Physics Most Important Questions

1. A student is unable to see clearly the words written on the black board
placed at a distance of approximately 3 m from it. State the possible
causes of this defect and explain the method of correcting it?
(CBSE-2015,2017,2018)
(All such questions are very important)

Answer –
Myopia is that defect of the human eye by virtue of which it can see clearly
the objects lying at a short distance from it. But the far off objects cannot be
seen clearly by the myopic eye.
Causes of Myopia : The two possible causes of this defect are :
Increase in the length of the eyeball, as if the distance of retina from the eye
lens has increased.
Decrease in focal length of the eye lens when the eye is fully relaxed. This is
as if the ciliary muscles holding the eye lens do not relax fully and have
some tension.
Correction : The image of a distant object (i.e., at infinity) is formed in front
of the retina of the eye suffering from myopia as shown in figure.
(a)As the image of the object lying at infinity is not formed on the retina of
the eye, so such object can not be seen clearly by the myopic eye. The far
point of such an eye is near to the eye as shown in figure
(b) This defect can be corrected by using a concave lens of suitable focal
length. So, a man suffering from this defect wears spectacles having concave
lens of suitable focal length. The concave lens diverges the rays of light
entering the eye from infinity. Hence this lens makes the rays of light appear
come from the far point O' of the defective eye as shown in figure
2. What is meant by power of a lens? Define its SI unit. You have two lenses
A and B of focal lengths +10 cm and - 10 cm respectively. State the nature
and power of each lens. Which of the two lenses will form a virtual and
magnified image of an object placed 8 cm from the lens? Draw a ray
diagram to justify your answer.
(CBSE-2015, 2018)
Answer- Power of Lens: The Degree of convergence or divergence of light
rays achieved by a lens is expressed in terms of power. The power of a lens
is defined as the reciprocal of its focal length. It is represented by P.
The power of a lens is related to focal length as below,
P= 1/f
The SI unit of power is dioptre.
The power of a convex lens is positive, the power of a concave lens is
negative as a concave lens has a negative focal length.
In the given question lens A is having Focal length 
+10 cm+10 cm
 and lens B is having Focal length
−10 cm−10 cm
. Hence, Lens A is convex and Lens B is concave. Convex lenses form virtual
and magnified images of an object placed between F and O.

A virtual, erect and enlarged image is formed at the same side of Lens,
when an object is placed between Principal focus 
(Fi) and optical center (O) of a convex lens.

3. A 4 cm tall object is placed perpendicular to the principal axis of a convex

lens of focal length 24 cm. The distance of the object from the lens is 16 cm.
Find the position, size and nature of the image formed, using the lens
formula.(CBSE-2010, 2012, 2018)
Answer-
For convex lens
f=+24cm,u=−16cm
Using lens formula
(1/f)=(1/v)−(1/u)
(1/24)=(1/v)−(1/−16)
=(1/v)+(1/16)
(1/v)=(1/24)−(1/16)
=(2−3)/48
=−1/48
 v=−48cm
h1 = 4 cm
So magnification, m = h2/h1 = v/u
h2= (v/u) x h1
= (-48/-16) x 4
= 12 cm
Position of the image is formed at a distance of 48 cm on the same side of
the object. It is indicated by the negative sign
The size of the image is three times the size of the object i.e., 12 cm. The
image is virtual and erect.

4. Give reason for the following:

(i)There is either a convergence or a divergence of magnetic field lines
near the ends of a current carrying straight solenoid.
(ii) The current carrying solenoid when suspended freely rests along a
particular direction (CBSE-2015, 2018, 2019, 2020)
Answer-
(i) There is either a convergence or a divergence of magnetic field lines near
the ends of a current-carrying straight solenoid because the strength of the
magnetic field is higher near the poles or ends of the solenoid.

Image is posted for reference only

 (ii) The current-carrying solenoid when suspended freely rests along a
particular direction because it behaves like a bar magnet as it aligns itself in
the north-south direction. 

(iii) The burnt-out fuse should be replaced by another fuse of identical

rating because if a fuse, with a defined rating, is replaced by one with a
larger rating then the fuse wire will not burn even when a current greater
than the safe limit is flowing. As a result, the electrical circuit or devices will
be damaged.

5. The resistance of a wire of 0.01 cm radius is 10 Ω. If the resistivity of the

material of the wire is 50 × 10-8 ohm meter, find the length of the wire.
Answer-
Here, r = 0.01 cm = 10-4 m, ρ = 50 × 10-8 Ω m and R = 10 Ω
As, R = ρ𝑙/𝐴
or l = 𝑅𝐴/𝜌=𝑅𝜌(𝜋𝑟2)
so l = 1050×10−83.14×(10−4)2
= 0.628 m = 62.8 cm

6. Two wires A and B are of equal length and have equal resistances. If the
resistivity of A is more than that of B, which wire is thicker and why ? For the
electric circuit given below calculate:

(i) current in each resistor

(ii) total current drawn from the battery, and
(iii) equivalent resistance of the circuit.
 Answer -
(i)

7. List the advantages of connecting electrical devices in parallel with an electrical

source instead of connecting them is series.

Answer -
(a) When a number of electrical devices are connected in parallel, each device gets
the same potential difference as provided by the battery and it keeps on working
even if other devices fail. In series, all devices stop working if one does
(b) Parallel circuit is helpful when each device has different resistance and requires
different current for its operation as in this case the current divides itself through
different devices. IN series, current same current flows through all the devices
irrespective of their resistances

8. A wire has a resistance of 16. It is melted and drawn into a wire of half its
original length. Calculate the resistance of the new wire. What is the
percentage change in its resistance? (CBSE-2013, 2014, 2017)
Answer –

9. (a) Write the mathematical expression for Joules law of heating.

(b) Compute the heat generated while transferring 96000 coulomb of
charge in two hours through a potential difference of 40 v.(CBSE-2013,
2018, 2020)
Answer –
Step 1: Concept of Joule's Law of Heating
The heating of a conductor due to the flow of electric current is known as
Joule's law of heating.
Step 2: Applying the Formula
H=V×I×t
Where,
V = Potential difference
I = Electric current
 t = Time in Seconds
Step 3: Solving above Equation
Charge (Q)=96000C
Time (t)=2hr=2×60×60=7200 sec
Potential difference (V)=40V
Current (I)=TQ​
I=720096000​
I=13.33A 
Now, quantity of heat generated by using formula
H=V×I×t
H=40×13.33×7200
H=3.8×106J
Hence , The heat generated while transferring 96000 coulomb of charge in
two hours through a potential difference of 40V is 3.8×106J.

10.Find the direction of magnetic field due to a current carrying circular coil
held:
(i) vertically in North-South plane and an observer looking it from east
sees the current to flow In anticlockwise direction,
(ii) vertically in East-West plane and an observer looking it from south sees
the current to flow in anticlockwise direction,
(iii) horizontally and an observer looking at it from below sees current to
flow in clockwise direction (CBSE-2013, 2015, 2017).

Answer -
We can use the Fleming's Rule to find the direction of the magnetic field.
The direction of the magnetic field due to a current carrying circular coil
held:
(i) Vertically in North-South plane and an observer looking it from east sees
the current to flow in anticlockwise direction.
- Towards south in upward direction.
(ii) Vertically in East-west plane and an observe looking it from south sees
the current to flow in anticlockwise direction.
- Towards west in upward direction.
(iii) Horizontally and an observe looking at it from below sees current to
flow in clockwise direction.
- Towards upward direction.
11.(a) State Fleming's Left-hand rule.
(b) List three characteristic features of the electric current used in our
homes.
(c) What is a fuse? Why is it called a safety device? (d) Why is it necessary
to earth metallic electric appliances? (CBSE-2014, 2017, 2020)
Answer --
(a) Flemings’ Left hand rule: Stretch the thumb, forefinger and middle finger
of your left hand such that they are mutually perpendicular. If the forefinger
points in the direction of magnetic field, middle finger in the direction of
current , then the thumb will point in the direction of motion or force acting
on the conductor.
(b) Three characteristic features of the electric current used in our homes-
 i. Reverses direction periodically.
ii.Frequency of 50 Hz.
iii. Potential difference between live wire and neutral wire is about 220V.
(c) Fuse is a safety device used in a circuit (or appliance) to prevent damage
due to overloading/ short circuiting
● It protects the circuit ( or appliance) by stopping the flow of any
unduly high electric current / If current larger than the specified value
flows through the circuit , due to Joule’s heating effect the fuse wire
melts and breaks the circuit

(d) It is necessary to earth metallic electric appliances because  It provides a

low resistance conducting path for the current and protects the user from
electric shock due to leakage of current.

12.The refractive indices of glass and water with respect to air are 3/2 and
4/3 respectively. If the speed of light in glass is 2x 108 m/s, find the speed
of light in water. (CBSE-2013, 2015, 2016)
Answer -
Given :    nwater​=34​           nglass​=23​             vglass​=2×108  m/s            nair​=1
Speed of light in a medium        vmedium ​=c/n        
 where  c and n are the speed of light in vacuum and refractive index of
medium respectively.
(a) :     vglass​=c/nglass​
∴     2×108=c/(3/2)                      ⟹c=3×108  m/s
(b) :     vwater​= ​c​/ nwater
∴     vwater​=3×108​/(4/3) =2.26×108  m/s         

13.Explain the function of all parts of the human eye:-

Answer –
1) The sclera is the part of the eye commonly known as the “white.” It forms
the supporting wall of the eyeball and is continuous with the clear cornea.
The sclera is covered by the conjunctiva, a clear mucous membrane that
helps lubricate the eye. It is thickest in the area surrounding the optic nerve.
2) The cornea is the transparent front part of the eye that covers the iris,
pupil, and anterior chamber.
3) The iris is the coloured circle surrounding the pupil. It changes the size of
the pupil and allows different amounts of light to enter the eye.
4) The pupil is a hole located in the centre of the iris of the eye that allows
light to strike the retina.
5) The crystalline lens is a transparent, biconvex structure whose functions
are to maintain its own clarity and to refract light to provide
accommodation.
6) The aqueous humour is a transparent, watery fluid similar to plasma, but
containing low protein concentrations. It is secreted from the ciliary
epithelium, a structure supporting the lens.
7) The vitreous humour comprises a large portion of the eyeball. It is a clear
gel-like substance that occupies the space behind the lens and in front of
the retina at the back of the eye.
8) The circular ciliary muscle fibres affect zonular fibres in the eye (fibres
that suspend the lens in position during accommodation), enabling changes
in lens shape for light focusing.
9) The retina is a thin layer of tissue that lines the back of the eye on the
inside. It is located near the optic nerve.
10) The optic nerve from each eye carries impulses to the brain, where
visual information is interpreted.