INDEX
INTRODUCTION
THEORY
AIM
APPARATUS REQUIRED
FORMULA
DIAGRAM
PROCEDURE
OBSERVATION
CALCULATION
RESULT
CONCLUSION
APPLICATION
BIBLOGRAPHY
INTRODUCTION:
A glass slab is a piece of glass with thickness ranging from a few
millimeters to several meters. The refractive index of a glass slab is the
ratio of the index of refraction to the thickness of the glass. Measurement
of the refractive index of glass is important for optical applications like
optical fiber and photonic crystal. There are various methods for
measuring the refractive index. We will measure the refractive index
using a travelling microscope.
Defining Refractive Index
Index of refraction, or refractive index is defined as the measure of the
deviation of a light ray when it passes from one medium to another. In
simpler terms, suppose you have a glass full of water. If you place it in
sunlight, the light bends upon entering the water. If you measure the
angle of such a bend, you will get its refractive index.You can calculate a
refractive index if the velocity of light c for a particular wavelength in
empty space is known. Additionally, you must also know the value of ‘v’,
which represents light’s velocity in a substance. In such a case,
refractive index n = c/v
What is a Travelling Microscope?
Before you can use a travelling microscope experiment effectively, you
must understand the functionality of such a device. Travelling
microscopes act as simple microscopes, with one exception. Where a
simple microscope remains fixed for the duration of a study or
experiment, a travelling microscope’s head is fitted onto a slider.
Therefore, it can move along a scale, studying an object from various
distances. Readings are taken by combining the readings from the
Vernier and main scale. Now, let us proceed to determine the refractive
index of the glass slab using a travelling microscope.
THEORY:
If a glass slab is placed in air on a horizontal surface and
its bottom surface is viewed from top, it appears to be
elevated due to the phenomenon of refraction. The
distance between this apparent bottom and the top
surface of the slab gives the apparent thickness of the
slab. In case of normal observation, it can be shown that
the refractive index of glass with respect to the medium,
air is
nga = real thickness of the slab
apparent thickness of the slab
AIM:
To determine the refractive index of a glass slab using a
travelling microscope.
APPARATUS REQUIRED:
1.3 glass slabs of different thicknesses but the same
material.
2.A travelling microscope.
3.Lycopodium powder.
FORMULA:
nga = real thickness of the slab
apparent thickness of the slab
DIAGRAM:
PROCEDURE:
1. To get sufficient light, place the travelling microscope (M)
near the window.
2. To make the base of the microscope horizontal, adjust the
levelling screw.
3. For clear visibility of the cross wire, adjust the position of the
eyepiece.
4. For the vertical scale of the microscope, determine the
vernier constant.
5. Mark point P on the microscope’s base using black ink.
6. To avoid the parallax between the cross-wires and the mark
P, make the microscope vertical and focus on P.
7. Let R1 be the vernier scale and main scale reading on the
vertical scale.
8. Place the glass slab with the least thickness over the mark
P.
9. Let P1 be the image of the cross mark. Move the
microscope upwards and focus on P1.
10. For reading, R2 on the vertical scale repeat step 7.
11. Sprinkle a few particles of lycopodium powder on the
slab’s surface.
12. To focus the particle near S, raise the microscope
further upward.
13. For reading, R3 on the verticle scale repeat step 7.
14. Repeat the above steps for different thickness glass
slabs.
15. Record the observations.
OBSERVATION:
Least Count (LC) of the travelling microscope:
20 Main Scale Divisions (MSD) = 1 cm (say)
1 MSD = 1/ 20 cm
50 Vernier Scale Divisions (VSD) = 49 MSD (say)
1 VSD = 49/ 50 MSD = 49/50 × 1/20 cm
Least Count of the microscope = (1 MSD – 1 VSD)
= [1/20-(49/50) ×1/20]
= 1/20[1-(49/50)] cm
LC = 0.001 cm
Real Apparent R.I,
S.No Reading on a vertical scale when
a microscope is focused on Thickness Thickness n=R3-R1/R3-R2
(R3- R1)cm (R3–R2)cm
R1 in cm R2 in cm R3 in cm
1
2
3
4
5
CALCULATIONS:
Mean,
n=(n1+n2+n3+n4+n5)/5
RESULT:
The ratio
R3−R1/R3−R2
is constant and gives the refractive index of the glass slab.
CONCLUSION:
The refractive index is affected by the following factors:
Temperature
The refractive index is commonly calculated at room temperature.
When a liquid is heated to a higher temperature, it loses its thickness
and viscosity, allowing light to quickly pass through it. The refractive
index has a lower value as a result of the lowered ratio.
At lower temperatures, the liquid becomes denser and has a higher
viscosity, causing light to travel slower across the medium. The refractive
index has a higher value as a result of the larger ratio.
Temperature regulation is commonly included in refractometers.
Light’s wavelength
Because different wavelengths interfere with the atoms of the medium to
varying degrees, the refractive index varies linearly with wavelength.
Monochromatic light is essential for preventing light dispersion into
distinct colours.
The medium should not absorb the given wavelength.
The most commonly utilised wavelength of light for a refractometer is the
sodium D line at 598 nm.
APPLICATION:
BIBLOGRAPHY:
https://byjus.com/physics/to-determine-refractive-index-of-a-glass-slab-
using-a-travelling-microscope/
https://ncert.nic.in/pdf/publication/sciencelaboratorymanuals/classXII/phy
sics/lelm310.pdf
