Physics Project

Physics Investigatory project
On
DETERMINATION OF REFRACTIVE INDiceS
OF VARIOUS LIQUIDS USING A HOLLOW
PRISM
Submitted by: Rakshit upadhayay

Class: XII Science ‘A’
Session: 2024-25
School: Bal Bhavan Public Sr. Sec. School
Board Roll no:
Table of content
S.No. Topic
1. Certificate
2. Introduction
3. Aim
4. Apparatus required
5. Theory
6. Procedures
7. Observations
8. Calculations
9. Result
10. Precautions
11. Sources of Error
12. References
CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that Rakshit Upadhayay of class 12th
Science ‘A’ has completed the project work of
Physics in the year 2024-25 on “Determination of
refractive indexes of various liquids using a hollow
prism” under my guidance as prescribed by CBSE
course.
It is further certified that this project is the

group work of the student.
Teacher's signature
-----------------------
Acknowledgement
I would like to express my special thanks of
gratitude to my subject teacher Mr. Rakesh
Dhatwalia to give his guidance to make the
successful completion of this project.
I also want to give special thanks to our
principal Mr. Deepesh Gupta who gave me this
golden opportunity to do this wonderful project
on the topic “Determination of refractive indexes
of various liquids using hollow prism”, so that I
will get to know about detailed information for
the same.
Introduction
In Optics, a prism is a transparent optical element

with flat, polished surface that reflects light. The
exact angles between the surfaces depend on the
application. Traditional shape is that of a
triangular prism with triangular base and
rectangular sides.
Prism can be made from any material that is
transparent to the wavelength for which they are
designed. Prism can also be used to split light into
its constituent spectral colours (dispersion).
Aim:
To find out the refractive indices of different liquids using a
hollow prism.
Apparatus Required
• Hollow glass prism
• Various liquids like Glycerine, Water, Sprite, Coconut oil
• Bell pins
• Drawing board
Theory
A ray of light OP incident on the first face AB at angle

r1 along PQ and finally, emerges along QR. The dotted
lines in the figure represent the normal to surfaces.
The angle of incidence at the second face AC is r 2 and
the angle of refraction (or emergence) is i2 . The angle
between OP (produced forward) and the direction of
emergent ray QR (produced backwards) is the angle
of deviation δ.
The refractive index of the liquid is given by the

formula:
µ=sin i1/sin r1= {sin[(A+ δmin)/2]}/{sin(A/2)}
Where,
µ=refractive index of the liquid.
δmin = the angle of minimum deviation
A=angle of prism
i1=angle of incidence
r1=angle of refraction
Derivation:
δ= (i1+r1) + (i2-r2)
δ= (i1+i2) – (r1+r2) ----- {Equation 1}
In △PNQ: r1+r2+ ∠PNQ = 180° ----- {Equation 2}
Quadrilateral APQN is Cycle
Therefore, A+ ∠PNQ = 180° ----- {Equation 3}
From Eq. 2 & 3 we get,
A= r1+r2 ------ {Equation 4}
From Eq. 1 & 4 we get,
δ= i1+ i2 – A
δ+A = i1+i2
When, δ= δmin → Minimum Deviation
Then, i1=i2 , r1=r1
Therefore, A= r1+r1 ➔ r1= A/2
Also, δmin + A = i1 + i1 ➔ i1 = (δmin + A)/ 2
Refractive index of prism material is,
µ= Sin i1/ Sin r1
µ=sin i1/sin r1= {sin[(A+ δmin)/2]}/{sin(A/2)}
Graphical Representation:
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 liquids and different

angle of incidence.
Observations
Glycerine:
S.no A° (Angle of i° (Angle of δ° (Angle of

prism) incidence) deviation)
1. 60° 30° 40°
2. 60° 33° 36°
3. 60° 36° 31°
4. 60° 39° 33°
5. 60° 42° 47°
Water:

1. 60° 30° 26°
2. 60° 33° 23°
3. 60° 36° 22°
4. 60° 39° 23°
5. 60° 42° 24°
6. 60° 45° 25°
Sprite:

1. 60° 30° 26°
2. 60° 33° 25°
3. 60° 36° 23°
4. 60° 39° 23°
5. 60° 42° 25°
6. 60° 45° 27°
Coconut oil:

1. 60° 30° 37°
2. 60° 33° 35°
3. 60° 36° 34°
4. 60° 39° 37°
5. 60° 42° 40°
Calculations
Glycerine:
µ=sin i1/sin r1= {sin[(60+32)/2]}/{sin(60/2)}
=sin 46/ sin 30
= 1.44
Water:
=sin 41.5/ sin 30
= 1.32
Sprite:
=sin 41.5/ sin 30
= 1.32
Coconut oil:
=sin 47/ sin 30
= 1.46
Results
1) Glycerine:
• Actual :1.46
• Experimental :1.44
2) Water:
• Actual :1.33
3) Sprite:
• Actual :1.32
4) Coconut oil:
• Actual :1.43-1.46
Precautions
• Angle of incidence should lie between 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.
Sources of Error
• Pin pricks may be thick and make the

sheet untidy
• Measurements of angles maybe wrong
• All pins maybe very close to each other

References
• Wikipedia.org
• Physicsmelinium.com
• Physicsforlife.com
• Earthphysics.com
• Modernscience.com

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Physics Investigatory project

Submitted by: Rakshit upadhayay

11. Sources of Error

It is further certified that this project is the

In Optics, a prism is a transparent optical element

A ray of light OP incident on the first face AB at angle

The refractive index of the liquid is given by the

• Drop a normal PQ on the side AB.

• Draw the angle of incidence in accordance with the

• Place the prism filled with given sample of liquid ,on

• Now take the pins and place them on the side AC so

• Remove the prism and draw the line joining the

• Mark the diagram as shown in the figure.

• Repeat this with different liquids and different

S.no A° (Angle of i° (Angle of δ° (Angle of

S.no A° (Angle of i° (Angle of δ° (Angle of

S.no A° (Angle of i° (Angle of δ° (Angle of

S.no A° (Angle of i° (Angle of δ° (Angle of

• Angle of incidence should lie between 35-60

• Pins should be vertically fixed and should lie in

• Distance b/w two points should not be less

• Same angle of prism should be used for all

• Arrow head should be marked to represent

• Pin pricks may be thick and make the

• Measurements of angles maybe wrong

• All pins maybe very close to each other

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