EXPERIMENT 6

1. AIM
Determination of the wavelength of spectral lines in white light.

2. OBJECTIVE
To determine the wavelength of spectral lines (violet, green) of mercury light and laser light (red) by using
diffraction grating.

3. THEORY
Plane Diffraction Grating
The phenomenon of bending of light round the edges of an obstacle/slit is called diffraction. The size of the
slit is comparable to the wavelength of light incident on it. A diffraction grating is the arrangement of large
number of narrow slits arranged side by side, theses slits are separated by opaque spaces. The diffraction
gratings are prepared by ruling equidistant parallel lines on a glass surface. The lines are drawn with fine
diamond point.
Fraunhofer Diffraction N-Slits
When a wave front is incident on the grating surface, light is transmitted/bend through the slits and
obstructed by the opaque portion. Then all the secondary waves travelling in the direction as that of the
incident light will come to focus at the point O on the screen where all the secondary waves reinforce one
another corresponding to the position of the central bright maxima. The secondary waves travelling in the
direction inclined at an angle Ɵ with the direction of the incident light are made to focus at point P on the
sin 𝛼
screen. The resultant amplitude of all the secondary waves each of amplitude ‘a’ is given 𝑛𝑎 𝛼 where 𝛼 =
𝜋 (𝑒 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃)
𝜆
sin 𝛼 sin 𝑁𝛽
The resultant amplitude of N waves superimposing at point P on the screen is 𝑅 = (𝑛𝑎 )( )
𝛼 sin 𝛽
𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝛼 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝑁𝛽
The intensity is given by I = (𝑛2 𝑎2 𝛼2
) ( 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝛽 )

Principal Maxima
On solving the above expression for maxima 𝛽 → 𝑛𝜋 then β= 0, 𝜋, 2𝜋, 3𝜋…..
𝜋
(𝑒 + 𝑑)𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 𝑛𝜋
𝜆
(𝒆 + 𝒅) 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝜽 = 𝒏𝝀
The maximum value of n for visible light using 15000LPI in the grating is 𝑛𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 2
If the incident light is white light containing different wavelengths in visible range, then each wavelength is
diffracted at different angle Ɵ with 𝜃𝑉 < 𝜃𝑅 . In order to calculate the wavelength of light we use the above
equation
(𝒆 + 𝒅) 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜽𝑽
𝝀𝑽 =
𝒏
Where the diffraction angle for each wavelength is measured for first order (n=1) from the spectrometer.
The value of grating element (e+d) is given by 𝑁(𝑒 + 𝑑) = 1′′ = 2.54 𝑐𝑚
𝟐. 𝟓𝟒
(𝒆 + 𝒅) = 𝒄𝒎
𝑵
N is the total number of lines on the grating, N= 15000LPI (Lines per inch)

4. APPARATUS
1. Spectrometer
2. Mercury source
3. Laser (Red) light source
4. Spirit source
5. Plane transmission grating
6. Magnifier
7. Reading lamp

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 FORMULA USED
In a diffraction grating, the principal maxima are obtained on the directions given by
(𝑒 + 𝑑)𝑠𝑖𝑛Ɵ = 𝑛𝜆
𝜆 = (𝑒 + 𝑑)𝑠𝑖𝑛Ɵ
where (𝑒 + 𝑑) = 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑑 n=order of principal maxima
Ɵ=angle of diffraction corresponding to a particular wavelength
The number of lines N ruled on the grating (per inch) are written over it by the manufactures (i.e. 15000 L.P.I
( lines per inch))
𝑁(𝑒 + 𝑑) = 1′′ = 2.54 𝑐𝑚
2.54
(𝑒 + 𝑑) = 𝑐𝑚
𝑁
5. RAY DIAGRAM
Figure 1 and 2 represent the ray diagram for Fraunhofer diffraction due to N slits and the experimental set
up for plane diffraction grating.

Figure 1: The ray diagram for Fraunhofer Diffraction due to N slits.

Figure 2: The experimental set up for plane diffraction grating.

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6. PROCEDURE
Before starting the experiment, the spectrometer has to be set for parallel rays
(A) Setting of the spectrometer
The following is the order of the setting:
1. Setting of the telescope
(a) The telescope is first turned towards white wall, the eye piece is shifted w.r.t the cross wires till a sharp
image of the cross wires is obtained .The eye piece is now fixed w.r.t the cross wires.
(b) The telescope is focused on a distant object and the parallax between the image and the cross wires is
removed thus, the telescope is set for parallel rays.
2. Setting of the collimator
The position of the lens of the collimator is adjusted such that a sharp and well-defined. Image is seen
through the telescope.
3. Setting of the prism table
The prism table is first made perfectly horizontal with the help of the spirit level and the leveling screws. The
height of the prism table must be on the axis collimator and telescope.
(B) The grating is adjusted for normal incidence
The least count of the spectrometer is determined as follows:
value of one division on main scale
The least cont (LC) =
Total number of division on vernier scale
10 degree
10 /2 10
= 20
= =( )
60 60 120
Total Reading = Main Scale Reading + (Verniner Scale coinciding division X LC)

Procedure of determination of ‘Ѳ’

(i) After the adjustment of grating, rotate the telescope to the left side of the image and adjust the
different spectral lines (Violet, green and red) turn by turn on the vertical crosswire for the first
order. Note down the reading of both the Vernier in each setting.
(ii) Rotate the telescope further to obtain the 2nd order spectrum and again the spectral line in the vertical
cross wire and note down the reading.
(iii) Now rotate the telescope to the right side of the direct image and repeat the above procedure for first
order as well as for the second order.
(iv) Find out the 𝑉1 ~𝑉2 and 𝑉2 ~𝑉1 for each spectral line in the first order and then for second order. This
angle gives 2Ѳ.
(v) Hence find out ‘Ѳ’ for first and for second order.

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7. OBSERVATION:
Number of ruling per inch on the grating , N = 15000 L.P.I
10
Least count of the spectrometer = (120)
Table 1: Determination of angle of diffraction For Spectral lines in White Light (mercury)

Order Colour Left side (a) Right side (b) 2θ Mean Sin θ
of θ (θ)
spectru
m (n)
M.S V.S Total M.S V.S Total
Frist Violet V1 77 5 x LC 77.04 104.5 1 104.50 27.46
order n V2 257 2 x LC 257.09 285.5 2 285.51 28.42
=1
Frist Green V1 75 1 107 20
order n V2 255.5 14 287 5
=1

8. CALCULATION
2.54
1. Grating Element (𝑒 + 𝑑) = 𝑁 = … . . 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑐𝑚
Where N= no of lines per inch on the grating = 15000 L.P.I.

2. Wavelength of Spectral lines for White Light

Order of spectrum = First order (n=1)
(𝑒+𝑑) sin Ѳ
𝜆 = 𝑛=1 = (𝑒 + 𝑑) sin Ѳ = ……..cm
𝜆 (𝑣𝑖𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑡) = ⋯ 𝑐𝑚 = ⋯ Å
𝜆(𝐺𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑛) = ⋯ 𝑐𝑚 = ⋯ Å

9. RESULT

The wavelength of the mercury light for Violet light = ……. Å

Green =…….. Å

Standard value: Violet = 3900 - 4550 Å .·. Percentage Error = ……..%

Green = 4920 - 5770 Å .·. Percentage Error = ……..%
𝑂𝑏𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 ~ 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒
.·. Percentage Error = 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒
X 100 =…..%

10. RESULTS ANALYSIS & DISCUSSION

The maximum value of n for visible light using 15000LPI in the grating and (sin θ) max =1 is nmax = 2
Red color diffracts the most in case of grating. This is so because in case of grating sin θ=n λ / (e+d) i.e angle
of diffraction is proportional to the wavelength and the wavelength of red is maximum.
The condition for maximum intensity is the same as that for the double slit or multiple slits, but with a large
number of slits the intensity maximum is very sharp and narrow, providing the high resolution for
spectroscopic applications.

11. INFERENCES & CONCLUSIONS

The diffraction grating is an immensely useful tool for the separation of the spectral lines associated with
atomic transitions. It acts as a "super prism", separating the different colors of light much more than the
dispersion effect in a prism.
The peak intensities are also much higher for the grating than for the double slit.

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12. LEARNING OUTCOMES

We can use the device to characterize a range of light sources; including white light,
When there is a need to separate light of different wavelengths with high resolution, then a diffraction grating
is most often the tool.

13. APPLICATIONS
In optical communications, they are used for wavelength Selection: Splitting and/or combining optical
signals
One of the most interesting applications of diffraction is holography, which is used to create three-
dimensional images found everywhere, from credit cards to postage stamps.

14. PRECAUTIONS
1. Grating should be set normal to the incident light and should not be touched by fingers.
2. Grating should be mounted with its lines parallel to the slit or vertical wire of the cross wires.
3. Prism table should not be disturbed while rotating the telescope to receive images of different orders.
4. The reading of both the Vernier should be taken carefully.
5. The prism table should be properly leveled.
6. While using Laser light direct exposure of light to naked eyes should be avoided.

…………………………………

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