www.charis-ancha.blogspot.

com
2009-2010
Physics Lab Observation – NEWTON’S RINGS

PREPARED BY
Mr. A.CHARIS ISRAEL. M.Sc., B.Ed., (Ph.D.)
Asst. Professor of PHYSICS
Department of Humanities & Science
Mobile: +91-9269680853, +91-9571054586, +91-9866934653

www.charis-ancha.blogspot.com. These files are created keeping in mind “my Students” who trust me. PHYSICS – I
Hope you drop comments and suggestions at charisisrael@gmail.com. All the Best. for R.T.U.
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2009-2010
Physics Lab Observation – NEWTON’S RINGS

Exp. No. 3 NEWTON’S RINGS

Date:
Aim: To determine the wavelength of a given monochromatic source by forming Newton’s Rings.
Apparatus: Travelling microscope, Plano-convex lens, convex lens, two plane glass plates,
monochromatic source (Sodium vapour lamp).
Formulae:
1) The wave length of the given monochromatic source is given by
D 2 − Dn2
λ = n+ p Ao
4 pR
Where ' Dn ' is the diameter of the nth dark ring
' Dn + p ' is the diameter of the (n+p)th no. of ring
‘R’ is the radius of curvature of the plano-convex lens
2) The radius of curvature of the plano-convex lens can be determined by using a spherometer as
l2 h
R= + cm
6h 2
Where ‘l’ is the distance between the two legs of the spherometer
‘h’ is the difference between the spherometer readings when placed on a plano-
convex lens and on a plane surface.
Travelling Microscope
Experimental set-up:

Convex Lens 450

Extended Monochromatic
Source
(sodium Vapour Lamp)
Plane Glass Plate

Plano-Convex Lens

Plane Glass Plate

Dark Back Ground

Model Graph: A graph is drawn between the no. of rings ' n ' taking on X-axis and square of the
diameter of the dark rings ' D 2 ' on Y-axis. A Straight line is obtained as shown in the fig. below.
D2

Dn2+ p

Dn2

0 n n+ p no. of rings

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2009-2010
Physics Lab Observation – NEWTON’S RINGS

Observations:

Least Count of the spherometer (L.C.) :

dis tan ce moved on the main scale
Pitch of the screw, x = = _______ mm.
no. of rotations by the circular scale
No. of divisions on the Circular Scale, n = ________.
Least Count of the Spherometer, L.C. = x / n = __________ mm.

Table – I: To determine the height of the curved surface of the Plano-convex Lens ‘h’:

Spherometer Readings
h = H2 – H1
S.No. On plane surface On convex surface of the plano-convex
lens
M.S.R (C.S.R X L.C.) H1 = (a1+b1) M.S.R. (C.S.R. X L.C.) H2 = (a2+b2)
‘a1’ ‘b1’ mm mm ‘a2’ ‘b2’ mm mm mm cm

1.

2.

3.

Calculations:

Distance between the two legs of a spherometer,

(i) L1 = _________ cm. (ii) L2 = ________ cm. (iii) L3=_______ cm.

Average length, l = (L1 + L2 + L3) / 3

l = _________ cm.

l2 h
Radius of Curvature of the Plano-Convex lens, R = + cm
6h 2

R = _________ cm.

Rough Work

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2009-2010
Physics Lab Observation – NEWTON’S RINGS

Procedure:

1) Adjust the eyepiece of the microscope onto its cross wires to be placed exactly vertical and
horizontal.
2) Now the distance of the microscope from the film is adjusted to focus the central dark fringe.
3) Now the microscope is moved to extreme left upto the 18th fringe and the reading is noted.
4) From 18th ring, now move the microscope towards right hand side to coincide with the 16th
fringe and again note the readings.
5) Continue the step5 by reducing two fringes till 2nd fringe.
6) Now continue towards right side of the dark fringe and note the reading at 2nd dark fringe and
continue till 18th by increasing the number of fringe by two.
7) Calculate diameter ‘D’ of the dark fringes by taking the difference between the readings taken
on left hand side and the right hand side of the central dark fringe.
8) Plot a graph by taking no. of fringe on X-axis and D2 values on Y-axis. A straight line having a
positive slope is obtained as shown in the model figure. Calculate the slope of the line obtained
in the graph.
9) From graph,
D 2 − Dn2
Slope = n+ p
(n + p ) − n
Dn2+ p − Dn2
∴ Slope =
p
10) The radius of curvature ‘R’ of the plano-convex lens is calculated using a spherometer by,
l2 h
R= +
6h 2
Where ‘l’ is the distance between the two legs of the spherometer
and ‘h’ is the difference of the readings obtained when spherometer is placed on a plane surface
and on the convex surface of the plano-convex lens.
11) The wave length of the given monochromatic source is determined by substituting the values of
Slope and Radius of curvature in
1  Dn + p − Dn  o
2 2

λ=   A
4R  p 

www.charis-ancha.blogspot.com. These files are created keeping in mind “my Students” who trust me. PHYSICS – I
Hope you drop comments and suggestions at charisisrael@gmail.com. All the Best. for R.T.U.
 www.charis-ancha.blogspot.com
2009-2010
Physics Lab Observation – NEWTON’S RINGS

Observations:
Least Count of the Microscope (L.C.) :
dis tan ce moved on the main scale
Pitch of the screw, x = = _______ mm.
no. of rotations by the circular scale
No. of divisions on the Circular Scale, n = ________.
Least Count of the microscope, L.C. = x / n = __________ mm.

Table – II: To determine the diameter of the Newton’s Rings:

Diameter of the rings

Microscope Readings D = C1 ~ C2
No. of D2
S.No. the Left hand side Right hand side
Ring cm
(C.S.R X Total (C.S.R. X Total mm cm
M.S.R M.S.R.
‘n’ L.C.) C1= a+b L.C.) C2 = a+b
‘a’ ‘a’
‘b’ mm ‘b’ mm
1. 18

2. 16

3 14

4 12

5 10

6 8

7 6

8 4

9 2

Calculations:
2
From graph, Dn+ p = ____________ cm. Dn2 = ___________ cm. p = ______ .

Dn2+ p − Dn2
λ= = cm.
4 pR
λ = _____________ Ao .
o
Result: The wavelength of the given monochromatic source (sodium vapour lamp), λ = ________ A .

Rough Work

www.charis-ancha.blogspot.com. These files are created keeping in mind “my Students” who trust me. PHYSICS – I
Hope you drop comments and suggestions at charisisrael@gmail.com. All the Best. for R.T.U.