Physics Reference Question Bank

1. A convex mirror has a focal length of 24 cm. An object is placed 36 cm in front of the mirror. Find
the position of the image.

2. A convex mirror has a focal length of 30 cm. An object is placed 50 cm away from the mirror.
Find the image distance.

3. A convex mirror has a focal length of 18 cm. An object is placed 20 cm away. Find the image
distance.

4. The refractive index of glass with respect to water is 1.2 and that of water with respect to air is
1.33. Calculate the refractive index of glass w.r.t. air.

5. The refractive index of glass relative to water is 1.25, and that of water w.r.t. air is 1.33. Find
refractive index of glass relative to air.

6. The refractive index of diamond relative to water is 1.6 and refractive index of water relative to air
is 1.33. Find the refractive index of diamond relative to air.

7. Assertion (A): Total internal reflection occurs only when light travels from a denser medium to a
rarer medium.
Reason (R): The critical angle exists only when light moves from a denser to rarer medium.
Choose the correct option.

8. Assertion (A): A convex lens always produces a real image.

9. Assertion (A): The rainbow formation is due to dispersion and total internal reflection in water
droplets.
Reason (R): Different colours of light travel with different speeds in water.
Choose the correct option.

10. A ray of light passes through a glass prism of refracting angle 75°. If the angle of minimum
deviation is 40°, calculate the refractive index of the prism material.

11. A ray of light passes through a glass prism of angle 60°. If the angle of minimum deviation is
35°, calculate the refractive index.

12. A ray of light passes through a glass prism of angle 45°. If the minimum deviation is 25°,
calculate refractive index.

13. Assertion (A): In a prism, the deviation first decreases, becomes minimum, and then increases
with incidence angle.
Reason (R): The condition for minimum deviation is symmetry of incident and emergent rays.
Choose the correct option.

14. Assertion (A): In a concave mirror, the focal length is always negative.
Reason (R): Sign convention in mirror formula makes focal length of concave mirror negative.
Choose the correct option.

15. Assertion (A): Convex lens and concave mirror both can produce virtual images.
Reason (R): Virtual images are always erect and diminished.
Choose the correct option.

16. The magnifying power of a telescope in normal adjustment is given by … (options type).

17. A telescope has an objective focal length of 80 cm and eyepiece focal length of 4 cm. Find its
magnifying power in normal adjustment.
18. A telescope has an objective of focal length 100 cm and an eyepiece of focal length 5 cm.
Calculate its magnifying power in normal adjustment.

19. A telescope has an objective focal length of 60 cm and eyepiece focal length 3 cm. Find its
magnifying power.

20. A convex lens of focal length 18 cm forms a real image of an object placed 30 cm from it. Find
the image distance.

21. A convex lens of focal length 12 cm forms a real image of an object placed at 20 cm from it.
Find the image distance.

22. A convex lens of focal length 10 cm forms a real image of an object placed 15 cm from it. Find
the image distance.

23. A concave mirror produces a real image twice the size of the object when placed 24 cm away.
Find the focal length.

24. A concave mirror produces a real image three times the size of the object when the object is at
30 cm. Find the focal length.

25. A concave mirror produces a real image four times the size of the object when placed 40 cm
from it. Find the focal length.

26. Draw a ray diagram of a compound microscope in normal adjustment. Derive the expression for
its magnifying power.

27. Draw a ray diagram of a compound microscope in near-point adjustment. Derive magnifying
power.

28. Derive the lens maker’s formula for a thin convex lens. State the assumptions used.

29. Derive the relation between refractive index, radius of curvature, and focal length of a lens.

30. Explain the working of a simple microscope with a neat diagram. Derive its magnifying power.

31. When white light passes through a prism, which colour deviates least and which deviates most?

32. If refractive index for red light is 1.52 and for violet light is 1.54, which colour travels faster in the
prism?

33. On which factor does the angular deviation in a prism depend?

34. What is the SI unit of refractive index?

35. Explain why the sky appears blue using the concept of scattering.

36. Explain why the setting sun appears reddish.

37. What is optical fibre? Draw a neat diagram and explain the principle behind its working.

38. Define critical angle.

39. Calculate the speed of light in a medium whose critical angle is 45°.

40. Calculate the speed of light in a medium if its refractive index is 1.6.

41. Calculate the speed of light in glass if its refractive index is 1.5.

42. Draw a neat ray diagram of an astronomical telescope in normal adjustment and write the
expression for magnifying power.

43. Draw a neat ray diagram of an astronomical telescope in near point adjustment and write its
magnifying power.
44. State two advantages of a reflecting telescope over a refracting telescope.

45. Compare refracting and reflecting telescopes.

46. Explain dispersion of light through a prism with diagram.

47. Explain the principle of optical fibre communication.

48. Explain the condition for total internal reflection.

49. Why does diamond sparkle? Explain with total internal reflection.

50. A converging lens produces an image of height 4 cm for an object of height 2 cm placed at 30
cm. Find focal length if image is real.

51. A concave mirror produces an image of height 6 cm for an object of 2 cm at 15 cm distance.

52. A convex lens of focal length 20 cm is used as a magnifier. Find its magnifying power when the
least distance of distinct vision is 25 cm.