TECHNOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF THE PHILIPPINES
363 P. Casal Street, Quiapo, Manila, Philippines
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY 1
CHE21S1
EXPERIMENT NO. 7
MEASUREMENT OF REFRACTIVE INDEX
Submitted By:
ANTENOR, Cherisse Kylene
BALMEO, Ma. May
FRANCIA, Ma. Garcia
2410057 GASTILO, Jan Redmond B.
SAN DIEGO, Harllette Joy
Submitted To:
Engr. Charisse Joy Pescos
Instructor
Date Submitted:
December 11, 2024
Experiment No. 7
Measurement of Refractive Index
I. Objective
I.1. Be able to measure the refractive index solutions.
I.2. Be able to compare the measured values using two methods.
II. Intended Learning Outcomes
The student shall be able to:
II.1. Formulate the relationship between the concentration of the
solution and the refractive index.
II.2. Recognize the passage of refracted beams through different
medium.
III. Discussion
Refractive index is a measure of the extent of bending (refraction) of light as it
passes through a transparent media, either towards or away from the normal.
It is also defined as the ratio of the velocity of a radiation at a particular
frequency in a vacuum to that of a given medium. Shell’s Law governs the
refraction of lights in various media. It states that the sine of the angle of
incidence and the sine of the angle of refraction are constant. Mathematically,
sin θ1
ɳ=
sin θ2
Consider the following:
n1 sine α=n1 sine β
It is observed that when light passes from ales dense medium, like air, to a denser
medium like glass, the beam of light is deflected towards the normal. The extent of
interaction between electromagnetic radiation and the medium through which it passes
is measure of the medium’s refractive index. Mathematically expressed as:
c
ɳ=
v
Water at room temperature has a refractive index of 1.33. This means that radiation
passes through water at a rate of c, 1.33 or light travels 1.33 times slower than it does
on a vacuum. With this, the refractive index different concentrations of different density
can be determined. This will serve as a standard solution. It is however noted that the
refractive index is directly proportional to the concentration of the solution. Thus, if
plotted, a linear plot may be obtained and concentration of unknown solutions can be
obtained by interpolation.
This experiment deals with the measurement of refractive index using refractometer.
Refractive indices of various concentrations of solutions will be determined as standards
for determining concentrations of unknown samples.
IV. Materials
Leica Abbe Mark II Refractometer
Dropper
Test Tube
Sucrose
Ethyl Alcohol
V. Procedure
A. Calibration with Distilled Water
1. Place two to three drops of distilled water on the measuring prism and
let it stand for three minutes to attain stability.
2. Turn the mode selector to the refractive index position.
3. Focus the eyepiece until the crosshair appears clearly.
4. Rotate the adjustment control clockwise until the shadow line meets
the crosshair. Using the dispersion wheel, obtain the sharpest color-
free shadow line.
5. Press the read button and record the temperature and the refractive
index.
6. If the instrument is properly calibrated, the reading should be 1.3330 or
less 0.0001 for each degree above 20˚ C.
B. Measurement of Refractive Index of Solutions
1. Prepare solutions for ethyl alcohol and sucrose to make solutions with
concentrations 10% to 90% in 10% interval.
2. Before replacing each solution to be tested, clean the prism surface by
two drops of distilled water and wipe with clean cloth.
3. Obtain an unknown sample from your instructor and determine the
refractive index.
VI. Data and Results
I. Calibration using Distilled Water
Distilled Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Average
Water
Temperature ˚ 20 20 20 0
C
Refractive 0 0 0 0
Index
II. Measurement of Refractive Index solutions
LIQUID
CONCENTRATION REFRACTIVE TEMPERATURE REFRACTIVE TEMPERATURE
S INDEX INDEX
10% 2.75 31 1.5 31
20% 3 31 1.41 31
30% 3.5 31 1.38 31
40% 3.8 31 1.36 31
50% 4.3 31 1.32 31
60% 4.7 31 1.3 31
70% 5.3 31 1.25 31
80% 5.7 31 1.22 31
95% 6 31 1.1 31
VII. Questions
1. What are the possible sources of error in the experiment?
First possible sources of error are instrumental error and human error wherein
there’ll be an improper calibration of the instrument used in the experiment.
Next one is, variable error, wherein the temperature is affecting the result of
the experiment.
2. What is the effect of concentration on the refractive indices of solutions?
3. Light travels from air into an optical fiber with an index of refraction of 1.44.
a. In which direction does light bend?
b. If the angle of incidence on the end of the fiber is 22˚ , what is the
angle of refraction inside the fiber?
c. Sketch the path of light as it changes media.
4. Light travelling through an optical fiber (n=1.44) reaches the end of the fiber
and exits into air.
a. If the angle of incidence on the end of the fiber is 30˚ , what is the
angle of refraction outside the fiber?
b. How would you answer be different if the angle of incidence were 50˚ ?
5. Calculate the sodium line at 589nm in an aqueous solution with a refractive
index of 1.35.
VIII. Conclusion
IX. Furter Readings
X. Assessment (Rubric for Laboratory Performance)
Technological Institute of the Philippines
Rubrics for Laboratory Performance
Criteria Beginner Acceptable Proficient Score
1 2 3
I. Laboratory Skills
Manipulative Members do not Members Members always
Skills demonstrate occasionally demonstrate
needed skills. demonstrate needed skills.
needed skills.
Experimental Members are Members are Members are
Set-up unable to set-up able to set-up able to set-up the
the materials. the materials material with
with minimum
supervision. supervision.
Process skills Members do not Members Members always
demonstrate occasionally demonstrate
targeted process demonstrate targeted process
skills. targeted skills.
process skills.
Safety Members do not Members Members follow
Precautions follow safety follow safety safety
precautions. precautions precautions at all
most of the times.
time.
II. Work Habits
Time Members do not Members Members finish
management / finish on time with finish on time ahead of time
Conduct of incomplete data. with with complete
Experiment incomplete data and time to
data. revise data.
Cooperative and Members do not Members have Members are on
Teamwork know their tasks defined tasks and have
and have no responsibilities defined
defined most of the responsibilities at
responsibilities. time. Group all times. Group
Group conflicts conflicts are conflicts are
have to be settled cooperatively cooperatively
by the teacher. managed most managed at all
of the time. times.
Neatness and Messy workplace Clean and Clean and
Orderliness during and after the orderly orderly
experiment. workplace with workplace at all
occasional times during and
mess during after the
and after the experiment.
experiment.
Ability to do Members require Members Members do not
independent supervision by the require need to be
work teacher. occasional supervised by
supervision by the teacher.
the teacher.
Other
comments /
Observations:
