Date…………………………..

Experiment no:
Class: M.Sc 4th Semester Group………………………….
Roll no. 91 Sub……………………………..
Shift: Day Set……………………………...

TO STUDY THE CAUCHY FORMULA AND FIND CAUCHY CONSTANT

FOR GIVEN PRISM

Apparatus Required

Spectrometer Mercury Vapour Lamp

Prism Eye Piece
Sodium Light

Theory
Cauchy's equation is an empirical relationship between the refractive index and
wavelength of light for a particular transparent material. It is named for the
mathematician Augustin-Louis Cauchy, who defined it in 1836.
The most general form of Cauchy’s equation is
B C
n   A   ....
 2
4
where n is the refractive index, λ is the wavelength, B, C, D, etc., are coefficients
that can be determined for a material by fitting the equation to measured refractive
indices at known wavelengths.
The refractive index of the material of the prism for each colour is calculated using
𝐴+𝐷
𝑆𝑖𝑛( )
the relation.𝜇 = 2
𝐴
𝑆𝑖𝑛 ( )
2

The refractive index n of the material of the prism for a wavelength λ is given by.
 B
n  A
2
Where A and B are called Cauchy’s constants for the prism.
If the refractive indices n1 and n2 for any two known wavelength λ1 and λ2 are
determined by a spectrometer, the Cauchy’s constants A and B can be calculated
from the above equation.
Above equation can also be written as y=mx+c
Now, taking sum on both sides

 y  m x  c
Again multiplying by x and taking summation of equation

 xy  m x 2
 c x
Solving both equation, we get

m 
x y  n xy
  x   n x
2 2

c
xy  m x 2

x

*The theory of light-matter interaction on which Cauchy based this equation was
later found to be incorrect. In particular, the equation is only valid for regions of
normal dispersion in the visible wavelength region. In the infrared, the equation
becomes inaccurate, and it cannot represent regions of anomalous dispersion.

OBSERVATIONS:
20 divisions of main scale = 100
1 divisions of main scale = 0.50
No. of division on the Vernier scale (V.S) = 30

 V.C =𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑜𝑓𝑛𝑜.𝑜𝑓

𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑒 𝑑𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛
𝑉.𝑆 𝑑𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑠𝑜𝑛
 0.5 0
( 30 ) =0.0170

a) For angle of Prism ‘A’

Vernier I Telescope Reading
Reading face-I Reading face -II Mean
S.N
M.S V.S Total M.S V.S Total 2A=T1-T2

1 64 6 64.102 303.5 13 303.721 60.191

2 63.5 28 63.976 303.5 13 303.721 60.128

3 63.5 28 63.976 304.5 13 304.721 59.628

Vernier II Telescope Reading

Reading face-I Reading face -II Mean
S.N
M.S V.S Total M.S V.S Total 2A=T1-T2

1 243.5 21 243.857 123.5 11 123.687 60.085

2 243.5 19 243.823 123.6 11 123.687 60.068

3 243.5 19 243.823 123.5 11 123.755 60.034

 Angle of Prism (A) = (60.191 + 60.128 + 59.628 + 60.085 + 60.068 + 60.034

∴ 𝐴 = 60.0220
Also
𝜎𝐴 = 0.2010
Δ 𝐴 = 0.08190
Angle of prism (𝐴) = (60.0220 ± 0.0819)0

b) Determination of minimum deviation of different colours light

Reading of Minimum
S.N Colors Vernier Reading of Direct Difference
Deviation
M.S Tootal M.S Tootal 𝐷𝑚
V.S V.S
(deg ) (deg) (deg ) (deg) (Deg)
1. Red I 253.0 16 253..27 210.5 28 210.97 42.30
 II 73..0 21 73.35 30.5 04 30.57 42.78
I 254.5 18 254.80 212.0 20 212.33 42.47
II 74.5 23 74.88 32.0 15 32.25 42.63
I 260.0 27 260.45 218.0 24 218.40 42.05
II 80.5 12 80.70 38.5 06 38.60 42.10
I 253.5 16 253.27 210.5 28 210.97 42.68
II 73.0 21 73.35 30.5 04 30.57 43.11
I 255.0 27 255.45 212.0 20 212.33 43.12
2. yellow
II 75.0 09 75.15 32.0 15 32.25 42.90
I 26.1 02 261.03 218.0 24 218.40 42.63
II 81.5 07 81.62 38.5 06 38.60 43.02
I 254.0 24 254.40 210.5 28 210.97 44.18
II 74.0 01 74.62 30.5 04 30.57 44.70
I 255.5 14 255.73 212.0 20 212.33 43.40
3. Green
II 75.5 26 75.96 32.0 15 32.25 43.68
I 261.5 28 261.97 218.0 24 218.40 43.57
II 82.0 17 82.28 38.5 06 38.60 43.68
I 255.0 09 255.15 210.5 28 210.97 44.18
II 75.0 16 75.27 30.5 04 30.57 44.70
I 256.5 19 256.82 212.0 20 212.33 44.49
4. Voilet
II 76.5 08 76.63 32.0 15 32.33 44.30
I 262.5 04 262.57 228.0 24 218.40 44.17
II 83.0 12 83.20 38.5 06 38.60 44.60

Mean Dm for red colour = 42.39

Mean Dm for yellow colour = 42.91
Mean Dm for for Green colour = 43.57
Mean Dm for violet colour = 44.41
∴ for red, (Dm)red = 42.390 with (𝜎𝐷𝑚 )𝑟𝑒𝑑 = 0.2910 , (Δ𝐷𝑚 )𝑟𝑒𝑑 = 0.1190
for yellow, (Dm)yellow = 42.910 with (𝜎𝐷𝑚 )𝑦𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 = 0.2130 , (Δ𝐷𝑚 )𝑦𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 = 0.8710
for Green, (Dm)green = 43.570 with (𝜎𝐷𝑚 )𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑛 = 0.4830 , (Δ𝐷𝑚 )𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑛 = 0.1970
for Violet, (Dm)violet = 44.410 with (𝜎𝐷𝑚 )violet = 0.2230 , (Δ𝐷𝑚 )violet = 0.0910
So,
(𝐷𝑚 )𝑅𝑒𝑑 = (42.99 ± 0.119)0
(𝐷𝑚 )𝑦𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 = (42.91 ± 0.0871)0
(𝐷𝑚 )𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑛 = (43.87 ± 0.197)0
(𝐷𝑚 )𝑣𝑖𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑡 = (44.41 ± 0.091)0

Now , for refractive index

𝐴 + 𝐷𝑚,𝑛
𝑆𝑖𝑛 ( )
2
Colour Dm A 𝜇= Δ𝜇
𝐴
𝑆𝑖𝑛 ( )
2
Red 42.390 60.020 1.55 0.098
Yellow 42.91 0
60.02 0
1.56 0.078
Blue 43.570 60.020 1.57 0.078
Violet 44.410 60.020 1.58 0.097

Calculation
1
𝐴 + 𝐷𝑚,𝑛 2 𝐷 +𝐴 2
𝑆𝑖𝑛 ( 2 ) Δ𝐷𝑚 𝐶𝑜𝑠 ( 𝑚2 )
Δ𝜇 = [ ] +[ ]
𝐴 𝐴
𝑆𝑖𝑛 ( 2 ) 2𝑆𝑖𝑛 ( 2 )

∴ 𝜇𝑅 = (1.55 ± 0.098) 𝜇𝐺 = (1.55 ± 0.098)

∴ 𝜇𝑦 = (1.56 ± 0.078) 𝜇𝑉 = (1.58 ± 0.097)
To determine diffraction angle of Ist Order
Reading of Minimum
Colors Vernier Reading of Direct Difference
Deviation
M.S Tootal M.S Tootal 𝐷𝑚
V.S V.S
(deg ) (deg) (deg ) (deg) (Deg)
I 3550 12 355.20 38.5 05 38.58 43.38
Red II 175.0 14 175.23 218.0 29 218.48 43.25
I 7.0 23 7.38 50.5 08 50.63 43.25
 II 187.0 09 187.15 230.0 04 230.07 42.92
I 356.0 18 356.47 37.0 29 27.48 41.01
II 176.0 23 176.38 216.5 09 216.65 40.27
yellow
I 8.0 28 8.47 49.0 23 49.38 40.91
II 188.0 24 188.40 228.5 14 228.73 40.33
I 357.5 03 357.55 36.0 26 36.43 38.93
II 177.0 28 177.47 215.5 29 215.98 38.51
Green
I 9.5 26 9.93 48.5 16 48.97 38.84
II 189.0 28 189.47 228.0 12 228.20 38.73
I 1.0 22 1.37 31.5 29 31.98 30.61
II 181.0 24 181.40 211.5 22 211.87 30.47
Violet
I 14.0 24 14.40 45.0 06 45.10 30.70
II 193.0 11 198.18 224.0 02 224.03 30.85

Then, for 1st order

(𝜃1 )𝑅𝑒𝑑 = 21.600 with (Δ𝜃1 )𝑟𝑒𝑑 = 0.04910
(𝜃1 )𝑦𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 = 20.310 with (Δ𝜃1 )𝑟𝑒𝑑 = 0.09600
(𝜃1 )𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑛 = 19.380 with (Δ𝜃1 )𝑟𝑒𝑑 = 0.04530
(𝜃1 )𝑣𝑖𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑡 = 15.530 with (Δ𝜃1 )𝑟𝑒𝑑 = 0.03990

For the calculation of wavelength

𝟏
Colour (𝒂 + 𝒃) = 𝜽𝟏 𝝀 = (𝒂 + 𝒃)𝑺𝒊𝒏𝜽𝟏 𝚫𝝀
𝑵
Red 21.600 6232A0 772.9A0
Yellow 20.310 5876A0 1524A0
Green 19.380 5608A0 723.4A0
Voilet 15.330 4476A0 651.5A0

For Red,
𝜆𝑅 = (6232 ± 772.9)𝐴0

For Yellow,
𝜆𝑅 = (5876 ± 152)𝐴0

For Green,
𝜆𝑅 = (5608 ± 723.4)𝐴0

For Voilet,
𝜆𝑅 = (4476 ± 651.5)𝐴0

Where, Δ𝜆 = Δ𝜃1 (𝑎 + 𝑏)𝐶𝑜𝑠𝜃1

As for Cauchy’s Constant
𝜇 = 𝐴 + 𝐵/𝜆2
Comparing it with equation y = mx+c we get
𝑦=𝜇
𝑥 = 1/𝜆2
And A = c, B = m
So, for ∑𝑦 = 𝑚∑𝑥 + 𝑛𝑐
And ∑𝑥𝑦 = 𝑚∑𝑥 2 + 𝑐∑𝑦
∑𝑥∑𝑦−𝑛∑𝑥𝑦
B = m = (∑𝑥)2 −𝑛∑𝑥 2

And
𝑚∑𝑥 2
A = C = ∑𝑥𝑦 − ∑𝑥

For best fit

𝟏 𝒙𝟐
𝝁 xy
𝝀𝟐

2.57 × 1012 1.55 3.99 × 1012 6.63 × 1024

2.90 × 1012 1.56 4.52 × 1012 8.39 × 1024
3.18 × 1012 1.57 4.99 × 1012 1.01 × 1025
4.99 × 1012 1.58 7.89 × 1012 1.49 × 1025
∑𝑥 = 1.38 × 1013 ∑𝑦 = 6.26 ∑𝑥𝑦 = 7.14 × 1013 ∑𝑥 2 = 5.00 × 1025
Then,
∑𝑥∑𝑦−𝑛∑𝑥𝑦
B = m = (∑𝑥)2 −𝑛∑𝑥 2 = 1.07 × 10−14 𝑚2

And
𝑚∑𝑥 2
A = C = ∑𝑥𝑦 − =1.53
∑𝑥

Hence, Equation is
10−14
𝜇 = 1.53 + 1.07 ×
𝜆2

For,
𝜆 = 6300𝐴0 , 𝜇 = 1.56
𝜆 = 4400𝐴0 , 𝜇 = 1.58

From plot:
A = C = 1.528
B = m = 1.6 × 1012 𝑚2

Result
From the experiment the following results are obtained
Colours Refractive index (𝝁) Wavelength (𝝀)
Red (1.55 ± 0.098) (6232 ± 772.9)𝐴0

Yellow (1.56 ± 0.078) (58.36 ± 1524)𝐴0

Green (1.57 ± 0.078) (5608 ± 323.4)𝐴0

Voilet (1.58 ± 0.097) (4476 ± 651.5)𝐴0

Cauchy’s Constant
A = 1.54 B = 6.65 × 10−15 𝑚2
Discussion
The refractive index of the substance thus formed was to be linear function of
inverse square of the wavelength of the colour of light. The deviation in the
experiment may be due to the least count of spectrometer The refractive index
increases from yellow to blue i.e  y  B and wavelength from blue to yellow

B  y
From the experiment we conclude that , the refractive index  increases from red
light to blue lifth i.e R  0   y  G  B  I  V
And wavelength increases from violet to red. The linear relationship between
refractive index and inverse square of wavelength shows that the substance
because more refractive or more visible for the smaller wavelength of light. During
this experiment, there arise error due to the defect in our experiment like
fluctuation of table, the room may not be completely dark and least count i.e no. of
division can’t be visible completely. As we remove this problem, we can find good
output from the experiment.

Precaution
1) Reading should be made properly avoiding the parallex error
2) Reading should be taken for clear band of colors only