RAY OPTICS

1. If incident ray MP and reflected ray QN are parallel to each

other, find the angle θ between the mirrors.

θ
P Q
i i2
i1 1 i2

M N

(a) 60° (b) 45° (c) 90° (d) 180°

Answer: (c)
The deviation produced by first mirror = 180 – 2i1 and the
deviation produced by second mirror = 180 – 2i2.
The total deviation is 180° as MP and QN are anti parallel
So, 180° = 360° – 2(i1 + i2)
∴ i1 + i2 = θ = 90°

2. A 16 cm long image of an object is formed by a convex lens

on a screen placed normal to its principal axis. On moving
the lens towards the screen, without changing the positions
of the object and the screen, a 9 cm long image is formed
again on the screen. The size of the object is:
(a) 9 cm (b) 11 cm (c) 12 cm (d) 13 cm.

Answer: (c)
1
 y
= y1 × y 2
= 16 × 9

= 4 × 3 = 12cm.

3. If x and y be the distances of the object and image formed

by a concave mirror from its focus and f be the focal length
then
(a) xf = y2 (b) xy = f2
(c) x/y = f (d) x/y = f2
Answer: (b)
According to Newton's formula xy = f2 .
f f −v
Note that m = f −u
=
f

f y
or =
x x
⇒ xy = f2

4. What is the number of images of an object formed by two

mirrors if the angle between the mirrors is in between 2π/4
and 2π/5?
(a) 10 (b) 8 (c) 6 (d) 4
Answer: (d)
2π
As we know, if angle between two mirrors is between
n
2π
and then the no. of images formed is ‘n’
n +1

2
 2π 2π
So here in the question it is and
4 4 +1

∴ no. of images will be 4.

5. A convergent lens of 6 diopters is combined with a

diverging lens of -2 diopters. Find the power of
combination?
(a) 4 diopter (b) 6 diopter
(c) 8 diopter (d) 10 diopter
Answer: (a)
Here P1 = 6 diopters, P2 = -2 diopters
Using the formula P = P1 + P2 = 6 – 2 = 4 diopters

6. A prism is made up of flint glass whose dispersive power is

0.053. Find the angle of dispersion if the mean refractive
index of flint glass is 1.68 and the refracting angle of prism
is 3°.
(a) 20.08° (b) 10.08°
(c) 0.208° (d) 0.108°
Answer: (d)
As the refracting angle is small deviation = (µ – 1) A
angle of dispersion = Dv - Dr

3
 = (mv - 1) A - (mr - 1) A

= (mv - mr ) A

 µ − µr 
=  v  A ( µmean − 1)
 µmean − 1 

= w A (mmean - 1)

= ( 0.053 ) × 3 × (1.68 −=
1) 0.108°

7. If f1 = 12 cm, f2 = – 18 cm find the maximum focal length

of the combination?
(a) 36 cm (b) 34 cm (c) 32 cm (d) 30 cm
Answer: (a)
Put the numerical values in the expression in the earlier
question and we get 36 cm.

8. In continuation of fourth questions determine the minimum

focal length of the combination
(a) 21.6 cm (b) 24 cm (c) 30 cm (d) 35 cm
Answer: (a)
Put the numerical values in the above expression which we
found and we will get 21.6 cm.

4
9. What value of d gives f = 30 cm?
(a) 12 cm (b) 10 cm (c) 1.2 cm (d) 14 cm
Answer: (c)
216
f = 30 cm then 30 =
6+d

6 + d = 7.2 hence d = 1.2 cm.

10. Convex lens of 10 cm focal length is combined with a

concave lens of 6 cm focal length. Find the focal length of
the combination.
(a) 15 cm (b) – 15 cm
(c) 30 cm (d) – 30 cm
Answer: (b)
Here f1 = 10 cm, f2 = -6 cm, F = ?
1 1 1 1 1 1
Use the formula =+ = − = −
F f1 f2 10 6 15
∴ F=
−15 cm

11. Focal length of a convex lens of refractive index 1.5 is 2

cm. Focal length of lens when immersed in a liquid of
refractive index 1.25 will be
(a) 5 cm (b) 7.5 cm
(c) 10 cm (d) 2.5 cm

5
Answer: (a)
fp (µ g − 1) 5
= ⇒ fl = × fa
fa  µg  2
 − 1
 µl 
5
× 2cm = 5 cm.
2

12. A double convex lens of focal length 20 cm is made of

glass of refractive index 3/2. When placed completely in
water (a µϖ =4 / 3) , its focal length will be
(a) 80 cm (b) 15 cm
(c) 17.7 cm (d) 22.5 cm
Answer: (a)
fw (µ g − 1) fw
= ⇒
= 4
fa  µ g  fa
 − 1
 µw 

∴ fw = 4 × fa = 4 × 20 = 80 cms.

13. Inside Cutson glass

(a) Orange light travels faster than yellow light
(b) Yellow light travels faster than orange light
(c) Orange and yellow light ravels equally fast
(d) We cannot determine which colour of light travels
faster

6
Answer: (a)
The velocity of light is inversely proportional to the index
of refraction v = c , So, the lower the n, the higher the v.
n
According to table, Cutson glass has a slightly lower n for
orange light than it has for yellow light. Therefore, inside
Cutson glass, orange light travels slightly faster.

14. The time required for light to pass through a glass slab of 2
mm thickness is (µglass =
1.5)

(a) 10–8 s (b) 10–6 s

(c) 10–11 s (d) None of these
Answer: (c)
d d d.µ 2x10−3 x1.5
t
= = = = sec= 10 −11 sec
v c /µ c 3x108

15. A spherical surface of curvature R separates air (µ=1.5).

The centre of curvature is in the glass. A point object P
placed in air is found to have 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) 2R (b) 5R
(c) 3R (d) 1.5R

7
Answer: (b)
µ2 µ1 µ − 1
As − =
v u R
1.5 1 1.5 − 1 2.5R
or −= x
⇒= = 5R
x x R 0.5

16. If the tube length of astronomical telescope is 105 cm and

magnifying power is 20 for normal setting, calculate the
focal length of the objective
(a) 100 cm (b) 10 cm
(c) 20 cm (d) 25 cm
Answer: (a)
f0
L = f0 + fe = 105 cm and M = = 20
fe

⇒ f0 = 100 cm and fe = 5 cm.

17. An achromatic convergent doublet has power of +2D. If

power of convex lens is + 5D, then ratio of the dispersive
powers of a convergent and divergent lenses will be
(a) 3 : 5 (b) 2 : 5
(c) 2 : 3 (d) None of these
Answer: (a)
P = +2D ∴ P1 =+5D ∴ P2 =−3D

P2 f1 w 3 w 3
As = = − 1 =− ⇒ 1 =
P1 f2 w2 5 w2 5

8
18. A candle flame 3cm is placed at distance of 3m from a wall.
How far from wall must a concave mirror be placed in order
that it may form an image of flame 9cm high on the wall
(a) 425cm (b) 300cm
(c) 450cm (d) 650cm
Answer: (c)
Let the mirror be placed at a distance
x from wall
By using
− ( −x )
I −v
O
=
u
⇒
−9
=
+3 − ( x − 3 )
(image will be
inverted)
⇒ x=
−4.5m =− 450cm.

19. A thin rod of length f/3 lies along the axis of a concave
mirror of focal length f. One end of its magnified image
touches an end of the rod. The length of the image is
(a) f (b) 21 f (c) 2f (d) 41 f
Answer: (b)
One end of its image touches an end
of the rod. So, one end of the rod is present
at the centre of curvature of mirror.
Image is magnified. So, the other end
A is between C and focus.
Lets assume that end A of rod has its image at A'.
For it, u =  f  −5f
−  2f −  =
3 3
 

9
 So, using 1 1 1
= +
f v u
⇒
1 1
= +
1
− f v −5f
⇒ v=
5
− f
2
3

∴ Length of image =
5
2
f − 2f =
f
2

20. A concave mirror is placed on a horizontal table with its

axis directed vertically upwards. Let O be the pole of the
mirror and C its centre of curvature. A point object is
placed at C. It has a real image, also located at C. If the
mirror is now filled with water, the image will be
(a) Real, and will remain at C
(b) Real, and located at a point between C and ∞
(c) Virtual and located at a point between C and O
(d) Real, and located at a point between C and O
Answer: (d)

10
21. An object is placed in front of a convex mirror at a distance
of 50cm. A plane mirror is introduced covering the lower
half of the convex mirror. If the distance between the object
and plane mirror is 30cm, it is found that the images formed
by two mirrors are along same line. Radius of curvature of
mirror will be
(a) 12.5cm (b) 25cm (c) 50
3
cm (d) 18 cm
Answer: (b)
According to property of plane
mirror it will form an image at a
distance of 30 cm behind it. Hence, for
convex mirror
u = –50cm,   v = +10cm
1 1 1
By using = +
1
⇒ =
1
+
1
=
4
f v u f +10 −50 50
25
⇒ f= cm ⇒ R = 2f = 25cm.
2

4
22. Consider the situation shown in figure. Water 
 µw =3 
is


filled in a breaker upto a height of 10cm. A plane mirror is

fixed at a height of 5cm from the surface of water. Distance
of the image of an object O at the bottom of the beaker
formed by the mirror after reflection from it is
(a) 15cm (b) 12.5cm (c)7.5cm (d) 10cm

11
Answer: (b)
Dactual 10
Dapparent
= = = 7.5cm
µrel 4
3
So, the object appears to be raised by
10cm − 7.5cm =
2.5cm

Hence, distance between mirror and O ' =5 + 7.5 =12.5 cm

So, final image will be formed at 12.5 cm behind the plane
mirror.

23. A glass prism of refractive index 1.5 is

immersed in water (µ =4 / 3). A light beam
incident normally on the face AB is totally
reflected to reach the face BC if
(a) sin θ > 8 / 9
(b) 2 / 3 < sin θ < 8 / 9
(c) sin θ ≤ 2 / 3
(d) cos θ ≥ 8 / 9

Answer: (a)
From the figure, it is clear that TIR takes
place at AC, only if θ > C
1
⇒ sin θ > sin C ⇒ sin θ >
ω µg

1 8
⇒ sin θ > ⇒ sin θ >
9/8 9

12
24. A beam of light consisting of red,
green and blue colour is incident on a
right angled prism. The refractive
indices of the material of the prism for
the above red, green and blue
wavelength are 1.39, 1.44 and 1.47
respectively. The prism will
(a) Separate part of red colour from
the green and the blue colour
(b) Separate part of the blue colour from the red and green
colour
(c) Separate all the colours from one another
(d) Not separate even partially any colour from the other two
colours
Answer: (a)
At face AB, i = 0. So, r = 0, i.e., no
bending will take place. So, light beam will be
incident on face AC at an angle 45o. The face
AC will not transmit the light for which i > θ ,
C

i.e., sini > sin θ

C

or sin 45 > (1/ µ ) i.e.,

o
µ > 2 ( =1.41)

Now as µ < µ while µ and µ > µ, so red will be transmitted

R G B

through the face AC while green and blue will be reflected.

So, the prism will separate red colour from green and blue.

13
25. An air bubble in a glass slab ( µ =1.5 ) is 6cm deep when
viewed from one face and 4cm deep when viewed from the
opposite face. The thickness of the glass plate is
(a) 10cm (b) 6.67cm
(c) 15cm (d) None of these
Answer: (c)
Let the thickness of slab be t and
distance of air bubble from one side is x
When viewed from side (1):
x
6= ⇒ x= 9cm
1.5

When viewed from side (2):=4

(t − x)
⇒
= 4
( t − 9) ⇒
= t 15cm
1.5 1.5
Dactual
Formulaused : Dapparent =
µrel

26. Figure given below shows a beam of

light converging at point P. When a
concave lens of focal length 16cm is
introduced in the path of the beam at a
place O shown by dotted line such that
OP becomes the axis of the lens, the beam
converges at a distance x from the lens.
The value x will be equal to
(a)12cm (b) 24/3cm
(c)36/5cm (d) 48/7cm

14
Answer: (d)
From the figure shown it is clear
that
For lens: u = 12cm and v = x = ?
By using 1f= v1 − u1 we have
1 1 1
= −
+16 x +12
⇒ x = 48/7cm.

27. An air bubble in a glass sphere having 4cm diameter appears

1cm from surface nearest to eye when looked along
diameter. If µ =1.5, the distance of bubble from refracting
g

surface is
(a) 1.2cm (b) 3.2cm (c) 2.8cm (d) 1.6cm
Answer: (a)
By using µv − µu =
2 µ −µ
R
1 2 1

where u = ? , v = − 1cm,
µ1 =1.5, µ =
2 1 , R = − 2cm.
1 1.5 1 − 1.5 6
− = ⇒ u=− =−1.2 cm.
−1 u ( −2 ) 5

28. Two point light sources are 24cm apart. At what distance
from one source, a convex lens of focal length 9cm be kept
in between them, so that the images of both the sources are
formed at the same place.

15
 (a) 6cm (b) 9cm (c) 12cm (d) 15cm
Answer: (a)
The given condition will be
satisfied only if one source ( S ) placed on 1

one side such that u < f (i.e. it lies under

the focus). The other source ( S ) is 2

placed on the other side of the lens such

that u > f (i.e. it lies beyond the focus).
If S is the object for lens then
1

1 1 1 1 1 1
= − ⇒ =− ...................................(i)
f −y −x y x f

If S2 is the object for lens then

1 1 1 1 1 1
= − ⇒ =− ..................(ii)
f + y −(24 − x) y f (24 − x)

From equation (i) and (ii)

1 1 1 1
− = −
x f f (24 − x)
1 1 2 2
⇒ + ==
x (24 − x) f 9

⇒ x 2 − 24x + 108 =
0

On solving we have x = 18 cm, 6 cm

29. A luminous object is placed at a distance of 30cm from the

convex lens of focal length 20cm. On the other side of the
lens, at what distance from the lens, a convex mirror of
radius of curvature 10cm be placed in order to have an
upright image of the object coinciding with it
(a) 12cm (b) 30cm (c) 50cm (d) 60cm

16
Answer: (c)
For lens
= u 30
= cm, f 20 cm, hence by using 1 1 1
= −
f v u
we have
1 1 1
= − ⇒ v = 60 cm
+20 v −30
The final image will coincide with the
object, if light ray falls normally on
convex mirror as shown.
From the figure it is clear that gap
between lens and mirror is 60 – 10 =
50cm.

30. Angle of a prism is 30 and its refractive index is 2 and

o

one of the surfaces is silvered. At what angle of incidence,

a ray should be incident on one surface so that after
reflection from the silvered surface, it retraces its path
(a) 30 o
(b) 60 o
(c) 45 o
(d) sin 1.5 −1

Answer: (c)
From the figure, r = 30 1
o

Using snell's law, i × sini =

µ sinr 1

⇒ sini =( 2) × sin30o

45o
⇒ i=

17
31. PQR is a right angled prism with
other angles as 60 and 30 . Refractive
o o

index of prism is 1.5. PQ has a thin layer

of liquid. Light falls normally on the
face PR. For total internal reflection,
maximum refractive index of liquid is
(a)1.4
(b)1.3
(c)1.2
(d)1.6
Answer: (c)
For TIR at PQ: θ > C
From the geometry of figure: θ =60
o

So, 60o > C ⇒ sin60o > sinC

3 µLiquid 3 3
⇒ > ⇒ µLiquid < × µPr ism ⇒ µLiquid < × 1.5 ⇒ µLiquid < 1.3.
2 µPr ism 2 2

32. A crow is sitting on a branch

of a tree and on ground surface
wheat grains are spread. The crow
flies towards the ground and picks
up a grain and sit on the front wall.
The possible path are shown in
diagram. Choose the correct path so
that path length becomes minimum.

18
 Given that BD = DE,
∠AFB =
∠EFC.

(a) ABC (b) ADC (c) AFC (d) AEC

Answer: (c)

Light takes shortest path hence AFC' = AFC.

33. For a prism kept in air it is found that for an angle of

incidence 60°, the angle of prism 'A', angle of deviation ' δ '
and angle of emergence 'e' become equal. Then the refractive
index of the prism is
(a) 1.73 (b) 1.15 (c) 1.5 (d) 1.33
Answer: (a)
Given =i 60° and A = δ = e
δ = i + e − A ⇒ δ =i ( e = A)
 A + δm 
sin  
µ=  2 
A
sin
2

Here angle of deviation (δ) is minimum ( i = e)

 60° + 60° 
sin  
 2  = 1.732
µ=
sin ( 60° / 2 )

19
34. A screen is placed a distance 40cm away from an illuminated
object. A converging lens is placed between the source and
the screen and it is attempted to form the image of the source
on the screen. If no position could be found, the focal length
of the lens
(a) must be less than 10cm
(b) must be greater than 10cm
(c) must not be greater than 20cm
(d) must not be less than 10cm.
Answer: (b)
Let the distance between source and lens be d.
If image is formed on screen then =v 40 − d
Using lens equation 1 1 1
− =
v u f
we have
1 1 1 d2
− = ⇒ f =d −
40 − d −d f 40

For 'f' to be maximum: df

dd
=0

d
⇒ 1− = 0 ⇒ d= 20 cm
20
(20)2
∴ fmax =
20 − 10 cm
=
40

This is maximum value of focal length for which image is

formed on screen. But, in question image is not formed.
∴ f > 10cm

20
35. The distance between an object and the screen is 100cm. A
lens placed between them produces an image on the screen
when the lens is placed at two positions 40cm apart. The
power of the lens is nearly:
(a) 3 diopters (b) 5 diopters
(c) 2 diopters (d) 9 diopters
Answer: (b)
At first position of lens, let the distance of lens from object
and screen be u and v respectively.

∴ x + y = 100 ...........(1)

∴ At second position of lens the distance of lens from

object and screen shall be v and u respectively.
∴ y–x = 40 .......................(2)

Solving equation (1) and (2) we get

y = 70 cm =
70
100
=m and x = 30 cm = 100
30
=m

1 1 1 100  100  100

∴ The power of lens is, P= = + = + =
f y x 70  30  21
≈ 5 diopters

21
36. When a light wave refracts from air into glass:
(a) the frequency increases and the wavelength decreases
(b) the frequency decreases and the wavelength increases
(c) the frequency does not change, but the wavelength
decreases
(d) the frequency does not change, but the wavelength
increases.
Answer: (c)
In denser medium, wavelength decreases. Frequency does
not change on refraction.

37. In the figure shown a convex mirror

of radius of curvature 20 cm is shown.
An object O is placed in front of this
mirror. Its ray diagram is shown. How
many mistakes are there in the ray
diagram (AB is its principal axis):
(a) 3 (b) 2
(c) 1 (d) 0
Answer: (b)

Error – I

22
 Error – II

38. A ray of light is incident on a face of equilateral triangle at

an incident angle 50. At this angle minimum deviation
occurs. This deviation is
(a) 30 (b) 40 (c) 50 (d) None of these
Answer: (b)
A = 60°
At minimum deviation: i = e = 50°
Also, r = r = A2 = 30
1 2
o

δmin =i + e–A= 100° – 60°= 40°

39. A hemispherical paper weight contains

a small artificial flower of transverse size
2mm on its axis of symmetry at a distance of
4cm from its flat surface. What is the size of
the flower as it appears to an observer when
he looks at it along the axis of symmetry
from the top? (Radius of the hemisphere is
10cm. Index of refraction of glass = 1.5).
(a) 1.5mm (b) 2mm (c) 2.5mm (d) none of
these

23
Answer: (c)
Here m=
hi µ1v
=
h0 µ 2u

From the question,

µ
=1 1.5, µ=
2 1

u=
−6 cm, v =
?

∴ Usin g
µ 2 µ1 µ 2 − µ1
v
−
u
=
R
we have
1 1.5 1 − 1.5
− = ⇒ v=
−5 cm
v −6 −10
hi hi 1.5 × −5
∴ = = = 1.25
h0 2mm 1× −6

⇒ hi =
2.5 mm

40. The mirror of length L moves horizontally as

shown in the figure with a velocity v. The mirror
is illuminated by a point source of light 'P' placed
on the ground. The rate at which the length of the
light spot on the ground increases is:
(a) v (b) zero
(c) 2v (d) 3v
Answer: (b)
At any general time
Length of light spot
= 2(d + L) − 2d = 2L = const.

24
41. Two thin slabs of refractive indices µ and 1

µ are placed parallel to each other in the x-z

2

plane. If the direction of propagation of a ray in

the two media are along the vectors =r aiˆ + bjˆ and
1


r= ciˆ + djˆ then we have:
2

µ1a µ 2c
(a) µ1a =µ 2b (b) 2 2
=
a +b c 2 + d2

(c) µ (a + b ) =
1
2
µ (c + d )2
2
2 2
(d) none of these
Answer: (b)
For snell's law,
µ1 sin θ1 =µ 2 sin θ2
µ1a µ2c
=
2 2
a +b c 2 + d2

42. A converging lens of focal length f is placed just above a

water surface parallel to the surface without touching it. A
point source of light S is placed inside the water vertically
before the lens at a depth f from it. This arrangement will
produce:
(a) a parallel beam of light converging from the lens
(b) a real image of S in air
(c) a virtual image of S in water
(d) a virtual image of S in air

25
Answer: (c)
Due to refraction at water-air interface, the object is at a
distance less than the focal length of the lens, Thus, a
virtual image is created inside water.

43. A diverging lens of focal length –10 cm is moving towards

right with a velocity 5 m/s.An object, placed on Principal
axis is moving towards left with a velocity 3 m/s. Find the
velocity of image at the instant when the lateral
magnification produced is 1/2. All velocities are with respect
to ground.
(a) 3 m/s towards right (b) 3 m/s towards left
(c) 7 m/s towards right (d) 7 m/s towards left
Answer: (c)
dv v 2 du
= .
dt u2 dt

(where dv
dt
denotes image speed w.r.t. lens and du
dt
denotes
object speed w.r.t. lens)
du 1
= m2 . = = .8 2
dt 4

Therefore image speed w.r.t. lens is 2 m/s

Therefore image speed w.r.t. ground is 7 m/s towards right.

26
44. A converging lens is used to produce an image on a screen
of an object. What change is needed for the image to be
formed nearer to the lens?
(a) Increase the focal length of the lens (lens and position
of object is fixed).
(b) Insert a diverging lens between the lens and the screen
(converging lens and position of object is fixed).
(c) Increase the distance of the object from the lens.
(d) Move the object closer to the lens.
Answer: (c)
If v1= 1f − u1
If u → increases,
1
u
→ decreases

and 1
v
→ increases. So v decreases.

45. A man starting from point P crosses a 4 km wide lagoon and

reaches point Q in the shortest possible time by the path
shown. If the person swims at a speed of 3 km/hr and walks
at a speed of 4 km/hr, then his time of journey is (µ = 4/3):
salt water

(a) 4hr, 10 min (b) 4 hr and 30 min

27
 (c) 3 hr and 50 min (d) 5 hr and 10 min
Answer: (a)

As we know that light travels in a path such as to reach

from one point to another in shortest possible time.
Therefore, the man must travel along that path on which
light would have travelled in moving from P to Q.
By Snell's law; sinr
sini µ
=
µ
2

µ1
sin r = .sini
µ2
3 4 4
sin r = . = ⇒ r = 53º
5 3 5

∴ AQ =
10Km.

From P to A: t1 =
5
3

From A to Q: t2 =
10 5
=
4 2
5 5 25
T=t1 +t 2 = + = hr.
3 2 6
 24 1   1 
= +  hr = 4hr + hr  =4 hr + 10 minutes
 6 6   6 

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