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Refractive Index of Prism Using Spectrometer

The document outlines an experiment to determine the refractive index of a prism by measuring the angle of the prism and the angle of minimum deviation using a spectrometer setup. It details the apparatus required, the theoretical background, and the step-by-step procedure for measuring the angles and calculating the refractive index. Observations are recorded in tables for both the angle of the prism and the angle of minimum deviation, allowing for the calculation of the refractive index of water in the prism.

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ineshabanrimanner
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33 views

Refractive Index of Prism Using Spectrometer

The document outlines an experiment to determine the refractive index of a prism by measuring the angle of the prism and the angle of minimum deviation using a spectrometer setup. It details the apparatus required, the theoretical background, and the step-by-step procedure for measuring the angles and calculating the refractive index. Observations are recorded in tables for both the angle of the prism and the angle of minimum deviation, allowing for the calculation of the refractive index of water in the prism.

Uploaded by

ineshabanrimanner
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Refractive Index

Objective: To find the refractive index of prism by measuring angle of prism and angle of minimum
deviation.

Apparatus: Prism, Spectrometer, Na Lamp

Theory:

When a ray of light is refracted by a prism, the angle between the incoming and outgoing rays is
called the angle of deviation (δ). For a given prism and a given wavelength, the value of δ depends on
the angle between the incoming ray and the surface of the prism. δ is minimum and represented by δm
when the angles of the incoming and outgoing rays make equal angles with the prism surfaces. In this
special symmetric case, the prism's index of refraction (µ) is related to δ m and the angle of the prism
(A) by:

If the prism is filled with water the refractive index µ of the prism material (water) is given by the
above formula

Angle of Prism, A

Angle of Minimum Deviation, δm

Spectrometer Setup:

Prism
Table

Basic Spectrometer Setup Telescope


The spectrometer set-up has a circular prism table on which the prism is placed. The source light from
Na lamp is collimated using a collimator which is appended with a narrow slit. The image of the slit
for measuring angle of prism and angle of minimum deviation is viewed using a Telescopic
arrangement. The angular readings are measured using two vernier scales V1 and V2 which has a
circular main scale reading and vernier scales for measuring least counts.
To find the Vernier Scale using following example:
(1 arcmin = 1' = 1/ 60 degree.)

Vernier Scale

Main Scale

In the above representation , the zero line of the Vernier scale (the upper scale) is between 40.5° and
41° of the main scale reading, so the angle is somewhere between 40° 30' and 41°. The Vernier scale
tells exactly where in between. Look along the Vernier for the line that exactly lines up with the line
below it. In this case, it's the 17' line. So the angle is 40° 47', which we get by adding 17' to 40° 30'.
Finally we must convert it to decimal degrees: 40 + (47/60) degrees = 40.78°.

Procedure :

Initial Adjustments:
1. The spectrometer and the prism table are arranged in horizontal position by using the leveling
screws.
2. The telescope is turned towards a distant object to receive a clear and sharp image.
3. The slit is illuminated by Na vapour lamp and the slit and the collimator are suitably
adjusted to receive a narrow, vertical image of the slit.
4. The telescope is turned to receive the direct ray, so that the vertical slit coincides with the
vertical crosswire.

(A) Determination of Angle of Prism


1. Place the prism filled with water on the prism table with its refracting angle A towards the
collimator and with its refracting edge A at the centre as shown in figure 1. In this case some of the
light falling on each face will be reflected and can be received with the help of the telescope.
2. The telescope is moved to one side to receive the light reflected from the face AB and the cross
wires are focused on the image of the slit. The readings of the two verniers are taken.
3. The telescope is moved in other side to receive the light reflected from the face AC and again the
cross wires are focused on the image of the slit. The readings of the two verniers are taken.
4. The angle through which the telescope is moved; or the difference in the two positions gives twice
of the refracting angle A of the prism. Therefore half of this angle gives the refracting angle of the
prism.

(B) Measurement of the angle of minimum deviations:


5. Place the prism so that its centre coincides with the centre of the prism table and light falls on one
of the polished faces and emerges out of the other polished face, after refraction. In this position the
spectrum of light is obtained as shown in figure 2.
6. The spectrum is seen through the telescope and the telescope is adjusted for minimum deviation
position for a particular colour (wavelength) in the following way: Set up telescope at a particular
colour (Yellow) and rotate the prism table in one direction, of course the telescope should be moved
in such a way to keep the spectral line in view. By doing so a position will come where a spectral line
recede in opposite direction although the rotation of the prism table is continued in the same direction.
The particular position where the spectral line begins to recede in opposite direction is the minimum
deviation position for yellow colour. Note the readings of two verniers.
7. Remove the prism table and bring the telescope in the line of the collimator. See the slit directly
through telescope and coincide the image of slit with vertical crosswire. Note the readings of the two
verniers.
8. The difference in minimum deviation position and direct position gives the angle of minimum
deviation for that colour.
9. Using the measured values of Angle of prism and Angle of minimum deviation the refractive index
of water can be estimated from the following expression

Figure 1 Figure 2

Figure 1: Experimental Set-up for finding Angle of Prism “A”. T1 and T2 are Telescope position. For
illumination Na lamp is used and is placed behind Collimator C. Figure 2: Experimental Set-up for
finding Angle of minimum deviation δ m.

Observation Table

Value of the one division of the main scale = ……… degrees


Total number of vernier divisions = ……….
Least count of the vernier = ………. degrees = ……… second

(a) To find the angle of prism

(b)

S.No Vernier Telescope reading for reflection Difference Mean A Mean A


θ = abs(a – b) =2A value degrees
from first face AB from second face AC of 2A

MSR VSR TR MSR VSR TR


(a) (b)

1 V1

V2
2 V1

V2

3 V1

V2

MSR = Main Scale Reading, VSR = Vernier Scale Reading, TR = MSR+VSR = Total Reading.

(b) To find the angle of minimum deviation

S.No Vernier Telescope reading for minimum deviation Difference Mean value
δm = a – b of δm
Telescope reading Telescope reading
for minimum for direct image
deviation

MSR VSR TR MSR VSR TR


(a) (b)

1 V1

V2

16

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