Name of the Experiment:

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

Theory:

When light of certain color undergoes by refraction through a prism, then the refractive index of the
material of the prism for light of certain color (wave length) is given by the relation

δ m +∠ A
sin
sini 2
μ= = ……………………………….(1)
sin r ∠A
sin
2

Where, ∠ A= prism angle

δ m =minimum deviation.

The expression for μ can be deduced in the following manner.

If ray PQ (Fig:1) is incident on the first face of a prism and after passing through the principle plane
of the prism, finally emerge out through the other face in the direction RS.

Let i and r be the respective angles of incidence and refraction at the first face of the prism and r and
e the corresponding quantities for the second face.

Now the deviation (δ) of the ray is

'
∠ STX=δ=i+e−( r +r )…………………………..(2)

In quadrilateral AQFR,

∠ Q=∠ R=90 ° (∵ MF and NF are normal)

∠ A+∠ F=180 °……………..(3)

Again, in triangle QFR,

∠ F+∠ r+ ∠ r '………………..(4)

∴ ∠ A=r +r '………………….(5)

∴ δ =i+ e−∠ A……………….(6)

But in the position of minimum deviation (δ m), the ray passes symmetrically through the prism so
that i=e and r=r ' . Therefore we can write from (5) and (6),

δ m +∠ A ∠A
δ m=2 i−∠ A and ∠ A=2r ∴ i= and r =
2 2

δ m +∠ A
sin
sini 2
Now refractive index of the material of the prism is μ= = …………….(7)
sin r ∠A
sin
2

Apparatus:

(1) Spectrometer, (2) Sodium Lamp, (3) Prism, (4) Spirit Level, (5) Reading Lens, etc
Discussion:

1. We must take the source in front of the collimator slit so that we will get the bright image.
2. We should be careful that there should not be parallax between the cross-views and the slit
image.
3. To avoid back-lash error we need to rotate the telescope carefully with the tangent screw.
4. We should use both the Venire’s to avoid eccentric error.
5. We should be more careful when we are using the Prism. If the Prism doesn’t place in the
right position, we will not be able to get the correct value.
6. We should keep the width of the slit as narrow as possible.
7. When we are taking reading, it should be taken carefully to identify where the zero of the
main circular scale has been crossed.