CBSE SAMPLE QUESTION PAPER

(Issued by CBSE on 8th September, 2023)

(ADDITIONAL PRACTICE QUESTIONS)
Class-XII Session : 2023-24
PHYSICS THEORY (042)
Time Allowed : 3 hours Maximum Marks : 70

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS:
Read the following instructions carefully and strictly follow them:
1. There are 33 questions in all. All questions are compulsory.
2. This question paper has five sections: Section A, Section B, Section C, Section D, and Section E.
3. All the sections are compulsory.
4. Section A contains sixteen questions, twelve MCQ and four Assertion Reasoning based of 1 mark each, Section B contains
five questions of two marks each, Section C contains seven questions of three marks each, Section D contains two case study
based questions of four marks each and Section E contains three long answer questions of five marks each.
5. There is no overall choice. However, an internal choice has been provided in one question in Section B, one question in
Section C, one question in each CBQ in Section D and all three questions in Section E. You have to attempt only one of the
choices in such questions.
6. Use of calculators is not allowed.

SECTION – A
Select and write one most appropriate option out of the four options given for each of the questions 1-20:

1. An electric dipole having a dipole moment of 4 × 10–9 C m is placed in a uniform electric field such that the dipole is in
stable equilibrium. If the magnitude of the electric field is 3 × 103 N/C, what is the work done in rotating the dipole to
a position of unstable equilibrium? 
(a) zero (b) 1.2 × 10–5J
–5
(c) 2.4 × 10 J (d) – 1.2 × 10–5J
Sol. (c) 2.4 × 10 –5 J (1 M)
–7
2. An infinite line of charge has a linear charge density of 10 C/m. What will be the magnitude of the force acting on an
alpha particle placed at a distance of 4 cm from the line of charge?
(a) 14.4 × 10–15 N (b) 7.2 × 10–15 N
4
(c) 4.5 × 10 N (d) 9 × 104 N
Sol. (a) 14.4 × 10 –15 N (1 M)
 3. The graph below shows the variation of the maximum kinetic energy of the emitted photoelectron with the frequency
of the incident radiation for a given metal.

Photoelectrons kinetic energy (J)

Light frequency (Hz)

Which of the following gives the work function of the metal?
(a) x-intercept (b) y-intercept
(c) the slope of the graph (d) the area under the graph
Sol. (b) y-intercept (1 M)
4. When an electron in an atom moves from the ground state to a higher energy level what happens to its kinetic and
potential energies?
kinetic energy potential energy
(a) increases Increases
(b) increases Decreases
(c) decreases Increases
(d) decreases Decreases
Sol. (c)  (1 M)
kinetic energy potential energy
decreases increases
5. Two long and straight current-carrying wires, P and Q are placed parallel to each other separated by a distance of 10 cm.
A wire ‘R’ of length 8 cm and carrying a current of 4 A is placed between the two wires P and Q as shown below.

10A F I
net 4A

4 cm R 6 cm

P 10 cm Q
If the wire R, experiences a net force towards wire P, then which of the following is definitely TRUE about the
current ‘I’ in wire Q?
(a) Current I cannot be in the upward direction.
(b) Current I can have any magnitude greater than 0 A in the upward direction.
(c) Current I cannot have a magnitude of more than 15 A in the upward direction.
(d) Current I cannot have a magnitude of more than 10 A in the upward direction.

78 PHYSICS – XII P
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 Sol. (c) Current I cannot have a magnitude of more than 15 A in the upward direction. (1 M)
6. A rod when suspended in a uniform magnetic field aligns itself perpendicular to the magnetic field as shown below. 

N S
X


Which of the following statements is/are true for the rod?

(P) Every atom in the rod, has a zero magnetic moment.

(Q) The rod is attracted when taken near the poles of a strong magnet.

(R) The relative permeability of the material of the rod is slightly less than 1.

(S) The susceptibility of the material of the rod is directly proportional to temperature.
(a) only Q (b) only P and R (c) only Q and S (d) only R and S
Sol. (b) only P and R (1 M)
7. Three students construct a solenoid of length 35 cm. They are each given insulated copper wire of the same length. The
table below lists some details about the solenoids made by them.

Magnetic field produced Radius of solenoid Core of solenoid

Student 1 B1 3 cm air
Student 2 B2 3 cm iron
Student 3 B3 6 cm air

Compare the magnetic field produced by the solenoids made by the three students.
(a) B1=B3<B2 (b) B3<B1<B2 (c) B1<B2<B3 (d) B1=B2>B3
Sol. (b) B3 < B1 < B2 (1 M)
8. A charged particle ‘+q’ having a mass ‘m’ moves in a uniform electric and magnetic field. In which of the following
scenarios will the path of the charged particle be linear and described by the velocity time graph shown below?
Velocity

O Time
(a) E ⊥ B ⊥ velocity of the particle
(b) E || B and the particle is initially at rest
(c) E || B and the particle has an initial velocity along the electric field
(d) E ⊥ B and the particle has an initial velocity along the electric field
Sol. (c) E || B and the particle has an initial velocity along the electric field (1 M)

CBSE Sample Question Paper 79

 9. A pure resistor is connected to an AC power source as shown below. 

Which of the following statement(s) is/are TRUE?

I. The average current flowing through the circuit during one full cycle is zero.
II. The current in the resistor leads the voltage by π/2.
III. The average power dissipated by the resistor is zero.
(a) only I (b) only I and II (c) only II and III (d) all - I, II and III
Sol. (a) only I (1 M)
10. At what rate does the electric field change between the plates of a square capacitor of side 5 cm, if the plates are spaced
1.2 mm apart and the voltage across them is changing at a rate of 60 V/s? 
(a) 7.2 × 10–2 Vm–1s–1 (b) 30 × 10–1 Vm–1s–1 (c) 12 × 102 Vm–1s–1 (d) 5 × 104 Vm–1s–1
Sol. (d) 5 × 104 Vm–1s–1 (1 M)
11. Three loops as shown below move into the magnetic field with a velocity v. 
V
× × × × ×
× × × × ×
loop P × × × × ×

× × × × ×
× × × × ×

loop Q × × × × ×

× × × × ×
× × × × ×
loop R
× × × × ×
× × × × ×
Magnetic field
In which loop(s) will the induced emf be the largest at the instant when the loops enter the magnetic field?
(a) only P (b) only Q (c) only P and Q (d) only Q and R
Sol. (a) only P (1 M)
12. The emission spectrum of an element is the spectrum of frequencies of em radiations emitted due to electrons making a
transition from a higher energy state to a lower energy state.
The diagram below shows electrons transitioning from higher energy states to lower energy states.
Which of the following spectrums most closely corresponds to the above transitions?

80 PHYSICS – XII P
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 (a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

frequency 
Sol. (b) 

For Questions 13 to 16, two statements are given –one labelled Assertion (A) and other labelled Reason (R). Select
the correct answer to these questions from the options as given below.
(a) Assertion and Reason are true and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.
(b) Assertion and Reason are true but Reason is NOT the correct explanation of Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true but Reason is false.
(d) Both Assertion and Reason are false. (1 M)
13. Assertion (A): The work function of a given material increases with an increase in the frequency of the incident
radiation.
Reason (R): As per Einstein's photoelectric equation hν = φ + KE, work function φ is directly proportional to the
frequency ν of the incident radiation.
Sol. (d) Both Assertion and Reason are false. (1 M)
14. Assertion (A): The conductivity of intrinsic semiconductors increases with an increase in temperature.
Reason (R): Increase in temperature decreases the average time between collisions of electrons.
Sol. (b) Assertion and Reason are true but Reason is NOT the correct explanation of Assertion. (1 M)
15. Assertion (A): The direction of the electric field is always perpendicular to the equipotential surface.
Reason (R): Work is done by the electric force in moving a charge between any two points on an equipotential surface
is zero.
Sol. (a) Both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation for assertion. (1 M)
16. Assertion (A): If the focal length of two convex lenses is the same, the lens with the larger diameter will produce
brighter images.
Reason (R): Convex lenses with larger diameters are able to focus light better.
Sol. (c) Assertion is true but Reason is false. (1 M)

CBSE Sample Question Paper 81

 SECTION – B

ARE VERY SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

17. The graph shows the variation in hole concentration with doping concentration in an extrinsic semiconductor doped with
pentavalent impurities.
×107
2.5

2
Hole concentration, cm–3

1.5

0.5

0
1013 1014 1015 1016 1017 1018
–3
Doping concentration cm

Why does the hole concentration reduce when pentavalent doping is increased?
Sol. When an intrinsic semiconductor is doped with pentavalent impurities, the number of electrons increases much more
than the thermally produced electrons.

This causes the thermally generated holes to recombine with the electrons generated, thereby decreasing the number of
holes.

As the doping concentration increases, more electrons are produced, causing more electron-hole recombination and
hence hole concentration decreases (2 M)
18. λα and λp are the wavelengths associated with a moving alpha particle and a proton respectively.

Obtain the relation between velocities of the two particles for which,
(a) λα > λp (b) λα = λp
Sol. (a) λα > λp
h
λp =
m p v p
h
λα =
mα vα

Since, ma = 4mp
h
λα =

4m p vα

For, λα > λp
h h
>
4m p vα m p v p
vp > 4vα

For the above condition of vp > 4vα, λα will be greater than λp.

82 PHYSICS – XII P
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(0.5 marks for writing the expression for λ, 0.5 marks for writing the relationship between the masses of the two
particles, and 0.5 marks for final velocity relation.)

(b) λα = λp
For,
λα = λp
h h
=
4m v mpvp
p α
vp = 4vα


For the above condition of vp = 4vα, λα will be equal to λp.

(0.5 marks for final velocity relation.) (2 M)
19. Compare the focal lengths of the two lenses shown below if the radius of curvature of the curved surface is the same in
both lenses.

R R

plano plano
concave convex 
Sol. Lens maker's formula
1  1 1 
= ( n21 − 1)  − 
f  R1 R2 


For the plano-concave lens,
1  1 1
= ( n21 − 1)  − 
f  −R ∞ 
1
R
f1 = −
n21 − 1


For the plano-convex lens,
1 1 1 
= ( n21 − 1)  − 
f2  ∞ − R

R
f2 =
n21 − 1
 (2 M)
f1 : f2 = –1:1
20. (a) Two copper wires, P and Q of the same area of cross-section are joined in parallel. The combination of wires is
connected across a battery of potential difference V. If the length of the wires, P and Q are in the ratio 1:2, find the ratio
of drift velocities of electrons in wires P and Q.
Sol. (a) Since the wires are connected in parallel, the potential difference 'V' across both wires will be the same.
The wires have the same resistivity ρ
Let the length of wires P and Q be L1 and L2 respectively.
Let the drift velocities electrons in wires P and Q be vd1 and vd2 respectively.
I = neAvd

CBSE Sample Question Paper 83


vd - drift velocity

L1/L2 = 1/2

V = RI = (ρL/A) I

For wire P:

V = (ρL1/A) neAvd1 ....(i)

For wire Q:

V = (ρL2/A) neAvd2 ....(ii)

Equating (i) and (ii)

L1vd1 = L2vd2

vd1/vd2 = L2/L1

vd1/vd2 = 2/1

Hence, the ratio of drift velocities of electrons in wires P and Q is 2:1. (2 M)
21. The image below shows a setup of a device that is used to increase the diameter of a light beam from a laser.
Lens 2

Lens 1

f1 f2

Show how a combination of a convex and a concave lens can also be arranged to increase the diameter of a light beam.
Your answer should include how the two lenses should be arranged and the distance between the two lenses. (Note that
the rays in both the incident and emergent beam are parallel.) 
Sol. Concave lens should be placed before the convex lens. 
The distance between the lenses should be f2-f1, where f2 is the focal length of the convex lens and f1 is the focal length
of the concave lens.
Lens 2

Lens 1

f1

f2

(1 mark for drawing the concave lens before the convex lens. 1 mark for marking the focal lengths correctly.) (2 M)

84 PHYSICS – XII P
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 OR

A glass beaker of height 10 cm, completely filled with water (refractive index = 4/3), has a curved bottom which is
silvered as shown below.
Observer
in air

5 cm
10 cm

Coin

Water

A plastic coin remains submerged in water at a depth of 5 cm from the top of the beaker. An observer sees the coin in
the water and its image in the mirror. If the image formed by the curved mirror is seen by the observer at a distance of
15 cm from the surface of the water, what is the focal length of the curved surface? (Assume the silvered curved surface
acts as a spherical mirror.)
Sol. Apparent depth of image = 15 cm
Real depth = n × apparent depth = 4/3 × 15 = 20 cm
For the concave mirror, u = – 5 cm, v = 20 – 10 cm
1 1 1
= +
f v u
1 1 1
= +
f 10 −5


f = –10 cm (2 M)
SECTION – C
Q. No. 22 to 28 are Short Answer Questions.
22. Identify if the two nuclear reactions mentioned below are endothermic or exothermic. Show your calculations.

1 7 4 
1 p + 3 Li → 2 
He 
 2 
7 4 1 10
3 Li + 2 He → n+ B
0 5

Use the information below to answer the question:
1
1 p = 1.00728 amu

7
3 Li = 7.0160 amu
4
2 He = 4.0026 amu

1
0 n = 1.0087 amu
10
5 B = 10.01294 amu 

CBSE Sample Question Paper 85

 Sol. For the first reaction

mass of reactants = 1.00728 + 7.0160 = 8.12328 amu

mass of products = 2 × 4.0026 = 8.0052

mass of reactants > mass of products

Hence, the reaction is exothermic.

For the second reaction

mass of reactants = 7.0160 + 4.0026= 11.0186 amu

mass of products = 1.0087 + 10.1294 = 11.1381

mass of reactants < mass of products

Hence, the reaction is endothermic. (3 M)
23. X and Y are two equipotential surfaces separated by a distance of 2 m in a uniform electric field of 10 V/m. Surface X
has a potential of 10 V

(a) Calculate the potential of surface Y.

(b) What is the work done in moving a +2 C charge from surface Y to surface X along path 1? How will this work change
when the charge is moved along Path 2? Give a reason for your answer.

Path 1

Y X E

2m
10 v Path 2
Vg

Sol. (a) Given E = 10 V/m

Vx = 10 V
Δr=2m
 
| ∆V |= E ⋅ ∆r

= 10 × 2 = 20 V
Since, the potential decreases in the direction of the electric field, the potential at surface Y will be more than the
potential at surface X.
V = 20 + 10 = 30V
(b) Given: q = 2 C
Work done in moving charge from Y to X along Path 1 = (Vx – Vy)q
W = (10 – 30) × 2
W = –20 × 2 = – 40 J
Work done in moving charge along Path 2 will be the same as work done along Path 1.
This is because the work done between two surfaces is independent of the path since the force acting on the charge
is conservative in nature. (3 M)

86 PHYSICS – XII P
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 24. (a) Compare the de Broglie wavelength associated with the electron in the third orbit to the circumference of the orbit.

(b) In which of the following will the electrons have the same de Broglie wavelength?

(i) Third orbit of He atom

(ii) Fourth orbit of He atom

(iii) Third orbit of Li atom

(iv) Sixth orbit of Be atom

Show your calculations.
Sol. (a) λ = 2πr/n
If n = 3,
λ = circumference /3
(b) λ = 2πr/n
Since r ∝ n2/Z
λ ∝ n/Z
(i) For the third orbit of He atom,
n/Z = 3/2
(ii) For the fourth orbit of He atom,
n/Z = 4/2 = 2
(iii) For the third orbit of Li atom
n/Z = 3/3 = 1
(iv) For the sixth orbit of Be atom
n/Z = 6/4 = 3/2
(1 mark for correct calculation of all n/Z)
Therefore, an electron in the third orbit of He atom will have the same de Broglie wavelength as the electron in the
sixth orbit of Be atom.
(Full marks will be awarded if calculations are done based on velocity of electrons.) (3 M)

25. Using Kirchhoff's laws, calculate the current flowing through 4 Ω, 1 Ω, and 2 Ω resistors in the circuit shown below.

4W 1W
P Q R

2W

10V
6V

S 
Sol.
l1 4W 1W l2 + l2
P Q R

2W

10V l2
6V

CBSE Sample Question Paper 87

 By using Kirchhoff's second law for closed-loop PQS we get
– 4I1+ 2I2 + 10 = 0
4I1 – 2I2 = 10
2I1 – I2= 5 ....(i)
By using Kirchhoff's second law for closed-loop QRS we get
– (I1 + I2)1 + 6 - 2I2 =0
I1 + 3I2 = 6 .....(ii)
solving (i) and (ii), we get
7I1 = 21
∴I1= 21/7 = 3 A
I2= 1 A
I1 + I2 = 3 + 1 = 4 A
Therefore, the current across 4 Ω resistor is 3 A, across 2 Ω resistor is 1 A, and across 1 Ω resistor is 4 A. (3 M)
26. Two charges A and B, each having a velocity of v, traverse circular paths in a uniform magnetic field as shown below.

× × × rB × ×

× × × × ×
rA
Path of B
× × × × ×
Path of A
× × × × ×

× × × × ×
(a) Compare the charge-to-mass ratio of the two particles A and B. Show the necessary mathematical calculations.
(b) Which of the two particles is likely to be a proton if the other is an alpha particle? Give reason.
Sol. (a) For a charged particle executing a circular path, θ = 90°
∴ F = qvB
Since the charged particle executes a circular path
mv2/r = qvB
q/m = v/rB
Since, v and B are constant for both the particles, q/m ∝ 1/r
q/m: charge-to-mass ratio
As rB > rA, particle A has a greater charge-to-mass ratio than B. (1 mark)
(b) A proton has a greater charge-to-mass ratio than an alpha particle.
Hence, particle A is likely to be a proton. (3 M)
27. (a) A radio wave and an infrasonic wave have the same wavelength when travelling through air. Are their frequencies
the same or different? Give a reason for your answer.
(b) An electromagnetic wave traveling east has a magnetic field that oscillates vertically and has a frequency of 60 kHz
and an rms strength of 8 × 10−9T. Determine the frequency and the rms strength of the electric field. What is the direction
of the electric field?
Sol. (a) Their frequencies will be different.
A radio wave is an EM wave and an infrasonic wave is a sound wave. Since they have different speeds in air, their
frequencies are different.
(or) f = v/λ ; since they have different speeds in air, they will have different frequencies.
(1 mark for the correct answer. No marks will be awarded if reason is not written.)
(b) Frequency of electric field = frequency of magnetic field = 60 kHz

88 PHYSICS – XII P
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Erms = c Brms
Erms = 3 × 108 × 8 × 10–9 = 2.4 V/m


(1 mark for the correct answer with the unit. Accept any correct unit.)

Direction of electric field - along the horizontal north-south line. (3 M)
28. A circular ring of diameter 0.2 m is placed in a uniform magnetic field of 0.4 T. The ring is rotated about its diameter at
a frequency of 60 Hz.
(a) If the ring has 50 turns, then what is the maximum induced emf in the ring?
(b) State one condition under which the induced emf in the circular ring will be zero? 
Sol. (a) Maximum induced emf = N × B × A × ω
where, N = 50, B = 0.4 T, ω = 2πf = 2 × π × 60, r = d/2 = 0.2/2 = 0.1 m
Therefore, A = πr2 = π × (0.1)2
Substituting we get,
emax = 50 × 0.4 × (3.14 × 0.1 × 0.1) × (2 × 3.14 × 60) = 236.63 V
(0.5 marks each for the substitution and final answer.)
(b) if the ring is rotated about its axis
or
the ring is translated in the magnetic field
(1 mark for any one correct answer)
[Accept any other valid correct answer.] (3 M)
OR
Given below are a few characteristics of solenoids p and q.
solenoid p solenoid q
length of the solenoid l (m) l (m)
number of turns (N) 200 50
cross-sectional area of the wire A (m2) A (m2)
relative permeability of the core material 1 500
self-inductance 2 (mH) ?
What is the self-inductance of the solenoid q?
 µo µ r N p2 Ap   µ × 1× (200) 2 × A 
Sol. Lp =  = 0 
 lp   l 
 µ µ N 2 A   µ × 500 × (50) 2 × A 
Lq =  o r q q  =  0 
 Iq   l 

 L p   2002 
  =  2
 Lq   500 × 50 
= 0.032
Therefore,
 Lp   2 
Lq =   =
 0.032   0.032 

Lq = 62.5mH
(1 mark for correct formula. 0.5 marks for substitution. 0.5 mark for the calculation. 1 mark for the correct answer) (3 M)

CBSE Sample Question Paper 89

 SECTION – D

ARE LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

29. Read the following paragraph and answer the questions that follow.
For most mobile devices, the voltage to recharge the battery is typically 5 volts of direct current. In India, the current
supplied to our homes is alternating current at 220V and at a frequency of 50 Hz. Fatima designed a simplified version
of a mobile phone charger. She made a circuit using a centre tap transformer and two similar silicon diodes D1 and D2
as shown below. Study the diagram below and answer the questions that follow.
A D1

220 V AC
Power Battery of
50 HZ a phone
supply

B D2

(a) Can Fatima also charge the battery of a phone by connecting the battery directly to the ac power supply? Give
reason.

(b) The graph of the potential barrier (V) vs width of the depletion region (x), when D1 is unbiased at room temperature,
is shown below.
V(x)

0.7 V

Plot a comparative graph of the potential barrier (V) vs width of the depletion region (x) of D1 at room temperature when
the voltage at A is negative with respect to voltage at centre tap. Give reason. 
Sol. (a) No, Fatima cannot charge the battery of a phone by connecting it directly to ac power supply.
The mobile devices require a 5V DC to get charged. Connecting the battery directly to 220V ac power supply will
cause an excess flow of current produces a large amount of heat which can destroy the phone.
(b) D1 is reverse biased, hence the width of its depletion region increases, and the potential barrier also increases.
V(x)

> 0.7 V

 (4 M)

OR
If the battery of the phone is directly connected to the output terminals of the secondary coil of the transformer,
will it get charged? Justify your answer. (c) What will be the output frequency across the phone's battery when the
orientation of D2 is reversed in fig. 1 and the centre-tapped three-output transformer is replaced by a two-output
step-down transformer? Justify your answer.

90 PHYSICS – XII P
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 Sol. The secondary coil of the transformer provides alternating current. Hence if the battery of the phone is directly connected
to the output terminals of the transformer, for one-half cycle the battery will get charged and for the next half, it will get
discharged.

Hence, the charging of the battery will not take place.

(c) Both D1 and D2 will be forward-biased for one-half of the cycle of ac voltage and reverse-biased for the next half cycle.

Hence, the combination of D1 and D2 behaves as a half-wave rectifier.

Thus only one-half of the ac voltage gets rectified in a cycle.

Hence, the frequency of output voltage will be 50 Hz. (4 M)
30. Read the following paragraph and answer the questions that follow.
When light rays fall on glass, about 4% of the light gets reflected. To eliminate this reflection, the glass display cases
in museums usually have an anti-reflective coating.
This works on the principle of interference. When light falls on the coated glass, the light gets reflected from the top
and bottom surfaces of the coating and these two reflected light rays can interfere. To reduce reflection, the thickness
and refractive index of the coating are adjusted such that the light rays undergo destructive interference.
incident
light 1 2

n1
P
t
n2
Coating

n2

Glass

Reflected light undergoes a 180° phase shift when it falls on a denser medium from a rarer medium and no phase shift
when it falls on a rarer medium from a denser medium. (Note: The thickness of coating is much less than the glass.)
To answer the questions below, consider a monochromatic light of wavelength λ incident on the coating of thickness t
at a small angle of incidence and n1<n2<n3. Also Consider PQ ≈ t.

(i) Which of the following occurs, if there is no coating on the glass?
(a) The object behind the case looks distorted.
(b) The colours of the object behind the glass case appear dull.
(c) A reflection of the objects in front of the glass case is seen on the case.
(d) Multiple reflections of the object behind the glass case are seen on the case

(ii) What is the path difference between rays 1 and 2? (Consider PQ ≈ t.)
(a) t (b) 2t (c) λ (d) 2 λ
(iii)For what minimum thickness of the coating, do the two rays 1 and 2 undergo destructive interference? (Remember
the wavelength of the light ray changes as it moves from one media to another.)
(a) n2 λ/2 (b) n2 λ/4 (c) λ/(2n2) (d) λ/(4n2)
Sol. (i) c. A reflection of the objects in front of the glass case is seen on the case.
(ii) b. 2t
(iii) d. λ/4n2 (4 M)

CBSE Sample Question Paper 91

 OR
For what minimum thickness of the coating, do the two rays 1 and 2 undergo constructive interference? (Remember
the wavelength of the light ray changes as it moves from one media to another.)
(a) n2 λ (b) n2 λ/2 (c) λ/(n2) (d) λ/(2n2)
(iv) If the material of the coating is changed such that n2 > n3, what will be the additional path difference compared to the
path difference identified in question (b)?
(a) t (b) π
(c) λ/2 (d) (There will be NO additional path difference.)
Sol. D. λ/2n2

(iv) λ/2 (4 M)
31. (a) A ray of light is incident at angle θ on a right-angled prism at point X. At point Y, it emerges along the prism surface.
Calculate the refractive index of the prism in terms of the incident angle.
Air

q
X Y

(b) Show that for an equilateral prism kept in air, minimum deviation occurs when the angle of incidence i = sin-1(n/2),

where n is the refractive index of the material of the prism.
Sol. (a) Air

q
r1 r2

At the 1st surface, using Snell's law

sin θ = n sin r1
sin r1 = sin θ/n
r2 = A – r1 = 90 – r1
At the second interface,
sin r2 = sin 90/n
sin r2 = 1/n
sin (90 - r1) = 1/n
cos r1 = 1/n
Squaring both sides
cos2r1 = 1/n2
1 – sin2r1 = 1/n2
1 – (sin2θ/n2) = 1/n2
Solving, n = √(1 + sin2θ)

92 PHYSICS – XII P
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 (b) For an equilateral prism A = 60°
Using Snell's law at the first surface,
sin i = n sin r
At minimum deviation r = A/2 = 60/2 = 30°
sin i = n sin(30)
sin i = n(1/2)
i = sin–1(n/2)  (5 M)

OR
(a) A Young’s double slit setup is illuminated with monochromatic light. If the intensity of light passing through one of
the slits is reduced, explain the changes that can be seen in the appearance of the bright and dark fringes?
(b) (i) A single slit diffraction setup is illuminated with green light of wavelength 500 nm. If the width of the slit is
1 mm and the screen is 2 m away from the slits, calculate the width of the central maximum.
(ii) What will happen to the width of the central maximum, if the green light is replaced with the red light? Give a
reason for your answer.
(c) A student wishes to study the diffraction of sound using the single slit setup. He replaces the light source with a
sound source. What other change should he do to study the diffraction pattern?
Sol. (a) The bright fringes will appear less bright because the intensity of light from one of the slits is reduced.
The dark fringes will appear less dark/brighter because the intensity of light from the two slits is not the same and
the intensities do not completely cancel each other out.
(b) (i) λ = 500 nm = 500 × 10–9 m; D = 2 m; d = 1 mm = 1 × 10–3 m
Width of central maximum = 2λD/d
= 2 × 500 × 10–9 × 2/(1 × 10–3) = 2 mm
(ii) Since the wavelength of red light is more the green light and the width of the central maximum is directly
proportional to wavelength, the width of the central maximum will increase when red light is used.
(c) (i) Increase slit width, so that the slit width is comparable to the wavelength of sound.
(ii) Replace the screen with a sound detector. (5 M)
32. (a) A camera usually operates at 1.5 V and this potential difference is not sufficient to emit light energy using flash. For
this purpose, the flash circuit of the camera has a capacitor that is charged to 300 V-330 V using various electrical
components. If the voltage generated across the plates of the capacitor is 300 V and the capacitance of the parallel
plate capacitor used is 100 μF, then find the energy released when the trigger button on the camera is pressed.
(a) How much charge does the 100 μF capacitor charged to 300 V hold?
(b) If the distance between the parallel plate capacitor of capacitance 100 μF is increased two times, then calculate the
capacitance of the capacitor.
(c) The graph below shows the variation of charge ‘q’ with potential difference ‘V’ for a parallel plate capacitor ‘C’ for
scenarios P and Q.
Scenario P - the space between the capacitor ‘C’ is filled with air.
Scenario Q - the space between the capacitor ‘C’ is filled with a substance of dielectric constant K.
Which of the two lines A or B corresponds to scenario Q? Give a reason for your answer.
A

q
B

V 

CBSE Sample Question Paper 93

 Sol. (a) V = 300 V
C = 100 μF
Energy = 1/2 CV2
= 1/2 × 100 × 10–6 (300)2
= 4.5 J (0.5 marks)
(b) q = CV (0.5 marks)
q = 100 × 10–6 × 300 = 0.03 C
(c) Capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor C = (∈0 A)/d
C = 100 μF
d' = 2d
C' = (∈0 A)/d'
C' = (∈0 A)/2d = 100/2 = 50 μF
Hence, if the distance between the plates of the capacitor is increased two times the capacitance of the capacitor
decreases by 1/2 ie becomes 50 μF.
(c) The slope of the q vs V graph gives the capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor.
When the space between the plates of a capacitor is filled with a substance of dielectric constant K, its capacitance
increases K times.
Greater the slope of the q vs V graph, the higher the capacitance.
As line A has a greater slope it represents greater capacitance and corresponds to scenario (5 M)

OR
(a) Find the effective capacitance between points P and Q, if each capacitor has a capacitance of 6μF.
Q
P C1

C2 C3

C4
(b) Find the ratio of charges on capacitors C1 and C4, if the potential difference between points P and Q is 10 V.
C2 C1
Sol. P Q

C3

C4

94 PHYSICS – XII P
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 C1 and C3 are in parallel.
Cp = 6 + 6 = 12 μF
Cp and C2 are in series
1/Cs = 1/12 + 1/6 = 1/12 + 2/12 = 3/12
Cs = 4 μF
Cs and C4 are in parallel
Cnet = 4 + 6 = 10 μF

(b) We know that C = Q/V
Charge on C4
Q4 = 10 × 6 = 60 μC
Net capacitance of C1 and C3 = 6 + 6 = 12 μF
Net capacitance of C1, C3 ,and C2 is:
1/C = 1/12 + 1/6 = 3/12 = 1/4
C = 4 μF
Net charge across C1, and C3 ,and C2
Q = C V = 4 × 10 = 40 μC
Since the charge in the series combination is the same,
Net charge across C1 and C3 = 40 μC
Potential across C1 and C3 = Q/C = 40/12 = 10/3 V
Charge across C1
Q1 = C1 × V = 6 × 10/3 = 20 μC
Ratio of charges across C1 and C4
Q1/ Q4 = 20/60 = 1 : 3 (5 M)
33. An inductor of inductance ‘L’ is connected to an AC source, V = 100 sin ωt. The graph below represents the variation of
inductive reactance (XL) of the inductor with the frequency of an alternating source.
XL (W)

30

20

10

50 100 150 f(Hz)

(a) What is the self-inductance of the inductor?

(b) If the ac source is replaced by a battery such that V = 100 V, then what is the inductive reactance of the inductor?
Give reason.

(c) When the frequency is 50 Hz, what is the average power dissipated by the inductor over a complete cycle in the
circuit? Justify your answer.

CBSE Sample Question Paper 95

 (d) This inductor is connected in series with a resistance of 15Ω and a capacitor of 5 μF. The frequency of the alternating
source is varied such that the power dissipated in the circuit becomes maximum. Calculate the frequency and the
phase difference between alternating voltage and current when the power dissipated is the maximum.
Sol. (a) XL = 2πf L
L = XL /2πf
L = 20/(2 × 3.14 × 100) = 0.032 H
(b) A battery is a source of direct current and thus f = 0 Hz.
As XL = 2πfL, the inductive reactance of the inductor becomes zero.
(c) Pavg = VrmsIrms cosj
where j is the phase difference between current and voltage in the circuit.
Phase difference is 90° for pure inductive circuit.
∴Pavg = 0
(d) Power dissipated in an LCR circuit is maximum when XL= XC
f = 1/2π√(LC)
f = 0.398 × 103 Hz
f = 398 Hz
Under this condition of resonance, the circuit behaves as a pure resistive circuit.
Hence phase difference between current and voltage is 0°. (5 M)
OR
An ideal transformer having a ferromagnetic core consists of two coils having 500 turns (primary) and 50 turns
(secondary) respectively.
(a) What is the voltage across the secondary coil, if the rms voltage across the primary coil is 240 V?
(b) What will be the individual currents in the two coils (primary and secondary), if the secondary has a resistive load
of 20 ohms?
Sol. (a) The voltage across the secondary coil is given by:
Np/Ns = Vp/Vs
where Np = 500, Ns = 50 and Vp = 240 V
Therefore,
Vs = Vp × (Ns/Np)
= 240 × (50/500) = 24 V
(b) Current in the secondary coil is given by:
Is = Vs/Rs
where Vs = 24 V and Rs = 20 ohms
Therefore,
Is = 24/20 = 1.2 A (1 mark)
Current in the primary coil is given by:
Ip/Is = Ns/Np
where Is = 1.2 A, Ns = 500 and Np = 50
Therefore,
Ip = (Ns/Np) × (Is)
= (50/500) × (1.2) = 0.12 A (5 M)

96 PHYSICS – XII P
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