Experiment 5 (Newton’s Ring Experiment)

Objective:
➢ To study the formation of Newton’s rings and find the wavelength of sodium light

Theory and formulae used:

➢ Newton’s rings are an example of interference in thin films of variable thickness. The
thin film in the Newton’s rings case is an air film existing between a convex surface
of plano-convex lens and a flat glass plate. Reflections will occur from the film's two
boundary surfaces when a parallel beam of light illuminates it from above. The
difference in route between the two reflected beams varies with the thickness of the
coating. This results in alternate dark and bright fringes on the top surface, which
may be seen. Hence the entire interference effects are observed due to the thin air
film.

➢ Interference in thin films:

o Consider a thin transparent thin film of uniform thickness t and refractive

index µ. When a monochromatic light is incident on the film at an angle of i,
its small part gets reflected from the top surface and a major part is
transmitted in to film at an angle r.
o The same process takes place at the bottom surface. A part of FD is reflected
and transmitted at the upper surface along DM and DE, respectively. The rays
BC and DE are parallel to each other in air.
o As both Ray 1 and Ray 2 are derived from a single incident ray AB, so they
are coherent and can produce interference when overlap with each
other.
o From points H and D, the rays HC and DE travel equal path. The ray BH
travels in air while the ray BD travels in the film of refractive index μ along
the path BF and FD. The geometrical path difference between the two
rays is
BF + FD – BH

δ = μ (BF+FD) – (BH) (1)

In ∆BFD, ∠BFG = ∠GFD = ∠r and BF = FD

𝐅 𝐭
BF = =
𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝐫

𝟐𝐭
BF + FD = (2)
𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝐫

o Also, BG = GD, therefore, BD = 2BG

BG = FG tan r = t tan r

BD = 2t tan r

In ∆BHD, BH = BD sin i = 2t tan r sin i (3)

o From Snell’s law, sin i = sin r

𝟐𝛍𝐭 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝟐𝐫
Thus, BH = 2t tan r (µ sin r) = (4)
𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝐫

o Using Equation (2) and (4) in equation (1), we get

𝟐𝐭 𝟐𝛍𝐭 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝟐𝐫
δ = μ( )–( )
𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝐫

𝟐𝛍𝐭
= (1 – sin2r)
𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝐫

𝟐𝛍𝐭
= (cos2r)
𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝐫

δ = 2µt cos r

o A phase change of π happens when a ray is reflected at the boundary of a

rarer to denser medium, resulting in a path difference of λ/2 for the ray
 BC. Transmission at D causes no phase change for DE. Thus the actual
path difference is
𝜆
δa = 2µt cos r -
𝟐

o The path difference between the two rays depends on thickness,

wavelength and the angle r relative to the angle of incidence i of light on
the film. The two rays can interfere constructively or destructively
resulting in the brightness or darkness in the observed reflected light.

➢ Newton’s Rings:
o Newton’s rings are formed when a plano-convex lens of a large radius of
curvature is set on a glass plate and lit from the top with nearly
monochromatic light. Around the point of contact between the lens and the
glass plate, this combination generates a thin circular air film of varying
thickness in all directions
o For normal incidence of light, µ=1(air) and cos r = 1, so the optical path
difference will be
𝜆
δa = 2t -
𝟐

o If both rays interfere constructively, there will be a bright fringe,

i.e. δa = mλ.

𝜆
Thus, mλ = 2t -
𝟐
or
(𝟐𝐦+𝟏) 𝜆
2t =
𝟐

o If both rays interfere destructively, there will be a dark fringe,

i.e. δa = (2m+1) λ/ 2.

(𝟐𝐦+𝟏) 𝜆
Thus, 𝟐
or
2t = mλ
➢ Diameter of the dark fringe
o Let a dark fringe be located at Q. Let the radius of circular fringe at Q be

OQ = rm

In ∆MPN R2 = r2m + (R-t)2

r 2m = 2Rt – t2

o As, R >> t, 2Rt >> t2 , thus r2 m ≅ 2Rt

o The condition for darkness at Q is 2t = mλ,

Therefore, r2m = mλR

o If the diameter of mth dark ring is Dm = 2rm, then

Dm = 2√2Rt
Dm = 2√mλR
 ➢ Determination of wavelength of light:
o A graph is plotted between D2m and the ring number ‘m’. A straight line is
obtained.

We have D2m = 4mλR

Now for the (m+p)th ring,

Dm+p2 = 4(m+p) λR

Dm+p2 - D2m = 4pλR

𝟐 𝟐
𝐃𝐦+𝐩 − 𝐃𝐦
λ=
𝟒𝐩𝐑

The slope of the straight line gives us the value of 4λR.

Thus,
λ = slope/ 4R

The radius of curvature R of the lens is determined using a spherometer. In this case, let l is
the
distance between the two legs of the spherometer and h is height of the curved surface
with respect to the horizontal, then
𝐥𝟐 𝐡
R = ( 𝟔𝐡 ) + ( )
𝟐
Observation table:

Value of one division on the main scale = 0.05 cm

No. of division on the vernier scale = 50

Least count of the travelling microscope = 0.001 cm

2-
A) Table for determination of (D D 2):
m+p m

Sl. Ring Microscope readings (cm) on the Diameter Dm2 Dm+p2 – Dm2

No. (cm2) (cm2)

D = (L-R)
No. Left (L) Right (R) (cm)

M.S V.S Total M.S. V.S. Total

.
(L)
(R)

1. 2 6.25 8 6.257 6.05 37 6.087 0.177 a= 0.029241

d-a=0.136408
2. 4 6.30 8 6.308 6.00 36 6.936 0.272 b= 0.073984

3. 6 6.35 2 6.352 6.00 2 6.002 0.350 c= 0.1225

e-b=0.13578
4. 8 6.35 31 6.381 5.95 24 5.974 0.407 d= 0.165649

5. 10 6.40 4 6.404 5.90 46 5.946 0.458 e= 0.209764

f-c=0.118586
6. 12 6.40 12 6.412 5.90 21 5.921 0.491 f= 0.241086

B) Table for determination of R using spherometer:

Distance between the two legs of spherometer l = 4.233 cm.

Sl. Spherometer reading on plane Spherometer reading on lens h= (b-a)

No. surface surface
(cm)
M.S. V.S Total M.S. V.S. Total
(a) (cm) (b) (cm)

1 0 4 0.004 0 34 0.034 0.030

2 0 4 0.004 0 34 0.034 0.030

3 0 4 0.004 0 34 0.034 0.030

Calculations:
Using h and l obtained in the table (B), the radius of curvature of the Plano-convex lens R is
given by:
𝐥𝟐 𝐡
R = ( 𝟔𝐡 ) + ( )
𝟐

(4.233)2 0.03
Radius of curvature of plano-convex lens (R) = ( + ) nm
6 x 0.03 2

= 99.95 + 0.015 = 99.565

Using mean Dm+p2 - Dm2 obtained in table A , the wavelength of sodium light is given by:

𝟐 𝟐
𝐃 𝐦+𝐩− 𝐃𝐦
λ=
𝟒𝐩𝐑

or

The value of Dm+p2 - D m2 can also be obtained using this Graph.

D2m+p − D 2m
Now, λ=
4pR
0.130258
=
4 x 6 x 99.565

=545.113 nm
But , Standard wavelength λ = 589 nm.
Standard Value − Calculated value
Percentage error = x100
Standard Value
589 – 545.113
= 589
x100
= 7.45%

Results:
➢ Radius of curvature of plano-convex lens (R) = 99.565 nm
➢ The mean wavelength λ of sodium light = 545.113 nm
➢ Standard wavelength λ = 589 nm.
➢ Percentage error = 7.45 %.

Precautions:
➢ Glass plates and lens should be cleaned thoroughly.
➢ The Plano-convex lens should be of large radius of curvature.
➢ The ranges of the microscope should be properly adjusted before measuring the
diameters.
➢ Crosswire should be focused on a dark ring tangentially.
➢ The centre of the ring system should be a dark spot.
➢ The microscope is always moved in the same direction to avoid back lash error.

Thank You