AP Physics Multiple Choice Practice – Optics

SECTION A – Geometric Optics

1. An object is located 0.20 meters from a converging lens which has a focal length of 0.15 meters. Relative to the
object, the image formed by the lens will be:
(A) virtual, inverted, smaller (B) real, inverted, smaller. (C) real, inverted, larger
(D) virtual, upright, larger

2. Light that has a wavelength of 500 nm in air has a wavelength 400 nm in a transparent material. What is the
index of refraction of the material?
(A) 0.64 ( B) 0.80 (C) 1.00 ( D) 1.25

3. A beam of light passes from medium 1 to medium 2 to medium 3 as shown in the

accompanying figure. What is true about the respective indices of refraction (n 1, n2,
and n3)
(A) n1 > n2 > n3 ( B) n1 > n3 > n2 (C) n2 > n3 > n1
(D) n2 > n1 > n3

4. A laser is embedded in a material of index of refraction n. The laser beam

emerges from the material and hits a target. See the accompanying figure
for the position parameters of the laser and target. The value of n is:

(A) 1.4 (B) 1.5 (C) 2.1 (D) 3.5

5. A beam of light is directed toward point P on a boundary as shown to the

right. Which segment best represents the refracted ray?
(A) PA (B) PB (C) PC (D) PD

6. Multi Correct. Which of the following are possible for the images formed by the lens in the
accompanying figure? Select two answers.

(A) real and inverted

(B) real and smaller in size
(C) real and upright
(E) virtual and smaller in size
7. A narrow beam of monochromatic light enters a lens parallel to the
optic axis, as shown in the accompanying diagram. Which arrow best
represents the direction of the light after leaving the lens?
(A) arrow A (B) arrow B

(C) arrow D (D) arrow E

8. The accompanying diagram shows the path that a light ray takes passing
through three transparent materials. The indices of refraction in materials
1, 2, and 3 are n1, n2, and n3, respectively. Which of the following best
describes the relation between the indices of refraction?

(A) n1 > n2 > n3 (B) n1 > n3 > n2 (C) n2 > n1 > n3 (D) n3 > n1 > n2

9. Which diagram best represents what happens to a ray of light entering air from water? Air is at the top in all
diagrams.

10. In order to produce an enlarged, upright image of an object, you could use a
(A) converging lens more than one focal length from the object.
(B) converging lens less than one focal length from the object.
(C) diverging lens more than one focal length from the object.
(D) diverging lens exactly one focal length from the object..

11. A beam of light traveling in glass (ng = 1.5) strikes a boundary with air
(na = 1.0) at point P. The angle of incidence is 60° as shown in the
diagram. Which ray would best indicate the beam’s path after point P?
(A) A (B) B (C) D ( D) E

12. Multiple Correct. A small light bulb is placed 20 cm to the right of a converging lens of focal length 10 cm.
Which of the following statements are true about the image of the bulb formed by the lens? Select two answers.
(A) It is virtual
(B) It is inverted
(C) It is one-half the size of the bulb
(D) It is 20 cm to the left of the lens
13. An image is formed on a screen by a convergent lens. If the top half of the lens is then covered what will
happen to the image?
(A) the image is dimmer but otherwise unchanged
(B) the image becomes half as big
(C) only the top half of the image is produced
(D) only the bottom half of the image is produced

14. A beam of light passes from medium 1 to medium 2 to medium 3 as

shown in the diagram. What may be concluded about the speed of light in each
medium?
(A) v3 > v1 > v2 (B) v1 > v2 > v3 (C) v1 > v3 < v2
(D) v2 > v3 > v1

15. After striking the lens shown in the diagram at right, the light ray will
most likely follow which path?
(A) path B B) path C C) path D D) path E

16. An object is placed 10 cm in front of the center of a concave curved mirror with a radius of curvature of 10 cm.
About how far from the mirror will the real image of the object be formed?
(A) 0 cm (B) 5 cm (C) 10 cm (D) 20 cm

17. Light travels from material X with an index of refraction of n=1.5 to material Y with an index of refraction of
n=2.0. If the speed of light in material Y is v, what is the speed of light in material X?
(A) 0.56 v (B) 0.75 v (C) 1.33 v (D) 1.78 v

18. A light ray is incident normal to a thin layer of glass. Given the
figure, what is the minimum thickness of the glass that gives the
reflected light an orange like color
(λ(air) orange light = 600nm)

(A) 50 nm (B) 100 nm (C) 150 nm (D) 200 nm

19. Two thin lenses each with a focal length of +10

cm are located 30 cm apart with their optical
axes aligned as shown. An object is placed 35
cm from the first lens. After the light has
passed through both lenses, at what distance
from the second lens will the final image be
formed?
(A) 65 cm (B) 35 cm (C) 27 cm (D) 17 cm
20. A converging lens forms a virtual image of a real object that is two times the objects size. The converging lens
is replaced with a diverging lens having the same size focal length. What is the magnification of the image
formed by the diverging lens?
(A) –1 (B) –2/5 (C) 2/3 (D) 3/2

21. An object is in front of a convex lens, at a distance less than the focal length from the lens. Its image is
(A) virtual and larger than the object.
(B) real and smaller than the object.
(C) virtual and smaller than the object.
(D) real and larger than the object.

22. Light is incident normal to a thin layer of soap. Given the figure, what is the
minimum thickness of the soap film that gives the soap a blue like color
(λair(blue) = 500 nm)?
(A) 100 nm (B) 200 nm (C) 250 nm (D) 400 nm

23. For which of the following does one obtain an image of increased size from
a real object? Take all focus and radius of curvature values as positive.
(A) The object is placed at a position outside the radius of curvature for a converging lens.
(B) The object is placed at a position outside the radius of curvature for a diverging lens.
(C) The object is placed at a position inside the magnitude of the focus for a concave lens.
(D) The object is placed at a position between the focus and radius of curvature for a concave mirror.

24. A sound wave generated from a tuning fork of single frequency travels from air (with speed of sound 340 m/s)
into rock (with speed of sound 1500 m/s). Which statement is true about the wavelength and frequency of the
sound as it passes from air to rock?
A) The frequency of the sound increases and the wavelength increases.
B) The frequency of the sound increases and the wavelength is unchanged.
C) The frequency of the sound is unchanged and the wavelength is decreased.
D) The frequency of the sound is unchanged and the wavelength is increased.

25. A diverging lens produces an image of a real object. This image is

(A) virtual, larger than the object, and upright.
(B) virtual, smaller than the object, and upright.
(C) virtual, smaller than the object, and inverted.
(D) real, smaller than the object, and inverted.

26. A light beam passes through the air and strikes the surface of a plastic block. Which pair of statements correctly
describes the phase changes for the reflected wave and the transmitted wave?
Reflected wave Transmitted wave
(A) 90° 90°
(B) No phase change 180°
(C) No phase change No phase change
(D) 180° No phase change
27. Multiple Correct. The diagram below shows the path taken by a monochromatic light ray traveling through
three media. The symbols v1, λ1, and f1 represent the speed, wavelength, and frequency of the light in Medium
1, respectively. Which of the following relationships for the light in the three media is true? Select two answers:

(A) v3  v1  v2
(B) f1 = f2 = f3
(C) 1  2  3
(D) v1  v2  v3

28. A real object is located in front of a convex lens at a distance greater than the focal length of the lens. What type
of image is formed and what is true of the image’s size compared to that of the object?
Type of Image Size of Image
(A) Real Larger than object
(B) Real More information is needed
(C) Virtual Smaller than object
(D) Virtual Larger than object

29. A thin film of thickness t and index of refraction 1.33 coats a glass with index of
refraction 1.50 as shown to the right. Which of the following thicknesses t will not
reflect light with wavelength 640 nm in air?
(A) 160 nm (B) 240 nm (C) 360 nm (D) 480 nm

30. Lenses in fine quality cameras are coated to reduce the reflection from the lenses. If the coating material has an
index of refraction between that of air and glass, what thickness of coating will produce the least reflection?
A) one–quarter of the wavelength in the coating
B) one–third of the wavelength in the coating
C) one–half of the wavelength in the coating
D) one wavelength in the coating

31. Light strikes three different thin films, which are in air, as shown. If t denotes the film thickness and λ denotes
the wavelength of the light in the film, which films will produce constructive interference as seen by the
observer?
incident light incident light incident light

t = λ/2

t = 5λ/4
t = 3λ/2

(A) I only (B) II only (C) III only (D) II and III only
32. An object is placed as shown in the figure above. The center of curvature C and the focal point F of the
reflecting surface are marked. As compared with the object, the image formed by the reflecting surface is
(A) erect and larger (B) erect and the same size (C) erect and smaller
(D) inverted and larger

33. When one uses a magnifying glass to read fine print, one uses a
(A) converging lens to produce a virtual image of the print
(B) converging lens to produce a real image of the print
(C) mirror to produce a virtual image of the print
(D) diverging lens to produce a real image of the print

34. An illuminated object is placed 0.30 meter from a lens whose focal length is –0.15 meter. The image is
(A) inverted, real, and 0.30 meter from the lens on the opposite side from the object
(B) upright, virtual, and 0.30 meter from the lens on the opposite side from the object
(C) upright, real, and 0.10 meter from the lens on the same side as the object
(D) upright, virtual, and 0.10 meter from the lens on the same side as the object

35. Which of the following CANNOT be accomplished by a single converging lens with spherical surfaces?
(A) Converting a spherical wave front into a plane wave front
(B) Converting a plane wave front into a spherical wave front
(C) Forming a virtual image of a real object
(D) Forming a real upright image of a real upright object

36. The image of the arrow is larger than the arrow itself in which of the following cases?

(A) I only (B) II only (C) I and III only (D) II and III only

37. A postage stamp is placed 30 centimeters to the left of a converging lens of focal length 60 centimeters. Where
is the image of the stamp located?
(A) 60 cm to the left of the lens (B) 20 cm to the left of the lens
(C) 20 cm to the right of the lens (D) 30 cm to the right of the lens
38. Light leaves a source at X and travels to Y along the path shown above. Which of the following statements is
correct?
(A) The index of refraction is the same for the two media.
(B) Light travels faster in medium 2 than in medium 1.
(C) Light would arrive at Y in less time by taking a straight line path from X to Y than it does taking the path
shown above.
(D) Light leaving a source at Y and traveling to X would follow the same path shown above, but in reverse.

39. Which three of the glass lenses above, when placed in air, will cause parallel rays of light to converge?
(A) I, II, and III (B) I, III, and V (C) I, IV, and V (D) II, III, and IV

40. An object is placed near a plane mirror, as shown above. Which of the labeled points is the position of the
image?
(A) point B (B) point C (C) point D (D) point E

41. Observations that indicate that visible light has a wavelength much shorter than a centimeter include which of
the following?
I. The colored pattern seen in a soap bubble
II. The colored pattern seen when light passes through a diffraction grating
III. The bending of light when it passes from one medium to another medium
(A) I only (B) III only (C) I and II only (D) II and III only

42. If the object distance for a converging thin lens is more than twice the focal length of the lens, the image is
(A) virtual and erect (B) larger than the object (C) located inside the focal point (D)
located at a distance between f and 2f from the lens

43. A concave mirror with a radius of curvature of 1.0 m is used to collect light from a distant star. The distance
between the mirror and the image of the star is most nearly
(A) 0.25 m (B) 0.50 m (C) 0.75 m (D) 1.0 m

44. When light passes from air into water, the frequency of the light remains the same. What happens to the speed
and the wavelength of light as it crosses the boundary in going from air into water?
Speed Wavelength
(A) Increases Remains the same
(B) Remains the same Decreases
(C) Remains the same Remains the same
(D) Decreases Decreases
45. A physics student places an object 6.0 cm from a converging lens of focal length 9.0 cm. What is the magnitude
of the magnification of the image produced?
(A) 0.6 (B) 1.5 (C) 2.0 (D) 3.0

46. An object is placed at a distance of 1.5f from a

converging lens of focal length f, as shown. What
type of image is formed and what is its size relative
to the object?
Type Size
(A) Virtual Larger
(B) Virtual Same size
(C) Real Smaller
(D) Real Larger

47. A light ray passes through substances 1, 2, and 3, as shown. The

indices of refraction for these three substances are n1, n2, and n3,
respectively. Ray segments in 1 and 3 are parallel. From the
directions of the ray, one can conclude that
(A) n3 must be the same as n1
(B) n2 must be less than n1
(C) n2 must be less than n3
(D all three indices must be the same

48. A beam of white light is incident on a triangular glass prism

with an index of refraction of about 1.5 for visible light,
producing a spectrum. Initially, the prism is in a glass
aquarium filled with air, as shown above. If the aquarium is
filled with water with an index of refraction of 1.3, which of
the following is true?

(A) A spectrum is produced, but the deviation of the beam is opposite to that in air.
(B) The positions of red and violet are reversed in the spectrum.
(C) The spectrum produced has greater separation between red and violet than that produced in air.
(D) The spectrum produced has less separation between red and violet than that produced in air.

49. An object is placed in front of a converging thin lens at a distance from the center of the lens equal to half the
focal length. Compared to the object, the image is
(A) upright and larger
(B) upright and smaller
(C) inverted and larger
(D) inverted and smaller

50. A thin film with index of refraction n1 separates two

materials, each of which has an index of refraction less than
nf. A monochromatic beam of light is incident normally on
the film, as shown above. If the light has wavelength λ
within the film, maximum constructive interference between
the incident beam and the reflected beam occurs for which
of the following film thicknesses?

(A) 2λ (B) λ (C) λ/2 (D) λ/4

Questions 51-52

A light ray R in medium I strikes a sphere of medium II with angle of incidence θ, as shown above. The figure
shows five possible subsequent paths for the light ray.

51. Which path is possible if medium I is air and medium II is glass?

(A) path A (B) path C (C) path D (D) path E

52. Which path is possible if medium I is glass and medium II is air?

(A) A (B) B (C) C (D) D

53. A large lens is used to focus an image of an object onto a screen. If the left half of the lens is covered with a dark
card, which of the following occurs
(A) The left half of the image disappears
(B) The right half of the image disappears
(C) The image becomes blurred
(D) The image becomes dimmer

54. Which of the following statements are true for both sound waves and electromagnetic waves?
I. They can undergo refraction.
II. They can undergo diffraction.
III. They can produce a two-slit interference pattern.
IV. They can produce standing waves.

(A) I and II only (B) III and IV only (C) I, II, III and IV (D) II, III, and IV only

55. Multiple Correct: As shown, a beam of white light is separated

into separate colors when it passes through a glass prism.
Red light is refracted through a smaller angle than violet light
because red light has a: Select two answers.
(A) slower speed in glass than violet light
(B) faster speed in glass than violet light
(C) slower speed in the incident beam than violet light
(D) lower index of refraction in glass than violet light
56. A ray of light in glass that is incident on an interface with ice, as
shown, is partially reflected and partially refracted. The index of
refraction n for each of the two media is given in the figure. How
do the angle of reflection and the angle of refraction compare with
the angle of incidence θ ?

Angle of Angle of
Reflection Refraction
(A) Same Larger
(B) Same Smaller
(C) Smaller Same
(D) Smaller Smaller

Questions 57-58:
An object O is located at point P to the left of a converging
lens, as shown in the figure. F1 and F2 are the focal
points of the lens.

57. If the focal length of the lens is 0.40 m and point P is

0.30 m to the left of the lens, where is the image of the
object located?
(A) 1.2 m to the left of the lens
(B) 0.17 m to the left of the lens
(C) At the lens
(D) 0.17 m to the right of the lens

58. Which of the following characterizes the image when the object is in the position shown?
(A) Real, inverted, and smaller than the object
(B) Real, upright, and larger than the object
(C) Real, inverted, and larger than the object
(D) Virtual, upright, and larger than the object

59. A ray of light in air is incident on a 30-°60°-90° prism,

perpendicular to face ab, as shown in the diagram. The ray enters
the prism and strikes face ac at the critical angle. What is the
index of refraction of the prism?

1 3 2 3
A) B) C) D) 2
2 2 3
SECTION B – Physical Optics
1. In Young’s double slit experiment, the second order bright band of one light source overlaps the third order
band of another light source. If the first light source has a wavelength of 660 nm, what is the wavelength of the
second light source?
A) 1320 nm B) 990 nm C) 440 nm D) 330 nm

2. A diffraction grating of 1000 lines/cm has red light of wavelength 700 nm pass through it. The distance
between the first and third principal bright spots on a screen 2 m away is
A) 14 cm B) 28 cm C) 42 cm D) 140 cm

3. In a Young's double-slit experiment, the slit separation is doubled. To maintain the same fringe spacing on the
screen, the screen-to-slit distance D must be changed to
A) D/2 B) D C) 2D D) 2D
2
4. Two sources, in phase and a distance d apart, each emit a wave of wavelength λ. See figure below. Which of the
choices for the path difference ∆L = L1 – L2 will always produce destructive interference at point P?
A) d sin θ B) (x/L2)d C) λ/2 D) 2 λ

5. In an experiment to measure the wavelength of light using a double slit apparatus, it is found that the bright
fringes are too close together to easily count them. To increase only the spacing between the bright fringes, one
could
A) increase the slit width
B) decrease the slit width
C) increase the slit separation
D) decrease the slit separation

6. Plane sound waves of wavelength 0.12 m are incident on two narrow

slits in a box with nonreflecting walls, as shown. At a distance of 5.0
m from the center of the slits, a first-order maximum occurs at point
P, which is 3.0 m from the central maximum. The distance between
the slits is most nearly

(A) 0.09 m (B) 0.16 m (C) 0.20 m (D) 0.24 m

7. If one of the two slits in a Young’s double-slit demonstration of the interference of light is covered with a thin
filter that transmits only half the light intensity, which of the following occurs?
(A) The bright lines are brighter and the dark lines are darker.
(B) The bright lines and the dark lines are all darker.
(C) The bright lines and the dark lines are all brighter.
(D) The dark lines are brighter and the bright lines are darker.