Compound Microscope : It is an optical instrument used to see magnified image of tiny objects clearly & distinctly.

(It uses two lenses).

Magnification power,𝑚 = 𝑚𝑜 × 𝑚𝑒
Where,
mo => magnification of the objective
me => magnification of the eyepiece
𝐿 𝐷
WKT, 𝑚𝑜 = − & 𝑚𝑒 = 1 +
𝑓𝑜 𝑓𝑒
𝐿 𝐷
 𝑚 = (− ) (1 + )
𝑓𝑜 𝑓𝑒
 Where, negative sign indicates that the
final image is inverted with respect to
object.

Telescope : It is an optical instrument used to see the distant objects clearly & distinctly.
Types : 1) Refracting telescope : It is a telescope that uses converging lens as objective to form an image.
Ex : 1) Astronomical telescope 2) Terrestrial telescope
❖ Astronomical telescope : It is a type of refracting telescope that is used to see heavenly bodies like stars &
planets.
The magnifying power of the telescope is given
by,
𝑓𝑜
𝑚=
𝑓𝑒
Where, fo is focal length of the objective
fe is focal length of the eyepiece

 Length of the telescope is given by,

𝐿 = 𝑓𝑜 + 𝑓𝑒

❖ Terrestrial telescope : It is the refracting type of telescope used to see objects on the earth.

2) Reflecting telescope : It is a telescope with mirror objectives.

Ex : 1) Cassegrain telescope 2) Newtonian telescope

❖ Cassegrain telescope : The Cassegrain telescope is a reflecting telescope having primary (objective) concave
mirror & secondary convex mirror.
The parallel rays from distant object fall on
primary mirror after reflection these rays tend to
converge at the focus of this mirror, but before
converging these rays are reflected by secondary
convex mirror & are made to converge to a point
just outside the hole. The final image is formed on
the eyepiece. The image is inverted with respect
to the object.

3m(Very Imp) Advantages of reflecting telescope over a refracting telescope

• The final image is very bright. (Because in reflecting telescopes, the absorption of light is very less).
• The resolving power is very high. (It is due to the large aperture of the objective mirror).
• It is free from chromatic aberrations. (Separation of colors or wavelength is very less).
• It is free from spherical aberrations. (Reflecting surface is smooth or accurate).
• It’s cost is less.
• It is easy to mount the mirrors than the lenses.
 MCQ – RAY OPTICS & OPTICAL INSTRUMENTS Marks : 1 + 1 + 3 + 5

1. The ratio of speed of light in vacuum to the speed of light in a medium gives
a) Absolute refractive index of the medium c) Relative mass density
b) Relative refractive index d) Mass density of the medium
2. Modern telescopes called reflecting telescopes use a concave mirror rather than a lens for the objective because,
I) No chromatic aberration in a mirror.
II) Giving mechanical support to a mirror is easier.
a) I) is true, II) is false c) Both I) & II) are true
b) II) is true, I) is false d) Both I) & II) are false
3. A Ray of light coming from an object which is incident parallel to the principal axis of a convex lens placed in air after refraction
a) Appears to diverge from first principle focus c) Appears to diverge from 2nd principle focus
b) Emerges without any deviation d) Passes through second principle focus
4. Snell's law of refraction is invalid at an angle of incidence
a) i = 30° b) i = 60° c) i = 0° d) i = 90°
5. A concave mirror produces virtual image when the object is placed.
a) At its centre of curvature c) Between its principal focus and centre of curvature
b) Beyond it's a centre of curvature d) Within its principal focus (between focus & pole)
6. A converging lens is kept in contact coaxially with a diverging lens both the lenses being of equal focal lengths, what is the focal
length of the combination
a) Zero b) Infinity c) f d) 2f
7. In case of total internal reflection:
a) Light ray must be travelling from rarer medium to denser medium.
b) Light ray must be travelling from denser medium to rarer medium.
c) The angle of incidence must be less than the critical angle.
d) The angle of refraction is 0° when the angle of incidence is equal to critical angle.
8. A converging lens is used to form an image on a screen. When the upper half of the lens is covered by an opaque screen,
a) Half the image will disappear c) Intensity of image will decrease
b) Complete image will disappear d) Intensity of image will increase
9. For the refraction through prism as angle of incidence increases, the angle of deviation
a) First decreases then increases c) Increases continuously
b) First increases then decreases d) Decreases continuously
10. An object is a placed within the principal focus of a concave lens. Pick out the correct statement
a) Real and inverted image is formed. c) Virtual and inverted image is formed.
b) Real and erect image is formed. d) Virtual and erect image is formed.
11. For critical angle of incidence, the angle of refraction is
a) 0° b) 30° c) 60° d) 90°
12. The power of lens is – 4D. It is a
a) Convex lens b) Concave lens c) Plano – convex lens d) Converging lens
13. If a ray of light is passing through the principal focus of the concave mirror, the reflected ray is
a) Parallel to principal axis c) Retraces the path
b) Perpendicular to principal axis d) None of these
14. The focal length of a lens of power 4 dioptre is
a) 0.25 m b) 0.25 cm c) 0.35 m d) 0.35 cm
15. Dioptre is equivalent to
a) meter b) meter ² c) meter – 1 d) meter – 2
16. The minimum deviation of a prism depends on
a) Angle of incidence b) Angle of reflection c) Angle of prism d) None of these
17. A convex mirror produces virtual image when the object is placed
a) At a distance of less than the focal length c) At any position
b) At a distance more than the focal length d) Never produces a virtual image
18. Focal length of a convex lens will be maximum for
a) Monochromatic green light b) Equal for all lights c) Blue light d) Red light
19. Which of the following concept is used in optical fibre?
a) Refraction of light b) Scattering of light c) Dispersion of light d) Total internal reflection of light
20. Total internal reflection of a ray of light is possible when the (ic = critical angle, i = angle of incidence)
a) Ray goes from denser medium to rarer medium & i < ic
b) Ray goes from denser medium to rarer medium & i > ic
c) Ray goes from rarer medium to denser medium & i > ic
d) Ray goes from rarer medium to denser medium & i < ic
21. The negative sign of the linear magnification of the image formed by a spherical mirror indicates that the
a) Image is virtual and erect c) Image is real and erect
b) Image is real and inverted d) Image is virtual and inverted
22. Final image of a real object formed by a compound microscope is _______ with respect to the object
 a) real, inverted and magnified c) virtual, erect and magnified
b) virtual, erect and diminished d) virtual, inverted and magnified
23. The relation between focal length f and radius of curvature R of a spherical mirror is
a) R = f b) R = f/2 c) f = R/2 d) f = 1/R
24. A ray of light travelling from denser to rarer medium undergoes total internal reflection when
a) angle of incidence is less than critical angle. c) angle of incidence is greater than critical angle.
b) angle of incidence is equal to critical angle. d) angle of incidence is zero.
25. Modern telescopes called reflecting telescopes use a concave mirror rather than a lens for the objective because
I) no chromatic aberration in a mirror.
II) giving mechanical support to a mirror is easier.
a) I is true, II is false c) I is false, II is true
b) Both I and II are true d) Both I and II are false

Important Questions (Previous Year Questions)

2 marks
1. How are focal length (f) and radius of curvature (R) of a spherical mirror related? What is the sign of focal length of a convex
mirror? [E.1 – 2025]
2. Write two advantages of reflecting telescope over refracting telescope. [E.3 – 2025]
3. Define power of a lens. Write its SI unit. [E.3 – 2025] [E.1 – 2024]
4. Define critical angle of a medium. Mention the relation between refractive index and critical angle of a medium.
[E.2 – 2024]
5. Two thin convex lenses of focal length f1 and f2 are kept in contact. Write the expression for effective focal length and
effective power of the combination. [E.3 – 2024]

3 marks
1. Write the two conditions for total internal reflection of light and mention its one technological application. [E.2 – 2025]
2. Write Cartesian sign conventions adopted for measuring distances in reflection of light at spherical mirrors. [E.1 – 2024]
[MQP.2 – 2025]
3. Draw a ray diagram of refraction of monochromatic light through a prism. Mention the expression for deviation in a thin
prism. [E.2 – 2024]
4. Write the two conditions for total internal reflection of light and hence define critical angle. [E.3 – 2024]
5. What is meant by total internal reflection? Mention two uses of optical fibres. [S – 2023]
6. Draw a ray diagram for the formation of image at the near point by a simple microscope. Write the expression for
magnification produced by it. [S.2 – 2023]
7. Draw the ray diagram for the formation of image by a compound microscope. Write the expression for linear magnification
produced by the objective of compound microscope in terms of its tube length. [MQP.1 – 2025] [MQP – 2023]
8. Show that the focal length of spherical mirror is equal to half of its radius of curvature. [MQP.3 – 2025]

5 marks
1. Derive Lens Maker's formula. [S – 2023] [MQP – 2023]
2. Derive an expression for the refractive index (n) of the material of a prism in terms of the angle of the prism and angle of
minimum deviation. [S.2 – 2023] [MQP.3 – 2025]
3. Derive the mirror equation for a spherical mirror (concave mirror) producing real image.

5 marks (NP)
1. An object of height 1 mm is kept perpendicular to the axis of a thin convex lens of power +10 D. The distance between the
object and the lens is 15 cm. Find the position and height of the image formed. [E.1 – 2025]
2. A sharp object of height 3.0 cm is placed at 21 cm in front of a convex lens of focal length 14 cm. Find the position and
magnification of the image. What happens to the height of the image if the object is moved further away from the lens ?
[E.2 – 2025]
3. The angle of minimum deviation produced in a glass prism is 40°. Calculate the refractive index of the material of the prism,
if the refracting angle of prism is 60°. Also calculate the new angle of minimum deviation when the prism is immersed in
water of refractive index 1.33. [E.3 – 2025]
4. A small bulb (a point source) is placed at the bottom of a tank containing water to a depth of 80 cm. What is the radius of
the circular surface of water through which light emerge out? Refractive index of water is 1.33. [E.1 – 2024]
5. Double–Convex lenses are to be manufactured from a glass of refractive index 1.52, with both faces of the same radius of
curvature. What is the radius of curvature required if the focal length is to be 25 cm? What will be the new focal length,
when the lens is immersed in water of refractive index 1.33? [E.2 – 2024] [MQP.1 – 2025]
6. An equilateral prism of refractive index 1.532 is placed in air. If a parallel beam of light is incident on one face of the prism at
the minimum deviation position, find the angle of deviation. [E.3 – 2024]
7. Find the effective focal length and effective power of combination of a convex lens of focal length 25cm in contact with a
concave lens of focal length 20cm. Is the system a converging or a diverging lens? Ignore the thickness of the lenses.
[MQP.2 – 2025]