LIGHT - REFLECTION AND REFRACTION

Previous Year Questions 2024

Q1: At what distance from a convex lens should an object be placed to get an image of the same size as
that of the object on a screen? (2024)

(a) Beyond twice the focal length of the lens.

(b) At the principal focus of the lens.

(c) At twice the focal length of the lens.

(d) Between the optical centre of the lens and its principal focus.

Q2: An object is placed at a distance of 10 cm from a convex mirror of focal length 15 cm. Find the
position of the image formed by the mirror. (2024)

Q3: Source-based/case-based questions with 2 to 3 short subparts. Internal choice is provided in one of
these sub-parts: (2024)

Study the data given below showing the focal length of three concave mirrors A, B and C and the
respective distances of objects placed in front of the mirrors :

(i) In which one of the above cases the mirror will form a diminished image of the object ? Justify your
answer.

(ii) List two properties of the image formed in case 2.

(iii) (A) What is the nature and size of the image formed by mirror C?

Draw ray diagram to justify your answer.

OR

(iii) (B) An object is placed at a distance of 18 cm from the pole of a concave mirror of focal length 12
cm. Find the position of the image formed in this case.

Q4: (a) State two laws of refraction of light.

OR
(b) Define the term absolute refractive index of a medium. A ray of light enters from vacuum to glass of
absolute refractive index 1.5. Find the speed of light in glass. The speed of light in vacuum is 3 x 108 m/s.
(2024)

Q5: The Phenomena of light involved in the formation of a rainbow in the sky are (2024)

(a) Refraction, dispersion and reflection

(b) Refraction, dispersion and total internal reflection

(c) Dispersion, scattering and reflection

(d) Dispersion, refraction and internal reflection

Q6: Absolute refractive index of glass and water is 3/2 and 4/3 respectively. If the speed of light in glass
is 2 x 108 m/s, the speed of light in water is: (2024)

(a) 94× 108 m/s

(b)52× 108 m/s

(c) 73× 108 m/s

(d) 169× 108 m/s

Q7: (a) The variation of image distance (v) with object distance (u) for a convex lens is given in the
following observation table. Analyse it and answer the questions that follow: (2024)

(i) Without calculation, find the focal length of the convex lens. Justify your answer.

(ii) Which observation is not correct ? Why? Draw ray diagram to find the position of the image formed
for this position of the object.

(iii) Find the approximate value of magnification for u = - 30 cm.

OR

(b) (i) Define principal axis of a lens. Draw a ray diagram to show what happens when a ray of light
parallel to the principal axis of a concave lens passes through it.

(ii) The focal length of a concave lens is 20 cm. At what distance from the lens should a 5 cm tall object
be placed so that its image is formed at a distance of 15 cm from the lens? Also calculate the size of the
image formed.
Q8: How will the image formed by a convex lens be affected, if the upper half of the lens is wrapped
with black paper? (2024)

(a) The size of the image formed will be one-half of the size of the image due to the complete lens.

(b) The image of the upper half of the object will not be formed.

(c) The brightness of the image will reduce.

(d) The lower half of the inverted image will not be formed.

Q9: Case-based/data-based questions with 3 short sub-parts. Internal choice is provided in one of these
sub-parts. (2024)

A highly polished surface such as a mirror reflects most of the light falling on it. In our daily life we use
two types of mirrors plane and spherical. The reflecting surface of a spherical mirrors may be curved
inwards or outwards. In concave mirrors, reflection takes place from the inner surface, while in convex
mirrors reflection takes place from the outer surface.

(a) Define the principal axis of a concave mirror.

(b) A ray of light is incident on a concave mirror, parallel to its principal axis. If this ray after reflection
from the mirror passes through the principal axis from a point at a distance of 10 cm from the pole of
the mirror, find the radius of curvature of the mirror.

(c) (i) An object is placed at a distance of 10 cm from the pole of a convex mirror of focal length 15 cm.
Find the position of the image.

OR

(c) (ii) A mirror forms a virtual, erect and diminished image of an object. Identify the type of this mirror.
Draw a ray diagram to show the image formation in this case.

Q10: (a) (i) Draw a ray diagram to show the path of the refracted ray in each of the following cases:
(CBSE 2024)

A ray of light incident on a concave lens

(1) parallel to its principal axis, and

(2) is directed towards its principal focus.

(ii) A 4 cm tall object is placed perpendicular to the principal axis of convex lens of focal length 24 cm.
The distance of object from the lens is 16 cm. Find the position and size of image formed.

OR
(b) (i) Draw a ray diagram to show the path of the reflected ray in each of the following cases: A ray of
light incident on a convex mirror

(1) parallel to its principal axis, and

(2) is directed towards its principal focus

(ii) A 1.5 cm tall candle flame is placed perpendicular to the principal axis of a concave mirror of focal
length 12 cm. If the distance of the flame from the pole of the mirror is 18 cm, use mirror formula to
determine the position and size of the image formed. (CBSE 2024)

Q11: The color of light for which the refractive index of glass is minimum, is: (CBSE 2024)

(a) Red

(b) Yellow

(c) Green

(d) Violet

Q12: The lens system of human eye forms an image on a light sensitive screen, which is called as: (CBSE
2024)

(a) Cornea

(b) Ciliary muscles

(c) Optic nerves

(d) Retina

Previous Year Questions 2023

Q1: The magnification produced when an object is placed at a distance of 20 cm from a spherical mirror
is +1/2. Where should the object be placed to reduce the magnification to +1/3? (2023)

Q2: Define the following terms in the context of a diverging mirror: (2023)

(i) Principal focus

(ii) Focal length

Draw a labelled ray diagram to illustrate your answer.

Q3: An object of height 10 cm is placed 25 cm away from the optical centre of a converging lens of focal
length 15 cm. Calculate the image distance and height of the image formed. (2023)

Q4: Define power of a lens. The focal length of a lens is -10 cm. Write the nature of the lens and find its
power. If an object is placed at a distance of 20 cm from the optical center of this lens, what will be the
sign of magnification and nature of image in this case? (2023)

Q5: The ability of medium to refract light is expressed in terms of its optical density. Optical density has
a definite connotation. It is not the same as mass density. On comparing two media, the one with the
large refractive index is optically denser medium than the other. The other medium with a lower
refractive index is optically rarer. Also the speed of light through a given medium is inversely
proportional to its optical density. (2023)

i. Determine the speed of light in diamond if the refractive index of diamond with respect to vacuum is
2.42. Speed of light in vacuum is 3 × 108 m/s.

ii. Refractive indices of glass, water and carbon disulphide are 1.5, 1.33 and 1.62 respectively. If a ray of
light is incident in these media at the same angle (say θ), then write the increasing order of the angle of
refraction in these media.

iii. (A) The speed of light in glass is 2 × 108 m/s and is water is 2.25 × 108 m/s.

(a) Which one of the two optically denser and why?

(b) A ray of light is incident normally at the water glass interface when it enters a thick glass container
filled with water. What will happen to the path of the ray after entering the glass? Give reason.

OR

(B) The absolute refractive indices of glass and water are 4/3 and 3/2, respectively. If the speed of light
in glass is 2 × 108 m/s, calculate the speed of light in (i) vacuum (ii) water.

Q6: Many optical instruments consists of a number of lenses. They are combined to increase the
magnification and sharpness of the image. The net power (P) of the lenses places in contact is given by
the algebraic sum of the powers of the individual lenses P1, P2, P3....as

P = P1 + P2 + P3...

This is also termed as the simple additive property of the power of lens, widely used to design lens
systems of cameras, microscopes and telescopes. These lens systems can have a combination of convex
lenses and also concave lenses. (2023)

(a) What is the nature (convergent/divergent) of the combination of a convex lens of power +4 D and a
concave lens of power -2 D?

(b) Calculate the focal length of a lens of power -2.5 D.

(c) Draw a ray diagram to show the nature and position of an image formed by a convex lens of power
+0.1 D, when an object is placed at a distance of 20 cm from its optical centre.

OR

(c) How is a virtual image formed by a convex lens different from that formed by a concave lens? Under
what conditions do a convex and a concave lens form virtual image?

Q7: Hold a concave mirror in your hand and direct its reflecting surface towards the sun. Direct the light
reflected by the mirror on to a white card-board held close to the mirror. Move the card-board back and
forth gradually until you find a bright, sharp spot of light on the board. This spot of light is the image of
the sun on the sheet of paper; which is also termed as “Principal Focus” of the concave mirror. (CBSE
2023)

(A) List two applications of concave mirror.

(B) If the distance between the mirror and the principal focus is 15 cm, find the radius of curvature of
the mirror.

(C) Draw a ray diagram to show the type of image formed when an object is placed between pole and
focus of a concave mirror.

(D) An object 10 cm in size is placed at 100 cm in front of a concave mirror. If its image is formed at the
same point where the object is located, find:

(i) focal length of the mirror, and

(ii) magnification of the image formed with sign as per Cartesian sign convention.

Q8: (A) Complete the following ray diagram to show the formation of image:

(B) Mention the nature, position and size of the image formed in this case.

(C) State the sign of the image distance in this case using the Cartesian sign convention. (CBSE 2023)

Previous Year Questions 2022

Q1: An optical device forms an erect image of an object placed in front of it. If the size of the image is
one half that of the object, the optical device is a (2022)

(a) concave mirror

(b) convex mirror

(c) plane mirror

(d) convex lens.

Q2: The relation R = 2f is valid (2022)

(a) for concave mirrors but not for convex mirrors

(b) for convex mirrors but not for concave mirrors

(c) neither for concave mirrors nor for convex mirrors

(d) for both concave and convex mirrors.

Q3: In which of the following is a concave mirror used? (2022)

(a) A solar cooker

(b) A rear view mirror in vehicles

(c) A safety mirror in shopping malls

(d) In viewing full size image of distant tall buildings

Q4: For the diagram shown, according to the new Cartesian sign convention the magnification of the
image formed will have the following specifications : (2022)

(a) Sign - Positive, Value - Less than 1

(b) Sign - Positive, Value - More than 1

(c) Sign - Negative, Value - Less than 1

(d) Sign - Negative, Value - More than 1

Q5: The radius of curvature of a converging mirror is 30 cm. At what distance from the mirror should an
object be placed so as to obtain a virtual image? (2022)

(a) Infinity

(b) 30 cm

(c) Between 15 cm and 30 cm

(d) Between 0 cm and 15 cm

Q6: Which of the following statements is not true in reference to the diagram shown above? (2022)

(a) Image formed is real.

(b) Image formed is enlarged.

(c) Image is formed at a distance equal to double the focal length.

(d) Image formed is inverted.

Q7: An object of height 4 cm is kept at a distance of 30 cm from the pole of a diverging mirror. If the
focal length of the mirror is 10 cm, the height of the image formed is (2022)

(a) +3.0 cm

(b) +2.5 cm

(c) +1.0 cm

(d) +0.75 cm

Q8: If a lens and a spherical mirror both have a focal length of -15 cm, then it may be concluded that
(2022)

(a) both are concave

(b) the lens is concave and the mirror is convex

(c) the lens is convex and the mirror is concave

(d) both are convex.

Q9: A student determines the focal length of a device’ A’ by focusing the image of a far off object on a
screen placed on the opposite side of the object. The device 'A’ is (2022)

(a) concave lens

(b) concave mirror

(c) convex lens

(d) convex mirror.

Q10: When light is incident on a glass slab, the incident ray, refracted ray and the emergent ray are in
three media A, B and C. If n1, n2 and n3 are the refractive indices of A, B and C respectively and the
emergent ray is parallel to the incident ray, which of the following is true ? (2022)

(a) n1 < n2 < n3

(b) n1 > n2 > n3

(c) n1 < n2 = n3

(d) n1 = n3 < n2
Q11: The image of a candle flame formed by a lens is obtained on a screen placed on the other side of
the lens. According to new cartesian sign convention, if the image is three times the size of the flame,
then the lens is (2022)

(a) concave and magnification is +3

(b) concave and magnification is -3

(c) convex and magnification is -3

(d) convex and magnification is +3.

Q12: The power of a combination of two lenses in contact is +1.0 D. If the focal length of one of the
lenses of the combination is +20.0 cm, the focal length of the other lens would be (2022)

(a) -120.0 cm

(b) +80.0 cm

(c) -25.0 cm

(d) -20.0 cm

Q13: Study the diagram given below and identify the type of the lens XX' and the position of the point
on the principal axis OO' where the image of the object AB appears to be formed (2022)

(a) Concave; between O' and Y

(b) Concave : between O and Y

(c) Convex; between O' and Y

(d) Convex; between O and Y

Q14: An object of height 3.0 cm is placed vertically on the principal axis of a convex lens. When the
object i distance is -37.5 cm, an image of height -2.0 cm j is formed at a distance of 25.0 cm from the
lens. I Next, the same object is placed vertically at 25.0 cm | from the lens. In this situation the image
distance v and height h of the image is (according to the new j Cartesian sign convention) (2022)

(a) v = +37.5 cm; h = +4.5 cm

(b) v = -37.5 cm; h = +4.5 cm

(c) v = +37.5 cm; h = - 4.5 cm

(d) v = -37.5 cm; h = -4.5 cm

Q15: An object is placed in front of a concave lens. For all positions of the object the image formed is
always (2022)

(a) Real, diminished and inverted

(b) Virtual, diminished and erect

(c) Real, enlarged and erect

(d) Virtual, erect and enlarged.

Q16: A ray of light starting from air passes through a medium A of refractive index 1.50, enters medium
B of refractive index 1.33 and finally enters medium C of refractive index 2.42. If this ray emerges out in
air from C, then for which of the following pairs of media the bending of light is least? (2022)

(a) air-A

(b) A-B

(c) B-C

(d) C-air

Q17: A ray of light is incident as shown. If A, B and C are three different transparent media, then which
among the following options is true for the given diagram? (2022)

(a) ∠1 > ∠4

(b) ∠1< ∠2

(c) ∠3 = ∠2

(d) ∠3 > ∠4

Q18: In the diagram shown above n1, n2 and n3 are refractive indices of the media 1, 2 and 3
respectively. Which one of the following is true in this case. (2022)

(a) n1 = n2

(b) n1 > n2

(c) n2 > n3

(d) n3 > n1
Q19: The refractive index of medium A is 1.5 and that of medium B is 1.33. If the speed of light in air is 3
x 108 m/s, what is the speed of light in medium A and B respectively? (2022)

(a) 2 x 108 m/s and 1.33 x 1 08 m/s

(b) 1.33 x 108 m/s and 2 x 108 m/s

(c) 2.25 x 108 m/s and 2 x 108 m/s

(d) 2 x 108 m/s and 2.25 x 108 m/s

Q20: A student wants to obtain magnified image of an object AB as on a Screen. Which one of the
following arrangements shows the correct position of AB for him/her to be successful? (2022)

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

Q21: The following diagram shows the use of an optical device to perform an experiment of light. As per
the arrangement shown, the optical device is likely to be a (2022)

(a) concave mirror

(b) concave lens

(c) convex mirror

(d) convex lens

Q22: If a lens can converge the sun rays at a point 20 cm j away from its optical centre, the power of this
lens is (2022)

(a) +2D

(b) -2D

(c) +5D
(d) -5D

Q23: A converging lens forms a three-times magnified image of an object, which can be taken on a
screen. If the focal length of the lens is 30 cm, then the distance of the object from the lens is (2022)

(a) -55 cm

(b) -50 cm

(c) -45 cm

(d) -40 cm

Previous Year Questions 2021

Q1: The refractive index of glass is 1.50. What is the meaning of this statement? (2021)

Q2: A ray of light starting from air passes through medium A of refractive index 1.50, enters medium B
of refractive index 1.33 and finally enters medium C of refractive index 2.42. If this ray emerges out in air
from C, then for which of the following pairs of media the bending of light is least?

(a) air-A

(b) A-B

(c) B-C

(d) C-air (CBSE Term-1 2021)

Q3: A converging lens forms three times magnified image of an object, which can be taken on a screen.
If the focal length of the lens is 30 cm, then the distance of the object from the lens is:

(a) –55 cm

(b) –50 cm

(c) –45 cm

(d) –40 cm (CBSE Term-1 2021)

Q4: An object of height 4 cm is kept at a distance of 30 cm from the pole of a diverging mirror. If the
focal length of the mirror is 10 cm, the height of the image formed is:

(a) +3.0 cm

(b) +2.5 cm

(c) +1.0 cm
(d) +0.75 cm (CBSE Term-1 2021)

Previous Year Questions 2020

Q1: Define pole of a spherical mirror. (2020)

Q2: The refractive index of a medium 'x' with respect to a medium 'y' is 2/3 and the refractive index of
medium 'y' with respect to medium 'z' is 4/3. Find the refractive index of medium 'z' with respect to
medium 'x'. If the speed of light in medium 'x' is 3 x 108 m s-1, calculate the speed of light in medium 'y.
(2020)

Q3: Study the ray diagram given below and answer the questions that follow: (2020)

(a) Is the type of lens used converging or diverging?

(b) List three characteristics of the image formed.

(c) In which position of the object will the magnification be - 1?

Q4: Rishi went to a palmist to show his palm. The palmist used a special lens for this purpose. (2020)

(i) State the nature of the lens and reason for its use.

(ii) Where should the palmist place/hold the lens so as to have a real and magnified image of an object?

(iii) If the focal length of this lens is 10 cm, the lens is held at a distance of 5 cm from the palm, use lens
formula to find the position and size of the image. (2020)

Q5: Draw ray diagram in each of the following cases to show what happens after reflection to the
incident ray when:

(A) it is parallel to the principal axis and falling on a convex mirror.

(B) it is falling on a concave mirror while passing through its principal focus.

(C) it is coming oblique to the principal axis and falling on the pole of a convex mirror. (CBSE 2020)

Q6: (A) A person suffering from myopia (nearsightedness) was advised to wear corrective lens of power
– 2.5 D. A spherical lens of same focal length was taken in the laboratory. At what distance should a
student place an object from this lens so that it forms an image at a distance of 10 cm from the lens?

(B) Draw a ray diagram to show the position and nature of the image formed in the above case. (CBSE
2020)

Q7: Draw a ray diagram in each of the following cases to show the formation of image, when the object
is placed:

(A) between optical centre and principal focus of a convex lens.

(B) anywhere in front of a concave lens.

(C) at 2F of a convex lens.

State the signs and values of magnifications in the above mentioned cases (A) and (B). (CBSE 2020)

Previous Year Questions 2019

Q1: How far should an object be placed from a convex lens of focal length 20 cm to obtain its real image
at a distance of 30 cm from the lens? Determine the height of the image if the object is 4 cm tall.
(2019)

Q2: State laws of reflection of light. List four characteristics of the image formed by a plane mirror.
(2019)

Q3: A student, holding a mirror in his hand, directed the reflecting surface of the mirror towards the sun.
He then directed the reflected light on to a sheet of paper held close to the mirror. (2019)

(a) What should he do to burn the paper?

(b) Which type of mirror does he use?

(c) Will he be able to determine the approximate value of focal length of this mirror from this activity ?
Give reason and draw ray diagram to justify your answer in this case.

Q4: A real image, 2/3 rd of the size of an object, is formed by a convex lens when the object is at a
distance of 12 cm from it. Find the focal length of the lens. (2019)

Q5: Draw a ray diagram to show refraction through a rectangular glass slab. How is the emergent ray
related to incident ray ? What is its lateral displacement ? (2019)

Q6: An object is placed at a distance of 60 cm from a concave lens of focal length 30 cm. (2019)

(i) Use the lens formula to find the distance of the image from the lens.

(ii) List four characteristics of the image (nature, position, size, erect/inverted) formed by the lens in this
case.

(iii) Draw a ray diagram to justify your answer of the part (ii).

Q7: (a) List four characteristics of the image formed by a convex lens when an object is placed between
its optical centre and principal focus.

(b) Size of the image of an object by a concave lens of focal length 20 cm is observed to be reduced to
1/3 rd of its size. Find the distance of the object from the lens. (2019)

Previous Year Questions 2018

Q1: State the laws of refraction of light. Explain the term ‘absolute refractive index of a medium’ and
write an expression to relate it with the speed of light in vacuum. (2018)

Q2: What is meant by power of a lens? Write its SI unit. A student uses a lens of focal length 40 cm and
another of -20 cm. Write the nature and power of each lens. (2018)

Q3: An object of height 4.0 cm is placed at a distance of 30 cm from the optical centre ‘O’ of a convex
lens of focal length 20 cm. Draw a ray diagram to find the position and size of the image formed. Mark
optical centre ‘O’ and principal focus ‘F’ on the diagram. Also find the approximate ratio of size of the
image to the size of the object. (2018)

Previous Year Questions 2017

Q1: If the image formed by a mirror for all positions of the object placed in front of it is always erect and
diminished, what type of mirror is it ? Draw a ray diagram to justify your answer. Where and why do we
generally use this type of mirror? (2017)

Q2: An object 4 cm in height, is placed at 15 cm in front of a concave mirror of focal length 10 cm. At
what distance from the mirror should a screen be placed to obtain a sharp image of the object. Calculate
the height of the image. (2017)

Q3: An object is placed at a distance of 15 cm from a concave lens of focal length 30 cm. List four
characteristics (nature, position, etc.) of the image formed by the lens. (2017)

Q4: Give any two applications of a concave and convex mirror. (2017)

Q5: Define power of a lens. (2017)

Q6: The magnification of an image formed by a lens is -1. If the distance of the image from the optical
centre of the lens is 25 cm, where is the object placed? Find the nature and focal length of the lens. If
the object is displaced 15 cm towards the optical centre of the lens, where would the image be formed?
Draw a ray diagram to justify your answer. (2017)

Q7: If the image formed by a lens for all positions of an object placed in front of it is always erect and
diminished, what is the nature of this lens? Draw a ray diagram to justify your answer. If the numerical
value of the power of this lens is 10 D, what is its focal length in the Cartesian system? (2017)
Q8: Define the term magnification as referred to spherical mirrors. If a concave mirror forms a real
image 40 cm from the mirror, when the object is placed at a distance of 20 cm from its pole, find the
focal length of the mirror. [Delhi 2017 C]

Q9: State Snell's law of refraction of light. Express it mathematically. Write the relationship between
absolute efractive index of a medium and speed of light in vacuum. [AI 2017 C]

Q10: (a) What is the minimum number of rays required for locating the image formed by a concave
mirror for an object? Draw a ray diagram to show the formation of a virtual image by a concave mirror.

(b) The linear magnification produced by a spherical mirror is +3. Analyze this value and state the (i) type
of mirror and (ii) position of the object with respect to the pole of the mirror. Draw ray diagram to show
the formation of image in this cased

(c) An object is placed at a distance of 30 cm in front of a convex mirror of focal length 15 cm. Write four
characteristics of the image formed by the mirror. (2017)

Q11: (a) To construct a ray diagram we use two rays which are so chosen that it is easy to know their
directions after reflection from the mirror. List two such rays and state the path of these rays after
reflection in case of concave mirrors. Use these two rays and draw ray diagram to locate the image of an
object placed between pole and focus of a concave mirror.

(b) A concave mirror produces three times magnified image on a screen. If the object is placed 20 cm in
front of the mirror, how far is the screen from the object? (2017)
Q12: Analyse the following observation table showing variation of image-distance (v) with object-
distance (u) in case of a convex lens and answer the questions that follow without doing any
calculations: (2017)

(a) What is the focal length of the convex lens? Give reason to justify your answer.

(b) Write the serial number of the observation which is not correct. On what basis have you arrived at
this conclusion?

(c) Select an appropriate scale and draw a ray diagram for the observation at S.No. 2. Also find the
approximate value of magnification.

Q13: (a) If the image formed by a mirror for all positions of the object placed in front of it is always
diminished, erect and virtual, state the type of the mirror and also draw a ray diagram to justify your
answer. Write one use such mirrors are put to and why?

(b) Define the radius of curvature of spherical mirrors. Find the nature and focal length of a spherical
mirror whose radius of curvature is +24 cm. (2017)

Q14: (a) Draw labelled ray diagrams for each of the following cases to show the position, nature and size
of the image formed by a convex lens when the object is placed. (2017)

(i) between its optical center (O) and principal focus (F)

(ii) between F and 2 F

(b) How will the nature and size of the image formed in the above two cases, (i) and (ii) change, if the
convex lens is replaced by a concave lens of same focal length?
Q15: State the laws that are followed when light is reflected by spherical mirrors. Draw a ray diagram to
show the formation of image of an object placed in front of a convex mirror. List two characteristics of
the image formed. Briefly explain one use of convex mirrors. (2017)

Q16: A student carries out the experiment of tracing the path of a ray of light through a rectangular
glass slab for two different values of angle of incidence ∠i = 30º and ∠i = 45°. In the two cases the
student is likely to observe the set of values of angle of refraction and angle of emergence as:

(a) ∠r =30º, ∠e = 20º and ∠r = 45º, ∠e = 28º

(b) ∠r =30º, ∠e = 30º and ∠r = 45º, ∠e = 45º

(c) ∠r =20º, ∠e = 30º and ∠r = 28º, ∠e = 45º

(d) ∠r =20º, ∠e = 20º and ∠r = 28º, ∠e = 28º (CBSE 2017)

Previous Year Questions 2016

Q1: What is a prism? (2016)

Q2: Define the term reflection. (2016)

Q3: The nature, size and position of image of an object produced by a lens or mirror are as shown
below. Identify the lens/ mirror (X) used in each case and draw the corresponding complete ray diagram,
(size of the object about half of the image). (2016)
Q4: (a) Calculate the distance at which an object should be placed in front of a convex lens of focal
length 10 cm to obtain a virtual image of double its size.

(b) In the above given case, find the magnification, if image formed is real. Express it in terms of relation
between v and u (2016)

Q5: One half of a convex lens is covered with a black paper. (2016)

a. Show the formation of image of an object placed at 2Fp of such covered lens with the help of ray
diagram. Mention the position and nature of image.

b. Draw the ray diagram for same object at same position in front of the same lens, but now uncovered.
Will there be any difference in the image obtained in the two cases? Give reason for your answer.

Q6: State the relation between object distance, image distance and focal length of a concave or convex
mirror. A concave mirror produces two times magnified real image of an object at 10 cm from it. Find
the position of the image. (2016)

Q7: (A) One-half of a convex lens is covered with a black paper. Will this lens produce a complete image
of the object? Verify your answer experimentally. Explain your observations.

(B) Name the lens which can be used as a magnifying glass. (CBSE 2016)
Q8: Suppose you have three concave mirrors A, B and C of focal lengths 10 cm, 15 cm and 20 cm. For
each concave mirror you perform the experiment of image formation for three values of object distance
of 10 cm, 20 cm and 30 cm. Giving reason answer the following:

(A) For the three object distances, identify the mirror/mirrors which will form an image of magnification
–1.

(B) Out of the three mirrors identify the mirror which would be preferred to be used for shaving
purposes/makeup.

(C) For the mirror B draw ray diagram for image formation for object distances 10 cm and 20 cm. (CBSE
2016)

Previous Year Questions 2015

Q1: What is the magnification of the images formed by plane mirrors and why? (2015)

Q2: What is meant by power of a lens? (2015)

Q3: Name the mirror that is used by a dentist in examining teeth. (2015)

Q4: What is lateral displacement of a light ray passing through a glass slab? (2015)
Q5: Define power of a lens and write its SI unit. (2015)

Q6: Name the lens which can be used as a magnifying glass. (2015)

Q7: Which type of lens has a negative power? (2015)

Q8: What is the difference between virtual image of an object formed by a convex lens and that formed
by a concave lens? (2015)

Q9: During its passage from one medium to another, where does a light ray change its path? (2015)

Q10: The power of a lens is + 5 D. Find its focal length in metres. (2015)
Q11: What are the units of power of a lens? (2015)

Q12: If the image formed by a mirror for all positions of the object placed in front of it is always erect
and diminished, what type of mirror is it? Draw a ray diagram to justify your answer. Where and why do
we generally use this type of mirror? (2015)

Q13: Name the type of mirror used in the following: (2015)

a. Solar furnace

b. Side/rear - view mirror of a vehicle.

Draw a labelled ray diagram to show the formation of image in each of the above two cases.

Which of these mirrors could also form a magnified and virtual image of an object? Illustrate with the
help of a ray diagram.

Previous Year Questions 2014

Q1: Write down four important characteristics of image formed by a plane mirror. (2014)

Q2: Describe a spherical mirror. (2014)

Q3: Define the following terms in relation to concave spherical mirror: (2014)

(a) Pole

(b) Centre of curvature

(c) Radius of curvature

(d) Principal axis

(e) Principal focus

(f) Aperture

(g) Focal length

Q4: With the help of ray diagram show that angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection when a
ray is incident on the concave/convex mirror. (2014)

Q5: A 4.5 cm needle is placed 12 cm away from a convex mirror of focal length 15 cm. Give the location
of image and magnification. Describe what happens to the image as the needle is moved farther from
the mirror. (2014)

Previous Year Questions 2013

Q1: The path of a ray of light coming from air passing through a rectangular glass slab is traced by four
students shown as A, B, C and D in the figures. Which one of these is correct?

(a)
(b)

(c)

(d) (CBSE 2013, 11)