EXPERIMENT 2

1. AIM

Determination of the wavelength of monochromatic light.

2. OBJECTIVE

To determine the wavelength of monochromatic (sodium) light by Newton’s rings experiment.

3. THEORY

When a plano-convex lens of large radius of curvature is placed with its convex surface in contact with a
plane glass plate, an air film of gradually increasing thickness is formed between the two. If monochromatic
light (sodium lamp) is allowed to fall normally on the plano-convex lens and viewed as shown in figure 1.2,
then alternate dark and bright circular fringes are observed. These rings are known as Newton’s rings.

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Figure1: The combination of plano-convex lens and plane glass plate forming Newton’s ring.

Newton’s rings are formed because of the interference between the waves reflected from the top and bottom
surfaces of the air film formed between the palno-convex lens and glass plate. These rings are concentric
circles which are seen by using a microscope given in Figure 1 and 3.
𝜆
The path difference between 1 and 2 ray is given by: = 2 𝜇 𝑡 𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝑟 + 𝜃) - 2 ………..(1)

Since: The wedge shape film enclosed between the plano-convex lens and plate is air μ=1

Light is incident normally on the arrangement/ wedge shape air film r = 0

The plano-convex lens used is of large radius of curvature, thus the angle of wedge shape air film formed is
Ɵ ~ 0 hence cos(r+Ɵ) = 1
𝜆
Hence path difference between 1 and 2 ray is given by: = 2𝑡- …………(2)
2

𝜆
For Bright fringe/ ring path difference = nλ i.e. 2𝑡 - 2 = nλ

𝜆
𝑡 = (2𝑛 + 1) 2 ………….(3)

𝜆 𝜆 𝜆
For dark fringe/ ring path difference = (2𝑛 + 1) 2 i.e. 2𝑡 - 2 = (2𝑛 + 1) 2

𝑡 = nλ ………… (4)

Figure 2

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From Fig. 2 using property of chords (product of segment of two intersecting chords is equal.

Here, AB and CD chords are intersecting at point N) Therefore:

AN X NB = NC X ND

𝒓𝒏 𝐱 𝒓𝒏 = (𝟐𝑹𝒕 − 𝒕) 𝐱 𝒕

𝒓𝟐𝒏 = 𝟐𝑹𝒕 − 𝒕𝟐

Since t ≤ R (R =150 cm and t = micro meter range)

𝒓𝟐𝒏 = 𝟐𝑹𝒕

𝒓𝟐𝒏
𝒕=
𝟐𝑹
𝑫
( 𝟐𝒏 )𝟐
𝒕=
𝟐𝑹
𝑫𝟐𝒏
𝒕= ………[5]
𝟖𝑹

In Newton’s Ring Exp., the condition of Bright fringe

𝝀
2𝒕 = (2𝒏 + 1) 2 …………[6]

𝑫𝟐𝒏 𝝀
2 = (2𝒏 + 1)
𝟖𝑹 2
𝑫𝟐𝒏(𝒃𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕) = 𝟐(𝟐𝒏 + 𝟏)λR

𝑫𝒏(𝒃𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕) 𝜶 √(𝟐𝒏 + 𝟏)

Similarly, for dark ring

𝝀
2𝒕 = (2𝒏)
2
𝑫𝟐𝒏(drk) = 𝟒𝒏λR …………[7]

𝑫𝒏(dark) 𝜶 √𝒏

From eq. [7], the difference of n+p th and nth dark ring is

D2n+p-D2n= 4 p R λ

𝑫𝟐𝒏+𝒑 − 𝑫𝟐𝒏
𝝀= ………….(8)
𝟒𝒑𝑹

So λ can be calculated by this formula as given in Eq (8).

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4. APPARATUS USED

1. Travelling microscope
2. 45O inclined glass plate
3. Optically plane glass plate
4. Plano convex lens
5. Reading lens and lamp
6. A spherometer

FORMULA USED

The wavelength λ of the monochromatic light is give by

2
𝐷𝑛+𝑝 − 𝐷𝑛2
𝜆=
4 𝑝𝑅

Dn+p= Diameter of the (n+p)th bright ring.

Dn= Diameter of nth bright ring.

𝑎2 ℎ
R= Radius of curvature of the convex surface of the plano convex lens and is given by: R= +
6ℎ 2
where ‘a’ is the distance between two legs of spherometer and h is the height of convexity of the lens.

5. RAY DIAGRAM
Figure 3 shows the experimental set up for determination of wavelength of monochromatic light using
Newton’s ring arrangement.

Figure 3: The ray diagram for Newton’s Ring Experiment.

6. PROCEDURE

1. Clean the surface of the glass plate and the plano convex lens with spirit and dry cloth piece.
2. Put the convex side of the lens on the glass plate and put this below the 45o inclined glass plate placed on
the travelling microscope platform. Switch on the sodium lamp.

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3. Focus the Ramsden’s eyepiece of the microscope on the cross-wires.
4. Focus the microscope till sharp circular dark and bright rings are observed. Adjust the position of the
wooden box till rings are uniform in the field of view and also adjust the cross wire so that one of them
is parallel to the direction of movement of the microscope.

Figure 4: The Vernier scale.

Figure 5: Newton’s Ring.

1. Bring the cross wire at the central ring and move it slowly towards left hand side with the help of the
knob provided at the right side of the base of the microscope till you reach at the 16 th bright ring. Now
rotate the knobs slowly in the opposite direction so that the cross wire begins to return and when it is

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 just tangential to the 14th ring, stop the movement. Take the reading. Similarly, move further and take the
observations when the cross wire is tangential to the 12th 10th, …..2nd ring.
2. Move further so that the cross wire is now at the central ring. Further move the cross wire towards the
other side so that it touches the 6th bright ring (Figure 1.5). Similarly, move the cross wire ahead so that
it touches the 2nd ,4th , ….. 14th and 16th bright rings and each time take the observations of the vernier
scale.
3. Take out the glass plate and the lens and put the lens upside down on the glass plate. Take a spherometer
and find its least count. Now put the legs of the spherometer on the convex surface of the lens and bring
the disc down so that the tip of the screw just touches the centre of the lens. Take the reading and then
put the spherometer legs on the glass plate and bring the disc down so that the tip of the screw just
touches the glass plate. Take the observation. The difference of the two will give h, the convexity of the
lens.

7. OBSERVATIONS
𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑑𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑛 𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑒 1/20
Least count of the travelling microscope ( LC )= = = 0.001cm
𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑛 𝑉𝑒𝑟𝑛𝑖𝑒𝑟 𝑆𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑒 50

Table 1: Diameters of rings

No. Order Left side (a) Right side (b) Diameter (Dn+p2 - Dn2) Mean
of of of rings Dn2 (cm)2 (cm)2
ob. Rings (Dn)
(a~ b) (cm)2
cm
M.S V.S Total M.S V.S Total
1 16 8.85 10 x0.001 8.86 8.10 1 x0.001 8.101
2 14 8.80 8 8.808 8.10 2 8.102
3 12 8.80 6 8.806 8.15 19 8.169
4 10 8.80 5 8.805 8.15 20 8.170
5 8 8.75 2 8.752 8.20 4 8.204
6 6 8.70 2 8.702 8.25 2 8.252
7 4 8.65 1 8.651 8.25 10 8.260
8 2 8.60 1 8.601 8.30 9 8.309

8. CALCULATIONS

R= 150 cm (given)
2 − 𝐷2
𝐷𝑛+𝑝 𝑛
𝜆= =……. cm = ……….. Å
4𝑝𝑅

9. Graph:

1. Draw a graph between order of rings and corresponding diameters of rings i.e. ‘n’ on X-axis and
corresponding D2n along Y-axis (Fig. 6). Join the points by a straight line passing through origin so that
most of the points lie on it. (scale for x and y axis must be mentioned on Graph).
2 − 𝐷2
𝐷𝑛+𝑝
𝐴𝐵 𝑛
From graph tan Ɵ = 𝐵𝐶 = 𝑝

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 𝑆𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒
Hence 𝜆 = 4𝑅
= ⋯ cm =. . . Å

Figure 6: The graph method

10. RESULT

The wavelength of sodium light was determined and is λ=…..Å by calculation and λ =……. Å by graph.

Standard value = 5893Å.

𝑂𝑏𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 ~ 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒
.·. Percentage Error = 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒
X 100 =…..%

11. RESULT ANALYSIS & DISCUSSION

The wavelength of sodium light calculated is=……..Ǻ, which is near to the standard wavelength of sodium
light = 5893Ǻ.
Since in the experimental arrangement the path difference between the two reflected interfering waves
depends on t and at each point of the wedge shape film the thickness gradually increases. Also, the wedge
shape air film formed is symmetric all around the point of contact and thus the foci of points of constant
thickness of the air film is circular all around the point of contact. As the order of rings increases the diameter
of the rings decreases and the spacing between the rings also decreases.
In transmitted light the pattern of rings (bright/dark) is complimentary to which we get in reflected light.
If the glass plate is silvered on its front surface the transmitted light will also be reflected in the same
direction as the reflected light and thus the superimposition of the fringe pattern due to reflected and
transmitted waves will result into uniform illumination, since the bright/dark rings pattern formed in
reflected and transmitted light is complimentary to each other.

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 The diameter of the rings depends on the wavelength of light used λ, refractive index of film µ enclosed, and
radius of curvature of the planoconvex lens R.
If few drops of transparent liquid of refractive index µ is introduced between the lens and the plate the
diameter of the rings is reduced by a factor of 1/õ

12. INFERENCES & CONCLUSIONS

The percentage error is ……% error in determination of wavelength which may be due to human error and
limitation of the instrument.

13. LEARNING OUTCOME

In this experiment we have calculated the wavelength of monochromatic Sodium Light by using Newton’s
ring Experiment which demonstrates the phenomenon of Interference due to thin films (Division of
amplitude) and establish the wave nature of light.

14. APPLICATIONS

This experiment is used to determine

1. The wavelength of any monochromatic light and

2. refractive index (µ) of unknown transparent liquid.
3. It can be used to determine the thickness of a thin film and to check whether a surface is uniform.

15. PREACUTIONS

1. The glass plate surface and the lens surface must be thoroughly cleaned otherwise the fringes will not be
bright and sharp.
2. The microscope’s eyepiece must be properly focused on its cross wire. The microscope should be given
motion only along one direction to avoid backlash error.
3. The planoconvex lens should be of large radius of curvature.

…………………………

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