SPECTROMETER
AIM:
To determine the refractive index of the material of prism using spectrometer.
Apparatus required:
Spectrometer, prism, prism clamp, sodium vapour lamp, Spirit level.
Formula Used: The refractive index µ of the prism is given by the following formula:
μ=sin ( A +δm ) /2 ¿/sin ( A/2)
Where A= angle of the prism, δm = angle of minimum deviation.
Diagrams:
PROCEDURE:
Eye piece: The eye piece of the telescope is adjusted so that the cross wires are seen
clearly.
Slit: the slit of the collimator is adjusted such that it is very thin and vertical.
Base of the spectrometer: the base of the spectrometer is adjusted to be horizontal using
the leveling screws.
Telescope: The telescope is turned towards a distant object and is adjusted till the clear
image of the slit is seen in the telescope. Now the collimator gives the parallel rays.
Collimator: The telescope is brought in line with the collimator. Collimator is adjusted
until a clear image of the slit is seen in the telescope. Now the collimator gives the
parallel rays.
Prism Table: Using the spirit level the prism table is adjusted to be horizontal with the
three leveling screws provided in the prism table.
Determination of angle of Prism (A)
Determine the least count of the spectrometer.
Place the prism on the prism table with its refracting angle A towards the collimator and
with its refracting edge A at the centre. In this case some of the light falling on each face
will be reflected and can be received with the help of the telescope.
The telescope is moved to one side to receive the light reflected from the face AB and the
cross wires are focused on the image of the slit. The readings of the two verniers are
taken.
The telescope is move in other side to receive the light reflected from the face AC and
again the cross wires are focused on the image of the slit. The readings of the two
verniers and taken.
The angle through which the telescope is move; or the difference in the two positions
gives twice of the refracting angle A of the prism. Therefore half of this angle gives the
refracting angle of the prism.
Determination of angle of Minimum Deviation (D)
The prism table is rotated such that the light emerging from the collimator is
incident on one of the refracting faces of the prism, gets refracted and emerges
from the other refracting face.
The telescope id turned to view the refracted image.
Looking through the telescope, the prism table is rotated in such a direction that
the image moves towards the direct ray.
At one particular position the refracted ray begins to retrace its path. The position
where the refracted image returns is the position of minimum deviation.
The telescope is fixes in this position and is adjusted until the vertical cross wire
coincides with the refracted image of the slit.
The readings are taken from both the vernier scales.
The prism is now removed and the telescope is rotated to obtain the direct ray
image and the readings are taken.
The readings are tabulated and the difference between the two readings gives the
angle of minimum deviation.
From the values of A and D the refractive index of the material of the prism is
OBSERVATIONS:
Table 1: To find the angle of Prism (A)
Image Vernier A (Degree) Vernier B (Degree)
MSR VSC TR MSR VSC TR
0
Reflected image from face 112 10’ 112010’ 292 0
20’ 292020’
0
Reflected image from face 231 30’ 231030’ 51 0
20’ 51020’
Difference 2A 119030’ 119020’
Table 2: To find the angle of Minimum Deviation (D)
Image Vernier A (Degree) Vernier B (Degree)
MSR VSC TR MSR VSC TR
0
Reflected image 140 0’ 14000’ 32 0
0’ 32000’
Direct image 1800 0’ 18000’ 00 0’ 00
0 0
Difference D 40 40
Calculation: Calculate the refractive index of the prism using the given formula.
Result:
Angle of Prism :60°
Angle of minimum Deviation :40°
Refractive index of the prism :1.53
