Physics Investigation

0 | P a g e R i c h a r d D o n a l d s o n A d v a n c e d H i g h e r P h y s i c s
Interference of Light
By Richard Donaldson
Dunfermline High School
063280070
Advanced Higher Physics
Investigation

Table of Contents
Summary ................................................................................................................................................ 2
Underlying Physics ............................................................................................................................. 2
Interference of light ....................................................................................................................... 2
Determination of the wavelength of sodium light using newtons rings ................................... 3
Track spacing of a CD ..................................................................................................................... 4
Diameter of a human hair .............................................................................................................. 5
Experiment 1: ......................................................................................................................................... 6
Aim: ..................................................................................................................................................... 6
Method: .............................................................................................................................................. 6
Results: ............................................................................................................................................... 7
Calculations ........................................................................................................................................ 7
Calculations of Uncertainties ............................................................................................................ 8
Experiment 2: ......................................................................................................................................... 9
Aim: ..................................................................................................................................................... 9
Method: .............................................................................................................................................. 9
Results ................................................................................................................................................ 9
Calculations ...................................................................................................................................... 10
Calculation of Uncertainties ............................................................................................................ 10
Experiment 3: ....................................................................................................................................... 11
Aim: .................................................................................................................................................... 11
Method: ............................................................................................................................................. 11
Results ............................................................................................................................................... 11
Calculations ....................................................................................................................................... 11
Calculations of uncertainties ............................................................................................................ 12
Investigation Conclusion & Evaluation ............................................................................................... 13
Conclusion: ........................................................................................................................................ 13
Discussion and Evaluation: ............................................................................................................... 13
References ............................................................................................................................................ 15


Introduction
Summary
In my investigation I used the interference of light to calculate three different lengths. In my first
experiment I calculated the wavelength of sodium light. In my second experiment I calculated
the track spacing found on a CD using the diffraction of light with a laser, and in my third
experiment I calculated the diameter of a human hair using the diffraction of light with a laser.
My results from these experiments are as follows:
Wavelength of Sodium light

Diameter of human hair (

Track spacing of a CD:
m

Underlying Physics
Interference of light
The interference of light is a phenomenon in which either two waves from a monochromatic light
source or from more than one coherent light source superimpose to form a wave that results in
either constructive or destructive Interference, depending on the phase of the waves in relation
to one another. If the two waves meet in phase, then it will result in constructive interference. If
the two waves meet 180 or 2 radians out of phase, then it will result in destructive interference.
This phenomenon has been used to show that light can be seen as both a particle and a wave,
but it can also be used to find out variables, such as wavelength, which I will be attempting to
find in my experiments.


Determination of the wavelength of sodium light using newtons rings
In 1717, Sir Isaac Newton conducted an experiment in which an interference pattern is created
when a convex lens is placed upon a flat glass plate. When viewed with a monochromatic light
source, in the case of my experiment; sodium, the pattern known as Newtons rings appears as
a concentric pattern of alternating bright and dark rings with a central ring located at the point of
contact between the lens and the flat glass plate. The bright fringes are caused by constructive
interference and the dark fringes are caused by destructive interference.
1
Let t represent the thickness of the air film at B (t = BD = AF) and let D represent the diameter of
the fringe (D = BC = ED). If the radius of the curvature of the curved surface is R, then from the
laws of circles we know that:

For B and C to be on a dark fringe, the path difference must equal an integral number of
wavelengths to allow the change of phase to be reflected at B, so:
(

To avoid errors due to the uncertainty of locating the central ring, the diameters of the n
th
and
(n+m)
th
dark fringes are measured:

Where:
is the wavelength
D
2
(n+m)
is the diameter of the (n+m)
th
ring squared
D
2
n
is the diameter of the n
th
ring squared
m is a positive

integral number
R is the radius of the convex lens

1
Tyler, F. (1971). A Laboratory Manual of Physics SI Units page 74


Track spacing of a CD
When a laser is reflected upon a CD, a diffraction pattern is created. If the wavelength of the laser
is known, the track spacing of the CD can be calculated. Using the equation n=dsin
2
Consider the rays which move in a direction with angle with the normal to the grating. If the
path difference is a whole number of wavelengths, then the waves will meet in phase.

This occurs if |CB| = n.
Sin = O/A
Sin =
||
||
therefore |CB| = CA sin. As |CA| is the line spacing of the grating, it
becomes dsin, so for a bright fringe, the equation is n = dsin.
Where:
n is the n
th
order of maximum
is the wavelength
Sin is the angle
D is the fringe width

The wavelength of the green laser I am using is 532nm, which will stay constant throughout this
experiment. Theta can be worked out using trigonometry. The adjacent side can be found by
measuring the distance from the CD to the white screen where the interference pattern is
shown. The opposite side can be found by measuring the distance from the central order to the
first order maximum.

2
Express, S. (n.d.). Proof of n = dsin.
A
C
B

Incoming laser light

Diameter of a human hair
Often it is necessary to determine the diameter of a fine wire, or another object that for practical
reasons, cannot be measured using conventional methods. The diameters of these items, such as
a length of human hair, can be measured using methods of light interference and diffraction
known as Youngs Double Slit Experiment.
This experiment was conducted by Thomas Young in 1801 as evidence to support the idea that
light can be seen as a wave. A coherent light source is passed through two parallel slits, which is
then observed on a screen behind the plates. As the light passes through the slits, the waves
interfere with one another, producing bright and dark fringes on the screen.

3
PQ is the geographical shadow of the hair AB. The effects observed outside P and Q are due to
diffraction effects at the edges A and B respectively. The bands between P and Q are due to
interference between wavelets which originate at A and B. A and B act as a pair of Youngs slits
to give interference fringes between P and Q. now from the theory of Youngs experiment. The
fringe width () is given by D/d where D is as given, d is the diameter of the wire and is the
wavelength of the light used. Hence the diameter d of the wire =D/

3
A
B
P
Q
Laser
Diffraction bands from edge A
Diffraction bands from edge B
Interference fringes
L
D

Procedures
Experiment 1:
Determination of the wavelength of sodium light using Newtons rings

Aim: to determine the wavelength of a sodium light source using the Newtons rings
experiment
Method:

4

Set up the equipment as shown in the diagrams. Make sure that both of the convex lenses used
are thoroughly cleaned. The light is then directed onto the plate glass and convex lens by the thin
glass plate at an angle of 45 degrees to the horizontal, adjust the focus on the lens of the
microscope until the fringes are sharply in focus. The definition of the fringes can be increased by
slightly adjusting the position of the reflecting plate and the sodium vapour lamp. Centre the
cross wires on the centre of the central ring within the interference pattern. Move the
microscope across the lens and take the readings of diameters of each of the rings, moving in
one direction only to avoid backlash.

4
Figure 1
Incident ray
Reflected ray
Monochromatic
Light source (Sodium)
Convex Lens
Glass plate
Plano-convex
Lens
Thin glass plate
Microscope

Results:
No. of fringe Diameter(m) Diameter
2
(m)
n(central ring) 3.40E-04 1.16E-07
n+2 1.16E-03 1.35E-06
n+4 1.69E-03 2.86E-06
n+6 2.06E-03 4.24E-06
n+8 2.37E-03 5.62E-06
n+10 2.69E-03 7.24E-06
n+12 2.96E-03 8.76E-06
n+14
3.15E-03 9.92E-06
D
2
(n+m)
- D
2
n
7.12E-06

Radius of lens 0.3m

Integer 10

Wavelength 592nm

Calculations

D
2
10
D
2
0
=

m = 10
R = 0.3m

Where:
is the wavelength
D
2
(n+m)
is the diameter of the (n+m)
th
ring squared
D
2
n
is the diameter of the n
th
ring squared
m is a positive

integral number
R is the radius of the convex lens


Calculations of Uncertainties
Microscope
Scale reading in microscope
Main Scale: 0.005mm
Vernier: 0.02mm
Total scale reading: 0.025mm
Calibration in microscope: 0.01mm
Total uncertainty
= 0.02mm

Lenses
Calibration: 0.01cm
Scale reading: 0.01cm
Total uncertainty
= 0.01cm

Error bars were not plotted on the graph due to the uncertaintys in the diameter of the rings
and the radius of the lens being too small to be accurately plotted

Wavelength
Using the linest function I was able to calculate the overall uncertainty of the wavelength. By
plotting diameter
2
against the fringes, I calculated that the uncertainty was:

Therefore the value of the wavelength of sodium light is:


Experiment 2:
Track spacing of a CD
Aim: to calculate the track spacing of a CD using diffraction
Method:

5

Laser

Set up the experiments as shown in the diagrams. Measure and record the distance from the CD
to the screen. Make sure that the laser is positioned at about centre of the CD, as shown in
diagram 3. When the laser is turned on, an interference pattern will be present on the white
screen. Record the distance between the central order and the first order maximum.
Results
= 532nm (constant value) n = 1 (constant value)

5
HWU Physics investigation Student handbook Page 26
O(m) A(m) (deg) Sin(deg) D(m)
0.36 1.10 18.1 0.311 1.71
0.37 1.10 18.6 0.346 1.56
0.37 1.10 18.6 0.346 1.56
0.39 1.10 19.5 0.33 1.59
0.41 1.10 20.4 0.34 1.52
CD
Screen
d
Central area
CD
Distance to
screen (d)
Distance to first order
Fringe pattern

Calculations
Equation:

= 532 x 10
-9
m
sin = sin(19.5) = 0.33
n = 1

m
Mean value

Where:
n is the order of the maximum
is the wavelength of light
d is the track spacing (separation of slits)
is the angle from the zero order to the n
th
maximum
A is the central order, B is the first order maximum
Length AB is the opposite side, length AC is the adjacent

Calculation of Uncertainties
Metre stick
Scale reading: 0.005mm
Calibration: 0.01mm
Total uncertainty

Fringe width
Random uncertainty:
= 0.002
Error bars were not plotted on the graph due to the uncertaintys being too small to be
accurately plotted
Uncertainty in d
Using the linest function, I was able to calculate that the overall uncertainty in d was:

m
So overall. The value that I calculated for the track spacing of a CD was:

m

A B

C

Experiment 3:
Diameter of human hair
Aim: To calculate the diameter of a human hair using diffraction.
Method:

6
Set up the equipment as shown above. Place the hair about 5cm away from the laser. Measure
the distance from the hair to the screen and record It as D. turn the laser on and position it so
that the beam is hitting the hair and the interference/diffraction pattern is shown on the screen.
Measure the length of the central fringe and record it as . The diameter (d) can then be
calculated using the appropriate equation.

Results
D(m) (mm) d(m)
1 13 41
0.90 11 43.5
0.80 10 42
0.70 9 41
0.60 8 40
Wavelength 532nm (constant value)

Calculations

D=1
=532nm
=13

6
Screen
Laser
Strand of hair
D

Calculations of uncertainties
Metre stick
Scale reading: 0.005mm
Calibration: 0.01mm
Total uncertainty

Uncertainty in d
Using the linest function, I was able to calculate that the total source of error in d was:

So overall, the value for the diameter of a human hair I calculated was:
(


Investigation Conclusion & Evaluation

Conclusion:
The values that I have obtained from the three experiments I conducted are as follows:
Wavelength of Sodium light

Diameter of human hair (

Track spacing of a CD:
m

The values that I have found are correct values as the wavelength of sodium light is 589nm.
Although there is a difference of 3nm between my value and the actual value, due to the nature
of how the wavelength corresponds to its colour, the value I calculated is still the value of
Sodium light. The Diameter of human hair varies between person to person, so there is no exact
value for the diameter. The track spacing of a CD also varies depending on the capacity of the CD
and whether or not it is duel layer, however doing research over the internet, the average value
for the track spacing meeting the conditions of my CD (duel layered disk), the actual value was
the value that I found.
I have conducted this investigation in order to show how the interference of light can be used in
finding wavelength, diameter and the track spacing of a CD. My first experiment used an
interference pattern known as Newtons rings in order to determine the wavelength of sodium
light. My second experiment used diffraction in order to determine the track spacing of a
standard CD. My third experiment also used diffraction to determine the diameter of a human
hair. My first experiment was difficult for me to conduct as it required equipment that had to be
set up perfectly with no room for error in order to conduct it, this was challenging as the setup of
the experiment was time consuming and some faults in my equipment occurred.
Despite these drawbacks, the first experiment uses a very simple principle and with the
improvements that I suggested, the results could be easier to find and more accurate. My second
and third experiments were in contrast to my first experiment as they were both easy to set up
and gaining results was easy. Overall this experiment has been a success as I have conducted the
three experiments and developed results to the best of my ability.
Discussion and Evaluation:
There were some problems I ran into while trying to set up this experiment. On some runs, the
interference pattern was difficult to view through the travelling microscope as the pattern was
too small to be observed accurately. I decided to take the experiment apart and make sure all my
equipment was clean and working correctly. I then attempted the experiment again, with greater
results, as the interference pattern was visible. Another problem I ran into on a few attempts was
the crosshair on the travelling microscope was not visible enough to get accurate results.
However, once I was able to overcome these issues, I was able to get results.
Some improvements that could have been made to this experiment could have been to use a
camera to take pictures of the interference pattern and then use tracker software on a computer
to measure the diameters of each of the rings. This would mean that the diameters would be

measured more accurately that with using a travelling microscope, which would in turn make the
calculation for the wavelength more accurate.
Some possible sources of error could be if the glass plates and plano-convex lens arent cleaned
properly. This could affect the clarity of the interference pattern, which could in turn affect the
results. If the travelling microscope is not moved in the same direction each time the experiment
is conducted, a back lash error could occur, which would affect the results.
Out of the three experiments I conducted, the second experiment; track spacing of a CD was the
easiest to get results as the equipment is easy to set up and the methods taken to get results are
basic.
Some improvements that could be made are that some possible sources of error could have been
If the beam of the laser is not positioned at about centre on the CD, the reflected beam would be
in a position on the screen in which results could not be taken, for example, if the laser beam is
positioned too low, the beam of light would be reflected in the horizontal, which would not allow
the track spacing to be calculated.

On my third experiment, one change I made was to use a laser as a light source, rather than a
extended light source. This was due to a lack of equipment as no narrow slits were able, so I
could not focus the light from the extended source onto the hair. Some improvements that could
have been made to this experiment could have been to use an optical bench in order to get more
accurate results. Some possible sources of error for this experiment could have been if the hair
was moved at all during the measurement of the fringe width. As the hair is so small, it is easily
affected by air or any movement nearby. Therefore it is crucial that hair must not move as much
as possible in order to get accurate results.


References
Figure 1: Tyler, F. (1971). A Laboratory Manual of Physics SI Units. Edward Arnold.
Page 74
Page 67
Express, S. (n.d.). Proof of nlambda = dsintheta. Retrieved November 07, 2013, from
www.studentxpress.ie: www.studentxpress.ie/proof1.pdf
Tyler, F. (1971). A Laboratory Manual of Physcis SI Units. Edward Arnold.
University, H. W. (2009/2010). Retrieved October 2013, from
http://physicskyle.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/ah-physics-investigation1.pdf
Page 26

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