APPLIED PHYSICS-II (2ND SEMESTER DIPLOMA ENGG STUDENTS FROM SUMMER 2025 ONWARDS

UNIT- 2 (OPTICS)
2 MARKS QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS

Ques Taxonomy Marking

Question/ Answer
No. Level Scheme
Q. 1 State Laws of Reflection. Remembering
Ans Laws of Reflection :

1st law:The incident ray, the 1

reflected rayand the normal
to the surface at the point of
incidence all lie in the same
plane and that plane is
perpendicular to the
reflecting surface.

2nd law: The angle of 1

incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.

Q. 2 State Laws of Refraction. Remembering

Ans Laws of Refraction:
1st law: The incident ray, the
refracted ray and the normal to 1
the interface at the point of
incidence all lie in the same
plane.

2nd law: The ratio of the sine of

the angle of incidence to the
sine of the angle of refraction is
a constant.
1
��� �
= ��������
��� �
This is also known as Snell’s law.
Q. 3 Define Refractive Index. Write the SI unit and dimension of Refractive Remembering
Index.
Ans
The refractive index of a medium is defined as the ratio of the
speed of light in vacuum to the speed of light in the medium.
� 1
�=
�
Where � = Refractive index of the medium
c = speed of light in vacuum
v= speed of light in the medium
1
Refractive index is a unit-less and dimensionless quantity.
Q. 4 Give two examples each for reflection and refraction in daily life. Remembering
Ans Uses of Reflection in Daily Life:
1. Mirrors: When light strikes a mirror, it reflects off the
surface and forms an image.
2. Reflective Road Signs: Road signs are often made with 1
reflective materials that bounce light back toward drivers,
making them visible at night.

Uses of Refraction in Daily Life:

1. Eyeglasses and Contact Lenses: Refraction helps correct
vision by bending light to focus it properly on the retina.
2. Lenses in Cameras and Binoculars: Refraction is used to 1
focus light and magnify images in cameras, binoculars.

Q. 5 Draw the ray diagram of an object placed between Focus and Pole of a Understanding
Concave mirror and explain the image formed.
Ans

When object is placed between Focus and Pole of a concave

mirror, Image is
• Formed behind the mirror 1
• Virtual
• Erect
• Magnified
Q. 6 Draw the ray diagram of an object placed beyond center of curvature Remembering
(C1) of a convex lens and explain the image formed.
Ans

When object is placed beyond center of curvature (C1) of a convex

lens, Image is
 Formed between another Focus (F2) and center of
curvature (C2)
 Real
 Inverted
 Diminished
Q. 7 Define Power of Lens and write its unit. Remembering
Ans The power of a lens is defined as the ability of the lens to
converge or diverge light.
Mathematically, it is defined as the reciprocal of focal length of 1
lens.
1
Power of lens =
�
Where f is the focal length of the lens measured in meter. 1
The unit of power is diopter.

Q. 8 Define Critical angle. Remembering

Ans Critical angle is defined as the angle of incidence in optically denser
medium for which angle of refraction in the optically rarer medium is 900. 2

Q. 9 Define Total Internal Reflection. Remembering

Ans Total internal reflection is the phenomenon by virtue of which a ray of
light traveling from a optically denser medium to a rarer medium is sent 2
back to the same medium, when the ray is incident at an angle more than
the critical angle for that medium.
Q. 10 Give two examples of applications of Total internal Reflection of light in Applying
daily life.
1. Optical fibres use total internal reflection to transmit light 1
signals over long distances.
2. Diamonds dazzle so brightly because of total internal 1
reflection.
Q.11 Refractive Index of water with respect to air is 4/3 and Refractive Index Understanding
of glass with respect to air is 3/2. Find the refractive index of glass with
respect to water?
Ans We know that
�2
1
μ2= 2
�1
�� 3 4 3 3 9
Then wμg= = ÷ = × =
�� 2 3 2 4 8

Q. 12 Find the critical angle when a ray of light passes from glass medium to Applying
air medium? Given refractive index of glass is 1.5 (������ = �. � )

Ans We know that

1
sin (�� ) =
������

Given refractive index of glass medium = 1.5,

Then
1 1 2
sin (�� ) = = ≈ 0.667
������ 1.5
⇒ �� = sin−1 (0.667) ≈ 42°
Q.13 Calculate the magnifying power of a simple microscope of 0.05 m focal Applying
length. Distance of distinct vision is 0.25 m.
Ans Given that
Focal length of a simple microscope f = 0.05 m
 Distance of distinct vision D = 0.25 m
�
Then the magnifying power� =1+ 2
�
0.25
⇒� =1+ =1+5=6
0.05

The magnifying power of the simple microscope is 6.

Q. 14 An astronomical telescope set for normal adjustment has a magnifying Applying

power 10. If the focal length of the objective is 1 m. Find the focal
length of eye-piece?
Ans Given that
Magnifying power of the telescope, M=10 m
Focal length of the objective lens, ���������� =1�
The magnifying power of an astronomical telescope is
����������
�= 2
���������
���������� 1
⇒��������� = = = 0.1 �
� 10

The focal length of eye-piece is 0.1 m.

Q. 15 A convex lens of focal length 10 cm is placed at a distance of 12 cm Applying

from a wall. How far from the lens should an object be placed so as to
form its real image on the wall?
Ans Given that
Focal length f=10 cm
Image distance v=12 cm
We know that
1 1 1
− =
� � �

1 1 1
⇒ = −
� � �
2
1 1 1 5−6 1
⇒ = − = = −
� 12 10 60 60

⇒ � =− 60 cm

The negative sign indicates that the object is placed on the same
side of the lens as the incoming light.
 5 MARKS QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS

Question Taxonomy Marking

Question/ Answer
No. Level Scheme
Q. 1 Establish a relation between object distance (u), image distance (v) Understanding
and focal length (f) for a thin convex lens when the object is situated
beyond focus.
Ans It is a relation connecting focal length of the lens with the
distances of objects and images.

The distance is taken from surface of lens. The distance which

is in direction of light ray is taken positive and the distance
opposite to direction of light ray is negative. In present case v is
taken positive and u is taken negative.
∆ AOB and ∆ A′OB′ are similar,
AB ��
= ……………… (1) 1
A’B’ ��’

∆ COF and ∆ A′FB′are similar,

�� ��
=
A’B’ A’F
1
AB ��
⇒ = [as OC=AB ……….. (2)
A’B’ A’F

From equation (1) and (2), we get

�� ��
⇒ =
��' A’F
−� �
⇒ =
� �−�
1
⇒− � � − � = ��
⇒− �� + �� = ��
 ⇒ �� − �� = ��

Dividing both sides by uvf, we get

1
�� �� ��
− =
��� ��� ���

1 1 1
=> − =
� � �
This is known as lens formula. It is valid for concave lens also.

Q. 2 Explain the working of simple microscope with ray diagram. Derive Understanding
the relation for magnifying power of Simple microscope.
Ans A microscope is an optical instrument used to magnify small
objects. It is made up of lens or combination of lenses.

Principle:
(i) When an object is placed between focus and optical center of
convex lens, then its erect, virtual and magnified image is
formed on the same side of the object. 1
(ii) A single convex lens of short focal length constitutes a
simple microscope which is commonly known as a
magnifying glass or a reading glass.

Working:
(i) The above ray diagram is the ray diagram of simple
microscope. It consists of one convex lens.
(ii) The object is observed by keeping eye close to convex lens
and the image is clearly seen when it forms at distance of
distinct vision, which is 25 cm for human eye.
(iii) Let ‘b’ be the angle which eye made with image formed at 1
� = � and ‘a’be the angle which eye (without lens) made with
object kept at distance of distinct vision.
Magnifying power or Magnification:
The magnifying power of a simple microscope is defined as the
ratio between the angle subtended by the image at the eye to
the object at the eye when both the image and the object are
situated at the distance of distinct vision.
�
�=
�
� tan �
=> � = =
� tan �
��
But from the above diagram, in ∆ AOB, tan � = and in
�
�’�’
∆A′OB′, tan � =
�
�’�’
� �’�’
∴ �= ��
=
��
�
ΔA’OB’ and ΔAOB are similar triangles then 1

�’�’ ��’ −� �
= = =
�� �� −� �
�
⇒�= …………. (1)
�

From Lens Equation

1 1 1
− =
� � �

1 1 1
⇒ − =
−� −� �
1 1 1
⇒ = + 1
� � �

Multiply D on both sides of the above equation,

� � � �
= + =1+ ………….(2)
� � � �

�
From above equation(1) and (2), �=1+
�
 This equation gives magnification of simple microscope.

Q. 3 Define Critical angle and Total Internal Reflection with ray diagram. Understanding
Ans

When a ray of light travels from denser medium to rarer medium, it

moves away from the normal. So, as the angle of incidence increases
in the denser medium, the angle of refraction also increases. For a
particular angle of incidence, the angle of refraction is 900. This angle
of incidence is known as critical angle.
2
Critical angle is defined as the angle of incidence in optically denser
medium for which angle of refraction in the optically rarer medium is
900.

Total internal reflection is the phenomenon by virtue of which a ray 2

of light traveling from a optically denser medium to a rarer medium is
sent back to the same medium, when the ray is incident at an angle
more than the critical angle for that medium.
Q. 4 Explain the working of astronomical telescope. Derive the relation Understanding
for magnifying power of astronomical telescope.
Ans An astronomical telescope is an optical instrument used to
observe distant celestial objects like stars, planets, and
galaxies.

1
 The simple astronomical telescope consists of two lenses as
given in ray diagram.
Objective Lens: The telescope has a large objective lens with a
long focal length. This lens collects light from a distant object
(like a star or planet) and forms a real, inverted, and
diminished image at its focal point.
Eyepiece: The eyepiece is a smaller lens with a short focal 1
length. It's positioned so that the image formed by the objective
lens falls just inside its focal point.

Working Principle:
The objective lens forms real and diminished image AB of the
object. The eyepiece enlarges the image AB (which is object for
eyepiece) and forms magnified virtual image.
In normal adjustment the image AB is formed at the focus of
eyepiece and its magnified and enlarged virtual image is formed
at infinity. If the final image formed by the eyepiece lies at 1
infinity. The distance between the objective and eyepiece is the
sum of their focal length,�� + ��

Magnifying power: The magnifying power (M) of a telescope is

defined as the ratio of the angle subtended by the final image at
the eye to the angle subtended by the object at the eye.
�
�=
�
� tan � 1
�= = …………………… (1)
� tan �

In ∆ABO and ∆ABE

��
tan � �� ��
= =
tan � �� ��
��
Hence from equation (1)
�� 1
�=
��
��
=> � =
��
Thus, the magnification of astronomical telescope in normal
adjustment is equal to the ratio of the focal length of objective
to the focal length of eyepiece.

Q. 5 Explain the Comatic aberration with a neat diagram. Understanding

Ans Coma:
(i) In spherical aberration the light rays coming from the object
 are parallel to principal axis.
(ii) If the point object is away from principal axis, the light rays
coming from the point are not parallel to principal axis. 2
(iii) Spherical aberration applied to such rays results in defects
known as Coma.
(iv) Unequal magnification of the image formed due to different
zones of lens. The circular image of point will be formed
perpendicular to principal axis.

Effect: out of focus image or focus is not sharp point.

Example 1
When photographing stars at night, you may see Comatic
aberration at the edges of the frame.
Q. 6 For a compound microscope the focal length of Objective and Applying
eyepiece are 3 cm and 6 cm respectively. The distance between
eyepiece and objective is 28 centimeters. Calculate the distance of
object from objective lens and magnification of image, when the
image seen from eye is formed at 25 cm from the eyepiece.
Ans Given that
�� = 3 ��,
�� = 6 ��,
�� = 25 ��
and �� + �� = 28 ��

(i) By using lens equation, to get ��

1 1 1
− =
�� �� ��
1 1 1
⇒ − = 1
−25 �� 6
1 1 1
⇒− = +
�� 6 25
1 31
⇒− =
�� 150
 150
⇒ �� =−
31
(Here negative sign indicates that the image is between
objective and eyepiece.)

To get the value of �� ,

As �� + �� = 28 �� 1

150
⇒ �� = 28 −
31

718
⇒ �� = ��
31
From lens equation,
1 1 1
− =
�� �� ��
1
31 1 1
⇒ − =
718 �� 3

1 31 1 93 − 718
⇒ = − =
�� 718 3 2154

1 625
⇒ =−
�� 2154

2154 2
⇒ �� =− = − 3.45 ��
625
The distance between object and objective lens is 3.45 cm.

(ii) The magnifying power of compound microscope is given

by
− �� �
�= 1+
�� ��

718 625 25
⇒�= − × 1+
31 2154 6
⇒ � = − 34.72
 Here negative sign shows that the final image is inverted.
Q. 7 Explain magnification of lens. Derive the formula for magnification Understanding
of image using lens formula.
Ans The ratio of the size of image to the size of object is known as
the image magnification.
���� �� ����� � A’B’ 1
�= = = ………………(1)
���� �� ������ � ��

From the figure,

∆ COF and ∆ A′FB′ are similar,

�� ��
=
A’B’ A’F
AB ��
⇒ = [as OC=AB
A’B’ A’F

A’B’ A’F
⇒ = 1
�� ��
A’B’ (v−f)
⇒�= = ……………(2)
�� �

By using lens formula,

1 1 1
− =
� � �

1 1 1
=> − =
� � � 1

�−� 1
=> =
�� �
 �−� �
=> =− ………..……(3)
� �

Combining equations (2) and (3),

�
� =−
�
Here negative sign indicates inverse image and
�
magnification is given by
� 1

���� �� ����� ����� ��������

Hence �= =
���� �� ������ ������ ��������