Optics MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Optics - Download Free PDF

Last updated on Jul 4, 2025

Latest Optics MCQ Objective Questions

Optics Question 1:

- amglogisticsinc.net

Two parallel light beams, labeled P and Q, are incident perpendicularly on a prism. These beams are separated by a distance d and consist of coherent monochromatic waves of wavelengths 4000 Å and 5000 Å, respectively. Each beam is internally coherent at its own wavelength. The wavelength-dependent refractive index μ(λ) of the prism material is given by: μ(λ) = 1.20 + b / λ2, where λ is in Ångströms and b is a positive constant. It is observed that total internal reflection occurs at the face AC of the prism for only one of the wavelengths, while the other passes through. If the angle of incidence at face AC is such that sin θ = 0.8, determine the value of α where b = α × 10 Afor this condition.

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Answer (Detailed Solution Below) 8

Optics Question 1 Detailed Solution

Calculation:

For total internal reflection to occur, the condition is:

sin θ > 1 / μ(λ)

Given: sin θ = 0.8

⇒ Total internal reflection just occurs when μ(λ) = 1 / 0.8 = 1.25

We use the given refractive index formula:

μ(λ) = 1.20 + b / λ2

Now, plug in λ = 4000 Å for which total internal reflection occurs:

1.25 = 1.20 + b / (4000)2

⇒ b / (1.6 × 107) = 0.05

⇒ b = 0.05 × 1.6 × 107 = 8 × 105

Answer: b = 8 × 105

KEY: b = 8 × 105

Optics Question 2:

Two equi-convex lenses of focal lengths 25 cm and 60 cm, made from a material with a refractive index of 1.6, are held together coaxially using a band. A liquid of refractive index 1.4 fills the space between them completely. Determine the image position for a luminous point object placed along the axis of this lens combination at a distance of 80 cm from it.

  1. 45.2 cm
  2. 32.3 cm
  3. 28.7 cm
  4. 24.0 cm

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 3 : 28.7 cm

Optics Question 2 Detailed Solution

Solution:

The focal length f3 of the liquid lens in air is calculated by:

1/f3 = (μ - 1) (1/R2 - 1/R3)

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Given:

μ = 1.4, R2 = -25 cm, R3 = +60 cm

1/f3 = (1.4 - 1) (1/(-25) + 1/60)

⇒ 1/f3 = 0.4 (-1/25 + 1/60)

⇒ 1/f3 = -7 / 750

So, f3 ≈ -107.14 cm

The formula for the equivalent focal length is:

1/F = 1/f1 + 1/f2 + 1/f3

Given: f1 = 25 cm, f2 = 60 cm, f3 ≈ -107.14 cm

1/F = 1/25 + 1/60 - 1/107.14

⇒ 1/F ≈ (60 + 25 - 14) / 1500

1/F ≈ 71 / 1500

So, F ≈ 1500 / 71 ≈ 21.13 cm

Using the lens formula

1/v - 1/u = 1/F

Object distance u = -80 cm, so:

1/v - 1/(-80) = 1/21.13

1/v = 1/21.13 - 1/80

v ≈ 28.7 cm

Optics Question 3:

A convex lens has a power of 3 D, and a concave lens has a focal length of 50 cm. If both lenses are placed in contact, calculate the ratio of the total power of the combination to the equivalent focal length of the combined lenses.

  1. 1 D2
  2. 1 m2
  3. 10 D2

  4. 10 m2

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 1 : 1 D2

Optics Question 3 Detailed Solution

Calculation:

The formula for the total power of lenses in contact is:

P = Pconvex + Pconcave

Pconvex = 3 D

focal length of concave lens = -50 cm = -0.5 m

Power of concave lens:

Pconcave = 1 / (-0.5) = -2 D

Total power:

P = 3 + (-2)

⇒ P = 1 D

The formula for the equivalent focal length is:

P (in D) = 1 / f (in m)

So, f = 1 / P

⇒ f = 1 / 1 = 1 m

the ratio = P/f =1 D2

Optics Question 4:

A convex lens with a focal length of 12 cm is placed facing a plane mirror. The gap between the lens and the mirror is 8 cm. An object is placed 24 cm in front of the lens. Determine the nature of the final image and its distance from the mirror.

  1.  Virtual and located 12 cm from the mirror.
  2. Real and located 14 cm from the mirror.
  3. Virtual and located 16 cm from the mirror.
  4. Real and located 16 cm from the mirror.

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 4 : Real and located 16 cm from the mirror.

Optics Question 4 Detailed Solution

Calculation:

Using the lens formula:

1/v1 - 1/u1 = 1/f1

Where, u1 = -24 cm (object distance from the lens) and f1 = 12 cm,

1/v1 - 1/(-24) = 1/12

⇒ 1/v1 + 1/24 = 1/12

⇒ v1 = 24 cm

I1 is formed 24 cm from the lens, so the distance from the mirror is 24 - 8 = 16 cm to the right of the mirror.

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This image acts as a virtual object for the mirror, so the mirror forms an image at the same distance on the other side:

So, the mirror image is located 16 cm left of the mirror.

Now, this mirror image acts as an object for the lens. Distance from the lens:

Lens to mirror = 8 cm, mirror to image = 16 cm, so distance from lens = - (16 + 8) = -24 cm (since it is to the left of the lens).

Apply the lens formula again:

1/v2 - 1/(-24) = 1/(-12) (negative because light is incident from the right)

⇒ 1/v2 + 1/24 = -1/12

⇒ v2 = -8 cm

The negative sign shows that the image is on the left side of the lens, meaning it is real. The distance of this final image from the mirror:

Distance between lens and mirror = 8 cm. Image is 8 cm to the left of the lens, so total distance from mirror = 8 + 8 = 16 cm.

Thus, the final image is real and located 16 cm from the mirror.

Optics Question 5:

 

- amglogisticsinc.net Match the optical properties of a simple telescope (Column I) with the appropriate physical parameters (Column II).

Column I (Property)

Column II (Associated Parameter)

(A) Intensity of light 

(P) Radius of aperture

(B) Angular magnification

(Q) Ratio of focal lengths (fobjective / feyepiece)

(C) Length of telescope

(R) Sum of focal lengths

(D) Image sharpness

(S) Spherical aberration control

 

  1. (A) → R,(B) → Q, (C) → P, (D) → S
  2. (A) → P,(B) → Q, (C) → R, (D) → S
  3. (A) → R,(B) → Q, (C) → S, (D) → P
  4. (A) → S,(B) → Q, (C) → R, (D) → P

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 2 : (A) → P,(B) → Q, (C) → R, (D) → S

Optics Question 5 Detailed Solution

 

Explanation:

(A) Light intensity depends on the aperture area, hence radius of the objective lens.

(B) Angular magnification of a telescope is given by the ratio of focal lengths of objective to eyepiece.

(C) Telescope length is approximately the sum of focal lengths of objective and eyepiece.

(D) Image clarity is improved by minimizing spherical aberrations.

Top Optics MCQ Objective Questions

Blue colour of the sky and the reddish appearance of the Sun at the sunrise or sunset is due to

  1. Interference
  2. Reflection
  3. Refraction
  4. Scattering

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 4 : Scattering

Optics Question 6 Detailed Solution

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The correct answer is Scattering.

Key Points

  • When light passes from one medium to any other medium say air, a glass of water then a part of the light is absorbed by particles of the medium preceded by its subsequent radiation in a particular direction. This phenomenon is termed a scattering of light.
  • Rayleigh's law of scattering:-
    • According to Rayleigh's law of scattering, the intensity of light of wavelength λ present in the scattered light is inversely proportional to the fourth power of λ, provided the size of the scattering particles is much smaller than λ. Mathematically,
    • \(I \propto \frac{1}{\lambda^4 }\)
  • Thus the scattered intensity is maximum for a shorter wavelength.

Additional Information

  • The molecules of air and other fine particles in the atmosphere have a size smaller than the wavelength of visible light.
  • These are more effective in scattering light of shorter wavelengths at the blue end than the light of longer wavelengths at the red end.
  • The red light has a wavelength of about 1.8 times greater than blue light.
  • Thus, when sunlight passes through the atmosphere, the fine particles in the air scatter the blue colour (shorter wavelengths) more strongly than red
  • The scattered blue light enters our eyes
  • The red colour of the sun at sunrise is due to the scattering of light

Sky-is-made-up-of-air-and-light 

The power of lens of focal length 1 cm is

  1. 1 D
  2. 10 D
  3. 100 D
  4. 0.01 D

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 3 : 100 D

Optics Question 7 Detailed Solution

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CONCEPT:

  • Power of the Lens: The lens power is the inverse of the focal length in meters.
    • The physical unit for lens power is 1/meter which is called dioptre (D).

Power (P) = 1/f 

Where f is the focal length of the lens

CALCULATION:

Given that:

Focal length of the lens (f) = 1 cm = 1/100 = 0.01 m

So the power of the lens, \(p\; = \;\frac{1}{{f}}\; = \;\frac{1}{0.01}\; = \;100\;D\)

Find the magnification of the convex lens, if an object is placed 30 cm from a convex lens which has a focal length of 15 cm.

  1. +1
  2. +0.5
  3. –0.5
  4. -1

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 4 : -1

Optics Question 8 Detailed Solution

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CONCEPT:

  • Lens formula: The expression which shows the relation between object distance (u), image distance (v), and focal length (f) is called lens formula.

\(\frac{1}{v} - \frac{1}{u} = \frac{1}{f}\)

Linear magnification (m):

  • It is defined as the ratio of the height of the image (hi) to the height of the object (ho).

i.e. \(m = \frac{{{h_i}}}{{{h_o}}}\)

  • The ratio of image distance to the object distance is called linear magnification.

i.e. \(m = \frac{{image\;distance\;\left( v \right)}}{{object\;distance\;\left( u \right)}} = \frac{v}{u}\)

CALCULATION:

Given: u = - 30 cm and f = 15 cm

Lens formula

\(\frac{1}{v} - \frac{1}{u} = \frac{1}{f}\)

\(\therefore \frac{1}{v} = \frac{1}{f} + \frac{1}{u} = \frac{1}{{15}} - \frac{1}{{30}} = \frac{{2 - 1}}{{30}} = \frac{1}{{30}}\;cm\)

v = 30 cm

Linear magnification (m)

\(m = \frac{v}{u}\)

\(\Rightarrow m = \frac{{30}}{{ - 30}} = - 1\)

What is the nature of the image formed due to concave mirror when object is placed beyond centre of curvature ?

  1. Real and inverted
  2. Virtual and erect
  3. Real and erect
  4. Virtual and inverted

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 1 : Real and inverted

Optics Question 9 Detailed Solution

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The correct answer is Real and inverted.

  • The image formed by the concave mirror when the object is placed beyond the center of curvature is Real and Inverted.

Key Points

  • Concave Mirror:
    • A spherical mirror, whose reflecting surface is curved inwards, that is, faces towards the center of the sphere, is called a concave mirror.
    • Concave mirrors are commonly used in  Torches, Search-lights, Vehicle headlights, Shaving mirrors, Microscopes, and Telescopes.
    • Image formation by a concave mirror for different positions of the object:
Position of the object Position of the image Size of the image Nature of the image
At infinity At the focus F Highly diminished  Real and inverted
Beyond C Between F and C Diminished  Real and inverted
At C At C Same size  Real and inverted
Between C and F Beyond C Enlarged  Real and inverted
At F At infinity Highly enlarged  Real and inverted
Between P and F Behind the mirror Enlarged Virtual and erect

concave

_________ are used by dentists to see an enlarged image of the teeth.

  1. Concave mirrors
  2. Convex mirrors
  3. Bifocal mirrors
  4. Plain mirrors

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 1 : Concave mirrors

Optics Question 10 Detailed Solution

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The correct answer is Concave mirrors.

Key Points 

  • Concave mirrors are spherical mirror in which the reflecting surface curved inwards.
  • A concave mirror forms a virtual or real image depending on the position of the object.
  • Concave mirrors are used by dentists to see an enlarged image of the teeth.
  • Other important uses of Concave mirrors are:
    • ​Used in torches.
    • Used in solar cooker.
    • Used in search-lights and vehicles headlights to get powerful parallel beams of light.
    • Used as shaving mirrors to see a larger image of the face.
  • Large concave mirrors are used to concentrate sunlight to produce heat in solar furnaces.

Additional Information 

  • Convex mirrors are the spherical mirrors in which the reflecting surface curved outwards.
  • The important uses of a convex mirror are:
    • Used as rear-view mirrors in vehicles.
    • Used for Security purposes.
  • Plane mirrors are used in Periscopes and kaleidoscopes.

Image formed by Plane Mirror is always ________.

  1. Virtual and Erect
  2. Real and Inverted
  3. Real and Erect
  4. Virtual and Inverted

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 1 : Virtual and Erect

Optics Question 11 Detailed Solution

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CONCEPT:

  • Plane Mirror: A plane mirror is a mirror with a flat (planar) reflective surface.

The characteristics of an image formed in a plane mirror:

F1 J.K 2.6.20 Pallavi D8

  • The image formed by the plane mirror is virtual and erect i.e. image cannot be projected or focused on a screen.
  • The distance of the image ‘behind’ the mirror is the same as the distance of the object in front of the mirror.
  • The size of the image formed is the same as the size of the object.
  • The image is laterally inverted, i.e. left hand appears to be right hand when seen from the plane mirror.

F1 J.K 2.6.20 Pallavi D9

  • If the object moves towards (or away from) the mirror at a certain rate, the image also moves towards (or away from) the mirror at the same rate.

EXPLANATION:

From the above discussion, we can say that,

  • The image formed by Plane Mirror is always Virtual and Erect. So option 1 is correct.
  • A convex lens and a concave mirror forms both real and virtual images.
  • A concave lens and a convex mirror can form only virtual images.

The image formed by concave mirror is real, inverted and of the same size as that of the object. The position of the object should be

  1. at the focus
  2.  at the centre of curvature
  3. between the focus and centre of curvature
  4. beyond the centre of curvature

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 2 :  at the centre of curvature

Optics Question 12 Detailed Solution

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The correct answer is at the centre of the curvature.

Key Points

Position of the Object at the Centre of Curvature: 
When an object is placed at the center of curvature (C) of a concave mirror, the object is essentially at a distance equal to the radius of curvature from the mirror's pole.
Formation of Image:

  • In this scenario, the reflected rays from the object converge and meet at the center of curvature.
  • The image formed is real because the reflected rays actually converge at a point.
  • The image is inverted because the reflected rays cross over at the center of curvature, resulting in an inverted orientation.
  • The image is of the same size as the object because the distance from the object to the mirror is the same as the distance from the image to the mirror.
  • If an object is placed at the centre of curvature of a concave mirror, then the image formed is real, inverted, and of the same size as that of the object.

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An object is placed at 20 cm in front of a concave mirror produces three time magnified real image. What is focal length of the concave mirror?

  1. 15 cm
  2. 6.6 cm
  3. 10 cm
  4. 7.5 cm

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 1 : 15 cm

Optics Question 13 Detailed Solution

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CONCEPT:

Concave mirror: The mirror in which the rays converge after falling on it is known as the concave mirror.

  • Concave mirrors are also known as a converging mirror.
  • The focal length of a concave mirror is negative according to the sign convention.

Magnification: In a concave mirror, the magnification is the ratio of the height of the image to the height of the object.

When the image is real, the magnification will be negative because the real image is inverted.

  • When the image is virtual, the magnification will be positive because the virtual image is erect.

 \(m = \frac{-v}{u}\)

where m is magnificent, v is the distance of the image from the mirror, and u is the distance of the object from the mirror.

  • Mirror Formula: The following formula is known as the mirror formula:

\(\frac{1}{f}=\frac{1}{u}+\frac{1}{v}\)

where f is focal length v is the distance of the image from the mirror, and u is the distance of the object from the mirror.

CALCULATION:

Given that u = -20 cm and m = -3.

\(m = \frac{-v}{u} \)

\(-3=\frac{-v}{-20}\)

v = -60 cm

Mirror formula \(\frac{1}{f}=\frac{1}{u}+\frac{1}{v}\)

\(\frac{1}{f}=\frac{1}{-20}+\frac{1}{-60}\)

f = -60 / 4= -15 cm

So the correct answer is option 1.

The magnification of a compound microscope is 20. The focal length of the eyepiece is 5 cm and the image is formed at near point (25 cm). The magnification of the objective lens is 

  1. 5.8
  2. 6.78
  3. 3.33
  4. 4.1

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 3 : 3.33

Optics Question 14 Detailed Solution

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CONCEPT:

Compound microscope: 

  • It is used for much larger magnifications.
  • Two lenses are used with one lens compounding the effect of the other.

F1 Prabhu 17.6.21 Pallavi D3

where fo is the focal length of the objective lens,  f is the focal length of the eyepiece, h is the object height, h' is the size of the first image

  • A compound microscope uses two lenses i.e., objective lens and eyepiece
    • Objective lens: lens nearest to the object forming a real, inverted, and magnified image of the object.
    • Eyepiece: produces a final image that is enlarged and virtual.

CALCULATION:

Given: magnification of compound microscope(m) = 20, focal length of eye piece (fe) = 5 cm and image is formed at near point (v= D) = 25 cm.

  • Linear magnification due to eyepiece:

\(⇒ m_{e} = 1+\frac{D}{f} = 1+ (\frac {25}{5} )= 6\)

  • Total magnification is given by:

⇒ m = m× me,

where mo is the magnification due to the objective lens.

  • Magnification due to the objective lens is given by:

\(⇒ m_{o} = \frac {m}{m_{e}} = \frac {20}{6} = 3.33\)

  • Hence option 3) is correct.

The refractive index for a glass is 1.62. The sine of the critical angle for total internal refection at a glass-air interface is: 

  1. 0.40
  2. 0.62
  3. 0.74
  4. 1.00

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 2 : 0.62

Optics Question 15 Detailed Solution

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Concept:

Refraction of Light: When a ray of light is traveling from one transparent medium to another, it bends its path. This phenomenon is called refraction. 

When the light changes its medium, its speed, and wavelength changes.

F1 J.K 8.5.20 Pallavi D3

Where i is the angle of incidence, r is the angle of refraction.

Refractive Index: 

The ratio of the speed of light in the vacuum to the speed of light in a given transparent medium is called the refractive index of the medium.

  • When light travels from a medium with a higher refractive index to a lower one, then it bends away from normal. The angle of refraction is more than the angle of incidence.
  • When light travels from a medium with a lower refractive index to a higher one, then it bends toward normal. The angle of refraction is less than the angle of incidence.

 

Snells Law of Refraction: The ratio of the sine of the angle of incidence to the sine of the angle of refraction is constant for two transparent medium.

\(\frac{sin\; i}{sin\; r} = \;\frac{n_2}{n_1}\)

n2 is the medium in which light is entering, n1 is the initial medium of light

When the ray of light is traveling from the medium with a higher refractive index to a lower one, for example, water to air, and the angle of refraction formed is 90 ° then the angle of incidence at that point is critical angle.

F1 J.K 8.5.20 Pallavi D4

When medium 2 is air having refractive index n2 = 1, and medium 1 have refractive index n1 =  μ, then critical angle θc can be represented by 

\(\frac{sin\; θ_c}{sin \;90 °} = \frac{1}{μ}\)

\(\implies sin\; θ_c= \frac{1}{μ}\)

  • The sine of critical angle is reciprocal of refractive index.
  • When the incidence angle is more than the critical angle, then the ray of light reflects back in the same medium. This phenomenon is called Total Internal Reflection.

 

Calculation:

Given refractive index μ = 1. 62

\(sin\; θ_c= \frac{1}{μ}\)

\(sin\; θ _c= \frac{1}{1.62}\)

sin θc = 0. 62

So, 0.62 is the correct option.

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