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
Spectrometer
Spirit level
Magnifying glass
Glass prism
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
Vellore Institute of Technology BPHY101P Engineering Physics Lab Manual

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.

Refraction is due to the change in speed of light while passing through the medium. It is given by
Snell's Law.

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

is the angle of incidence, 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

------------------ (2)

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 (LC):

Least Count = = =1

Procedure
Initial 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.
Vellore Institute of Technology BPHY101P Engineering Physics Lab Manual

(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

The horizontal level of prism table is adjusted using a spirit level and levelling screws.

NOTE:
Once the telescope is focused at the distant object it should not be disturbed throughout the
experiment.
The verniers (Vernier A and Vernier B) should not be interchanged throughout the
experiment.
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.
Only figure 3 is to be drawn in the lab note book.

To Determine the Angle of Minimum Deviation (D)

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

Now slowly rotate the telescope towards the side BC and obtain the spectrum by placing the
telescope at C.
Vellore Institute of Technology BPHY101P Engineering Physics Lab Manual

Figure 2

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

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
Vellore Institute of Technology BPHY101P Engineering Physics Lab Manual

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

Then calculate the refractive index of the glass prism using the formula.

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
Vellore Institute of Technology BPHY101P Engineering Physics Lab Manual

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.

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