Newton Rings

Newton’s Ring
MD. Noman Hossain

Assistant professor,
Department of Physics
Imperial College of Engineering
(Rajshahi University Affiliated)
Newton’s ring:
Circular interference fringes are produced by a varying thickness of air film
between the glass plate and the Plano-convex lens. Such fringes were first
observed by Isaac Newton and are called Newton’s ring.
MD. Noman Hossain, Assistant Professor, Department of Physics, Imperial College of Engineering (Rajshahi University Affiliated)
Theory:
‘S’ is a monochromatic source of light, it is placed at the focus of the Lens 𝐿1 . A horizontal beam of
light falls on the glass plate AB at 450 . The glass plate reflects a part of the incident light towards
the air film enclosed by the lens and plane glass plate ‘G’. The reflected beam from the air film is
viewed with a microscope. Interference takes place and dark and bright circular fringes are
produced. This is due to the interference between the light reflected from the lower surface of the
lens and upper surface of the glass plate G.
Let the radius of the curvature of the lens is R and the air film thickness t is at a distance of OQ = r.
Here interference is due to reflected light.
The path difference between rays = 2t + extra path difference due to reflection
𝜋𝜆 𝜆
= 2t + = 2t +
2𝜋 2
𝜆 𝜆
For brightness constructive interference path diff. ( 2t + ) = 2n
2 2
𝜆 𝜆 𝜆
∴ 2𝑡 = 2n - = ( 2n -1) .. .. (1)
2 2 2
𝜆 𝜆
And for darkness or destructive interference path diff. ( 2t + ) = ( 2n +1)
2 2
𝜆
∴ 2𝑡 = 2n .. .. (2)
2
From figure,
EP x HE = OE x (2R – OE) But, EP = HE = r (radius of the ring)
OE = PQ = t, air film thickness
2R- OE = 2R≈ 2𝑅 Since t<< 1
𝑟2
𝑟2 = 2𝑅𝑡 ∴ 𝑡 =
2𝑅
Substituting the value of t in equation (1) and (2)

For bright fringes,
1 𝜆 𝑟2 𝜆
t= 2𝑛 − 1 ⟹ = 2𝑛 − 1
2 2 2𝑅 4
𝜆𝑅
⟹ 𝑟 2 = 2𝑛 − 1 2
.. .. (3)
If The diameter of the ring is d = 2r
⟹ 𝑑 2 = 4𝑟 2
𝜆𝑅
⇒ 𝑑 2 = 4 2𝑛 − 1 2
⇒ 𝑑 2 = 2 (2𝑛 − 1) 𝜆𝑅
For the 𝑚𝑡ℎ 𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑑𝑚
2 = 2 (2𝑚 − 1) 𝜆𝑅
And For the 𝑛𝑡ℎ 𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑑𝑛2 = 2 (2𝑛 − 1) 𝜆𝑅

2 − 𝑑 2 = 2 { 2𝑚 − 1) − (2𝑛 − 1) } 𝜆𝑅
∴ 𝑑𝑚 𝑛
= 4 (m − n ) 𝜆𝑅
2 − 𝑑2
𝑑𝑚 𝑛
⇒𝜆= , this the wave length of light from bright condition.
4 (m − n ) 𝑅
Now,
For dark fringes, 𝑟 2 = 𝑛𝜆𝑅
If The diameter of the ring is d = 2r
⟹ 𝑑 2 = 4𝑟 2
⇒ 𝑑 2 = 4 𝑛𝜆𝑅
For the 𝑚𝑡ℎ 𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 , 𝑑𝑚
2 = 4 𝑚𝜆𝑅
And For the 𝑛𝑡ℎ 𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 , 𝑑𝑛2 = 4 𝑛𝜆𝑅

2 − 𝑑 2 = 4 𝑚𝜆𝑅 − 4 𝑛𝜆𝑅
∴ 𝑑𝑚 𝑛
= 4 (m − n ) 𝜆𝑅
2 − 𝑑2
𝑑𝑚 𝑛
⇒𝜆= , this the wave length of light from dark condition.
4 (m − n ) 𝑅
Refractive index of a liquid using Newton’s Ring:
Theory:
The liquid refractive index is to be measured is poured into the place between the lens
and the glass plate. The diameter of the rings is measured.
For the liquid, The path difference 2𝜇𝑡 = 𝑛𝜆 for dark rings.
𝑟2
But t = ,
2𝑅
𝑟2 𝑛𝜆𝑅
So , 2𝜇 = 𝑛𝜆 ⟹ 𝑟 2 =
2𝑅 𝜇
4𝑛𝜆𝑅
Again, in terms of diameter, 𝑎2 =
𝜇
4𝑚𝜆𝑅
For the 𝑚𝑡ℎ 𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔, 𝑑𝑚
2 =
𝜇
4𝑛𝜆𝑅
And For the 𝑛𝑡ℎ 𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔, 𝑑𝑛2 =
𝜇
2 − 𝑑2 = 4𝜆𝑅
∴ 𝑑𝑚 𝑛 (m – n) .. .. (1) Here , m > n
𝜇
Now the liquid is left out, then the film is air.
For air film 𝑚𝑡ℎ and 𝑛𝑡ℎ diameters of the ring are 𝑑𝑚
′ 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑑 ′
𝑛
respectively.
2 2
′ − 𝑑 ′ = 4 𝑚 − 𝑛 𝜆𝑅 . . . . 2
So, 𝑑𝑚 𝑛
Dividing equation (2) by equation (1) we have
2
′ − 𝑑′ 2
𝑑𝑚 𝑛
𝜇= 2 − 𝑑2 ,
𝑑𝑚 𝑛
Knowing diameters, we can determine the refractive index of the liquid.

Newton Rings

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Newton Rings

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Newton Rings

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Newton’s Ring

MD. Noman Hossain

Substituting the value of t in equation (1) and (2)

And For the 𝑛𝑡ℎ 𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑑𝑛2 = 2 (2𝑛 − 1) 𝜆𝑅

And For the 𝑛𝑡ℎ 𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 , 𝑑𝑛2 = 4 𝑛𝜆𝑅

Knowing diameters, we can determine the refractive index of the liquid.

You might also like