Physical Experiment I

Lab Report

Lab Title: Newton’s Rings

Your Chinese Name: 邱杨

UESTC ID: 2022360903034

Instructor: Fu Hao

Teaching Assistant: Wu Yanyi

Date Performed: 2023/5/27

Score:
 Score

Abstract (About 100 words, 10 points)

In this experiment, we learned the Newton’s rings, a phenomenon of interference

pattern that occurs when a vertical light is add on a plane convex lens placed on a flat
glass plate and found the radius of curvature of a lens. Through an inclined lens of a
specially designed microscope, the released horizontal light from a sodium lamp got
reflected and became vertical. Then, by measuring the diameter of the rings using the
microscope combined with a screw ruler, we were able to calculate the radius of
curvature of the lens with the known wavelength of the yellow sodium light through
̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅
2 2
̅ = 𝐷𝑚−𝐷𝑛 . Our results could comply with theoretical predictions
the formula R 4(𝑚−𝑛)𝜆
though we misused the unit of length at the first time. I believe that this experiment
provided a very valuable opportunity to understand the wave nature of light and the
principles of interference, which would help a lot for our further study.

Score
Calculations and Results (Calculations, data tables and figures;
15 points)
Data Table 6-1 (purpose: To measure the radius of curvature of a lens)

1 1
Wavelength 𝜆̅ = 2 (𝜆1 + 𝜆2 ) = 2 (588.9950 + 589.5294) = 589.2937 (𝑛𝑚)
Phys ical Lab Experiment 2 023

The order of the dark rings 30 25 20 15 10 5

Left, DL 29.225 28.689 28.080 27.365 26.429 25.218
readings
(mm) Right, DR 19.400 19.938 20.285 20.938 21.825 23.289
Diameter(mm)
9.825 8.751 7.795 6.427 4.604 1.929
D=|𝐷𝐿 − 𝐷𝑅 |
D2 (mm2) 96.53 76.58 60.76 41.31 21.20 3.721
2
|𝐷𝑚 − 𝐷𝑛2 |(mm)2 (m-n=15) 2
𝐷30 − 2
𝐷15 =55.22 2
𝐷25 − 2
𝐷10 =55.38 2
𝐷20 − 𝐷52 =56.09
̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅
𝐷𝑚2 − 𝐷 2 (mm)2
𝑛 55.55
𝑅̅ (mm) 1571
(1) Compute the radius of curvature, 𝑅̅ of the lens. Show the following sample
calculations.
(I) In 30th rings D=|𝐷𝐿 − 𝐷𝑅 |=29.225-19.400=9.825 mm
(II)In 30th rings D2=|𝐷𝐿 − 𝐷𝑅 |2=(29.225 − 19.400)2 = 9.8252 = 96.53 𝑚𝑚2
(III)Choose 30th and 25th,
2
𝐷15 = (27.365 − 20.938)2 = 6.4272 = 41.31 𝑚𝑚2
2 2
𝐷30 − 𝐷15 = 96.53 − 41.31 = 55.22 𝑚𝑚2
2 − 𝐷 2 = 1 [(𝐷 2 − 𝐷 2 ) + (𝐷 2 − 𝐷 2 ) + ( 𝐷 2 − 𝐷 2 )] = 1 (55.22 +
(IV) ̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅
𝐷𝑚 𝑛 3 30 15 25 10 20 5 3
1
 55.38 + 56.09) = 55.55 𝑚𝑚2
̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅
𝐷 2 −𝐷 2 55.55𝑚𝑚2
̅= 𝑚 𝑛 =
(V) R = 1572 𝑚𝑚 (λ=588.9950 nm)
4(𝑚−𝑛)𝜆 4×15×588.9950𝑛𝑚

Score
Conclusions (About 100 words, 5 points)

Our experiment successfully found the radius of curvature of a lens through the
phenomenon of Newton’s rings, which was a great practical experience of
interference theory. Before we use the lens, we should knock it on the table lightly,
using the gravity to relocate the rings to its center. When we roll the screw to move
the barrel, we did not read the data we got on the 30th ring for the first time and just
moved it until the cross in the eyepiece is on the 35th ring and then reversely turned it
to read the data of location from the left 30th, 25th, 20th … to the right 30th ring,
which could avoid the systematic error caused by the gear backlash. Therefore, our
results were able to be accurate and precise. Overall, this experiment gave us a
precious opportunity to gain hands-on experience with optical instruments and deepen
our knowledge of the interference of light.

Score
Answers to Postlab Questions (10 points)
Phys ical Lab Experiment 2 023

Q1. If we use polychromatic light, we can get a complex colorful pattern of

Newton’s rings which is a bit similar to the rainbow. This pattern also has a
dark center around which are fringes of different colors whose locations are
determined by their wavelength of light. Light with different colors has
difference of wavelength such that the interference fringes of a different color
have a different radius. When fringes of different colors light are
superimposed together, the pattern will be like that.
Q2. When the convex lens does not close contact with the glass plane, there is a
bright circle in the center for the Newton’s rings. The reason could be some
dust between them, the worn lens or plate, etc. Keeping the bright circle in the
center will not affect the measurement results.
Q3. No, they are not equal and the distance which is closer to the center of
Newton’s rings will be wider. This is because the farther from the center, the
higher the rate of change of thickness of the air between the lens and glass
plate will be. And higher rate of change of thickness of air causes that dark and
bright fringes alternate more frequently and seem thinner and thinner.

2
 Appendix

(Scanned data sheets)

Phys ical Lab Experiment 2 023