Analysis of Prism Material Refractive Index Based on Color Spectrum Using a Spectrometer

Nurvadillah Angraini. A; Nurhandayani Nurhandayani; Nurul Amalia Aris; Rosita Rosita; Yusnita Sari

doi:10.26877/lpt.v5i2.423

Authors

Nurvadillah Angraini. A Department of Physics Education, STKIP Darud Da’wah wal Irsyad Pinrang Author https://orcid.org/0009-0002-5472-3442
Nurhandayani Nurhandayani Department of Physics Education, STKIP Darud Da’wah wal Irsyad Pinrang, Author https://orcid.org/0009-0004-9531-6610
Nurul Amalia Aris Department of Physics Education, STKIP Darud Da’wah wal Irsyad Pinrang Author https://orcid.org/0009-0004-5461-2771
Rosita Rosita Department of Physics Education, STKIP Darud Da’wah wal Irsyad Pinrang Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1548-3848
Yusnita Sari Department of Physics, Universitas Halu Oleo Author https://orcid.org/0009-0004-5070-0010

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26877/lpt.v5i2.423

Keywords:

index of refraction, optics, prism, spectrometer, waves

Abstract

Determining the refractive index of prisms using a spectrometer generally focuses only on basic measurement procedures without analyzing the relationship between minimum deviation, light dispersion, and sources of measurement error. In addition, studies that integrate the determination of refractive index, dispersion curves, and evaluation of scale reading accuracy in a single experiment are still limited. This study aims to determine the refractive index of a solid prism materials using the minimum deviation method and to analyze the phenomenon of light dispersion based on the resulting color spectrum. The method used is a laboratory experiment with a prism spectrometer and a mercury (Hg) polychromatic light source, with a prism apex angle of 60°. Measurements were taken on the yellow (λ = 5770 Å), green (λ = 5461 Å), and purple (λ = 4047 Å) color spectra through readings of the main scale and vernier scale, then analyzed quantitatively using the minimum deviation equation and dispersion curve. The novelty of this study lies in the integration of minimum deviation analysis, light dispersion, and measurement error evaluation in a single series of spectrometer experiments. The results of the study show that the mean prism refractive indices are n = 1.6384 (yellow), n = 1.6218 (green), and n = 1.6872 (purple), respectively, consistent with the refractive index range of dense flint glass and confirming the wavelength dependence of the refractive index. This study proves that prism spectrometers are effective in determining refractive indices and characterizing the optical properties of materials experimentally and can serve as an effective contextual experimental model for physics education.

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