OBSERVATIONS

o After adjusting the distance between screen and glass plate, a concentric ring diffraction
pattern is observed on screen as shown in figure below.

 This irregular speckled pattern consists of a bright central spot followed by

alternate dark and bright rings.

 The irregular speckled pattern occurs due to simultaneous diffraction on

more than one particle of the lycopodium powder resulting in a
superposition of the diffraction patterns of the individual particles
 OBSERVATION TABLE
Sr. Distance between Glass Plate Radius of the dark Radius of the dark r/D r’/D
No and Screen ‘D’ ring for 1st order θ1 ring for 2nd order θ2
(cm)
r (cm) r’ (cm)
1.) 63.5 1.8 3.5 0.0283 0.055

2.) 55.9 1.6 2.8 0.0286 0.050

3.) 48.2 1.4 2.3 0.029 0.0477

4.) 41.5 1.2 2.1 0.0289 0.051

5.) 32.4 0.8 1.8 0.025 0.055

Mean r/D=0.02796 Mean r’/D=0.05174

NOTE: It is clearly observed from these readings that as the distance between the glass plate and the screen is
decreased (D), the radii of the 1st and 2nd order dark rings r and r’ respectively decreases (and vice-versa).
GRAPH
r V/S D Graph

Slope= = = 0.0286 (for 1st dark ring)

Slope= = = 0.0483 (for 2nd dark ring)

 CALCULATIONS
• From Graph
Slope= = 0.0286 (1st order) Slope = = 0.0483 (2nd order)

= =

d= d=
d= 27.73x10-4 cm d=30.5x 10-4 cm
Mean d= 29.115x10-4 cm
 RESULT:
• The Diameter of Lycopodium powder is 29.115x10-4 cm ( 29.115 μm )

PRECAUTIONS:
i. The lycopodium powder should be uniformly spread over the glass plate.

ii. Lycopodium powder is highly flammable and can ignite very easily. Therefore it
should be stored in sealed , labelled containers away from ignition sources.

iii. One should never look directly into a laser pointer and should always be pointed
away from others and yourself as even low power lasers can be hazardous to a
person’s eyesight. It can even cause permanent eye damage.

iv. Ensure that power of the laser is set to an appropriate level. High power lasers can
cause heating of particles altering their properties and measurements.