RAY OPTICS

Single Type
1. A swimmer is swimming with constant velocity 2 2 m/s due
North-East in a calm lake. He observes his image in a mirror
fitted at the rear of a boat moving with constant velocity 1
m/s due East. Velocity of his image as observed by him in
the mirror will be -
(A) 2 m/s (B) 2 2 m/s
(C) 2 5 m/s (D) 3 m/s
Ans: (A)
V o / g = 2î  2 ĵ

V m / g  î
2 2m / s
1 m/s
45°

y N
E
x

 Perpendicular to mirror along x-axis

VI / M = – Vo / M  V I / g = 2 V m / g – V o / g = 0

(2) Parallel to mirror along y-axis

V I / g = V o / g = 2ˆj

 VI / o = – 2î

2. A plane mirror is inclined at an angle  with the horizontal

surface. A particle is projected with velocity v at angle .
Image of the particle is observed from the frame of the

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 particle projected path of the image as seen by the particle is
–

v
 

(A) parabolic path (B) straight line

(C) circular path (D) helical path
Ans: (C)
At any instant velocity of particle can be resolved in two
components, one parallel and other perpendicular to it.
Parallel components of particle velocity and image velocity
are identical and hence the path of light is straight line
perpendicular to mirror.

3. Parallel rays striking a spherical mirror far from the optic

axis are focussed at a different point than are rays near the
axis thereby the focus moves toward the mirror as the
parallel rays move toward the outer edge of the mirror. What
value of incidence angle  produces a 2 % change in the
location of the focus, compared to the location for  very
close to zero ?
(A) 3.5° (B) 5.5°
(C) 8.5° (D) 11.5°
Ans: (D)



C F P

2
 f = PF = R – R2 sec 
for  = 0, f = R
2
R
0.98 f = R
2
sec 

 0.98 f = R2 (2 – sec )
 0.98 = 2 – sec 
sec  = 1.02
 cos  ~_ 0.98
1– 2
2
= 0.98
 = 0.2 radian
= 0.2 180

~– 11.5°

4. A small wire piece of length 2 mm is bent in the form of

shape L and is placed at 30 cm away in front of a concave
mirror of focal length 20 cm. If both sides of L are equal then
length of image formed will be -

30 cm

(A) 2 mm (B) 4 mm
(C) 6 mm (D) 8 mm
Ans: (C)
Transverse magnification
m = f f u =  2020 30 = –2
Longitudinal/Axial magnification
m = – m2 = – 4
 Length of image = (1 × 2) + (1 × 4) = 6 mm
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 N 4 M L 1
1

2 C M N F
L

5. Two plane mirror which are perpendicular are forming two

sides of a vessel filled with liquid of refractive index = 1.5.
After all possible refraction & reflection, find the deviation
() in ray-
30º incident
ray
 

 = 1.5

(A)  = 0º
(B)  = 180º
(C)  = 90º
(D) we can't find out deviation as other two angles in figure
is not given.
Ans: (B)
6
1
5
2 45º 45º
3 3 4
4 135º

90º

2 + 3 + 135º = 180º
3 = 45º – 2
3+ 4 = 90º
45 – 2 + 4 = 90º
4 = 45 + 2
4
 90º – 4 + 5 + 135º = 180º
45º – 2 + 5 + 135º = 180º
5 = 2
6 = 1 (By Snell law)
 = 180º

6. The refractive index of a glass plate is µg = 1.5 and the

refractive index of water is µw = 4/3. Then the correct
thickness of a glass plate that will permit the same number
of wavelengths as that by an 18 cm long column of water is-
(A) 12 cm (B) 16 cm
(C) 18 cm (D) 24 cm
Ans: (B)
No. of wavelength = t .
 t glass 
t water
 water
glass

t glass  glass µ water

 
t water  water µ glass

 t glass
18

4/3
3/ 2
= 8
9

 tglass = 16 cm

7. A ray of light when incident upon a prism suffers a minimum

deviation of 39°. If the shaded half portion of the prism is
removed, then the same ray will -

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 (A) suffer a deviation of 19.5°
(B) suffer a deviation of 39°
(C) not suffer any deviation
(D) will be totally internally reflected
Ans: (A)
 = (µ – 1) A
 A
   AA
2 2

1 1

  
2

A/2
A
= 1
2
1

= 1
2

2 = 39
2
= 19.5°

8. Three isosceles right angled prisms of refractive indices 1,

2 and 3 are joined together so that the faces of the middle
prism are in contact each with one of the outside prisms. If
the ray passes through the composite block undeviated, then
value of  +  –  is –2
1
2
3
2
2

(A) 2 (B) 3
(C) 4 (D) 1
Ans: (D)

6
 90º 90º
r4 r7
r3
i r1 r2 r5 r6
90º

r1 + r2 = 90º
r3 + r4 = 90º
r5 + r6 = 90º
r7 = 90º – i
Use snell's law
sin i =  sin r1
1 sin r2 = 2 sin r3
2 sin r4 = 3 sin r5
3 sin r6 = sin r7
Using these all equation we compare
 +  –  = 1
2
1
2
3
2
2

9. An experimenter needs to heat a small sample to 900 K, but

the only available oven has a maximum temperature of 600
K. Could the experimenter heat the sample to 900 K by using
a large lens to concentrate the radiation from the oven into
the sample ?
(A) Yes, if the sample is placed at the focal point of the lens.
(B) No, because it would violate the law of conservation of
energy.
(C) No, because it would violate the second law of
thermodynamics.

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 (D) Yes, if the areas of the front of the oven is at least as
much as the area of the front of the sample.
Ans: (A)
The temperature of the sun is not sufficient of burn a paper.
But by focussing by a lens one can concentrate the energy
into a small beam. This does not violate the conservation of
energy because we are only concentrating the available
energy. A lens does not generate energy. The same thing is
true when the oven replaces the sun.

10. A solid glass sphere of radius R ( = 1.5) is silvered over one

hemisphere as shown in figure. A point object is placed at a
distance 2R from the pole of unsilvered part. Position of final
image from centre of sphere is -

2R

(A) At R2 towards object

(B) At R2 towards pole of silvered side
(C) At centre of sphere
(D) At pole of silvered part
Ans: (D)
For refraction
1 .5
v
–  12R = 1.5R– 1
1

v1 =  i.e. parallel beam

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 For Reflection
1 1 1
v


= R/2
2

 v2 = – R/2
For Final Refraction
1 1.5 1  1 .5
v

 3R / 2
= R
3

 v3 = – 2R i.e. at pole of silvered part

Multiple Correct Type
11. A plane mirror having a square shape is mounted parallel to
a vertical wall at some distance from it. A point light source
is fixed on the wall. Light from it gets reflected from the
mirror and forms a patch on the wall, when the mirror is
moved parallel to itself towards the wall –
(A) centre of patch may remain stationary
(B) the patch may remain square in shape
(C) area of patch decreases
(D) none of the above
Ans: (A, B, C)
If the mirror is moved parallel to itself with velocity along
the line, normal to wall and passing through the source, then
patch will remain unchanged in shape and size.

12. The image of a real object formed by a concave mirror is

twice the size of the object. The focal length of the mirror is
20 cm. The distance of the object from the mirror -
(A) 10 cm (B) 30 cm
(C) 25 cm (D) 15 cm

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Ans: (A, B)
f
m=± 2= f u
20
=±2=  20  x
20
If m = + 2 =  20  x

– 40 + 2x = – 20
2x = 20
x = 10 cm
20
if m = – 2 =  20 x

40 – 2x = – 20
x = 30

13. Which of the following statements are correct?

(A) Real image of a real object cannot be formed by a plane
mirror.
(B) Real image of a real object cannot be formed by a convex
mirror.
(C) Real image of a real object cannot be formed by a
concave lens.
(D) None of the above.
Ans: (A, B, C)
If a real object is placed in front of a plane mirror, then its
image will be formed behind the mirror. Since, the image
formed behind the mirror is always virtual, therefore, a real
image of a real object cannot be formed by a plane mirror.
Hence, option (A) is correct. Convex mirror is a diverging
mirror. If a real object is placed in front of a convex mirror
then rays coming from the object will be diverging. It means,
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 diverging light rays will be incident on a diverging mirror
which will further diverge these rays. Hence, the reflected
rays will also be diverging. Therefore, the image will be
formed behind the mirror. Hence, the image will be virtual.
Therefore, option (B) is correct.
A concave lens is a diverging lens. If a real object is placed
on its optic axis then light rays coming from the object on
the lens will be diverging which will be further diverged by
the lens after refraction. Hence, the reflected light rays will
be diverging. The position of image will be the point of
divergence of refracted rays. It means, the image will be
virtual. Hence, option (C) is also correct.

14. In passing through a boundary refraction will not take place

if –
(A) light is incident normally on the boundary.
(B) the indices of refraction of the two media are same.
(C) the boundary is not visible if µ1 = µ2.
(D) angle of incidence is lesser than the angle of refraction
but greater than sin–1 (µR/µD).
Ans: (C, D)
When light is incident normally on the boundary, then i = 0.
So, according to Snell's law µ1 sin i = µ2 sin r, r is also zero,
i.e., there is not refraction.
If µ1 = µ2, then boundary will not be visible and r = i, i.e.,
there will be no refraction. If i < r and i > sin–1 (µR/µD) or i >
ic (critical angle), then also there will be no refraction of light
and light will be totally internally reflected.
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15. A fish F, in the pond is at a depth of 0.8 m from the water
surface and is moving vertically upwards with velocity 2 ms–
1
. At the same instant a bird B is at a height of 6 m from the
water surface and is moving downwards with velocity 3 ms–
1
. At this instant both are on the same vertical line as shown
in the figure. Which of the following statements are correct?
B
–1
3 ms

6m

Air
–1 Water
0.8 m 2 ms 4
F (µ= 3 )

(A) Height of B, observed by F (from itself) is equal to 5.30

m
(B) Depth of F, observed by B (from itself) is equal to 6.60
m
(C) Height of B, observed by F (from itself) is equal to 8.80
m
(D) None of the above
Ans: (B, C)
If an object is at a distance x from a plane refracting surface
and is viewed normally then it appears at a distance x/µ from
the surface where µ is refractive index of that medium (in
which it is situated) with respect to the medium in which
observer is situated.

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 Suppose height of bird from water surface is x and depth of
fish from the surface is y then depth of fish, observed by the
bird, will be equal to
r1 = x + y … (1)
Where µ is refractive index of water with respect to air.
 r1 = 6.60 m
Hence, option (B) is correct.
Height of bird, observed by fish, will be equal to
r2 = x + y … (2)
Where is refractive index of air with respect to water.
Now,  = 1 = 34
Hence, r2 = 8.80 m
Hence, option (A) is wrong while (C) is correct.

16. A bird flies down vertically towards a water surface. To a

fish inside the water, vertically below the bird, the bird will
appear to –
(A) be farther away than its actual distance
(B) be closer than its actual distance
(C) move faster than its actual speed
(D) move slower than its actual speed
Ans: (A, C)
For refraction at plane surface,

v
2
= u
1

Let x = height of the bird above the water surface

For light travelling from the bird to fish,
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 µ1 = 1, µ2 = µ (refractive index of water) and u = –x,
hence, v = 1x or v = – µx
or, | v | = µx, i.e., | v | > x
Speed of the bird = x
Apparent speed of the bird = | v | = µx

17. The angle of deviation () vs angle of incidence (i) is plotted

for a prism. Pick up the correct statements


65º
60º

i
i1 60º 70º

(A) The angle of prism is 60º

(B) the refractive index of the prism is n = 3
(C) For deviation to be 65º the angle of incidence i1 = 55º
(D) The curve of '' vs 'i' is parabolic.
Ans: (A, B, C)
 = i + e – A (for minimum deviation i = e)
 minimum deviation = 2i – A
60º = 2 × 60º – A  A = 60º
 A  m   60º 60º 
sin   sin  
µ=  2  =  2  = 3
A  60º 
sin   sin  
2  2 

1 = i1 + e – A
65º = i1 + 70º – 60 º or i1 = 55º
The  versus i curve is not parabolic.

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18. Refractive index of an equilateral prism is 2 -
(A) minimum deviation from this prism can be 30º
(B) minimum deviation from this prism can be 45º
(C) at angle of incidence = 45º, deviation is minimum
(D) at angle of incidence = 60º, deviation is minimum
Ans: (A, C)
 A  m 
sin  
=  2 
A
sin  
2

m = 30º for  = 2 & A = 60º

At minimum deviation
r1 = r2 = A2 = 30º
sin i1 =  sin r1
= 2 sin (30º)
= 1  i1 = 45º
2

19. Which of the following quantities increases when

wavelength is increased. Consider only the magnitudes -
(A) The focal length of a converging lens.
(B) The focal length of a diverging lens.
(C) The angle of minimum deviation caused by a prism.
(D) The angle of maximum deviation caused by a prism,
without total internal reflection.
Ans: (A. B)
V > R R > V

(A) V R

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 V
R

(B) R V

(C)  min = 2 sin–1 ( sin A2 ) – A

R R
(D) V V

 max = sin–1 [ sin(A – C)] + 

2
A

20. A short linear object is placed along the optic axis of a

concave mirror between focus and curvature centre, then –
(A) a real elongated image will be formed.
(B) an elongated virtual image will be formed.
(C) an inverted, enlarged image will be formed.
(D) a diminished virtual image will be formed.
Ans: (A, C)
If an object is placed between focus and curvature centre of
a concave mirror, then a real, elongated image is formed.
Hence, option (A) is correct.
Since, real image is always inverted; therefore, option (C) is
also correct.

Numeric Type
21. Two plane mirrors M1 & M2 are inclined at 30º. A light ray
strikes M1 and it is parallel to M2. How many total reflections
it will undergo with both mirrors.
16
 M1

30º
M2

Ans: (5)
The ray will retrace its path after third reflection & repeat
4th and 5th at the place of of 2nd & 1st so total five
reflections.
22. A Light ray is incident on a prism with  = 2 from air at
angle 45°. After first retraction it incidents on surface AB.
Find value of n to the nearest integer such while entering in
slab it makes an angle 45° with boundary CD.
B
A
30°  = 2 150°
45°
30°
D =n C
slab
E F
Ans: (2)
30° 30° 30°
30° 60° 60° 150°

45°
60°
30°

=n

At AD
sin 45
sin r
= 2 r = 30°
iC = sin–1  1 
 = 45°
 2
sin 60 n
At CD sin 45
=
2
3
n= 2 × 2
× 2 = 3

17
23. When an object is placed at a distance of 25 cm from a
mirror, the magnification is m1. The object is moved 15 cm
away with respect to the earlier position along principal axis,
magnification becomes m2. If m1 × m2 = 4, the focal length
of the mirror in cm is…. × 10 cm.
Ans: (2)
1 1 1
f
= 
u v
1
f
– 1 1

u v

u
fu
v= uf
v f
m= u
= f u

m1 × m2 = 4
f f

f  25 f  40
=4
f 2 = 4 [f2 – 65 + 1000] = 0
3f2 – 260f + 4000 = 0 f = 20

24. A point object is moving along the principle axis of a

concave mirror at rest of focal length 30 cm with speed 5m/s
towards the mirror. The speed of image of object when
object is at a distance 60 cm from mirror is …. m/s.

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Ans: (5)
5
O +

dV
dt
=– V2
2
× dU
dt
U
1 1 1
30
= 60
+ V
1
30
– 1
60
= 1
V
 V = + 60, m = 1
dV
dt
= – dU
dt
= + 5 m/s
25. A beam of light propagates through a medium 1 and falls
onto another medium 2 at an angle 45º. After that it
propagates in medium 2 at an angle 30º. The light's
wavelength in medium 1 is 141.4 Å. Wavelength has the
light in medium 2 … × 100 Å.
Ans: (1)
45º
1

30º
2

1 sin45º = 2 = sin30º
1 2

2 2
1 1

2 2
2 1

1 2

2 = 1
2
100 2
= = 100 Å
2

19
26. A light ray in medium (RI = 5/3) enters another medium at
an angle 30º. The angle in other medium is sin–1 (5/6). How
many minimum degrees the incident angle must be increased
such that the ray is completely reflected.
Ans: (7)
5
3
sin 30º = n . 56 n = 1
sin c = 3
5
c= 37º
and so 37 – 30 = 7
27. A thin prism P1 with angle 4º 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. What is the angle of prism in
degree?
Ans: (3)
4º
Aº

deviation = 0
(µ1 – 1) 4 – (µ2 – 1)A = 0
(1.54 – 1) 4 – (1.72 – 1) A = 0
A = 0.054.72 4 = 3º

28. A certain thin prism is found to produce a minimum

deviation of 40º and produces a deviation of 44º when the
angle of incidence is either 42º or 62º. The angle of incidence

20
 when light undergoes minimum deviation in degree …. × 10
degree.
Ans: (5)
A

=i+e–A
44° = 42° + 62° – A
44° = 104° – A
A = 104° – 44° = 60º
when deviation is minimum
D = 40°
D=i+e–A
38° = 2i – 60°
100° = 2i
i = 50°

29. Two thin symmetrical lens of different nature have equal

radii of curvature of all faces R = 20 cm. The lenses are
put close together and immersed in water. The focal length
of the system is 24 cm. The difference between refractive
indices of the two lenses is …… × 19 . Refractive index of
water is 43 .
Ans: (5)
4
=
1 3

2

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 1
f eq
= f1 + f1
1 2

1 (1  )  2  (1  4)  2  31  4

=  R  = R  =
f1   4   2R

1      2     
=  2   =  3 2 
f2    R   2R 

1
24
= 3( 2R ) 1 –2 = 242R 3 = 12R 3 = 36
1 2 20
= 95

30. A pin of length 2.0 cm lies along the principal axis of a

converging lens, the centre being at a distance of 11 cm from
the lens. The focal length of the lens is 6 cm. Find the size
of the image.
Ans: (1)
B = A
Initially rate of decay A = A N0
Initially rate of decay B = 2A N0
After one half-life of A, rate of decay of A will become  2N A 0

 A N0
& that of B be 2
after one half-life of a on two half-lives
of B.
–  dN  n = 1
  dN 
 = –
dt  A dt  B

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