NEWTON'S RINGS

Determination of Wavelength of Light and Radius of Curvature

by Interference of Light Waves

A Comprehensive Laboratory Manual — Physics Practical Series

1. Introduction & Historical Background

2. Aim of the Experiment

3. Apparatus Required

4. Theory of Newton's Rings

5. Experimental Setup & Procedure

6. Observations & Measurements

7. Calculations & Result

8. Sources of Error & Precautions

9. Viva Voce Questions & Answers

10. Summary & Conclusion

1. Introduction & Historical Background
Newton's rings are one of the most beautiful and instructive phenomena in the field of physical
optics. Observed as a series of concentric, alternating bright and dark circular fringes, they
arise from the interference of light reflected from two surfaces separated by a very thin film of
air (or another medium). Despite carrying Newton's name, Sir Isaac Newton himself did not
fully explain the phenomenon in terms of wave theory — that explanation had to wait for
Thomas Young's principle of interference (1801) and Augustin-Jean Fresnel's rigorous wave
theory (1820s).

Newton observed these rings around 1666 and described them in detail in his 'Opticks' (1704),
where he attempted to explain them using his corpuscular theory of light by invoking 'fits of
easy transmission and easy reflection'. Although his explanation was incorrect, his careful
measurements of the ring diameters were remarkably accurate and remain consistent with the
modern wave-optical analysis.

Today, Newton's rings serve as a standard experiment to measure the wavelength of

monochromatic light, the radius of curvature of a lens, and the refractive index of a liquid. The
experiment is also used in industry for testing the flatness of optical surfaces and in the
production of anti-reflection coatings. The study of Newton's rings provides students with deep
insights into the wave nature of light, the phenomenon of thin-film interference, and the
concepts of optical path difference and phase change on reflection.
2. Aim of the Experiment
The main objectives of Newton's rings experiment are:

• To observe and study the formation of Newton's rings using monochromatic light.
• To measure the diameters of dark (or bright) rings using a travelling microscope.
• To determine the wavelength (lambda) of the given monochromatic light source (typically
sodium lamp).
• To determine the radius of curvature (R) of the given plano-convex lens.
• To verify the theoretical prediction: D_n^2 ∝ n (diameter squared proportional to ring
number).

3. Apparatus Required

Item Purpose
Plano-convex lens (large R) Creates the air wedge film
Optically flat glass plate Lower surface for reflection
Sodium vapour lamp Monochromatic light source (lambda ≈ 589 nm)
Travelling microscope Measures ring diameters precisely
45° glass plate (beam splitter) Directs light vertically downward
Black velvet / dark enclosure Reduces stray light background
Spirit level Ensures apparatus is level
4. Theory of Newton's Rings

4.1 Formation of the Air Film

When a plano-convex lens is placed with its convex surface resting on an optically flat glass
plate, a thin film of air is enclosed between the curved surface of the lens and the flat plate. The
thickness of this air film increases radially outward from the point of contact. Light incident on
this arrangement is reflected from both the bottom surface of the lens and the top surface of the
flat plate. These two reflected beams, originating from the same incident wavefront, are
coherent and interfere constructively or destructively depending on the local air film thickness.

4.2 Optical Path Difference

Let t be the thickness of the air film at a distance r from the centre. For a lens of radius of
curvature R and normal incidence, the relationship between r, t, and R is:

r^2 ≈ 2Rt (for t << R)

The optical path difference (OPD) between the two reflected beams is 2t. However, because
the beam reflected at the lower glass plate (denser medium) undergoes a phase change of pi
(half-wave loss), the effective OPD becomes:

OPD_eff = 2t + lambda/2

4.3 Conditions for Dark and Bright Rings

For dark rings (destructive interference — includes the phase reversal effect):

2t = n * lambda => r_n^2 = nR*lambda => D_n^2 = 4nR*lambda

For bright rings (constructive interference):

2t = (2n-1)*lambda/2 => D_n^2 = 2(2n-1)R*lambda

4.4 Working Formula

To eliminate the error due to the imperfect contact at the centre (which may not be a perfect
point), we use the difference of squared diameters of two rings m and n apart:

lambda = (D_(m+n)^2 - D_m^2) / (4nR) (for dark rings)

Alternatively, if R is known: lambda = (D_(m+n)^2 - D_m^2) / (4nR)

And if lambda is known: R = (D_(m+n)^2 - D_m^2) / (4n*lambda)

5. Experimental Setup & Procedure

5.1 Optical Alignment

1. Place the sodium lamp and allow it to warm up for 5–10 minutes to reach full brightness.
2. Place the 45° glass plate (beam splitter) above the lens-plate assembly at 45° to the
optical axis.
3. Adjust the height of the sodium lamp so that its light falls on the 45° plate and is directed
vertically downward onto the lens assembly.
4. Look through the travelling microscope eyepiece and focus it on the lens surface.
5. Adjust the lamp position and the beam splitter angle until Newton's rings are clearly
visible — concentric dark and bright rings around a central dark spot.
6. If the central spot is bright (not dark), the contact may be imperfect — gently press the
lens against the plate to improve contact.

5.2 Taking Measurements

1. Focus the crosswire of the travelling microscope clearly on the ring pattern.
2. Move the microscope to one side and align the crosswire tangentially with a
high-numbered ring (e.g., ring 20).
3. Record the microscope reading. Move across to the next ring towards centre, recording
each reading.
4. Continue past the centre to the corresponding rings on the other side.
5. The diameter D_n of the nth ring = reading on left side minus reading on right side.
6. Measure diameters for rings 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15 (or similar set) on both sides of centre.
7. Record all readings in the observation table below.
6. Observations & Measurements
Given: Radius of curvature of lens R = ______ cm (from lens-maker's data or spherometer)

Wavelength of sodium light lambda = 5893 Angstrom = 589.3 nm (standard value)

Ring No. (n) Left Reading (cm) Right Reading (cm) Diameter D_n (cm) D_n^2 (cm^2)

11

13

15

17

19
Table: Measurement of Newton's ring diameters using travelling microscope
7. Calculations & Result

7.1 Calculation Table

Ring pair (m, m+n) D_(m+n)^2 (cm^2) D_m^2 (cm^2) Difference (cm^2) lambda (nm)

5, 15

7, 17

9, 19

7.2 Result
Wavelength of sodium light as determined experimentally: lambda = ______ nm (Mean)

Standard value: 589.3 nm. Percentage error = |experimental - standard| / standard × 100 =
______%
8. Sources of Error & Precautions

Sources of Error:
• Dust particles between lens and plate distort the ring pattern and shift the centre.
• Imperfect contact at the centre creates a central bright spot instead of dark, adding an
unknown extra OPD.
• The lens surface may not be perfectly spherical, causing ring distortion.
• Backlash error in the travelling microscope screw — always approach readings from the
same direction.
• Parallax error if the crosswire is not exactly focused on the ring pattern.
• Vibration of the apparatus causes rings to fluctuate, making reading difficult.
• Non-monochromaticity of the light source (if white light used) causes coloured fringes,
reducing contrast.

Precautions:
• Clean lens and plate surfaces thoroughly before assembly to remove dust.
• Use only monochromatic light (sodium lamp) for sharper, higher-contrast rings.
• Avoid pressing the lens too hard — this strains the lens and distorts rings.
• Remove backlash by always turning the microscope screw in one direction only.
• Keep the apparatus on a vibration-free surface.
• Use at least 5 ring pairs for averaging to improve accuracy.
• Ensure the microscope crosswire is sharp and clearly focused on the rings.
9. Viva Voce Questions & Answers
Q1. Why is the centre of Newton's rings dark in reflected light?
At the point of contact, the air film thickness t = 0. The beam reflected from the lower plate
undergoes a phase change of pi (half-wave loss) because it reflects at a denser medium
interface, while the beam reflecting from the curved lens surface does not. This causes
destructive interference at the centre, making it dark regardless of wavelength.

Q2. What happens if a liquid is introduced between the lens and the plate?
If the refractive index of the liquid n_L is between 1 and n_glass, the rings shrink in diameter.
The new formula becomes D_n^2 = 4nR*lambda/n_L. The ring diameter decreases by a factor
of 1/sqrt(n_L), allowing the refractive index of the liquid to be measured.

Q3. Why do we use the difference of squared diameters?

Using D_(m+n)^2 - D_m^2 eliminates the zero-order correction due to imperfect contact at the
centre (which would add an unknown constant to t at the contact point). This method is also
less sensitive to errors in identifying the exact ring number.

Q4. How do Newton's rings change if white light is used?

With white light, only the first few rings are visible and they appear coloured (the inner rings
show violet on the inner edge and red on the outer edge). Beyond a few rings, the rings from
different wavelengths overlap and the pattern becomes washed out.
10. Summary & Conclusion
Newton's rings experiment is a landmark demonstration of thin-film interference and the wave
nature of light. The concentric ring pattern formed by the air wedge between a convex lens and
a flat plate provides a sensitive and precise method for measuring optical quantities. The key
results of the experiment are:

• The diameter squared of the nth dark ring is directly proportional to n: D_n^2 =
4nRlambda.
• This proportionality is confirmed by the linear graph of D_n^2 vs n.
• The wavelength of sodium light can be determined with ~1% accuracy with careful
measurements.
• The radius of curvature of the plano-convex lens can also be determined if lambda is
known.
• Introducing a liquid of refractive index n_L between the surfaces shrinks the ring
diameters by 1/sqrt(n_L).

The experiment beautifully illustrates how macroscopic measurements (ring diameters in

centimetres) can reveal the wavelength of light — a quantity measured in nanometres. This
bridge between the macroscopic and atomic scales is a hallmark of precision physics.

References: Optics — Ajoy Ghatak; Principles of Optics — Born and Wolf; A Textbook of Optics
— Brijlal & Subramanyam; Fundamentals of Optics — Jenkins and White.