41 27 41.45
Difference Between (i) and (ii) B 40 55 40.91666667 40 42 40.70
R 40 28 40.4666667 40 28 40.46666667
V 0.7740164208 0.778323011
Sin((δ +A)/2) B 0.7708775 0.7696723435
R 0.7683714086 0.7683714086
V 0.4997701026 0.4997701026
Sin (A/2) B 0.4997701026 0.4997701026
R 0.4997701026 0.499771026
V 1.548744946 1.548376537
refractive index B 1.542464217 1.540052795
R 1.537449728 1.537449728
Angle of prism 60

Results:
1.Angle of prism=60 degrees
2.Refractive index=1.54
3.Angle of deviation=40 58’
Inferences:
1.Refractive index is inversely proportional to wavelength
2.Thus we learn how to find refractive index and angle of
deviation.

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