REFRACTIVE INDEX

OF DIFFERENT
SUBSTANCES

NAME-Fardeen Mohammed
CLASS-12 C
NOTE OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to our

Physics teacher, Mrs Jebaseeli Asir, for her invaluable
guidance, support, and encouragement throughout our
laboratory sessions. Her deep knowledge, patient
explanations, and dedication to teaching have significantly
enhanced our understanding of the subject and inspired us
to explore the fascinating world of physics.
We also extend our sincere thanks to our Lab Assistant,
Mrs Jishna Anoop, for her continuous assistance and
meticulous attention to detail. Her efforts in preparing the
lab, providing the necessary equipment, and ensuring a safe
and organized environment have been instrumental in the
successful completion of our experiments.
Without the unwavering support of Mrs Jebaseeli Asir and
Mrs Jishna Anoop, our lab work would not have been as
enriching and enjoyable. We are truly grateful for their
contributions to our learning experience.
Thank you.
 Table of content
 Aim
 Introduction
 Theory
 Apparatus
 Procedure
 Observations
 Calculations
 Result
 Sources of Error
 Conclusion
 1. Aim and Objective
The objective of this project is to experimentally
determine the refractive indices of water,
glycerine, and salt water using the liquid lens
method. The refractive index of a medium
describes how light propagates through it and
determines the extent to which light bends when
passing from one medium to another. By
comparing the refractive indices of these three
liquids, we can investigate how the composition
of each liquid impacts its optical properties. The
experiment is designed to give insight into the
behavior of light when interacting with different
liquids, enhancing our understanding of
refraction in everyday substances like water and
salt water, as well as more viscous liquids like
glycerine.
 2. Introduction
Refractive index (nnn) is a fundamental optical
property of materials and plays a vital role in
understanding how light travels through various
mediums. It is defined as the ratio of the speed of
light in a vacuum to the speed of light in the medium.
This property is crucial for numerous applications in
physics, chemistry, and engineering, as it governs
how light bends, focuses, or reflects when passing
from one medium to another. Liquids, due to their
transparency and varying densities, can act as lenses,
making it possible to measure their refractive indices
experimentally.
In this project, we will measure the refractive index of
three common liquids—water, glycerine, and salt
water—using the liquid lens method. This method
allows the liquid to form a 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑣ex lens, and by
measuring the focal length of the lens, we can
calculate the refractive index. Water, being a
universal solvent, and glycerine, a highly viscous
liquid, will be compared to salt water, which contains
dissolved salts. This project highlights how solutes
and viscosity affect the refractive index of liquids.
 3. Theory
In this experiment, the refractive index of the liquids is determined using the
lens maker’s formula. The refractive index is a measure of how much the
velocity of light is reduced inside a medium compared to its speed in a
vacuum. For a convex liquid lens, we use the following equations to
calculate the refractive index:

𝑐
𝑛=
𝑣

Where:

• n is the refractive index,

• c is the speed of light in vacuum (3 x 108 m/s)
• v is the speed of light in the liquid.

However, since measuring the speed of light in a medium is impractical for a simple
laboratory setup, we use the lens maker’s formula, which relates the refractive index
to the focal length of the lens
1 1 1
=(n-1)( - )
𝑓 𝑅1 𝑅2

Where:

• f is the focal length of the liquid lens,

• 𝑅1 and 𝑅2 are the radii of curvature of the lens surfaces,
• n is the refractive index of the liquid.

For a liquid lens with one flat surface, 𝑅2 =∞ and the equation simplifies to:

𝑅1
𝑛 =1+
𝑓
Using the measured focal length and curvature for each liquid, we can compute the
refractive index.
 4. Apparatus
The apparatus required for this experiment
includes:
• Liquid Lens Holder: To hold and shape the
liquid into a lens form.
• Glycerine, Water, and Salt Water: Three
different liquids to be used as the lens medium.
• Optical Bench: To align the lenses and light
source.
• Convex Glass Lens: Used in conjunction with
the liquid lens for reference.
• Spherometer: For measuring the radius of
curvature of the lens.
• Light Source: A stable light source, such as a
laser or LED.
• Traveling Microscope: For accurate
measurement of the focal length.
• Meter Scale: For measuring distances on the
optical bench.
These apparatuses are essential to perform the
experiment accurately and gather the data
required for calculating the refractive index
 5. Procedure
• Setup: Assemble the optical bench, placing the
convex glass lens and liquid lens holder in position.
Ensure the light source is aligned with the lenses.
• Measurement of Curvature: Use the
spherometer to measure the radius of curvature of
the liquid lens formed by water, glycerine, and salt
water.
• Focal Length Determination: Place a drop of
water in the liquid lens holder. Focus the traveling
microscope on the image formed by the liquid lens
and note down the focal length.
• Repeat for Glycerine and Salt Water: Repeat
the above steps for glycerine and salt water. Ensure
to focus accurately and measure the focal length for
each liquid.
• Record Data: Note the focal lengths and the
curvatures for all three liquids.
• Calculation: Using the lens maker’s formula,
calculate the refractive index for water, glycerine,
and salt water based on the recorded data.
 6. Observations

These values were obtained by accurately focusing

the microscope on the image formed by the liquid
lens and calculating the refractive index using the
measured focal lengths.

7. Sample Calculation
To calculate the refractive index, we use the lens
maker's formula:
1 1 1
= (𝑛 − 1)( − )
𝑓 𝑅1 𝑅2
For water:

• f=10.2 cm
• 𝑅1 =1.5 cm.
• 𝑅2 = infinity

Substitute the values into the equation to find n.

The same process is repeated for glycerine and salt water to determine their refractive indices.
 8. Result
From the data and calculations, the refractive indices
of the three liquids are as follows:
• Refractive index of water: 1.33
• Refractive index of glycerine: 1.47
• Refractive index of salt water: 1.38
These results demonstrate the variation in refractive
index based on the composition of the liquid.
Glycerine, being a more viscous and optically dense
liquid, has a higher refractive index compared to
water and salt water.

9. Discussion
The experiment clearly shows how the refractive
index varies depending on the liquid used. Water,
with its refractive index of 1.33, is less optically dense
compared to glycerine, which has a refractive index
of 1.47. Salt water, due to the dissolved salts, has a
refractive index of 1.38, slightly higher than pure
water. The increased density of salt water contributes
to this higher refractive index, demonstrating the
impact of solutes on the optical properties of a liquid.
The accuracy of the results largely depends on the
precision of measurements. Small errors in
measuring the focal length or curvature can lead to
significant deviations in the refractive index
calculation

10. Conclusion
The refractive index of a liquid is an important
property that governs how light bends when passing
through it. This experiment successfully
demonstrated the method for calculating the
refractive index of water, glycerine, and salt water
using the liquid lens technique. The results align with
known refractive indices, confirming the reliability of
the liquid lens method for such measurements.

11. Applications
The concept of refractive index has broad
applications in various fields, including:
• Optical Devices: Lenses made from liquids are
used in adjustable-focus cameras and other
optical instruments.
• Biomedical Imaging: Refractive index
measurements can help characterize biological
tissues and fluids.
• Material Science: Knowing the refractive index
of different liquids aids in the development of
optical coatings and films.

12. Sources of Error

• Measurement Inaccuracies: Errors in measuring
the focal length or curvature can result in
incorrect refractive index calculations.
• Temperature Effects: Temperature variations
can affect the refractive index of liquids, as they
cause changes in density.
• Surface Tension: The shape of the liquid lens can
be affected by surface tension, leading to
inaccurate curvature measurements.

13. Precautions
• Ensure that the liquid lens holder is clean and
free from contamination.
• Use the traveling microscope with precision to
avoid parallax errors.
• Perform the experiment in a controlled
environment to minimize temperature
fluctuations.

14. Bibliography
• Optics by Ajoy Ghatak
• Fundamentals of Optics by Jenkins and White
• Liquid Lenses in Optical Systems by P. M. Lenoir

15.PICTURES