INDEX
Aim
Apparatus Required
Theory
Procedure
Observations
Conclusions
Precaution
Sources of error
Bibliography
Aim
To find out the refractive indices of different
liquids using a hollow prism
Apparatus Required
➢ Hollow glass prism
➢ Water
➢ carbon disulphide
➢ benzaldehyde
➢ Bell pins
➢ Drawing board
Theory :
A prism is a transparent optical
element with flat, polished surfaces
that refract light. It is bound by two
plane surfaces. The two plane
surfaces are called refracting faces
and the line along which the two
surfaces meet is called refracting
edge of the prism. The angle between the word refracting surfaces is called
angle of the prism. Usually, the angle of prism is equal to 60o. Prisms can
be made from any material that is transparent including glass, plastic and
fluorite. A prism can be used to break light up into its constituent spectral
colures. Prisms can also be used to reflect light, or to split light into
components with different polarizations.
Formula : The refractive index of the liquid Is given by the
U=sin(i)/sin(r)
= sin((a+d)/2)/sin(a/2)
Where,
U=refractive index of the liquid.
a= the angle of minimum deviation
d=angle of prism
i=angle of incidence
r=angle of refraction
Procedure :
Fix a white sheet of paper on the drawing board with
help of drawing pins.
Keep the prism and mark the outline of it as ABC.
Drop a normal PQ on the side AB.
Draw the angle of incidence in accordance with the
normal PQ and place 2 pins so that they appear to be
in the straight line.
Place the prism filled with given sample of
liquid on the marked outline ABC.
Now take the pins and place them on the side AC so
that all the 4 pins appear to be in same line.
Remove the prism and draw the line joining the points
so obtained.
Mark the diagram as shown in the figure.
Repeat this with different liquids and different angle of
incidence.
Observation
Benzaldehyde
S.no a º (angle of i º (angle of d º (angle of
prism) incidence) deviation)
1 60 30 45
2 60 35 42
3 60 37.5 40
4 60 39 42
5 60 40 45
U = sin ((60+40)/2)/sin(30)
= 1.504
Water
s.no aº iº dº
(angle of pri (angle of incidence) (angle of
sm) deviation)
1 60 30 25
2 60 35 22
3 60 40 20
4 60 45 22
5 60 50 25
6 60 55 28
U = sin ((60+22)/2)/sin(30)
= 1.306
Dil. Sulphuric Acid
S.no a º(angle of i º (angle of d º (angle of
prism) incidence) deviation)
1 60 20 33
2 60 30 30
3 60 35 25
4 60 40 29
5 60 45 30
U = sin((60+25)/2)/sin(30)
= 1.351
Conclusion
Refractive indices at room temperature:
Benzaldehyde
Actual = 1.546
Experiment = 1.504
Water = 1.33
Actual
Experiment = 1.306
Dil. Sulphuric acid
Actual = 1.355
Experiment = 1.351
Precautions
Angle of incidence should lie b/w 35- 60 degree.
Pins should be vertically fixed and should lie in same line.
Distance b/w two points should not be less than 10mm.
Same angle of prism should be used for all observation.
Arrow head should be marked to represent emergent and incident
ray.
Sources of error
The distance between the pins may be small.
The pins may not have been fixed vertically.
The angle of deviation may not have been measured correctly.
The curve joining the various points of the graph may not be smooth free hand curve.
Bibliography
www.icbse.com
www.scincebuddies.com
www.wikipedia.com
NCERT Physics book.
