CHAPTER- 9

RAY OPTICS AND OPTICAL INSTRUMENTS

Basic Concepts

1. Optics: The study of nature and propagation of light is called optics. Ray optics deals
with particle nature of light whereas wave optics considers light as a wave.
2. (a) Reflection:
When a light ray incident on a smooth surface bounces back to the same medium, it is
called reflection of light.
(b) Laws of regular Reflection:
(i) Angular of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.
i.e, i=r
(ii) The incident ray, the reflected ray and the
normal at the point of incidence, all lie in the
same plane. These laws hold for any reflecting
surface whether plane or curved.
There is no change in wavelength and frequency
during reflection.
(c) Spherical Mirror: A spherical mirror is
simply a part cut off from the surface of a hollow sphere which has been made smooth
and silver polished on one side.
Spherical mirrors are of two types”
(i) Concave mirror: If outer side or bulging side of the spherical surface is silver
polished, it is called a concave mirror.
(ii) Convex mirror: If inner side of a spherical surface is silver polished, it is
called a convex mirror.
(d) Relation between focal length and radius of curvature: The distance between
centre (C) of spherical surface and its pole (P) is called the radius of curvature. It is
denoted by R.

The rays parallel to the principal axis (CP) after striking the mirror meet at a point (F)
(in concave mirror) or appear to be meeting at a point F (in convex mirror). This point
is called the principal focus (F) of mirror. The distance of focus (F) from pole (P) of a
mirror is called the focal length of the mirror. It is denoted by f. The focal length f is
half of the radius of curvature.
𝑅
i.e. 𝑓= 2
(e) Mirror formula: The mirror formula is
 1 1 1
=𝑣+𝑢
𝑓
where u = distance of object from mirror;
v = distance of image from mirror;
and f = focal length of mirror.

(f) Magnification produced by mirror: The ratio of the

size of image to the size of object is called linear
magnification produced by the mirror.
𝐼 𝑣 𝑓 𝑓−𝑣
Magnification M = 𝑂 = − 𝑢 = − 𝑢−𝑓 = 𝑓
Where I is the height of image and O is the height of
object.
3. Refraction of Light
When a ray of light enters from one transparent medium
into another, there is a change in speed and direction of
the ray in the second medium. This phenomenon is called
reflection of light.
Laws of refraction:
(i) The incident ray, the refracted ray and the normal to the surface separating the
two media, all lie in the same plane.
(ii) Snell’s Law: For two media, the ratio of sine of angle of incidence to the sine
of the angle of refraction is constant for a beam of particular wavelength i.e.,
sin 𝑖 𝑛
= 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 = 𝑛2 = 1n2 ...(i)
sin 𝑟 1
where n1 and n2 are absolute refractive indices of I and II media respectively
and 1n2 is a refractive index of second (II) medium with respect to first (I)
medium.
Due to principle of reversibility of light,
sin 𝑟
= 2n1 ...(ii)
sin 𝑖
Multiplying (i) by (ii), we get
1
1 = 2n1 × 1n2 or 2n1 = ...(iii)
1 𝑛2
The frequency of light remains unchanged while passing from one medium to
the other.
Refractive Index
The refractive index of a medium is defined as the ratio of speed of light in
vacuum to the speed of light in a medium.
𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑙𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝑣𝑎𝑐𝑢𝑢𝑚 𝑐
i.e., n = 𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑙𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝑚𝑒𝑑𝑖𝑢𝑚 = 𝑣
𝑣𝜆𝑎𝑖𝑟 𝜆𝑎𝑖𝑟
= 𝑣𝜆 =𝜆 ...(iv)
𝑚𝑒𝑑𝑖𝑢𝑚 𝑚𝑒𝑑𝑖𝑢𝑚
λair and λmedium being wavelengths of light in air and medium respectively.
sin 𝑖 𝑛 𝑐/𝑣 𝑣 𝜆
∴ = 𝑛2 (= 𝑐/𝑣2 ) = 𝑣1 = 𝜆1 ...(v)
sin 𝑟 1 1 2 2
Formation of image due to refraction: According to Snell’s law, if n2 > n1, i > r.
That is, if a ray of light enters from rarer medium to a denser medium, it is
 deviated towards the normal and if n2 < n1, i <
r that is, if the ray of light enters from denser to
a rarer medium it is deviated away from the
normal.
Accordingly, if the ray of light starting from
object O, in the given diagram in a denser
medium travels along OP, it is deviated away
from the normal along PQ. The ray PQ appears
to come from I. Thus I is the virtual image of O.
It can be shown that
𝑅𝑒𝑎𝑙 𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑡ℎ (𝑂𝑀) 𝑡
i.e., n = 𝐴𝑝𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑡ℎ (𝑀𝐼) = 𝑡−𝑥 ...(vi)
where x is the apparent shift.
1
∴ The apparent shift, x = (1 − 𝑛) 𝑡 ...(vii)
Refraction through a number of media: Let us
consider the refraction of light ray through a
series of media as shown in fig. The ray AB is
incident on air-water interface at an angle i.
The ray is deviated in water along BC
towards the normal. Then it falls on water-
glass interface and is again deviated towards
normal along CD. If the last medium is again
air, the ray emerges parallel to the incident
ray. Let r1 and r2 be angles of refraction in
water and glass respectively, then from
Snell’s law,
sin 𝑖 𝑛𝑤
= = anw ...(i)
sin 𝑟1 𝑛𝑎
sin 𝑟1 𝑛𝑔
= 𝑛 = wng ...(ii)
sin 𝑟2 𝑤
sin 𝑟2 𝑛
= 𝑛𝑎 = gna ...(iii)
sin 𝑖 𝑔

𝑛𝑎 = 𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑥 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑖𝑟 = 1

[ 𝑛𝑤 = 𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑥 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 ]
𝑛𝑔 = 𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑥 𝑜𝑓 𝑔𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑠
Multiplying (i), (ii) and (iii), we get anw × wng × gna = 1
1 𝑎 𝑛𝑔
w ng = = ...(viii)
𝑎 𝑛𝑤 × 𝑔 𝑛𝑎 𝑎 𝑛𝑤

4. Critical Angle
When a ray of light is incident on the interface from denser medium to rarer medium,
it is deviated away from the normal. When angle of incidence is increased, angle of
refraction also increases and at a stage it becomes 90 0.
The angle of incidence in denser medium for which the angle of refraction in rarer
medium is 900 is called the critical angle (C) for the pair of media
If nr and nd are refractive indices for rarer and denser media, then
sin 𝑖 𝑛
∴ = 𝑛2 gives
sin 𝑟 1
 sin 𝐶 𝑛
= 𝑛 𝑟 = dnr
sin 900 𝑑
1 1
sin C = dnr = =𝑛
𝑟 𝑛𝑑
where rnd = n and n is the refractive index of a denser medium with respect to a rarer
medium.
5. Total Internal Reflection
When angle of incidence in the denser medium
is greater than the critical angle, the incident ray
does not refract into a rarer medium but is
reflected back into the denser medium. This
phenomenon is called total internal reflection.
The conditions for total internal reflection
are
(i) The ray must travel from a denser into a rarer medium.
(ii) The angle of incidence i > critical angle C.
The critical angle for water-air, glass-air and diamond-air interfaces are 490,
420 and 240 respectively.
6. Spherical Lenses
There are two types of spherical lenses.
(i) Convex lens (Converging lens)
(ii) Concave lens (Diverging lens)
Rules of Image Formation in Lenses
(i) The ray incident on lens parallel to the principal axis, after refraction through
the lens, passes through the second focus (in convex lens) or appear to come
from second focus in concave lens.
(ii) The ray incident on lens through optical centre C, after refraction, pass straight
without any deviation.

(iii) A ray directed towards the first focus incident on the lens, after refraction
becomes parallel to the principle axis.

7. Thin Lens Formula

 If u and v are object and image distances from a lens of focal length f, then thin lens
formula is
1 1 1
=𝑣−𝑢
𝑓
This equation holds for convex and concave lenses both, but proper signs of u, v and f
are to be used according to sign convention of coordinate geometry. Focal length of a
convex lens is taken as positive and of a concave lens is taken as negative.
Magnification produced by a lens
𝐼 𝑣 𝑓
m = 𝑂 = 𝑢 = 𝑢+𝑓
where I is the size of image and O is the size of object.
8. Lens Maker’s Formula
If R1 and R2 are the radii of curvature of first and
second refracting surfaces of a thin lens of focal
length f, then lens makers formula is
1 1 1
= ( 1 𝑛2 − 1) × ( 𝑅 − 𝑅 )
𝑓 1 2
1 1
= (𝑛 − 1) × ( 𝑅 − 𝑅 )
1 2
where 1n2 = n is refractive index of material of lens
with respect to surrounding medium.
9. Power of a Lens
The power of a lens is its ability to deviate the rays
towards its principal axis. it is defined as the
reciprocal of focal length in metres.
1
Power of a lens, P = 𝑓 (𝑖𝑛 𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑟𝑒)
Its unit is dioptre and is represented as ‘D’.
10. Lens Immersed in a Liquid
If a lens of refractive index ng is immersed in a liquid of refractive index n1 then its
focal length (f1) in liquid, is given by
1 1 1
= ( 𝑙 𝑛𝑔 − 1) × (𝑅 − 𝑅 )
𝑓1 1 2
𝑛𝑔
where lng = 𝑛𝑙
𝑛𝑔 −1
If fa is the focal length of lens in air, then 𝑓1 = 𝑛𝑔
−1
𝑛𝑙

Three cases arise:

(i) If ng > nl, then f1 and fa are of same sign but 𝑓1 > 𝑓𝑎 .
That is, the nature of lens remains unchanged, but its focal length increases
and hence the power of lens decreases. In other words the convergent lens
becomes less convergent and divergent lens becomes less divergent.
(ii) If ng = nl, then f1 = ∞. That is, the lens behaves as a glass plate.
(iii) If ng < nl, Then fl and fa have opposite signs.
That is, the nature of lens changes. A convergent lens becomes divergent and
vice versa.
11. Thin Lenses in Contact
If two or more lenses of focal lengths f1, f2 are placed in contact, then their equivalent
focal length F is given by
 1 1 1 1
= 𝑓 + 𝑓 +⋯∑𝑓
𝐹 1 2
The power of combination
P = P1 + P2 + ... = ∑ 𝑃.
12. Combination of a Lens and Mirror
Consider a coaxial arrangement of a lens and a mirror. Let an object be placed in front
of the lens. The incident rays, from the object, first undergo refraction at lens and are
then incident on the mirror. To obtain the position of the image due to the
combination, we can proceed as follows:
(i) Using refraction formula, we can calculate where the image would have been
formed, had there been only the lens. We then consider this image as an object
for the mirror.
(ii) Using the mirror formula, we can then locate the position of its final image
formed by the mirror. This final position, would be the position of the image
due to the combined effect of refraction at the lens and reflection at the mirror.
13. Refraction Through a Prism
A prism is a transparent medium enclosed by two plane refracting surfaces. Let EF be
the monochromatic ray incident on the face PQ of prism PQR of refracting angel A at
angle of incidence i1. This ray is refracted along FG, r1 being angle of refraction. The
ray QG is incident on the face PR at angle of incidence r 2 and is refracted in air along
GH. Thus GH is the emergent ray and i2 is the angle of emergence. The angle between
incident ray EF and emergent ray GH is called angle of deviation δ.
For a prism if A is the refracting angle of prism, then
r1 + r2 = A ...(i)
and i1 + i2 = A + δ ...(ii)
Clearly, deviation δ = i1 + i2 – A, i1 and i2 may be inter-changed, therefore, there are
two values of angle of incidence for same deviation δ.
If n is the refractive index of material of prism, then from Snell’s law
sin 𝑖 sin 𝑖
𝑛 = sin 𝑟1 = sin 𝑟2 ...(iii)
1 2

If angle of incidence is changed, the angle of deviation δ changes as shown in fig. For
a particular angle of incidence the deviation is minimum. This is called angle of
minimum deviation δm.
Minimum deviation: At minimum deviation the refracted ray within a prism is
parallel to the base.
Therefore,
i1 = i2 = i (say)
 r1 = r2 = r (say)
Then from equations (i) and (ii),
r + r = A or r = A/2 ...[iv (a)]
𝐴+𝛿𝑚
i + i = A + δm or 𝑖 = ...[iv (b)]
2
∴ The refractive index of material of prism
𝐴+𝛿𝑚
sin 𝑖 sin( )
2
𝑛 = sin 𝑟 = 𝐴 ...(v)
sin( )
2
For a thin prism, viz. A ≤ 100
δm = (n – 1) A.
14. Scattering of Light
The light is scattered by air molecules. According to Lord Rayleigh the intensity of
scattered light
1 1
I ∝ (𝑤𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔ℎ𝑡) 4 ⇒ ∝ 𝜆4
As λblue < λred accordingly blue colour is scattered the most and red the least, so sky
appears blue.
At the time of sunrise and sunset, blue colour is scattered the most and red colour
enters our eyes, so sunrise and sunset appear red.
15. Optical Instruments (Microscopes and Telescopes)
A microscope is an optical instrument to see very small object.
(i) Simple Microscope: It consists of a convex lens of small focal length f.
If β = angle subtended by an image on eye
α = angle subtended by an object on eye, when object is at a distance of
distinct vision (D) Magnifying power,
𝛽 𝐷 𝑣
M = 𝛼 = 𝑣 (1 + 𝑓 )
𝐷
If the final image is at ∞, v = ∞ then M = 𝑓 .
𝐷
If the final image is at a distance of distinct vision, v = D, M = 1 + 𝑓 .
(ii) Compound Microscope: A compound microscope essentially consists of two
co-axis convex lenses of small focal lengths. The lens facing the object is
called an objective lens while that towards eye is called the eye lens.
(eyepiece).
∴ Magnifying power of microscope,
𝛽 𝑣 𝐷 𝑣
M = 𝛼 (= 𝑚0 × 𝑚𝑒 ) = 𝑢 0𝑣 (1 + 𝑓𝑒 )
0 𝑒 𝑒
 Separation between lenses, L = v0 + ue
Special cases:
(a) When final image is formed at a distance of distinct vision, ve = D
𝑣 𝐷
M = − 𝑢0 (1 + 𝑓 ) and d = v0 + ue
0 𝑒
The distance between second focal point of objective and first focal point
of eye lens is called the tube length denoted by L, then
𝑣0 𝐿
=𝑓
𝑢0 0
𝐿 𝐷
So, M = − 𝑓 (1 + 𝑓 )
0 𝑒
(b) When final image is formed at infinity, ve = ∞, then
𝑣 𝐷
M = − 𝑢0 × 𝑓
0 𝑒
𝐿 𝐷
=− . and L = 𝑣0 + 𝑓𝑒
𝑓0 𝑓𝑒
Telescope: It is an optical instrument to see distant objects.
(iii) Astronomical Telescope (Refracting Telescope): It is used to see magnified
images of distant objects. An astronomical telescope essentially consists of
two co-axis convex lenses. The lens facing the object has a large focal length
and a large aperture and is called objective, while the lens towards eye has a
small focal length and small aperture and is called eye lens.

The magnifying power of telescope is

 𝐴𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑖𝑚𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑎𝑡 𝑒𝑦𝑒 𝛽
M= =𝛼
𝐴𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑎𝑛 𝑜𝑏𝑗𝑒𝑐𝑡 𝑜𝑛 𝑒𝑦𝑒
𝑓0 𝑓𝑒
= (m0 × me) = − 𝑓 (1 + 𝑣 )
𝑒 𝑒
and Length of telescope L = f0 + ue
where ue = distance of real image from eye lens
ve = distance of final image A’ B’ from eye lens
f0 = focal length of objective, fe = focal length of eye lens
ℎ
α = angle subtended by an object at eye = 𝑓
0
ℎ
β = angle subtended by an image at eye = 𝑓
𝑒
Special cases:
(a) When final image is formed at a distance of distinct vision, then v e = D
𝑓 𝑓
M = − 𝑓0 (1 + 𝐷𝑒) and L = 𝑓0 + 𝑢𝑒
𝑒
(b) When final image is formed at infinity, then 𝑣𝑒 = ∞
𝑓0
M=− and L = 𝑓0 + 𝑓𝑒
𝑓𝑒
Reflecting Telescope: In this telescope, a concave mirror is used as an
objective in place of a convex lens. It is free from chromatic aberration and
it has larger resolving power than refracting telescope.
16. Magnifying Power of Optical Instruments
The size of an object depends on the angle subtended by the object on eye. This angle
is called visual angle. Greater the visual angle, greater the size of object. Stars are
bigger than sun; but appear smaller because stars are much farther away than sun and
they subtend smaller angles on eye.
The angle subtended on eye may be increased by using telescopes and microscopes.
The telescopes and microscopes form the image of an object. The image subtends
larger angle on eye; hence the object appears big. The magnification produced by
optical instrument (telescope/microscope) is defined as the ratio of angle (β)
subtended by image on eye and the angle (α) subtended by object on eye.
𝛽
i.e., Angular magnification M = 𝛼

Selected NCERT Textbook Questions

Reflection, Refraction and Total Internal Reflection

1. A small candle 2.5 cm is size is placed 27 cm in front of a concave mirror of radius of

curvature 36 cm. At what distance from the mirror should a screen be placed in order
to receive a sharp image? Describe the nature and size of the image. If the candle is
moved closer to the mirror, how should the screen be moved?
Ans. Given u = – 27 cm, O = 2.5 cm.
|r| = |2f| = 36 cm
36
⇒𝑓 =− = − 18 cm. (with sign convention)
2
1 1 1
=𝑢+𝑣
𝑓
 1 1 1 1 1 −3+2
= 𝑓 − 𝑢 = − 18 + 27 = ⇒ 𝑣 = −54 𝑐𝑚.
𝑣 54
That is, image is formed in front of mirror at a distance 54 cm from the mirror.
Therefore the screen must be placed at a distance 54 cm from the mirror.
𝑣 (−54)
Size of the image I = − 𝑢 × 𝑂 = − × 2.5 𝑐𝑚. = −5 𝑐𝑚.
−27
The image is real, inverted and 5 cm long. If the candle is moved closer, the screen
should have to be moved farther and farther. If the candle is brought less than 18 cm,
the image will be virtual and cannot be collected on the screen.
2. A 4.5 cm needle is placed 12 cm away from a convex mirror of focal length 15 cm.
Give the location of the image and the magnification. Describe what happens if the
needle is moved farther from the mirror.
Ans. Given u = –12 cm. f = +15 cm. (convex mirror)
1 1 1 1 1 1
=𝑣+𝑢 ⇒ 𝑣 = 𝑓−𝑢
𝑓
1 1 1 4+5 60 20
= 15 + 12 = ⇒𝑣= = = 6.67 cm.
𝑣 60 9 3
That is image is formed at a distance 6.67 cm behind the mirror.
𝑣 20 5
Magnification 𝑚 = − 𝑢 = − −3 ×12 = 9
5
Size of image I = mO = 9 × 4.5 = 2.5 cm.
The image is erect, virtual and has a size 2.5 cm.
Its position is 6.67 cm behind the mirror when needle is moved farther, the image
moves towards the focus and its size goes on decreasing.
3. A tank is filled with water to a height of 12.5 m. The apparent depth of the needle
lying at the bottom of the tank as measured by a microscope is 9.4 cm. What is the
refractive index of water? If water is replaced by a liquid of refractive index 1.63 upto
the same height, by what distance would the microscope be moved to focus on the
needle again?
𝑅𝑒𝑎𝑙 𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑡ℎ (𝐻)
Ans. Refractive index, n = 𝐴𝑝𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑡ℎ (ℎ)
Given H = 12.5 cm, h = 9.4 cm
12.5
∴ Refractive index of water, nw = = 1.33
9.4
Refractive index of liquid, nl = 1.63
𝐻 12.5
∴ Apparent height with liquid in tank, h = 𝑛 = 1.63 = 7.7 cm
𝑙
∴ Displacement of microscope, x = 9.4 – 7.7 = 1.7 cm
4. Fig. (a) and (b) show refraction of an incident ray in air at 60 0 with the normal to a
glass-air and water-air interface, respectively. Predict the angle (r) of refraction on an
incident ray in water at 450 with the normal to a water-glass interface [fig. (c)].

sin 𝑖 𝑛
Ans. Snell’s law of refraction is sin 𝑟 = 𝑛2 = 1n2
1
 sin 600 𝑛𝑔
Fig. (a) sin 350 = 𝑛 = ang
𝑎
sin 600 0.8660
⇒ Refractive index of glass with respect to air, ang = sin 350 = 0.5736 = 1.51
sin 600 𝑛𝑤
Fig. (b) sin 410 = = a nw
𝑛𝑎
sin 600 0.8660
Refractive index of water with respect to air, anw = sin 410 = 0.6561 = 1.32
𝑎𝑛
sin 450 𝑔
Fig. (c) = 𝑎𝑛
sin 𝑟 𝑤
𝑎𝑛 1.32
⇒ sin r = 𝑎𝑛
𝑤
× sin 450 = 1.51 × 0.7071 = 0.6181
𝑔

⇒ r = sin-1 (0.6181) = 380

5. A small bulb is placed at the bottom of a tank containing water to a depth of 80 cm.
What is the area of the surface of water through which light from the bulb can emerge
4
out? Refractive index of water is 3.
Ans. The light ray starting from bulb can
pass through the surface if angle of
incidence at surface is less than or equal to
critical angle (C) for water-air interface. If
h is depth of bulb from the surface, the
light will emerge only through a circle of
radius r given by
r = h tan C, where h = 80 cm = 0.80 m
1 3
But sin C = 𝑎 𝑛𝑤
=4
3
∴ tan C = =
√7
3
∴ r = 0.80 × ( )
√7
∴ Area of circular surface of water,
3 2 9
A = πr2 = 3.14 × (0.8 × ) = 3.14 × 0.64 × 7 = 2.6 m2
√ 7
6. Use the mirror equation to show that
(a) an object placed between f and 2f of a concave mirror produces a real image
beyond 2f.
(b) a convex mirror always produces a virtual image independent of the location of
the object.
(c) an object placed between the pole and focus of a concave mirror produces a
virtual and enlarged image.
1 1 1 1 1 1
Ans. (a) Mirror equation is 𝑓 = 𝑣 + 𝑢 𝑜𝑟 𝑣 = 𝑓 − 𝑢 or
For a concave mirror, f is negative, i.e., f < 0.
For a real object (on the left of mirro).
1 1 1 1 1 1
For u between f and 2f implies 𝑢 lies between 𝑓 and 2𝑓 , i.e., 2𝑓 > 𝑢 > 𝑓 (as u, f are
negative)
1 1 1 1 1 1 1
or < − 𝑢 < − 𝑓 or 𝑓 − 2𝑓 < 𝑓 − 𝑢 < 0
−2𝑓
1 1 1
or − 2𝑓 < − 𝑣 < 0 i.e, 𝑣 is negative.
 This implies that v is negative and greater than 2f. This means that the image lies
beyond 2f and it is real.
(b) For a convex mirror, f is positive, i.e., f > 0.
For a real object on the left u is negative
1 1 1 1 1 1
= + implies = −
𝑓 𝑣 𝑢 𝑣 𝑓 𝑢
1
As u is negative and f is positive; 𝑣 must be positive, so v must be positive i.e., image
lies behind the mirror. Hence, image is virtual whatever the value of u may be.
1 1 1
(c) For a mirror, =𝑓−𝑢 ...(i)
𝑣
For a concave mirror, f is negative f < 0
As u is also negative, so f < u < 0
1 1
This implies, −𝑢>0
𝑓
1
Then from (1) 𝑣 > 0 or v is positive.
i.e., image is on the right and hence virtual.
𝑣 𝑓
Magnification, 𝑚 = − 𝑢 = − 𝑢−𝑓
|𝑓|
As u is negative and f is positive, magnification 𝑚 = |𝑓|−|𝑢| > 1
i.e., image is enlarged.
7. A small pin fixed on a table top is viewed from above from a distance of 50 cm. By
what distance the pin appear to be raised if it is viewed from the same point through a
15 cm thick glass slab held parallel to the table? Refractive index of glass = 1.5 Does
the answer depend on the location of the slab?
𝑅𝑒𝑎𝑙 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑐𝑘𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝐻
Ans. Apparent thickness of slab = 𝑅𝑒𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑥 = 𝑛
𝐻 1
Displacement of pin, x = (𝐻 − 𝑛 ) = (1 − 𝑛)
1
Here H = 15 cm, n = 1.5, ∴ 𝑥 = 𝐻 (1 − 𝑛) = 15 cm
Thus the pin appears to be raise by 5 cm.
The answer does not depend upon the location of slab.

Refraction of Spherical Surface and by Lenses.

8. A doule convex lens is made of glass of refractive index 1.55, with both faces of the
same radius of curvature. Find the radius of curvature required, if the focal length is
20 cm?
Ans. Given, f = 20 cm and μ = 1.55
Let R1 and R, then R2 = – R
1 1 1
= (𝜇 − 1) [𝑅 − 𝑅 ]
𝑓 1 2
1 1 1 1 0.55 ×2
⇒ = (1.55 − 1) [𝑅 + 𝑅] ⇒ =
20 20 𝑅
1 1.10
⇒ = ⇒ R = 20 × 1.10
20 𝑅
 ∴ R = 22 cm
9. A beam of light converges to a point P. A lens is placed
in the path of the convergent beam 12 cm from P. At
what point does the beam converge if the lens is (a) a
convex lens of focal length 20 cm, (b) a concave lens of
focal length 16 cm?
Ans. (a) Point P acts as a virtual object for convex lens.
Given u = + 12 cm, f = + 20 cm
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 3+5
∴ = 𝑣 − 𝑢 gives 𝑣 = 𝑓 + 𝑢 = 20 + 12 =
𝑓 60
60
⇒ 𝑣= = 7.5 cm
8
This implies that the image is formed to the right
of the lens and is real.
(b) In this case, u = + 12 cm. f = – 16 cm,
1 1 1 1 1 1
∴ = 𝑣 − 𝑢 gives 𝑣 = 𝑓 + 𝑢
𝑓
1 1 −3+4
= − 16 + 12 = 48
v = 48 cm
This shows that the image is formed at a distance of 48 cm to the right of concave lens
and is real.
10. An object of size 3.0 cm is placed 14 cm in front of a concave lens of focal length 21
cm. Describe the image produced by the lens. What happens if the object is moved
farther from the lens?
Ans. Size of object O = 3.0 cm,
u = – 14 cm,
f = – 21 cm. (concave lens)
1 1 1 1 1 1
∴ Formula 𝑓 = 𝑣 − 𝑢 ⇒ = +𝑢
𝑣 𝑓
1 1 1 2+3 42
or = −21 + −14 = − or 𝑣=− = −8.4 cm.
𝑣 42 5
𝑣 −8.4
Size of image I = 𝑢 𝑂 = × 3.0 cm = 1.8 cm
−14
That is, image is formed at a distance of 8.4 cm in front of lens. The image is virtual,
erect and of size 1.8 cm. As the object is moved farther from the lens, the image goes
on shifting towards focus and its size goes on decreasing. The image is never formed
beyond the focus of the concave lens.
11. What is the focal length of a combination of a convex lens of focal length 30 cm and a
concave lens of focal length 20 cm in contact? is the system a converging or a
diverging lens? Ignore thickness of lenses.
Ans. Given f1 = + 30 cm, f2 – 20 cm
The focal length (F) of combination of given by
1 1 1
=𝑓 +𝑓
𝐹 1 2
𝑓1 𝑓2 30 ×(−20)
⇒ F = 𝑓 +𝑓 = = −60 cm
1 2 30−20
That is, the focal length of combination is 60 cm and it acts like a diverging lens.
12. The image of a small electric bulb fixed on the wall of a room is to be obtained on the
opposite wall 3 m away by means of large convex lens. What is the maximum
possible focal length of the lens required for the purpose?
 Ans. For a fixed distance D between object and image for its real image
D = |u| + |v|
𝑥 =𝑣−𝑢
From equation (i) and (ii),
𝐷+𝑥 𝐷−𝑥
𝑣= 𝑢=
2 2
Sign convention: u is negative and v is positive.
1 1 1 2 2 4𝐷
= 𝑣 + 𝑢 = 𝐷+𝑥 + 𝐷−𝑥 = 𝐷2 −𝑥 2
𝑓
𝐷2 −𝑥 2
⇒ 𝑓= 4𝐷
where x is the separation between two positions of lens.
For maximum 𝑓, 𝑥 = 0
𝐷
∴ 𝑓max = 4
Given D = 3 m
3
𝑓 = 4 𝑚 = 0.75 m
13. A screen is placed 90 cm from an object. The image of the object on the screen is
formed by a convex lens at two different locations separated by 20 cm. Determine the
focal length of the lens.
Ans. Given separation between object and screen, D = 90 cm
Separation between two positions of lens, x = 20 cm
𝐷2 −𝑥 2 (90) 2−(20) 2 8100−400
∴ Focal length of lens, 𝑓 = = =
4𝐷 4 ×90 4 ×90
7700
= 4 ×90 = 21.4 cm

Refraction of light through prism

14. A prism is made of glass of unknown refractive index. A parallel beam of light is
incident on a face of the prism. By rotating the prism, the minimum angle of deviation
is measured to be 400. What is the refractive index of the prism? If the prism is placed
in water (refractive index 1.33), predict the new minimum angle of deviation of a
parallel beam of light. The refracting angle of prism is 600 (use: sin 500 = 0.7660 and
sin 350 = 0.576)
𝑛𝑔
Ans. Key idea: Refractive index of prism material and wng = 𝑛
𝑤
𝐴+𝛿𝑚
sin( )
2
𝑛= 𝐴
sin( )
2
Given angle of prism A = 600
Minimum angle of deviation δm = 400
𝐴+𝛿𝑚
sin( )
2
Refractive index 𝑛 = 𝐴
sin( )
2
60+40
sin( ) sin 500 0.7660
2
= 60 = = = 1.152.
sin( ) sin 300 0.5
2
When prism is placed in water, its refractive index becomes
𝑛𝑔 1.532
w ng =𝑛 = = 1.152
𝑤 1.33
If δm’ is the new angle of deviation, then
 𝐴+𝛿′𝑚 600 + 𝛿′𝑚
sin( ) sin( )
2 2
w ng = 𝐴 = 0
sin sin 30
2
0 ′
60 + 𝛿𝑚
sin( )
2
1.152 = 0.5
600 + 𝛿𝑚
′
= sin = 1.152 × 0.5 = 0.576
2
600 + 𝛿𝑚
′
= 350 𝑜𝑟 𝛿𝑚
′
=0
2
15. At what angle should a ray of light be incident on the face of a prism of refracting
angle 600 so that it just suffers total internal reflection at the other face? The refractive
index of prism is 1.524.
Ans. Key idea: For just total internal reflection from prism, the ray must be incident
at critical angle on the second face.
Given angle of prism, A = 600, n = 1.524
If C is the critical angle for total internal reflection, then
1 1
sin C = = = 0.6561
𝑛 1.524
C = sin-1 (0.6561) = 410
Let i be the angle of incidence at first face of prism AB. The ray follows the path
PQRS
For just total internal reflection at the other face AC
r2 = C = 410
As r1 + r2 = A
∴ r1 = A – r2 = 600 – 410 = 190
sin 𝑖
From Snell’s law, n = sin 𝑟
⇒ sin i = n sin r
= 1.524 sin 190 = 1.524 × 0.3256
= 0.4962
Angle of incident i = sin-1 (0.4962) = 290 45’.

Microscopes and Telescopes

16. A compound microscope consists of an objective lens of focal length 2.0 cm and an
eyepiece of focal length 6.25 cm separated by a distance of 15 cm. How far from the
objective should an object be placed in order to obtain the final image at (i) the least
distance of distinct vision (D = 25 cm) and (ii) infinity.
What is the magnifying power of the microscope in each case?
Ans. Given f0 = 2.0 cm, fe = 6.25 cm, L = 15 cm, u0 = ?
(i) When final image is formed at least distance of distinct vision (D = 25 cm):
For eye lens: Here ve = – 25 cm
1 1 1
∴ =𝑣 −𝑢
𝑓𝑒 𝑒 𝑒
1 1 1 1 1 −1−4
⇒ = 𝑣 − 𝑓 = − 25 − 6.25 =
𝑢𝑒 𝑒 𝑒 25
or ue = – 5 cm
As L = |v0| + |ue| ⇒ |v0| = L – |ue| = 15 = 10 cm
 For objective lens:
1 1 1
=𝑣 −𝑢
𝑓0 0 0
1 1 1 1 1 2 5
⇒ = 𝑣 − 𝑓 = 10 − 2 = − 5 ⇒ u0 = – 2 = −2.5 cm
𝑢0 0 0
That is distance of object from objective is 2.5 cm.
𝑣 𝐷
Magnification, M = − 𝑢0 (1 + 𝑓 )
0 𝑒
10 25
= − 2.5 (1 + 6.25) = −4 × 5 = −20
(ii) When final image is formed at infinity:
In this case L = v0 + fe ⇒ v0 = L – fe = 15 – 6.25 = 8.75 cm
For objective lens:
1 1 1
=𝑣 −𝑢
𝑓0 0 0
1 1 1 1 1 2−8.75
⇒ = 𝑣 − 𝑓 = 8.75 − 2 = 2 ×8.75
𝑢0 0 0
2 ×8.75
𝑢0 = − 6.75
∴ 𝑢0 = −2.59 𝑐𝑚, |𝑢0 | = 2.59 cm
𝑣 𝐷 8.75 25
Magnification, M = − 𝑢0 . 𝑓 = − 2.59 . (6.25 ) = –13.5
0 𝑒
17. A person with a normal near point (25 cm) using a compound microscope with an
objective of focal length 8.0 mm and an eye-piece of focal length 2.5 cm can bring an
object placed 9.0 mm from the objective in sharp focus. What is the separation
between the two lenses? What is the magnifying power of the microscope?
Ans. Given focal length of objective, f0 = 8 mm
Focal length of eye-piece, fe = 2.5 cm = 25 mm
For objective lens:
Distance of object from objective, u0 = –9 mm
1 1 1
From lens formula 𝑓 = 𝑣 − 𝑢 , we get
0 0 0
1 1 1 1 1 1
= 𝑓 + 𝑢 = 8 − 9 = + 72 ⇒ 𝑣0 = 72 mm
𝑣0 0 0
For eye-lens if final image is formed at least distance of distinct vision, then
𝑣𝑒 = −𝐷 = −25 𝑐𝑚 = −250 𝑚𝑚
1 1 1
∴ =𝑣 −𝑢
𝑓0 𝑒 𝑒
1 1 1 1 1 11
= 𝑣 − 𝑓 = − 250 − 25 = − 250
𝑢𝑒 𝑒 𝑒
250
∴ 𝑢𝑒 = − 𝑚𝑚 = −22.7 𝑚𝑚
11
Separation between lenses, L = |v0| + |ue| = 72 mm + 22.7 mm
= 94.7 mm = 9.47 cm
𝑣 𝐷
Magnifying power, M = − 𝑢0 (1 + 𝑓 )
0 𝑒
72 25𝑐𝑚
=− (1 + 2.5𝑐𝑚) = −8(1 + 10) = −88.
9
18. A small telescope has an objective lens of focal length 144 cm and an eye piece of
focal length 6.0 cm. What is the magnifying power of the telescope? What is the
separation between the objective and the eye-piece?
Ans. Given f0 = 144 cm, fe = 6.0 cm
𝑓 144
Magnifying power of telescope, M = − 𝑓0 = − 6.0 = −24
𝑒
 Negative sign shows that the final image is inverted.
Separation between objective and eye-piece:
L = f0 + fe = 144 + 6.0 = 150 cm
19. (a) A giant refracting telescope at an observatory has an objective lens of focal length
15 m. If an eye-piece of focal length 1.0 cm is used, what is the angular magnification
of the telescope?
(b) If this telescope is used to view the moon, what is the diameter of the image of the
moon formed by the objective lens? The diameter of the moon is 3.48 × 10 6 m and
radius of lunar orbit is 3.8 × 108 m.
Ans. (a) Given f0 = 15 m, fe = 1.0 cm = 1.0 × 10-2 m
Angular magnification of telescope,
𝑓 15
𝑚 = − 𝑓0 = − 1.0 ×10−2 = −1500
𝑒
(b) Negative sign shows that the final image is inverted. Let D be diameter of moon, d
diameter of image of moon formed by objective and r the distance of moon from
objective lens, then from Fig.
𝐷 𝑑
=𝑓
𝑟 0
𝐷 3.48 ×106
⇒ 𝑑= 𝑟
. 𝑓0 = 3.8 ×108
× 15 m
= 0.137 cm = 13.7 cm
20. A small telescope has an objective
lens of focal length 140 cm and an
eye-piece of focal length 5.0 cm.
What is the
(a) magnifying power of telescope for
viewing distant objects when the telescope is in normal adjustment (i.e., when the
final image is at infinity)?
(b) the final image is formed at the least distance of distinct vision (D = 25 cm)?
(c) What is the separation between the objective and eye lens when final image is
formed at infinity?
(d) If this telescope is used to view a 100 m tall tower 3 km away, what is the height
of the image of the tower formed by the objective lens?
(e) What is the height of the final image of the tower if it is formed at the least
distance of distinct vision D = 25 cm?
Ans. Given f0 = 140 cm, fe = 5 cm.
(a) When final image is at infinity,
𝑓0 140
magnifying power, M = − =− = −28
𝑓𝑒 5.0
Negative sign shows that the image is inverted.
(b) When final image is at the least distance of distinct vision,
𝑓 𝑓 140 5.0
magnifying power, M = − 𝑓0 (1 + 𝐷𝑒) = − 5.4 (1 + 25 ) = −33.6
𝑒
(c) Separation between objective and eye lens when final image is formed at infinity
L = f0 + fe = 140 cm + 5.0 cm = 145 cm
(d) Angle subtended by 100 m tall tower at 3 km away is
100 1
𝛼 = tan 𝛼 = 3 ×103 = 30 rad.
 Let h be the height of image of tower formed by objective. The angle subtended
by image produced by objective will also be equal to a.
ℎ ℎ ℎ 1
𝛼 = 𝑓 = 140 ⇒ = 30
0 140
140 14
ℎ= × = 4.67 𝑐𝑚
30 3
𝐷 25
(e) Magnification produced by eyepiece 𝑚𝑒 = 1 + 𝑓 = 1 + =6
𝑒 5
2ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑖𝑚𝑎𝑔𝑒 (ℎ )
For eyepiece, 𝑚𝑒 = ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑖𝑚𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑜𝑏𝑗𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 (ℎ 1)
Height of final image = h2 = meh1 = 6 × 4.7 cm = 28.2 cm
21. An angular magnification of 30X is desired using an objective of focal length 1.25 cm
and an eye-piece of focal length 5 cm. How would you set up the compound
microscope?
Ans. In normal adjustment of microscope, the image is formed at the least distance of
distinct vision d = 25 cm.
𝐷 25
Angular magnification of eye piece 𝑚𝑒 = 1 + 𝑓 = 1 + =6
5
Given total angular magnification M (= 𝑚0 × 𝑚𝑒 ) = 30
𝑀 30
∴ Magnification of objective, 𝑚0 = 𝑚 = =5
𝑒 6
The objective lens of microscope forms real image, so its magnification is negative.
𝑣0
∴ = −5 ⇒ 𝑣0 = −5𝑢0
𝑢 0
As u0 is negative and v0 is positive.
𝑢0 = −|𝑢0 |, 𝑣0 = +5|𝑢0 |
Focal length of objective lens, f0 = 1.25 cm
1 1 1
∴ From lens formula 𝑓 = 𝑣 − 𝑢
0 0 0
1 1 1 6
⇒ = +| ⇒
1.25 5| 𝑢0 | 𝑢0 | 5| 𝑢0 |
6
∴ | u0 | = 5 × 1.25 cm = 1.5 cm
Also |v0| = 5|u0| = 5 × 1.5 = 7.5 cm
Focal length of eye lens, fe = 5 cm
1 1 1
Again from lens formula 𝑓 = 𝑣 − 𝑢
𝑒 𝑒 𝑒
1 1 1 1 1 6
⇒ = 𝑣 − 𝑓 = − 2.5 − 5 = − 25
𝑢𝑒 𝑒 𝑒
25
𝑢𝑒 = − 𝑐𝑚 = −4.17 𝑐𝑚
6
|ue| = 4.17 cm
Separation between the lenses d = |v0| + |ue| = 7.5 + 4.17 = 11.67 cm
Thus to obtain, the desired magnification the separation between the lenses must be
11.67 cm and the objective must be placed at a distance 1.5 cm in front of the
objective lens.
 22. A Gassegrain telescope uses two
mirrors as shown in fig. Such a
telescope is built with the mirrors 20
mm apart. If the radius of curvature of
the large mirror is 220 mm and of the
small mirror is 140 mm, where will the
final image of an object at infinity be?
Ans. Given r1 = 220 mm,
𝑟
𝑓1 = 21 = 110 𝑚𝑚 = 11 𝑐𝑚
𝑟2
𝑟2 = 140 𝑚𝑚, 𝑓2 = = 70 𝑚𝑚 = 7.0 𝑐𝑚
2
Distance between mirrors, d, = 20 mm = 2.0 cm
The parallel incident rays coming from distant object fall on the concave mirror and
try to be focused at the principal focus of concave lens i.e.,
𝑣1 = −𝑓1 = −11 cm
But in the path of rays reflected from concave mirror, a convex mirror is placed.
Therefore the image formed by the concave mirror, acts as a virtual object for convex
mirror.
For convex mirror f2 = – 7.0 cm u2 = –(11 – 2) = – 9 cm
1 1 1
∴ =𝑣 +𝑢
𝑓2 2 2
1 1 1 1 1
⇒ = 𝑓 −𝑢 = −7+ 9
𝑣2 2 2
63
𝑣2 = − 𝑐𝑚 = −31.5 𝑐𝑚
2
This is the distance of final image formed by the convex mirror.
Thus, the final image is formed at a distance 31.5 cm from the smaller (convex)
mirror behind the bigger mirror.

Very Short Answer Questions

1. When light travels from an optically denser medium to a rarer medium, why does
the critical angle of incidence depend on the colour of light?
𝑏
Ans. The refractive index is different for different colour wavelength as μ = 𝑎 + .
𝜆2
1
Hence, critical angle sin 𝑖𝐶 = 𝜇 would also be different for different colour of light.
2. Why does bluish colour predominate in a clear sky?
Ans. At the time of sunrise or sunset, the sun is just above the horizon; sunlight
travels a longer distance through the atmospheric particles. The amount of
scattering is inversely proportional to the fourth power of the wavelength, i.e.,
1
I ∝ 𝜆4
Since λB << λR Hence, the bluish colour predominates in the clear sky.
3. A ray of light falls on a transparent sphere with centre C as shown in the figure. The
ray emerges from the sphere parallel to the line AB. Find the angle of refraction at A
if refractive index of the material of the sphere is √3.
 sin 𝑖
Ans. Refractive index, μ = sin 𝑟
sin 600
√3 = sin 𝑟
√3 1 1
sin 𝑟 = × =2
2 √ 3
sin r = sin 300 ⇒ r = 300
Angle of refraction = 300.
4. For the same angle of incidence, the angle of refraction in two media A and B are 250
and 350 respectively. In which one of the two media is the speed of light lesser?
sin 𝑖 𝑣
Ans. μ = sin 𝑟 = 𝑣1
2
𝜇𝐴 sin 𝑖/𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑟𝐴 sin 𝑟 𝑣 /𝑣
= = sin 𝑟𝐵 = 𝑣1 /𝑣𝐴
𝜇𝐵 sin 𝑖/ sin 𝑟𝐵 𝐴 1 𝐵
sin 𝑟𝐵 𝑣𝐵
=𝑣
sin 𝑟𝐴 𝐴

𝑟𝐴 < 𝑟𝐵 sin rA < sin rB ⇒ vA < vB

Speed of light in A is lesser.
5. The line AB in the ray diagram represents a lens. State whether the lens is convex or
concave.

Ans. It is a convex or converging lens.

Reason: The refracted ray is bending towards the principal axis.
6. The focal length of an equiconvex lens is equal to the radius of curvature of either
face. What is the value of refractive index of the material of the lens?
1 1 1
Ans. 𝑓 = (𝜇 − 1) (𝑅 + 𝑅 )
1 2
1 2
= (𝜇 − 1) ( 𝑓 ) (∴ 𝑓 = 𝑅 )
𝑓
1
= (𝜇 − 1)
2
𝜇 = 1.5
7. How does focal length of a lens change when red light incident on it is replaced by
violet light? Give reason for your answer.
1 1 1
Ans. We know = (𝜇 − 1) ( − )
𝑓 𝑅1 𝑅2
1
𝑓 ∝ (𝜇−1) and 𝜇𝑣 > 𝜇𝑟
The increase in refractive index would result in decrease of focal length of lens.
Hence, we can say by replacing red light with violet light, decreases the focal length
of the lens used.
8. A biconvex lens made of a transparent material of refractive index 1.25 is immersed
in water of refractive index 1.33. Will the lens behave as a converging lens? Give
reason.
Ans. No, it will behave as a diverging lens.
 On using thin lens maker formula
1 𝑛𝑔 1 1
= (𝑛 − 1) (𝑅 − 𝑅 )
𝑓𝑤 𝑚 1 2

On using sign convention R1 = +ve, R2 = – ve and ng = 1.25 and 𝑛𝑚 = 1.33

1 1.25 1 1
= (1.33 − 1) (𝑅 + 𝑅 )
𝑓𝑤 1 2
1
1 1 25
(𝑅 + 𝑅 ) +ve value and ( 1.33 − 1) = −ve value
1 2

Hence 𝑓𝑤 = −ve. So it behaves as a diverging lens.

9. A concave lens of refractive index 1.5 is immersed in a medium of refractive index
1.65. What is the nature of the lens?
Ans. Concave lens, in medium of high refractive index, behaves as a convex lens (or a
converging lens).
1 𝜇𝑔 1 1
Reason: = (𝜇 − 1) (− 𝑅 − 𝑅 )
𝑓𝑚 𝑚
Since μm > μg
1
= +ve value
𝑓𝑚
So, 𝑓𝑚 > 0. ve. So Hence acts a convex lens.
10. Under what condition does a biconvex lens of glass having a certain refractive index
act as a plane glass sheet when immersed in a liquid?
Ans. When μL = μg
where μL = Refractive index of liquid and μg = Refractive index of glass
11. A converging lens of refractive index 1.5 is kept in a liquid medium having same
refractive index. What is the focal length of the lens in this medium?
Ans. The focal length of lens in a liquid-medium is given by
1 1 1 𝑛𝑔 1 1
= ( 𝑙 𝑛𝑔 − 1) (𝑅 − 𝑅 ) = ( 𝑛 − 1) (𝑅 − 𝑅 )
𝑓1 1 2 𝑙 1 2

Given nl = ng = 1.5
1
∴ = 0 or 𝑓𝑙 = ∞
𝑓𝑙
i.e., focal length of converging lens is infinite i.e., glass lens behaves as a glass plate.
12. Out of blue and red light which is deviated more by a prism? Give reason.
Ans. Blue is deviated more than red.
Reason: Deviation caused by a prims δ = (n – 1) A – Refractive index n is more for
blue than red.
13. How does the angle of minimum deviation of a glass prism vary, if the incident violet
light is replaced by red light? Give reason.
And. If the incident violet light is replaced by red light, the angle of minimum
deviation (δm) of a glass prism decreases.
∵ λV < λR n(V) > n(R)
1
Also, λ∝ 𝑛
For minimum deviation
𝛿 +𝐴
sin( 𝑚 )
2
𝑛= 𝐴
sin
2
Clearly, (δm)R < (δm)V
14. A ray of light passes through an equilateral glass prism such that the angle of
3
incidence is equal to angle of emergence and each of these angles is equal to 4 of
angle prism. What is the value of angle of deviation?
3
Ans. In prism i + e = A + D = and i = e = 4 𝐴 (given)
3 3
So, A+D= 4𝐴+4𝐴
3𝐴 𝐴
⇒ D= −𝐴 =
2 2
0
Since A = 60 (being an equilateral glass prism)
600
So, D= = 300
2
15. Why does the Sun look reddish at sunset or sunrise?
Ans. During sunset or sunrise, the sun is just above the horizon, the blue colour gets
scattered most by the atmospheric molecules while red light gets scattered least,
hence sun appears red.
1
Reason: Scattering intensity I ∝ and λB << λR. Thus, the sun appears red due to
𝜆4
least scattering of red light as it has longest wavelength.
16. Why can’t we see clearly through fog? Name the phenomenon responsible for it.
Ans. Scattering of light: When light falls on fog then scattering takes place so the
particles of fog becomes visible. Visible light cannot pass through fog.
17. You are given following three lenses. Which two lenses will you use as an eyepiece
and as an objective to construct an astronomical telescope? Give reason.
Lenses Power (D) Aperture (cm)
L1 3 8
L2 6 1
L3 10 1
Ans. Objective: Lens L1
Eyepiece: Lens L3
Reason: The objective lens should have large aperture (here, 8 cm) and large focal
1
length (𝑓 = 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 ) while the eyepiece should have small aperture and small focal
length.
18. Does the magnifying power of a microscope depend on the colour of the light used?
Justify your answer.
Ans. Yes, since magnification depends upon focal length and focal length depends on
the colour and different colours have different wavelengths (i.e., different refractive
indices).
1 1 1
= (𝜇 − 1) [𝑅 − 𝑅 ] (By Lens Makers Formula)
𝑓 1 2

Also, magnification of compound microscope

−𝐿 𝐷
M= (1 + 𝑓 )
𝑓0 𝑒

19. (a) Explain briefly how the focal length of a convex changes with increase in
wavelength of incident light.
(b) What happens to the focal length of convex lens when it is immersed in water?
Refractive index of the material of lens is greater than that of water.
 Ans. (a) Focal length increases with increase of wavelength.
1 𝜇 2 𝜇
= (𝜇2 − 1) 𝑅 as wavelength increases, 𝜇2 decreases hence focal length
𝑓 1 1

increases.
(b) As μ1 increases focal length increases.
1 𝜇 2
= (𝜇2 − 1) 𝑅
𝑓 1

OTHER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

1. An object is placed at the principal focus of a concave lens of focal length 𝑓. Where
will its image be formed?
1 1 1 1 1 1
Ans. 𝑓 = 𝑣 − 𝑢 ⇒ 𝑣 = 𝑓 + 𝑢
Here u = – 𝑓 and for a concave lens 𝑓 = −𝑓
1 1 1 𝑓
= −𝑓 − 𝑓 ⇒ 𝑣 = −2
𝑣
That image will be formed between optical centre and focus of lens; towards the
side of the object.
2. For same value of angle of incidence, the angles of refraction in three media are 150,
200 and 250 respectively. In which medium, the velocity of light will be minimum?
𝑐 sin 𝑖
Ans. μ = 𝑉 = sin 𝑟
V, ∝ sin r, Hence velocity will be minimum for r = 150
3. Redraw the diagram given below and mark the position of the centre of curvature of
the spherical mirror used in the given set up.

Ans. If the object is in between focus ‘F’ and centre of curvature ‘C’, image would be
beyond the centre of curvature, inverted real and magnified.

4. The refractive index of a material of a concave lens is n1. It is immersed in a medium

of refractive index n2 A parallel beam of light is incident on the lens. Trace the path
of emergent rays when (i) n2 = n1 (ii) n2 < n1.
1 𝑛 1 1
Ans. 𝑓 = (𝑛1 − 1) (− 𝑅 − 𝑅 )
2 2 2
(i) for n1 = n2 𝑓 = ∞ (ii) for n1 < n2 𝑓>0 (iii) for n1 > n2 𝑓 <
0
 The path of rays in three cases is shown in fig.

5. A convex lens made of a material of refractive index n1 is kept in a medium of

refractive index n2. Parallel rays of light are incident on the lens. Complete the path
of rays of light emerging from the convex lens if: (i) n1 > n2 (ii) n1 = n2 (iii) n1 < n2.
1 𝑛 1 1
Ans. 𝑓 = (𝑛1 − 1) (𝑅 + 𝑅 )
2 2 2

In case (i) n1 > n2, the lens behaves as convergent lens.

In case (ii) n1 = n2, the lens behaves as a plane plate.
In case (iii), n1 < n2, the lens behaves as a divergent lens.
The path of rays in all the three cases is shown in fig.

6. A concave mirror and a converging lens have the same focal length in air. Which one
of the two will have greater focal length when both are immersed in water?
1 𝑛 1 1
Ans. Converging lens, 𝑓 = (𝑛1 − 1) (𝑅 + 𝑅 )
2 2 2

When it is immersed in water

n2 (in water) > n2 (air)
𝑛
(𝑛1 − 1) decreases hence focal length of converging lens increases in water.
2
7. How does the power of a convex lens vary, if the incident red light is replaced by
violet light?
1
Ans. Power of a lens increases if red light is replaced by violet light because P = 𝑓 =
1 1
( 𝑎𝑛𝑔 − 1) ( − 𝑅 ) and refractive index is maximum for violet light in visible region
𝑅1 2
of spectrum.
8. An equi-convex lens has refractive index 1.5. Write its focal length in terms of radius
of curvature R.
1 1 1 1 1
Ans. 𝑓 = (1.5 + 1) (𝑅 − 𝑅 ) ⇒ 𝑓 = 𝑅 ⇒ 𝑓 = 𝑅.
9. A convex lens (n = 1.5) of focal length 𝑓𝑎 is immersed
(i) in water n = 1.33 and (ii) in carbon disulphide n = 1.6, how does the lens behave in
the two cases?
Ans. (i) When lens is immersed in water, it behaves as a convex lens but its focal
length will increase.
(ii) When convex lens is immersed in carbon-disulphide, it will behave as a concave
lens.
10. A concave lens is placed in water. Will there be any change in focal length? Give
reason.
𝑛𝑔 −1
Ans. Focal length of lens in water 𝑓𝑤 = 𝑛𝑔 𝑓𝑎
−1
𝑛𝑤
𝑛𝑔
As 𝑛𝑔 > 𝑛𝑤 , 𝑛 > 1, 𝑠𝑜 𝑓𝑤 > 𝑓𝑎
𝑤

That is, focal length of lens in water will increase, but the nature of lens will remain
unchanged.
11. Why is there no dispersion in the light refracted through a rectangular glass slab?
Ans. It can be considered to be equivalent to two prisms in reverse way. In the case
of a rectangular glass slab the rays of all colours combine together in the reverse
prism. Hence, there is no dispersion.
12. For which colour the magnifying power of a simple microscope is highest? For which
colour it is lowest?
𝐷
Ans. It is highest for violet and lowest for red colour since M = 1 + and 𝑓𝑉 < 𝑓𝑅 .
𝑓
13. A telescope has been adjusted for relaxed eye. You are asked to adjust it for least
distance of distinct vision, then how will you change the distance between two
lenses?
Ans. For relaxed eye, L = 𝑓0 + 𝑓𝑒
For least distance of distinct vision
L’ = 𝑓0 + 𝑢𝑒 , 𝑢𝑒 < 𝑓𝑒
Therefore, L’ < L, that is, the distance will be decreased.
14. Consider a point at the focal point of a convergent lens. Another convergent lens of
short focal length is placed on the other side. what is the nature of the wavefronts
emerging from the final image?
Ans. The focal point of a convergent lens is the position of real image formed by this
lens, when object is at infinity. When another convergent lens of short focal length is
placed on the other side, the combination will form a real point image at the
combined focus of the two lenses. The wavefronts emerging from the final image
will be spherical.
15. Will the focal length of a lens for red light be more, same or less than that for blue
light?
 1
Ans. As the refractive index for red is less than that for blue 𝑓 ∝ 𝑛 − 1, parallel
beams of light incident on a lens will be bent more towards the axis for blue light
compared to red. Thus the focal length for red light will be more than that for blue.
16. An unsymmetrical double convex thin lens forms the image of a point object on its
axis. Will the position of the image change if the lens is reversed?
Ans. No, the reversibility of the lens makes equation.
1 1 1 1 1 1 1
For convex lens, 𝑣 − 𝑢 = 𝑓 = (𝑛 − 1) (𝑅 + 𝑅 ) = −(𝑛 − 1) (𝑅 + 𝑅 )
1 2 2 1

On reversing the lens, values of R1 and R2 are reversed and so their signs. Hence, for
a given position of object (u), position of image (v) remains unaffected.

Short Answer Questions – I

1. An object AB is kept in front of a concave mirror as shown in the figure.

(i) Complete the ray diagram showing the image formation of the object.
(ii) How will the position and intensity of the image be affected if the lower half
of the mirror’s reflecting surface is painted black?
Ans. (i) Image formed will be inverted diminished between C and F.

(ii) No change in position of image and its intensity will get reduced.
2. A converging and a diverging lens of equal focal lengths are placed co-axially in
contact. Find the power and the focal length of the combination.
Ans. Let focal length of converging and diverging lenses be + 𝑓 and – 𝑓 respectively.
1 1
Power of converging lens P1 = 𝑓 Power of diverging lens P2 = − 𝑓
1 1
∴ Power of combination P = P1 + P2 = 𝑓 − 𝑓 = 0
1 1
∴ Focal length of combination F = 𝑃 = 0 = ∞ (infinite)
3. Explain why white light is dispersed while passing through a prism.
Ans. The refractive index of prism-material depends on the wavelength λ of light. It is
1
inversely proportional to square of wavelength i.e., n ∝ 𝜆2 ; Accordingly refractive
index is maximum for violet (λ = 4000 Å) and minimum for red (λ = 7500 Å). So the
deviation caused by prism 𝑓 = (n – 1) A is maximum for violet and minimum for red;
hence on passage through the prism; the different colours are separated; thus
causing dispersion of white light.
4. A convex lens is placed over a plane mirror. A pin is now positioned so that there is
no parallax between the pin and its image formed by this lens-mirror combination.
How will you use this observation to find focal length of the lens? Explain briefly.
Ans. Focal length = distance of the pin from the mirror.
5. Light from a point source in air falls on a convex spherical glass surface of refractive
index 1.5 and radius of curvature 20 cm. The distance of light source from the glass
surface is 100 cm. At what position is the image formed?
Ans. R = 20 cm, n = 1.5, n1 = 1 and u = − 100 cm
𝑛2 𝑛1 𝑛2−𝑛1
Using − =
𝑣 𝑢 𝑅
1.5 1 (1.5−1)
− −100 =
𝑣 20
1.5 0.5 1 1.5 2.5−1
⇒ = − 100 ⇒ =
𝑣 20 𝑣 100
1.5 1.5
⇒ = 100
𝑣
∴ v = 100 cm
A real image is formed on the other side at 100 cm away from the surface.
6. The radii of curvature of the faces of a double convex lens are 10 cm and 15 cm. If
the focal length of the lens is 12 cm, find the refractive index of the material of the
lens.
Ans. Given R1 = 10 cm, R2 = – 15 cm, 𝑓 = 12 cm
Lens Maker’s formula is
1 1 1
= (𝑛 − 1) ( 𝑅 − 𝑅 )
𝑓 1 2
1 1 1 1 5
⇒ = (𝑛 − 1) (10 + 15) ⇒ 12 = (𝑛 − 1) × 30
12
30 1
⇒ 𝑛−1 = × 12 = 0.5
5
∴ Refractive index, n = 1 + 0.5 = 1.5
7. Calculate the distance d, so that a real image of an object at O, 15 cm in front of a
convex lens of focal length 10 cm be formed at the same point O. The radius of
curvature of the mirror is 20 cm. Will the image be inverted or erect?
Or
An object is placed 15 cm in front of a convex lens of focal length 10 cm. Find the
nature and position of the image formed. Where should a concave mirror of radius
of curvature 20 cm be placed so that the final image is formed at the position of the
object itself?
Ans. For lens, u = – 15 cm, 𝑓 = + 10 cm
 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
= 𝑣−𝑢 ⇒ = 𝑓 + 𝑢 = 10 − 15 ⇒ v = 30 cm
𝑓 𝑣
For image to be formed at O, the rays incident on mirror should form the image at
centre of curvature. It will be so if the image I formed by the lens lies at the centre of
curvature of the mirror, then the final image of mirror will be at centre of curvature
and inverted, this image will be object for the lens.
∴ d = | v | + |R| = 30 + 20 = 50 cm
The image is inverted.
8. A compound microscope has an objective of focal length 1.25 cm and eyepieces of
focal length 5 cm. A small object is kept at 2.5 cm from the objective. If the final
image formed is at infinity, find the distance between the objective and the
eyepiece.
1 1 1
Ans. Using 𝑣 − 𝑢 = 𝑓
0 0 0
1 1 1 1 1 1
− −2.5 = 1.25 ⇒ = 1.25 − 2.5
𝑣0 𝑣0
1 4 2
= 5 − 5 ⇒ 𝑣0 = 2.5 𝑐𝑚
𝑣0
∴ 𝑓0 = 2.5 𝑐𝑚
Distance between objective and eyepiece
L = [𝑓0 ] + [𝑓𝑒 ] = 2.5 + 5.0 = 7.5 cm.
9. Two convex lenses of same focal length but of aperture A1 and A2 (A2 < A1), are used
as the objective lenses in two astronomical telescopes having identical eyepieces.
What is the ratio of their resolving power? Which telescope will you prefer and why?
Give reason.
𝐴
Ans. Resolving power R = 1.22 𝜆, where A is apkerture
𝑅1 𝐴
∴ = 𝐴1
𝑅2 2
𝑓
Magnification of telescope, 𝑚 = 𝑓0 same for both. We prefer telescope of higher
𝑒

resolving power to view the fine details of the object i.e., telescope having convex
lens of aperture A1.
10. The radii of curvature of both the surfaces of a lens are equal. If one of the surface is
made plane by grinding, then will the focal length of lens change? Will the power
change?
1 1 1 𝑅
Ans. Focal length of lens 𝑓 = (𝑛 − 1) (𝑅 + 𝑅 ) ⇒ 𝑓 = 2(𝑛−1)
 1 1 1
When one surface is made plane, 𝑓 = (𝑛 − 1) (𝑅 + ∞)
𝑅
∴ 𝑓 ′ = (𝑛−1) = 2𝑓. That is, the focal length will be doubled.
1
As P = 𝑓, so power will be halved.
11. A convex lens if placed in contact with a plane mirror. A point object at a distance of
20 cm on the axis of this combination has its image coinciding with itself. What is the
focal length of the lens?
Ans. The focal length of the lens = 20 cm
Explanation:

As the image of this combination coincides with the object itself, the rays from the
object, after refraction from the lens should fall normally on the plane mirror, so that
they retrace their path. So the rays from the point object after refraction from the
lens must form parallel beam. Hence the rays must be originating from the focus.
12. Define the magnifying power of a compound microscope when the final image is
formed at infinity. Why must both the objective and the eyepiece of a compound
microscope have short focal lengths? Explain.
Ans. Magnifying power of a compound microscope is defined as the ratio of angle
subtended by the final image at the eye to the angle subtended by the object at the
unaided eye (seen directly).
𝐿 𝐷
𝑚 = 𝑚0 × 𝑚𝑒 = 𝑓 × 𝑓
0 𝑒

where D = least distance of distinct vision

L = tube length of the microscope
Clearly, to achieve a large magnifying power, the objective and eyepiece should have
small focal lengths.
13. Why should the objective of a telescope have large focal length and large aperture?
Justify your answer.
𝑓
Ans. (i) Magnifying power = − 𝑓0
𝑒

Where 𝑓0 is the focal length of objective lens and 𝑓𝑒 is the focal length of eyepiece.
Clearly, for large magnifying power, 𝑓0 should be large.
𝑑
(ii) Resolving power = 1.22 𝜆
Where d is the diameter (aperture) of the objective and λ is the wavelength of light
used. Therefore, to increase the resolving power of telescope, large aperture of the
objective lens is required.
14. (i) State the condition under which a large magnification can be achieved in an
astronomical telescope.
 (ii) Give two reasons to explain why a reflecting telescope is preferred over a
refracting telescope.
Ans. (i) (a) When final image is formed at least distance of distinct vision,
magnification
𝑓 𝑓
𝑚 = 𝑓0 (1 + 𝐷𝑒)
𝑒
(b) Magnification in normal adjustment.
𝑓
𝑚 = 𝑓0
𝑒

Clearly, for large magnification

𝑓0 ≫ 𝑓𝑒
(ii) Reflecting telescope is preferred over refracting telescope because
(a) No chromatic aberration, because mirror is used.
(b) Spherical aberration can be removed by using a parabolic mirror.
(c) Image is bright because no loss of energy due to reflection.
(d) Large mirror can provide easier mechanical support.
15. Calculate the speed of light in a medium whose critical angle is 450.
Ans. Critical angle in the medium, 𝑖𝐶 = 450
1 1
So, refractive index, μ = sin 𝑖 = sin 450
𝐶

⇒ μ = √2
𝑐0
Refractive index, μ = 𝑐
𝑚
3 ×108
√2 = 𝑐𝑚
3 ×108
𝑐𝑚 = = 2.1 × 108 𝑚/𝑠
√2
𝑏
Yes, critical angle for a pair of media depends on wavelength, because μ = 𝑎 + ,
𝜆2
where a and b are constant of the media.
16. A ray of light incident normally on one face of a right isosceles prism is totally
reflected as shown in figure. What must be minimum value of refractive index glass?
Give relevant calculations.
 Ans. The critical angle depends on refractive index μ as
1
sin 𝑖𝑐 = 𝜇
For total internal reflection,
∠𝑖 ≥ ∠𝑖𝑐 (𝑐𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒)
⇒ 450 ≥ ∠𝑖𝑐 ⇒ ∠𝑖𝑐 ≤ 450
1
⇒ sin ic ≤ sin 450 ⇒ sin ic ≤
√2
1
⇒ ≥ √2 ⇒ 𝜇 ≥ √2
sin 𝑖𝑐

Hence, the minimum value of refractive index must be √2.

17. Draw a ray diagram to show how a right isosceles prism made of crown glass can be
used to obtain the inverted image.
Ans.

18. (a) A ray of light is incident normally on the face AB of a

right-angled glass prism of refractive index aμg = 1.5. The
prism is partly immersed in a liquid of unknown refractive
index. Find the value of refractive index of the liquid so
that the ray grazes along the face BC after refraction
through the prism.
(b) Trace the path of the rays if it were incident normally
on the face AC.
Ans. (a) From Snell’s law
0
aμg sin ic = a μl sin 90

1.5 × sin 600 = aμl

√3
∴ aμl = 1.5 × = 1.3
2
(b) The ray strikes at an angle of 300 < ic. So, the ray of light deviates apart from the
normal, as it moves from denser to rarer medium
 19. A ray of light incident on an equilateral glass prism propagates parallel to the base
line of the prism inside it. Find the angle of incidence of this ray. Given refractive
index of material of glass prism is √3.
Ans.

From the figure, we see

r = 300
We know
sin 𝑖
⇒ 𝑛21 =
sin 𝑟
sin 𝑖
⇒ √3 = sin 300
1 √3
⇒ sin i = √3 sin 300 = √3 × 2 = 2
⇒ i = 600
20. A ray of light passing from air through an equilateral glass prism undergoes minimum
3
deviation when the angle of incidence is 4th of the angle of prism. Calculate the
speed of light in the prism.
Ans. Angle of prism, A = 600 (Since prism is an equilateral glass prism)
We are given that
3 3
𝑖 = 4 𝐴 = 4 × 600
∴ i = 450
At minimum deviation,
𝐴
𝑟= = 300
2
1
sin 𝑖 sin 450 √2 2
∴ 𝜇 = sin 𝑟 = sin 300 = 1 = = √2
√2
2

∴ Speed of light in the prism is given by

𝑐 3 ×108
𝑣=𝜇= = 2.1 × 108 𝑚/𝑠
√2

OTHER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

1. The focal length of a convex lens made of glass is 20 cm. What will be its new focal
length when placed in a medium of refractive index 1.25?
1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Ans. 𝑓 = (𝜇 − 1) [𝑅 − 𝑅 ] ⇒ 20 = 4 [𝑅 − 𝑅 ]
1 2 1 2
1 1 1 1 ′
= 4 [𝑅 − 𝑅 ] ⇒ 𝑓 = 40 𝑐𝑚
𝑓 1 2
2. You have learnt that plane and convex mirror produce virtual images of objects. Can
they produce real images under some circumstances? Explain.
Ans. Yes, plane and convex mirrors can form real images if the object is virtual i.e.,
rays incident on the mirror is convergent as shown in figs. (i) and (ii).

3. A convex lens, of focal length 20 cm, has a point object placed on its principle axis at
distance of 40 cm from it. A plane mirror is placed 30 cm behind the convex lens.
Locate the position of image formed by this combination.

Ans. We first consider of effect of the lens. For the lens, we have
u = – 40 cm and 𝑓 = +20 cm
1 1 1
− −40 = 20 ⇒ 𝑣 = +40 𝑐𝑚
𝑣
Had there been the lens only the image would have been formed at Q 1. The
plane mirror M is at a distance of 30 cm from the lens L. We can, therefore, think of
a Q1 as a virtual object, located at a distance of 10 cm, behind the plane mirror M.
The plane mirror therefore forms a real image (of this virtual object Q 1) at Q, 10 cm
in front of it. This is show in the figure.
4. The following data was recorded for values of object distance and the corresponding
values of image distance in the experiment on study of real image formation by a
 convex lens of power + 5D. One of these observations in incorrect. Identify this
observation and give reason for your choice:
S. No. 1 2 3 4 5 6
Object distance (cm) 25 30 35 45 50 55
Image distance (cm) 97 61 37 35 32 30

Ans. Power of lens = +5 D

1 1
Focal length of lens, 𝑓 = 𝑃 = 5 = 0.20 𝑚 = 20 𝑐𝑚
The observations at serial number (3) i.e., (object distance 35 cm and image distance
37 cm is incorrect), because if the object is placed at a distance between f and 2f its
image will be formed beyond 2f, while in this observation the object and image
distances, both are between f and 2f.
5. For a given position of an object, an equiconvex lens forms its real image at a
distance of 60 cm from the lens. A convex mirror is now kept in between this image
position and the convex lens. The final image formed by this combination coincides
with the object when the distance between the convex lens and the convex mirror
equals 25 cm. Calculate the radius of curvature of the convex mirror.
Ans. Given that the image formed by the combination of convex lens and the convex
mirror coincides with the object.
This means that the position of the image formed by the convex lens alone
corresponds to the position of centre of curvature of the convex mirror.
Hence, the distance between the convex mirror and this image (formed by the lens)
which is equal to 60-25 represents radius of curvature of the mirror.
Thus, radius of curvature of the mirror = 35 cm.
6. A light ray incident at grazing angle on the face AB of a prism ABC, follows the path
shown in the figure. Obtain the relation between the angle of prism A and the
refractive index μ of its material.

Ans. For grazing incidence at the first face

sin 𝜋/2 1 1
μ= = sin 𝑟 ⇒ 𝑟𝑖 = sin−1 (𝜇) …(i)
sin 𝑟𝑖 𝑖

At the second face,

1 sin 𝑟 sin 𝑟2 1
2
= sin 𝜋/2 = ⇒ 𝑟2 = sin−1 (𝜇) …(ii)
𝜇 1
1
Also A = r1 + r2 = 2sin-1 (𝜇)
 7. A right-angled crown glass prism with critical angle 410 is placed before an object, PQ
in two positions as shown in the figure (i) and (ii). Trace the paths of the rays from P
and Q passing through the prisms in the two cases.

Ans. The formation of images is shown in figures (i) and (ii).

*****

Multiple Choice Questions

Choose and write the correct option(s) in the following questions.

1. A ray of light incident at an angle θ on a refracting face of a prism emerges from the
other face normally. If the angle of the prism is 50 and the prism is made of a material
of refractive index 1.5, the angle of incidence is
(a) 7.50 (b) 50 (c) 150 (d) 2.50
2. An object is placed at a distance of 40 cm from a concave mirror of focal length 15
cm. If the object is displaced through a distance of 20 cm towards the mirror, the
displacement of the image will be
 (a) 30 cm away from the mirror
(b) 36 cm away from the mirror
(c) 30 cm towards the mirror
(d) 36 cm towards the mirror
3. A short pulse of white light is incident from air to a glass slab at normal incidence.
After travelling through the slab, the first colour to emerge is
(a) Blue (b) Green (c) Violet (d) Red
4. A diver in a swimming pool wants to signal his distress to a person lying on the edge
of the pool by flashing his waterproof flash light.
(a) He must direct the beam vertically upward
(b) He has to direct the beam horizontally
(c) He has to direct the beam at an angle to the vertical which is slightly les than the
critical angle of incidence for total internal reflection
(d) He has to direct the beam at an angle to the vertical which is slightly more than
the critical angle of incidence for total internal reflection.
5. The refractive index of the material of a prism is √2 and the angle of the prism is 300.
One of the two refracting surfaces of the prism is made a mirror inwards, by silver
coating. A beam of monochromatic light entering the prism from the other face will
retrace it path (after reflection from the silvered surface) if its angle of incidence of
the prism is
(a) 600 (b) 450 (c) 300 (d) zero
6. A microscope is focused on a mark. Then a glass slab of refractive index 1.5 and
thickness 6 cm is placed on the mark. To get the mark again in focus the microscope
should be moved
(a) 2 cm downward (b) 2 cm upward (c) 4 cm upward (d) 9 cm upward.
7. An object approaches a convergent lens from the left of the lens with a uniform speed
5 m/s and stops at the focus. The image
(a) Moves away from the lens with an uniforms speed 5 m/s.
(b) Moves away from the lens with an uniforms acceleration.
(c) Moves away from the lens with a non-uniform acceleration.
(d) Moves towards the lens with a non-uniform acceleration.
8. Transmission of light in optical fibre is due to
(a) Scattering
(b) Diffraction
(c) Refraction
(d) Multiple total internal reflection.
9. The wavelength of light in air is 6000 Å and in medium its value is 4000 Å. It means
that the refractive index of that medium with respect to air is
(a) 1.2 (b) 2.4 (c) 0.66 (d) 1.5
10. You are given four sources of light each one providing a light of a single colour – red,
blue, green and yellow. Suppose the angle of refraction for a beam of yellow light
corresponding to a particular angle of incidence at the interface of two media is 90 0.
Which of the following statements is correct if the source of yellow light is replaced
with that of other lights without changing the angle of incidence?
(a) The beam of red light would undergo total internal reflection.
 (b) The beam of red light would bend towards normal while it gets refracted through
the second medium.
(c) The beam of blue light would undergo total internal reflection.
(d) The beam of green light would bend away from the normal as it gets refracted
through the second medium.
5
11. Refractive index of water is 3. A light source is placed in water at a depth of 4 m.
Then what must be the minimum radius of disc placed at water surface so that the
light of source can be stopped
(a) 3 m (b) 4 m (c) 5 m (d) infinite
12. A beam of light consisting of red, green and blue colours
is incident on a right angled prism. The refractive index
of the material of the prism for the above red, green and
blue wavelengths are 1.39, 1.44 and 1.47 respectively.
The prism will
(a) Not separate the three colours at all
(b) Separate the red colour part from the green and blue colours
(c) Separate the blue colour part from the red and green colours
(d) Separate all the three colours from one another
13. The radius of curvature of the curved surface of a plano-convex lens is 20 cm. If the
refractive index of the material of the lens be 1.5, it will
(a) Act as a convex lens only for the objects that lie on its curved side.
(b) Act as a concave lens for the objects that lie on its curved side.
(c) Act as a convex lens irrespective of the side on which the object lies.
(d) Act as a concave lens irrespective of side on which the object lies.
14. Which of the following is not due to total internal reflection?
(a) Working of optical fibre
(b) Difference between apparent and real depth of a pond
(c) Mirage on hot summer days
(d) Brilliance of diamond
15. A student measures the focal length of a convex lens by putting an object pin at a
distance ‘u’ from the lens and measuring the distance ‘v’ of the image pin. The graph
between ‘u’ and ‘v’ plotted by the student should look like
16. The direction of ray of light incident on a concave mirror is shown by PQ while
directions in which the ray would travel after reflection is shown by four rays marked
1, 2, 3, and 4 (Fig., given below). Which of the four rays correctly shows the direction
of reflected ray?

(a) 1 (b) 2 (c) 3 (d) 4

17. The optical density of turpentine is higher than that of water while its mass density is
lower. Figure shows a layer of turpentine floating over water in a container. For which
one of the four rays incident on turpentine in the figure, the path shown in correct?

(a) 1 (b) 2 (c) 3 (d) 4

18. If the focal length of objective lens is increased then magnifying power of
(a) Microscope will increase but that of telescope decrease.
(b) Microscope and telescope both will increase.
(c) Microscope and telescope both will decrease.
(d) Microscope will decrease but that of telescope will increase.
 19. If an object is placed unsymmetrically between two plane mirrors inclined at 70 0, then
the total number of images formed is
(a) 5 (b) 4 (c) 3 (d) 1
20. Between the primary and secondary rainbows, there is a dark band known as
Alexandar’s dark band. This is because
(a) Light scattered into this region interfere destructively.
(b) There is no light scattered into this region.
(c) Light is absorbed in this region.
(d) Angle made at the eye by the scattered rays with respect to the incident light of the
sun lies between approximately 420 and 500.

Answers

1. (a) 2. (b) 3. (d) 4. (c) 5. (b) 6. (b)

7. (c) 8. (d) 9. (d) 10. (c) 11. (a) 12. (b)

13. (c) 14. (b) 15. (c) 16. (b) 17. (b) 18. (d)

19. (a) 20. (a), (d)

Assertion – Reason Questions

In the following questions a statement of assertion followed by a statement of reason is

given. Choose the correct answer out of the following choices.

(a) Assertion and reason both are correct statements and reason is correct
explanation for assertion.
(b) Assertion and reason both are correct statements but reason is not correct
explanation for assertion.
(c) Assertion is correct statement but reason is wrong statement.
(d) Assertion is wrong statement but reason is correct statement.

1. Assertion : Diamond glitters brilliantly.

Reason : Diamond reflects sunlight strongly.
2. Assertion: The resolving power of a telescope is more, if the diameter of the
objective lens is more.
Reason : Objective lens of large diameter collects more light.
3. Assertion: In a telescope, objective lens has greater focal length than eye piece but in
a microscope objective has smaller focal length than eye piece. By inverting a
telescope, a microscope cannot be formed.
Reason : The difference in focal lengths of objective and eye lens in telescope in
much larger than in microscope
 4. Assertion: Light travels faster in glass than in air.
Reason: Glass is denser than air.
5. Assertion: For observing traffic at back, the driver mirror is convex mirror.
Reason: A convex mirror has much larger field of view than a plane mirror.
6. Assertion: In astronomical telescope, the objective lens is of large aperture.
Reason: Larger is the aperture, larger is the magnifying power.
7. Assertion: If a convex lens is kept in water, its convergence power decreases.
Reason: The refractive index of convex lens relative to water is less than that relative
to air.
8. Assertion: The speed of light in glass depends on colour of light.
𝑐
Reason :The speed of light in glass vg = 𝑛 , the refractive index (ng) of glass is
𝑔

different for different colours.

9. Assertion: Magnifying glass is formed of shorter focal length.
Reason: It is easier to form lenses of small focal length.
10. Assertion: In compound microscope, the objective lens is taken of small focal length.
Reason: This increases the magnifying power of microscope.

Answers

1. (c) 2. (b) 3. (a) 4. (d) 5. (a) 6. (c)

7. (a) 8. (a) 9. (c) 10. (a)

SELF-ASSESSMENT TEST

Time allowed: 1 hour Max. Marks: 30

1. Choose and write the correct option in the following questions.

(i) Match the corresponding entries of column 1 with column 2. [Where m is the
magnification produced by mirror]
Column 1 Column 2
(A) m = – 2 (p) Convex mirror
1
(B) m = − 2 (q) Concave mirror
(C) m = + 2 (r) Real image
1
(D) m = + (s) Virtual image
2
(a) A → p and s; B → q and r; C → q and s; D → q and r
(b) A → r and s; B → q and s; C → q and r; D → p and s
(c) A → q and r; B → q and r; C → q and s; D → p and s
(d) A → p and r; B → p and s; C → p and q; D → r and s
(ii) A astronomical telescope has objective and eyepiece of focal length 40 cm and
4 cm respectively. to view an object 200 cm away from the objective, the
lenses must be separated by a distance
(a) 50.0 cm (b) 54.0 cm (c) 37.3 cm (d) 46.0
 (iii) The angle of incidence for a ray of light at a refracting surface of a prism is
450. The angle of prism is 600. If they ray suffers minimum deviation through
the prism, the angle of minimum deviation and refractive index of the material
of the prism respectively, are.
1 1
(a) 450; √2 (b) 300; (c) 450; (d) 300; √2
√2 √2
2. In the following questions a statement of assertion followed by a statement of reason
is given. Choose the correct answer out of the following choices.
(a) Assertion and reason both are correct statements and reason is correct explanation
for assertion.
(b) Assertion and reason both are correct statements but reason is not correct
explanation for assertion.
(c) Assertion is correct statement but reason is wrong statement.
(d) Assertion is wrong statement but reason is correct statement.
(i) Assertion: The mirrors used in search lights are concave spherical.
Reason : In concave spherical mirror the image formed is always virtual.
(ii) Assertion: An air bubble in a jar of water shines brightly when sun light falls
on it.
Reason: Light incident from water in air bubble is totally reflected, which
causes the air bubble to shine brightly.
3. A biconvex lens made of a transparent material of refractive index 1.25 is immersed
in water of refractive index 1.33. Will the lens behave as a converging lens? Give
reason.
4. How does the angle of minimum deviation of a glass prism vary, if the incident violet
light is replaced by red light? Give reason.
5. For the same angle of incidence the angle of refraction in three different media A, B
and C are 150, 250 and 350 respectively. In which medium the velocity of light is
minimum?
6. Two monochromatic rays of light are incident normally on the face AB of an isosceles
right, angled prism ABC. The refractive indices of the glass prism for the two rays ‘1’
and ‘2’ are respectively 1.3 and 1.5. Trace the path of these rays after entering through
the prism. Explain briefly.
2
7. A biconvex lens has a focal length 3 times the radius of curvature of either surface.
calculate the refractive index of lens material.
8. Light from a point source in air falls on a convex spherical glass surface of refractive
index 1.5 and radius of curvature 20 cm. The distance of light source from the glass
surface is 100 cm. At what position is the image formed?
9. Find the radius of curvature of the convex surface of a plano-convex lens, whose focal
length is 0.3 m and the refractive index of the material of the lens is 1.5.
10. (a) Draw a ray diagram to show the image formation by a combination of two thin
convex lenses in contact. obtain the expression for the power of this combination in
terms of the focal lengths of the lenses.
(b) A ray of light passing from air through an equilateral glass prism undergoes
3
minimum deviation when the angle of incidence is 4 𝑡ℎ of the angle of prism.
Calculate the speed of light in the prism.
 11. Two thin convex lenses L1 and L2 of focal lengths f1 and f2 respectively, are placed
coaxially in contact. an object is placed at a point beyond the focus of lens L 1. Draw a
ray diagram to show the image formation by the combination and hence derive the
expression for the focal length of the combined system.
12. A convex lens of focal length 20 cm is placed coaxially with a convex mirror of
radius of curvature 20 cm. The two are kept at 15 cm from each other. A point object
lies 60 cm is front of the convex lens. Draw a ray diagram to show the formation of
the image by the combination. Determine the nature and position of the image
formed.
13. Draw a labelled ray diagram to show the image formation by an astronomical
telescope.
Derive the expression for its magnifying power in normal adjustment. Write two basic
features which can distinguish between a telescope and a compound microscope.

Answers

1. (i) (c) (ii) (b) (iii) (d) 2. (i) (c) (ii) (a)
7
7. n = 4 9. R = 15 cm.

PRACTICE QUESTIONS FOR IIT/NEET EXAMINATION

LEVEL – 1

1. A plane mirror is placed at the bottom of a tank containing a liquid of refractive

index μ. P is a small object at a height h above the mirror. An observer O vertically
above P, outside the liquid, sees P and its image in the mirror. The apparent distance
between these two will be

2ℎ 2ℎ 1
(a) 2ℎ𝜇 (b) (c) 𝜇−1 (d) ℎ (1 + 𝜇).
𝜇
2. A converging lens forms a real image I on its optic axis. A rectangular glass slab of
refractive index μ and thickness t is introduced between the lens and I. I will move
(a) away from the lens by t(μ – 1)
(b) towards the lens by t(μ – 1)
 1
(c) away from the lens by t(1 − 𝜇)
1
(d) towards the lens by 𝑡 (1 − 𝜇)
3. A ray of light incident on a slab of transparent material is partly reflected from the
surface and partly refracted into the slab. The reflected and refracted rays are
mutually perpendicular. The incident ray makes an angle i with the normal to the
slab. The refractive index of the slab is
(a) tan-1 (i) (b) cot-1 (i) (c) sin-1 (i) (d) cos-1 (i)
4. The light reflected by a plane mirror may form a real image.
(a) if the rays incident on the mirror are converging
(b) if the rays incident on the mirror are diverging
(c) if the object is placed very close to the mirror
(d) under no circumstances.
5. An air bubble is inside water. The refractive index of water is 4/3. At what distance
from the air bubble should a point object be placed, so as to form a real image at the
same distance from the bubble?
(a) 2 R (b) 3 R (c) 4 R
(d) The air bubble cannot form a real image.
6. A spherical surface of radius of curvature R separates air from glass (refractive index
– 1.5). The centre of curvature is in the glass. A point object P placed in air is found
to form a real image Q in the glass. The line PQ cuts the surface at a point O, and PO
= OQ. The distance PO is equal to
(a) 5 R (b) 3 R (c) 2 R (d) 1.5 R.
7. A point source of light at the surface of a sphere causes a parallel beam of light to
emerge from the opposite surface of the sphere. The refractive index of the material
of the sphere is
5
(a) 1.5 (b) 3 (c) 2 (d) 2.5.
8. A thin lens of refractive index 1.5 has a focal length of 15 cm in air. When the lens is
placed in a medium of refractive index 4/3, its focal length will become
(a) 30 cm (b) 45 cm (c) 60 cm (d) 75 cm.
9. A double convex lens made of material of refractive index μ1, is placed inside two
liquids of refractive indices μ2 and μ3, as shown, μ2 > μ1 > μ3. A wide, parallel beam of
light is incident on the lens from the left. The lens will give rise to

(a) a single convergent beam

(b) two different convergent beams
 (c) two different divergent beams
(d) a convergent and a divergent beam.
10. A convex lens of focal length 40 cm, a concave lens of focal length 40 cm and a
concave lens of focal length 15 cm are placed in contact. The power of this
combination in dioptres is
(a) + 1.5 (b) – 1.5 (c) + 6.67 (d) – 6.67.
11. A short linear object of length b lies along the axis of a concave mirror of focal length
f, at a distance u from the mirror. The size of the image is approximately
𝑢−𝑓 1/2 𝑓 𝑢−𝑓 𝑓 2
(a) 𝑏 ( ) (b) 𝑏 (𝑢−𝑓 ) (c) 𝑏 ( ) (d) 𝑏 (𝑢−𝑓 ) .
𝑓 𝑓
12. A boy of height 1 m stands in front of a convex mirror. His distance from the mirror is
equal to its focal length. The height of his image is
(a) 0.25 m (b) 0.33 m (c) 0.5 m (d) 0.67 m.
13. A ray of light is incident normally as one of the faces of a prism of apex angle 300 and
refractive index √2. The angle of deviation of the ray is
(a) 00 (b) 12.50 (c) 150 (d) 22.50.
14. A ray of light is incident normally on one face of an equilateral prism of refractive
index 1.5. The angle of deviation is
(a) 300 (b) 450 (c) 600 (d) 750
15. A thin prism P1 of angle 40, and made from a glass of refractive index 1.54, is
combined with another thin prism P2 made from a glass of refractive index 1.72, to
produce dispersion without deviation. The angle of P2 is
(a) 5.330 (b) 40 (c) 30 (d) 2.60.
16. An astronomical telescope has an angular magnification of magnitude 5 for distant
objects. The separation between the objective and the eyepiece is 36 cm. The final
image is formed at infinity. The focal length f0 of the objective and fe of the eyepiece,
are
(a) 45 cm and – 9 cm respectively
(b) 50 cm and 10 cm respectively
(c) 7.2 cm and 5 cm respectively
(d) 30 cm and 6 cm respectively.
17. An astronomical telescope in normal adjustment receives light from a distant source
S. The tube length is now decreased slightly.
(a) A virtual image of S will be formed at a finite distance.
(b) No image will be formed.
(c) A small, real image of S will be formed behind the eyepiece, close to it.
(d) A large, real image of S will be formed behind the eyepiece, far away from it.
18. An object of length 4 cm is kept on the principal axis of a convex mirror at a distance
f. The size of the image formed is
(a) 2 cm (b) 8 cm (c) 6 cm (d) 4 cm.
19. A concave mirror forms an erect image of twice the object size, the object distance
from the mirror is
𝑓 𝑓 3𝑓
(a) 2 (b) 4 (c) (d) 2𝑓.
2
 20. An astronomical telescope has a large aperture to
(a) reduce spherical aberration
(b) have high resolution
(c) increase span of observation
(d) have low dispersion.
21. Which of the following phenomena is used in optical fibres?
(a) Total internal reflection
(b) Scattering
(c) Diffraction
(d) Refraction.
22. The image formed by an objective of a compound microscope is
(a) virtual and diminished
(b) real and diminished
(c) real and enlarged
(d) virtual and enlarged.
23. To get three images of a single object, one should have two plane mirrors at an angle
of
(a) 600 (b) 900 (c) 1200 (d) 300.
24. Two lenses of power – 15 D and + 5 D are in contact with each other. the focal length
of the combination is
(a) + 10 cm (b) – 20 cm (c) – 10 cm (d) + 20 cm
25. An experiment is performed to find the refractive index of glass using a travelling
microscope. In this experiment distances are measured by
(a) a vernier scale provided on the microscope
(b) a standard laboratory scale
(c) a meter scale provided on the microscope
(d) a screw gauge provided on the microscope.
26. wavelength of light used in an optical instrument are λ1 = 4000 Å ad λ2 = 5000 Å,
then ratio of their respective resolving powers (corresponding to λ1 and λ2) is
(a) 16 : 25 (b) 9 : 1 (c) 4 : 5 (d) 5 : 4.

LEVEL – 2

1. The thick plane mirror shows a number of images of the filament of an electric bulb.
Of these the brightest image is the
(a) first (b) second (c) third (d) last.
2. It is desired to photograph the image of an object placed at a distance of 3 m from a
plane mirror. The camera, which is at a distance of 4.5 m from the mirror should be
focussed for a distance of
(a) 3 m (b) 4.5 m (c) 6 m (d) 7.5 m.
3. A cubical room is formed with six plane mirrors. An insect moves along the diagonal
of the floor with uniform speed. The velocities of its image in two adjacent walls are
20 √2 cm s-1, then the velocity of the image formed by the roof, is
(a) 20 cm s-1 (b) 40 cm s-1 (c) 20√2 cm s-1 (d) 10√2 cm s-1.
4. The image formed by convex mirror of focal length 30 cm is a quarter of the size of
the object. Then the distance of the object from the mirror is
(a) 30 cm (b) 90 cm (c) 120 cm (d) 60 cm.
5. The focal length of a concave mirror is f and the distance of the object to the
principal focus is p. Then the ratio of the size of the image to the size of the object is
𝑓 𝑝 𝑝
(a) 𝑝 (b) 𝑓 (c) 𝑓𝑝 (d) √𝑓.

6. When light passes from one medium to another, the characteristic, that remains
constant, is
(a) velocity (b) wavelength (c) amplitude (d) frequency.
7. When a glass slab is placed on a cross made on a sheet, the cross appears raised by 1
cm. The thickness of the glass is 3 cm. The critical angle for glass is
√3
(a) sin-1 (0.33) (b) sin-1 (0.5) (c) sin-1 (0.66) (d) sin-1 2
8. A mirage occurs because
(a) the refractive index of atmosphere increases with height
(b) the refractive index of atmosphere decreases with height
(c) refractive index remains constant with height
(d) the hot ground acts like a mirror.
9. If there were no atmosphere, then the length of the day on the earth will
(a) decrease (b) increase
(c) remain the same (d) depend upon the weather
10. A diver in a swimming pool wants to signal his distress to a person lying on the edge
of the pool by flashing his waterproof flash light.
(a) He must direct the beam vertically upwards.
(b) He has to direct the beam horizontally.
(c) He has to direct the beam at an angle to the vertical which is slightly more than
the critical angle of incidence for totalinternal reflection.
(d) He has to direct the beam at an angle to the vertical which is slightly less than the
critical angle of incidence for the total internal reflection.
11. A ray of light from a denser medium strikes a rarer medium at an angle of incidence
i. The reflected and refracted rays make an angle of 900 with each other. The angles
of reflection and refraction are r and r’. The critical angle is

(a) sin-1 (tan r) (b) sin-1 (tan i) (c) sin-1 (tan r’) (d) tan-1 (tan i')
12. A lens forms a sharp image on a screen. On inserting a parallel-sided slab of glass
between the lens and the screen, it is found necessary to move the screen a distance
d away from the lens in order that the image to be again sharply focussed. If the
refractive index of glass relative to air is μ, then the thickness of the slab is
𝑑 𝜇 𝜇𝑑 (𝜇−1)𝑑
(a) 𝜇 (b) 𝑑 (c) – (𝜇−1) (d) .
𝜇
13. An equilateral triangular prism is made of glass (μ = 1.5). a ray of light is incident
normally on one of the faces. The angle between the incident and emergent rays is
(a) 600 (b) 900 (c) 1200 (d) 1800
14. For a prism PQR, the incident and emergent rays are parallel as shown in the Fig. The
minimum value of refractive index of the prism is

(a) 1.5 (b) √2 (c) √3 (d) 2.

15. A glass prism has refractive index 1.5 and the refracting angle is 900. If a ray falls on it
at an angle of incidence of 300, then the angle of emergence will be
(a) 600 (b) 300 (c) 450
(d) They ray will not emerge out of this prism.
16. A vessel of depth 2d cm is half filled with a liquid of refractive index μ and the upper
half with a liquid of refractive index μ2. The apparent depth of the vessel seen
perpendicularly, is
𝜇1 𝜇2 1 1 1 1 1
(a) 𝑑 (𝜇 ) (b) 𝑑 (𝜇 + 𝜇 ) (c) 2𝑑 (𝜇 + 𝜇 ) (d) 2𝑑 (𝜇 ).
1 + 𝜇2 1 2 1 2 1 𝜇2

17. A rectangular block of glass is placed on a mark made on the surface of the table and
it is viewed from the vertical position of eye. If the refractive index of glass be μ and
its thickness d, then the mark will appear to be raised up by
(𝜇+10𝑑)𝑑 (𝜇−1)𝑑 𝜇−1 (𝜇−1)𝜇
(a) (b) (c) (d) .
𝜇 𝜇 𝜇𝑑 𝑑
18. The face PR of a prism PQR, angle 300 is silvered. A ray is incident on face PQ at an
angle of 450 as shown in the figure the refracted ray undergoes reflection on face PR
and retraces its path. The refractive index of the prism is
 3
(a) √2 (b) (c) 1.5 (d) 1.33.
√2
19. A fish is below the surface of a lake. If the critical angle is 490, then the fish could see
things above the water surface within an angular range of θ 0, where

1
(a) θ = 490 (b) θ = 900 (c) θ = 980 (d) θ = 242.
20. A thin prism P1 with angle 40 and made from glass of refractive index 1.54, is
combined with another thin prism P2 made from glass of refractive index 1.72 to
produce dispersion without deviation. The angle of the prism P 2 is
(a) 5.330 (b) 40 (c) 30 (d) 2.60.
21. A ray of light passes from vacuum into a medium of refractive index μ, the angle of
incidence is found to be twice the angle of refraction. Then, the angle of incidence is
𝜇 𝜇 𝜇 𝜇
(a) cos −1 ( 2 ) (b) 2 cos −1 ( 2 ) (c) 2 sin−1 ( 2 ) (d) 2 sin−1 ( 2 ).
22. A rectangular block of glass is placed on a printed page lying on a horizontal surface.
Then the minimum value of refractive index of glass for which the letters on the page
are not visible from any of the vertical faces of the block is
(a) equal to √2 (b) more than √2 (c) less than √2 (d) > = < √2 .
23. When light is incident on a medium at angle i and refracted into a second medium at
an angle r, the graph of sin i versus sin r is as shown in the graph. From this, one
concludes that
(a) velocity of light in the second medium is 1.73 times the velocity of light in the
first medium.
(b) velocity of light in the first medium is 1.73 times the velocity in the second
medium.
1
(c) the critical angle for the two media is given by sin 𝑖𝑒 = 3
1
(d) sin 𝑖𝑒 = 2.
24. The wavelength of light diminishes μ times (μ = 1.33 for water) in medium. A diver
from inside water, looks at an object whose natural colour is green. He sees the
object as
 (a) green (b) blue (c) yellow (d) red.
25. The refractive index of water with respect to air is 4/3 and the refractive index of
glass with respect to air is 3/2. The refractive index of water with respect to glass is
(a) 9/8 (b) 8/9 (c) 3/4 (d) 1/2.
26. The figures represent three cases of a ray passing through a prism of refracting angle
A. The case corresponding to minimum deviation is

(a) 1 (b) 2 (c) 3 (d) none of these.

27. When a ray of light enters a glass slab from air
(a) its wavelength decreases
(b) its wavelength increases
(c) remains the same
(d) its frequency increases.
28. The refractive index of a material of a prism of angles 450, 450, 900 is 1.5. The path of
the ray of light incident normally on the hypotenuse side is shown in

29. The angle of a prism is 300. The ray incident of 600 on one refracting face suffers a
deviation of 300. Then the angle of emergence is
(a) 00 (b) 300 (c) 600 (d) 900
30. If the critical angle for the medium of a prism is C and the angle of prism is A, then
there will be no emergent ray, when
(a) A < 2C (b) A = 2C (c) A > 2C (d) A ≥ 2C.
31. A vessel is half filled with a liquid of refractive index μ. The other half of the vessel is
filled with an immiscible liquid of refractive index 1.5 μ. The apparent depth of vessel
is 50% of the actual depth, μ is
(a) 1.6 (b) 1.67 (c) 1.5 (d) 1.4.
32. The refractive index (μ) of a material varies with wavelength (λ) as
 𝐵 𝐵
(a) μ = Aλ + B (b) μ = A + Bλ2 (c) μ = A + 𝜆2 (d) μ = A + 𝜆2
33. A fish in water sees an object 24 cm above the surface of water. The height of object
above the surface of water that will appear to fish is
(a) 24 cm (b) 32 cm (c) 18 cm (d) 48 cm.
0
34. The angle of prism is 60 . What is the angle of incidence for minimum deviation?
(The refractive index of material of prism is √2).
2
(a) 450 (b) 600 (c) 300 (d) sin−1 (3).
35. When a ray is refracted from one medium into another medium, the wavelength
changes from 6000 Å to 4000 Å. The critical angle for a ray from second medium will
be
2 2 3 2
(a) cos −1 (3) (b) sin− (3) (c) tan−1 (2) (d) sin−1 ( ).
√13
36. Light rays from a source are incident on a glass prism of index of refraction μ and a
small angle of prism α. At near normal incidence, the angle of deviation of the
emerging rays is
(a) (μ – 2)α (b) (μ – 1) α (c) (μ + 1) α (d) (μ + 2) α.
37. A concave and a convex lens have the same focal length of 20 cm, and are put into
contact to form a lens combination. The combination is used to view an object of 5
cm length kept at 20 cm from the lens combination. As compared to the object, the
image will be
(a) magnified and inverted
(b) reduced and erect
(c) of the same size as the object and erect
(d) of the same size as the object but inverted.
38. A double convex lens, made of a material of refractive index 1.5 and having a focal
length of 10 cm is immersed in a liquid of refractive index 3.0. The lens will behave as
(a) diverging lens of focal length 10 cm
(b) diverging lens of focal length 10/3 cm
(c) converging lens of focal length 10/3 cm
(d) converging lens of focal length 30 cm.
4
39. Given 𝑎𝜇𝑤 = 3. If a convex lens of focal length 15 cm is placed in water, then its focal
length in water is
(a) 15 cm (b) 30 cm (c) 60 cm (d) 90 cm.
40. A planoconvex glass lens has a maximum thickness of 3 cm. 𝑎𝜇𝑔 = 3/2. When seen
normally through the curved surface, the greatest thickness appears to be 5/2 cm.
The radius of curvature of the spherical surface of the lens is
(a) 3 cm (b) 7.5 cm (c) 4.5 cm (d) 5.0 cm.
41. If the behaviour of light rays through a convex looking lens is as shown in the
following figure, then
 (a) μ1 = μ2 (b) μ1 < μ2 (c) μ1 > μ2 (d) μ1 ≤ μ2.
42. A convex spherical surface separates object and image space of refractive index 1.0
and 1.33. If radius of curvature of the surface is 0.1 m, its power is
(a) 2.48 D (b) – 2.48 D (c) 3.3 D (d) – 3.3 D.
43. A convex spherical surface forms an inverted image of an object. The object is placed
in air and image is formed in glass (μ = 1.5). If the object and image distance from
the spherical surface is 0.2 m and 0.3 m respectively, the magnification is
(a) 1.5 (b) 0.67 (c) 1 (d) 0.45.
44. A thin lens has focal length f and its aperture has diameter ‘d’. It forms an image of
intensity I. Now the central part of the aperture upto diameter d/2 is blocked by an
opaque paper. The focal length and the image intensity will change to
𝑓 𝐼 𝐼 3𝑓 𝐼 3𝐼
(a) 2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 2 (b) 𝑓 𝑎𝑛𝑑 4 (c) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 2 (d) 𝑓 𝑎𝑛𝑑 4 .
4
45. A convex lens placed between an object and screen forms a sharp image of the
object on screen. A glass slab of refractive index μ is inserted between object and
lens. In order to obtain the sharp image on the screen again the lens has to be
displaced by a distance x. Then thickness of glass slab is
𝜇 𝜇−1 𝜇𝑥
(a) 𝜇𝑥 (b) (c) 𝑥 { } (d) (𝜇−1)
𝑥 𝜇
46. A double convex lens of focal length 20 cm is made of glass of refractive index 3/2.
When placed completely in water (aμw = 4/3), its focal length will be
(a) 80 cm (b) 15 cm (c) 17.7 cm (d) 22.5 cm.
47. A convex lens and a concave lens having focal length 30 cm and 20 cm respectively,
are placed 10 cm apart. The distance of a source of light at which it must be placed
for this system to give a parallel beam of rays, is
(a) 10 cm (b) 20 cm (c) 30 cm (d) ∞.
48. Diameter of a planoconvex lens is 6 cm and thickness at the centre is 3 mm. If the
speed of light in the material of the lens is 2 × 108 ms-1, the focal length of the lens is
(a) 15 cm (b) 20 cm (c) 30 cm (d) 10 cm.
49. Two thin lenses are in contact and the focal length of the combination is 80 cm. If
the focal length of one lens is 20 cm, then the power of the other lens will be
(a) 1.66 D (b) 4.00 D (c) – 1.00 D (d) – 3.75 D.
50. The focal length of convex lens is f. An object is placed at a distance x from its first
focal point. The ratio of the size of the real image to that of the object is
𝑓 𝑥2 𝑓 𝑥
(a) 𝑥 2 (b) (c) 𝑥 (d) 𝑓.
𝑓
51. The plane face of a planoconvex lens is silvered. If r be the radius of curvature of the
spherical surface and μ the refractive index of the material of the lens, then the
system behaves like a concave mirror of radius
𝑟 𝑟
(a) 𝜇 (b) 𝑟𝜇 (c) (𝜇−1) (d) 𝑟(𝜇 − 1).
52. The curved face of a planoconvex lens is silvered. If r be the radius of curvature of
the spherical surface and μ the refractive index of the material of the lens, then the
system behaves like a concave mirror of radius
𝑟 𝑟
(a) 𝜇 (b) 𝑟𝜇 (c) (𝜇−1) (d) 𝑟(𝜇 − 1).
53. An object of linear dimensions L is placed along the axis of a thin lens placed in air.
The size of the image is
𝐿𝑣 𝐿𝑣 2 𝐿𝑢 2 𝑓 2
(a) (b) (c) (d) 𝐿 (𝑓−𝑣 ) .
𝑢 𝑢2 𝑣2
54. In displacement method the lengths of images in two positions of lens between
object and screen are 9 cm and 4 cm respectively. The length of object must be
(a) 6.25 cm (b) 3/2 cm (c) 6 cm (d) 36 cm.
55. Two thin convex lenses of focal lengths f1 and f2 are separated by a horizontal
distance d (where d < f1, d < f2), and their centres are displaced by a vertical
separation Δ as shown in the figure. taking the origin of the coordinates of the focal
point of the lens system, for a parallel beam of rays coming from the left, are given
by

𝑓𝑓
(a) 𝑥 = 𝑓 1+𝑓2 ′ 𝑦 = 𝛥
1 2
𝑓 (𝑓 +𝑑) 𝛥2
(b) 𝑥 = 𝑓1+ 2𝑓 −𝑑 , 𝑦 = 𝑓 +𝑓
1 2 1 2
𝑓1 𝑓2 +𝑑(𝑓1 −𝑑) 𝛥(𝑓1 −𝑑)
(c) 𝑥 = , 𝑦 = 𝑓 +𝑓 −𝑑
𝑓1+𝑓2 −𝑑 1 2
𝑓1 𝑓2 +𝑑(𝑓1 −𝑑)
(d) 𝑥 = , 𝑦 = 0.
𝑓1+𝑓2 −𝑑
56. A convex lens of power + 6 dioptres is placed in contact with a concave lens of power
– 4 dioptres. What will be the nature and focal length of this combination?
(a) Concave, 25 cm (b) Convex, 50 cm
(c) Convex, 20 cm (d) Convex, 100 cm.
57. To remove the chromatic aberration, the combination of lenses should be such that
where FR and FV represent the equivalent focal length of the combination for red and
violet colours.
(a) FR + FV = 0 (b) FR > FV (c) FR < FV (d) FR – FV = 0.
58. For achromatic combination of lenses, if we use two lenses of focal lengths f and f’,
dispersive powers ω and ω’ respectively, then
(a) ω = ω0, ω’ = 2ω0; f’ = 2f
(b) ω = ω0, ω’ = 2ω0; f’ = -2f
𝑓
(c) ω = ω0, ω’ = 2ω0; f’ = 2
𝑓
(d) ω = ω0, ω’ = 2ω0; f’ = − 2
59. The focal lengths of a thin convex lens for red and blue ray are 100 cm and 96.8 cm
respectively. The dispersive power of the material of the lens is
(a) 0.968 (b) 0.98 (c) 0.0325 (d) 0.325.
60. A parallel beam of white light falls on a convex lens. Images of blue, yellow and red
lights are formed on other side of the lens at a distance of 20 cm, 20.5 cm and 21.4
cm respectively. The dispersive power of the material of the lens will be
619 9 14 5
(a) 1000 (b) 200 (c) 205 (d) 214.
61. If the refractive indices of crown glass for red, yellow and violet colours are 1.5140,
1.5318 respectively, and for flint glass these are 1.6434, 1.6499 and 1.6852
respectively, then the dispersive powers for crown glass and flint glass are
respectively
(a) 0.034 and 0.064 (b) 0.064 and 0.034 (c) 1.3 and 0.064 (d) 1.034 and 1.0.
62. An achromatic convergent doublet of two lenses in contact has a power of + 2 D. The
convex lens has power + 5 D. What is the ratio of the dispersive powers of the
convergent and divergent lenses?
(a) 2 : 5 (b) 3 : 5 (c) 5 : 2 (d) 5 : 3.
63. The dispersive powers of the materials of the two lenses are in the ratio 4 : 3. If the
achromatic combination of these two lenses in contact is a convex lens of focal
length 60 cm, then the focal length of the component lenses are
(a) – 20 cm and + 25 cm
(b) 20 cm and – 25 cm
(c) – 15 cm and + 20 cm
(d) + 15 cm and – 20 cm.
64. A magnifying glass is to be used at the fixed object distance of 1 inch. If it is to
produce an erect image magnified 5 times, its focal length should be
(a) 0.2 inch (b) 0.8 inch (c) 1.25 inch (d) 5 inch.
65. A certain far-sighted person cannot see objects closer to the eye than 100 cm. the
power of the lens which will enable him to read at a distance of 25 cm will be
(a) 3 dioptres (b) 1 dioptre (c) 4 dioptres (d) 2 dioptres.
66. The magnifying power of a telescope is 9. When it is adjusted for parallel rays, the
distance between the objective and the eyepiece is found to be 20 cm. The focal
lengths of the lenses are
(a) 18 cm, 2 cm (b) 11 cm, 9 cm (c) 10 cm, 10 cm (d) 15 cm, 5 cm.
67. The magnifying power of an astronomical telescope is 8 and the distance between
the two lenses is 54 cm. The focal length of the eye-lens and objective lens will be
respectively
 (a) 6 cm and 48 cm (b) 48 cm and 6 cm
(c) 8 cm and 64 cm (d) 64 cm and 8 cm.
68. A man can see an object upto a distance of one metre from his eye. For correcting
his eye sight so that he can see an object at infinity he requires a lens whose power
is
(a) + 0.5 dioptre (b) + 1.0 dioptre (c) + 2.0 dioptres (d) – 1.0 dioptre.
69. The focal lengths of objective and eye-lens of an astronomical telescope are
respectively 2 metre and 5 cm. Final image is formed at (1) least distance of distinct
vision, (2) infinity. Magnifying power in two cases will be
(a) – 48, – 40 (b) – 40, – 48 (c) – 40, + 48 (d) – 48, + 40.
70. An astronomical telescope has an angular magnification on magnitude 5 for distant
objects. The separation between the objective and the eyepiece is 36 cm and the
final image is formed at infinity. The focal length f0 of the objective and fe of the
eyepiece are
(a) fo = 45 cm and fe = – 9 cm
(b) fo = 50 cm and fe = 10 cm
(c) fo = 7.2 cm and fe = 5 cm
(d) fo = 30 cm and fe = 6 cm
71. A light beam is travelling from Region IV (figure). The refractive index in regionals I,
𝑛0 𝑛 0 𝑛0
II, III and IV are no, , and respecitvely. The angle of incidence θ for which the
2 6 8
beam just misses entering region IV is

(a) sin-1 (3/4) (b) sin-1 (1/8) (c) sin-1 (1/4) (d) sin-1 (1/3).
72. If two mirrors are kept at 600 to each other, then the number of images formed by
them is
(a) 5 (b) 6 (c) 7 (d) 8.
73. Consider telecommunication through optical fibres. Which of the following
statements is not true?
(a) Optical fibres can be of graded refractive index.
(b) Optical fibres are subject to electromagnetic interference from outside.
(c) Optical fibres have extremely low transmission loss.
(d) Optical fibres may have homogenous core with a suitable cladding.
74. A light ray is incident perpendicularly to one face of a 900 prism and is totally
internally reflected at the glass-air interface. If the angle of reflection is 450, we
conclude that the refractive index n is
 1 1
(a) 𝑛 > (b) 𝑛 > √2 (c) 𝑛 < (d) 𝑛 < √2.
√2 √2
75. A plano-convex lens of refractive index 1.5 and radius of curvature 30 cm, is silvered
at the curved surface. Now this lens has been used to form the image of an object.
At what distance from this lens an object be placed in order to have a real image of
size of the object?
(a) 60 cm (b) 30 cm (c) 20 cm (d) 80 cm.
76. An electromagnetic wave of frequency v = 3.0 MHz passes from vacuum into a
dielectric medium with permittivity ε = 4.0. Then
(a) wavelength is halved and frequency remains unchanged.
(b) wavelength is doubled and frequency becomes half.
(c) wavelength is doubled and the frequency remains unchanged.
(d) wavelength and frequency both remain unchanged.
77. A fish looking up through the water sees the outside world contained in a circular
4
horizon. If the refractive index of water is 3 and the fish is 12 cm below the surface,
the radius of this circle in cm is
36
(a) (b) 36 √7 (c) 2√5 (d) 36√5.
√7
78. Two point white dots are 1 mm apart on a black paper. They are viewed by eye of
pupil, diameter 3 mm. Approximately, what is the maximum distance at which these
dots can be resolved by the eye?
(a) 1 m (b) 5 m (c) 3 m (d) 6 m.
79. A thin glass (refractive index 1.5) lens has optical power of – 5 D in air. Its optical
power in a liquid medium with refractive index 1.6 will be
(a) – 1 D (b) 5/8 D (c) – 25 D (d) 25 D.
80. The refractive index of a glass is 1.520 for red light and 1.525 for blue light. Let D 1
and D2 be angles of minimum deviation for red and blue light respectively in a prism
of this glass. Then
(a) D1 < D2.
(b) D1 = D2.
(c) D1 can be less than or greater than D2 depending upon the angle of prism.
(d) D1 > D2.
81. A student measures the focal length of a convex lens by putting an object pin at a
distance u from the lens and measuring the distance v of the image pin. The graph
between u and v plotted by the student should look like
*****