Physics Lab

Department of MPS

Course Name : Engineering Physics -1

Course Code : PHY 109 LAB

Section No :3

Group No :5

Experiment No : 10

Name of the Experiment : To determine the wavelength of a monochromatic light by Newton’s Rings.

Date of allocation : 14.12.2020

Date of submission : 19.12.2020

Submitted To : Dr. Gurudas Mandal

Student’s ID :2019-3-60-137

Student’s Name : D.M. Rafiun-Bin-Masud

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Name of the Experiment: To determine the wavelength of a monochromatic light by Newton’s Rings.

Theory:
Light from an extended
monochromatic source S (sodium
lamp), placed at the principal focus
of the convex lens C, falls on the
lens and are rendered parallel in M
figure -1.

This parallel beam of light then falls

on the glass plate G, inclined at an
angle of 45º , and are reflected
downwards normally on to the lens C
L placed on the glass plate P.
When a Plano-convex or a bi-
convex lens L of large radius of
curvature is placed on a glass plate S
P, a thin air film of progressively G
increasing thickness in all directions
from the point of contact between
the plate and the glass plate is very
easily formed. L
When it is illuminated normally
P
with monochromatic light, an
interference pattern consisting of a
series of alternate dark and bright
circular rings, concentric with the
point of contact is observed (figure - Figure - 1
1).

The wavelength λ of the monochromatic light can be calculated by the following equation,
( Dn + p ) 2 − ( Dn ) 2
=
4 pR
Where, Dn+p = the diameter of the (n+p)-th bright ring,
Dn = the diameter of the (n)-th bright ring
R = the radius of the curvature of the lens placed on the glass plate

Apparatus:
A convex lens, glass plate, sodium lamp, traveling microscope, spherometer, etc.

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Derivation of the Newton’s Ring equation:

Newton’s rings are a noteworthy illustration of the

interference of light waves reflected from the
opposite surfaces of a thin film of variable thickness.
When a Plano-convex or a bi-convex lens L of large
radius of curvature is placed on a glass plate P, a thin
air film of progressively increasing thickness in all
directions from the point of contact between the plate
and the glass plate is very easily formed (figure - 2).

The air film thus possesses a radial symmetry about

the point of contact. When it is illuminated normally
with monochromatic light, an interference pattern
consisting of a series of alternate dark and bright
circular rings, concentric with the point of contact is
observed (figure - 3).

The fringes are the loci of points of equal optical film

thickness and gradually become narrower as their
radii increase until the eye or the magnifying Figure - 2
instrument can no longer separate them. Let us
consider a ray of monochromatic light AB from an
extended source to be incident at the point B in the
upper surface of the film (figure - 2).

One portion of the ray is reflected from point B on

the glass air boundary and goes upwards along BC.
The other part refracts into the air film into BD. At
point D, a part of light is again reflected along DEF.
The two reflected waves BC and BDEF are derived
from the same source and are coherent (having same
frequency). They will produce constructive or
destructive interference depending on their path
difference.

Let t be the thickness of the film at the point E. Then Figure - 3

the optical path difference between the two rays (BC
and BDEF) is given by 2t (for perpendicular
incidence).

It was established that an abrupt phase change of π (or path difference λ/2, where λ is wavelength of light in air ) occurs
when light is reflected from a surface(glass surface) into air which is optically less dense than glass.

Thus there will be an additional path difference of λ/2 between the rays BC and BDEF corresponding to this phase
difference of π. Then the total optical path difference between the two rays (BC and BDEF) is given by 2t + λ/2.

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The two rays will interfere constructively
(bright fringe) when
Path difference = n λ
2t + λ/2 = n λ

The two rays will interfere destructively

(dark fringe) when
Path difference = (n + 1/2) λ
2t + λ/2 = (n + 1/2) λ R-
t
Let R be the radius of the circular ring
corresponding to the constant film thickness t
(Figure - 3).

From the right angled triangle OFB1 , we get

the relation
t
R2 = rn2 + (R – t) 2
Where rn is the radius of circular ring
corresponding to the constant film thickness t
Figure - 3
 R2 = rn2 + R2 – 2R t + t 2
rn2 = 2R t – t2 ………………………………………….(1)
As outlined above, the condition of the experiment makes t extremely small. So to a sufficient degree of accuracy, t2
may be neglected compared to 2Rt. Then
rn2 = 2R t…………(2)
 t = rn2 / 2R
Substituting the value of t in the expressions for bright and dark fringes, we have

For bright fringe, Path difference = 2t + λ/2 = n λ,

 2t = n λ – λ/2...................................................... (3)
From (2) and (3) we have,
rn2 = 2R t = R (n λ – λ/2) = R λ (n – 1/2)
 Dn2 = 4 R λ (n – 1/2) ……………………..(4)
Where Dn ( = 2 rn ) is diameter of the ring.
For dark fringe, Path difference = 2t + λ/2 = (n + 1/2) λ
 2t = n λ………………………………..(5)
From (2) and (5) we have,
rn2 = 2R t = R n λ
 Dn2 = 4 R n λ …………………………………..(6)
Where Dn ( = 2 rn ) is diameter of the ring.
In the laboratory, the diameters of the Newton’s rings can be measured with a traveling microscope. Usually, a little
away from the center, a bright (or dark) ring is chosen which is clearly visible and its diameter is measured.

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The wavelength of the monochromatic light employed to illuminate the film can be computed from either of the above
equations (5) and (6), provided R is known.
However, in practice, another ring, p rings from this ring onwards is selected. The diameter of this (n + p)th
ring is also measured . Then we have

For bright fringe ( Dn+p )2 = 4 R λ (n+p – 1/2) …………………………..(7)

For dark fringe ( Dn+p )2 = 4 R (n+p) λ …………………………………..(8)

Subtracting Dn2 from ( Dn+p )2
( Dn+p )2 − Dn2 = 4pλR for either dark and bright ring.

( Dn+ p ) 2 − ( Dn ) 2
=
4 pR
( Dn+ p ) 2 − ( Dn ) 2
R= ………………………………………………………………(9)
4 p
Or,

The wavelength of the monochromatic light employed to illuminate the film can be computed from the above equation
(9), provided R is known and vice versa.

Note: In Newton's rings experiment eqn. (9) is invariably employed to compute λ or R. The advantage on eqn.
(9) over eqns, (4) and (6) lies in the fact that eqns. (4) and (6) have been derived on the supposition that the surfaces of
the lens and the plate are perfect, i.e., the thickness of the air film at the point of contact is zero ( t = o ). This gives rise,
in a reflected system, a fringe system of alternate bright and dark rings concentric with a central dark spot.
In actual practice, either due to some imperfections in the surfaces in contact or due to encroachment of some
dust particles between the lens and the plate, they may not be in perfect contact i.e., the thickness of the film may
not be zero at the central point. The order, x, of the central ring is therefore indeterminate, i.e., it is not possible to
say with certainty if the central dark ring corresponds to zero, 1st, 2nd, etc., order. The central spot may even be
white.
As a consequence, the order of every other bright or dark ring advances by this indeterminate number x. For
anyone of them the square of the diameter is not given by eqn. (4) or (6). But this indeterminacy does not occur in
eqn. (9) when the difference of the squares of the diameters of the nth and (n+p)th dark or bright rings are
considered, counting the rings p, between them visually.

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DATA SHEET:

Value of the smallest division in Main scale

Vernier ConstAnt (V .C.) =
Total number of divisions in Vernier scale
= 0.5 mm / 50 =0.01 mm

Table for ring diameter (D): 1 nm = 10-6 mm = 10-9 m

Reading of the microscope

Left side Right side

Diameter, D = T2 ~ T1
Scale Reading

Vernier Scale Reading

Vernier Scale Divisions

Vernier Scale Divisions

Main Scale Reading.
Ring Number

Main Scale Reading.

D2
Total Reading

Total Reading
T2 = M + V
T1 = M + V
V = n× V.C.

V = n× V.C.

mm
(M) mm

(M) mm
mm2
mm

mm
mm

mm
n

Vernier

4 23 43 0.43 23.43 26 45 0.45 26.45 3.02 9.12

5 23 13 0.13 23.13 26.5 11 0.11 26.61 3.48 12.11
6 23 0 0 23 26.5 25 0.25 26.75 3.75 14.06
7 22.5 25 0.25 22.75 26.5 47 0.47 26.97 4.21 17.72
8 22.5 13 0.13 22.63 27 11 0.11 27.11 4.48 20.07

Calculation:

Slope of the graph Diameter2 vs Ring Number = (20.07-9.12)/ (8-4) = 2.74 mm2

Radius of the curvature (R) of the lens is given 100 cm, Therefore, R = 1000 mm

Slope
λ= = (2.74 mm2) / (4×1000 mm) = 0.000685 mm = 685 nm
4R

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Graph: (Diameter)2 vs Ring Number

(Diameter)2 vs Ring Number

25

20
Diametre^2

15

10

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Ring Number

Results:

Wavelength of color of light source, λ = 685 nm

Discussions:
1. The microscope should be parallel to the edge of the glass plate.

2. The mirrors should be in perfectly stable positions when reading is being taken.

3. There should be no play between the screw and the nut in which it rotates.

4. A few rings near the central spot are rather indistinct and wide. These rings should not be

taken into consideration.

5. While measuring diameters, the microscope cross-wire should be adjusted in the

middle of the ring

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