Newtons Rings

Students name and ID: _______________________

Group No: ___________
Date: ________
Time: From _____to ______
*All the above information must be filled by the student unless marks will NOT be considered
Evaluation Value
Attendance (20)

Lab Manual (10)

Description

Tools (10)
Work attitude (4)

Procedure and
Accuracy (16)
Graph (10)
Data analysis and
calculations (10)
Discussion (10)
Quiz (10)

Marks

Attendance is allowed for the first 15 minutes

Attendance after 15 minutes; 10 marks will be deducted
Attendance after 30 minutes; not allowed to attend
Brining the lab manual found on the eLearning
Brining the needed tools; pens, pencils, calculator, ruler,
eraser,.etc.

Adhering to the lab rules and focusing on finishing the

experiments on time.
Collecting data according to the provided procedure
Providing the proper data in the suitable labeled places
Plotting the graph in well-defined shape
Using the correct units

Data processing/analysis
Calculating Errors and understanding their reasons
Ability to conclude the results meaning and conclusions
Quiz will be done at the end of the lab; questions related to the
experiments to evaluate the level of understanding and thinking

Total Mark (100)

Students name and ID: _______________________

Group No: ___________
Date: ________
Time: From _____to ______

TA Signature: --------------------------------

Supervisor Signature: ---------------------------

Newtons Rings
Objective:
1. Understanding and studying the interference phenomenon.
2. Determination of the radius of curvature of the lower lens surface.

Theory:
When a Plano-convex lens with its convex surface
with radius of curvature (R) is placed on a plane
glass sheet, an air film of gradually increasing
thickness outward is formed between the lens
and the plate. The thickness of film at the point of
contact is zero. A monochromatic light of
wavelength () light is directed by means of the
partial reflecting side at 45 to fall normally on the
lens. At each boundary some light is reflected at
the underside of the lens and at the top surface of
the plate. These two reflected sets of light
produce the interference pattern. As represented
in figure, alternate bright and dark concentric
rings are seen around the point of contact. These
rings were first discovered by Newton, that's why
they are called Newtons rings.
The diameter (Dm) of a dark ring number m in order can be written as:

Apparatus:
1. Monochromatic source (Sodium lamp).
2. Vernier scaled traveling microscope with
magnifying arm.
3. Plano-convex Lens and glass plate.
4- Optical track.

Experimental Procedure:
1- Switch on the sodium lamp.
2- Adjust the reflecting slide and travelling microscope to obtain a clear view of the rings.
3- Adjust the cross of the microscope at the left edge of the first (m = 1) dark ring and use the
scale to record the reading.
4- Move the microscope to right and adjust the cross of the microscope at the right edge of the
same ring and use the scale to record the reading.
5- Calculate the diameter of the first ring by
subtracting the two readings (D1).
6- Repeat steps from 2 to 5 for different dark rings
and get (D2 , D3 , D4 , D5).
7- Tabulate your results and take care of the units
8- Plot a graph between the square of the diameters
(Dm2) and the order (m).

Table:

Results:
sodium= 589.3 nm = cm
Slope=.(.)
Rexp=...(.)
Error =

Rtheo=(..)
%

Conclusions:

Experiment Quiz
1- In Newtons rings exp., If we change the light source with another one of
wavelength = 632.8 nm.
a- If we establish the same experiment at = 632.8 nm, Will the obtained slope
be changed? Explain?
b- Find the fringe diameter of order m= 5, at = 632.8 nm.
c- Compare this result (b) with your experimental diameter results at m=5?
Explain?

2- The obtained interference fringes are circular and the central fringe is dark.
Why?

3- Write down the used formula to get the radius of curvature (R), in case bright
fringes.