Department of Physics and Materials Science & Engineering -1-

Lab Manual

Experiment No. - 1
Newton’s Ring
OBJECTIVE: To determine the wavelength of sodium light with the help of Newton’s
rings setup.

APPARATUS USED: A Plano-convex lens and plane glass plate arrangement, sodium
lamp, travelling microscope, convex lens, eye piece, spherometer and a partly reflecting
glass plate inclined at 45º and table lamp.

FORMULA USED:
The wavelength (λ) of sodium light is measured with Newton’s ring setup by using the
following formula:

D2n + p − Dn2
λ=
4pR

Where D n+p = Diameter of (n+p) th ring

Dn = Diameter of (n) th ring
p = An integer no. of ring
R = Radius of curvature of the curved face of the plano- convex
lens.

The Radius of curvature of the curved face of the Plano- convex lens (‘R’) is measured
with spherometer by using the following formula:
l2 h
R= +
6h 2

Where, l = Distance between the two legs of the spherometer.

h = Difference of the readings of the spherometer when it is
placed on the lens and when placed on the plane surface.
THEORY:

Basic Physics involved:

Division of wave by amplitude:

This phenomenon owes its origin to a combination of reflection and interference.
When a light wave falls on a thin film, the wave reflected from the upper surface
interferes with the wave reflected from the lower surface. This gives rise to dark, bright
or coloured fringes depending upon the incident wavelengths. However, one must
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initially consider how the phase of a light wave is affected when it is reflected. The phase
change of 1800 occurs when the light strikes the boundary from the side of rarer medium.
Hence, light reflected by a material of higher refractive index than the medium in which
the rays are travelling undergoes a 180° phase change.
Reflection by a material of lower refractive index than the medium in which the rays are
travelling causes no phase change.

Interference by a wedge-shaped film:

Figure 1. Light incident on a wedge shape film

Let us consider a thin wedge-shaped film of refractive index μ , bounded by two plane
surfaces AB and CD, inclined at an angle θ as shown in Fig. 1. Let the film be illuminated
by a monochromatic source of light from a slit held parallel to the edge of the wedge (the
edge is the line passing through the point O and perpendicular to the plane of the paper).
Interference occurs between the rays reflected at the upper and lower surfaces of the film.
If it is assumed that light is incident almost normally at a point P on the film, then, the
path difference between the rays reflected at the upper and lower surfaces is 2μt , where t
is the thickness of the film at P, An additional path difference of λ / 2 is introduced in the
ray reflected from the upper surface. The effective path difference between the two rays
is:
λ
2μt −
2
Hence the condition of fringes becomes
λ
2μt − = nλ
2
Or
λ
2μt = (2n + 1)
2
The condition for dark fringe is
2μt = nλ

It is clear that for a bright or dark fringe of a particular order, t must remain constant.
Since in the case of a wedge-shaped film, t remains constant along lines parallel to the
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thin edge of the wedge, the bright and dark fringes are straight lines parallel to the thin
edge of the wedge. Such fringes are commonly referred to as "fringes of equal thickness".
At the thin edge, where t = 0 , path difference = λ / 2 , which is a condition for minimum
intensity. Hence, the edge of the film is dark.
If the fringes of equal thickness are produced in the air film between a convex
surface of a long focus lens and a plane glass surface, the fringes will be circular in shape
because the thickness of the air film remains constant on the circumference of a circle.
The ring-shaped fringes, thus produced, were studied by Newton.

Newton’s Ring:

When a plano-convex lens of large radius of curvature is placed with its convex surface
in contact with a plane glass plate, air-film is formed between the lower surface of the
lens (LOL') and the upper surface of the plate (POQ) , as shown in Fig. 2. The thickness
of the air film is zero at the point of contact O, and it increases as one moves away from
the point of contact. If monochromatic light is allowed to fall normally on this film,
reflection lakes place at both the top and the bottom of the film. As a result of
interference between the light waves reflected from the upper and lower surfaces of the
air film, constructive or destructive interference takes place, depending upon the
thickness of the film. The thickness of the air film increases with distance from the point
of contact, therefore, the pattern of bright and dark fringes consists of concentric circles.

Figure 2. An arrangement for observing Newton’s rings

In Fig. 2, 1 and 2 are the interfering rays corresponding to an incident ray AB. As the
rings are observed in reflected light, the effective path difference between the interfering
rays 1and 2 is practically analogous to interference in thin wedge shape film.
As we have considered an air-film, μ = 1 The condition for the bright ring is can be
written as:
λ
2t = (2n − 1)
2
and the condition for the dark ring which is given by :

2t = nλ
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Now consider Fig. 3, where the lens LOL' is placed on the glass plate POQ. Let R be the
radius of curvature of the curved surface of the lens. Let rn be the radius of the nth
Newton's ring corresponding to point P, where the film thickness is t. Draw perpendicular
PN. Then, from the property of a circle, we have
PN 2 = ON × NE
Or
rn2 = t(2R − t)

Figure 3. r represents the radius of the nth dark ring, the thickness of air film (where the nth
dark ring is formed) is L

λR
rn2 = (2n − 1) (Bright ring)
2
Dn
If Dn be the diameter of the n th bright ring, then Dn = 2rn or rn = ,Substituting this in
2
the last expression, we get

D 2n = 2(2n − 1)λR

If Dn + p is the diameter of the (n+p)th bright ring then

D 2n + p = 2(2(n + p) − 1)λR
D 2n + p − D 2n
=> λ =
4pR

Spherometer:

Measurement of the radius of curvature (R) of a spherical lens:

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In studying image formation with lenses offers a method of measuring radius R.
Measurements can be made with various methods. One of the measurements of radius of
lens is the measurement by the spherometer. The spherometer is shown in Fig.4(a)

Figure 4(a): Spherometer Figure 1(b) : Schematic of

Spherometer

The spherometer consists of a tripod with micrometric screw at the center. The
tips of the three legs define the plane on the surface of the lens. The micrometric screw
can be lowered (or raised above) the plane of the legs.
Let a is the average distance between the tips of the tripod legs and h is the high
measured from the plane through the ends resting on the lens surface. The situation is
shown in Fig. 1(b)
We shall derive the expression for determination the radius of lens by the spherometer.
Using Pythagoras’ theorem we have

ρ2 + (r-h)2 = r2

Rearranging this equation gives

ρ2 h
r= +
2h 2
where r is the radius of curvature of the lens and is the radius circumscribed around the tips
of the legs of spherometer.
l
ρ=
2
Inserting eq.3 into eq.2 gives
l2 h
r= +
6h 2
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RAY DIAGRAM:

Figure 5: Newton’s Rings Setup

PROCEDURE:

D 2n + p − D 2n
Measurement of ( ):
p

1. The surface of both of glass plate and the plano - convex lens should first be
cleaned smoothly with tissue paper.

2. In order to focus the microscope, the eyepiece is first focused on the cross wires
till they are clearly seen in the field of view. One of the cross-wire is made
horizontal. The microscope is then focused on a cross mark (+) made on a piece
of paper placed above the blackened glass plate. The lens has not been put as yet.

3. The paper is removed and the plano - convex lens is put in its place with in curved
surface in contact with the plate. The microscope is slightly adjusted so that the
rings are clearly seen in the field of view. If the rings obtained are not circular
then either the glass plate or lens or both are irregular. To obtain perfectly circular
rings, one is shifted to other positions on the glass plate. Even the smaller portion
of the plate around the point of contact. Sometimes the lens and the plate is not
perfect on account of the presence of dust particles but this will not affect the
experiment.

4. By moving the blackened glass plate (along with the lens ) or the microscope this
way or that way the horizontal cross-wire is made to pass through the centre of
the ring system parallel to the scale so that the motion of this cross-wire may be
along the diameter of the ring system.

5. The least count of the microscope is evaluated and recorded.

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6. The microscope moved towards one side (say to the left of the central spot of
certain numbers of dark and bright rings, say 20th ring) and then allowed to move
towards the right. As soon as the other wire which is perpendicular to the
direction of motion of the microscope of the cross-wires becomes just tangential
of the outer edge of 20th dark or bright ring. The reading of microscope screw is
noted. The motion of microscope towards the right is continued slowly by the
circular screw and the readings of the screw are recorded every time the cross-
wire becomes tangential to the outer edge of the every alternate dark or bright
rings (e.g. 20th ,18th ,16th, etc.)
On reaching the central spot portion the cross-wires are moved further to the other
side of it and the readings of the screw recorded every time the cross-wire
becomes tangential to the inner edge of the alternate dark or bright rings and
4th,5th, etc till 20th dark or bright ring is reached. Difference between the
microscope readings on the outer edge on one side and inner edge another side of
a ring will give its mean diameter Dn.
Find square of diameters Dn2 and by drawing straight-line graph between D2 n and
n order of the ring find slope (D2 n+p - D2 n) / p.

Measurement of h:
The radius of curvature of the curved surface of the plano-convex lens is noted
using spherometer.
1. Place the spherometer on curved surface of plano-convex lens, so that each
four legs touch the lens then note this reading.
2. Now similarly place spherometer on any plane surface and note this reading
difference between these two reading gives h.

OBSERVATIONS:

There are two scales on travelling microscope:

- Vertical scale: use to move cross wire along the vertical direction of Newton’s ring
plane.
- Horizontal scale: use to move cross wire along horizontal directon of Newton’s ring
plane

Use horizontal scale for measurement as follows:

Value of one division of the main scale (MS) = cm
Total No. of division on the vernier scale (VS) =
Least count of the scale (LC) = cm = mm
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Table for observing diameter ‘D’of different rings

Ring Crosswire on LHS of rings Crosswire on RHS of rings

No. MS VS Total MS VS Total D n= D n2
n (cm) a=MS+VSxLC (cm) b=MS+VSxLC (a~b) (cm2)
(cm) (cm) (cm)
12

10

Determination of (D2 n+p - D2 n ) / p

Draw a graph between Dn2 vs. n

Slope of this graph = (D2 n+p - D2 n) / p = cm2

Determination of ‘R’ using spherometer

Value of one division on Main Scale (MS) = ……mm

Total no. of division on circular scale (CS) =
Pitch of spherometer = Linear movement on MS / No. of complete circular rotation)
LC of spherometer = Pitch / Total no. of division on CS =……Cm
Distance between two legs ‘l’ = ……Cm

Table for finding R by using spherometer method

Reading on plane surface Reading on convex surface Mean

S. No. MS CS T=MS+CSxLC MS CS T=MS+CSxLC h=(b-a) of h
(cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm)
1

2
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l2 h
Hence R= + = ……cm
6h 2

Calculations:

l2 h
(i) R= + = cm
6h 2

D 2n + p − D 2n
(ii) λ= = A0
4pR

CALCULATION FOR MAXIMUM PROBABLE ERROR:

D 2n + p − D 2n
λ=
4pR

Taking log on both side and after differentiation, we get

2 2
Δλ Δ (D n + p − Dn ) ΔR
= +
λ (D 2n + p − D 2n ) R
2(D n + p ΔDn + p + D n ΔDn ) ΔR
= +
(D 2n + p − D2n ) R
= ……

RESULTS:
From above measurements wavelength of sodium light found to be = (A0).
[Standard value 5893(Ǻ)]

SOURCES OF ERROR AND PRECAUTIONS:

(i) Glass plates and lens should be cleaned thoroughly.

(ii) Before measuring the diameter of rings, the range of the microscope should
be properly adjusted.
(iii) Crosswire should be focused on a bright ring tangentially.
(iv) Radius of curvature should be measured accurately.

REFERENCES:

[1] “EXPERIMENT 8: To Determine the Wavelength of Sodium Light using Newton’s

Rings,” University College Dublin - National University of Ireland, Dublin,
[Link]
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[2] National open university of Nigeria, School of science and technology
Course code: phy306, Course title: optics II,
[Link]/noun/NOUN_OCL/pdf/.../PHY306%20OPTICS%202.

Must Read:

-Interference of light by division of wave by amplitude.

-Why we use monochromatic light?
-Why the fringes are circular?
-Why the central spot is dark?
-If the light be non-monochromatic, what should be the result?