Experiment No 3

Experiment No-3
Objective: (a) To determine the refractive index of the material of a given prism by the
Spectrometer using mercury light.
(b) To determine the dispersive power of the material of the given prism by the
Spectrometer using mercury light.
Apparatus: Spectrometer, Mercury Lamp, Prism, Spirit level, Reading Lens.
Formula / Theory: The refractive index can be calculated by the formula

𝐴+ 𝛿𝑚
sin( 2
)
µ= 𝐴
sin( )
2
Where, A= The angle of the prism
𝛿𝑚 = Angle of minimum deviation
The dispersive power of the material of prism is given by
𝜇 −𝜇
ω= 𝜇𝑣 −1𝑅
𝑌
Where, 𝜇𝑣 =the refractive index for violet color
𝜇𝑅 = the refractive index for red color
𝜇𝑌 = the refractive index for yellow color
Diagram:
Procedure: Before using the spectrometer, the following adjustments are made:
1. Prism table should be leveled.
2. Telescope and collimator are adjusted for parallel rays by Schuster’s method.
3. The axis of the telescope and collimator must intersect the vertical axis of rotation of the
prism Table.
Measurement of Angle of prism:

❖ Determine the least count of spectrometer.
❖ Place the prism on the prism table with its refracting angle A towards the collimator and
with refracting edge at the center. In this case some of the light falling on each face will
be reflected and can be received with the help of this telescope.
❖ The telescope is moved to one side to receive the light reflected from the face AB and
cross wires are focused on the image of the slit. The reading of vernier is taken.
❖ The telescope is moved to another side to receive the light reflected from the face AC
and cross wires are focused on the image of the slit. The reading of vernier is taken.
❖ The angle through which the telescope is moved on the difference in the two positions
gives twice the refracting angle A of the prism. Therefore half of this angle gives the
refracting angle of the prism.
Measurement Of Angle Of Minimum Deviation
❖ Place the prism so that its center coincides with the centre of the prism table on light
falls on one of the polished face, after refraction. In the position the spectrum is
obtained.
❖ The spectrum is seen through the telescope and the telescope is adjusted for minimum
deviation position for particular colour (wavelength) in the following ways:
Set up the telescope at the particular and rotate the prism table in one direction, of
course the telescope should move in such a way to keep the spectral line in view. By
doing so a position will come where the spectral line recede in opposite direction
although the rotation of the table is continued in the same direction. The particular
position, where the spectral line begins to recede in opposite direction in the minimum
deviation position for the colour. Note the reading of the vernier.
❖ Remove the prism and bring the telescope in the line of the collimator. See the slit
directly through the telescope and the coincide the image slit with the vertical cross
wire. Note the reading of the vernier.
❖ The difference in the minimum deviation position and direct position gives the angle of
minimum deviation for the colour.
❖ The same procedure is repeated to obtain the angle of minimum deviation for other
colors.
Observations:
Least count of Spectrometer =_____________________
(a) Table for the prism angle (A)
S Telescope reading for Telescope reading for 𝑎−𝑏

A=| |
2
No reflecting reflecting
Image at first face Image at second face
MSR VSR Total(a) MSR VSR Total(b)
(b)Table for angle of minimum deviation
Colour Telescope reading for Direct Telescope reading for 𝛿𝑚 =|a-b|

of light image Minimum deviation position
M.S V.S Total M.S V.S Total
Reading Reading Reading Reading Reading Reading
(a) (b)
(degree) (degree)
Violet
Indigo
Blue
Green
Yellow
Orange
Red
Calculations:
The refractive index can be calculated by the formula

𝐴+𝛿𝑚
sin( )
2
µ= 𝐴
sin( 2 )
The dispersive power of the material of prism is given by

𝜇 −𝜇𝑅
ω= 𝜇𝑣
𝑌 −1
Results:
(a) The refractive index of material of prism for various colours of mercury light is ------------
(b) Dispersive power of the material of the prism is ______________________
Colours Observed Standard % Error

Refractive Refractive
Index Index
Violet
Indigo
Blue
Green
Yellow
Orange
Red
Precautions:
1. Rack and pinion arrangement of telescope once set for parallel rays should not be
disturbed
Throughout the experiment.
2. Slit should be as narrow as possible.
3. While taking observations, telescope and prism table should be kept fixed.
4. The position of minimum deviation should be found accurately.
Sources of Error:
1. The slit may not be narrow.

2. The telescope and the prism table may not be kept fixed.
3. The position of minimum deviation may not be found accurately.

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Experiment No 3

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Experiment No-3

Apparatus: Spectrometer, Mercury Lamp, Prism, Spirit level, Reading Lens.

Formula / Theory: The refractive index can be calculated by the formula

Measurement of Angle of prism:

(a) Table for the prism angle (A)

S Telescope reading for Telescope reading for 𝑎−𝑏

Colour Telescope reading for Direct Telescope reading for 𝛿𝑚 =|a-b|

The refractive index can be calculated by the formula

The dispersive power of the material of prism is given by

Colours Observed Standard % Error

1. The slit may not be narrow.

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