ARYABHATT ACADEMY

RAY OPTICS
Class 12 - Physics
Time Allowed: 2 hours Maximum Marks: 208

Section A
1. A double convex lens of focal length 6 cm is made of glass of refractive index 1.5. The radius of curvature of [1]
one surface is double that of the other surface. The value of smaller radius of curvature is ________ cm.
2. Diameter of a plano-convex lens is 6 cm and its thickness at the centre is 3 mm. What is the focal length of the [1]

lens (in cm) if the speed of light in the material of the lens is 2 × 108 m/s?
3. Consider a concave mirror and a convex lens (refractive index = 1.5) of focal length 10 cm each, separated by a [1]
distance of 50 cm in air (refractive index = 1) as shown in the figure. An object is placed at a distance of 15 cm
from the mirror. Its erect image formed by this combination has magnification M1. When the set-up is kept in a
M2
medium of refractive index 7

6
, the magnification becomes M2. The magnitude ∣∣ M1
∣
∣
is:

Section B
4. The given below figure shows an equiconvex lens (of refractive index 1.50) in contact with a liquid layer on top [2]
of a plane mirror. A small needle with its tip on the principal axis is moved along the axis until its inverted
image is found at the position of the needle. The distance of the needle from the lens is measured to be 45.0 cm.
The liquid is removed and the experiment is repeated. The new distance is measured to be 30.0 cm. What is the
refractive index of the liquid?

5. A mobile phone lies along the principal axis of a concave mirror, as shown in the given below figure. Show by [2]
the suitable diagram, the formation of its image. Explain why the magnification is not uniform. Will the
distortion of the image depending on the location of the phone with respect to the mirror?

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 6. An object is placed at [2]
a. 10 cm
b. 5 cm in front of a concave mirror of radius of curvature 15 cm.
Find the position, nature, and magnification of the image in each case.
7. A convex lens and a convex mirror of radius of curvature 20 cm are placed coaxially with the convex mirror [2]
placed at a distance of 30 cm from the lens. For a point object, at a distance of 20 cm from the lens, the final
image due to this combination coincides with the object itself. What is the focal length of the convex lens?

8. The direct image formed by the lens (f = 10 cm) of an object placed at O, and that formed after reflection from [2]
the spherical mirror are formed at same point O. What is the radius of curvature of the mirror?

9. i. Plane and convex mirrors are known to produce virtual images of the objects. Draw a ray diagram to show [2]
how, in the case of convex mirrors, virtual objects can produce real images.
ii. Why are convex mirrors used as side view mirrors in vehicles?
o

10. ​Light of wavelength 5000A falls on a plane reflecting surface. What are the wavelength and frequency of [2]

reflected light? For what angle of incidence is the reflected ray normal to the incident ray?
11. An object of 3 cm height is placed at a distance of 60 cm from a convex mirror of focal length 30 cm. Find the [2]
nature, position and size of the image formed.
12. Light incident normally on a plane mirror attached to a galvanometer coil retraces backwards as shown in figure. [2]
A current in the coil produces a deflection of 3.5° of the mirror. What is the displacement of the reflected spot of
light on a screen placed 1.5 m away?

13. Draw a ray diagram to show the image formation by a concave mirror when the object is kept between its focus [2]
and the pole. Using this diagram, derive the magnification formula for the image formed.
14. Show that spherical mirror formula is applicable to a plane mirror. [2]
15. A convex mirror always produces a virtual image independent of the location of the object. Use mirror equation [2]

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 to prove it.
16. A candle flame is held 3 cm away from a concave mirror of radius of curvature 24 cm. Where is the image [2]
formed? What is the nature of the image?
17. State two positions in which a concave mirror produces a magnified image of a given object. List two [2]
differences between the two images.
18. An object 0.5 cm high is placed 30 cm from a convex mirror whose focal length is 20 cm. Find the position, size [2]
and nature of the image.
19. The image obtained with a convex lens is erect and its length is four times the length of the object. If the focal [2]
length of the lens is 20 cm, calculate the object and image distances.
20. A convex lens of focal length 20 cm and a concave mirror of focal length 10 cm, are placed co-axially 50 cm [2]
apart from each other. An incident beam parallel to its principal axis, is incident on the convex lens. Locate the
position of the final image formed due to this combination.
21. In the following diagram, an object 'O' is placed 15 cm in front of a convex lens L1 of focal length 20 cm and the [2]

final image is formed at I at a distance of 80 cm from the second lens L2. Find the focal length of the lens L2.

22. A beam of light converges at a point P. Now a lens is placed in the path of the convergent beam 12 cm from P. At [2]
what point does the beam converge if the lens is
a. a convex lens of a focal length 20 cm. and
b. a concave lens of focal length 16 cm?
23. A thin convex lens of focal length 25 cm is cut into two pieces 0.5 cm above the principal axis. The top part is [2]
placed at (0,0) and an object placed at (- 50 cm, 0). Find the coordinates of the image.
24. Show that the least possible distance between an object and its real image in a convex lens is 4f, where f is the [2]
focal length of the lens.
25. Three immiscible liquids of densities d1 > d2 > d3 and refractive indices μ 1 > μ2 > μ3 are put in a beaker. The [2]
height of each liquid column is h

3
. A dot is made at the bottom of the beaker. For near normal vision, find the
apparent depth of the dot.
26. Double-convex lenses are to be manufactured from a glass of refractive index 1.55, with both faces of the same [2]
radius of curvature. What is the radius of curvature required if the focal length is to be 20cm?
27. An object of size 3.0 cm is placed 14 cm in front of a concave lens of focal length 21 cm. Describe the image [2]
produced by the lens. What happens if the object is moved further away from the lens?
28. The image of a small electric bulb fixed on the wall of a room is to be obtained on the opposite wall 3m away by [2]
means of a large convex lens. What is the maximum possible focal length of the lens required for the purpose?
29. A virtual image, we always say, cannot be caught on a screen. Yet when we see a virtual image, we are [2]
obviously bringing it on to the screen (i.e., the retina) of our eye. Is there a contradiction?
30. A 12 m tall tree is to be photographed with a pinhole camera. It is situated 15 m away from the pin hole. How [2]
far should the screen be placed from the pinhole to obtain a 12 cm tall image of the tree?
31. An equiconvex lens of focal length 15 cm is cut into two equal halves in thickness. What is the focal length of [2]

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 each half?
32. Define refractive index of a transparent medium. A ray of light phases through a triangular prism. Plot a graph [2]
showing the variation of the angle of deviation with the angle of incidence.
33. An illuminated object and a screen are placed 90 cm apart. Determine the focal length and nature of the lens [2]
required to produce a clear image on the screen, twice the size of the object.
34. If the radii of curvature of the faces of a double convex lens are 9 cm and 15 cm, respectively and the refractive [2]
index of glass is 1.5, then determine the focal length and the power of the lens.
35. A ray of light falls on a transparent sphere with centre C as shown in the figure. The ray emerges from the [2]
–
sphere parallel to the line AB. Find the angle of refraction of A if the refractive index of material of sphere is √3

36. A beam of light converges at a point P. A concave lens of focal length 16 cm is placed in the path of this beam [2]
12cm from P. Draw a ray diagram and find the location of the point at which the beam would now converge.
37. Two convex lenses of same focal length but of apertures A1 and A2 (A2 < A1), are used as the objective lenses in [2]
two astronomical telescopes having identical eyepieces. What is the ratio of their resolving power? Which
telescope will you prefer and why? Give reason.
38. A convex lens of refractive index 1.5 has a focal length of 18 cm in air. Calculate the change in its focal length [2]
when it is immersed in water of refractive index 4/3.
39. Which two of the following lenses L1, L2 and L3 will you select as objective and eyepiece for constructing best [2]
possible (i) telescope (ii) microscope? Give reason to support your answer.

Lens Power(P) Aperture(A)

L1 6D 1 cm

L2 3D 8cm

L3 10D 1 cm

40. Using lens maker’s formula, derive the thin lens formula 1

f
=
1

v
−
1

u
for a biconvex lens. [2]
41. Light from a point source in air falls on a spherical glass surface (n = 1.5 and radius of curvature = 20 cm). The [2]
distance of the light source from the glass surface is 100 cm. At what position the image is formed?
42. A magician during a show makes a glass lens with n = 1.47 disappear in a trough of liquid. What is the refractive [2]
index of the liquid? Could the liquid be water?
Section C
43. A convex lens of focal length 15 cm, and a concave mirror of radius of curvature 20 cm are placed coaxially 10 [3]
cm apart. An object is placed in front of the convex lens so that there is no parallax between the object and its
image formed by the combination. Find the position of the object.

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44. i. Draw a ray diagram for a convex mirror showing the image formation of an object placed anywhere in front [3]
of the mirror.
ii. Use this ray diagram to obtain the expression for its linear magnification.

45. i. How is the focal length of a spherical mirror affected when it is immersed in water? [3]
ii. A convex lens has 10 cm focal length in air. What is its focal length in water? (Refractive index of air-water
= 1.33, refractive index of air-glass = 1.5)

46. i. A mobile phone lies along the principal axis of a concave mirror. Show with the help of a suitable diagram, [3]
the formation of its image. Explain why magnification is not a uniform.
ii. Suppose the lower half of the concave mirror's reflecting surface is covered with an opaque material. What
effect this will have on the image of the object? Explain.

47. i. Calculate the distance of an object of height h from a concave mirror of radius of curvature 20 cm, so as to [3]
obtain a real image of magnification 2. Find the location of image also.
ii. Using mirror formula, explain why does a convex mirror always produce a virtual image?

48. a. With the help of a ray diagram, show how a concave mirror is used to obtain an erect and magnified image of [3]
an object.
b. Using the above ray diagram, obtain the mirror formula and the expression for linear magnification.
49. A convex lens of focal length 20 cm is placed coaxially with a convex mirror of radius of curvature 20 cm. The [3]
two are kept at 15 cm from each other. A point object lies 60 cm in front of the convex lens. Draw a ray diagram
to show the formation of the image by the combination. Determine the nature and position of the image formed.
50. A small bulb is placed at the bottom of a tank containing water to a depth of 80 cm. What is the area of the [3]
surface of water through which light from the bulb can emerge out? Refractive index of water is 1.33. (Consider
the bulb to be a point source.)
51. Find the position of the image formed of the object O by the lens combination is given in the figure having focal [3]
lengths, f = +10 cm, -10 cm, and 30 cm respectively.

52. The plane surface of a planoconvex lens of focal length 60 cm is silvered. A point object is placed at a distance [3]
20 cm from the lens. Find the position and nature of the final image formed.
53. a. At what distance should the lens be held in order to view the squares distinctly with the maximum possible [3]
magnifying power?
b. What is the magnification in this case?
c. Is the magnification equal to the magnifying power in this case? Explain.

54. A man with normal near point (25 cm) reads a book with small print using a magnifying glass: a thin convex [3]

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 lens of focal length 5 cm.
i. What is the closest and the farthest distance at which he should keep the lens from the page, so that 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?

55. a. If f = 0.5 m for a glass lens, what is the power of the lens? [3]
b. The radii of curvature of the faces of a double convex lens are 10 cm and 15 cm. Its focal length is 12 cm.
What is the refractive index of glass?
c. A convex lens has 20 cm focal length in air. What is focal length in water? (Refractive index of air-water =
1.33, refractive index for air-glass = 1.5.)
56. You are given three lenses L1, L2 and L3 each of focal length 10 cm. An object is kept at 15 cm in front of L1 as [3]
shown. The final real image is formed at the focus I of L3 .

Find the separation between L1, L2 and L3.

57. You are given three lenses L1, L2 and L3 each of focal length 20 cm. An object is kept at 40 cm in front of L1. [3]
The final real image is formed at the focus I of L3. Find the separations between L1, L2and L3.

58. Define power of a lens. Write its units. Deduce the relation 1
=
1
+
1
for two thin lenses kept in contact [3]
f f1 f2

coaxially.
59. i. Monochromatic light of wavelength 589 nm is incident from air on a water surface. If µ for water is 1.33, [3]
find the wavelength, frequency and speed of the refracted light.
ii. A double convex lens is made of a glass of refractive index 1.55 with both faces of the same radius of
curvature. Find the radius of curvature required, if the focal length is 20 cm.
60. Calculate the position of the image of an object when placed at [3]
i. Focus of a convex lens
ii. Focus of a concave lens

61. A card sheet divided into squares each of size 1 mm2 is being viewed at a distance of 9 cm through a magnifying [3]
glass (a converging lens of focal length 10 cm) held close to the eye.
a. What is the magnification produced by the lens? How much is the area of each square in the virtual image?
b. What is the angular magnification (magnifying power) of the lens?
c. Is the magnification in (a) equal to the magnifying power in (b)? Explain.
Section D
62. A circular disc of radius R is placed co-axially and horizontally inside an opaque hemispherical bowl of radius [5]
a (Figure). The far edge of the disc is just visible when viewed from the edge of the bowl. The bowl is filled
with a transparent liquid of refractive index μ and the near edge of the disc becomes just visible. How far below

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 the top of the bowl is the disc placed?

63. a. A point object is placed on the principal axis of a convex spherical surface of radius of curvature R, which [5]
separates the two media of refractive indices n1 and n2 (n2 > n1). Draw the ray diagram and deduce the

relationship between the object distance (u), image distance (v) and the radius of curvature (R) for refraction
to take place at the convex spherical surface from rarer to denser medium.
b. A converging lens has a focal length of 20 cm in air. It is made of a material of refractive index 1.6. If it is
immersed in a liquid of refractive index 1.3, find its new focal length.

64. i. Obtain lens maker's formula using the expression [5]

μ μ (μ −μ )
2 1 2 1
− =
v u R

Here, the ray of light propagating from a rarer medium of refractive index (μ ) to a denser medium of
1

refractive index (μ ) is incident on the convex side of spherical refracting surface of radius of curvature R.
2

ii. Draw a ray diagram to show that image formation by a concave mirror when the object is kept between its
focus and the pole. Using this diagram, derive the magnification formula for the image formed.
65. With the help of ray diagram, show the formation of image of a point object by refraction of light at a spherical [5]
surface separating two media of refractive indices n1 and n2 (n2 > n1) respectively. Using this diagram, derive
n2 n1 n2 −n1
the relation v
−
u
=
R
. Write the sign conventions used.
What happens to the focal length of convex lens when it is immersed in water?
66. i. Derive the mathematical relation between refractive indices μ and μ of two radii and radius of curvature R [5]
1 2

for refraction at a convex spherical surface. Consider the object to be a point source lying on the principal
axis in rarer medium of refractive index μ and a real image formed in the denser medium of refractive index
1

μ2 . Hence, derive lens maker's formula.

ii. Light from a point source in air falls on a convex spherical glass surface of refractive index 1.5 and radius of
curvature 20 cm. The distance of light source from the glass surface is 100 cm. At what position is the image
formed?
67. Two convex lenses A and B of focal lengths 20 cm and 10 cm are placed coaxially 10 cm apart. An object is [5]
placed on the common axis at a distance of 10 cm from lens A. Find the position and magnification of the final
image.
68. Determine the 'effective focal length' of the combination of the two lenses having focal lengths 30 cm and -20cm [5]
if they are placed 8.0 cm apart with their principal axes coincident. Does the answer depend on which side of the
combination a beam of parallel light is incident? Is the notion of effective focal length of this system useful at
all?
69. A thin equiconvex lens (radius of curvature of either face being 33 cm) is placed on a horizontal plane mirror [5]
and a pin held 20 cm vertically above the lens coincides in position with its own image. The space between the
lower surface of the lens and the mirror is filled with a liquid and then, to coincide with the image as before, the
pin has to be raised to a distance of 25 cm from the lens. Find the refractive index of the liquid.
70. A spherical surface of radius of curvature R, separates a rarer and a denser medium as shown in the figure. [5]

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 Complete the path of an incident ray of light, showing the formation of a real image. Hence derive the relation
connecting object distance u, image distance v, radius of curvature R, and the refractive indices n1 and n2 of the
two media.
Briefly explain, how the focal length of a convex lens changes, with an increase in wavelength of the incident
light.
71. i. Under what conditions is the phenomenon of total internal reflection of light observed? Obtain the relation [5]
between the critical angle of incidence and the refractive index of the medium.
ii. Three lenses of focal lengths +10 cm, -10 cm and +30 cm are arranged coaxially as in the figure given below.
Find the position of the final image formed by the combination.

72. a. Consider a thin lens placed between a source (S) and an observer (O) (Figure). Let the thickness of the lens [5]
2

vary as w(b)= w0 −
b

α
, where b is the verticle distance from the pole w0 is constant. Using Fermat’s

principle i.e. the time of transit for a ray between the source and observer is an extremum, find the condition
that all paraxial rays starting from the source will converge at a point O on the axis. Find the focal length.

b. A gravitational lens may be assumed to have a varying width of the form

k2
w(b) = k1 ln( ) bmin < b < bmax
b

k2
= k1 ln( ) b < bmin
bmin

Show that an observer will see an image of a point object as a ring about the center of the lens with an
angular radius
−−−−−−−
u
(n−1)k1
v
β = √
u+v

73. Figure shows a convex spherical surface with centre of curvature C separating the two media of refractive [5]
indices µ1 and µ2. Draw a ray diagram showing the formation of the image of a point object O lying on the
principal axis. Derive the relationship between the object and image distance in terms of refractive indices of the

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 media and the radius of curvature R of the surface.

74. i. Derive lens maker’s formula for a biconvex lens. [5]

ii. A point object is placed at a distance of 12 cm on the principal axis of a convex lens of focal length 10 cm. A
convex mirror is placed coaxially on the other side of the lens at a distance of 10 cm. If the final image
coincides with the object, sketch the ray diagram, and find the focal length of the convex mirror.
75. In many experimental set-ups, the source and screen are fixed at a distance say D and the lens is movable. Show [5]
that there are two positions for the lens for which an image is formed on the screen. Find the distance between
these points and the ratio of the image sizes for these two points.

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