Engineering Physics Lab Manual
Engineering Physics Lab Manual
ENGINEERING &
TECHNOLOGY
(Affiliated to Osmania University)
ENGINEERING PHYSICS
LABORATORY MANUAL
Prepared by :
Dr.K.Anuradha Reddy
Dr.G.Aravind
K.Veerabhadram
E.Bhaskar
1
I/IV B.E.
Index
13. Determine the amplitude, time period and frequency using CRO..............................32
2
DETERMINATION OF WAVELENGTH OF SODUIM
LIGHT USING NEWTON’S RINGS
Experiment number: 1
Aim: To determine the wavelength (λ) of sodium light by forming Newton’s rings.
Apparatus: Sodium vapour lamp, travelling microscope, plano-convex lens of large focal length,
thin glass plate for reflecting the beam, thick glass plate to keep the lens on it, reading lens and
black paper.
Theory:
Figure 1: (a) Experimental arrangement to observe Newton’s rings. (b) Interference pattern as
viewed through the microscope.
A plano-convex lens is placed on a glass plate such that the convex surface rests on the glass
plate. By doing this we have an air film between the convex surface of the lens and the upper
surface of the glass plate. The thickness of the air film is
2
zero at the point of contact of the lens and
glass plate and increases outward. A plane glass plate PP is placed above the len s such that it
makes an angle of 450 with the
vertical. Sodium light coming from the source falls on PP and is reflected so that it is incident normally
on
the plano-convex lens. A part of the incident ray is reflected by the convex surface (upper surface
of the air film). The remaining part of the ray travels through the air film and is reflected by the
upper surface of the glass plate (lower surface of the air film). The two rays, namely the rays
reflected by the two surfaces of the air film meet at the convex surface of the lens and interfere.
Thus the interference pattern is localized at the convex surface of the lens. The ray reflected by the
convex surface does not undergo any phase change. But the ray reflected by the plane surface of
the glass plate, since this surface is backed by a
denser medium, undergoes an abrupt phase change of . The interference produces maxima and
minima
depending on the path difference which is 2t. Viewing through the microscope from above, the
points on the lens where t is constant lie on a circle. As a result, the maxima and minima appear as
bright and dark circles. These circular fringes are called Newton’s rings. Since the fringes are
localized at the convex surface of the lens, to observe the rings, the microscope should be focused
at this surface. At the point of contact of the convex lens and the glass plate, t = 0. However one
ray suffers a phase change on reflection
and the other does not, therefore the optical path difference is λ/2. Hence the two rays interfere
destructively
and produce a dark spot at the centre of the circular fringe system. The relation between the
3
thickness of the air film’t’ and the distance 'r' from the centre of the lens is
The condition for constructive interference (bright fringe) and destructive interference (dark fringe)
is given by
The difference between the squares of diameters of mth and nth fringes is
From this one gets an expression for in terms of the diameters of the fringes and R. Note that is the same
whether one chooses dark or bright fringes.
2 2
Dm Dn
A
4R(m n)
We see that mD is proportional to m and not m.mThat means one goes away from the centre, the
fringes are crowded together. On the other hand if one plots
Dm against m, one gets a straight line as
2
shown in fig.9.
: (cm2)
Procedure
4
Number of Rings
1.Bring the point of intersection of the cross-wires of the travelling microscope to the centre of the
ring system.
2.Move the microscope to the left counting the number of the ring till the ring number 25 is reached.
3.Move the microscope in reverse direction until the vertical cross-wire is tangential to the 20th
ring. Note the reading, both the main scale reading (MSR) and the vernier scale coincidence
(VC) on the microscope.
5
4.Continue to move the microscope in the same direction and note the readings for the 15th, 10th and
5th ring.
5.Moving the microscope, cross the centre of the ring system and reach the 5th ring on the other side of
the centre and note the reading. Repeat it for the 10th, 15th and 20th ring.
While taking readings, the microscope should be moved either from right to left or from left to right in
one direction only and never go back and forth. Otherwise back-lash error will be introduced.
Observation table:
Value of one main scale division S = 0.05cm
Number of divisions on the vernier scale N = 50
S
Least Count LC 0.05cm
N 0.001cm
50
Vernier scale reading VSR = V C x LC
Total reading TR = MSR + VSR
Precautions:
1.Clean the glass plate and convex lens thoroughly.
2.Adjust the lens until the central spot of the ring system is dark.
3.Avoid back-lash error by moving the telescope in only one direction while taking readings.
Result: The wavelength of sodium light found using Newton's rings = _______cm (or)
_________A0.
DETERMINATION OF WAVELENGTH OF SODIUM LIGHT USING
DIFFRACTION GRATING (NORMAL INCIDENCE)
Experiment number: 2
Aim: To determine the
) of sodium light using diffraction grating with the normal
wavelength method. incidence
Apparatus: Spectrometer, sodium vapour lamp, grating, reading lens and spirit level.
Theory: The grating equation is
Where
1. = the wavelength of light (in cm)
2. n= the order of the maximum
3. N = the number of lines per cm (on the grating number of lines per inch is given. convert
into lines per cm, one inch = 2.54 cm)
4. θ = the angle of diffraction.
The above formula is used to determine the wavelength by measuring θ with the help of
spectrometer.
Description of the spectrometer:
A spectrometer consists of collimator, telescope, vernier table and grating table. Collimator is
fixed
and should always face the source of light. Telescope can be rotated about a vertical axis and can
be fixed at any desired position by using the clamp provided. The grating table can also be rotated
independently about the same axis and can also be fixed by a clamp. The vernier table has two
scales V1 and V2 along with vernier scales which are diametrically opposite to each other on the
circular vernier table.
θ1 θ1 θ2
θ
V1 ≈ 1V θ2 V2≈V ,2
1 1
, 4
Use the grating equation, find from the measured value of θ
Precautions:
1.The grating should always be held only by edges (do not put fingers on the surface of the grating).
2.Reading of both verniers should be taken.
3.Avoid back-lash error while taking readings.
4.Grating should be normal to the incident light.
Result:
The wavelength of sodium light found using Diffraction grating is ___________ cm (or)
_________A°.
DETERMINATION OF WAVELENGTH OF A SEMICONDUCTOR LASER
Experiment number: 3
Aim: To determine the (λ) of the given semiconductor laser radiation.
wavelength
Apparatus: Semiconductor laser, diffraction grating, screen, measuring scale, grating stand and
retort stand.
Theory: The characteristics of laser light are, (a) high intensity (b) monochromaticity (c) coherence and
(d) directionality. In this experiment, high intensity of laser radiation is exploited.
Using a diffraction grating, the wavelength of sodium light was determined in experiment 2.
There it was noticed that only the first order diffraction maximum was observable. Since higher
order maxima are of fast decreasing intensity, even the second order maximum was barely visible.
This is because sodium vapor lamp emits ordinary light. Another point to note is the shape of the
maxima appears as shown in experiment 2. The reason is, the shape of the source which is the slit
in front of the collimator is a thin rectangle. Except for these two differences, the principle of
determination of wavelength in this experiment is exactly same as in experiment 2. So the formula
to be used is
wher
e
= the wavelength of light
(cm)
N = the number of lines per centimeter on the grating=2500/2.54 lines/cm
n = the order of the spectrum
θ = the angle of diffraction.
In the present experiment, laser light is used, due to the high intensity, in contrast to sodium
light,
several orders of diffraction maxima are observed. θ depends directly on N. In order to be able to
catch
as many orders as possible on the screen (wall in our case), θ has to be small which means N has to
be
small. That is why N in the present case is much smaller (2500 lines per inch) than for the grating
used in experiment 2. The diffraction pattern is caught on a wall at a distance D from the grating as
shown in the figure. If the distance of the nth order maximum from the central spot is d, then
The source of light is the circular aperture of the laser. That is why the diffraction maxima are
circular.
Experimental setup:
Figure 1: (a) Experimental setup to determine the wavelength of laser light. (b) The diffraction pattern
observed on the screen.
Procedure:
1.Setup the apparatus as shown in the figure.
2.Without the grating adjust the direct beam to coincide with the (marked) centre of the screen.
3.Mount the grating and adjust it so that the laser beam reflected by the grating coincides with the
source. Then the grating is normal to the laser beam.
4. With a scale measure d1 and d2 which are the distances respectively of the maxima on the left and
right of the central spot for each order.
Observation table:
Precautions:
1.Do not touch the plane of the grating with hands. Hold it only by the edges.
2.Make the plane of the grating normal to the path of the incident light.
3.Adjust the grating so that the diffraction spots are aligned along horizontal.
Result:
The wavelength of the semiconductor laser = ___________ cm = __________ A°
14
DETERMINATION OF NUMERICAL APERTURE (NA)
AND LOSS IN AN OPTICAL FIBER
Experiment number: 4
Aim: To determine the (a) Numerical Aperture and (b) power loss for an optical fiber.
Apparatus: Optical fiber kit, adapter, optical fibers of lengths 1m and 5m and scaled screen.
Theory:
Numerical Aperture
Light propagates through an optical fiber because of total internal reflection. An optical fiber
15
essentially consists of core of refractive n1 and cladding of refractive index n2 . Light entering the
index
fiber successively suffers total internal reflections at the interface of core and cladding as shown in
the figure. For this to happen it is necessary to have n1 n2 .
Consider the ray propagating in the fiber as shown in the figure. In order that it emerges at
an angle with the axis of the fiber, it has to make an angle of incidence with the interface
between the core and
the cladding. Total internal reflection is possible only if has to be
larger
c then i has to be smaller A where A is the angle of emergence corresponding to
than
than
Ø = c
Thus the largest angle of emergence for a ray to be transmitted through an optical fiber is A . This
also is the largest angle of entry of a ray into the fiber to be able to propagate through it. Therefore
it is called the acceptance angle. The acceptance angle is a measure of the light gathering power of
an optical fiber. Numerical Aperture NA is defined as
Just as A is the maximum angle that a ray can make at the entry into the cable, A is also the
maximum
exit angle. Therefore by measuring the maximum exit angle one can find the acceptance angle as shown
in
the figure. When light is transmitted through the cable, when it exits from the cable, it spreads out
into a cone whose angle is the acceptance angle. If the light is caught on a screen, it will form a
bright circular spot. By measuring the diameter W of the spot and the distance L from the end of
the cable to the screen
one can calculate sin A as shown in the figure.
16
Procedure:
Numerical Aperture
1.Insert one end of the fiber into the LED and switch on the LED. Arrange the screen to be at a
distance L from the other end of the fiber. Increase the intensity of light until a clear circular
spot is visible on the screen.
2.Measure the diameter W of the spot.
3.Repeat for several values of L
Observation table:
Power loss
1.Connect one end of 1m fiber to P0 and the other end to pin.
2.Plug the ac mains, connect the optical fiber patch cord securely after relieving all twists and
strains in the fiber.
3.Adjust the”Set P0 level” to a suitable value (say -20dbm).
4.Note this as P01.
5.Repeat for 5m fiber and note the reading as P02.
6.Choose different P0 levels and repeat steps 4 and 5.
7.Prepare the following table for each P0 level.
17
Observation table:
Trial - 1 Loss in 4m of the cable P P
01 02
Precautions:
1. Insert the optical fiber cable into LED by turning the clinch nut clockwise.
2. See that the optical fiber does not have twists or strains.
3. See that the two cables meet at the centre of the adapter while taking readings for P03.
Result:
Acceptance Angle =
Numerical Aperture =
XY
Average power loss per meter of the cable db/m
DETERMINATION OF WIDTH OF SINGLE SLIT BY DIFFRACTION
Experiment number: 5
Aim: To determine the width of single slit by diffraction
Apparatus: Sodium vapour lamp, adjustable single slit, spectrometer, spirit level and magnifying glass.
Theory: Diffraction, loosely speaking is bending of waves around obstacles or around the edges of an
aperture. Diffraction effects are observable when the wavelength of the waves is comparable to the size
of the obstacle or aperture. In while observing the diffraction of light by a single slit, the width of the
slit should be comparable to the wavelength of sodium light. If a single slit of suitable width is
mounted on the prism table of the spectrometer and viewed through the telescope, if there were no
diffraction, one observes only the direct image of the slit. Due to diffraction, on either side, of the
central maximum, there will be minima. Naturally there will be maxima in between successive minima.
The intensity of diffraction pattern due to a single slit is given by
wher
e
e
sin
e is the width of the slit, is the wavelength of light and θ is the angle of diffraction. Then the condition
n
for the nth minimum is given
by
By measuring for each minimum (each value of n) and by givenλ (5890A0 ) one determines 'e'value.
Procedure:
1.Make the preliminary adjustments of the spectrometer as in experiment 2.
2.Mount the single slit on the prism table and adjust it to be normal to the direction of the light
beam emerging from the collimator.
Precautions:
1. Telescope and the collimator must be set respectively for receiving and giving out parallel rays.
2. Avoid back-lash errors while taking readings.
3. The slit should be as narrow as possible.
Result:
The width of single slit is __________________cm
DETERMINATION OF SPECIFIC ROTATION OF
GLUCOSE SOLUTION USING POLARIMETER
Experiment number: 6
Aim: To determine the specific rotation of glucose solution using polarimeter.
Apparatus: Laurent’s half-shade polarimeter, sodium vapour lamp, glucose, measuring flask, beaker,
analytical balance and weight box.
Theory: When plane polarized light passes through some substances, its plane of polarization rotates
about the direction of propagation. This phenomenon is called optical activity. One such substance is
sugar or glucose solution. The amount of rotation of the plane of polarization of light undergoing in an
optically active solution depends on the length of the solution through which the light travels, and the
concentration of the solution. Specific rotation S is defined as
S =10
LC
Where
= the amount of rotation of the plane of polarization in degrees.
C = concentration of the solution in g/cc
L = length of the solution in centimeters.
To measure S, by using Laurent’s half-shade polarimeter as shown in the figure1.
Graph :
Plot a graph angle θ on the y-
with axis. You should get
concentr a straight line
ation on passing
x-axis
and
through
the
origin.
c(g/cc)
The job of a solar cell is to deliver power to a load. Every source of power has an internal
resistance and so the solar cell also has an internal resistance Ri . The circuit of a solar cell connected to
a load RL is given below:
Ip is the photo-induced current (due to minority charge carriers), I is the current due to photo-
induced voltage Vp (forward bias), IL is the current through the load, RL and VL is the Voltage across the
load.
The characteristic of the solar cell is the graph between IL and VL and is shown in the fig.2.
The parameters, namely, the shortcircuit current Isc and the opencircuit voltage Voc can be
determined from the graph.
(mA)
Isc =
Vm =
V
o
l
t
s
m
A
V
o
l
t
s
m
A
CHARACTERISTICS OF P-N JUNCTION DIODE
Experiment Number 8:
Aim: To study the characteristics of p-n junction diode in the forward and reverse bias conditions
Apparatus: Experimental kit that contains p-n junction diode, voltage source, voltmeter, ammeter
(both in milli- and micro-ammeter range), connecting wires and several resistors.
Theory: A p-n junction diode is a semiconductor which is doped with p-type (trivalent) impurities on
one side and with n-type (pentavalent) impurities on the other side of a junction. As a result, majority
carriers are holes in the p-part and electrons in the n-part. Due to the concentration gradient, holes
diffuse into the n-part and electrons diffuse into the p-part crossing the junction. At the junction, electron-
hole recombination takes place so that in a region around the junction there are immobile
uncompensated ions such that there are negative acceptor ions on the p-side and positive donor ions on
the n-side. Because of these ions, the region around the junction is called the space charge region or
depletion region (because it is depleted of mobile charge carriers). Due to the charge in the depletion
region, an electric field is created at the junction. This junction potential prevents further diffusion of
electrons and holes from crossing the junction. This situation, which is called opencircuited condition,
is shown in fig.1(a). The p-n junction is also called a diode where the p-side is called the anode p and
the n-side is called the cathode n.
The diode symbol is shown in fig.1(d).
Figure 1: Schematic diagram of p-n junction. (a) opencircuited (b) forward biased (c) reverse biased.
Arrows indicate the direction of motion of charge carriers.(d) Circuit symbol of p-n diode.
Forward bias: When the diode is connected to a power source such that the positive terminal of the
power source is connected to the p-side (anode) and the negative terminal is connected to the n-side
(cathode), it is called forward biasing. When this is done, the holes in the p-region are repelled by the
positive voltage and electrons in the n-region are repelled by the negative voltage so that both will cross
the junction causing a current from p to n. This current, which is due to majority carriers on both sides
is called the forward bias current and for a voltage of about 0.8V it is a few milliamperes. The forward
bias current increases exponentially with applied voltage. In the diode symbol, the direction of the
arrow is the direction of current in the forward bias condition.
Reverse bias: If the negative terminal of the voltage source is connected to the plate and positive voltage
to cathode, the electrons in the p-region and holes in the n-region (minority carriers in both regions) cross
the junction and constitute the reverse bias current. The direction of reverse bias current is n to p. Since
this current is due to minority carriers, its magnitude is at least 10-4 times the forward bias current and so
it is in
Microamperes or even less. The reverse bias current initially increases slightly with increasing voltage but
quickly reaches a constant value which is known as reverse saturation current I0 when all the minority
carriers participate in conduction. Therefore I0 is a measure of minority carrier density.
Circuit diagram:
½ mv2 =evs
That is, the kinetic energy of the electron has been converted into potential energy eVS where e is the
charge of the electron. VS is known as the stopping potential.
Now the Einstein’s equation can be written as
hv eVs
Expressing in terms of wavelength instead of frequency(v=c/λ
λ ,c is the velocity of light),
hc
eVs
If we use light of two wavelengths 1 λ2 the corresponding stopping potentials Vs1and Vs2 we can
and write
hc
eVs2
2
or
36
so that the planck’s constant h is given by
h = e(Vs1 Vs2)12
joule second
c(2 1 )
Circuit
diagram:
Procedure:
1.Make the circuit connections as shown in fig 1.
2.Keep the left hand side switch on the panel towards the sensitive side and the right hand side
switch towards 1V side. Switch on the unit. Set the microammeter reading to zero with the
help of the potentiometer marked”zero adjust”.
3.Allow the light from the source to fall on the cover of the photo-cell. Adjust the distance between
the light source and the photo-cell until the deflection in the microammeter is about 20
divisions. 132
4.Choose a filter of wavelength 1and place it in the slot provided in the path of light.
5.Observe the deflection in the microammeter. This is the current for zero anode potential.
6.Apply negative potential to the anode increasing it gradually until the current reduces to zero. Note
the potential Vs1 at which the current reduces to zero. This is the stopping potential for λ1 .
7.Repeat the experiment for two more wavelengths and and note down the corresponding
stopping potentials Vs2 and Vs3
8 . Use the following standard values and determine h.
Standard values:
Electron charge (e) = 1.6x10-19 coul, c=3x108 m/s
10 10 10
(green) 5645 X10 m, (blue) 5265 X10 m, (red ) 6143 X10 m
1 2
Observation table:
Wavelength ( ) Stopping potential Vs (Volts)
Precautions :
1.Do not place the light source very close to photo-cell.
2.Read stopping potential carefully.
Result: The value of Planck’s constant is found to be __________________joule second
37
STUDY OF TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE OF DIELECTRIC
CONSTANT OF A FERROELECTRIC
Experiment number: 10
Aim: To study the temperature dependence of the dielectric constant of a ferroelectric substance and to
determine the transition temperature.
Apparatus: Apparatus with a parallel plate capacitor and heating arrangement, capacitor meter,
temperature meter and ferroelectric sample.
Theory: If a parallel plate capacitor has capacitance C0 when the space between the plates has air and if
its capacitance increases to C when the space between the plates is filled with a dielectric, then the
dielectric constant of the dielectric is defined as
K (or) =
A ferroelectric is a material which has spontaneous polarization. That is, it has polarization
(which is defined as electric dipole moment per unit volume) even when there is no electric field
applied to it. The spontaneous polarization of a dielectric decreases with increasing temperature and
finally vanishes at a temperature known as transition temperature. At this temperature, the ferroelectric
undergoes a phase transition from ferroelectric phase to paraelectric phase. This transition can be
observed by measuring the dielectric constant of the ferroelectric material. As the temperature is
increased, the dielectric constant increases, has a peak at the transition temperature and beyond that
the dielectric constant decreases as
1/T. This behaviour is shown in the figure 1.
(K)
Procedure:
1. Place the ferroelectric which is in the form of a circular disc between the plates of the parallel
plate capacitor. Reduce the spacing between the plates by gently rotating the screw until the
ferroelectric sits snugly between the plates.
38
2. Connect the capacitor meter and measure the capacitance at room temperature.
3. Switch on the heater and as the temperature increases note the temperature and the reading on the
capacitor meter for every 100 .
4. After some temperature, the capacitance starts to increase rapidly.
5. After reaching a maximum value, the capacitance starts to decrease rapidly initially and slowly
later.
6. Note the reading for every 100 in decreasing temperature.
Observation table:
Capacitance without dielectric (of air gap) C0= nF
Capacitance (nF)
S.No T(0 c) T=t+273(k)
Heating Cooling
Plot the graphs with capacitance on the y-axis and temperature on the x-axis for while
temperature increasing and while temperature decreasing. Each of the graphs will be as shown in the
figure but the positions of the maxima may be different. From the position of the maximum, note down
the transition temperature for while temperature is increasing and while temperature is decreasing. The
average of the two is the transition temperature.
Precautions:
1.The transition temperature will be different while heating and cooling. Do not try to make them
same.
2.Near the transition temperature, the reading in the capacitor meter may go out of scale. Do not worry.
Wait for the temperature when it comes back into the range and note the readings.
Result:
The transition temperature of the ferroelectric material = _________ 0c. (or) K.
39
DETERMINATION OF ENERGY GAP OF SEMICONDUCTOR
Experiment number: 11
Aim: To determine the energy band gap of a semiconductor material.
Apparatus: Experimental kit to measure the energy gap, p-n junction diode, heater, thermometer and
connecting wires.
Theory:
When a diode is reverse biased, the current in the diode is due to the minority carriers on both sides of
the junction. In a semiconductor, the majority carriers are impurity induced while the minority carriers
are thermally induced. Therefore the current due to minority carriers is temperature-dependent. When
the reverse bias voltage of the diode is sufficiently large, the reverse bias current reaches a constant
value
40
known as the reverse saturation I0 which is given by
current
I Eg / kT
0
Ae
Where A is a constant, Eg is the energy gap of the semiconductor, k is the Boltzmann constant and T
is the temperature of the diode. Taking log on both side
()
Circuit diagram:
41
Procedure:
1.Make the connections as shown in the circuit diagram.
2.Immerse the diode in a beaker containing oil and place a thermometer in the oil.
3.Increase the voltage until the current in the ammeter shows a constant value.
4.Note the ammeter reading and the temperature.
5.Increase the temperature until the temperature reaches 800
6.Switch off the heater and note down the readings of current and the temperature for every five
degrees in decreasing order until the temperature reaches 40 0.
Observation table:
T ( )
Precautions:
1. At all temperatures, Ensure that the reverse current is in saturation.
Result:
The energy gap of the semiconductor = _______________eV.
42
43
STUDY OF THERMISTOR CHARACTERISTICS
Experiment number:12
Aim: To study the thermistor resistance - temperature characteristics.
Apparatus: Thermistor kit contains resistance, voltage source, thermistor, Galvanometer, heat bath,
thermometer & connecting wires.
Theory: A thermistor is a semiconducting device whose resistance decreases exponentially with increasing
temperature. For example, typically, R = 100 Ω at 300C and R = 10 Ω at 800C for some thermistors (it
could be different for different thermistors). Since the variation of resistance is large, a Wheatstone’s
bridge can be used to measure it. The variation in resistance of a thermistor follows the equation
RT (or) R(T)=AeB/T
A and B are constants which have to be determined in the experiment and T is the temperature in
degrees Kelvin. Rewriting the equation,
B
lnR(T) lnA
T
1
44
If one plots ln R(T) for different temperatures on y-axis and on x-axis, one gets a straight line whose
T
slope is B and the intercept on y-axis is ln A as shown in the figure 1.
{
Figure 1: (a & b) Thermistor characteristic.
Procedure
:
1.Immerse thermistor in oil in a test tube and place the test tube in a beaker of water.
2.Make connections as shown in fig 2.
45
3. Choose P = Q = 470 Ώand adjust R to balance the Wheatstones bridge(make the galvanometer to
0). The value of R is equal to the resistance of the thermistor at room temperature.
4. Switch on the heater and heat till the temperature reaches 90 0c, switch off the heater and as the
temperature decreases note the Resistance while balancing the bridge by changing R for every
100C fall.
Observation table:
t T=t+273(k)
Plot the graph with 1/T on the x-axis and ln R on the y-axis From the graph determine the B of the
thermistor. Plot the graph with T on X-axis and R on Y-axis fig. 1 (b).
We have ln R ln
Substitue R= Rx, T=Tx, B = Slope from Fig. 1 (a) and calculate ln A and A
Precautions:
1. While heating, the temperature rises fast. Therefore readings should be taken quickly only while
cooling.
Result:
Temperature characteristics of thermistor studied and constants determined as
A = ________________Ohms, B = ___________________ K
46
CRO - MEASUREMENT OF
AMPLITUDE, TIME PERIOD AND
FREQUENCY
Experiment number: 13
Aim: To determine the amplitude, time period and frequency of a given signal using CRO.
Apparatus: Cathode Ray Oscilloscope (CRO), one signal generator and connecting wires.
Theory:
A cathode ray oscilloscope (CRO) is a basic testing and measuring instrument in an electronics
laboratory. Apart from many other controls, the essential components of a CRO are as shown in the
figure, an electron gun, deflecting X - and Y - plates and a phosphor screen. From the electron gun one
gets a thin pencil of electron beam. When it hits the screen a bright spot is visible. The electron beam
passes through regions where two pairs of deflecting plates are placed one after another to deflect the
beam, one pair which are called the X-plates to deflect along the x-axis and another which are called
the Y-plates to defect the beam along the Y-axis. When no voltage is applied to the plates, the beam is at
the centre of the screen. When a dc voltage is applied to the X-plates the beam is shifted horizontally
by an amount propor- tional to the magnitude of the voltage. Similarly, when a dc voltage is applied to
the Y-plates, the beam shifts vertically. When a voltage is applied to both the plates, the beam is shifted
at an angle. This is visible as shift of the spot on the screen. In most of the applications, a sawtooth
wave is applied to the X-plates.
A sawtooth, as shown in the figure, starts at a negative voltage - V0 and starts all over again. If such a
signal is applied to the X-plates, the spot on the screen starts from extreme left, shifts to the right uni-
formly in time till it reaches the right extreme, suddenly - shifts back to the left extreme and starts all
over again. Due to the persistence of the phosphor screen, it appears as if a horizontal line is drawn
across the screen. This line represents a time axis. Now, if a time-varying voltage is applied to the Y-
plates, then we get a trace of a waveform which represents the time - variation of the applied voltage.
So the amplitude and frequency can determined.
Procedure:
1. After switching on, the CRO, make the spot bright and sharp by using the control "Intensity" and "Focus".
2. Bring the spot to the centre of the screen (the screen has graduations on x-and y-axes) using the controls
"X- shift" and "Y-shift".
3. Using the control for "Y-scale", set it to say, 1 V/cm.
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4. Using the control for "X-scale", set it to say, 1 msec/cm.
5. Choosing a certain voltage, say 1.5V and a certain frequency. say 1kHz in the signal generator, feed the
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output of the signal generator to the Y-plates of the CRO. A sine wave will appear on the screen.
6. Measure the peak value in cm using the y-scale. Note it as y in cm.
7. Change the Y-scale to say 0.5 V/cm and repeat the measurement.
8. Measure the distance along x-axis covered by say, five (n) waves. Note it as x in cm.
9. Change the X-scale, say 5msec/cm and repeat the measurement.
From x we get the distance in cm for one wave by dividing x by n. By multiplying this with X-scale, we get the
time period T of the wave. 1/T is the frequency of the wave.
Observations & Calculations:
To measure the Time period & Frequency:
Type of No. of Division on X- Value on CRO Time (T = a x b) Frequency
Wave Axis (a) Time/Div (b) Sec Sec (f=1/T) Hz
Precautions:
1. The various controls of CRO are handled gently without applying force
2. The intensity of the trace is always kept at minimum required level. At no time spot is allowed to stay
onthe screen for a longtime.
Result:
Amplitude = Volts
Frequency = KHz
Time period = Seconds
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Viva-Voce
Questions and Answers
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1. DETERMINATION OF WAVELENGTH OF
SODUIM LIGHT USING NEWTON’S RINGS
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5. Why do you get rings closer as the order of the rings increase?
A The fringe width decreases with increase in the order of fringe because m Where D = Diameter,
D m = order of fringe.
8. What should be the approximate thickness of the air film so that it is seen coloured in
the reflected white light?
A The thickness of the air film should be the order of wavelength of the incident light
10. What will happen when sodium lamp is replaced by white light source?
A The coloured rings will be seen in place of alternate bright and dark rings.
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A Due to the large radius of curvature of spherical surface, the diameters of the rings shall be large
and hence greater accuracy in their measurement shall be attained. Secondly, it will also justify the
assumption made in the derivation of the formula.
13. What will happen if front surface of the glass plate is silvered.
A The transmitted part of the light waves will also be reflected. Then due to the superposition of
reflected and transmitted wave system, the uniform illuminations will be observed.
14. What will happen if an air film is replaced by a transparent liquid of refractive index µ ?
A The diameter of the rings contracted by a factor of 1/ õ .
15. Should you not get two sets of rings in the case of sodium light as it also has two wavelengths?
A In the case of sodium light, the wavelengths of the two lines are nearly equal, they produce
superimposed system of rings and hence the ring system appears as due to one wavelength.
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18. To determine the wavelength of sodium light, why the 4 pR ) is used
formula ( Dn p Dn
instead of the formula for the nth ring nD2 4nR .
A Due to dust particles or unclear surfaces of the lens and
plate the contact of the lens and plate at the centre may not
be perfect. The central spot although dark may not be the
zeroeth ring and therefore the order 'n' of the ring cannot be
known accurately. Since the difference of the squares of
the diameters do not require the separate values of the two
orders, the error due to imperfect contact at the centre can
be eliminated.
19. Out of the two given lenses, one plano-convex and the other bi-convex,
material and having same power), which one will be preferred?
A Bi-convex lens will be preferred because it will have a
larger radius of curvature than that of plano-convex lens.
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20. How can you produce Newton's rings with bright centre in reflected light?
A It can be produced by introducing oil as thinfilm ( =1.57) in between the crown glass (µ =1.50)
lens and flint glass (µ =1.65) plate.
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2. DETERMINATION OF WAVELENGTH - DIFFRACTION GRATING
(NORMAL INCIDENCE)
10. Does the performance of grating replica is same as the original grating?
A No. Due to involvement of distortion and shrinkage in its making, grating replica does not perform
exactly as the original grating.
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11. Why replica grating is being used if its performance is poor in comparison of original
grating? A Due to complicated and expensive process in manufacturing of the original grating,
replica grating is preferred in general use. The cost of replica grating is very less compared to that of an
original
grating.
Percentage error =
14. What will be nature of the grating spectra when monochromatic light falls normally on it?
A When monochromatic light falls normally on the grating, the zero order image is formed in the
direction of incidient light consisting of maxima and minima on either side of it.
15. Why does the separation of the spectral lines are not same in different orders of the spectra?
A This is due to the dispersive power of the grating which increases with increases in the order of the
spectrum. The spectra lines are more separated in the higher orders than the lower orders.
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16. Is it necessary to set the rules surface of the g⎝ rating facing towards the
telescope?Ex⎠plain.
A Yes, it is necessary to set the grating with rules surface facing the telescope to
get the actual angle of diffraction. If the lines are facing towards the
collimator then after diffraction from the lines refraction also takes place in
the thick glass plate. Due to this refraction of the diffracted light the
measured angle will not be the actual angle of diffraction.
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3. DETERMINATION OF WAVELENGTH OF A
SEMICONDUCTOR LASER
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5. What is the line width of a laser?
A Line width is also called as the spectral width. It is the frequency spread Δv of a . It is
spectral line
a measure of monochromaticity of a light source. Typical white light source has Δv ≈300 nm
while
laser has typical Δv ≈0.001 nm.
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4. DETERMINATION OF NUMERICAL APERTURE (NA)
AND LOSS IN AN OPTICAL FIBER
2. What possible materials are used for the core and the cladding?
A The core must always have a refractive index higher than the cladding to enable total
internal reflection. Core and cladding are usually made out of glasses (SiO2 , GeO2 ) and
plastics.
8. Define attenuation?
A Attenuation is the loss of input power inside the optical fiber. It is a function of fiber material,
wavelength of light and length of fiber.
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5. DETERMINATION OF WIDTH OF A SINGLE SLIT BY DIFFRACTION
1. What is diffraction?
A Bending of light ray around the edges of a slit or corners of an obstacle is known as diffraction.
2. What is the condition for diffraction?
A Where d - width of the slit
λ- wavelength of light
3. What are the differences between interference and diffraction ?
A DIFFRACTION INTERFERENCE
1. Single source 1. Two or more descrete sources
2. Fringe width never equal 2. May / may not be equal
3. Minima not of zero intensity 3. May / may not be of zero intensity
4. Maxima are not of uniform intensity 4. same intensity
5. Coherence by division of wavefront 5. By division of wave fronts or division of amplitude
4. Define Huygen's principle?
A Every point on the primary wavefront acts like a source for secondary waves.
5.State the principle for single slit diffraction experiment?
A Nα sinθ
λ- wavelength of light
e=slit width
θ=diffraction angle
n=order of maxima
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6. How does the diffraction angle depend on wavelength of light?
A. λαesinθ
λ increases =>θ increases
λ decreases=> θ decreases
for the given constant e, n
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7. What is the diffraction pattern observed for white light ?
A Central maxima is white followed by a group of spectras on either sides of it with
violet fringe nearer to central maxima & red fringe further from central maxima in every
spectra (n)
8. List out few of the applications?
A Wavelength of unknown source can be determined accurately, used for spectral studies since angular
dispersion is greater when compared to that of prism
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6. DETERMINATION OF SPECIFIC ROTATION OF
GLUCOSE SOLUTION USING POLARIMETER
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9. Why do you use sodium light in half shade polarimeter?
A. The half shade polarimeter introduces a path difference /2 between the ordinary and extraor-
of
dinary rays for a particular wavelenght for which it is designed. This matches with the
wavelength of sodium light.
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12. What are optically active substances?
A.The substances which exhibit the phenomenon of optical activity are known as optically active
substance. Optically active substances are mainly of two types.
i. Dextro-rotatory or Right handed (Examples: canesugar, sugar solution, glucose, tartaric acid,
camphor etc.)
ii. Leavo-rotatory or Left handed (Examples. Fruit sugar, fructose, nicotine, turpentine etc.)
16. What is the use of introducing half shade or bi-quartz device in the polarimeter?
A.It increases the sensitivity of the polarimeter considerably.
- In case of semi conductors fermi level represents the average energy level. In case of
intrinsic semi conductor fermi level lies exactly in between th e bottom of the C.B. and top
of the V.B. In n-type fermi level will be just below the C.B. and in p-type it is just above the
V.B.
9. DETERMINATION OF PLANCK’S CONSTANT USING PHOTO-CELL
2. What is the value and the units of Planck's constant? & define plank's constant.
A The energy associated with a photon is proportional to its frequency and the proportionality
constant
is called plank's constant ,
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11. DETERMINATION OF ENERGY GAP OF A SEMICONDUCTOR
78
12. STUDY OF THERMISTOR CHARACTERISTICS
79
13.CRO VIVA-VOCE
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