INTRODUCTION
Light undergoes deviation when it passes through a prism due to refraction at
its two surfaces. The extent of this deviation depends on several factors, including
the angle of incidence, the refractive index of the medium inside the prism, and the
angle of the prism itself.
In this project, we investigate how the angle of deviation (δ) varies with the
angle of incidence (i) for a hollow prism filled one by one with different
transparent fluids such as water, kerosene, and glycerin.
The path of a ray of light through a prism can be visualized as it undergoes
refraction at both surfaces. The total deviation of theray is influenced by the
prism's material (or fluid in the hollow prism), its angle, and the angle at which
the light initially strikes the prism. The key finding in this investigation will be the
existence of a minimum angle of deviation (δm) for each fluid, which is unique to its
refractive index(n).
By measuring the deviation produced by each fluid and plotting the corresponding
graphs, we can determine the refractive behavior and compare how different fluids
affect the deviation of light.
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AIM:
To study the relationship between the angle of deviation (δ) and the angle of
incidence (i) for a hollow prism filled with different transparent fluids and to
determine the condition of minimum deviation for each fluid.
Apparatus Required:
• Hollow prism (glass or plastic)
• Drawing board and white paper sheets
• Pins and pencil
• Protractor and ruler
• Light source (optical pin or slit)
• Transparent fluids (e.g., Water, Kerosene, Glycerin)
• Stand for prism
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THEORY
When a ray of light passes through a prism, it is refracted twice — once while
entering and again while emerging. The overall change in its path is called the
angle of deviation (δ).
When a ray of light is incident on one face of a prism, it is refracted and
emerges
from the second face. The path of the light ray inside the prism is
characterized by:
1. Angle of incidence (i1): Angle between the incident ray and the normal
at the first face.
2. Angle of refraction (r1): Angle between the refracted ray and the
normal at the first face.
3. Angle of incidence (r2): Angle between the ray inside the prism and
the normal at the second face.
4. Angle of emergence (i2): Angle between the emergent ray and the normal at the
second face.
prism angle is given by: A = r1 + r2 and the
angle of deviation is given by: δ = ( i1 +i2 ) − A
At a particular angle of incidence, the deviation becomes minimum (δm),
and the path of the light ray inside the prism becomes symmetric, i.e.,
i 1 = i2 = i and r1 = r2 = r
Hence A=2r, and
where μ is the refractive index of the fluid inside the [Link], by filling the
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hollow prism with different fluids and determining their corresponding minimum
deviation (δm), we can find their refractive indices.
INDEX
Serial Number CONTENT Page Number
1. Introduction 1
2. Aim 2
3. Materials Required 2
4. Theory 3
5. Procedure 4
6. Observations 5
7. Calculations 5
8. Results 6
9. Preacautions & Sources of Error 7
10. Bibiography 7
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PROCEDURE
1. Place a white sheet of paper on the drawing board and fix it with pins.
2. Draw a straight line near the center and mark points for different angles of
incidence (e.g., 30°, 35°, 40°, 45°, etc.).
3. Place the hollow prism on the paper and trace its outline.
4. Fill the hollow prism with the first transparent fluid (e.g., water).
5. For each selected angle of incidence, draw the incident ray, mark the refracted and
emergent rays using pins, and trace the path of the light ray.
6. Measure the angle of deviation (δ) for each value of angle of incidence (i) using
a protractor.
7. Repeat the same procedure by filling the prism with kerosene and then glycerin.
8. Plot graphs of angle of deviation (δ) vs angle of incidence (i) for each fluid.
9. From each graph, note the minimum deviation (δm) and calculate the refractive
index (μ) using the relation:
A ray of light passing through a triangular glass prism.
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OBSERVATIONS
Fluid Angle of Angle of Angle of Minimum Calculated
Prism (A) Incidence (i) Deviation (δ) Deviation (δm) Refractive Index (μ)
Water 600 30°–70° Measured values ~38° ~1.33
0
Kerosene 60 30°–70° Measured values ~40° ~1.44
Glycerin 600 30°–70° Measured values ~45° ~1.47
CALCULATIONS
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RESULTS
1. The angle of deviation (δ) first decreases with the increase in the angle of
incidence (i), reaches a minimum value, and then increases again.
2. The minimum deviation (δm) occurs when the path of light inside the prism is
symmetric.
3. The refractive indices of the fluids are found to be approximately:
• Water → 1.33
• Kerosene → 1.44
• Glycerin → 1.47
4. Hence, the deviation produced by the prism increases with the refractive index of
the medium inside the prism
5. Glycerin causes the greatest deviation, suggesting it has the highest refractive
index among the three.
6. Water bends light the least, making it the most optically "gentle" of the trio.
7. Kerosene sits in the middle, slightly more refractive than water but less than
glycerin.
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PRECAUTIONS
• The hollow prism should be properly cleaned and dried before filling with each
fluid.
• Ensure no air bubbles remain inside the prism while filling the fluid.
• Use accurate pins and ensure they are vertically fixed for precise marking.
• The incident ray should be narrow and well-defined.
• All angle measurements should be taken carefully using a good-quality protractor.
• Handle the fluids with care and wipe any spills immediately.
SOURCES OF ERROR
• Inaccurate Measurement of Angles
• Pins Not Perfectly Vertical
• Incomplete Prism Cleaning/Contamination
• Parallax Error
• Prism Angle Inaccuracy
BIBILOGRAPHY
• N.C.E.R.T. Physics Textbook, Class XII
• S.L. Arora – Practical Physics
• Resnick, Halliday & Walker – Fundamentals of Physics