NEWTON'S RING

NAME:- YASH AGARWAL ROLL NO.- 1805314

What is Newton's ring?
• It is an
interference
pattern caused by
the reflection of light
between two
surfaces -- a
spherical surface
and an adjacent flat
surface
 INTERFERENCE

• Interference is a phenomenon in
which two waves superimpose to
form a resultant wave of greater,
lower, or the same amplitude

• Interference occurs between the

two waves that interfere
constructively if path difference
between them is (m+1/2) and
destructively if path difference
between them is m
 when viewed bymonochromatic
light...

• A series of
concentric,
alternating bright
and dark rings
centered at the point
of contact between
the two surfaces
whenviewedbywhitelight...

• Concentric ring
pattern of rainbow
colors because the
different wavelengths
of light interfere at
different thicknesses
of the air layer
between the
surfaces
otherobservations
• light rings = constructive
interference between light
rays reflected from both
surfaces
• dark rings = destructive
interference
• Also, the outer rings are
spaced more closely than
the inner ones.
Diagram
When a plano-convex lens with its convex surface is
placed on a plane glass sheet, an air film of gradually
increasing thickness outward is formed between the
lens and the sheet. The thickness of film at the point
of contact is zero.
what reallyhappens
• Formation: Newton's rings are formed due to interference
between the light waves reflected from the top and bottom
surfaces of the air film formed between the lens and glass sheet.

• Explanation of Phenomenon: (on basis of wave theory of light)

1.An air film of varying thickness is formed between

the lens and the glass sheet.

2.When a light ray is incident on the upper surface of

the lens, it is reflected as well as refracted.

3.When the refracted ray strikes the glass sheet, it

undergoes a phase change of 180O on reflection.
 continued...
• R - radius of curvature
of convex lens

• r - radius of ring

• l - wavelength of light

• After reflection and refraction, two rays 1 and 2 are obtained.

• These rays interfere each other producing alternate bright and dark
rings. At the point of contact, the thickness of air film and the path
difference both = 0. As a 180O path difference occurs, they cancel each
other and a dark ring is obtained at the centre.
derivation of the formula
• As we move away from the
central point, path difference is
also changed and alternate dark
and bright rings are obtained.

't' is the thickness of air film is 't'.

From the property of circle,

derivation of theformula
2t = (m+1/2) ___

For first bright ring m = 0

For second bright ring m = 1

For third bright ring m = 2

For Nth bright ring m = N-1

Putting the value of m in equation 2

2t = (N-1/2)

t =1/2 (N-1/2)  

Putting the value of 't' in equation 1

Major
Formula:
This is the expression for the radius of Nth bright ring where:

rn = radius of Nth bright ring

N = Ring number
R = radius of curvature of lens
 = Wave length of light
 moreonthe theoryinvolved
• Since the slope of the
convex lens surface
increases outwards,
separation of the rings gets
smaller for the outer rings.
For surfaces which are not
convex, the fringes will not
be rings but will have other
shapes.
 supplements forlearning
• http://scienceworld.wolfram.com/physics/Newtons
R

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PU-SeNfIRcs

• http://www.citycollegiate.com/newtons_rings.htm