DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION

ANDHRA PRADESH
Name : J Srinivasa Rao
Designation : Lecturer
Branch : D.A.E.I.E
Institute : Govt. Polytechnic, Kothagudem
Year/Semester : VI Sem
Subject : Analytical Instrumentation
Subject Code : AEI-603
Topic : Analysers
Duration : 100 Min
Sub Topic : Refractometer
Teaching Aids : PPT, Pictures
AE-603.15 To 16 1
 Objectives

On completion of this period you will be able to

know about
• Principle of refractometer

• Construction and Working

• Applications of Refractometers

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 Recap

In the previous topics we had studied about

• The concept of fluorescence

• Construction and working of a Spectrofluriometer

• Application of spectrofluriometer

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 Refraction

Definition
• When a ray of light passes obliquely from one medium
into another medium of different density, its direction is
changed in passing through the surface. This is called
refraction.
• The ratio of angle of incidence sin i and angle of
refraction sin r is called index of refraction η.

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Refractive index

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Refractometer

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Refractometer

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Abbe Refractometer

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 Expression

Index of refraction is given by

sin i
η=
sin r

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 Principle of Refractometer
• The index of refraction for two given media varies with
the temperature, wavelength of light and pressure.

• If these factors are kept constant, the index of refraction

is a constant for a particular medium.

• Refractive Index is used to determine the purity of a

substance and for determining the composition of
homogeneous binary mixtures of known constituents.
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Construction and working of Refractometer
• Refractometers determine the index of refraction by
measuring the position of critical ray.

• A glass prism is dipped into the liquid sample in a small

beaker.

• The position of the critical ray emerging from the prism

is read by a fixed telescope with a graduated scale
mounted at one focal point.

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 APPLICATIONS
• To measure the concentration of aqueous and
alcoholic solutions.

• To determine the composition of NaCl and KCL

• In physiological chemistry to determine globulins,

albumens, non albuminous constituents etc.

• To distinguish the substances with same boiling points

such as halogenated hydrocarbons.
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 Summary
• The ratio of angle of incidence sin i and angle of
refraction sin r is called index of refraction η.
• Index of refraction η =
sin i
sin r
• The index of refraction for two given media varies with
the temperature, wavelength of light and pressure.
• If these factors are kept constant, the index of refraction
is a constant for a particular medium and is used to
determine the purity of a substance.

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 Quiz

1) The index of refraction is given by

a. η = Sin r/Sin I
b. η = sin i/sin r
c. Δb=b(η-ηo)
d. None of the above

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2) The index of refraction is dependent on
a. Temperature
b. Wavelength
c. Pressure
d. All of the above

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 Frequently asked Questions

1) Explain what is meant by refractive index?

2) Explain the principle construction and working of

Refractometer.

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