Experiment: Newton’s rings
Aim: To determine the radius of curvature of the given convex using
Newton’s rings experiment.
Apparatus: Monochromatic Light Source, Plano-convex lens, Optically flat
glass plate, Travelling Microscope
Theory:
Newton's rings are formed when a plano-convex lens P of a large radius of
curvature placed on a sheet of plane glass AB is illuminated from the top
with monochromatic light. The combination forms a thin circular air film of
variable thickness in all directions around the point of contact of the lens and
the glass plate. The locus of all points corresponding to specific thickness of
air film falls on a circle whose centre is at O. Consequently, interference
fringes are observed in the form of a series of concentric rings with their
centre at O. Newton originally observed these concentric circular fringes and
hence they are called Newton's rings.
Fig. 1 Experimental Setup for observing Newton’s Rings
The experimental arrangement for observing Newton's rings is shown in Fig.
1.
Monochromatic light from an extended source S is rendered parallel by a
lens L. It is incident on a glass plate inclined at 45° to the horizontal, and is
reflected normally down onto a plano-convex lens placed on a flat glass
plate. Part of the light incident on the system is reflected from the
glass-to-air boundary, say from point D (Fig. 2). The remainder of the light is
transmitted through the air film. It is again reflected from the air-to-glass
boundary, say from point J. The two rays reflected from the top and bottom
of the air film are derived through division of amplitude from the same
incident ray CD and are therefore coherent. The rays 1 and 2 are close to
each other and interfere to produce darkness or brightness. The condition of
brightness or darkness depends on the path difference between the two
reflected light rays, which in turn depends on the thickness of the air film at
the point of incidence.
Fig. 2 Ray Diagram
𝝺
The optical path difference between the rays is given by Δ=2μtcos(r) - 2
.
For air, μ = 1. For normal incidence of light, i.e i=0°, r also equals 0°.
𝝺
Hence, cos r =1. Hence, Δ=2t - 2
Intensity maxima occurs when the optical path difference Δ=m𝜆. If the
difference in the optical path between the two rays is equal to an integral
number of full waves, then the rays meet each other in phase. The crests of
one wave falls on the crests of the other and the waves interfere
𝝺
constructively. Thus, if 2t - 2
=m𝜆
𝝺
2t= (2m+1) 2 , a bright fringe is obtained.
𝝺
Intensity minima occurs when the optical path difference is Δ = (2m+1) 2 . If
the difference in the optical path between the two rays is equal to an odd
integral number of half-waves, then the rays meet each other in opposite
phase. The crests of one wave fall on the troughs of the other and the waves
interfere destructively.
𝝺 𝝺
Hence, if 2t - 2
=(2m+1) 2
2t= m𝜆, a dark fringe is produced.
Circular Fringes:
In Newton's ring arrangement, a thin air film is enclosed between a
plano-convex lens and a glass plate. The thickness of the air film at the point
of contact is zero and gradually increases as we move outward. The locus of
points where the air film has the same thickness then fall on a circle whose
centre is the point of contact. Thus, the thickness of air film is constant at
points on any circle having the point of lens–glass plate contact as the
centre. The fringes are therefore circular.
Central Dark Spot:
At the point of contact 'O' of the lens and glass plate (Fig. 2), the thickness
(t) of air film is negligibly small compared to a wavelength of light, i.e.,t ≅0.
𝝺 𝝺
Hence, the path difference Δ=2t - 2
≅ 2
.
𝝺
When the path difference between two waves is 2
, they interfere
destructively and form a dark spot.
Diameter of Dark Ring:
Fig. 3: Radii of dark ring
Let R be the radius of curvature of the lens (Fig. 3). Let a dark fringe be
located at Q. Let the thickness of the air film at Q be PQ = t. Let the radius
of the circular fringe at Q be OQ = rm. By the Pythagoras theorem,
PM2=PN2 + MN2
R2=rm2 + (R-t)2
rm2= 2Rt - t2
As R>>t, 2Rt>>t2 . Hence, rm2= 2Rt
The condition for darkness at point Q is 2t= m𝜆.
So, rm2= m𝜆R
rm= 𝑚𝜆𝑅 = radii of mth dark ring
The diameter of mth dark ring (Dm)= 2rm= 2 𝑚𝜆𝑅
Dm2=4m𝜆R
Radius of Curvature of the lens:
The square of diameter of mth dark ring: Dm2=4m𝜆R
The square of diameter of (m+p)th dark ring: Dm+p2=4(m+p)𝜆R
Dm+p2 - Dm2 = 4(m+p)𝜆R - 4m𝜆R
Dm+p2 - Dm2 = 4p𝜆R
Hence, if the wavelength (𝜆) of the monochromatic source is known, we can
calculate the radius of curvature of the lens using the above formula.
PROCEDURE:
A plano-convex lens of large radius of curvature (about 100 cm) and a flat
glass plate are cleaned. The lens is kept with its convex face on the glass
plate and they are held in position with the help of a metal ring
arrangement. The system is held under a low power travelling microscope
kept before a sodium vapour lamp. It is arranged that the yellow light
coming from the sodium lamp falls on a glass plate held at a 45° light beam.
The light is turned through 90° and is incident normally on the lens-plate
system. The microscope is adjusted till the circular rings come into focus.
The centre of the cross-wire is made to come into focus on the centre of the
dark spot, which is at the centre of the circular ring system. Now, turning
the screw the microscope is moved on the carriage slowly towards one side,
say right side. As the cross-wires move in the field of view, dark rings are
counted. The travelling microscope is taken to the left hand side, 10th ring
and the microscope reading is not. Same is done for the 9th, 8th, 7th, 6th ring
on the LHS. Following that the microscopic readings for the 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th ,
and 10th rings on the right hand side (RHS) are also observed. The difference
between the microscopic reading of the left hand and right hand side of the
10th ring will give the diameter of the 10th ring. Similarly, calculate the
diameter of 9th, 8th, 7th, 6th rings. The radius of curvature of lens is then
calculated using the equation:
Observations:
1. One main scale division = 0.1 cm
2. Number of divisions on circular scale = 100
3. Least Count =One main scale division/ Number of divisions on circular
scale= 0.001 cm
Order Microscopic Reading Diameter D2(cm2) D2m+1-D2m(cm)2
of (cm) D(cm)
ring
Left Right
Calculation:
Mean value of D2m+1 - D2m =.......cm2
Wavelength of light source (𝞴)= 589.3 nm
R = (D2m+p - D2m)/4p𝞴 = (D2m+1 - D2m)/4(1)𝞴 = ............................. cm
Result:
Radius of curvature of convex lens = ............... cm
Conclusion:
Viva Questions:
1. What is the physical principle behind the formation of Newton's rings?
2. Why is the central spot in Newton's rings always dark?
3. Why must the lens used have a large radius of curvature (R) ?
4. What would you observe if white light were used instead of
monochromatic light?