PROJECT

IN

PHYSICS

NAME : ARJUN AJAI

CLASS : XII A

CBSE Registration NO:

This is to certify that the work entered in this project is the bonafide work of

Master/Miss : ARJUN AJAI

CBSE Reg No: Admission No: 7686

Roll No: 05 Class: XII Division: A

done in the school during the academic year as prescribed by C.B.S.E

EXTERNAL EXAMINER

Teacher in charge

1…………………… (Physics Department)

2…………………….

Date: PRINCIPAL
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I wish to express my deep sense of gratitude to Mr. Sanil Raj C S , for the guidance and
constant encouragement throughout the progress and completion of this project.
I am very thankful to Mrs. Smitha T , Principal, Sivagiri Sree Narayana Senior Secondary
School, Varkala for providing me the opportunity for the successful completion of the project.
I feel indebted to all my teachers for their valuable suggestions and kind cooperation during
the course of my project work.
I like to thank my parents, all my classmates and group members for the encouragement,
concern and enthusiastic support to carry out the study.
Last but not the least, I thank God Almighty for the successful completion of this endeavour.

*****************************
REFRACTIVE INDEXES
OF LIQUIDS USING
HOLLOW PRISM
 INDEX

SL.NO TITLE PAGE NO

1 Introduction 1
2 Aim 3
3 Materials required 4
4 Theory 5-23
5 Circuit diagram 24
6 Procedure 25-26
7 Observation tables 27-35
8 Practical circuit diagram 36
9 Graph 37-39
10 Result 40
11 Conclusion 41
12 Precautions 42
13 Sources of error 43
14 Bibliography 44
 INTRODUCTION

A hollow prism is a prism made using glass plate with the center part of the prism is vacant. This
cavity can be filled with gas or other fluids. Thus, a hollow prism is also commonly called as a
fluid prism. This prism is a well-known tool used for determination refractive index of fluid and
normally made from a high quality glass for obtaining highly accurate estimation.

A hollow glass prism does not give any spectrum because this simple deviation of light takes
place parallel to the incident ray like in a glass slab.

In cases other than glass, a hollow prism can be used to determine the angle of minimum
deviation. In simple terms, a hollow prism is a prism that can be filled with a medium such as
kerosene or spirit to take readings with minimum deviation. When mediums other than glass
must be used, these prisms are used.

Hollow prism is a prism which can be used to find the angle of min. deviation in cases except
that of glass. In simple terms, a hollow prism is a prism that can be filled with a medium such as
kerosene or spirit to take readings with minimum deviation. When mediums other than glass
must be used, these prisms are used.

Principle of glass prism: Refraction of light through a prism at minimal deviation is used to
assess the refractive indices of liquids and glass. A glass prism is a transparent structure with two
plane surfaces that are inclined to each other.

The refractive index of a liquid measures how much light bends when passing through it
compared to when passing through air. Using a hollow prism, you can determine this by filling
the prism with the liquid, observing the angle at which light bends, and comparing it to the angle
in air. This helps understand how light behaves in different mediums, aiding in various
applications like optics and chemistry.

When light enters a hollow prism, it doesn't undergo internal reflection or refraction like it would
in a solid prism. Instead, the light passes through the prism without being redirected or dispersed
by the prism's interior surfaces.

1
In this project, we will delve into the theory and practical aspects of hollow prisms and refractive
indexes. We will understand the basic concepts of reflection, refraction and related contents.

Furthermore, we will compare the known refractive indexes of water and vinegar with the
calculated values. Also we will plot a graph for each liquid which determines how much the path
of light is bent or refracted.

Connecting the theory, experiments, and analysis, we will dig into the fascinating world of
prisms and their magic in the world of physics. Let us discover the refractive indexes of various
liquids through an exciting experiment.

2
 AIM
To determine the refractive indexes of the following liquids using a hollow prism and to plot the
graph by representing the angle of minimum deviation along the X-axis and angle of deviation
along the Y-axis

1. Water
2. Coconut Oil
3. Glycerine

3
 MATERIALS REQUIRED

 Hollow glass prism

 Drawing board
 Pins
 Scale
 Protractor
 Sheets of white paper
 Graph paper
 Pencil
 Laser
 Liquids
1. Water
2. Coconut Oil
3. Glycerine

4
 THEORY

REFLECTION OF LIGHT

The bouncing back of light when the light is allowed to fall on a highly polished surface is
known as reflection. Reflection occurs in one medium. It is due to the reflection of light we are
able to see ourselves in the Plane mirror. Reflection is produced by all the waves namely, Light
waves, Electromagnetic waves, Sound waves, and waves that form on the water’s surface. This
phenomenon gives us a basis on which to view the environment. Light propagates in a straight
line before, after, and during reflection.

For example:- The twinkling of stars or the light that a mirror reflects.

Here is the list of important terminologies used in Reflection of Light as shown in the figure
above:
 Normal: A perpendicular drawn to the reflecting surface at point M (known as the point of
incidence) is called the normal to the reflecting surface.
 Incident Ray: A ray of light that falls on the reflecting surface from a light source or an
object is called the incident ray.
 Reflected Ray: A ray of light that arises from the reflecting surface after reflection from it
is called a reflected ray.

5
 Angle of Incidence: The angle between the incident ray and normal to the point of
incidence on the reflecting surface is known as the incident angle or Bugle of incidence. It
is denoted by ∠i.
 Angle of Reflection: The angle between the reflected ray and the normal to the point of
incidence on the reflecting surface is known as the angle of reflection. It is denoted by ∠r.
 Principal axis: It is defined as a line that divides the two mediums or the reflecting surface
is called the principal axis.

LAWS OF REFLECTION

 Angle of incidence is always equal to angle of reflection (∠i=∠r)

 The incident ray, reflected ray and the normal line to the reflecting surface at the point
of incidence are in the same plane.

These laws can be used to calculate how the incident ray will reflect on different materials,
such as a plane mirror, water, metal surfaces etc.

TYPES OF REFLECTION

 Specular or Regular Reflection:- The regular reflection is when the light falls on the smooth,
shiny surface and reflects entirely within the same angle. The incident ray and reflected rays are
uniform and move parallel in one direction in the regular reflection. The regular reflection is
usually observed in the plane mirror.

6
 Characteristics

 In regular reflection, when light falls on the smooth surface reflects in a parallel
manner
 Common examples of regular reflection are silver, mirrors
 The image is in form position with complete clarity and visibility

 Diffused or Irregular Reflection:- When a beam of parallel light rays is incident on a

rough surface, the reflected rays scatter in different directions. This type of reflection is
called irregular or diffuse reflection. In this case, the angle of reflection of the light is
equal to the angle of incidence. Reflection from a rough surface is called diffuse
reflection.

Characteristics

 The light falls on a rough surface in the irregular reflection and reflects in a distorted
direction
 The incident rays and reflected rays are not parallel to each other
 Images of non-shiny objects are clear, while shiny objects reflect burry images

7
REFRACTION OF LIGHT

The deviation in the path of light when it pass from one medium to another of different density is
called refraction. Refraction is due to the change in density of the medium and also produce
change in speed of light when it travels from one transparent medium to another. Low density
mediums are known as rarer medium (eg:- air) and high density mediums are known as denser
medium. (eg:- water,glass etc). In denser medium light travels with low speed.

For example:- The stars twinkle in the night sky due to the refraction of their light.

Here are the definitions of important terms used to study Refraction:

Normal – The point of the surface at which an optical phenomenon occurs is called the normal.
In simple words, it is termed the point of incidence. It is shown by a dotted line drawn
perpendicular to the surface of the refracting material, in a ray diagram.

Incident Ray – The light rays that strike the refracting surface, at the separation of two media
are called the Incident Ray.

Refracted Ray – The light rays that bend after passing into another medium are called the
Refracted Ray.

8
Angle of Incidence – This is the angle between the incident ray and the normal. It is represented
by ∠i and it is also called an Incident angle.

Angle of Refraction – This is the angle between refracted ray and the normal. It is represented
by ∠r and it is also called a Refracted angle.

LAWS OF REFRACTION

 Incident ray, refracted ray and normal to the interface of two transparent medium at the
point of incidence all lie in the same plane.
 the ratio of the sine of the angle of the incidence and refraction is constant which is
termed Snell’s law.

sin i / sin r = Constant (n)

where i is the angle of incidence, r is the angle of refraction, the constant value depends on the
refractive indexes of the two mediums.

SNELL’S LAW

Snell’s Law provides the degree or extent of refraction that occurs through a relationship
between the incident angle, refracted angles, and the refractive indices of a given pair of media.

According to Snell’s law, the ratio of the sine of the incident angle to the sine of the refracted
angle is a constant, for any light of a given color or for any given pair of media. The constant
value is called the refractive index of the second medium with respect to the first.

Snell’s Law is given by the relation,

sin i/sin r = Constant = n

or
9
 sin i/sin r = v1/v2 = n2/n1

where,

i and r are the angle of incidence and refraction,

n is the refractive index and n1 and n2 are the refractive indices of medium 1 and 2, and

v1 and v2 are the speed of light in medium 1 and 2 respectively.

CAUSES OF REFRACTION OF LIGHT

As it is known that when light travels in different mediums its speed varies. e.g. light passes
through the air than in a glass. Hence, it can be said that, due to the change in the speed of light
in different mediums that the light rays are refracted

 Rarer medium (or Optically Rarer medium) is a medium in which the speed of light is
more. For example, Air is optically rarer medium as compared to glass and water.

Denser medium (or Optically Denser medium) is a medium in which the speed of light is less.
For example, Glass is optically denser medium as compared to air.

TYPES OF REFRACTION

The refraction of light occurs in different ways depending on the medium through which the
light travels.

 Refraction from denser to rarer medium – When light rays pass through rarer to a
denser medium, the light rays bend towards the normal. Due to this the angle of
refraction is smaller than the angle of incidence. (∠i<∠r)

10
  Refraction from rarer to denser medium – When light rays pass from denser to rarer
medium, the light rays bend away from the normal. Due to this the angle of refraction
becomes more than the angle of incidence. (∠i>∠r)

 When a ray of light incidence normally to the interface, it will not gets deviated ie; no
refraction (∠i=∠r=0)

EFFECTS OF REFRACTION OF LIGHT

When anything interrupts the light waves, it causes refraction of the light. Light also
moves mostly in the form of waves, much like most other materials.

As shown below, the pencil seems deformed in the water because light cannot travel through the
water as rapidly as it can through the air. The pencil has a tiny magnification effect due to the
light refraction, which makes the angle appear larger than it actually is and makes the pencil
appear crooked.

11
Examples of Refraction of Light

 The stars twinkle in the night sky due to the refraction of their light.
 Looming and Mirage formation, both occur due to the optical illusions caused by the
refraction of light.
 The formation of rainbows in the sky and VIBGYOR, when white light passes through
the prism are also major examples of refraction.
 A swimming pool always seems or looks much shallower than it really is because of the
light that comes from the bottom of the pool bends at the surfaces due to the refraction of
light..

Applications of Refraction of Light

 Refraction has many wide and common applications in optics and also in technology. A
few of them are given below:
 A lens uses the refraction phenomenon to form an image of an object or body for various
purposes, such as magnification.
 Spectacles that are worn by people with defective vision use the principle of refraction.
 Refraction is used in peepholes of the house doors for safety, in cameras, inside movie
projectors, and also in telescopes.

12
REFRACTIVE INDEX

For a monochromatic light, the ratio of the sine of the angle of incidence to the angle of
refraction is a constant for two given media in contact. If "i" is the angle of incidence and "r" is
the angle of refraction then sin i /sin r = constant.

This constant is called the refractive index. Refractive index depend upon the nature of medium
and wavelength of light. For most purposes it may be assumed that the refractive index is with
respect to air. When light travels from rarer to denser medium it bends towards the normal and
when it travels from denser to rarer medium it bends away from the normal. It has been
experimentally determined that refractive index of a substance,

μ = c/v

c= the speed of light in vacuum

v= the speed of light in the substance

ABSOLUTE REFRACTIVE INDEX

For a considered material medium, the refractive index is observed or considered to be

the ratio between the speed or velocity of light in a vacuum (c) to the speed of light in the
provided material medium (v) on which it falls. The refractive index or index of refraction for a
medium is represented or denoted by small n, and it is given by the following formula:

n = c/v

REFRACTIVE INDEX FORMULA

This article deals with the refractive index formula and its derivation. Refractive index
refers to a value which has common usage in optical science. Furthermore, it has no unit.
Refractive Index indicates a material’s ability to refract light In order to properly understand the
concept of refractive index, one must become familiar with the concept of refraction. Simply
speaking, refraction takes place when light or any other radiation changes medium.

13
The refractive index formula is given as follows:

n = cv where,

 n = refractive index of the medium

 c = speed of light when in vacuum
 v = speed of light when in medium

REFRACTIVE EDGE

The line of interaction of the edges of the planes is known as the refractive edge of the
prism.

ANGLE OF DEVIATION

The angle through which the incident ray of light is deviated is called the angle of
deviation. It is the angle between the emergent ray and the incident ray produced.

14
REFRACTIVE INDEXES OF SOME COMMON MATERIALS

MATERIAL REFRACTIVE INDEX

Air 1.0003
Water 1.33

Diamond 2.42
Ice 1.31
Ethyl Alcohol 1.36

Glass 1.5

Kerosene 1.44

Benzene 1.50

Rock salt 1.54

Carbon disulphide 1.63

Ruby 1.71

Sapphire 1.77

The one with a higher refractive index is optically denser than a material with a low refractive
index which becomes a rarer medium. A material having a higher optical density doesn’t mean it
has a high mass by volume density as they are two different quantities.

TOTAL INTERNAL REFLECTION

When light travels from an optically denser medium to rarer medium at the interface, it is partly
deflected back into the same medium and partly refracted to the second medium. This reflection
is called the internal reflection. It is due to total internal reflection, when there is water in the
glass, light from the coin travels through the glass at a certain angle to our sight. Further, when
water is added to the glass, the light from the coil strikes the interior of the glass at a higher angle
than the critical angle. The glass inside reflects 100% of the light.

15
Conditions for Total Internal Reflection

Total internal reflection happens when light beams go from a more optically denser material to a
less optically denser medium. There are two situations in which total internal reflection occurs:

 When light from the more denser medium approaches the less denser medium.
 If the incidence angle is larger than the critical angle.

TOTAL INTERNAL REFLECTION AND ITS APPLICATION

Total Internal Reflection in Optical Fiber

Because the angle generated by the incoming beam is higher than the critical angle, total internal
reflection occurs when it strikes the cladding. Optical fibers have revolutionized the speed with
which signals are carried across cities, nations, and continents, making telecommunication one of
the quickest forms of information transportation. Endoscopy also uses optical fibers.

Total Internal Reflection in Mirage

It’s an optical illusion that causes the water layer to appear at short distances in the desert or on
the road. Total internal reflection, which happens as a result of atmospheric refraction, is an
example of a mirage.

16
Total Internal Reflection in Diamond

When light rays penetrate a diamond, they are completely internalized and reflected on all of the
diamond’s facets. The crucial angle for a beam of light going from a diamond to air is just 24°.
As a result, the majority of incoming photons experience complete internal reflections.

Furthermore, diamonds are often cut in such a way that when a beam of light penetrates them, it
is subjected to entire internal reflections on multiple faces. When the angle of incidence at any
face is less than 24°, light shines through, making the diamond look brilliant. Optical fibers also
employ total internal reflection. Video and audio signals are sent across great distances using
optical fibers.

Applications of Total Internal Reflection

Optical fibres use total internal reflection. An optical fibre is made up of an inner core made of
glass with a high refractive index and an outer cladding made of glass with a lower refractive
index.

An instrument made of fibre optic wire is called an endoscope. Doctors use it to view the interior
of the human body, including the stomach and duodenum.

In the telephone system, fibre optic cables have now replaced copper cables in
telecommunications. Multiple signals can be transmitted quickly across fibre bundles using laser-
generated light bursts.

Critical Angle

Critical angle is defined as the largest angle of incidence for which refraction of light inside the
medium still can be possible. Therefore, the angle of incidence, when the angle of refraction is
90 degrees and the ray which is refracting to total internal refraction is called the critical angle.

Mathematically, the critical angle for a total internal reflection is defined as ,

θc = sin−1(n2/ n1)

where,

 θc is the critical angle.

 n1 is the denser medium, &
 n2 is the rarer medium.

17
Total Internal Reflection Formula

When a beam of light travels from a watery medium to one of air. The light ray will be refracted
at the point where the two mediums meet. The refracted light beam bends away from the normal
as it passes from a medium with a higher refractive index to one with a lower refractive index.

The incident beam of light is refracted in such a way that it travels over the water’s surface at a
certain angle of incidence.

The critical angle is the angle of incidence at which something happens. The refraction angle is
90° here.

The incident ray is reflected back to the medium when the angle of incidence is larger than the
critical angle. This event is referred to as total internal reflection.

The formula for total internal reflection is stated as:

n1/n2 = sinθ1/ sinθ2

where,

 θ1 is the angle of incidence,

 θ2 is the angle of refraction,
 n1 is the denser medium, &
 n2 is the rarer medium.

Angle of Minimum Deviation: As the value of the angle of incidence (i) increases, the angle of
deviation (d) decreases till for a particular value of angle of incidence, it attains a minimum
18
value 'Dm' called the angle of minimum deviation and then increases again. At this angle (Dm)
the incident ray and the emergent ray are symmetrical with respect to the refracting surfaces.

Prism
Prism is a transparent, 3-dimensional object with two flat polished surfaces inclined at an acute
angle to each other. These surfaces reflect light.

PRISM FORMULA

Prism Formula is based on the concept of bending of light when it passes through a prism. Prism
formula is derived using Snell’s Law. Snell’s Law is used to describe the relationship between
the incident angle and the angle of refraction. This law takes into account the refractive indices
of the two mediums. Prism is a transparent and polished flat optical element that reflects light.
These are formed from any transparent material with the wavelengths that they are designed for.
The Prism formula for finding refractive index is given by,

OR
sin (A+D)
μ= 2
sin A
2

REFRACTION THROUGH A GLASS PRISM

When a ray of light passes through a glass prism, refraction of light occurs, when it enters the
prism as well as when it leaves the prism. Since the refracting surfaces are not parallel, the emergent ray
and incident ray are not parallel to one another. In this case the ray of light is deviated on passing
through the prism

19
In the given diagram,

OP is the incidence ray, which is making the angle i1 with normal, and QR is the angle of
emergence, which is represented by i2. A is the prism angle and μ is the refractive index of the
prism.

We know that,

A=Prism angle, δ=Angle of deviation, i1=Angle of incidence, i2=Angle of emergent.

In the case of minimum deviation,∠r1 = ∠r2 = ∠r

A= ∠r1 + ∠r2

SO, A = ∠r +∠r = ∠2r

∠r = A2

Now, again

A + δ = i1 + i2 (In the case of minimum deviation i1=i2=i and δ=δm)

So, A + δm

=i+i

= 2i

i= A + δm
2

20
From snell's rule,

μ= sin i
sin r

sin (A + δm)
μ= 2

sin A
2

i -d CURVE

If the angle of incidence is increased gradually, then the minimum value starts increasing.
This condition is shown by a curve known as i-d curve.

Factors affecting i-d curve:-

1. Wavelength of Light: Different wavelengths of light refract by different amounts, leading to

variations in the angle of deviation for each color.

2. Material of the Prism: The refractive index of the prism material affects how much light
bends as it enters and exits the prism.

21
3. Shape of the Prism: The geometry of the prism can influence how light is refracted and the
resulting angle of deviation.

4. Angle of Incidence: The angle at which light enters the prism affects the angle of deviation.
Varying the angle of incidence will produce different points on the curve.

5. Dispersion: The extent to which the prism separates different wavelengths of light affects the
shape of the curve.

These factors collectively determine the shape and characteristics of the "i-d" curve for a given
prism.

REFRACTION THROUGH A HOLLOW PRISM

Refraction through a hollow prism occurs when light enters the prism and changes
direction as it passes through the prism's material boundary. This change in direction, known as
refraction, depends on the angle at which the light enters the prism and the refractive index of the
material. The hollow interior allows for observation and manipulation of the refracted light,
enabling experiments to study phenomena like dispersion, total internal reflection, and the
behavior of light in different mediums.

When light enters a hollow prism, it undergoes refraction, bending due to the change in speed as
it moves from one medium (such as air) into another (like glass or plastic). This bending is
governed by Snell's Law, which relates the angles of incidence and refraction to the refractive
indices of the two materials.

The shape of the prism influences how the light bends. For a hollow prism, the light enters and
exits through the air, but it still undergoes refraction at the surfaces where the air meets the prism
material. Depending on the angle at which the light enters and the shape of the prism, it may
refract more or less, potentially leading to dispersion if the prism has a triangular shape, where
different colors of light bend by different amounts.

22
Characteristics

 In a hollow glass prism, there is air inside the prism.

 Hence, when the white light travels from air into the hollow prism, there is no change of
medium, as the prism has air inside.
 Spectrum is produced by the light of different colors when they are refracted at different
angles inside the prism.
 Since there is no change in the medium inside a hollow prism, no refraction will take
place.
 Thus, a ray of white light does not give a spectrum through the passage of a hollow
prism.
 The speed of light outside the prism and inside the prism will be the same as air is the
common medium inside and outside the hollow prism.

The theory behind using a hollow prism typically involves understanding how light interacts
with different materials and shapes. A hollow prism, unlike a solid prism, allows light to pass
through its empty center, affecting the refraction and dispersion of light differently. One could
explore concepts such as total internal reflection, dispersion, and the behavior of light as it passes
through different mediums within the prism.

23
CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

24
 PROCEDURE

A) For finding the angle of prism

1. Take a piece of white paper, fix it on a drawing board using board pins.

2. Place the hollow glass prism on the sheet and carefully draw its outline. Draw a normal and
carefully draw its outline.

3. Draw a normal and an incident ray at an angle of 35 degrees with the normal on side AB of
the prism.

4. Fix two pins P1 and P2 on the incident ray which are at least 5 cm apart.

5. Fill the prism with the liquid and place it over its outline.

6. Observe the refracted ray that comes after refraction from the face AB of the prism.

7. Fix two more pins P3 and P4 to cover the image of P1 and P2.

8. Obtained angles rl and r2 and add them to obtain the angle of the prism.

B) For finding the angle of minimum deviation

1. Fix a white sheet of paper on a drawing board using board pins

2. Place a hollow glass prism on the sheet and carefully draw its outline. Draw a normal and an
incident ray of angle of incidence 35 degrees on the side AB of the prism.

3. Fix two pins P1 and P2 on the incident ray at least 5 cm. apart.

4. Fill the hollow prism with the liquid and place it over its drawn outline. Observe the refracted
ray which comes after refraction by placing two more pins P3 and P4 covering Pl and P2

5. Extended the incident and refracted ray to obtain the angle of deviation, D.

Repeat the above procedure with angle of incidence as 40, 45, and 55°. Note the lowest obtained
value of angle of deviation as the angle of minimum deviation, D.

Using the value of the angle of prism (A) and the angle of minimum deviation (D), calculate the
value of the refractive index of the liquids by using the equation given in the theory.

25
Select suitable scales to represent the angle of incidence along the X-axis and angle of deviation
along the Y-axis and plot a graph. The graph gives the value of Dm, which is the minimum most
point of the parabola.

Formula to be used for determining the refractive index of water and vinegar:

μ= sin (A+D)
2
sin A
2

26
 OBSERVATION TABLE

1. Water

S.NO. ANGLE OF PRISM ANGLE OF INCIDENCE ANGLE OF DEVIATION

(A) (i) (D)
1. 600 350 320
2. 600 400 280
3. 600 450 240
4. 600 500 300
5. 600 550 340

CALCULATION

Refractive index of water, μ= sin (A+D)

2

sin A
2

= sin(60+24)
2

sin(60/2)

= sin 42/sin 30

= 0.66
1/2

= 1.33

27
OBSERVATION DIAGRAM

28
29
2. Coconut Oil

S.NO. ANGLE OF PRISM ANGLE OF INCIDENCE ANGLE OF DEVIATION

(A) (i) (D)
1. 600 350 420
2. 600 400 380
3. 600 450 340
4. 600 500 380
5. 600 550 410

CALCULATION

Refractive index of coconut oil, μ= sin (A+D)

2

sin A
2

= sin(60+34)
2

sin(60/2)

= sin 47 /sin 30

= 0.731
1/2

= 1.46

30
OBSERVATION DIAGRAM

31
32
3. Glycerine

S.NO. ANGLE OF PRISM ANGLE OF INCIDENCE ANGLE OF DEVIATION

(A) (i) (D)
1. 600 350 470
2. 600 400 400
3. 600 450 350
4. 600 500 420
5. 600 550 460

CALCULATION

Refractive index of glycerine, μ= sin (A+D)

2

sin A
2

= sin(60+35)
2

sin(60/2)

= sin 47.5/sin 30

= 0.737
1/2

= 1.47

33
OBSERVATION DIAGRAM

34
35
PRACTICAL CIRCUIT DIAGRAM
1. Water

2. Coconut Oil

3. Glycerine

36
 GRAPHS
1. Water

37
2. Coconut oil

38
3. Glycerine

39
 RESULT

REFRACTIVE INDEXES OF LIQUIDS:

 WATER
 Theoretical Value: 1.33
 Experimental Value: 1.33

 COCONUT OIL
 Theoretical Value: 1.43 – 1.46
 Experimental Value: 1.46

 GLYCERINE
 Theoretical Value: 1.47
 Experimental Value: 1.47

40
 CONCLUSION

From the experiment we finally conclude that different liquids have different refractive
indices. The refractive indexes vary according to the density of the liquid. Refractive
index of liquid can be calculated by using hollow prism. Almost all solids and liquids
have refractive index above 1.3. As the density of the liquid increases, number of
particles per unit volume increases, thus more light gets obstructed and the refractive
index of the liquid increases. Therefore as density increases refractive index also
increases.

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 PRECAUTIONS

1. Angle of incidence should lie between 30 to 60 degree.

2. Pins should be vertically fixed and should lie in same line.

3. Distance b/w two points should not be less than 10mm.

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

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

6. The position of the prism should not be disturbed on the white sheet.

7. There should be no parallax between the pins P1, P2 and their images P3, P4.

8. The angle should be measured carefully.

9. The curve of the graph should be smooth.

10. All the faces of the prism should be neat and clean.

11. Pins for holding the paper on the drawing board must be pinned perpendicular to the paper
for better handling.

12. While fixing the pins for checking the refractive index of the prism, make sure that the
reflective images of the pins should be aligned to your eye to avoid any type of parallax error.

13. Pins should not be removed or pinned again during the experiment.

14. Avoid mishandling of the prism.

15. Same edge of the prism should be taken as vertex for observations.

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 SOURCES OF ERROR

1. Inaccurately measuring refracted and incident angles.

2. Incorrectly drawing refracted and incident rays.

3. Incorrect drawing of the block.

4. Parallax error.

5. Impurities in the medium can cause errors.

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 BIBLIOGRAPHY

 PHYSICS NCERT TEXTBOOK CLASS XI

 PHYSICS NCERT TEXTBOOK CLASS XII
 DHINESH Practical Manual
 Convex and Concave- The Mystery of the Magical Lenses
-By Ray Dizazzo
 Mirror, Prism & Lenses
-By James Powell Cocker Southall

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