Vellore Institute of Technology BPHY101P Engineering Physics Lab Manual

Integrated Optics – Refractive Index of glass prism

Objective
To determine the refractive index of the glass prism using spectrometer for a given colour.

Apparatus to be used
Ø Spectrometer
Ø Spirit level
Ø Magnifying glass
Ø Glass prism
Ø Mercury vapour lamp

Basic theory

The spectrometer is an instrument for analysing the spectra of radiations. The glass-prism spectrometer is
suitable for measuring ray deviations and refractive indices. When a beam of light strikes on the surface of
transparent material (Glass, water, quartz crystal, etc.), the portion of the light is transmitted and another
portion is reflected. The transmitted light ray has small deviation of the path from the incident angle. This is
called refraction.
Vellore Institute of Technology BPHY101P Engineering Physics Lab Manual
Refraction is due to the change in speed of light while passing through the medium. It is given by Snell's
Law.

---------------- (1)

Where ‘i’ is the angle of incidence, ‘r’ is the angle of refraction, is the refractive index of the first face

and is the refractive index of the second face.

The refractive index of the prism can be calculated by the formula

Where, D is the angle of minimum deviation (Degree), A is the angle of the Prism (Degree), n is the
refractive index of the prism.

Least Count = = = 1´

Procedure
al adjustments

The following adjustments must be made before doing the experiment with spectrometer.

(i) Adjustment of the eyepiece

The telescope is turned towards an illuminated surface and the eyepiece is moved to and fro until the
cross wires are clearly visible.

(ii) Adjustment of the telescope

The telescope is focused on a distant object by adjusting the focus screw, and once the object is
clearly visible, the telescope should not be disturbed again.

(iii) Adjustment of the collimator

The telescope is brought along the axial line with the collimator. The slit of the collimator is
illuminated by a source of light. The distance between the slit and the lens of the collimator is
adjusted until a clear image of the slit (Slit thickness should be as narrow as possible) is seen at the
cross wires of the telescope. Since the telescope is already adjusted for parallel rays, a well-defined
image of the slit can be formed, only when the light rays emerging from the collimator are parallel.

(iv) Levelling the prism table

Vellore Institute of Technology BPHY101P Engineering Physics Lab Manual
The horizontal level of prism table is adjusted using a spirit level and levelling screws.

NOTE:
Ø Once the telescope is focused at the distant object it should not be disturbed throughout the
experiment.
Ø The verniers (Vernier A and Vernier B) should not be interchanged throughout the experiment.
Ø The Spectrum obtained for the Mercury lamp that was visible with the resolution of the prism is as
follows, given from Left to Right as observed: Red (Weak, 623.437nm), Yellow 1 (Weak,
579.065nm), Yellow 2 (Strong,576.959nm), Green (Very Strong, 546.074nm), Blue Green (Very
Weak,491.604nm), Blue (Very Strong,435.835nm), Violet (Strong,404.656nm). All the reported
wavelength values are information that was gathered from books and articles.
Ø Only figure 3 is to be drawn in the lab note book.

To Determine the Angle of Minimum Deviation (D)

Ø Mount the prism on the prism table, with the refracting edge turned away from the collimator. So
that light falling on the refracting face AB emerges out through the face AC.

Figure 1

Ø Now slowly rotate the telescope towards the side BC and obtain the spectrum by placing the
telescope at C.

Figure 2
Vellore Institute of Technology BPHY101P Engineering Physics Lab Manual
Ø Observe the spectrum by rotating the prism table while looking through the telescope. As you move
the prism table the spectrum will also start to move but at one particular position (Minimum
deviation position) the spectrum will retraces its path although the rotation of the table is continued
in the same direction. Lock the telescope in this position, coincide the cross wire with the spectral
line (particular colour) and note the readings on both the vernier scales (Reading for minimum
deviation position).

Figure 3

Ø Release the telescope and remove the prism from the prism table. Rotate the telescope to capture the
direct ray (slit image). Note the readings on both the vernier scales (Reading for direct ray).

Figure 4

Ø The difference between the reading for minimum deviation position (R1) and the reading for direct
ray (R2) gives 'D', the angle of minimum deviation.

Ø Then calculate the refractive index of the glass prism using the formula.
Vellore Institute of Technology BPHY101P Engineering Physics Lab Manual

Observations
Least count = 1' Angle of prism = 60 °

Reading for
Reading for direct ray (R2)
minimum deviation
Vernier position (R1) D = R1 ~ R2 n
MSR VSR TR MSR VSR TR

Average n = ………….
TR = MSR + VSR

VSR =VSC x LC

Results
The refractive index of the glass prism for a given colour is ……………

Inferences/Conclusions

Precautions
1. The telescope and collimator should be individually set for parallel rays.
2. Slit should be as narrow as possible.
3. While taking observations, the telescope and prism table should be clamped with the help of
clamping screws.
4. The levelling screws of prism table is adjusted with the help of spirit level to make it horizontal.
Vellore Institute of Technology BPHY101P Engineering Physics Lab Manual

Questions on related concepts (Self-assessment)

1. Which colour in the spectrum is having more refractive index?
2. How does refractive index vary with wavelength?
3. What is the principle behind using a glass prism to measure refractive index?
4. Which source of light are you using? Is it a monochromatic source of light?
5. Can we use sodium lamp instead of mercury lamp?
6. How does the angle of minimum deviation help in finding the refractive index?
7. What is Snell's law? What is the formula to calculate refractive index using Snell's law?
8. Is it necessary to use a specific type of glass prism for the experiment?
9. What happens if the incident angle is less than the angle of minimum deviation?
10. Can we use this experiment to find the refractive index of other materials?

Further references
1. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uXXDEaAl4CDVc-Jqe7YkOKoF8PKh3ki9/view?usp=sharing
2. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NS3yzvHa-k-aatJnnir7Fjm9dIzP0uiU/view?pli=1