RAY OPTICS (S. L.

ARORA)
Q. 1. A ray of light while traveling from a denser to a rarer medium undergoes total internal reflection.
Derive the expression for the critical angle in terms of the speed of light in the respective media.
Q. 2. In given figure shows a triangular prism of glass. A ray incident normal on one face is totally
reflected. What can you conclude about the minimum value of index of refraction of glass?
r
90o
θ

i
45o

Q. 3. (a) A concave mirror and a convex lens are held in water. What change, if any, do you
expect to find in the focal length of either?
(b) On a hot summer day in a desert, one sees the reflected image of distant parts of the sky.
(This is sometimes mistaken by the observer to be the reflection of the sky in some distant
lake of water. This illusion is called a mirage). Explain.
(c) What is the twinkling effect of starlight due to?
(d) Watching the sunset on a beach, one can see the sun for several mintues after it has
‘actually set’. Explain.
Q. 4. Three rays of light – red (R), green (G) and blue (B) – are incident on the face AB of right-angles
prism ABC. The refractive indices of the material of the prism for red, green and blue
wavelengths are 1.39, 1.44 and 1.47 respectively. Trace the path of the rays through the prism.
How will the situation change if these rays were incident normally on one of the faces of an
equilateral prism? A

B
G
R

B C

Q. 5. Use the lens equation to deduce algebraically what you know otherwise from explicit ray
diagrams: (a) An object laced within the focus of a convex lens produces a virtual and enlarged
image. (b) A concave lens produces a virtual and diminished image independent of the location
of the object.
Ans. (a) For a convex lens, f >> 0 and for an object on left, u < 0. When the object is placed within
the focus of a convex lens,

0 < | u | < f or
i.e., v < 0. So a virtual image is formed on left.

Now as u < 0 and v < 0, So

As f > 0 >0 or or | u | < | v |,

i.e., | v | > | u |
Hence image is enlarged.
(b) For a concave lens f = 0 and for an object on left, u < 0

for all u.
i.e., v < 0 for all values of u. Hence a virtual image is formed on the left.

Also Or
i.e., the image is diminished in size.
Q. 6. Using the data given below, state which two of the given lenses will you prefer to construct a
best possible (i) telescope (ii) microscope. Also indicate which of the selected lenses is to be
used as an objective and as an eyepiece in each case.
Lenses Power (P) Aperture (A)
L1 6 D 1 cm
L2 3 D 8 cm
L3 10 D 1 cm
Q. 7. Four double convex lenses, with the following specifications are available.
Lens Focal length Aperture
A 100 cm 10 cm
B 100 cm 5 cm
C 10 cm 2 cm
D 5 cm 2 cm
Which two of the given four lenses, should be selected as the objective and eyepiece to construct
an astronomical telescope and why? What will be the magnifying power and normal length of
the telescope tube so constructed?
Write the advantages of reflecting type telescope over such a telescope.
OR
Which two of the above four lenses should be selected as objective and eyepiece of a compound
microscope and why? How can the magnifying power of such a microscope be increased?
Draw a labeled ray diagram for the image formation in such a microscope.
Q. 8. In a telescope, the objective has a large aperture while the eyepiece has a small aperture. Why?
Q. 9. A mark is made on the bottom of a beaker and a microscope is focused on it. The microscope is
raised through 1.5 cm. To what height water must be poured into the beaker to bring the mark
again into focus? Given that for water is 4/3.
Q. 10. A sunshine recorder globe of 30 cm diameter is made of glass of refractive index = 1.5.
A ray enters the globe parallel to the axis. Find the position from the centre of the sphere where
the ray crosses the axis.
Q. 11. A convex lens of focal length 0.2 m and made of glass ( = 1.50) is immersed in water ( =
1.33). Find the change in the focal length of the lens.
Q. 12. A lens forms a real image of an object. The distance of the object to the lens is 4 cm and the
distance of the image from the lens is v cm. The given graph shows the variation of v with u. (i)
What is the nature of the lens? (ii) Using this graph, find the focal length of this lens.

60
v (cm)

40

20

20 40 60 80
Q. 13. A convergent beam of light passes through a diverging lens of focal length 0.2 m and comes to
focus at distance 0.3 m behind the lens. Find the position of the point at which the beam would
converge in the absence of the lens.
Q. 14. An illuminated object and a screen are placed 90 cm apart. What is the focal length and nature of
the lens required to produce a clear image on the screen, twice the size of the object?
Q. 15. A luminous object and a screen are placed on an optical bench and a converging lens is placed
between them to throw a sharp image of the object on the screen, the linear magnification of the
image is found to be 2.5. The lens is now moved 30 cm nearer the screen and a sharp image is
again formed. Calculate the focal length of the lens.
Q. 16. Two lenses of powers + 15 D and 5 D are in contact with each other forming a combination
lens.
(a) What is the focal length of this combination?
(b) An object of size 3 cm is placed at 30 cm from this combination of lenses. Calculate the
position and size of the image formed.
Q. 17. A ray of light passes through an equilateral glass prism, such that the angle of incidence is equal
to the angle of emergence. If the angle of emergence is 3/4 times the angle of the prism, calculate
the refractive index of the glass prism.
Q. 18. A ray of light incident at an angle of 48o is refracted through a prism in its position of minimum
deviation. The angle of prism is 60o Calculate the refractive index of the material of the prism.
(sin 48o = 0.74, sin30o = 0.50)
Q. 19. A ray of light PQ is incident at angle of 60 o on the face AB of a prism of angle 30 o, as shown in
figure. The ray emerging out of the prism makes an angle of 30 o with the incident ray. Show that
the emergent ray is perpendicular to the face BC through which it emerges. Also calculate the
refractive index of the prism material.
B

30o

60o Q

P A C

Q. 20. (a) The far point of a myopic person is 80 cm in front of the eye. What is the power of the
lens required to enable him to see very distant objects clearly?
(b) In what way does the corrective lens help the person above? Does the lens magnify very
distant object? Explain carefully.
(c) The person above prefers to remove his spectacles while reading a book. Explain why.
Solution: (a) The remedial lens should make the objects at infinity appear at the far point.
For objects at infinity,
u=
Far point distance of the defective eye,
V = 80 cm
By thin lens formula,
Or f= 80 cm = 0.80 m

Power,
(b) No, the concave lens does not magnify the very distant objects. In fact, it reduces the size
of the object (image distance is less than object distance), but the angle subtended by the
distant object at the eye is the same as the angle subtended by the image (on the far point) at the
eye. The eye is able to see distant objects not because the corrective lens magnifies the object,
but because it brings the object (i.e., it produces virtual image of the object) at the far point of
the eye which then can be focused by the eye-lens on the retina.
(c) The myopic person may have a normal near point i.e., about 25 cm (or even less). In order
to read a book with his spectacles (for distant vision), he msut keep the book at a greater distance
than 25 cm so that the image of the book by the concave lens is produced not closer than
25 cm. The angular distance is evidently less than the angular size when the book is placed at 25
cm and no spectacles are used. Hence, the person prefers to remove his spectacles while reading.

Q. 21. A man with normal near point (25 cm) reads a book with small print using a magnifying glass: a
thin convex lens of focal length 5 cm.
(i) What is the closest and the farthest distance at which he can read the book when viewing
through the magnifying glass?
(ii) What is the maximum and the minimum angular magnification (magnifying power)
possible using the above simple microscope?
Solution (i) For the closest distance:
V = - 25 cm, f = 5 cm, u=?

As

or cm.
This is the closest distance at which the man can read the book.
For the farthest image:
f = 5 cm, u = ?

or u = 5 cm
This is the farthest distance at which the man can read the book.
(ii) Maximum angular magnification

Minimum angular magnification

.
Q. 22. A figure divided into squires each of size 1 mm 2 is being viewed at a distance of 9 cm through a
magnifying glass (a converging lens of focal length 10 cm) held close to the eye.
(i) What is the magnification (image size/object size) produced by the lens? How much is
the area of each square in the virtual image?
(ii) What is the angular imagination (magnifying power) of the lens?
(iii) Is the magnification in (i) equal to the magnifying power in (ii)? Explain.
Solution :
(i) Here, area of each square (or object)
 = 1 mm2
U = − 9 cm, f = + 10 cm

As
Or v = −90 cm
Magnitude of magnification,

Area of each square in the virtual image

= (10)2 × 1 = 100 mm2 = 1 cm2.
(ii) Magnifying power,

2.8
(iii) No. Magnification of an image by a lens and angular magnification (or magnifying power) of
an optical instrument are two separate things. The latter is the ratio of the angular size of the
object (which is equal to the angular size of the image even if the image is magnified) to
the angular size of the object if placed at the near point (25 cm). Thus magnification magnitude

is and magnifying power is . Only when the image is located at the near point
= 25 cm, the two quantities are equal.
Q. 23. (i) Draw a labeled ray diagram of a compound microscope, showing the formation of
image at the near point of the eye.
(ii) A compound microscope uses on objective lens of focal length 4 cm and eye lens of focal
length 10 cm. An object is placed at 6 cm from the objective lens.
(a) Calculate magnifying power of the compound microscope, if the final image is formed at
the near point.
(b) Calculate the length of the compound microscope also.
Q. 24. 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?

Q. 25. Use the mirror equation to deduce that:

(a) an object placed between f and 2 f of a concave mirror produces a real image beyond 2 f.
(b) a convex mirror always produces a virtual image independent of the location of the object.
(c) the virtual image produced by a convex mirror is always diminished in size and is
located between the focus and the pole.
(d) an object placed between the pole and focus of a concave mirror produces a virtual and
enlarged image.

Ans. (a) From mirror formula,

Now for a concave mirror, f < 0 and for an object on the left, u < 0

or or

or or
This implies that v < 0 so that image if formed on left. Also the above inequality implies
 2f>v
or [ 2 f and v are negative]
i.e., the real image is formed beyond 2f.
(b) For a convex mirror, f > 0 and for an object on left, u < 0. From mirror formula,

This implies that or v > 0

This shows that whatever be the value of u, a convex mirror forms a virtual image on the right.
(c) For convex mirror, f > 0 and for an object on the left u < 0, so mirror formula,

Implies that
or v<f
This shows that the image is located between the pole and the focus of the mirror.
(d) From mirror formula,

For a concave mirror, f < 0 and for an object located between the pole and focus of a concave mirror,

f<u<0 or
i.e., a virtual image is formed on the right.

Also or
i.e., image is enlarged.
Q. 26. A myopic person has been using spectacles of power −1.0 dioptre for distant vision. During old
age he also needs to use separate reading glass of power + 2.0 dioptres. Explain what may have
happened.
Ans. Here, P = −1.0 dioptre

cm
Thus, the far point of the person is 100 cm, on the other hand, his near point may have been normal
(about 25 cm).
The objects at infinity produce virtual images at 100 cm (using spectacles).
To see closer objects, i.e., those which are (or whose images using the spectacles are) between 100 cm
and 25 cm, the person uses the ability of accommodation of his eye lens. This ability usually gets
partially lost in old age (presbyopia). The near point of the person recedes to 50 cm.
So to view the objects at 25 cm clearly, we have
u = −25 cm, v = −50 cm

or f = 50 cm, Hence, 2 dioptres

Thus the person needs a converging lens of power +2 dioptres.
Q. 27. A man with normal near point (25 cm) reads a book with small print using a magnifying glass: a
thin convex lens of focal length 5 cm.
(i) What is the closest and the farthest distance at which he can read the book when viewing
through the magnifying glass?
(ii) What is the maximum and the minimum angular magnification (magnifying power)
possible using the above simple microscope?

Solution (i) For the closest distance:

V= 25 cm, f = 5 cm, u=?

As

or cm.
This is the closest distance at which the man can read the book.
For the farthest image:
f = 5 cm, u = ?

or u = 5 cm
This is the farthest distance at which the man can read the book.
(ii) Maximum angular magnification

Minimum angular magnification

.
Q. 28. How is the resolving power of a microscope affected when,
(i) the wavelength of illuminating radiations is decreased?
(ii) the diameter of the objective lens is decreased?
Justify your answer.
Q. 29. A beam of light of wavelength 400 nm is incident normally on a right angled prism as shown. It
is observed that the light just grazes along the surface AC after falling on it. Given that the
refractive index of the material of the prism varies with the wavelength as per the relation,

calculate the value of b and the refractive index of the prism material for a wavelength  5000
Å.
[Given = sin-1 (0.625)]
θ

B C
Q. 30. An equiconvex lens with radii of curvature of magnitude r each, is put over a liquid layer poured
on top of a plane mirror. A small needle, with its tip on the principal axis of the lens, is moved
along the axis until its inverted real image coincides with the needle itself. The distance of the
needle from the lens is measured to be ‘a’. On removing the liquid layer and repeating the
experiment the distance is found to be ‘b’.
Given that two values of distances measured represent the focal length values in the two cases, obtain a
formula for the refractive index of the liquid.

Liquid

Ans. Clearly, equivalent focal length of equiconvex lens and water lens, f = a
Focal length of equiconvex lens, f1 = b
Focal length f2 of water lens is given by

The water lens formed between the plane mirror and the equiconvex lens is a planoconvex lens.

For this lens,

and
Using lens maker’s formula,

or

or

Q. 31. Which two main considerations are kept in mind while designing the ‘objective’ of an
astronomical telescope? Obtain an expression for the angular magnifying power and the length
of the tube of an astronomical telescope in its ‘normal adjustment’ position.
Ans. Two main consideration with an astronomical telescope are :
(i) its light gathering power and (ii) its resolving power.
The light gathering power depends on the area of the objective with larger diameters, fainter
objects can be observed. The resolving power, or the ability to observe two objects distinctly,
which are very nearly in the same direction, also depends on the diameter of the objective.
For angular magnifying power of an astronomical telescope. The length of the telescope in
normal adjustment = .
Q. 32. (i) Derive the mirror formula which gives the relation between f, v and u. What is the
corresponding formula for a thin lens?
(ii) 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 20cm. Will the image be inverted or erect?

L M
Ans. (i) For derivation of mirror formula, refer answer to Q. 10 on page 520.

The thin lens formula is

(ii) The final image will be formed at the same point O if the concave mirror reverses the path of
light incident on it. For this the image formed by the lens must be located at the centre of
curvature of mirror M. Then the light will fall normally on and will retrace its path after
reflection.
For refraction through the convex lens,

u = −15 cm, f = +10 cm or v = 30 cm

For concave mirror, R = 20 cm
Hence d = v + R = 30 + 20 = 50 cm
The final image formed at O will be an inverted image.
OR
(i) Using the relation for refraction at a single spherical refracting surface, derive the lens
maker’s formula.
(ii) In the accompanying diagram, the direct image formed by the lens (f = 10 cm) of an object at O
and that formed after reflection from the spherical mirror are formed at the same point . What
is the radius of curvature of the mirror?
L M

O΄ O
15 cm 50 cm

Ans. (ii) For refraction through the convex lens, f = +10 cm, v = +15 cm

or u = −30 cm i.e., LO = 30 cm
The image formed first by reflection from the mirror and then by refraction through the lens will be
located at only if the image formed by reflection from the mirror is formed at O i.e., if distance
OM = R.
Hence LO + OM = 30 cm + R = 50 cm or R = 20 cm.
Q. 33. A double convex lens, made from a material of refractive index , is immersed in a liquid of
refractive index , where . What change, if any, would occur in the nature of the lens?
Q. 34. (a) Draw a ray diagram to show the refraction of light through a glass prism. Hence obtain
the relation for the angle of deviation in terms of the angle of incidence, angle of emergence
and the angle of the prism.
 (b) A right angled isosceles glass prism is made from glass of refractive index 1.5. Show that
a ray of light incident normally on (i) one of the equal sides of this prism is deviated through 90 o.
(ii) the hypotenuse of this prism is deviated through 180o.
OR
(a) With the help of a labeled ray diagram, show the image formation by a compound microscope.
Derive an expression for its magnifying power.
(b) How does the resolving power of a compound microscope get affected on
(i) decreasing the diameter of its objective?
(ii) increasing the focal length of its objective?
Q. 35. One face of a prism of refracting angle 30o and refractive index 1.414 is silvered. At what angle
must a ray of light fall on the unsilvered face so that after refraction into the prism and reflection
at the silvered surface it retraces its path? A

30o

90o R

r
i
Q

P
B C
Q. 36. Two convex lenses A and B of an astronomical telescope having focal lengths 5 cm and 20 cm
respectively are arranged as shown in the figure.
(i) Which one of the two lenses you will select to sue as the objective lens and why?
(ii) What should be the change in the distance between the lenses to have the telescope in its
normal adjustment position?
(iii) Calculate the magnifying power of the telescope in the normal adjustment position.
B
A

15 cm

Q. 37. (a) Derive lens formula relating object distance, image distance and focal length of a thin
concave lens.
(b) A converging lens of focal length 50 cm is placed coaxially in contact with another lens of
unknown focal length. If the combination behaves like a diverging lens of focal length
50 cm, find the power and nature of the second lens.
Q. 38. (a) Obtain an expression for the equivalent focal length of thin lenses of focal lengths f1 and f2
placed in contact coaxially with each other.
(b) 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? Is the system a converging or a diverging lens?
Ignore thickness of the lenses.
Q. 39. With the help of a ray diagram explain the phenomenon of total internal reflection. Obtain the
relation between critical angle and the refractive index of the medium.
Draw ray diagrams to show how a right angled isosceles prism can be used to (i) deviate the ray
through 180o, (ii) deviate the ray through 90o, and (iii) invert the ray.
OR
With the help of a ray diagram, show the formation of image of a point object by refraction of
light at a spherical surface separating two media of refractive indices and
respectively. Using this diagram, derive the relation.

Write the sign conventions used. What happens to the focal length of convex lens when it is
immersed in water?
Q. 40. A glass prism is held in water. How is the angle of minimum deviation affected?
Q. 41. Give reasons for the following observations on the surface of moon:
(i) Sunrise and sunset are abrupt.
(ii) Sky appears dark.
(iii) A rainbow is never formed.
Q. 42. (a) What is myopia or short-sightedness? What is its cause? How can it be remedied? Explain
by ray diagrams.
(b) How can we determine the focal length and power of the concave lens required to correct
a myopic eye?
OR
(a) What is hypermetropia or long-sightedness? What is its cause? How can it be
corrected? Explain by ray diagrams.
(b) How can we determine the focal length and power of the convex lens required to correct
a hypermetropic eye?
Q. 43. A boy uses spectacles of focal length − 50 cm. Name the defect of vision he is suffering from.
Computer the power of the lens.
Q. 44. You are given two convex lenses of short aperture having focal lengths 4 cm and 8 cm
respectively. Which one of these will you use as an objective and which one as an eyepiece for
constructing a compound microscope? Draw a ray diagram to show the formation of the image
of a small object due to a compound microscope. Derive an expression for its magnifying power.
OR
You are given two convex lenses of focal lengths 80 mm and 800 mm. Which one will you use
as an objective and which one as an eyepiece for constructing an astronomical telescope? Trace
the course of rays through the two lenses to show the formation of final image of a distant object.
Derive an expression for the magnifying power of the telescope for normal adjustment.

RAY OPTICS (TOGETHER WITH PHYSICS)

Q. 1. (a) Draw a labelled ray diagram to show the formation of an image by a compound
microscope. Write the expression for its magnifying power.
(b) How does the resolving power of a compound microscope change, when (i)
refractive index of the medium between the object and the objective lens increases; and (ii)
wavelength of the radiation used is increased?
Q. 2. Show that a convex lens produces an N times magnified image when the object distances, from

the lens, have magnitudes . Here f is the magnitude of the focal length of the lens.
Hence find the two values of object distance, for which a convex lens, of power 2.5 D, will
produce an image that is four times as large as the object?
Q. 3. Draw a graph to show the variation of the angle of deviation ‘D’ with that of the angle of
incidence ‘i’ for a monochromatic ray of light passing through a glass prism of refracting angle
‘A’. Hence deduce relation

Q. 4. Define critical angle with reference to total internal reflection. Calculate the critical angle for
glass-air surface, if a ray of light which is incident in air on the glass surface is deviated through
15o, when angle of incidence is 45o.
Q. 5. A figure divided into square each of size 1 mn 2 is being viewed at a distance of 9 cm through a
magnifying glass of focal length 10 cm, held close to the eye.
 (i) Find the magnification produced by the lens. How much is the area of each square
in the virtual image?
(ii) What is the angular produced by the lens. How much is the area of each square in the
virtual image?
Q. 6. A convex lens made of a material of refractive index is kept in a medium of refractive index
. Parallel rays of light are incident on the lens. Complete the path of the rays of light emerging from
the convex lens if (i) , (ii) and (iii) .
Q. 7. Velocity of light in a liquid is 1.5 × 108 m/s and in air is 3 × 108 m/s. If the ray passes through
liquid to air, calculate the value of critical angle.
Q. 8. Velocity of light is glass is 2 × 10 8 ms/ and in air is 3 × 10 8 m/s. If the ray passes through glass to
air, calculate the value of critical angle.
Q. 9. You are given three lenses having powers P and apertures A as follows :
P1 = 6 D, A1= 3 cm
P2 = 3 D, A2 = 15 cm
P3 = 12 D, A3 = 1.5 cm
Which two of these will you select to construct (i) a telescope and (ii) a microscope? State the
basis for your answer in each case.
Q. 10. Deduce Lens Maker’s Formula for a thin biconvex lens.
Q. 11. Explain the term angular dispersion and dispersive power. How are the two related?
Q. 12. A compound lens is made of two lenses in contact having powers + 12.5 D and − 2.5 D. An
object is placed at 15 cm from this compound lens. Find the position and nature of the image
formed.
Q. 13. Use the lens equation not deduce algebraically what you know otherwise from explicit ray
diagrams :
(a) An object placed within the focus of a convex lens produces a virtual and enlarged
image.
(b) A concave lens produces a virtual and diminished image independent of the location of the
object.
Q. 14. Draw a labelled ray diagram of an astronomical telescope used in the normal adjustment
position. Write the expression for its magnifying power.
Two astronomical telescopes T1 and T2 have the same magnifying power. The ratio of apertures
of their objectives is 3 : 2.
(c) Which one of the two produces image of greater intensity?
(ii) Which one of the two has larger resolving power?
Explain your answer in each case.
Q. 15. Draw a labelled ray diagram showing the image formation nby a compound microscope. Write
the expression for its magnifying power.
Define the term resolving power of a microscope. How does the resolving power of a compound
microscope change on
(c) decreasing the diameter of its objective lens?
(ii) increasing the focal length of its objective lens?
Justify your answer in each case.
Q. 16. Show by a diagram the image formation of a point by a thin double convex lens having radii of

curvature R1 and R2. Hence derive the formula , where f is the focal length
and n is refractive index of material of the lens.
Q. 17. Derive the relation between distance of object, distance of image and radius of curvature of a
convex spherical surface, when refraction takes place from rarer to denser medium and image
produced is virtual. State the assumptions and convention of signs used.
Q. 18. A ray of light is incident at an angle of incidence ‘i’ on the surface separating air and a denser
medium of refractive index ‘n’, such that the reflected and refracted rays of light are at right
angles to each other. Derive the relation connecting ‘n’ and ‘i’.
Q. 19. Give reasons for the following :
(a) Sky appears blue during day time as seen from the earth.
(b) A rainbow is never observed from the surface of moon.
(c) Sunset and sunrise are abrupt as seen from moon.
Q. 20. Deduce phenomenon of refraction through prism. Prove that A for thin prism.
Q. 21. (a) A Galilean telescope obtains the final image erect (like in a terrestrial telescope) without
an intermediate erecting lens. It does so by using a diverging lens for its eye-piece. Show that
the angular magnification of a Galilean telescope is given by a formula similar to that for any
ordinary telescope: angular magnification = f0/fe (negative sign because fe is negative).
(b) For a Galilean telescope with f0 = 150 cm, fe = −7.5 cm, what is the separation between
the objective and the eye-piece?
(c) What is the main disadvantage of this type of telescope?
Q. 72. State the essential condition for Rayleigh scattering to occur and compare the intensity of scattering
of light of wavelength of 400nm and 600nm in earth’s atmosphere and also state the reason why
the sun looks reddish at sunrise and sunset.