Acknowledgement
I would like to acknowledge all the
individuals who have played a part in the
completion of this Physics project. Their
contributions, whether big or small, have
been vital to its success. I am deeply
grateful to my Physics teacher Mr. Atul
Malhotra, for their guidance and
encouragement. Their insights have been
instrumental in improving the quality of
this project. I also extend my thanks to my
classmates for their collaborative efforts
and valuable suggestions that have
enriched this project. Finally, I want to
thank my parents for their continuous
support and understanding, making it
possible for me to focus on this project
with dedication
Certificate of Completion
This is to certify that I, Ujjwal Kumar Pal of
class XIIB of Puranchandra Vidyaniketan has
successfully completed the Physics
Investigatory Project as prescribed by the All
India Senior Secondary Certificate
Examination (AISSCE) for the academic year
2024-25.
______________
Principal’s Signature
___________ ___________
Signature of Signature of
Subject Teacher External Examiner
TRAVELLING MICROSCOPE
AIM: To determine the refractive index of different liquids
using a travelling microscope
APPARATUS: A marker, water, ethanol, a travelling
microscope, graph paper
THEORY: Refraction is a phenomenon of propagation of
light from one transparent medium into the other such that the
light deviates form its original path . The ratio of the velocity of
the light in the first medium to that in the second medium is
called the refractive index of the second medium with respect to
the first medium. Usually , the first medium is air.
The bottom surface of a vessel containing a refracting liquid
appears to be raised , such that the apparent depth is less than
the real depth. Refractive index of a refracting liquid is defined
as a ratio of real depth to the apparent depth.
MATHEMATICALLY,
Refractive index,
µ = Apparent
Real depth
depth
For accurate measurement of depths, a travelling microscope is
used .
If the reading od the real depth at the bottom of the beaker when
the graph paper is kept r1, at the cross due to the it refraction is
r2 at the top of beaker is r3, then
Real depth = r3 – r1 , and apparent depth = r3 – r2
Therefore, refractive index of water / ethanol
r3 – r1
µ= r3 – r2
PROCEDURE:
For accurate measurement of length/depth, compound
microscope is used which is provided with a vernier scale that
slides alongside a main scale .
1. Let the number of vernier scale division which
coincides with the number of the full scale division.
2. Find the value of each main division and hence the last
count of the microscopic scale as (1msd – 1vsd ).
3. Set the microscope in its stand such that it is capable of
sliding vertically up and down as a screw attached to
rock and pinion is turned.
4. On a graph paper mark a cross and place it inside the
beaker and place it below the objective of the
microscope.
5. Move the microscope very gently. Using the screw, focus
the eye piece on the cross mark and bring the cross in
focus such that the cross on the cross wire coincides
with the marked cross on the paper. Note the reading of
the microscope as r1.
6. Pour the liquid inside the beaker such that the paper is
at below surface and you will observe that the cross
mark appears to be raised.
7. Move the microscope gradually and gently upward to
bring the cross mark in focus and on cross of cross wire
record the reading as r2.
8. Now place graph paper such that it is at top of the
surface and move the microscope upward until it comes
into focus record the reading on the scale as r3.
9. Difference of reading r3 and r1 i.e. r3 – r1 gives a real
depth where as r3 – r2 gives the apparent depth.
[Link] your observations as follows and calculate the
value of the refractive index µ.
OBERVATIONS:
Least count of the travelling microscope.
10 vernier scale division = 9 main scale division
(scales may differ from instrument to instrument)
Value of one main scale division = 1mm i.e. 0.1cm .
10 V.S.D = 9 M.S.D (V.S.D vernier scale division, M.S.D
V.S.D = 9/10 M.S.D main scale division )
L.C. = 1 M.S.D – 1 V.S.D = 1 M.S.D – 9/10 M.S.D
= 1/10 M.S.D or 1/10x0.1 = 0.01cm
OBERVATIONS TABLE:
Reading of the microscope focused
on
No: of observation Cross Cross with Paper on
without liquid (cm) surface
liquid (cm) (cm)
1)Water 4.5 5 6.5
2)Ethanol 4.5 4.9 6.1
3)Glycerin 1.8 2.3 3.4
(different
microscope is
used )
No: of observation Cross Cross with Paper on
without liquid (cm) surface
liquid (cm) (cm)
1)Water 4.4 4.9 6.6
2)Ethanol 4.4 4.8 6.2
3)Glycerin 1.7 2.2 3.5
(different
microscope is
used )
No: of Cross Cross Paper
observation without with on
liquid liquid surface
(cm) (cm) (cm)
1)Water 4.6 4.8 6.7
2)Ethanol 4.6 4.9 6.3
3)Glycerin 1.9 2.1 3.6
(different
microscope
is used )
PRECAUTIONS :
1)Eye piece should be adjusted such that the cross wires
are distinctly visible.
2)Least count of the scale of travelling microscope should
be calculated carefully .
Result :
By using travelling microscope the refractive index of the
liquids are determined as :- (i) water _____________
(ii) ethanol______________