Department Of Computer Science & Engineering

Section – N
Group - 01
Presentation
on
To determine the refractive index
of the material of a prism by a
spectrometer.
 • By
• S M RAKIB
• (23-50353-1) • To
• PUJA SHAHA Presented
• (23-50481-1) • MD. BORHAN
UDDIN
• ISTIAR HOSSAIN MUNNA
• (23-51596-2) • Department of
• HUMAYUN AHMED Physics
• (23-52135-2)
• MAHMUDUL HASAN
• (23-53483-3)

3
1. THEORY
Consider a prism with prism angle A. Let a ray OP is
incident on the first face of a prism and after passing
through the principal plane of the prism, finally emerge
out through the other face in the direction QR. Let 𝑖1
and 𝑟1 be the respective angles of incidence and
refraction at the first face of the prism and 𝑖2 and 𝑟2 be
the corresponding quantities for the second face.

In the position of minimum deviation, as the ray passes

symmetrically through the prism so in this position, 𝑖1 =
𝑖2 and 𝑟1 = 𝑟2. We know, the angle of prism, 𝐴 = 𝑟1 + 𝑟2 .

In the position of minimum deviation, 𝐴 = 2𝑟1

∴ 𝑟1 = 𝐴 /2
Now, the deviation of the ray, 𝛿 = (𝑖1 − 𝑟1) + (𝑖2 − 𝑟2 )
⇒ 𝛿=(𝑖1 + 𝑖2)−(𝑟1 + 𝑟2 ) Figure.1: Refraction of light by prism
∴ 𝛿 =(𝑖1 + 𝑖2)−𝐴
In the position of minimum deviation, 𝛿 = 𝛿𝑚.
Thus,
𝛿𝑚 =2 𝑖1 −𝐴

𝛿𝑚+𝐴
∴ 𝑖1 =
2

From Snell’s Law, the refractive index,

𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑖1
𝜇=
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑟1

𝑠𝑖𝑛
𝛿𝑚+𝐴
∴𝜇= 2
𝐴 ……………………… (1)
𝑠𝑖𝑛
2

Figure.2: Spectrometer
2. APPARATUS

• Spectrometer
• sodium lamp
• prism
• reading lens
3. PROCEDURE

Telescope adjustment

1. The spectrometer and the prism table were arranged in horizontal position by using the leveling screws.

2. The telescope is turned towards a distant object to receive a clear and sharp image.

3. The slit was illuminated by a sodium vapor lamp and the slit and the collimator were suitably adjusted to receive a
narrow, vertical image of the slit.

4. The telescope was turned to receive the direct ray, so that the vertical slit coincided with the vertical crosswire.

Measurement of the angle of minimum deviation:

1. The prism was placed so that its center coincided with the center of the prism table, allowing light to fall on one of
the polished faces and emerge from the other polished face after refraction. The telescope was turned to view the
refracted image of the slit on the other face, as shown in Fig. 3.
2. The vernier table was slowly turned in such a direction that the image of the slit moved toward the direct ray, i.e., in
the direction of decreasing angle of deviation.
3. It was found that, at a certain position, the image became stationary for a moment. The vernier table was fixed at
the position where the image remained stationary. The telescope’s fine adjustment slider was used to align the slit
with the cross wire.
4. The corresponding main scale (MSR) and vernier scale division (VD) readings were noted from both verniers (vernier I
and vernier II) according to Fig. 3.
5. The prism was carefully removed from the prism table. The telescope was turned parallel to the collimator, and the
direct ray readings were noted.
6. The difference between the direct ray readings and the deviated readings was found. This angle was called the angle
of minimum deviation (δm). The refractive index of the prism material was determined using Eq. (1).

Figure.3: Arrangement to determine the angle of

minimum deviation
4. Observation:

(A) Vernier Constant (VC) = 1/60

(B) (B) Wavelength of light used = 589nm = 589×10^-9m

(C) (C) Angle of prism, A= 60°

 Vernier No. of Readings for minimum Readings for Direct Angle of
5. Experimental Data: Number Observation deviation position position minimum
dev 𝛿𝑚 =
M~N

Refractive index 𝜇 =
Mean

Vernier scale reading V = 𝑽𝑫× 𝑽𝑪

Vernier scale reading V= 𝑽𝑫× 𝑽𝑪
𝛿𝑚
Table.1:Table for the angle of minimum

Main Scale readings (S )

Main Scale readings (S)

Vernier scale division

Vernier scale division

deviation:

Total M = S + V

Total N = S + V
1 263 0 0 263 302 0 0 302 39

I. 217 1 0.02 217.0 256 0 0 256 38.98

2
2

3 226.3 14 0.23 226.5 266 0 0 266 39.27 39.19 1.52

1 83 0 0 83 122 0 0 122 39

II.
2 36.5 2 0.03 36.53 75.5 3 0.05 75.55 39.02

3 96 10 0.17 96.17 86 5 0.08 86.08 39.91

6.ERROR CALCULATIONS & RESULTS
(𝐸𝑥𝑝eriment 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒−Standard 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒)
Percentage difference= ×100 %
Standard 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒
1.52−1.517
= × 100%
1.517
=0.197%

Refractive index of the material of the prism is 1.52

7.PRECAUTIONS
1. The spectrometer and prism table were arranged in a horizontal position using the
leveling screws.

2. The prism was placed with it is center aligned to the center of the prism table, and
light was directed to fall on one polished face and exit through the other refraction.
8.DISCUSSION
1.The main object of this experiment was to observe the refracted light rays through a prism and to determine the
refractive index of the material of the material of that prism by finding out the minimum deviation using a
spectrometer.

2.The slight error of 0.197% could be due to some faulty equipments or misalignment of the scale

9.RESOURCES

1. Fundamentals of Physics.

2. Practical Physics (by Dr. Giasuddin Ahmed & Md. Shahabuddin).

3. Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORSZdpbxPHg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIR7b572XAg
 THANK YOU

S M RAKIB (23-50353-1)- Error Calculation & Result

PUJA SHAHA(23-50481-1)- Procedure

ISTIAR HOSSAIN MUNNA(23-51596-2)- Precaution & Discussion

HUMAYUN AHMED(23-52135-2)- Theory & Apparatus

MAHMUDUL HASAN(23-53483-3)- Experimental Data