KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA TENALI

JAGGAIGUNTAPALEM TENALI
PHYSICS INVESTIGATORY PROJECT
2022-2023

DETERMINATION OF REFRACTIVE INDEX OF

LIQUIDS USING A HOLLOW PRISM

Guided by,
MR.VENU GOPAL

Submitted by,
Archana Rachel
(Class XII)
 CERTIFICATE

It is hereby to certify that, the original and genuine

investigation work has been carried out to investigate
about the subject matter and the related data collection
and investigation has been completed solely, sincerely
and satisfactorily done by
ARCHANA RACHEL of Class XII, KENDRIYA
VIDYALAYA TENALI, regarding the project titled,
“DETERMINATION OF REFRACTIVE INDEX OF
A MEDIUM

Signature (Physics Teacher)

 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The successful completion of any task would be incomplete
without mentioning the names of those persons who helped to
make it possible. I take this opportunity to express my gratitude
in few words and respect to all those who helped me in the
completion of this project.
It is my humble pleasure to acknowledge my deep senses of
gratitude to my Physics teacher, Mr.VENU GOPAL for her
valuable support, constant help and guidance at each and every
stage, without which this project would not have come forth.
I also register mysense of gratitude to our principal,
Mr.K.SRIKANTH, for his immense encouragement that has
made this project successful.
I would also like to thank my friends and family for encouraging
me during the course of this project.
Last, but not the least, I would like to thank CBSE for giving us
the opportunity to undertake this project.
 Project Overview

 Aim
 Apparatus Required
 Theory
 Procedure
 Observations
 Conclusions
 Precautions
 Bibliography
 References
Aim
To find out the refractive indices of different liquids using a
hollow prism

Apparatus Required
 Hollow glass prism
 Liquids like glycerin etc.
 Bell pins
 Drawing board
Theory
A prism is a transparent optical element with flat, polished
surfaces that refract light. Prisms can be
made from any material that is transparent including glass,
plastic and fluorite. A prism can be used to break light up into its
constituent spectral colors. Prisms can also be used to reflect
light, or to split light into components with different
polarizations.

The refractive index of the liquid

Is given by the formula:
U=sini/sinr=sin((a+d)/2)/sin(a/2)
Where,
U=refractive index of the liquid.
a= the angle of minimum deviation
d=angle of prism
i=angle of incidence
r=angle of refraction
Procedure
 Fix a white sheet of paper on the drawing board with help
of drawing pins.

 Keep the prism and mark the outline of it as ABC.

 Drop a normal PQ on the side AB.

 Draw the angle of incidence in accordance with the normal

PQ and place 2 pins so that they appear to be in the straight
line.

 Place the prism filled with given sample of liquid ,on the
marked outline ABC.

 Now take the pins and place them on the side AC so that all
the 4 pins appear to be in same line.

 Remove the prism and draw the line joining the points so
obtained.
 
 Mark the diagram as shown in the figure.

 Repeat this with different angle of incidence.

Observation
 Glycerin
S.no a º(angle of prism) i º (angle of incidence) d º (angle of deviation)

1 60 45 36
2 60 46 35
3 60 47 34
4 60 48 35

U=sin((60+34)/2)/sin(60/2)

= 1.464
 Conclusion

Refractive index at room temperature:

 Glycerin
o Actual: 1.470
o Experimental: 1.464
Precautions

 Angle of incidence should lie b/w 35-60 degree.

 
 Pins should be vertically fixed and should lie in same line. 
 
 Distance b/w two points should not be less than 10mm. 

 Same angle of prism should be used for all observation. 

 
Arrow head should be marked to represent emergent and
incident ray
  Pins should be vertically fixed and should lie in same line. 
 
 Distance b/w two points should not be less than 10mm. 

 Same angle of prism should be used for all observation. 

 
Arrow head should be marked to represent emergent and
incident ray.

—— THE END ——
KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA
TENALI
PHYSICS PROJECT
Exam :
Name : P. ARCHANA
RACHEL
Class : XII
Year : 2022 – 23
Subject : PHYSICS