DETERMINATION OF WAVELENGTH OF SODIUM LIGHT

USING PLANE DIFFRACTION GRATING

Aim: To determine the wavelength of prominent lines of Sodium light by

plane diffraction grating.

Apparatus used:
Plane transmission diffraction grating, spectrometer, sodium light source,
grating holder, reading lens.

Diagram:

Collimator
Grating
Telescope

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Theory and Formula Used:
When a parallel beam of light passes through a plane diffraction grating,
each component of the light gets diffracted through different angles. In the
case of a monochromatic light source, diffraction of various orders takes
place via relation
(a  b) sin  n

Hence by knowing the angle of diffraction   for a particular light, we

can calculate its wavelength    .

( a  b) sin 
 
n
Where (a+b) = grating element
 = angle of diffraction
n = order of the spectrum
n = 1 for 1st order spectrum
= 2 for 2nd order spectrum

(Reference: Optics by Ajoy Gatak)

Procedure:-
a) Adjustments
Before using the spectrometer, the following adjustments should
be made
1. Focus the telescope on a distant object.
2. Without disturbing the telescope, adjust the slit of collimator
to get a sharp and bright light.

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 3. Focusing of the collimator should be done without disturbing
the focusing of the telescope with the help of rack and pinion
arrangements.
4. Level the prism table with the help of spirit level and using
the three screws which support the prism table.
5. The Collimator and telescope are arranged in a line and the
image of the slit is focused on the vertical cross-wire of the
spectrometer.

b) Determination of angles of diffraction

1. Note the least count of the two vernier scales.
2. Set the grating on the prism table at 900 to the direction of
incident rays and obtain the direct image of the slit. The image
of the slit should be seen from telescope through collimator.
3. Rotate the telescope to the left side of the direct image and
adjust the vertical cross-wire for 1st. Note down the readings
of both the verniers. And then focus the vertical cross wire for
2nd order and note down the readings of both verniers.
4. Rotate the telescope to the right of the direct image and repeat
the above procedure for 1st order and 2nd order.
5. For observations and calculations see the tables given below
and find the difference between V1 (left) and V1 (right); V2
(left) and V2 (right) for each order. This difference gives the
value ‘2’. The half of it will be the angle of diffraction for a
particular colour
V1 (left) – V1 (right) = 2

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 V2 (left) – V2 (right) = 2

Observations:-

a) No. of rulings per inch on the grating

N = 15,000 lines per inch

b) Grating element = (a + b)
2.54
or (a + b) = = 1.69 x 10 -4 cm
N
The value of one div . on main scale
b) Least count of the spectrometer 
No. of divisions onVernier Scale

one MSD = (½ )0
No. of V.D = 60 divisions
Least Count of spectrometer = (½ )0 / 30 =1’ = 60’’

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 Determination of angles of diffraction:

Spectrum of light
When the telescope is Left When the telescope is 2 Mean
side of direct image Right side of the direct = (B - A) 2
Order of Kind of image (degree) (degree)
spectrum Vernier M.S. V.S. Total M.S. V.S. Total
(º) ( ') (A) (º) (') (B)

1st V1 1
V2
2nd V1 2
V2

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Calculations:-
Grating element (a + b) = 1.693 x 10 -4cm

1 1
1  (a  b) Sin
2
 
= 1.693  104 cm Sin
2
for n  1

=............................ Å
1  1 
2 
2 2 2
 2

(a  b) Sin 2 = 1.693  104 cm Sin 2 for n  2

=............................. Å

λ = (λ1+λ2) / 2 =…………………. Å

Error {  }: Take natural logarithm and partial differentiation of working

formula (as done in the manual of bar pendulum).The working formulas in
this case is
( a  b) sin 
 
n

Result: The wavelength of sodium light obtained using plane diffraction

grating is =    Å

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Standard value: sodium = 5893 Å

Source of error and precautions:-

i) Before performing the experiment, the spectrometer should be
properly adjusted.
ii) Grating surface should not be touched by fingers
iii) While taking observations, telescope and prism table should be
kept fixed

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 Collimator
Grating
Telescope