AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY–BANGLADESH (AIUB)
FACULTY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS
PHYSICS 2 LAB
Summer 2021-2022
Section: B, Group: 4
LAB REPORT ON
To determine the wavelength of various spectral lines by a spectrometer using a
plane diffraction grating
Supervised By:
SALMA BEGOM
Submitted By:
Name ID
MD. RIFAT KHAN 22-46060-1
SAJIN MAHMUD ARPON 22-46629-1
MD. SAKIL 22-46659-1
ZAOWAD HOSSAIN 22-46924-1
SRISTI PAUL 22-47195-1
Date of Submission: August 8th, 2022
1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TOPICS Page no.
I. Title Page 1
II. Table of Content 2
1. Theory 3
2. Apparatus 4
3. Procedure 4
4. Experimental Data 6
5 Analysis and Calculation 6
6. Result 7
7. Discussion 7
8. Reference 7
2
1. Theory
A diamond-tipped pen is used to draw several parallel, equidistant straight lines on an
optically flat glass plate to create a plane diffraction grating. Thus, the lines distinguish
between opacities and transparency on the glass plate. The regulated lines serve as opaque
spaces and the transparency between them serve as slits. The letters "a" and "b" respectively
stand for the slit width and the opaque space width. The grating element of a diffraction
grating is denoted by the sum (a+b).
Since the waves from the slits often travel different distances to reach the eye, if light from a
single source is perceived through two parallel slits, the relative phase of the waves arriving
from the slits varies with the angle of sight relative to the plane of the slits. In fact, maximum
intensity will happen when the waves are out of phase and interfere in a positive way with
particular directions in space. Light from a source is mimicked by focusing it through a
convex lens to view the Fraunhofer pattern. Another lens that is positioned past the aperture
or obstruction focuses the diffracted beam onto a screen.
The requirements for intense maxima (waves from all slits in phase) become tighter and
tighter and the maxima sharpen as more slits are used. However, the distance between slits
still affects the separation between maxima. As a result, the resolution, or relative sharpness
of the maxima, depends on the total number of slits whereas the spacing between maxima
depends on the distance between slits.
The intensity pattern finally becomes simple when a parallel beam of monochromatic light
with wavelength is impacted on a diffraction grating, with diffracted rays from the grating
generating a number of primary maxima on either side of the central maxima of zero order.
The maxima’s are quite small (and so are called lines) and separated by relatively wide dark
regions.
The relationship of the angular separation between the zero order and nth order of primary
maxima is given by
(a+b )sinθ = nλ (1)
3
sinθ
N= nλ (2)
sinθ
λ = nN (3)
Where,
θ = angle of diffraction
λ = wavelength of light
n = the order of bright fringe
(a+b) = grating element
1
Grating constant N =
a+b
2. Apparatus
Spectrometer
Plane transmission grating
Spirit level
Sodium vapor lamp
reading lens
3. Procedure
a. Telescope adjustment: We pointed the telescope at a far-off object and turned the
focusing screw until we could clearly see the picture of the object. The telescope may
pick up parallel rays at this position.
a. Collimator adjustment: We lined up the telescope and the collimator, then
illuminated the slit with a sodium vapor or mercury vapor lamp. In this posture, one
could see the telescope's image of the slit. The collimator screw was turned until a
clear image of the slit appeared. The slit was narrowed and made vertical.
c. The prism table was leveled, and a spirit level was used for this. The air bubble was
brought to the center by adjusting the prism table's three leveling screws while
keeping the spirit level in place.
The vernier table was then removed, and we rotated 45 degrees in the direction of the
collimator. Normally, the grating would receive typical incoming light from the
collimator.
After Initial Adjustment
1. We position the telescope on, say, the first order of the diffracted picture on one
side of the direct image with the sodium discharge tube in front of the collimator
slit. Then, with the telescope in focus, we took readings with both verniers.
4
2. Following that, we centered the telescope on the direct image's opposite side's
diffracted picture of the same order. Take the reading once more. For this order of
picture, the difference between these two readings was double the angle of
diffraction. (Fig. 1.3).
3. For the second order, third order, and so forth, we measured the angle of
diffractions in a similar manner. The slit's width was as little as it could be for
these measurements. Each diffracted image had its readings obtained at least three
times for three different telescope settings. The same edge of the slit's picture
should be the focus of the cross-wires at all times.
4. Using equation (2) and the angles of diffraction discovered for two or three of the
highest orders of spectra, we calculated N using the known wavelengths for
sodium-D lines.
5. We installed a different discharge tube, say one made of helium, that was mounted
practically in contact with the slit in place of the sodium discharge tube. There
were many spectral lines of various colors visible instead of only one or two like
in the sodium case.
6. We changed the discharge tube settings to make the spectrum appear brightest.
We identified the various spectral lines, and for each line, we calculated the angle
of diffraction for as many orders as feasible using the methodology previously
outlined. The wavelength of each of these lines was then determined using the
knowledge of the grating constant N and the order of diffraction n. In comparison,
use the results from the table.
7. A different discharge tube, perhaps neon, was used in its stead. Using the method
outlined above, we determined the wavelength of the strongest spectral lines and
compared our results to the numbers in the table.
5
4. Experimental Data
Table 1: Table for the determination of wavelength
Readings for the angle of difference θ
Standard wavelength from the table(A. U.)
Left Side Right Side
Deviation from standard wavelength
Vernier Scale reading (V) in deg.
Vernier Scale reading (V) in deg.
Main scale reading(S) in deg
Main scale reading(S) in deg
Mean Reading (A) in deg.
Mean Reading (B) in deg.
Wavelength (λ) in A.U.
Total = S+V in deg.
Total = S+V in deg.
Order Number (n)
in deg.
Wavelength l =
Vernier number
in deg.
Mean
I Violet 344. 0 344.5 344.5 357.5 0.4 357.96 357.96 13.96 12.957 3793.91 4971 677.09
5 6
Green 343 0 343 343 0 14.96 14.68 4371.25 5016 644.75
1st order (n=1)
Yellow 340 0.16 340.16 340.1 17.09 16.46 4789.48 5876 1086.5
6 9
Red 337. 0 337.5 337.5 21.96 20.78 6007.62 6678 670.38
5
II Violet 165 0.16 165.16 165.1 177.5 0.1 177.6 177.96 12.433
6
Green 163 0.20 163.20 14.4
1st order (n=1)
Yellow 161 0.20 161.20 16.9
Red 158 0 158 19.6
5. Analysis and Calculation
Order of diffraction (n) = 1
Number of lines per meter in the grating/grating constant (N) = 381
Angle of diffraction in degrees for violet line (θ ) = 12.947
sinθ
Wavelength of the violet line ( λv ) = =3793.91
Nn
Angle of diffraction in degrees for green line (θ) = 14.68
sinθ
Wavelength of the green line (λg) = = 4371.25
Nn
6
Angle of diffraction in degrees for yellow line (θ) = 16.43
sinθ
Wavelength of the yellow line (λy) = = 4789.489
Nn
Angle of diffraction in degrees for red line (θ) = 20.78
sinθ
Wavelength of the red line (λr) = = 6007.62
Nn
6. Result
Wavelength of the violet line (λv) = 3793.91
Wavelength of the green line (λg) = 4371.25
Wavelength of the yellow line (λy)= 4789.489
Wavelength of the red line (λr) = 6007.62
7. Discussion
The prism table should be properly levelled.
Grating surface is never touched while handling it.
Grating should be mounted with its lines parallel to the slit or vertical wire of
the cross wires.
Prism table should not be disturbed while rotating the telescope to receive
images of different orders.
Telescope should be rotated slowly, otherwise there is a possibility of missing
an order.
8. Reference
Fundamentals of Physics: diffraction
(Chapter 36, page – 1081)
Practical physics – Dr. Giasuddin Ahmed
(Page – 291)
