REFRACTION THROUGH A GLASS PRISM

Refraction Of Light Through Prism Experiment
 Prism: Prism is a transparent optical object with flat, polished surfaces that refract
light. At least two of the flat surfaces must have an angle between them.
 Bending of light: Light changes its speed when it moves from one medium to
another. For example, from air (rarer medium) into the glass (denser medium of
the prism). This speed change causes the light to be refracted and to enter the
new medium at a different angle. The degree of bending of the light’s path
depends on the angle that the incident ray of light makes with the surface, and on
the ratio between the refractive index of the two media.
Angle of incidence (i): It is the angle between the incident ray and the normal at
the point of incidence.
Angle of emergence (e): It is the angle between the emergent ray and the normal
at the point of emergence.
prism (A): It is the angle between the two refracting faces of the prism.
Angle of deviation (D): The amount of overall refraction caused by the passage
of a light ray through a prism is often expressed in terms of the angle of deviation.
The angle of deviation is the angle made between the incident ray of light entering
the first face of the prism and the refracted ray that emerges from the second face
of the prism. Because of the different indices of refraction for the different
wavelengths of visible light, the angle of deviation varies with wavelength.
Aim
To trace the path of the rays of light through a glass prism.
Theory
 A prism has a triangular base and three triangular lateral surfaces. These surfaces
are inclined to each other.
Refraction of light through a prism
 In the given figure, ABC represents the base of a glass prism. Let PE be the
incident ray of light on face AB of the prism. EF represents the bending of light
when it enters the prism and hence show the refraction of light.
 RS is the emergent ray at face AC of the prism.
The angle D shows the angle of deviation.
The ∠BAC of the prism is called the angle of the prism and it is denoted by ‘A’.
 In the figure, the relation between

• angle of incidence ∠i, i. e., ∠PQN
• angle of refraction ∠r, i.e., ∠FEN,
• angle of deviation ∠D, i.e., ∠HGF and
• angle of prism ∠A, i.e., ∠BAC. ∠A + ∠D = ∠i + ∠e
Materials Required
A white sheet, soft board, thumb pins, 4-6 all pins, prism, pencil, scale, protractor,
drawing board.
Procedure
1. Fix a white sheet on a drawing board using drawing pins.

2. Place a glass prism on it in such a way that it rests on its triangular base. Trace
the outline of the prism using a pencil.
3. Draw a thin line NEN normal (perpendicular) to face AB of the prism. Also draw a
straight line PE making an angle preferably between 30° and 60° as shown in
figure.
4. Fix two pins at a distance of 5 cm from each other on the line PE as shown in the
figure, later mark these points of pins as P and Q.
5. Look at the images of the pins, fixed at P and Q, through the other face of the
prism, i.e., AC.
6. Fix two more pins, at points R and S vertically such that the feet of pins at R and S
appear to be on the same straight line as the feet of the images of the pins P and
Q when viewed through the face AC of the prism.
7. Remove the pins and the glass prism.
8. Join and produce a line joining R and S, let this line meet the prism at point F.
9. Extend the direction of incident ray PQE till it meets the face AC. Also extend
(backwards) the emergent ray SRF so that these two lines meet at a point G.
10. Mark the angle of incidence ∠i, angle of refraction ∠r and the angle of emergence
∠e and ∠D as shown in the figure.
11. Repeat the experiment for more angle of incidence preferably between 30° and
60°.
Glass Prism Experiment Class 10 Observations Observations
1. The light ray enters the prism at surface AB, bends towards the normal on
refraction.
2. At surface AC of the prism, this light ray bends away from the normal because it
travels from a glass to air.
3. The peculiar shape of the prism makes the emergent ray bend at an angle to the
direction of the incident ray. This angle is called the angle of deviation (∠D).
Conclusion
1. The light ray, i.e., the incident ray first bends towards the normal when it gets
refracted in the prism and while leaving the prism it bends away from the normal.
2. The angle of deviation first decreases with the increase in angle of incidence ∠i. It
attains a minimum value then increases with further increase in angle of
incidence.
Precautions
1. A sharp pencil should be used for drawing the boundary of the prism.
2. Use soft board and pointed pins.
3. The pins should be fixed at a distance of 5 cm or more.
4. The pins should be fixed vertically and immediately encircled after they are
removed.
5. While viewing the col-linearity of pins and images, the eye should be kept at a
distance from the pins so that all of them can be seen simultaneously. The col-
linearity of all the four pins can be confirmed by moving the head slightly to either
side while viewing them. They all appear to move together.
6. The angle of incidence should be between 30° and 60°.
7. Proper arrows should be drawn for the incident ray, refracted ray and emergent
ray.

REFRACTION THROUGH A GLASS PRISM

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Refraction Of Light Through Prism Experiment

 In the figure, the relation between

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

Glass Prism Experiment Class 10 Observations Observations

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