Newton’s Rings

Objective: - To determine the wavelength of sodium light by Newton’s rings.

Apparatus required: - Plano-convex lens, plane glass plate, sodium lamp, travelling microscope, and
spherometer.

Fig 1: Ray diagram of Newton’s ring Apparatus

Theory and Formula used:

Interference: The superposition of two coherent light waves (of constant phase difference) forming
maximum intensities at some points and minimum intensities at the other is called interference of light.
The interference fringes are observed as an alternate pattern of bright and dark fringes. The interference at
a point where the intensity of light is maximum, is called constructive interference (corresponds to bright
fringe). For constructive interference, the two waves should have either same phase or a constant phase
difference of
Φ = 2nπ where n = 0, 1, 2,....
or, a constant path difference of Δ = nλ
While the interference at another point where the intensity of light is minimum, is called destructive
interference (corresponds to dark fringe). For destructive interference, the two waves should have either
same phase or a constant phase difference of
Φ = (2n+1) π where n = 0, 1, 2, ....
or, a constant path difference of Δ = (2n+1)λ/2
Interference fringes are obtained by dividing the single coherent source into two sources. This can be
achieved either (1) by division of wave front, that is by taking (or considering) two secondary wavelets on
the same wave front and superposing them or (2) by division of amplitude, that is by separating the
amplitude of single wave and reuniting them.
When light is incident on a thin film (thickness of the order of wave length of the incident light), it suffers
partial reflection and partial transmission at both upper as well as lower surfaces of the thin film. The
transmitted light ray again suffers reflection at the lower surface. Interference occurs between the rays in
the reflected and transmitted parts.
Similarly, in a wedge-shaped film, partial reflection as well as partial transmission also takes place.
Moreover, the path difference changes from point to point which results into an interference fringes.

Figure 3
Figure 3 shows an air wedge-shaped film formed between the convex and plane glass plate inclined at an
angle say, θ. The refractive index of the film is μ. Let ray AB is incident from a broad monochromatic
source almost normally on the film. It suffers partial reflection (ray BE) and partial transmission (ray BC)
on the convex surface. Again ray BC suffers partial reflection (ray CD) and partial transmission (not
shown) on the plane surface at C.
Newton’s Ring is a interference pattern obtained by the division of amplitude from a single light
source.The bright rings are caused by constructive interference between the reflected light rays BE and
CF for a net path difference = nλ where, n = 0, 1, 2,…….. and λ is the wavelength of the incident
light.While the dark rings are caused by destructive interference between the same light rays BE and CF for
a net path difference = (2n + 1) λ/2 where, n = 0, 1, 2,……...
For wedge-shaped thin film, path difference between the rays BE and CF is given by
Δ = 2 μt cos r
where, t is the thickness of the film at B (or at D) and r is the angle of refraction at B.
Since the angle of incidence is almost normal, so we can assume cos r =1
Now by Stoke’s law, there is no phase change at the glass-air interface of the convex lens (because the
wave is going from a higher to a lower refractive index medium) whereas the reflection at the air-glass
interface of the plane glass plate undergoes an additional path difference of λ/2.Therefore, net path
difference =Δ + λ/2 = 2 μt + λ /2
For bright fringe, net path difference = nλ where, n = 0, 1, 2,….…..
or, 2 μt = (2n-1)λ/2
and for dark fringe, net path difference = (2n + 1) λ/2 where, n = 0, 1, 2,……..
or, 2 μt = nλ
At the centre, the two glass surfaces are in intimate contact and there is no reflection because it is as if
there were no surface that is, t = 0 or, 2μt = 0 which is the condition for dark fringe. Hence the center of
the pattern is always dark.
Determination of expression of λ

Figure 4

Again, in the right angled triangle OAB of Figure 4,

OB2 = OA2 + AB2
or, R2 = (R-t)2 + rn 2 where, rn is radius of the nth ring, R is the radius of curvature of plano convex lens or, rn2
= 2Rt (for t2 << 2Rt)
or, t = rn2/2R where, R is the radius of curvature of the Plano-convex lens
or, t = Dn2 /8R where, Dn is the diameter of the nth ring.

In practice, it is not possible to find the exact centre of the bull's eye in order to obtain rn. Rather, the
traveling microscope can measure an approximate diameter, Dn for the interference ring.
Therefore, substituting the value of t in 2μt = nλ, we obtain the diameters of the nth and (n+p)th dark fringes
respectively
Dn 2 = 4nRλ/μ and Dn+p 2 = 4 (n+p) Rλ/ μ as for p ≥ 1
By subtracting these equations, we can obtain the wavelength of incident light by
λ = (Dn+P 2 – Dn 2) μ / 4pR
Since the human eye is more sensitive to small changes in low intensity, we will measure positions of dark
fringes throughout the experiment. This relation also holds true for bright rings.
Working formula: -The wavelength of the light is given by

 = (D2n+p - D2n )/ 4 p R

where Dn+p = diameter of (n+p)th ring

Dn = diameter of n th ring
R = radius of curvature of the spherical surface of the plano-convex lens
Procedure:
1. The centre of the lens L2 is well illuminated by adjusting the inclination of glass plate G1 at 45 0.
2. The microscope is moved in the vertical direction till the rings (Fig. 2) are seen distinctly.
3. The centre of the fringes is brought symmetrically below the cross wires by adjusting the position of the
lens and the microscope.
4. The microscope is moved in horizontal direction to one side of the fringes such that one of the cross
wires becomes tangential to the 18th ring. Note the main and vernier scale readings.
5. Move the microscope and make the cross wire tangential to the 16 th, 14th up to 8th ring and on the
other side up to 18th ring. Note the readings.
Observations: Given, Radius of curvature of the Plano-convex lens = 100 cm
Determination of least count of the microscope:
Value of one smallest division of the main scale = ----------
Number of divisions on the Vernier scale = ----------
Least count of the microscope = ----------
Determination of (Dn ):( M.S is Main Scale reading, C.S.D is number of Circular Scale Divisions, LC is the
2

Least Count. )
 Table –1

No. of
the Microscope reading Diamet (Dn2)
S. rings LHS [One end (a)] Other end (b) er Dn=| (cm2)
No. (n) M.S. C.S. Total M.S. C.S. Total reading a-b|
M .S .+ C .S . D×LC (cm)
(cm) D reading (cm) D
M .S .+ C .S . D×LC (cm)
(cm)
1 12 2.20 20X 2.220 2.65 47X 2.697 0.477 0.228
0.00 0.00
1= 1=0.
0.02 047
0
2 10 2.20 40X 2.240 2.65 25X 2.675 0.435 0.189
0.00 0.00
1= 1=0.
0.04 025
0
3 08 2.25 9X0 2.259 2.65 0 2.650 0.391 0.153
.001
=0.0
09

4 06 2.25 35X 2.285 2.60 21X 2.621 0.331 0.110

0.00 0.00
1=.0 1=0
35 .021

5 04 2.30 18X 2.318 2.55 41X 2.591 0.273 0.075

0.00 0.00
1=0. 1=0
018 .041

6 02 2.35 10X 2.360 2.55 7X0 2.557 0.197 0.039

0.00 .001
1=0. =0.
010 007

Calculations:- Plot the graph between Dn2 & no. of the rings. Draw the Best fit line as shown in
Figure 5.
2 2
D n+ p−D n
Calculate the slope of the line: Slope = p
 Figure 5.
The wavelength of the
sodium light is given by:

λ = Slope / 4R

Result: - Wavelength of the

monochromatic
sodium light as determined =
……. Å

Standard value
(Wavelength of
sodium light) = 5893Å

std . value−exp. value

Error: Percentage error = ( std . value ) X100

Precautions and Sources of error: -

1. Glass plates and lens should be cleaned thoroughly.

2. The radius of curvature of plano-convex lens (L2) should be large.
3. The light source should be an extended one.
4. Before measuring the diameters of rings, the range of the microscope should be properly adjusted.
5. Crosswire should be focussed on a bright ring tangentially.
6. Radius of curvature should be measured accurately.
7. Avoid over-tightening of the screws.