52 Engineering Physics

E xamplE 41 Light source emitting the light of wavelengths l1 = 6.0 ¥ 10–7 m and l2 = 4.8 ¥ 10–7 m is used
to obtain Newton’s rings in reflected light. It is found that the nth dark ring of l1 coincides with (n +1)th dark
ring of l2. If the radius of curvature of the curved surface of the lens is 0.96 m. Calculate the diameter of
(n + 1)th dark ring of l2.
Solution Given l1 = 6.0 ¥ 10–7 m, l2 = 4.8 ¥ 10–7 m and R = 0.96 n
The diameter of nth order dark ring of l1 is
Dn2 (l1 ) = 4nl1R
Similarly, the diameter of (n + 1)th order dark ring of l2
D(2n +1) (l2 ) = 4(n + 1)l2 R

Since, Dn2 (l1 ) = D(2n +1) (l2 )

4nl1 = 4(n + 1)l2
n + 1 l1
or =
n l2
1 l1 1 l - l2
or 1+ = or = 1
n l2 n l2

l2 4.8 ¥ 10-7
or n= = = 4.0
l1 - l2 (6.0 - 4.8) ¥ 10-7
or n=4
Hence, D(2n +1) (l2) = 4(n + 1)l2R = 4 ¥ 5 ¥ 4.8 ¥ 10–7 ¥ 0.96
D(n + 1) = 3.0358 ¥ 10–3
or D(n+1) = 3.04 ¥ 10–3 m.

E xamplE 42 In Newton’s ring arrangement a source is emitting two wavelengths l1 = 6.0 ¥ 10–7 m and
l2 = 5.9 ¥ 10 m. It is found that nth dark ring due to one wavelength coincides with (n + 1)th dark ring due
–7

to the other. Find the diameter of the nth dark ring if radius of curvature of the lens is 0.9 m.
Solution Given l1 = 6.0 ¥ 10–7 m, l2 = 5.9 ¥ 10–7 m and R = 0.9 m.
The diameter of the nth order dark ring of l1 is
Dn2 (l1 ) = 4nl1R
The diameter of the (n + 1)th order dark ring of l2 is
D(2n +1) (l2 ) = 4( n +1) l2 R
Since two rings coincide
4nl1R = 4(n + 1)l2R
n + 1 l1 l2
= or n =
n l2 l1 - l2
5.9 ¥ 10-7
n= = 59
(6.0 - 5.9) ¥ 10-7

Now Dn = 4nl1 R = 4 ¥ 59 ¥ 6.0 ¥ 10-7 ¥ 0.9

= 0.01128 m
Dn = 0.0113 m