AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY–BANGLADESH (AIUB)

FACULTY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS
PHYSICS LAB 2
Fall 2021-2022
Section: J, Group: 2

LAB REPORT ON

To determine the refractive index of the material of a prism by a spectrometer.

Supervised By
Md. Masud Parvez
Submitted By
Name ID Contribution
1. ZELAN, ARIK AHMED 21-44600-1 I have done the Theory of this lab report.

2.ANTO, AVIJIT SAHA 21-44630-1 I have done the Experimental Data Table of this
lab report.
3. NISHAT, TARIKUL ISLAM 21-44632-1 I have done the Apparatus & Discussion of this
lab report.
4.KHONDAKER FAISAL IBN, 21-44398-1 I have done the Procedure of this lab report.
AZIZ
5. ZIAN, TANVIR HOSSAIN 21-44655-1 I have done the Analysis and Calculation and
Result of this lab report.

Date of Submission: November 21, 2021

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

TOPICS Page no.

I. Title Page 1
II. Table of Content 2

1. Theory 3-4

2. Apparatus 4

3. Procedure 5-6

4. Experimental Data 7

5. Analysis and Calculation 8

6. Result 8

7. Discussion 8

8. References 8

Lab Report Department of Physics Page 2 of 8

 1. Theory

Refraction is the bending of light when it goes from one medium to another so, when a ray of light passes
through a glass prism, refraction of light occurs both, when it enters the prism as well as when it leaves
the prism. Since the refracting surfaces are not parallel, therefore, the emergent ray and incident ray are
not parallel to one another. In this case the ray of light is deviated on passing through the prism.
A glass prism is a transparent object having two triangular ends and three rectangular sides. The refraction
of light in glass prism is different from a glass slab. This is because in glass prism, the incident ray of light
is not parallel to emergent ray of light. When a ray of light enters the glass prism it gets deviated two
times. First when it enters the glass prism and second when it comes out of the prism.
This is because the refracting surfaces of the prism are not parallel to each other. Also, when the ray of
light passes through the prism it bends towards its base.
Consider a prism with prism angle A. Let a ray OP is incident on the first face of a prism and after passing
through the principal plane of the prism, finally emerge out through the other face in the direction QR. Let
𝑖1 and 𝑟1 be the respective angles of incidence and refraction at the first face of the prism and 𝑖2 and r2
be the corresponding quantities for the second face.
In the position of minimum deviation, as the ray passes symmetrically through the prism so in this position,
𝑖1 = 𝑖2 and 𝑟1 = 𝑟2.
We know, the angle of prism, 𝐴 = 𝑟1+𝑟2
In the position of minimum deviation, 𝐴 = 2𝑟1
𝐴
∴ 𝑟1 = 2

Figure 1: Refraction of light by prism.

Lab Report Department of Physics Page 3 of 8

Now, the deviation of the ray,𝛿 = (𝑖1 − 𝑟1 ) + (𝑖2 − 𝑟2 )

 𝛿 = (𝑖1 − 𝑟1 ) + (𝑖2 − 𝑟2 )
∴ 𝛿 = (𝑖1 + 𝑖2 ) − 𝐴

In the position of minimum deviation 𝛿 = 𝛿𝑚 . Thus,

𝛿𝑚 = 2𝑖1 − 𝐴
𝛿𝑚 +𝐴
∴ 𝑖1 = 2

sin 𝑖1
From Snell’s law, the refractive index, 𝜇 = sin 𝑟1

𝛿 +𝐴
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑚
2
∴𝜇 = 𝐴 ……………………..(1)
𝑠𝑖𝑛
2

2. Apparatus

i. Spectrometer,

ii. Sodium lamp,

iii. Prism,

iv. Reading lens etc.

Lab Report Department of Physics Page 4 of 8

 3. Procedure

Telescope adjustment:

1.At first, we arranged the spectrometer and the prism table in horizontal position
by usingthe leveling screws (as shown in fig. 2).

2.The telescope was turned towards a distant object to receive a clear and sharp image.

3.The slit was illuminated by a sodium vapor lamp and the slit and the collimator
aresuitably adjusted to receive a narrow, vertical image of the slit.
4.We turned the telescope is to receive the direct ray, so that the vertical slit coincides
with the vertical crosswire.

Figure 2: Spectrometer.

Lab Report Department of Physics Page 5 of 8

 Measurement of the angle of minimum deviation:

1. After spectrometer, we placed the prism so that its center coincides with the center
of the prism table and light falls on one of the polished faces and emerges out of
the other polished face, after refraction. The telescope was turned to view the
refracted image of the slit on theother face (as shown in fig. 3).
2. Then, we turned the vernier table slowly in such a direction that the image of slit
was move directed towards the directed ray, i.e., in the direction of decreasing angle
of deviation.
3. We found that at a certain position, the image is stationary for some moment.
Vernier table was fixed at the position where the image remains stationary. Using
telescope fine adjusting slider, we made coincide the slit with cross wire.
4. Also, we noted corresponding main scale and vernier scale reading in both vernier
(vernier I and vernier II).
5. We carefully removed the prism from the prism table. Turned the telescope parallel
to collimator and note the direct ray readings.
6. At last, we found the difference between the direct ray readings and deviated
readings. This angle is called angle of minimum deviation (δm). Refractive index
of the material of the prism was determined by using eq.(1)

Figure 3: Arrangement to determine the angle of minimum deviation

Lab Report Department of Physics Page 6 of 8

 4. Calculations
(A) Vernier Constant (VC)= 1/60

(B) Wavelength of light used = 5893×10-8 cm

(C) Angle of prism, A= 60°

(D) Table for the angle of minimum deviation:

Reading for the minimum

deviation position Reading for the direct position

1
350 6 350.1 391 8 391.13

1 2
71 15 71.25 258.47 30 10 30.167 273.12 14.65

3
354 4 354.067 398 5 398.083

1
169 2 169.033 211 10 211.167
1.2
2
2 249 10 249.167 197.467 209 13 209.217 211.139 13.672 14.161

3
174 12 174.2 213 2 213.033

Lab Report Department of Physics Page 7 of 8

 5. Error Calculation

Percentage of error

1.5−1.2
=| | ×100% = 20%
1.5

6. Result
Refractive index of the material of the prism is 1.2 .

7. Discussion

1. Do the experiment in a dark room to see the light clearly.

2. Make sure to keep the prism clean.
3. While fixing the pins for checking the refractive index of the prism, make sure that the reflective
images of the pins should be aligned to your eye to avoid any type of parallax error.
4. Avoid mishandling of the prism.

8. References

i) Fundamentals of Physics, 10th Edition by David Halliday, Robert Resnick

ii) Practical Physics By R K Shukla And Anchal Srivastava

iii) Eric J. Irons,American Journal of Physics 15

Lab Report Department of Physics Page 8 of 8