RAY OPTICS [1]

RAY OPTICS
1. REFLECTION
When light is incident on a reflecting surface and it returns to the same medium, such process is called
reflection.

LAWS OF REFLECTION
(i) Angle of incidence is equal to angle of reflection. (i  r )
(ii) Incident ray, reflected ray and normal to the surface at the point of incidence, all three lie in same plane.

i r
i r i r

Illustration 1 :
A plane mirror B is inclined at angle  w.r.t. a horizontal mirror A. A ray is incident on mirror A at angle of
incidence  and after reflection from mirror B, it goes parallel to mirror A. Calculate  .

B

Q 
 

 

O A
P

Solution :
In ΔOPQ, θ  (90  α)  OQP  180 .... (i)

Also OQP   (ray is parallel to mirror A)

Putting in (i), we get   90      180

   (90  ) / 2

REAL IMAGE
Light rays emerge from object and after reflection (or refraction or both), if the rays again meet at a point P,
such point (P) is called real image of object.
Real image can be formed on a screen.

VIRTUAL IMAGE
If rays do not actually meet at a point, but appear to be diverging from a point P, then such point P is called
virtual image of the object. Virtual image does not form on the screen.
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[2] RAY OPTICS
VIRTUAL OBJECT
When a point source is non-existent, but incident rays appear to be converging towards a point, then such
point is called virtual object.

SIGN CONVENTION
1. All distances in the direction of incident ray are considered positive. So all distances measured in a
direction opposite to directions of incident ray are considered negative.
2. Distance for any point is measured from the pole towards that point (and not from that point towards
the pole)
3. Distances measured upwards are taken as positive and distances measured downwards are taken as
negative.

2. PLANE MIRROR
The image forms behind the mirror, at same distance from mirror, as the object. The image is of same size,
erect and virtual.
v
|u |  |v| , m  1
u

O P

+ direction O = object
P = Image
u is –ve
v is +ve
u v

NUMBER OF IMAGES FORMED BY TWO PLANE ADJACENT MIRRORS

Let angle between the mirrors be  .
Let no. of images be n. Then
360 360
(a) n   1 if is an even integer
 
360 360
(b) n   1 if is an odd integer and object lies symmetrically between the two mirrors.
 
360 360
(c) n  if is odd integer and object lies unsymmetrically..
 
If n has fractional value, then above formula is not applicable.
1. When plane mirror is rotated through angle  about an axis lying in the plane of mirror, the reflected ray
gets rotated by angle 2  in the same sence as mirror..
2. When object moves with velocity V perpendicular to mirror, the image moves with velocity V in opposite
direction. However as seen by the moving object, the velocity of image is 2V.

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RAY OPTICS [3]
3. If the object is stationary and the mirror moves with velocity V perpendicular to plane of mirror, the
image moves with velocity 2V in same direction. w.r.t. ground as well as object.

4. Deviation produced in a plane mirror is  = 180°–2  where  is the angle of incidence on the mirror..

5. When 2 plane mirrors are inclined at angle  w.r.t. each other and light rays are reflected from both
mirrors in sequence, the total deviation (between incident ray and final reflected ray) is 360° – 2  .

Minimum size of mirror required to see full image of wall of height ‘H’ when observer is placed at the
middle is H/3.

H (head)
x/3
x
x/3

x/3 x/3
E (eye)
y/3 y/3

y
y/3
2y/3
y/3

F (feet)

Minimum size of mirror required to see full image of a person of height H when observer is standing in front
H
of mirror = .
2

H (head)
H
x/2
x
x/2 E (eye) x/2

H/2
y/2
y/2

y/2 y/2

F (feet)

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[4] RAY OPTICS
Illustration 1 :
A plane mirror is placed on x-y plane. A ball is moving with a velocity vector (2iˆ  3 ˆj  4k)ms
ˆ 1
. The
Velocity of image relative to ball will be
(A) 4iˆ  6 ˆj  8 kˆ (B) 4iˆ  6 ˆj  8 kˆ (C) 8k̂ (D)  8k̂

Solution D:
 1  1   
v 0  (2iˆ  3 ˆj  4k)ms
ˆ , v i  (2iˆ  3 ˆj  4k)ms
ˆ , v io  v i  v o  8kˆ
Very Very Important Point
Two plane mirror are kept parallel to each other, facing each other, the distance between them is d. Then
the distance between their nth images = 2nd.

M M

Object
d-x d-x x x
I2 I2
I1 I1
d 2d-x
d-x
2d
4d

OPTICAL FIBRE

Dtani

ii

If no.of reflections = n

L  L 
Then, n  (if it is integer) else n    1
D tan i  D tan i 

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RAY OPTICS [5]
DAILY PRACTICE PROBLEMS-1
1. A man runs towards a mirror at a speed 15 m/s. The speed of the image relative to the man is

(1) 15 ms–1 (2) 30 ms–1 (3) 35 ms–1 (4) 20 ms–1

2. A man of length h requires a mirror, to see his own complete image of length at least equal to

(1) h / 4 (2) h / 3 (3) h/2 (4) h

3. A watch shows time as 3 : 25 when seen through a mirror time appeard will be

(1) 8 : 35 (2) 9 : 35 (3) 7 : 35 (4) 8 : 25

4. Two plane mirrors are at right angles to each other. A man stands between them and combs his hair with
his right hand. How many number of the images will be seen using his right hand

(1) 1 (2) 2 (3) 3 (4) None

5. A thick plane mirror shows a number of images of the filament of an electric bulb. Of these, the brightest
image is the

(1) First (2) Second (3) Fourth (4) Last

6. What should be the angle between two plane mirrors so that whatever be the angle of incidence, the
incident ray and the reflected ray from the two mirrors be parallel to each other.

(1) 60º (2) 90º (4) 120º (5) 175º

7. The image of an object formed by a plane mirror is

(1) erect, real and of equal size (2) erect, virtual and of equal size

(3) inverted, real and of equal size (4) inverted, virtual and of equal size

8. A ray of light is incident on a plane mirror at an angle of incidence of 30º. The deviation produced by the
mirror is

(1) 30º (2) 60º (3) 90º (4) 120º

9. When a plane mirror is placed horizontally on level ground at a distance of 60 m from the foot of a tower, the
top of the tower and its image in the mirror subtend an angle of 90º at the eye. The height of the tower is :

(1) 30 m (2) 60 m (3) 90 m (4) 120 m

10. Two mirrors are placed perpendicular to each other. A ray strikes the first mirror and after reflection from the
first mirror it falls on the second mirror. The ray after reflection from the second mirror will emerge.

(1) perpendicular to the original ray (2) parallel to the original ray

(3) at 45º to the original ray (4) at 60º to the original ray

11. An object is placed symmetrically between two plane mirrors inclined at an angle  to each other. If the
number of images formed is 7 then the angle of inclination  is :

(1) 15º (2) 30º (3) 45º (4) 60º

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[6] RAY OPTICS
12. Keeping the incident ray fixed, if a plane mirror is rotated through an angle about an axis lying in its plane,
then the relected ray turns through an angle :

(1)  (2) 2 (3) /2 (4) 3/2

13. How many images of an object are formed if two adjacent walls and the ceiling of a rectangular room are
mirror surfaced ?

(1) 3 (2) 7 (3) 6 (4) 9

14. Figure shows a plane mirror on which a light ray is incident. If the incident ray is turned by 5º and
the mirror by 10º, as shown, the angle turned by the reflected ray is :

5º
Reflected
Incident ray
ray
30º
10º

(1) 15º, clockwise (2) 25º, clockwise (3) 30º, clockwise (4) 25º, anticlockwise

15. Out of the following, which statements are correct ?

(i) Two plane mirrors are inclined to each other at an angle of 60º. If a ray of light incident on
the first mirror is parallel to the second mirror, it is reflected from the second mirror parallel
to the first mirror.

(ii) A bird flying high up in the air does not cast a shadow on the ground because layers of
atmosphere are dense.

(iii) If a ray reflected successively from two plane mirrors inclined at a certain angle undergoes
a deviation of 300º, then the number of images observable is 11.

(iv) A clock indicates a time of 3 : 25. On seeing it in a plane mirror, the time appears as 8 : 35

(1) (i) and (iv) (2) (ii) and (iii) (3) (i), (ii) and (iv) (4) (i), (iii) and (iv)

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RAY OPTICS [7]
3. SPHERICAL MIRROR
FOCAL LENGTH AND RADIUS OF CURVATURE
The angles (in radians) are so small that tan  and tan2  can be replaced by  and 2 respectively..

A B
BP and
BP
  2
CP FP X
C F P
 B

A 
 
X P F C X

BP
or   CP = 2FP
2FP
 Radius of curvature = 2 × focal length.
 R = 2f
THE MIRROR EQUATION OR MIRROR FORMULA
For every situation in spherical mirrors, relation between u, v and f is given by

1 1 1
  .
f u v
Then sign of f, u and v has to be applied depending on the case.
u is always –ve for real objects.
f is –ve for concave mirror and +ve for convex mirror.
v is–ve when image forms on same side as the object. If image forms on other side, v is +ve
(I) FOR CONCAVE MIRROR
(a) Real Image : Image forms on same side. Its size could be smaller or bigger

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Then,   becomes    | f |  |u|  | v |
f u v  f u v

A M
F
X B X
B C P
A

u
v

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[8] RAY OPTICS
(b) Virtual Image
Image forms on other side
It is erect and magnified and v is +ve
1 1 1 1 1 1
  becomes   .
f u v f u  v
A1

A
M
C
F B P B1

1 1 1
  
| f | |u| | v |

(II) FOR CONVEX MIRROR

Image forms on other side, hence v is +ve. Image is erect and smaller.

1 1 1 1 1 1 A M
  becomes  
f u v f u  v
A
1 1 1
   B P
| f | | v | | u|
u B F C X

v
 Newton’s formula : If in a concave mirror object
ft
is placed at a distance x from the focus and image
is formed at a distance y from the focus. Then the

focal length of the mirror is f  xy

CONCAVE MIRROR
Position of Real/ Inverted/ Magnification & size Sign of
Position of image
object Virtual erect of image magnification
At infinity At focus Real Inverted m < 1, highly reduced Negative
Beyond 2 f Between f and 2f Real Inverted m < 1, Reduced Negative
At 2f At 2 f Real Inverted m = 1, Same size Negative
Betweenf and 2f Beyond 2 f
Real Inverted m >1, Enlarged Negative
(f < u < 2 f) (v > 2 f)
At f (u = f) At infinity Real Inverted m =  Highly enlarged Negative
Between pole and
Behind the mirror Virtual Erect m > 1, Enlarged Positive
focus (u < f)

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RAY OPTICS [9]
CONVEX MIRROR
At infinity At focus (v= f ) Virtual Erect m <  Positive
(u = ) [at the back of the mirror] Reduced
Anywhere between Between pole and focus Virtual Erect m < 1, Positive
infinity and pole [at the back of the mirror] Reduced

MAGNIFICATION :
Image size I v
(m)   
Object size O i
 Sign convention for magnification :  magnification is –ve for real image and +ve for virtual
images. Applicable for both lens and mirrors.
 m   v u for (mirrors) and m  v u for lenses.
 Other important formulae for magnification.
m  v u  f
f u  (f  v) f  I / O
{Sign convention must be used}
 Graphs for mirrors :
v 1/v

1/f

2f

u 1/u
f 2f 1/f
Illustration 2 :
It is desired to photograph the image of an object placed at a distance of 3m from the plane mirror. The
camera which is at a distance of 4.5 m from the mirror should be focussed for a distance of
(A) 3 m (B) 4.5 m (C) 6 m (D) 7.5 m
Solution D:
3m

Camera
As per diagram
4.5 m the distance is
7.5 m equal to 7.5 m
Illustration 3 :
A candle flame 3 cm high is placed at a distance of 3 m from a wall. How far from the wall must a concave
mirror be placed in order that it may form an image of the flame 9 cm high on the wall.

Solution :
v
 3; v = 3u; v –u = 300 cm
u 3m
3 u –u = 300  u  150cm
O
u
 v  450cm
v

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[ 10 ] RAY OPTICS
Illustration 4 :
A concave mirror of focal length f which produces an image n times the size of the object. If the image is real,
then the distance of the image from the mirror, is
Solution :

f v f v
m   n
f f
 f  v   nf  v  (1  n)f

 Linear magnification (m) for the diagram shown below :

uB
uA
B A Image

vB
A B
vA
 | vB  vA |
(m) 
| uB  uA |
 Linear magnification for short object :

1 1 1 dv du
   2  2 0
v u f v u

dv  v2
    m2
du u2
2 2
dv v 2  f  f v
 m     m2     
du u2  f  u   f 
Even you put sign you get same result for concave mirror.
Illustration 5:
A short linear object of length b lies along the axis of a concave mirror of focal length f at a distance u from
the pole of the mirror. The size of the image is approximately equal to

1/ 2 1/ 2 2
u f   f  u f   f 
(A) b  (B) b  (C) b  (D) b 
 f  u f   f   f u 

Solution D:
2
I  f 
 
b  f  u 
2
 f 
 I  b  (after putting the sign conventions)
 f u

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RAY OPTICS [ 11 ]
 Areal magnification : magnification = m2

b Object
image ma a

mb
Area of object = ab
2
Area of image =mab

1 1 1
 Speed of image :-  
v u f

1 dv 1 du dv v 2 du
  0   2 
v2 dt u2 dt dt u dt

Speed of image  m2 Speed of object

2 2
 f  f v
 vi  m2 v0     v0     v0
 f u  f 

Illustration 6 :
A short linear object of length l lies along normal to the axis of a concave mirror of focal length f, at a distance
d from the pole of the mirror. The size of image is then
2 2
lf l d  f   f  d  f 
(A) (B) (C) l   (D) l  
d f d  f 
f  f 
Solution A:
1 1 1 1 1 f d or fd
    v   v
d v f f d fd df
v fd I I v fl
     
u d d  f  O O u df
Illustration 7 :
A point object is moving on the principle axis of a concave mirror of focal length 24 cm towards the mirror.
When it is at a distance of 60 cm from the mirror, its velocity is 9 cm/s. Then the speed of image at the instant
is
(A) 5 cm/s towards the mirror (B) 4 cm/s towards the mirror
(C) 5 cm/s away from the mirror (D) 4 cm/s away from the mirror

Solution D:
2 2
dv du  f   24  cm
 m 2    v0     v 0  4
dt dt  f  u   24  60  sec.

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[ 12 ] RAY OPTICS
4. SPHERICAL ABERRATION
The extreme rays reflected from spherical mirror cross the axis closer to the mirror than the rays which are
reflected near the centre of the mirror surface pass through the focal point F. This imperfection is known as
spherical aberration. The image is drawn out into a surface formed by the intersecting rays. The trace of
this surface in the plane of the paper is a curved line.

This curved line is known as the caustic of the mirror. [A caustic curve can be observed on the surface of
liquid in a glass tumbler when the inner surface of the glass is illuminated obliquely.]

In the case of paraboloid mirror, the reflecting surface is such that all the incident rays parallel to the
principal axis are brought to a common focus after reflection. The paraboloid mirror is used in automobile
head light. The filament is placed at the focus of the mirror. The rays are sent out to form a parallel beam.
Paraboloid mirrors are also employed as search light mirrors and as reflectors of astronomical telescopes.

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RAY OPTICS [ 13 ]
DAILY PRACTICE PROBLEM-2
1. A concave mirror gives an image three times as large as the object placed at a distance of 20 cm from it. For
the image to be real, the focal length should be

(1) 10 cm (2) 15 cm (3) 20 cm (4) 30 cm

2. If the lower half of a concave mirror’s reflecting surface is covered then the image of an object placed infront
of the mirror

(1) Intensity of the image will increase (2) The image will show only half of the object

(3) No change in the image (4) Intensity of the image will be reduced to half.

3. In case of a curved mirror if the distance of object (u) and image (v) are measured from the pole and a graph
is plotted between (1/u) and (1/v), the graph is a :

(1) straight line passing through the origin

(2) straight line making an intercept with both u and v axes

(3) parabola

(4) hyperbola

4. An erect image, three times the size of the object, is obtained with a concave mirror of radius of curvature
36 cm. The position of the object from the mirror is

(1) 12 cm (2) 15 cm (3) 18 cm (4) 36 cm

5. An object is moved at constant speed from infinity to the focus of a concave mirror.

(1) image will move at constant speed from focus to infinity

(2) image will move slower in the beginning and faster later on, away from the mirror.

(3) image will move faster in the beginning and slower later on, away from the mirror

(4) image will move away from the mirror in the beginning and towards the mirror later on but will a
constant speed.

6. Sun subtends an angle 1º at the pole of concave mirror of radius of curvature 36 m. Diameter of the image
of sun will be

(1) 24.5 cm (2) 31.4 cm (3) 16.2 cm (4) 36.8 cm

7. A rod of length 10 cm lies along the principal axis of a concave mirror of focal length 10 cm in such a way
that its end closer to the pole is 20 cm away from the mirror. The length of the image is

(1) 2.5 cm (2) 5 cm (3) 10 cm (4) 15 cm

8. For a concave mirror of focal length 20 cm, if the object is at a distance of 30 cm from the pole, then the
nature of the image and magnification will be

(1) real and (-2) (2) virtual and (-2) (3) real and (+2) (4) virtual and (+2)

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[ 14 ] RAY OPTICS
9. A man standing in front of a concave spherical mirror of radius of curvature 120 cm sees an erect image of
his face four times its natural size. Then the distance of the man from the mirror is

(1) 180 cm (2) 300 cm (3) 240 cm (4) 45 cm

10. The nature of image of a candle flame located 40 cm from a concave spherical mirror is real, inverted and
magnified four times. Then the radius of curvature of the mirror is
(1) 32 cm (2) 64 cm (3) 48 cm (4) 80 cm
11. Which one of the following can produce a parallel beam of light from a point source of light ?
(1) Concave mirror (2) Convex mirror (3) Plane mirror (4) Concave lens
12. If in the given figure, height of object is H1 = + 2.5 cm, then height of image H2 formed is

(1) – 5cm (2) +5 cm (3) + 7.5 cm (4) –7.5 cm

1
13. A convex mirror of focal length f form an image which is times the object. The distance of the object from
n
the mirror is

 n  1  n  1
(1) (n –1) f (2)  f (3)  f (4) (n + 1) f
 n   n 
14. A concave mirror of focal length f (in air) is immersed in water (  4 / 3) . The focal length of the mirror in
water will be

4 3 7
(1) f (2) f (3) f (4) f
3 4 3

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RAY OPTICS [ 15 ]
5 REFRACTION
When light travelling in one medium enters into another medium, it gets deviated from its original path. This
phenomenon is known as refraction.
LAWS OF REFRACTION
(i) The incident ray, the normal to the refracting surface at the point of incidence and the refracted ray, all
three lie in the same plane.
(ii) For a given pair of media and for light of a given wavelength, the ratio of the sine of the angle of
incidence to the sine of the angle of refraction is a constant.
REFRACTIVE INDEX
The refractive index of the second medium relative to the first medium is the ratio of the speed v1 in the first
medium to the speed v2 in the second medium. It is denoted by µr.
µ = v1/v2
For a given wavelength and a given pair of substances, the ratio of the sine of the angle of incidence to the
sine of the angle of refraction is a constant. This statement is known as Snell’s law.
sin i sin i
 µr or 1 2 
sin r sin r
PRINCIPLE OF REVERSIBILITY OF LIGHT
If a ray of light, after suffering any number of reflections and/or refractions, has its path reversed at any
stage, it travels back to the source along the same path in the opposite direction.
When ray of light travels from rarer to denser medium, the refractive index of denser medium with respect
to rarer medium is given by
sin i A
i
a µb  ...(1) X
sin r O a Y
b
r
B

When the path of light is reversed, then r will be treated as angle of incidence and i will be treated as angle
of refraction because the ray of light would now travel from denser to rarer medium. So, refractive index of
rarer medium with respect to denser medium is given by
sin r
b µa  ...(2)
sin i
Multiplying (1) by (2), we get

sin i sin r 1 v1 1
a µb  bµ a    1 or a µb 
medium 1
sin r sin i b µa 1

2 medium 2
2 v2

1 sin 1   2 sin 2

v1  2 sin 1 1
  
v 2 1 sin 2  2
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[ 16 ] RAY OPTICS
APPARENT DEPTH OF AN OBJECT PLACED INSIDE ANOTHER MEDIUM
The refractive index of medium b with respect to medium a is given by

sin r
a µb 
sin i
Here O, the object is placed in denser medium. Medium a
AB r
sin i 
OB X A B Y
AB r i
sin r 
O B O
AB OB OB Medium b
 a b    i
O B AB O B O
As object is being viewed normally hence
points A and B are very close to each other. So, OB  OA (real depth) and O B  O A (apparent depth)

OA Real depth
 a b  
OA Apparent depth
Here the viewer is located in medium a (rarer) and object (O) is located in medium b (denser)
In such a case, the image forms nearer than the object.
u
   (of denser medium w.r.t rarer medium)
v
 u>v
However if the object lies in rarer medium and viewer is in denser medium, the image forms farther than the
object. Then
v
  (of denser medium w.r.t. rarer medium)
u
REFRACTION THROUGH A PARALLEL GLASS SLAB
When a ray of light passes through a slab as shown, it comes out of other face parallel to incident ray i.e.,
there is no deviation but the emergent ray is laterally displaced by a distance ‘y’.
t sin( i1  r1 )
  i1  r1  y cos r1 {r1 = i2} A
Medium a i1
(Air) B

r1 
t Medium b
(Glass)
i2 N
y
Medium a B C
(Air) r2
D

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RAY OPTICS [ 17 ]
 Refraction at plane surface
(i) Relation between Apparent depth and Real depth

Apparent t = Real depth

depth =t 

Shift =t = t {1-1/}



 Real depth and Apparent depth relation in a composite slab

t1 t 2 t3 t4

t app    
1  2 3  4
t


t

t

t

Object
 1   1 
t 1    t 1    .............
 Net apparent Shift = 1    2   
 1  2 
Illustration 8 :
A crow is flying at a height h above water surface. A fish is located directly below the crow and at a depth
d below the surface of water. Determine
(A) depth of fish as seen by the crow
(B) height of crow as seen by the fish.
If velocity of crow towards fish is v c and velocity of fish towards, bird is v f find
(C) velocity of fish as seen by crow
(D) velocity of crow as seen by fish
Solution :
d
(A) Apparent depth of fish below water 

d
So, apparent depth as seen by crow S FC  h 

(B) Apparent height of crow above water S F = µh
C

So, apparent height as seen by fish = d + µh

dSFC dh 1 d(d) 1
(C) VF     vC  v F
C
dt dt  dt 
dSCF d(d) dh
(D) VCF     v F  v C
dt dt dt

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[ 18 ] RAY OPTICS
6. TOTAL INTERNAL REFLECTION
When a light ray travel from a denser medium into a rarer medium, the refracted ray moves away from
normal.
In a particular case, the refracted ray moves parallel to the boundary of medium, i.e. r = 90°. Then angle
of incidence (corresponding to this angle of refraction) is known as critical angle (C).
So, if i = C, r = 90°.
sin90 1
Then,    (µ = RI of denser medium)
sin C sin C
The following conditions must be satisfied for total internal reflection to take place:
(i) The incident light should be in optically denser medium.
rarer
medium
90°
C
denser
medium
µ
(ii) The angle of incidence in denser medium should be greater than the critical angle for the pair of
media in contact.
Mirage, field of vision of a fish, optical fibres are the examples of total internal reflection.
Field of vision of a fish
A fish inside a pond cannot see the outside world through the entire surface of water, fish can see within a
circle of radius r on the surface of water,
1
 sinc 

r
1
tan c 
2
 1
d
r C C
Also, Tanc 
d
 r  d tanc fish
d
 r
2  1
where r = radius of circle and d = depth of fish
Illustration 9 :
Apparent depth of air bubble from one side of a glass cube is 6 cm from another side it is 4 cm. The refractive
index of the medium is
t1
15cm
t2

Solution :

t1 t2 1 t t 15
t1  & t2   t1  t2   t1  t 2    1 2   1.5 cm
   t1  t2 10

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RAY OPTICS [ 19 ]
Illustration 10 :
An ink dot on the sheet of a paper is viewed from a vertical distance of 25 cm. By what distance would the
ink dot appear to be raised if it is viewed through a glass slab of thickness 10 cm held parallel to the paper?
Given; refractive index of glass = 1.5
Solution :
Here, t = 10 cm, µ = 1.5
The distance through which the ink dot would appear to be raised is also called “Image shift” and it is given by

 1  1  5
x  t 1    101   = 3.33 cm.
   1.5  1.5
Illustration 11 :

4 5
If the refractive index for water and glass are and respectively and the light is tending to go from glass
3 3
to water, then what is the value of the critical angle?
Solution :
a a
Here,  w  4 / 3,  g  5 / 3

w 5 3 5
  g a  g / a w   
3 4 4

w 1 1 4
As g  , so sin C  w 
sin C g 5

4
or C  sin 1   = 538
5
Illustration 12 :
A ray of light falls on transparent glass slab of refractive index 1.5. If the reflected and refracted rays are
mutually perpendicular, calculate the angle of incidence. Given, tan–1 (1.5) = 56°.
Solution :

From figure i  90  r  180 A

i
 i + r = 90° or r = (90° – i) i
O 90°
sin i sin i sin i r
    tan i
sin r sin (90  i) cos i B
 tan i = µ = 1.5

or i = tan–1(1.5) = 56°

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[ 20 ] RAY OPTICS
DAILY PRACTICE PROBLEM-3
1. A ray of light making an angle 10º with the horizontal is incident on a plane mirror making an angle  with the
horizontal. What should be the value of so that the reflected ray goes vertically upward ?
(1) 20º (2) 30º (3) 40º (4) 45º
2. A glass slab ( = 1.5) of thickness 3.0 cm is placed on an ink spot. A person looks at it from a distance of 5.0
cm above the ink spot. The distance of the spot will appear to be
(1) 2.0 cm (2) 3.5 cm (3) 4.0 cm (4) 5.0 cm
3. The refractive index of water with respect to air is 4/3 and the refractive index of glass with respect to air is
3/2. Then the refractive index of water with respect to glass is
(1) 9/8 (2) 8/9 (3) 1/2 (4) 2
4. The length of a vertical pole at the surface of a lake of water ( = 4/3) is 24 cm. Then to an under-water fish
just below the water surface the tip of the pole appears to be :
(1) 18 cm above the surface (2) 24 cm above the surface
(3) 32 cm above the surface (4) 36 cm above the surface
5. Velocity of light in air is 3 × 108 m/s and refractive index of water is 1.33. The time taken by light to travel a
distance of 500 m in water is
(1) 1.25 s (2) 2.22 s (3) 12.5 s (4) 22.6 s
6. An air bubble in a glass slab (= 1.5) is 5 cm deep when viewed from one face and 2 cm deep, when viewed
from the opposite face. The thickness of the slab is
(1) 7.5 cm (2) 10.5 cm (3) 7 cm (4) 10 cm
7. A bird in air looks at a fish vertically below it and inside water, h1 is the height of the bird above the surface of
water and h2 the depth of the fish below the surface of water. If refractive index of water with respect to air be
, then the distance of the fish as observed by the bird is

h2
(1) h1 + h2 (2) h1  (3) h1  h2 (4) h1  h2


8. A ray of light enters from a denser medium into rarer medium. The speed of light in the rarer medium is twice
that in denser medium. What is the critical angle for total internal reflection to take place ?
(1) 60º (2) 45º (3) 30º (4) None of these
9. If the critical angle for a medium is 60º, then the refractive index of the medium is

2
(1) (2) 3 /2 (3) 3 (4) 2 /3
3

10. A vessel of depth x is half-filled with oil of refractive index 1 and the other half is filled with water of refractive
index 2 . The apparent depth of the vessel when viewed from above is

x(1   2 ) x1   2 x12 2x(1  2 )

(1) 212
(2) 2(1   2 )
(3) ( 1   2 )
(4) 12

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RAY OPTICS [ 21 ]
11. Light travels in two media A and B with speed of 1.8 × 108 ms–1 and 2.4 × 108 ms–1 respectively. Then the
critical angle between them is :

1  2  3 2 3

(1) sin   (2) tan1   (3) tan1   (4) sin1  
3  4 3  4

12. The refractive indices of glass and water with respect to air are 3/2 and 4/3 respectively. The refractive index
of glass with respect to water will be
(1) 8/9 (2) 9/8 (3) 7/6 (4) None of these

13. Electromagnetic radiation of frequency n, wavelength  , travelling with velocity v in air, enters a glass slab of
refractive index  . The frequency, wavelength and velocity of light in the glass slab will be respectively..

n  v  v v n 
(1) , , (2) n, , (3) n, , (4) , ,v
       

14. A ray of light is incident on the surface of separation of a medium at an angle 45º and is refracted in the
medium at an angle 30º. What will be the velocity of light in the medium ?
(1) 1.96 × 108 m/s (2) 2.12 × 108 m/s (3) 2.65 × 108 m/s (4) 1.24 × 108 m/s

15. A ray of light passes from vacuum into a medium of refractive index  , the angle of incidence is found to be
twice the angle of refraction. Then the angle of incidence is

(1) cos1( / 2) (2) 2cos1( / 2) (3) 2 sin1  (4) 2 sin1( / 2)

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[ 22 ] RAY OPTICS
7. PRISMS
REFRACTION OF LIGHT THROUGH A PRISM
Figure shows the principal section ABC of a glass prism. Consider a ray of light PQ incident on the face AB
of the prism at an angle of incidence i. As the ray of light enters glass (denser medium), it bends towards
 sin i 
the normal. The angle of refraction is r1. The refraction takes place in accordance with Snell’s law   
 sin r1 
A
K
L
Q 
i r 1 r2 e
S
P T
N
B C
The refracted ray QS is incident on the face AC at an angle r2. The refraction now takes place from glass
(denser medium) to air (rarer medium). The ray bends away from the normal on entering air. ST is the
emergent ray and e is the angle of emergence.
The ray PQ would have proceeded straight along PQLK in the absence of the prism. But due to refraction
by prism, the ray travels along ST. Thus, the ray is deviated through an angle  . This angle is called angle
of deviation. It may be defined as the angle through which the incident ray gets deviated in travelling through
prism.

Now LQS  i  r1 and LSQ  e  r2

 is the exterior angle of  LQS. Since exterior angle of a triangle is equal to sum of interior opposite
angles,

So,  = i – r1 + e – r2

  = i + e – (r1 + r2) ..... (1)

In quadrilateral AQNS, AQN QNS NSA  A  360

But AQN NSA  90

 N  A 180 ..... (2)

Considering QNS , r1 + r2+ N 180 ..... (3)

Comparing (3) and (2), r1 + r2 = A

From equation (1),   i  e  A

i.e. i+e=  +A ..... (4)

The sum of the angle of incidence and angle of emergence is equal to sum of angle of deviation and angle
of prism.

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RAY OPTICS [ 23 ]
VARIATION OF ANGLE OF DEVIATION WITH ANGLE OF INCIDENCE
If we change angle of incidence i, total deviation  also changes.

There is one particular angle of incidence corresponding to which angle of deviation is minimum. The
minimum value of the angle of deviation of a ray of light passing through a prism is called angle of minimum
deviation. It is denoted by min 

max

min
i
i/e i=e i/e

 For maximum deviation either i or e should be 90º

EXPRESSION FOR REFRACTIVE INDEX OF MATERIAL OF PRISM

When the prism is placed in the minimum deviation position, the ray passes symmetrically through the
prism. Then
r1 = r2 = r and i = e
Now A = r1 + r2 = r + r = 2r or r = A/2
Also, i + i = A + min
A  min
or 2i = A + min or i 
2
sin i sin i
But  
sin r1 sin r

 A  min 
sin  
   2 
A
sin
2
REFRACTION BY A SMALL-ANGLED PRISM FOR SMALL ANGLE OF INCIDENCE
Applying Snell’s law at the two refracting faces of the prism, we get
sin i sin e
 and 
sin r1 sin r2
It is given that A is small. If i is also assumed to be small, then r1, r2 and e will also be very small. So,
replacing sin  by  for small  , we get
i e
 
r1 and r2
or i = µr1 and e = µr2
 i + e = µ (r1 + r2) = µA
Comparing with i + e = A +  , we get
A +  = µA
or  = (µ–1)A
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[ 24 ] RAY OPTICS
Illustration 13 :

45º
+B
R+ Y

R = 1.4
Y = 1.5
B = 1.6

Which ray will be separated from other ?

Solution :
For TIR,  min  C  sin 1 (1/  )
but   45 º
1 1 1
   45º  sin 1  
  2
 2  red will be separated
Condition of grazing emergence

i = i1 i2=e=90º
r1
r2=C

i2  e  90º r2  C as r1  r2  A
 r1  A  C
sin i sin i1
As,   
sin r sin r1
sin i1   sin r1
i1  sin 1   sin  A  C 
i1  sin 1   (sin A cosC — cos Asin C)

i1  sin 1 sin A   2  1   cos A 

   

Condition for ray reversal : For ray to reverse r2 must be zero.

 r1  A ( r1  r2  A)

sini sini
Now, sinr    
1 sin A
For i  0 and A  0 ,
i

A

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RAY OPTICS [ 25 ]
Illustration 14 :
60º

60º e=?

 3

Solution :
sin i 3/2
 3   sin r1
sin r1 3
1
sin r1  ; r1  30º  r2  A  r1  30º
2
sin e
Now  3  sin e  3 / 2
sin r2
 e = 60º
Illustration 15 :
Find minimum value of  for total internal reflection

Solution :

1 1
For TIR,   C  45º  sin
 45º

1 
 sin 5º   2 45º=


 min  2

Illustration 16 :

 A
If   cot   , then find  min  ?
2
Solution :

 A  m   A  m 
sin   sin  
 2  cos A / 2 2 
  
sin  A / 2 sin A / 2 sin  A / 2 

 cos  A / 2   cos [  / 2   A / 2   m / 2
A/ 2  π/ 2   A/ 2  δm / 2 
m / 2  A   / 2  min  2 A  

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[ 26 ] RAY OPTICS
DISPERSION
White light is a mixture of all seven colours of different wavelengths. While the speed of a light wave in
vacuum is the same for all wavelengths, the speed in a material substance is different for different wavelengths.
So, the refractive index of a substance is a function of wavelength. A substance in which the speed of a
wave varies with wavelength is said to exhibit dispersion. The phenomenon of splitting a ray of white light
into its constituent colours (wavelengths) is called dispersion. The band of colours, from red to violet, that
emerges from the prism is called spectrum.
The cause of dispersion can be explained on the basis of Cauchy’s relation. This is the relation between
refractive index of a material for light of wavelength  .
According to Cauchy’s formula,

b c
a 2
 4
 
where a, b and c are constants for the material.

ANGULAR DISPERSION
When a beam of white light travels through a prism, it undergoes both deviation and dispersion. The
bending of the mean ray (yellow colour) from its original path is called mean deviation ‘  ’. If we produce the
incident ray forward and the red and violet rays backwards, these meet at angles  r and  v respectively..
These are the angles of deviation for the red and violet rays respectively. The difference between these
angles of deviation gives the angular separation between the extreme rays, which is called angular dispersion.
It is generally denoted by  . The term ‘angular dispersion’ may be defined for any two colours.
The difference in the deviation suffered by two colours in passing through a prism gives the angular dispersion
for these colours. We can also say that the angle between the emergent rays of any two colours is called
angular dispersion. Angular dispersion can also be defined as the rate of change of angle of deviation with
 d 
wavelength  
 d 
Let, angular dispersion between red and violet be  . Then
  v  r A
N

i r v
Q
P
N R
B C V
But v  ( v  1)A and  r  ( r  1) A
   ( v  1)A  (r  1)A or
The angular dispersion depends upon (i) the
nature of material of the prism and (ii) the angle
of the prism.
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RAY OPTICS [ 27 ]
DISPERSIVE POWER
The dispersive power of the material of a prism for any two colours is defined as the ratio of the angular
dispersion for these two colours to the mean deviation produced by the prism.
It may also be defined as dispersion per unit deviation.

  ..... (1)

 is deviation corresponding to yellow light and can be assumed to be mean deviation.
 v   r  A v  r

 
  y  1 A  y 1
Since µv is always greater than µr therefore, the dispersive power of the prism is always positive. The dispersive
power depends only upon the nature of material of the prism. It is independent of the angle of prism.
 DISPERSION WITHOUT DEVIATION

2
vy
R
1

 net  0  1   2   y1  
 1 A1   y2  1 A 2 ...(1) 
But net dispersion is  net  1   2

=  v  R  A 1   v   R
1 1 2 2
A 2
 
 1  y1  1 A1  2 ( y2  1) A2

 
 1  y1  1 A1  2 ( y1  1) A1  using 1
  
  y1  1 A1 (1  2 )   y 2  1 A2 (1   2 ) 
 DEVIATION WITHOUT DISPERSION
net

net= 0

 net  0  1   2  ( v1   R1 )A1  ( v 2   R 2 )A 2
But net deviation  net  1   2
A
   
  y1  1 A1   y 2  1 A 2   v1   R1   A  
1
v2   R2  A  ( v  R ) 1  ( v   R )A1 /2
2
1 1 1 1
1 2 1

 v1  R1 A  1 

  

 1 A1 1  1  =  
  
 1 A 2 1  2 
 1 1   = y1 y2
1  2   2   1 

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[ 28 ] RAY OPTICS
Illustration 17 :
The angle of a prism is 30°. The rays incident at 60° on one refracting face suffer a total deviation of 30°.
Calculate the angle of emergence.

Solution :
Here, i = 60°, A = 30°and  = 30°
Using  + A = i + e, we get e =  + A – i = 30 + 30 – 60 = 0°
So the emergent ray is normal to the other face.

Illustration 18 :
The minimum deviation produced by a glass prism of angle 60° is 30°. If the velocity of light in vacuum is 3 ×
108 ms–1, calculate the velocity of light in glass.

Solution :
Here, A = 60°,  m  30 , c = 3 ×108 ms–1

sin  A   m  / 2
Using,   , we get
sin A / 2
sin  60  30 / 2 sin 45 0.7071
    1.414
sin 60 / 2 sin 30 0.5000
c
We know,   , where v = velocity of light in glass
v
c 3  108
So, v    2.12 108 ms–1 .
 1.414
Illustration 19 :
A glass prism of angle 72° and refractive index 1.66 is immersed in a liquid of refractive index 1.33. Find the
angle of minimum deviation for a parallel beam of light passing through the prism.
Solution :
a
Here  g  1.66 , a  l  1.33 and A = 72°
When prism is immersed in liquid, then refractive index of glass w.r.t. liquid is given by
a
l
g 1.66
g  a
  1.248
l 1.33

l sin  A m  /2
Now using  g 
sin  A /2 ,
 A m  l
we get sin     g  sin  A /2 = 1.248 × sin 36° = 1.248 × 0.5878 = 0.7336
 2 
A  m
Using sine tables, we get  4712
2
A   m  9424
  m  9024  A  9424  72   m  2224

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RAY OPTICS [ 29 ]
Illustration 20 :
PQR is a right angled prism with other angles as 60° and 30°. Refractive index of prism is 1.5. On surface PQ
there is a thin layer of liquid. Light falls normally on the face PR. For total internal reflection, what is maximum
refractive index of liquid ?

Liquid surface
P Q
60° 90° 30°
60°

R
Solution :
Here angle i should be greater than critical angle C for glass liquid interface

 C < 60°
i.e., Cmax = 60° ( i = 60°)

l 1 g 1
Using  g  we get 
sin C  l sin C

3
or  l   g sin C  1.5  sin 60 1.5 = 1.3
2

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[ 30 ] RAY OPTICS
DAILY PRACTICE PROBLEM-4
1. For a prism having prism angle 60º and   2 , the angle of minimum deviation is :

(1) 30º (2) 45º (3) 60º (4) 90º

2. A ray of light passes through an equilateral prism of glass in such a manner that the angle of incidence is
equal to the angle of emergence and each of these angles is equal to (3/4) of the angle of prism. The angle
of deviation is
(1) 45º (2) 70º (3) 39º (4) 30º

3. A glass prism has   1.5 and the refracting angle is 90º. If a ray falls on it at an angle of incidence of 30º
then what will be the angle of emergence ?
(1) 60º (2) 30º
(3) 45º (4) the ray will not emerge out of this prism

4. If one face of a prism of prism angle 30º and   2 is silvered, the refected ray retraces its initial path. The
angle of incidence is
(1) 60º (2) 30º (3) 45º (4) 90º

5. A fint glass prism and a crown glass prism of angles A ' and A respectively are to be combined in such a
manner that there is dispersion without deviation. For this to occur the ratio of A '/ A must be

( y  1) ('y  1)
(1) ('  1) (2) ( y  1) (3) ('y  1) (4) ( y  1)
y

6. The angular dispersion for a lens to 0.0178 and deviation for yellow light is 0.5170, then dispersive power is
(1) 0.034 (2) 0.033 (3) 0.031 (4) 0.035

7. A prism is made up of a material of refractive index 3 . The angle of the prism is A. If the angle of minimum
deviation is equal to the angle of the prism, then the value of A is
(1) 30º (2) 45º (3) 60º (4) 75º
8. A ray of light is incident at 60º on a prism of refracting angle 30º. The emerging ray is at an angle 30º with the
incident ray. The value of refractive index of the prism is

3 3
(1) (2) (3) 3 (4) 2 3
4 2
9. A given ray of light suffers minimum deviation in an equilateral prism P. Additional prisms Q and R of identical
shape and material are now added to P, as shown in the figure. The ray will suffer :

Q
P R

(1) greater deviation (2) same deviation (3) no deviation (4) total internal reflection

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RAY OPTICS [ 31 ]
10. A beam of light consisting of red, green and blue colours is incident on a right-angled prism ABC. The
refractive indices of the material of the prism for the above red, green and blue wavelengths are 1.39, 1.44 and
1.47 respectively. The colour(s) transmitted through the face AC of the prism will be
A

45º
B C
(1) red only (2) red and green (3) all the three (4) none of these

11. A thin prism of angle 15º made of glass of refractive index 1  1.5 is combined with another prism of glass
refractive index  2  1.75 . The combination of the prisms produces dispersion without deviation. The angle
of the second prism should be
(1) 5º (2) 7º (3) 10º (4) 12º
12. In a thin prism of glass (refractive index 1.5), which of the following relations between the angle of minimum
deviations m and angle of prims r will be correct ?

r
(1) m  r (2) m  1.5r (3) m  2r (4) m 
2
13. A ray of light is incident on an equilateral glass prism placed on a horizontal table. For minimum deviation
which of the following is true ?

R
Q S

(1) PQ is horizontal (2) QR is horizontal

(3) RS is horizontal (4) Either PQ or RS is horizontal
14. A ray is incident at an angle of incidence i on one surfaces of a prism of small angle A and emerges normally
from opposite surace. If the refractive index of the material of prism is  , the angle of incidence i is nearly
equal to

(1) A /  (2) A / 2 (3) A (4) A / 2

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[ 32 ] RAY OPTICS
8. REFRACTION AT SPHERICAL SURFACES
+
i
r

O P C I
µ1 R µ2
u v
Refraction at single spherical surface is shown in the figure above.
Here, light rays starting from an object O, placed in a medium of R.I. µ1, move into another medium of R.I.µ2
after being refracted at a curved surface of radius R. Object distance (u) and image distance (v) as shown
in the figure, are measured from pole. Radius of curvature (R) is also measured from the pole, as shown.
Then   1 2  1
 
v u R
For refraction at single surface and for real objects,
u is always –ve
v is +ve if image forms on other side, i.e. in next medium.
v is –ve if image forms on same side, i.e. in first medium.
R is +ve if surface is convex as seen from the object.
The image is real if formed inside the second medium, because such image is due to actual meeting of
rays after refraction. If formed on the same side, there is no actual meeting of rays, hence the image is
virtual.
Image size 1v
Lateral magnification, m  
Object size 2 u

REFRACTION THROUGH GLASS SPHERE

n
i
i–r i 2(i–r)= n
–r
r i sin i
r =
sin r
A B
air 
air

(ii) If incidant ray is parallel to principle axis and emergent ray passes through B

r
2r = i r B
A i

  2(i  r)  2r  i

sin i sin 2r 2 sin r cos r 1  1   

    r  cos   , i  2 cos  
sin r sinr sin r 2 2
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RAY OPTICS [ 33 ]
Illustration 21 :
A point object is placed in air at a distance of 40 cm from a concave refracting surface of material of refractive
index 1.5. Find the position of the image if the radius of curvature of the spherical surface is 10 cm.

Solution :

Here, u = – 40 cm, µ1 = 1, µ2 = 1.5 and R = –10 cm (concave surface)

Since object lies in the rarer medium, therefore, 40 cm

O P
1  2  2  1 =1 =1.5
  
u v R R= 10 cm

1 1.5 1.5  1
We get    40   v    10 

1.5 0.5 1 1.5 2  1  3 40

or       v  1.5 = –20 cm
v 10 40 v 40 40 3
Illustration 22 :

A beam of light strikes a glass sphere of 20 cm diameter converging towards a point 40 cm behind the pole
of the spherical surface. Find the position of the image if the refractive index of glass is 1.5.

Solution :

In the absence of the glass sphere, the rays of light converge at O at a distance of 40 cm from the pole of
the sphere. But in the presence of glass sphere, light rays are focussed at I, which is the real image. Here
O is the virtual object.

Since refraction is taking place from rarer to denser medium, therefore,

1  2  2  1
  
u v R
Here object is virtual, so u is +ve, u = 40 cm,

20
R  10 cm
2
1 1.5 1.5 1
µ1 = 1, µ2 = 1.5    
40 v 10

1.5 1 1 3 40 P R
     v  1.5  20cm
v 20 40 40 3 C I O

Thus, the image is formed just at the surface of the glass sphere.

u=40

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[ 34 ] RAY OPTICS
9. REFRACTION THROUGH LENS
LENS MARKER’S FORMULA FOR THIN LENS
Let, R1 and R2 be radii of curvature of the first and second spherical surface. Also f be the focal length of the
lens and µ be the refractive index of lens material w.r.t. the medium in which the lens is placed. Then

1 1 1   1 1 
   1   or P  (  1)  
f  R1 R2   R1 R2 
where P is power of the lens
FIRST PRINCIPAL FOCUS AND FIRST PRINCIPAL FOCAL LENGTH
First principal focus (F1) is the point from which if the rays emerge, then such rays, after refraction become
parallel to principal axis. In case of concave lens F1 is the point, at which a convergent beam is apparently
converging, but after refraction, the rays become parallel to principal axis.

1  1 1 
   1  
f1  R1 R2 

F1 C F1
C

f1 f1

SECOND PRINCIPAL FOCUS AND SECOND PRINCIPAL FOCAL LENGTH

If incident rays parallel to principal axis, are incident on a lens, and after refraction through the lens, the
rays either converge at the second principal focus (F2) or appear to be diverging from second principal focus (F2).

F2 F2
C C

f2 f2
1  1 1 
 (  1)  
f2  R1 R2 
f1 and f2 values are equal for a given lens. It means focus forms at equal distance from lens on either side.

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RAY OPTICS [ 35 ]
 LENS MAKER’S FORMULA

1  2  1 1  1 2 1
   1   
 f  1   R1 R2 

For concave lens For concvex lens R1 R2

R1is -ve, R2is +ve R1is +ve, R2is –ve
f is -ve f is +ve
f is +ve f is – ve

 Optical power of a lens =  /f

 = R.I of medium in which it is kept

Illustration 23 :

Find f = ? 2 = 1.5
1 = 1
1 = 1

R1 = 20 cm R2 = 30 cm

Solution:
1 1.5   1 1 
  1     f = 24 cm
f  1   20 30 
Illustration 24 :
Focal length of a convex lens in air is 40 cm. Find the focal length when the whole lens is dipped in water.
4
 g  1.5  w   1.33 .
3
Solution :
f2 f11 (g / a ) 1 (1.5 /1) 1
 1    4  f  4 f = 160 cm
f1 f2 (g / w ) 1 (1.5 /1.33) 1 2 1

Illustration 25 :
Find image distance and magnification.
 

Object

R = 10 cm

30 cm
Solution :
1.5 1 0.5
  V = 90 cm
V  30 10
 1 90
m  2
1.5  30

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[ 36 ] RAY OPTICS
Illustration 26 :
Find image distance and magnification





O
(object) R = 10 cm

30 cm
Solution :
1.5 1 0.5
 
V  30  10
V = –18 cm
18  1 2
m 
1.5  30 5
Illustration 27 :
Find image distance and magnitication
=1  =1.5
O (Object)

R = 10 cm
30 cm
Solution :
1  1.5 1 1.5
 
10 V 30
V= 
1.5  
m 
1  30
LINEAR MAGNIFICATION FOR A LENS
v
Magnification m 
u
1 1 1 v v v
We know that   or  
v u f v u f
v v v f v f v
 1      m
u f u f f
We can also express m in terms of u and f.
1 1 1 u u u
  or  
v u f v u f
u uf f
   m 
v f f u
POWER OF A LENS
1
P
f
Since focal length of a convex lens or a converging lens is positive, therefore its power is positive. Similarly,
the power of a concave lens or a diverging lens is negative.

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RAY OPTICS [ 37 ]
Opticians express the power of a lens in terms of a unit called the DIOPTRE. It is regarded as the SI unit
of optical power. The power of a lens is said to be one dioptre if the focal length of the lens is 1 metre.
100
When focal length is in cm, P  Diopter..
f

Note: Optical power of a lens P 
f
where   refractive index of medium in which lens is kept

LENS FORMULA
1 1 1
 
v u f
This equation holds good for both convex and concave lenses, whether the image formed is real or virtual.
For real image, v is +ve because real image always forms on other side of the lens. For virtual image v is –ve.
Focal length f is +ve for convex lens and –ve for concave lens. Object distance u is always –ve for a real
object and u is always +ve for a virtual object.
CONVEX LENS

Position of Magnification and

Position of image Real/Virtual Inverted/erect
object size of image
m < 1 greatly
At infinity At focus Real Inverted
diminished
Beyond 2 f Betweenf and 2f Real Inverted m < 1 diminished
At 2 f At 2f Real Inverted m = 1 same size
Between f and 2f Beyond 2 f Real Inverted m > 1 magnified
At f At infinity Real Inverted m =  magnified
At a distance greater than the
Between optical
object distance and on the same Virtual Erect m > 1 magnified
centre and focus
side as object

CONCAVE LENS

Real/ Inverted/ Magnification and

Position of object Position of image
Virtual erect size of image
At infinity (u =  At focus (v = f  Virtual Erect m < 1 diminished
Between infinity and Between optical centre
Virtual Erect m < 1 diminished
optical centre and focus

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[ 38 ] RAY OPTICS
FOCAL LENGTH OF COMBINATION OF TWO THIN LENSES IN CONTACT
Let two lenses be in contact, as shown in the figure. Let I1 be the image due to refraction at first lens only
and I be the final image.

I1 I 2
   1 or I1I2  O 2 where v1 is position of image due to first lens only..
O O
1 1 1
 
f 2 v v1 where v is position of image due to second lens only and image due to first lens acts as an
object here.
1 1 1 1
Adding,    ...(1)
f1 f 2 v u

If the given combination is replaced by a single lens of focal length F which forms the image of the given point
object at I, then

L1
O L2 I I1
u v
v1
1 1 1
  ...(2)
F v u
1 1 1
Comparing (1) and (2),  
F f1 f 2
If P is the power of the combination, then P = P1 + P2 where P1 and P2 are the powers of the individual
lenses.

LENSES ARE SEPARATED BY A DISTANCE (d)

1 1 1 d
    where d  distance between the lenses
feq f1 f2 f1f2

 i.e. Peq  P1  P2  dP1 P2

Further, Resultant magnification, m = m1 × m2

CUTTING OF LENSES
air  air

R R

1 2(  1)
P0  
f0 R

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RAY OPTICS [ 39 ]

air air air

 air  (   1)
(1) R Now, P '  1/f ' 
  R R
+

Both are converging

 f '  2f 0 and P '  P0 /2

(2) Both are

converging

Both are converging focal length of each part =f0 & power = P0 but intensity of light is halved.

(3)

f0.f0
feq   f0 /2 and Peq  2P0
f0  f0

Div.
(4) Conv.
Focal length of lens combination

f eq 1  f 0 1  ( f 0 )1  0

 f eq   and Peq  0

3
2 1
1
no of images 2
1 formed =3 1 2 no of images 4 no of images
(5) (A) 2 (B) formed =1 (C) 3
formed =3
3

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[ 40 ] RAY OPTICS
 Intensity of image is proportional to area of aperture:

D D/2
(A) Int = I0

Central portion is covered with a black paper of diameter D/2

3D 2 /4 3
New intensity I'  I0  I'  I0
D2 4

(B) I ' = I0/2 (C) I ' = I0

Illustration 28 :
A hole of diameter D/2 is cut in the central portion of a lens of diameter D, find the no. of images seen.
Solution : (1)
1

 LENS FORMULA :
1 1 1 v f f v I
  magnification m    
v u f u f u f O
Must be used with proper sign convention.
Illustration 29 :
In the following setup, find the position and size of image.
40 cm

}2 cm
15 cm

f = 10 cm f = 10 cm
Solution :
1 1 1 1 1 1
   v1  30 cm then  
v1  15 10 v  10  10
v = – 5 cm
30 5
m  m1  m2    1  0  I  2cm
15 –10

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RAY OPTICS [ 41 ]
CONDITION FOR WHICH FINAL IMAGE AND OBJECT COINCIDE
Rm

 C
(a)
fL Rm
D

1 1 1
 
D  R m u f L

fL
Rm

(b) Rm Cm
u v
fL
D Rm

1 1 1
 
D  R m u f L

Rm
v=

(c)
o
u u = f2
f2
Rm

cm

(d) v
fL= f
D
Rm

 1  1  1 
   
  (R m  D)   u   f 

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[ 42 ] RAY OPTICS
Illustration 30 : f = 30 cm

If the final image coincides with O. Find focal length of mirror.

mirror
O c

Solution : R
40
cm
v  R  20 , u = –40, f = + 30 60 cm

1 1 1
then  
R  20  40 30
1 1
or  or R = 100 cm
R  20 120
 fm = 50 cm

DISPLACEMENT METHOD TO FIND THE FOCAL LENGTH OF A CONVEX LENS

f

x D-x

Object (fixed) Screen

movable lens (fixed)

D = fixed

If image is produced at the screen

1 1 1
 
Dx x f

x  D  x  f  Dx  x 2
2
x 2  Dx  fD  0 Now, discriminant = D -4fD

1. If D  4 f no real image is formed

2. If D= 4f only one real image is formed and f = D/4

Also, u  v  D / 2

3. If D > 4f, there are 2 positions for real image formation.

D  D 2  4 fD D  D 2  4 fD
 x1   u1 & x2   u2
2 2

D  D 2  4fD D  D 2  4 fD
then v1  D  u1   u 2 and v 2  D  u 2   u1
2 2

i.e., u1  v 2 u 2  v1 (positions are interchangeable)

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RAY OPTICS [ 43 ]
4. If the displacement of lenses d means x2  x1  d

D2  d 2
then d  D 2  4 fD or d 2  D 2  4 fD or f 
4D
5. If I1 and I2 are size of two real images and O is the size of object then O 2  I1 I 2

v1 v u 
Proof : m1  m2  2  1   m1m 2  1
u1 u 2 v1 m1
I1 I 2
   1 or I1I 2  O2
O O
6. Ratio of image size for these two positions.
2
I1 Dd  d
 m1 / m2    and f 
I2  Dd  m1  m 2
If ‘f’ is the focal length of a bi-convex lens of surface radius R. Then focal length in the following conditions
when one surface is silvered.
SILVERING OF LENSES :
How to calculate power of eqivalent lens .
Pnet = PL + PM +PL = 2 PL + PM (Very-Very Important)
1 1 
Where, PL = Power of lens =   1   and
 R1 R2 
PM = Power of mirror

1 2
For Plane mirror, PM = 0 For Curved mirror, PM  
f R
All powers ‘P’ must be taken +ve as all have converging nature.
Equivalent combination behaves like a converging mirror.
 Its focal length is –ve

air

 1
1. Here, PL  and PM  0
R R 1= R
R 2=

2    1
 Peq 
R
(where PL & PM are respectively powers of lenses & mirror)

R 1
f eq  = (focal length of lens)
2(  1) 2

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air   1 2
2.  Here, PL    and PM 
 R  R
R1=
R2= R

Peq  2 / R
R
f eq 
2

3. air Here,
2 1
 PL 
R

2
and PM 
R

 air 
R air R f R
R
Note: air  feq  eq
feq 
2(  1) 2 R R 2(2  1)
R
Illustration 31 :
A double convex lens has radii of curvature 10 cm and 20 cm respectively. The lens is immersed in water.
What is the focal length of lens in air and water. Given, refractive index of the material of the lens is 3/2 and
refractive index of water is 4/3.
Solution :
Here, R1 = 10 cm, R2 = –20 cm

a 3 4
 g  , aw 
2 3
When lens is placed in air, its focal length is

1 a 1 1
   g 1   
fa  R1 R2 
 3  1 1  1 3 3
   1     
 2  10 20  2 20 40
40
 fa  cm  13.3 cm
3
When the lens is immersed in water, its focal length is given by
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a
1 1 1    g  1 1 
  w

g 1     
 a
 1  
 R1 R2 
fw  R1 R2    w 
 3 / 2  1 1 
  1  
 4 / 3  10 20 
 9  3  1 3 3
   1    
 8  20  8 20 160
160
 fw  cm  53.3 cm
3
Illustration 32 :

A double convex lens made of glass of refractive index 1.5 has both radii of curvature of magnitude 20 cm.
An object 2 cm high is placed at a distance of 10 cm from the lens. Find the position, nature and size of the
image.

Solution :

Here, µ = 1.5, R1 = + 20 cm, R2 = –20 cm

u = –10 cm, O = 2 cm

1 1    1 1  1 ,
 R R 
u v  1 2 

1 1  1 1 
   1.5  1   
10 v  20 20 

1 1 1 1
or   
v 20 10 20

 v = –20 cm.

–ve sign shows that the image is virtual and formed at the same side of the lens as the object.

I 
m 
O u

I  20
or  2
O  10

 I = 2 × O = 2 × 2 = 4 cm

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Illustration 33 :
Two thin lenses of focal lengths 15 cm and 30 cm respectively are kept in contact with each other. What is
the power of the combined system?
Solution :
Here f1 = 15 cm, f2 = 30 cm
1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1
The focal length of the combination is      
F f1 f 2 15 30 30 10
 F = 10 cm.
100
Power of the system, P  10 D
10
Illustration 34 :
An equi-convex lens of radius of curvature R is cut into two equal parts by a vertical plane, so it becomes
a pair of plano-convex lenses. If f is the focal length of equi-convex lens, what will be the focal length of the
plano-convex lens?
Solution :
1  1 1 
We know,    1  
f R
 1 R2 
For equi-convex lens R1 = –R2 = R

1 1 1   1 1  2  1
    1      1 R  R   R
f 
R  R   

For plano-convex lens,

1  1 1    1 f
R1 = R and R2 =  Hence,    1    So  2 or f   2 f
f R  R f
Thus, the focal length of plano-convex lens is 2 times the focal length of the equi-convex lens.
Illustration 35 :
An air bubble is formed inside water. Does it act as a converging lens or a diverging lens? Explain.
Solution :
When a ray of light parallel to the principal axis is incident on the air bubble at A, it bends away from the
normal as it goes from denser medium (water) to the rarer medium (air). The refracted ray AB again suffers
refraction at B.
B
A

I µ2

µ1 C
D

Now the ray of light goes from rarer to denser medium, so it bends towards the normal. The refracted rays
at B and D, when produced backward, meet the principal axis at I, so I is the virtual image. Since the air
bubble diverges the rays of light, i.e. it will act as a diverging lens.

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DAILY PRACTICE PROBLEM-5
1. In displacement method, the lengths of images in two positions of lens between object and screen are 9
cm and 4 cm respectively. The length of the object must be :

(1) 6.25 cm (2) (3/2) cm (3) 6 cm (4) 36 cm

2. The minimum distance between an object and its real image formed by a convex lens is

(1) 2 f (2) 4 f (3) f (4) 0

3. A thin lens has focal length f and its aperture has diameter d. It forms an image of intensity I. Now, the
central part of the aperture upto diameter (d/2) is blocked by an opaque paper. The focal length and image
intentisy will change to

(1) (f/2) and (I/2) (2) f and (I/4) (3) (3 f/4) and (I/2) (4) f and (3I/4)

4. A thin plano-convex lens acts like a concave mirror of focal length 0.2 m, when silvered on its plane surface.
The refractive index of the material of lens is 1.5. The radius of curvature of the convex surface of the lens
will be

(1) 0.1 m (2) 0.2 m (3) 0.4 m (4) 0.8 m

5. A convex lens of focal length f produces an image 1/n times that of the size of the object. The distance of
the object from the lens is

f
(1) (2) n f (3) (n – 1) f (4) (n + 1) f
n

6. A convex lens is made up of three different materials as shown in the figure. For a point object placed on its
axis, the number of images formed are

(1) 1 (2) 3 (3) 4 (4) 5

7. Two identical glass ( g  3 / 2) equiconvex lenses of focal length f are kept in contact. The space between
the two lenses is filled with water ( w  4 / 3) . The focal length of the combination is

f 4f 3f
(1) f (2) (3) (4)
2 3 4

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8. An object is kept at a distance of 16 cm from a thin lens and the image formed is real. If the object is kept
at a distance of 6 cm from the same lens the image formed is virtual. If the size of the images formed are
equal, the focal length of the lens will be
(1) 15 cm (2) 17 cm (3) 21 cm (4) 11 cm
9. A parallel beam of light is incident on a system of two convex lenses of focal lengths f1 = 20 cm and f 2 = 10
cm. What should be the distance between the two lenses so that rays after refraction from both the lenses
pass undeviated ?

f1 f2
(1) 60 cm (2) 30 cm (3) 90 cm (4) 40 cm
10. Which of the following is true for rays coming from infinity ?

(1) Two images are formed

(2) Continuous image is formed between focal points of upper and lower lens.
(3) One image is formed.
(4) None of the above
11. A convex lens made up of a material of refractive index 1 is immersed in a medium of refractive index 2 as
shown in the figure. The relation between 1 and 2 is

(1) 1 < 2 (2) 1 > 2 (3) 1 = 2 (4) 1  2

12. Two similar plano-convex lenses are combined together in three different ways as shown in the adjoining
figure. The ratio of the focal lengths in three cases will be

(1) 2 : 2 : 1 (2) 1 : 1 : 1 (3) 1 : 2 : 2 (4) 2 : 1 : 1

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 3
13. In the figure, an air lens of radii of curvature 10 cm (R1 = R2 = 10 cm) is cut in a cylinder of glass    .
 2 
The focal length and the nature of the lens is

Air Glass

(1) 15 cm, concave (2) 15 cm, convex

(3)  , neither concave nor convex (4) 0, concave
14. A biconvex lens has a focal length f. It is cut into two parts along a line perpendicular to principal axis. The
focal length of each part will be

(1) f/2 (2) f (3) (3/2) f (4) 2 f

15. A thin, symmetric double convex lens of power P is cut into three parts A, B and C as shown. The power
of

B C

P 3
(1) C is P (2) A is 2P (3) B is (4) B is P
2 2

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10. OPTICAL INSTRUMENTS
 Eye (Natural optical instrument)
 Near point of normal strained eye = 25 cm
 Far point of normal relaxed eye = 
 Common defects of human eye :
A. Short sightedness (myopia)
 Near point is normal & far point is abnormal
 Due to decrease in focal length of eye lens image is formed infront of retina.
 Diverging lens is used to removed it.
B. Long sightedness (Hypermetropia)
 Near point is abnormal, far point is normal.
 Due to increase in focal length of eye lens image is formed behind retina.
 Converging lens is used to remove it.
C. Old sightedness or Presbiopia
 Both near and far points are abnormal
 Bifocal lens is used to remove it.
D. Astigmatism
(i) Two mutually perpendicular lines appear of different thickness
(ii) Cylindrical lens is used to remove it.
SIMPLE MICROSCOPE
 Magnifying power of a simple microscope (M) = It is the ratio of visual angle with instrument to that of
maximum visual angle for un-aided eye i.e.,

 h/u
M    D /u
0 h / D

B
B
h 
h 
A A D
(relaxed eye)
u
v
When image is formed a least distance of distinct vision v = –D; u = –u using

1 1 1 1  1  1
      
v u fe D  u  fe

D D D
or, 1  M 1
u fe fe
When image is formed at  [relaxed eye or normal adjustment) v   u  u

 u  f e  D / u  D / f e or M  D / f e

 Large magnification  small focal length.

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COMPOUND MICROSCOPE :
Eyepiece
Objective
v0

h
h 

u0
ue
ve

h / ue h D v0 D
Magnifying power =  / 0    
h / D h ue u0 ue

(i) For the image at the least distance of distinct vision. Length of microscope L  v 0  u e

1  1 1 D D
v  D;u  u e      or  1
D  ue  fe ue fe
 D
 M   v 0 / u0  1  
 fe 
(ii) For normal adjustment v  

V0 D
 u e  f e Also, M  and L  V0  f e
u0 f e
In case of microscope f0 is small and object is close to the objective hence uo  f0 . Also as
intermediate image is infront of eye lens which has very short focal length.
 L  v0  u e  v 0
LD
 M Thus, If L increases then M also increases.
f0 fe

TELESCOPE
(A) ASTRONOMICAL TELESCOPE
(i)
L–f0

 i 

ue
f0
L

   i / f0
and   i / u e

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 f f
Hence, M  0  0
 Lf0 ue
For image at least distance of distinct vision ve  D

1  1 1
    
 D  ue   f e
f 0 f0 f 0
 
ue D f e
f0  fe 
M 1  D 
fe  

L  f0  ue
Objective Eyepiece


(ii)  i 

fe
f0

i

f0
i

fe
 f0
M 
 fe
For normal Adjustment

u 0  ; v 0  f 0 ; v e    ue  f e  L  f 0  f e

 fe must be small for better magnification

(B) TERRESTRIAL TELESCOPE

With the help of three convex lenses, image is finally formed erect w.r.t. object.




L
f0 2f 2f fe

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Magnifying powers  Same as astronomical telescope
L  f0  fe  4 f

(C) GALLELION TELESCOPE

Here eye lens is concave and object lens is convex.

Magnifying power M  f 0 / fe

Length  f 0  f e

fe
f0

(D) REFLECTING TELESCOPE

If in an astronomical telescope field lens is replaced by converging mirror it becomes a reflecting telescope.

M  f0 / fe
f0  R / 2
fe
f0
LENS CAMERA : If I is the intensity of light, S is the light transmitting area of the lens and t is exposure
time during which shutter was opened then I St  constt. for proper exposure I D 2 t  constt where D =
diametre of aperture. If intensity I is kept fixed then D 2  t  constt

1 1
t  2
or t  2
( Aperture ) D
The ratio of focal length to the aperture of lens is called f-Number of Camera. If diameter is constant then t
is independent of focal length
1
f - Number = f/D i.e. f - Number 
D

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1
  f. No 
2
t 2
D
PIN HOLE CAMERA :
It is based on rectilinear propagation of light

h d2 h d1
d1 y

y d2

d1 y1
y1 y2 
(a) d2
d2 y2
d1

When 2 object of same size are placed at different distance.

(b) If their image size is sample

h2 h1 h1 d1
y 
d1 h2 d2
d2

11. RESOLVING-POWER
Ability of an instrument to see two close objects distinctly is known as resolving power of that
1
instrument. R .P.  where  = limit of resolution. Limit of resolution for –

(a) Human eye,    / D {D = diameter of pupil}
(b) Telescope,   1.22  / D {D = diameter of lens}


(c) Microscope, d  { "  sini" is called numerical aperture of the microscope. Where i = angle
2 sini
formed by radius of objective on one of the objects}.
 CHROMATIC ABBERATION : The image of a white object in white light formed by a lens is usually
coloured and blurred. This defect is called chromatic Abberation. It’s because focal length of a lens is
different for different colours. Combination of lenses is used to remove it.
1 2
Condition of Achromatism :   0 or  A (  1)   A    1  0
f1 f2 1 1 1 2 2 2

or 11  2  2  0 
  1 A1    2 A2  0 where 1 , 2 are dispersive powers. In case of thin lenses separated by a distance
‘d’ condition for Achromatic doublet is d  1 f1  2 f 2  / 1  2 

and if 1  2 d   f1  f 2  / 2

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 Spherical Abberation : The inability of a lens to form a point image of an axial point of is due to spherical
nature of lens. It can be minimised by–using stops, using lenses whose (focal length f) is large as.
1
Spherical Abberation in mirrors is obtained by using spherical abberation 
( f )3

 Stops cut paraxial or marginal rays bringing the rest practically to one focus.

 In case of plano convex lens spherical abberation is minimised if its curved surface faces the incident light.

 Using two thin lenses separated by a distance f2–f1.

Illustration 36 :

A simple microscope consists of a convex lens of power +25 D and a concave lens of power –20D in contact.
Find the magnifying power when final image is formed (a) at infinity (b) at least distance of distinct vision.

Solution :

Here P1 = +25D, P2 = –20 D, least distance for distinct vision, d = 25 cm

Since lenses are in contact, So power of the combination is P = P1 + P2 = 25 – 20 = + 5D

100 100
Hence, focal length of the combination, f    20cm
P 5
D 25
When final image is formed at  , Magnifying power (M.P.) is M.P.  
f 20 = 1.25

D 25
M.P. when final image is formed at a distance of distinct vision, M.P. 1 1 11.25 = 2.25
f 20
Illustration 37 :

A compound microscope has angular magnification equal to 10. If the object subtends an angle of 0.6° at the
eye, what will be the angle subtended by the image at the eye?

Solution :

Here, M.P. = 10,  = 0.6° Using, M.P. 

 , we get


  M.P.    10  0.6  6

Therefore, the angle subtended by the image at the eye is 6°.

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Illustration 38 :
A compound microscope has a magnification of 30. The focal length of its eye-piece is 5 cm. Assume that
the final image is formed at the least distance of distinct vision (D=25 cm). Calculate the magnification
produced by the objective.
Solution :
Here M.P. = 30, fe = 5 cm
M.P. = mo × me
where mo is magnification produced by the objective and me is magnifying power of eye piece

 D
But me  1  
 f e 

 D  25 
 M.P. = m0 1    30  m0 1    6m0
 fe   5 
 m0 = 5
Illustration 39 :
The magnifying power of a telescope is found to be 9 and the separation between the lenses is 20 cm for
relaxed eye. What are the focal lengths of the component lenses used in the telescope?
Solution :
Here M.P. = 9, tube length L = 20 cm
 fo + fe = 20 cm

fo
As  9 , therefore solving,  fo = 18 cm and fe = 2 cm
fe
Illustration 40 :
The objective of an astronomical telescope has a diameter of 150 mm and a focal length of 4.0 m. The
eyepiece has a focal length of 25.0 mm. (a) Calculate the magnifying power of the telescope. (b) What is the
distance between the objective and the eyepiece?
Solution :
(a) Here, fo = 4 m; fe = 25 mm = 25 × 10–3 m

fo 4
 Magnifying power of telescope, M.P.   160
fe 25103

(b) Distance between objective and eye-piece = fo + fe = 4m + 25 × 10–3m = 4.025 m

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DAILY PRACTICE PROBLEM-6
1. If the ratio of magnifications produced by a simple microscope in near point adjustment and far point adjustment
is 6/5, then the focal length of the lens is:
(take D = 25 cm)
(1) 5 cm (2) 10 cm (3) 55 cm (4) 0.2 cm
2. The focal lengths of the objective and the eye-piece of a compound microscope are 1 cm and 5 cm respectively.
an object is placed at a distance of 1.1 cm from the objective. If the final image is formed at the least distance
of distinct vision, the magnifying power is
(1) 60 (2) 50 (3) 40 (4) none of these
3. In a compound microscope the objective and eye-piece have focal lengths of 0.95 cm and 5 cm respectively
and are kept at a distance of 20 cm. the last image is formed at a disance of 25 cm from eye-piece. What is
the total magnification of the microscope ?
(1) 95 (2) 94 (3) 94/6 (4) None of these
4. The magnifying power of a telescope can be increased by
(1) increasing focal length (2) by fitting eye-piece of higher power
(3) by fitting eye-piece of lower power (4) by increasing the distance of object
5. Magnifying power of an astronomical telescope for normal vision with usual notation is
(1) –f0/fe (2) –f 0 × f e (3) –f e / f 0 (4) –f 0 + f e
6. An stronomical telescope has an angular magnification of magnitude 5 for distance objects, the separation
between the objective and the eyepiece is 36cm and the final image is formed at infinity. the focal length f 0 of
the objective and focal length f e of the eyepiece are:
(1) f 0 = 30 cm, f e = 6 cm (2) f 0 = 45 cm, f e = 9 cm
(3) f 0 = 27 cm, f e = 9 cm (4) f 0 = 24 cm, f e = 12 cm
7. A man suffering from short sight is unable to see objects distinctly at a distance greater than 2 m. The power
of lens required to correct this defect should be.
(1) – 0.5 D (2) – 2D (3) +0.5 D (4) + 2D
8. The angular resolution of a 10 cm diameter telescope at a wavelength of 5000 Å is of the order of
(1) 10–4 rad (2) 10–6 rad (3) 10–8 rad (4) 10–2 rad
9. A telescope consists of two lenses of focal length 10 cm and 1 cm. The length of the telescope when an
object is kept at a distance of 60 cm from the objective and the final image is formed at least distartice of
distinct vision, is
(1) 12.96 cm (2) 11.04 cm (3) 13.63 cm (4) 14.44 cm
10. A compound microscope has a magnification of 30. the focal length of the eye-piece is 5 cm. If the final image
is formed at the least distance of distinct vision, the magnification produced by the objective is
(1) 5 (2) 7.5 (3) 6 (4) 4
11. In a telescope two lenses of focal length 10 cm and 20 cm are used. The length of telescope for adjustment
for near point vision (approx value).
(1) 27 (2) 30 (3) 21 (4) None of these
12. Magnifying power of a simple microscope is (when final image is formed at D = 25 cm from eye)

D D f D
(1) (2) 1 (3) 1 (4) 1
f f D f

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[ 58 ] RAY OPTICS
SOLVED SUBJECTIVE EXAMPLES
Example 1.
A Point source of light S, placed at a distance L in front of the centre of a mirror of width d, hangs vertically
on a wall. A man walks in front of the mirror along a line parallel to the mirror at a distance 2L from it as shown.
The greatest distance over which he can see the image of the light source in the mirror is,
(1) d/2 (2) d (3) 2d (4) 3d

S
d
L
2L
Solution :
The ray diagram will be as shown in Fig.
HI = AB = d

d
DS = CD =
2
Since, AH = 2AD

C G
A 
 D H
S
E
I
B
F J

d
 GH  2 CD  2 d
2
Similarly IJ  d
 GJ  GH  HI  IJ  d  d  d  3d
Example 2.
An object ABCD is placed in front of a concave mirror beyond centre of curvature C as shown in figure. State
the shape of the image.

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RAY OPTICS [ 59 ]
Solution.

Object is placed beyond C. Hence, the image will be real and it will lie between C and F. Further u, v and f all
are negative, hence the mirror formula will become

1 1 1
  
v u f

1 1 1
or  
v f u

uf

uf

f
or v
f
1
u

Now uAB  uED

 v AB  vED

v
and | mAB || mED | As, m 
u

Therefore, shape of the image will be as shown in figure above.

Also note that v AB  uAB and vED  uED ,

So, | mAB | 1

and | mED | 1

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Example 3.
A glass sphere of radius R = 10 cm is kept inside water. A point object O is placed at 20 cm from A as shown
in figure. Find the position and nature of the image when seen from other side of the sphere. Also draw the ray
diagram. Given,  g  3 / 2 and  w  4 / 3.
C
A 10 cm B
20cm

Solution.
A ray of light starting from O gets refracted twice. The ray of light is travelling in a direction from left to right.
 2 1  2  1
Hence, the distance measured in this direction are taken positive. Applying   , twice with
v u R
proper signs.

P M
1 2 1 2
A B
O
+ve
3/2 4/3 3/2 4/3
we have,   or AI1  30 cm
AI1 20 10
Now, the first image I1 , acts as an object for the second sourface, where

BI1  u  (30  20)  50 cm

4/3 3/2 4/3 3/2

  
BI2 50 10

 BI2  100 cm i.e., the final image I2 is virtual and is formed at a distance 100 cm (towards
left) from B. The ray diagram is as shown.

M N

P
2 1 O A C B
20 cm

30 cm

100 cm

Following points should be noted while drawing the ray diagram.

(1) At P the ray travels from rare to a denser medium. Hence, it will bend towards normal PC. At M, it travels
from a denser to a rarer medium, hence, moves away from the normal MC.
(ii) PM ray where extended backwards meets at 1 and MN ray when extended meets at 2.

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RAY OPTICS [ 61 ]
Example 4.

A converging lens of focal length 5.0 cm is placed in contact with a diverging lens of focal lenth 10.0 cm. Find
the combind focal length of the system.

Solution.

Here, f 1 = + 5.0 cm and f 2 = – 10.0 cm

Therefore, the combined focal length F is given by

1 1 1
 
F f1 f2

1 1

5.0 10.0

1

10.0

 F  10.0 cm

i.e., the combination behaves as a converging lens of focal length 10.0 cm.

Example 5.

An object is seen through a simple microscope of focal length 20 cm. Find the angular magnification produced,
if the image is formed at 30 cm from the lens.

Solution.

Given, f  20 cm

and v  30 cm

1 1 1 1 1 1
Using the formula,   we have,  
v u f 30 u0 20

 u0  12 cm

The angular magnification,

D 25
M   2.08
u0 12

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Example 6.

The separation between the objective and the eye piece of a compound microscope can be adjusted between
9.8 cm to 11.8 cm. If the focal length of the objective and the eye piece are 1.0 cm and 6 cm respectively, find
the range of the magnifying power if the image is always needed at 24 cm from the eye.

Solution.

For eye piece, it is given that

f e = 6 cm, v e = –24 cm

1 1 1
 24  u  6
e

 ue  4.8 cm

When L = 9.8 cm, then v 0 = (9.8 – 4.8) cm = 7.0 cm

1 1 1
 5.0  u  1.0
0

 u0  1.25 cm

v0 D
or M
u0 ue

 5.0  25.0 
    20.83
 1.25  4.8 

Where L = 11.8 cm, then v 0 = (118 – 4.8) cm = 7.0 cm

1 1 1
 7.0  u  1.0
0

or u0  1.17 cm

 7.0  25.0 
 M   1.17  4.8 
  
 31.16
Therefore range of magnifying power is from 20.83 to 31.16

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RAY OPTICS [ 63 ]
Example 7.
An astronomical telescope is to be designed to have a magnitying power of 50 in normal adjustment. If the
length of the tube is 102 cm, find the power of the objective and the eye piece.
Solution.

Given, m  50

f0
  50 ...(i)
fe

Further, L   102 cm

 f0  fe  102 cm ...(ii)
Solving Eqs. (i) and (ii), we have ...(iii)

f0  100 cm and fe  2 cm

1
 P0   1D
1.0

1
and Pe   50D
0.02
Example 8.
A galiean telescope is 27 cm long when focused to form an image at infinity. If the objective has a focal length
of 30 cm, what is the focal length of the eye piece ?
Solution.

Given, f0  30 cm
Length of telescope is given 27 cm.

Therefore , ue  3 cm
For the final image at infinity, the intermediate image should lie at first focus of eye piece of the Galiilean
telescope.

 fe  3 cm

Objective Eye piece

27 cm
30 cm

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Example 9.
The distance between two point sources of light is 24 cm. Find out where would you place a converging lens
of focal length 9 cm, so that the images of both the sources are formed at the same point.
f = 9 cm

Solution.
1 1 1 x 24 – x
For S1 ,  
v1  x 9
1 1 1
   ...(i)
v1 9 X
1 1 1
For S2 ,  
v 2 (24  x) 9
1 1 1
   ...(ii)
v 2 9 24  x
Since sign convention for S1 and S2 is just opposite.
1 1 1 1 1 1
Hence, v1   v 2 or v   v    
1 2 9 x x  24 9
Solving this equation we get, x = 6 cm. therefore the lens should be kept at a distance of 6 cm from either of
the object.
Example 10.
Two thin converging lenses are placed on a cmmmon axis, so that the centre of one of them coincides with
the focus of the other. An object is placed at a distance twice the focal length from the left hand lens. Where
will its image be ? What is the lateral magnification ? The focal of each lens is f.
Solution.
f f
I1
o
2f f f

The image formed by first lens will be at a distance 2f with lateral magnification m1  1. For the second
1 1 1 1 1 1
lens this image will behave as a virtual object. Using the lens formula,   we have,  
v u f v f f
f v 2 (f / 2) 1
 v   m2  u  f  2
2 2
f
Therefore, final image is formed at a distance from the second lens with total lateral magnification,
2
 1 1
m  m1  m2  ( 1)     
 2 2
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RAY OPTICS [ 65 ]
Example 11.
One face of a prism with a refractive angle of 300 is coated with silver. A ray incident on another face at an
angle of 450 is refracted and reflected from the silver coated face and retraces its path. What is the refractive
index of the prism ?
Solution. 900
45 0

Given A  30 0 ,i1  450 and r2  0

Since, r1  r2  A

 r1  A  30 0
Now refractive index of the prism,
1
0
sini1 sin 45
  0
 2  2
sinr1 sin30 1
2
Example 12.
Two equi-convex lenses of focal lengths 30 cm and 70 cm, made of material of refractive index = 1.5, are held
in contact coaxially by a rubber band round their edges. A liquid of refractive index 1.3 is introduced in the
space between the lenses filling it completely. Find the pisition of the image of a luminous point object placed
on the axis of the combination lens at a distance of 90 cm from it .
Solution.
R1  R2  f1  30 cm ( As   1.5 )

Similarly, R3  R4  f2  70 cm
The focal length of the liquid lens( in air). 1 2 3 4

1  1 1   1 1  1
 (  1)     (1.3  1)    
f3  R2 R3   30 70  70
Further, equivalent focal length of the combination,
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
      
F f1 f2 f3 30 70 70 30
1 1 1 1 1 1
Using the lens formula   , we have  
v u F v 90 30
 v  45 cm
Thus, image will be formed at a distance of 45 cm from the combination.

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[ 66 ] RAY OPTICS
EXERCISE-1
(BOARD PATTERN NCERT BASED)
1. To print a photograph from a negative, the time of exposure to light from a lamp placed 0.50 m away
is 2.5 s. How much exposure time is required if the lamp is placed 1.0 m away.

2. A small candle 2.5 cm in size is placed 27 cm in front of a concave mirror of radius of curvature 36
cm. At what distance from the mirror should a screen be placed in order to receive a sharp image?
Describe the nature and size of the image. If the candle is moved closer to the mirror, how would the
screen have to be moved ?

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

4. A square wire of side 3.0 cm is placed 25cm away from a concave mirror of focal length 10 cm. What
is the area enclosed by the image of the wire? (The centre of the wire is on the axis of the mirror, with
its two sides normal to the axis.)

5. A tank is filled with water to a height of 12.5 cm. The apparent depth of a needle lying at the bottom
of the tank is measured by a microscope to be 9.4 cm. What is the refractive index of water? If water
is replaced by a liquid of refractive index 1.63 upto the same height, by what distance would the
microscope have to be moved to focus on the needle again ?

6. A small bulb is placed at the bottom of tank containing water to a depth of 80 cm. What is the area
of the surface of water through which light from the bulb can emerge out? Refractive index of water is
1.33 ( Consider the bulb to be a point source.)

7. A prism is made of glass of unknown refractive index. A parallel beam of light is incident on a face of
the prism. By rotating the prism, the angle of minimum deviation is measured to be 40º. What is the
refractive index of the material of the prism ? If the prism is placed in water (refractive index 1.33 )
predict the new angle of mininmum deviation of a parallel beam of light. The refracting angle of the
prism is 60º.

8. A needle placed 45 cm from a lens forms an image on a screen placed 90 cm on the other side of the
lens. Identify the type of the lens and determine its focal length.What is the size of the image if height
of needle is 5.0 cm?

9. Double-convex lenses are to be manufactured from a glass of refractive index 1.55, with both faces of
the same radius of curvature. What is the radius of curvature requried if the focal length is to be 20 cm?

10. A beam of light converges to a point P.A lens is placed in the path of the convergent beams 12 cm
from P. At what point does the beam converge if the lens is (a) a convex lens of focal length 20 cm, (b)
a concave lens of focal length 16 cm ?

11. An object of size 3.0 cm is placed 14 cm in front of a concave lens of focal length 21 cm. Descride the
image produced by the lens. What happens if the object is moved farther from the lens?

12. What is the focal length of a convex lens of focal length 30 cm in contact with a concave lens of focal
length 20 cm? Is the system a converging or a diverging lens? Ignore thickness of the lenses.

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RAY OPTICS [ 67 ]
13. A thin convex lens of focal length 5 cm is used as a simple microscope by a person with normal near
point ( 25 cm). What is the magnifying power of the microscope ?

14. A compound microscope consists of an objective lens of focal length 2.0 cm and an eye-piece of
focal length 6.25 cm separated by a distance of 15 cm. How far from the objective should an object
be placed in order to obtain the final image at (a) least distance of distinct vision ( 25 cm), (b) infinity?
What is the magnifying power of the microscope in each case ?

15. A person with a normal near point (25 cm) using a compound microscope with objective of focal
length 8.0 mm and an eye-piece of focal length 2.5 cm can bring and placed 9.0 mm from the object
in sharp focus. What is the separation between the two lenses? How much is the magnifying power
of the microscope ?

16. A small telescope has an objective lens of focal length 144 cm and an eye-piece of focal legth 6.0
cm. What is the magnifying power of the telescope? What is the separation between the objective
and the eye-piece ?

17. A telescope has an objective of diameter 60 cm. The focal lengths of the objective and eye-piece are
2.0 m and 1.0 cm respectively. The telescope is directed to view two distant, almost point sources of
light ( e,g., two stars of a binary). The sources are at roughly the same distance ( = 10 4 light years)
along the line of sight but are separated transverse to the line of sight by a distance of 1010 m. Will the
telescope resolve the two objects i.e., will it see two distinct stars ?

18. (a) An object is placed between two plane mirror inclined at 60º to each other. How many images do
you expect to see?

(b) An object is placed between two plane parallel mirror. Why do the distant images get fainter and
fainter ?

(c) Why are mirror used in search-lights parabolic and not concave spherical?

(d) If you are driving a car. What type of mirror would you prefer to use for observing traffic at your
back?

19. (a) A concave mirror and a convex lens are held in water. What change, if any, do you expect to find
in the focal length of either?

(b) On a hot summer day in a desert, one seen the reflected image of distant parts of the sky. ( This
is sometimes mistaken by the observer to be the reflection of the sky in some distant lake of
water. This illusion is called a mirage .) Explain.

(c) What is the twinkling effect of starlight due to?

(d) Watching the sunset on a beach, one can see the Sun for several minutes after it has ‘actually
set’,

20. (a) People usually prefer light-coloured dresses during summer and dark dresses during winter.
Why?

(b) How would a blue object appear under sodium lamp light?

(c) What does a welder protect against when he wears a mask?

(d) Exaplain why the sky is blue, and the Sun appears red at sunset.

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21. (a) What is the adjustment needed in a camera to frame pictures of objects at different distances?

(b) What does the ( adjustable ) f-number of a camera signify? What does one mean by saying that
the aperture is f/ 11. Why are apertures labelled as f/2, f/2.8 f/4 f/5.6 f/8, f/11 etc?

(c) What is the function of the camera shutter ?

22. A boy 1.50 m tall with his eye-level at 1.38 m stands before a mirror fixed on a wall. Indicate by
means of a ray diagran how the mirror should be positioned so that he can view himself fully. What
should be the minimum length of the mirror? Does the answer depend on the eye-level ?

23. Light incident on a rotating mirror M is reflected to a fixed mirror N placed 22.5 km away from M. The
fixed mirror reflects it back to M (along the same path) which in turn reflects the light again along a
direction that makes an angle of 27º with the incident direction. What is the speed of rotation of the
mirror if the speed of light is 3.0 x 108 m s–1 ?

24. Use the mirror equation to deduce that:

(a) an object is placed between f and 2f of a concave mirror produces a real image beyond 2f.

(b) a convex mirror always produces a virtual image independent of the locationof the object.

(c) the virtual image produced by a convex mirror is a always diminished in size and is located
between the focus and the pole.

(d) an object placed between the pole and focus of a concave mirror produces a virtual and enlarged
image.

25. A samll pin fixed on a table top is viewed from above from a distance of 50 cm . By what distance
would the pin appear to be raised if it is viewed from the same point through a 15 cm thick glass slab
held parallel to the table? Refractive index of glass = 1.5. Does the answer depend on the location of
the slab ?

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RAY OPTICS [ 69 ]
EXERCISE-2
(NEET PATTERN)
1. A man runs towards a plane mirror at 2ms–1. The relative speed of his image with respect to him will be

(1) 2 ms1 (2) 4 ms1 (3) 8 ms1 (4) 10 ms1

2. A man 180 cm high stands in front of a plane mirror. His eyes are at a height of 170 cm from the floor. Then
the minimum length of the plane mirror for him to see his full length image is
(1) 90 cm (2) 180 cm (3) 45 cm (4) 360 cm
3. The dispersive powers of glasses of lenses used in an achromatic pair are in the ratio 5 : 3. If the
focal length of the concave lens is 15 cm, then the nature and focal length of the other lens would
be
(1) convex, 9 cm (2) concave, 9 cm (3) convex, 25 cm (4) concave, 25 cm,
4. What will be the distance of the object when a concave mirror produces a real image of magnification m ? The
focal length of the mirror is f.
(1) (m–1) f/m (2) (m+1) f/m (3) (m–1) f (4) (m+1) f
5. A man has a concave shaving mirror of focal length 0.2m. How far should the mirror be held from his face in
order to give an image of two fold magnification ?
(1) 0.1 m (2) 0.2 m (3) 0.3 m (4) 0.4 m
6. An object is placed at a distance of 25 cm from the pole of a convex mirror and a plane mirror is set so that
the virtual images formed by two mirrors do not have any parallax. The plane mirror is 20 cm from the object.
The focal length of the mirror is
(1) 37.5 cm (2) –7.5 cm (3) –37.5 cm (4) 75 cm
7. A convex mirror and a concave mirror of radius 10 cm each are placed 15 cm apart facing each other. An
object is placed midway between them. If the reflection first takes place in the concave mirror and then in
convex mirror, the position of the final image is
(1) On the pole of the convex mirror (2) On the pole of the concave mirror
(3) At a distance of 10 cm from convex mirror (4) At a distance of 5 cm from concave mirror
8. When the ray of light is incident from denser medium (µ = 2) to air. What should be the angle of incidence for
the ray to go out ?
(1) Less than 30° (2) Less than 45° (3) Less than 60° (4) Less than 90°

9. A fish looking from within water sees the outside world through a circular horizon. If the fish is 7 cm below
the surface of water, what will be the radius of the circular horizon ? (µw = 4/3)
3
(1) 3 cm (2) 7 cm (3) 3× 7 cm (4) cm
7
10. A ray of light strikes a plane water air interface from inside the water at an angle of incident i. Which
one of the following statements is correct?
(1) If i is 90°, the angle of refraction will be the critical angle
(2) If i is equal to the critical angle, the reflected and refracted rays will be at right angles to each other.
(3) If i is less than the critical angle, all the light is refracted and the angle of refraction is greater than i
(4) If i is less than the critical angle, some light is refracted and the angle of reflection is less than the critical
angle.

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11. Two transparent media A and B are separated by a plane boundary. The speed of light in medium A is 2.0 ×
1
108 m/sec and in medium B is 2.5 × 108 ms . The critical angle for which ray of light going from A to B is
totally internally reflected is

(1) sin1 1 / 2 (2) sin1 2 / 5 (3) sin1 5 / 2 (4) si n1 4 / 5

12. A point source is located 275cm below the surface of a lake. The area of the surface that transmits all the
light that emerges from the surface is
(1) 0.304m2 (2) 3.04m2 (3) 30.5m2 (4) 304m2
13. A glass slab of thickness 4cm contains the same numbers of waves as 5cm of water when both are traversed
by the same monochromatic wave of light. The refractive index of water is 4/3, what is that for glass ?
(1) 5/3 (2) 5/4 (3) 16/15 (4) 3/2
14. Light is incident from a medium X at angle of incidence i and is refracted into a medium Y at angle of
refraction r. The graph sin (i) versus sin (r) is shown in the figure. Which of the following conclusions would fit
the situation?
sinr

0.1

sin i
0.3
(A) Speed of light in medium Y is 3 times that in medium X

(B) Speed of light in medium Y is 1 / 3 times that in medium X

(C) Total internal reflection will occur above a certain i value
(1) B and C (2) A and C (3) B only (4) C only
15. Angle of prism is A and its one surface is silvered light rays falling at an angle of incidence 2A on first surface
return back through the same path after suffering reflection at second silvered surface. Refractive index of the
material of prism is
1
(1) 2sinA (2) 2cosA (3) cosA (4) tanA
2
16. A right angled prism is to be made by selecting a proper material and the angles A and B (B<A) as shown in
figure. It is desired that a ray of light incident on the face AB emerges parallel to the incident direction after
two internal reflections. What should be the minimum refractive index for this to be possible ?

(1) 0.693 (2) 1.414 (3) 1.732 (4) 0.577

17. The angle of a prism of dispersive power 0.021 and refractive index 1.52 to form an achromatic combination
with a prism of angle 4.2° and dispersive power 0.045 having refractive index 1.65 will be
(1) 6.5° (2) 11.25° (3) 4.21° (4) 3.4°

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18. The given below figure shows the view through eye piece of a prism spectrometer with its slit illuminated by
the source of light emitting three wavelengths corresponding to Yellow (Y), Green (G) and unknown colour
(X). The colour X may be

(1) Red (2) Orange (3) Pink (4) None of the above
19. The distance between a convex lens and plane mirror is 5 cm. Parallel rays of light are incident on the convex
lens. After reflection from the plane mirror, the final image is formed at the optical centre of the lens. The focal
length of the lens is
(1) 10 cm (2) 20 cm (3) 40 cm (4) 5 cm
20. A lens of power +2D is placed in contact with a lens of power –1D. The combination will behave like
(1) Convergent lens of focal length 50cm (2) Convergent lens of focal length 100cm
(3) Divergent lens of focal length 50cm (4) Divergent lens of focal length 100cm
21. The distance between an object and a screen is 100cm. A lens produces an image on the screen when
placed at either of the two positions 40cm apart. The power of the lens is nearly
(1) 3D (2) 5D (3) 7D (4) 9D
22. Two symmetric double convex lenses A and B have the same focal length but the radii of curvature differ so
that RA = 0.9RB. If µA = 1.63, then µB is
(1) 1.1 (2) 1.5 (3) 1.6 (4) 1.7
23. A biconvex lens behaves as diverging lens in water and a converging lens in air. The refractive index of water
is 1.33 and that of air is 1. What can we say about the refractive index ‘n’ of the material of lens ?
(1) n < o (2) o<n<1 (3) 1 < n < 1.33 (4) n > 1.33
24. In which case the image formed by a concave lens is real

(1) o  u  f (2) f u 2 f (3) 2 f  u  (4) None of the above

25. In the displacement method if D be the distance of the object and screen and d is the separation between the
two positions of the lens, then the ratio of magnified image for 1st position of lens to that of the object is :

D D2 Dd D  d 2
(1) (2) (3) (4)
d d2 D–d D – d 2
26. The power in diopters of the contact combination of a convex lens of focal length 10cm and a concave lens of
focal length 25cm is
(1) 4 (2) 0.25 (3) 6 (4) 10
27. An equiconvex lens of glass of focal length 0.1 metre is cut along a plane perpendicular to principal axis into
two equal parts. The ratio of focal lengths of the two new lenses formed is
(1) 1 : 1 (2) 1:2 (3) 2:1 (4) 2 : 1/2

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28. An astronomical telescope has an eye lens of focal length 20mm. In normal adjustment, when the final image
of a distant object is at infinity, the separation of the lenses is 500 mm. The angular magnification of the
telescope under these conditions is
(1) 22 (2) 23 (3) 24 (4) 25
29. The magnifying power of a telescope is 9. When it is adjusted for parallel rays, the distance between the
objective and the eye-piece is found to be 20cm. The focal lengths of the lenses are
(1) 18cm, 2cm (2) 11cm, 9cm (3) 10cm, 10cm (4) 15cm, 5cm
30. A compound microscope has an objective and eye-piece as thin lenses of focal lengths 1cm and 5cm
respectively. The distance between the objective and the eye-piece is 20cm. The distance at which the
object must be placed in front of the objective if the final image is located at 25cm from the eye piece, is
numerically
(1) 95/6 cm (2) 5cm (3) 95/89 cm (4) 25/6 cm
31. The focal length of a simple convex lens used as a magnifier is 10cm. For the image to be formed at a
distance of distinct vision D=25cm, the object must be placed away from the lens nearly at distance of
(1) 5 cm (2) 7 cm (3) 8 cm (4) 16 cm
32. Four lenses of focal lengths  15cm and  150cm are available for making a telescope. To produce the
largest magnification, the focal length of the eye piece should be
(1) –150 cm (2) –15 cm (3) +15 cm (4) +150 cm
33. Four convergent lenses have focal lengths 100 cm, 10cm, 4cm and 0.3cm. A telescope with maximum
possible magnification will choose among these the lenses of focal lengths
(1) 100 cm, 4 cm (2) 100 cm, 0.3 cm (3) 10 cm, 0.3 cm (4) 10 cm, 4 cm
34. A microscope and a telescope each consist of two converging lenses. In which one of the following ways is
the telescope similar to the microscope when both are in normal adjustment ?
(1) Each has a long focal length objective lens
(2) In each, the final image is inverted and virtual
(3) In each, the separation of the lenses is equal to the sum of their focal lengths
(4) Each produces an intermediate image which is magnified and inverted
35. To increase the angular magnification of a simple microscope, one should increase
(1) The focal length of the lens (2) The power of the lens
(3) The aperture of the lens (4) The object size
36. A person can see an object only at distance greater than 40cm. He is advised to use lens of power
(1) –2.5D (2) +2.5D (3) –6.25D (4) +1.5D
37. The camera lenses have focal lengths of 25 cm and 15 cm. The first lens has a free diameter of 5 cm. For
equal exposure time, the diameter of the second lens is
(1) 5 cm (2) 3 cm (3) 8.33 cm (4) 20 cm
38. A hypermetropic patient has near point at 50 cm. The dioptric power for the corrective lens is
(1) 0.5 (2) –0.5 (3) 2.0 (4) –2.0
39. The far point of a myopic eye is 150cm. Calculate the power of the lens required to correct the defect of eye.
(1) –0.67D (2) +0.66D (3) –0.33D (4) +1D
40. A microscope is focussed on an ink mark on the top of a table. If we place a glass slab 3 cm thick on it, how
should the microscope be moved to focus the ink spot again ? The refractive index of glass is 1.5
(1) 2 cm downward (2) 2 cm upwards (3) 1 cm upwards (4) 1 cm downwards

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RAY OPTICS [ 73 ]
EXERCISE-3
(AIIMS PATTERN)
1. Two plane mirrors are inclined to one another at an angle of 60°. A ray is incident on mirror M1 at an angle i.
The reflected ray from mirror M2 is parallel to mirror M1 as shown in figure. The angle of incidence is

60º

(1) 20° (2) 10° (3) 30° (4) 40°

2. Rays of light strike a horizontal plane mirror at an angle of 45°. At what angle should a second plane mirror
be placed in order that the reflected ray finally be reflected horizontally from the second mirror.
(1) 17.5° (2) 21.5° (3) 67.5° (4) 30°
3. A short linear object of length L lies on the axis of a concave mirror of focal length f at a distance u from the
mirror. Its image has an axial length L equal to

1/2 1/ 2 2 2
 f  u  f   f   f 
(1) L  (2) L (3) L (4) L 
u – f   f 
 
u – f 

u  f 
4. A concave mirror of radius of curvature 60 cm is placed at the bottom of a tank containing water upto a height
of 20cm. The mirror faces upwards with its axis vertical. Solar light falls normally on the surface of water and
4
the image of the sun is formed. If a    , then with the observer in air, the distance of the image from the
3
surface of water is
(1) 30 cm (2) 10cm (3) 7.5 cm above (4) 7.5 cm below
5. Glycerine (refractive index 1.4) is poured into a large jar of radius 0.2 m to a depth of 0.1m. There is a small
light source at the centre of the bottom of the jar. Find the area of the surface of glycerine through which the
light passes
(1) 0.0327m2 (2) 0.01m2 (3) 0.021m2 (4) 0.05m2
6. A cube of side a made of material of refractive index µ2 is immersed in a liquid of refractive index µ1. A ray of
light is incident on face AB at angle  as shown. Total internal reflection takes place at a point P on face BC,
then

2 2 2
 2    1  2 
(1) sin     –1 (2) sin    1  – 1 (3) sin   1 (4) sin    1  
 1   2  2  1 

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7. Two parallel light rays are incident at one surface of a prism of refractive index 1.5 as shown in figure. The
angle between emergent rays is nearly

(1) 19° (2) 38° (3) 45° (4) 49°

8. A rectangular glass slab ABCD, of refractive index n1, is immersed in water of refraction index n2 (n1>n2). A
ray of light is incident at the surface AB of the slab as shown in figure. The maximum value of the angle of
incidence  max such that the ray comes out only from the other surface CD is given by

max

1  n1  n    1 
(1) sin  cos  sin 1 2   (2) sin 1 n1 cos  sin 1 
 n 2  n1     n2 

1  n1  n 
(3) sin   (4) sin 1  1 
 n2   n2 
9. A thin prism P1 with angle 4° and made from glass of refractive index 1.54 is combined with another thin prism
P2 made from glass of refractive index 1.72 to produce dispersion without deviation. The angle of the prism P2 is
(1) 5.33° (2) 4° (3) 3° (4) 2.6°
10. A ray incident at a point at an angle of incidence of 60° enters a glass sphere of   3 and is reflected and
refracted at the further surface of the sphere. The angle between the reflected and refracted rays at this
surface is
(1) 50° (2) 90° (3) 60° (4) 40°
11. Light is incident at an angle of 60° on a prism of which the refracting angle is 30°. The angle between the
incident and the emergent rays is also 30°. The refractive index of the material of the prism will be
(1) 2 (2) 2 3 (3) 2 (4) 3
12. A particle executes S.H.M. of amplitude 1cm along the principal axis of a convex lens of focal length 12 cm.
The mean position of oscillation is at 20 cm from the lens. Find the amplitude of oscillation of the image of the
particle.
(1) 2.25 cm (2) 4.5 cm (3) 2 cm (4) 4 cm
13. A double convex lens has a focal length of 25 cm in air. When it is dipped into a liquid of refractive index 4/3,
its focal length increases by 75 cm. The refractive index of the material of the lens is

(1) 4/3 (2) 3/4 (3) 1.5 (4)
2
14. Viewed normally through the flat surface, the greatest thickness of a plano-convex lens appears to be 2 cm
and when viewed through its curved surface, it appears to be 20/9 cm. The actual thickness of the lens is
3 cm. The refractive index of the material of the lens is
27 3 10 20
(1) (2) (3) (4)
20 2 7 9

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RAY OPTICS [ 75 ]
15. A ray of light travelling in glass    3 / 2  is incident on a horizontal glass air surface at the critical angle c .
If a thin layer of water (µ = 4/3) is now poured on the glass air surface, the angle at which the ray emerges
into air at the water-air surface is

(1) 60° (2) 45°

(3) 90° (4) 180°
16. Rays from a lens are converging towards a point. What thickness t of glass   1.5 must be interposed in order
that the image shall be shifted away through 1cm
(1) 0.75 cm (2) 3 cm (3) 1 cm (4) 2 cm
17. In the figure here a convergent lens placed inside a cell filled with a liquid.
The lens has focal length +20 cm when in air and its material has refractive 1.5  1.6
index 1.50. If the liquid has refractive index 1.60, the focal length of the
system is
(1) 80 cm
(2) –80 cm
(3) –24 cm
(4) –160 cm
18. A liquid of refractive index 1.6 is contained in the cavity of a glass specimen of refractive index 1.5 as shown
in the figure. If each of the curved surfaces has a radius of curvature of 0.20 m, the arrangement behaves as

Glass

liquid

(1) Converging lens of focal length 0.25 m (2) Diverging lens of focal length 0.25 m
(3) Diverging lens of focal length 0.15 m (4) Converging lens of focal length 0.72 m
19. A thin equiconvex lens has focal length 10 cm, refractive index 1.5. One of its faces is now silvered, and for
an object placed at a distance u in front of it, the image coincides with the object. The value of u is
(1) 10 cm (2) 5 cm (3) 20 cm (4) 15 cm

20. A lens is placed between a source of light and a wall. It forms images of area A1 and A2 on the wall, for its two
different positions. The area of the source of light is

A1  A2 A1 – A2 1 1
(1) A1 A2 (2) (3) (4) 
2 2 A1 A2

21. An astronaut is looking down on earth’s surface from a space shuttle at an altitude of 400 km. Assuming that
the Astronaut’s pupil diameter is 5 mm and the wavelength of visible light is 500 nm, the astronaut will be able
to review linear objects of the size of about (Rayleigh’s criterian gives the limit of Resolution of Astronaut’s eye)

(1) 0.5 m (2) 5m (3) 50 m (4) 500 m

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22. A man uses spectacles having concave lens of focal length 50 cm. He can see objects lying at 25 cm clearly
by using the spectacles. How far a book must be kept from the eye lens if he does not use his spectacles ?

(1) 33.3 cm (2) 50 cm (3) 25 cm (4) 50/3 cm

23. A man requires a lens of power 2 D to read a book held at a distance of 25 cm from the eye. Four years later,
the man wearing same glass can read book clearly if it is at a distance of 0.4 m from the eye. The power of
the lens, man should use now, so that he can again read clearly a book held at 25cm is

(1) +4.5 D (2) –4.5 D5 (3) –3.5 D (4) +3.5 D

24. A person is not able to see objects farther than 80 cm clearly, while another person is not able to see objects
beyond 120 cm, clearly. The powers of the lenses used by them for correct vision are in the ratio

(1) 2 : 3 (2) 3:2 (3) 1:2 (4) 2 : 1

25. A certain far-sighted person cannot see objects closer to the eye than 100 cm. The power of the lens which
will enable him to read at a distance of 25 cm will be

(1) 3 dioptre (2) 1 dioptre (3) 4 dioptre (4) 2 dioptre

26. A telescope has an objective of focal length 50 cm and eye piece of focal length 5 cm. The distance of distinct
vision is 25 cm. The telescope is focussed for distinct vision on a scale 200 cm away from the objective, then
magnification produced is

(1) 4 (2) 2 (3) 1 (4) 5

27. A telescope has an objective of focal length 30 cm and an eyepiece of focal length 3.0 cm. It is focussed on
a scale distant 2.0 metres. For seeing with relaxed eye, what is the separation between the objective and the
eye piece

(1) 28 cm (2) 41 cm (3) 45 cm (4) 38.3 cm

28. A simple two lens telescope has an objective of focal length 50 cm and an eye piece of focal length 2.5 cm.
The telescope is pointed at an object at a very large distance which subtends an angle of 1 milliradian on the
naked eye. The eye-piece is adjusted so that the final virtual image is formed at infinity. The size of the real
image formed by the objective is

(1) 5 mm (2) 1 mm (3) 0.5 mm (4) 0.1 mm

29. In a compound microscope the objective and eye-piece have focal lengths of 0.095 cm and 5 cm respectively,
and are kept at a distance of 20 cm. The last image is formed at a distance of 25 cm from eye piece.
Calculate the position of the object.

95 81 90 95
(1) cm (2) cm (3) cm (4) cm
994 82 91 98

30. A combination is made of two lenses with focal lengths f1 and f2 and dispersive powers 1 and 2 respectively..
The combination will be achromatic, if

(1) 1  2 2 , and f1  2f2 (2) 21  2 , and f1  2f2

(3) 1  2 2 , and f1  2f2 (4) 21  2 , and 2f1  f2

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RAY OPTICS [ 77 ]
EXERCISE-4
(ASSERTION & REASON TYPE QUESTIONS)
These questions consist of two statements, each printed as Assertion and Reason. While answering these
question you are required to choose any one of the following five responses.

(1) If both Assertion and Reason are true and the Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.

(2) If both Assertion and Reason are true but the Reason is not the correct explanation of Assertion.

(3) If Assertion is true but Reason is false.

(4) If both the Assertion and Reason are false.

1. Assertion : If a spherical mirror is dipped in water its focal length will decrease.
Reason : If a lens ( = 1.5) is immersed in water its focal length becomes 4 times.
2. Assertion : The image of a virtual object is called virtual image.
Reason : If the final rays are converging, image will be real.
3. Assertion : The secondary rainbow is formed by light rays reflected twice inside rain drops. The light rays
flip over in second reflection.
Reason : Reflection causes a phase shift of -radian.
4. Assertion : Due to refraction, the light ray bends by a small but fixed angle.
Reason : = sin i/sin r

Re al depth
5. Assertion :   Apparant depth is valid only if incidence is normal or near normal.

Reason : In a dispersive medium, light wave travels with group velocity instead of wave velocity.
6. Assertion : A prism produces minimum deviation  in a light beam. If 3 such prisms are combined the
minimum deviation will be > .
Reason : Minimum deviation  = (– 1) A, for a prism of small refracting angle A.

v r 
7. Assertion : Dispersive power     1 for a hollow prism is negative if it is immersed in water..
y

Reason : Monochromatic light be used to produce pure spectrum

8. Assertion : When a ray passes through a prism it definitely deviates.
Reason : Deviation is minimum if i = e
9. Assertion : LIght is scattered by air molecules. The scattered light is partially polarized.

1
Reason : Scattering 
4
10. Assertion : The sun or moon appear to flatten just before it sets.
Reason : The scattering of light eases it.

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[ 78 ] RAY OPTICS
11. Assertion : The minimum distance between real object and real image formed by convex lens of focal
length f be 4f.
Reason : Optical path length is always less than geometric path length.
12. Assertion : To produce pure spectrum, incident light is passed through a narrow slit placed in the focal
plane of achromatic lens combination.
Reason : Narrow slit allows a more parallel beam when it passes through the slit
13. Assertion : Focal length of a lens depends upon the colour of light used.
Reason : Focal length of a mirror depends upon the colour of the light used.
14. Assertion : The angular magnification of a system is less than 1. It means the image formed is inverted.
Reason : Virtual images have magnification > 1.
15. Assertion : If a symmetric biconvex lens is cut in two equal parts by a plane perpendicular to the principal
axis, then the power of each divided lens becomes half.

1 1 1
Reason :  (  1)   
f  R1 R2 

16. Assertion : The ray of different colours fail to converge at a point after passing through a converging lens.
Reason : The ray of different colours fail to converge at a point after passing through a converging lens.
This defect is called chromatic aberration.
17. Assertion : By mistake an eye surgeon puts a concave lens in the eye after a cataract operation. The
patient will be able to see only distant objects.

Reason : Eyes use a convex lens.

18. Assertion : The focal length of objective of a compound microscope is f0 and eye piece is at a distance L
from the objective. The object is placed at a distance y from the objective then L > 2f0

Reason : In compound microscope f0  y  2f0 c

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RAY OPTICS [ 79 ]
EXERCISE-5
(PREVIOUS YEAR AIIMS & OTHER MEDICAL ENTRANCE QUESTIONS)
1. Sun subtends an angle of 0.5° at the centre of curvature of a concave mirror of radius of curvature 15 m. The
diameter of the image of the sun formed by the mirror is : [AIPMT 2007]
(1) 8.55 cm (2) 7.55 cm (3) 6.55 cm (4) 5.55 cm
2. The field of view is maximum for : [AIPMT 2007]
(1) Plane mirror (2) Concave mirror (3) Convex mirror (4) Cylindrical mirror
3. A vehicle has a driving mirror of focal length 30 cm. Another vehicle of dimensions 2 × 4 × 1.75m3 is 9m away
from the mirror of first vehicle. Position of the second vehicle as seen in the mirror of first vehicle is nearly :
(1) 30 cm (2) 60 cm (3) 90 cm (4) 9 m [AIPMT 2007]
4. A lens of refractive index n is put in a liquid of refractive index n . If focal length of lens in air is f, its focal
length in liquid will be : [AIPMT 2008]

fn(n  1) f(n  n) n(n - 1) fn n

(1) (2) (3) (4)
(n  n ) n(n  1) f(n  - n) n  n
5. The focal length of a plano-convex lens is equal to its radius of curvature. The value of the refractive index of
its material is [AIPMT 2008]
(1) 1.33 (2) 1.6 (3) 1.5 (4) 2
6. A combination of two thin lenses with focal lengths f1 and f2 respectively forms an image of distant object at
distance 60 cm when lenses are in contact. The position of this image shifts by 30 cm towards the combination
when two lenses are separated by 10 cm. The corresponding values of f1 and f2 are : [AIPMT 2008]
(1) 30 cm, –60 cm (2) 20 cm, –30 cm
(3) 15 cm, –20 cm (4) 12 cm, –15 cm
7. A fish rising vertically up towards the surface of water with speed 3 ms–1 observes a bird diving vertically down
towards it with speed 9 ms–1. The actual velocity of bird is : [Given : µ = 4/3] [AIPMT 2009]
–1
(1) 4.5 ms
(2) 5.4 ms–1
(3) 3.0 ms–1

(4) 3.4 ms–1

8. An object is placed to the left of a glass hemisphere with radius 1 m and index of refraction 1.5. Where is the
image of this object formed? The distance of the object from the plane surface of the hemisphere is 2 m.
(1) 4 m (2) 6 m (3) 8 m (4) 12 m
9. Ray optics is valid, when characteristic dimensions are : [AIPMT 2009]
(1) Much smaller than the wavelengths of light (2) Much larger than the wavelength of light
(3) Of the same order as the wavelength of light (4) Of the order of one millimetre
10. In an experiment to find focal length of a concave mirror, a graph is drawn between the magnitude of u and v.
The graph looks like: [AIPMT 2009]

v v v v
(1) (2) (3) (4)
u u u u
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11. An equiconvex lens is cut into two halves along (i) XOX  and (ii) YOY  as shown in figure. Let f, f  and f 
be the focal lengths of complete lens, of each half in case (i) and of each half in case (ii) respectively. Choose
the correct statement from the following : Y [AIPMT 2009]
(1) f  = f, f  = 2f
(2) f  = 2f, f  = f X X
(3) f  = f, f  = f
(4) f  = 2f, f  = 2f Y
12. A ray of light passes through four transparent media with refractive indices µ1, µ2, µ3 and µ4 as shown in
figure. The surfaces of all media are parallel. If the emergent ray CD is parallel to the incident ray AB, we must
have [AIPMT 2009]
D
µ1 µ2 µ3 µ4
(1) µ1 = µ2
(2) µ2 = µ3 C
(3) µ3 = µ4 B
(4) µ4 = µ1 A
13. A disc is placed on a surface of pond which has refractive index 5/3. A source of light is placed 4m below the
surface of the liquid. The minimum radius of disc needed so that light is not coming out is [AIPMT 2010]

(1)  (2) 3m (3) 6m (4) 4 m

14. The refractive index of a prism for a monochromatic wave is 2 and its refracting angle is 60°. For minimum
deviation, the angle of incidence will be [AIPMT 2010]
(1) 30° (2) 45° (3) 60° (4) 75°
15. Two thin lenses of focal lengths f1 and f 2 are in contact and coaxial. The power of the combination is
[AIPMT 2010]
f1  f 2 f1 f2 f1  f 2
(1) (2) (3) (4)
f1f 2 f2 f1 2
16. A convex lens and a concave lens, each having same focal length of 25 cm, are put in contact to form a
combination of lenses. The power in diopters of the combination is [AIPMT 2010]
(1) Zero (2) 25 (3) 50 (4) Infinite
17. A lens is made of flint glass (refractive index = 1.5). When the lens is immersed in a liquid of refractive index
1.25, the focal length: [AIPMT 2010]
(1) increases by a factor of 1.25 (2) increases by a factor of 2.5
(3) increases by a factor of 1.2 (4) decreases by a factor of 1.2
18. Which of the following is not due to total internal reflection ? [AIPMT 2011]
(1) Working of optical fibre
(2) Difference between apparent and real depth of a pond
(3) Mirage on hot summer days
(4) Brilliance of diamond
19. A biconvex lens made of glass of refractive index 1 = 2, has a radius of curvature of magnitude 20 cm. Which
one of the following options describe best the image formed of an object of height 2 cm placed 30 cm from the
lens ? [AIPMT 2011]
(1) Virtual, upright, height = 1 cm (2) Virtual, upright, height = 0.5 cm
(3) Real, inverted, height = 4 cm (4) Real, inverted, height = 1 cm.

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RAY OPTICS [ 81 ]
20. A thin prism of angle 15º made of glass of refractive index 1 = 1.5 is combined with another prism of glass
of refractive index 2 = 1.75. The combination of the prisms produces dispersion without deviation. The angle
of the second prism should be [AIPMT 2011]
(1) 5º (2) 7º (3) 10º (4) 12º
21. A converging beam of rays is incident on a diverging lens. Having passed through the lens the rays intersect
at a point 15 cm from the lens on the opposite side. If the lens is removed the point where the rays meet will
move 5cm closer to the lens. The focal length of the lens is [AIPMT 2011]
(1) 5 cm (2) –10 cm (3) 20 cm (4) –30 cm
22. When a biconvex lens of glass having refractive index 1.47 is dipped in a liquid, it acts as a plane sheet of
glass. This implies that the liquid must have refractive index. [AIPMT 2012]
(1) equal to that of glass (2) less than one
(3) greater than that of glass (4) less than that of glass
23. A concave mirror of focal length f1 is placed at a distance of d from a convex lens of focal length f2. A beam of
light coming from infinity and falling on this convex lens - concave mirror combination retruns to infinity. The
distance d must equal [AIPMT 2012]
(1) f 1 + f 2 (2) –f 1 + f 2 (3) 2f 1 + f 2 (4) –2f 1 + f 2
24. For the angle of minimum deviation of a prism to be equal to its refracting angle, the prism must be made of
a material whose refraction index [AIPMT 2012]

(1) lies between 2 and 1 (2) lies between 2 and 2

(3) is less than 1 (4) is greater than 2
(Hint: For A very small and equal to  For large value of A , if A = 2cos (A/2) = so for maximum cos
A/2 , ,
25. A rod of length 10 cm lies along the principal axis of a concave mirror of focal length 10 cm in such a way that
its end closer to the pole is 20 cm away from the mirror. The length of the image is [AIPMT 2012]
(1) 10 cm (2) 15 cm (3) 2.5 cm (4) 5 cm
26. A plano convex lens fits exactly into a plano concave lens. Their plane surfaces are parallel to each other. If
lenses are made of different materials of refractive indices 1 and 2 and R is the radius of curvature of the
curved surface of the lenses, then the focal length of the combination is [AIPMT 2013]

R 2R R R
(1) (2) (3) (4)
(1  2 ) (1  2 ) 2(1  2 ) 2(1  2 )

27. For a normal eye, the cornea of eye provides a converging power of 40 D and the least converging power of
the eye lens behind the cornea is 20 D. Using this information, the distance between the retina and the
cornea-eye lens can be estimated to be [AIPMT 2013]
(1) 1.67 cm (2) 1.5 cm (3) 5 cm (4) 2.5 cm
28. If the focal length of objective lens is increased then magnifying power of : [AIPMT 2014]
(1) microscope will increase but that of telescope decrease
(2) microscope and telescope both will increase
(3) microscope and telescope both will decrease
(4) microscope will decrease but that of telescope will increase
29. A double convex lens, lens made of a material of refractive index 1 , is placed inside two liquid of refractive

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[ 82 ] RAY OPTICS
indices 2 and 3 as shown,  2  1  3 . A wide, parallel beam of light is incident on the lens from the left.
t.
The lens will give rise to [AIIMS 2015]

1

(1) a single convergent beam (2) two different convergent beams

(3) two different divergent beams (4) a convergent and a divergent beam
30. The graph shows variation of v with change in u for a mirror. Points plotted above the point P on the curve are
for values of v. [AIIMS 2015]

(1) smaller than f (2) smaller than 2f (3) larger than 2f (4) larger than f
31. A astronomical telescopes has objectiv e and eyepiece of f ocal lengths 40 cm and
4 cm respectively. To view an object 200 cm away from the objective, the lenses must be separated
by a distance : [NEET 2016]
(1) 54.0 cm (2) 37.3 cm (3) 46.0 cm (4) 50.0 cm
32. The angle of incidence for a ray of light at a refracting surface of a prism is 45°. The angle of prism
is 60°. If the ray suffers minimum deviation through the prism, the angle of minimum deviation and
refractive index of the material of the prism respectively, are [NEET 2016]

1 1
(1) 30 ; (2) 45 ; (3) 30 ; 2 (4) 45 ; 2
2 2
33. A person can see clearly objects only when they lie between 50 cm and 400 cm from his eyes. In order
to increase the maximum distance of distinct vision to infinity, the type and power of the correcting lens,
the person has to use, will be [NEET 2016]
(1) convex, +0.15 diopter (2) convex, +2.25 diopter
(3) concave, –0.25 diopter (4) concave, –0.2 diopter

34.  
Two identical glass  g  3 / 2 equiconvex lenses of focal length f each are kept in contact. The space

between the two lenses is filled with water   w  4 / 3  . The focal length of the combination is
[NEET 2016]
(1) 3f/4 (2) f/3 (3) f (4) 4f/3
35. An air bubble in a glass slab with refractive index 1.5 (near normal incidence) is 5 cm deep when viewed
from one surface and 3 cm deep when viewed from the opposite face. The thickness (in cm) of the slab
is [NEET 2016]
(1) 8 cm (2) 10 cm (3) 14 cm (4) 12 cm
36. Light wave enters from medium 1 to medium 2. Its velocity in 2nd medium is double from 1st . For total
internal reflection the angle of incidence must be greater than [AIIMS 2016]
(1) 30º (2) 60º (3) 45º (4) 90º

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RAY OPTICS [ 83 ]
37. A trasnparent cube of 15 cm edge contains a small air bubble. Its apparent depth when viewed through one
face is 6 cm and when viewed through opposite face is 4 cm. the refractive index of material of cube is
[AIIMS 2016]
(1) 2.0 (2) 1.5 (3) 1.6 (4) 2.5
38. Focal length of objective and eye piece of telescope are 200 cm and 4 cm respectively. What is the length
of telescope for normal adjustment ? [AIIMS 2016]
(1) 196 cm (2) 204 cm (3) 250 cm (4) 225 cm
39. For a situation shown in figure, find the refrective index of glass so that it will suffer total internal reflection
at the vertical surface. [AIIMS 2016]

60°
(1) 1.732 (2) 1.5 (3) 1.31 (4) 1.6
40. A thin prism having refracting angle 10° is made of glass of refractive index 1.42. This prism is combine with
another thin prism of glass of refractive index 1.7. This combination produces dispersion without deviation.
The refracting angle of second prism should be : [NEET 2017]
(1) 8° (2) 10° (3) 4° (4) 6°
41. A beam of light from a source L is incident normally on a plane mirror fixed at a certain distance x from the
source. The beam is reflected back as a spot on a scale placed just above the source I. When the mirror
is rotated through a small angle  , the spot of the light is found to move through a distance y on the scale.
The angle  is given by: [NEET 2017]

x x y y
(1) (2) (3) (4)
2y y 2x x

42. The ratio of resolving powers of an optical microscope for two wavelength 1  4000 Å and  2  6000 Å
is [NEET 2017]
(1) 3 : 2 (2) 16 : 81 (3) 8 : 27 (4) 9 : 4
43. A light ray falls on a rectangular glass slab as shown. The index of refraction of the glass, if total internal
reflection is to occur at the vertical face, is [AIIMS 2017]

(1) 3/2 (2)

 3 1 
2

(3)
 2 1  (4) 5/2
2

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[ 84 ] RAY OPTICS
ANSWER KEYS
DAILY PRACTICE PROBLEMS-1
1. (2) 2. (3) 3. (1) 4. (1) 5. (2) 6. (2) 7. (2) 8. (4) 9. (2)
10. (2) 11. (3) 12. (2) 13. (2) 14. (1) 15. (4)

DAILY PRACTICE PROBLEM-2

1. (2) 2. (4) 3. (2) 4. (1) 5. (2) 6. (2) 7. (2) 8. (1) 9. (4)
10. (2) 11. (1) 12. (1) 13. (1) 14. (1)
DAILY PRACTICE PROBLEM-3
1. (3) 2. (3) 3. (2) 4. (3) 5. (2) 6. (2) 7. (2) 8. (3) 9. (1)
10. (1) 11. (4) 12. (2) 13. (2) 14. (2) 15. (2)

DAILY PRACTICE PROBLEM-4

1. (1) 2. (4) 3. (4) 4. (3) 5. (1) 6. (1) 7. (3) 8. (3) 9. (2)
10. (1) 11. (3) 12. (4) 13. (2) 14. (3)

DAILY PRACTICE PROBLEM-5

1. (3) 2. (2) 3. (4) 4. (2) 5. (4) 6. (2) 7. (4) 8. (4) 9. (2)
10. (1) 11. (1) 12. (2) 13. (1) 14. (4) 15. (3)

DAILY PRACTICE PROBLEM-6

1. (1) 2. (1) 3. (2) 4. (2) 5. (1) 6. (1) 7. (1) 8. (2) 9. (1)

10. (1) 11. (1) 12. (2)

EXERCISE-1
(BOARD PATTERN NCERT BASED)
1. Because of inverse-square dependence on distance, light energy falling per second reduces by a
factor of 4. Therefore to receive the same amount of light, exposure time should be increased to (2.5
s)×4 = 10 s.
2. The screen should be placed 54 cm from the mirror. The image is real, inverted and magnified. The
size of the image is 5.0 cm. If the candle is moved closer, the screen would have to be moved farther
and farther. Closer than 18 cm from the mirror, the image gets virtual and cannot be collected on the
screen.
3. Virtual image located 6.7 cm behind the mirror. Magnification = 5/9, i.e., the size of the image is
reduced to (5/9) × 4.5 cm = 2.5 cm. As the needle is moved farther from the mirror, the image moves
towards the focus (but never beyond) and gets progressively diminishes in size.

4. Image located at 16 (2/3) cm. Magnification has a magnitude of 2/3. The image of the wire is a square
of side (2/3) × 3 cm = 2.0 cm, i.e., area = 4.0 cm 2.

 dactual 
5. 1.33 ; (9.4 – 7.7) cm = 1.7 cm.  dapp  
  

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RAY OPTICS [ 85 ]
6. If r is the radius (in m) of the largest circle from which light comes out and i c is the critical angle for
water-air interface, r = 0.8 × tan i c and sin i C =1/1.33  0.75.
  (0.8)2  (0.75)2
Area = m 2 = 2.6 m 2
1  (0.75 )2

sin [ ( A  Dm ) / 2]sin 50

7. n= sin [ A / 2]
=
sin 30
 sin50º  0.766 
= 2 × 0.766 = 1.532 ~ = 1.53

1.53 sin [(60   Dm ) / 2]  sin  60  Dm   0.5751  sin 35º

Now, = sin 30   2 
1.33  
which gives Dm = 10°.

8. Image formed on a screen is real. The lens must be a converging lens. from the lens equation, f = 30
cm. Size of the image = 10 cm.

9. Use the lens maker’s formula to obtain R = 22 cm.

10. Here the object is virtual and the image is real. u = + 12 cm. (object on right ; virtual).
(a) f = + 20 cm
1 1 1 1 1 2
    =
v f u 20 12 15
i.e. v = 7.5 cm. (image on right; real, 7.5 cm from the lens.)
(b) f = – 16 cm
1 1 1 1
  
v 16 12 48
i.e. v = 48 cm (image on right; real). 48 cm from the lens.
11. Image is erect, virtual and located 8.4 cm from the lens on the same side as the object. It is diminished
to a size = (8.4/14) × 3 cm = 1.8 cm. As the object is moved away from the lens, the virtual image
moves towards the focus of the lens (but never beyond), and progressively diminishes in size.
Note that when the object is placed at the focus of the concave lens (21 cm), the image is located at
10.5 cm (not at infinity as one might wrongly think). A virtual object at the focus of a concave lens
produces an image at infinity.
12. A diverging lens of focal length 60 cm.

 D
13. 6  m  1
 f 

14. (a) v e = – 2.5 cm and f e = 6.25 cm give ue = – 5 cm ; v 0 = (15 – 5) cm = 10 cm.

10  25 
using lens formula for objective f 0 = u0 = – 2.5 cm; Magnifying power =  1  20
2.5  6.25 
(b) ue = – 6.25 cm, v 0 = (15 – 6.25) cm = 8.75, f 0 = 2.0 cm. Therefore,
u0 = – (70/27) = – 2.59 cm.
v0 27
Magnifying power = | u | × (25/6.25) = × 4 = 13.5
0 8
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[ 86 ] RAY OPTICS
25
15. Angular magnification of the eye-piece for image at 25 cm = + 1 = 11;
2 .5
use lens formula for eye piece
15
| ue | = cm = 2.27 cm
11
1 1
Now, v  0.9 = (1/0.8)
0
i.e., v 0 = 7.2 cm
Separation = (72. + 2.27) cm = 9.47 cm
Magnifying power
7.2
= 11 × = 88
0. 9

16. 24 ; 150 cm

17. Data of focal length not needed. The resolving power of the telescope is determined by
1.22  1.22  6  107
= 
D 0.60
= 1.22 × 10–6 rad
where the value of  chosen corresponds roughly to the wavelength of yellow light. Now the transverse
separation between the two sources subtends an angle equal to
1010 m
 10–10 rad.
9.46  1019 m
where we have used 1 light year = 9.46 × 1015 m. This angle is too much small compared to  above.
The two stars of the binary can not be resolved by the given telescope.

18. (a) 5
(b) Distant images arise due to multiple reflections. At each reflection, part of the incident intensity of
light is lost due to absorption etc.
(c) For search light, a parallel beam of light is required. A divergent beam inverse square dependence.
Now, in case of a concave spherical mirror only paraxial rays (i.e., those close to the axis)
produces a parallel beam only close to the axis. Rays reflected from points not close to the axis
give rise to a divergent beam. This is not so in case of a parabolic mirror. A source placed at the
focus of a parabolic mirror produces a parallel beam of wide cross section. Hence, it is used as a
search-light mirror.
(d) A convex mirror gives a much wider field of view of the traffic at your back, than a plane mirror of
the same size. However, it gives an enormous idea of the movement of the vehicles. Because of
the first advantage, it is still preferred to a plane mirror.

19. (a) Focal length of a mirror is about half its radius of curvature and has nothing to do with the external
medium. The focal length of the convex lens will increase because the refractive index of glass
with respect to water is less than refractive index of glass with respect to air.
(b) The air layers closer to the ground are hotter than higher layers. Oblique rays coming from distant
sky therefore travel from denser to rarer parts of the atmosphere and get more and more oblique.
When the angle of incidence exceeds critical angle (for dense air-rarer air interface), rays get
totally reflected and may enter the observer’s eye. The observer, therefore, sees a reflected image
of the distant part of the sky.
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RAY OPTICS [ 87 ]
(c) The apparent position of a star is slightly different from the actual position due to refraction of
starlight by the atmosphere. further, this apparent position is not stationary,since the conditions
of the refracting medium are not stationary. Starlight travels through fluctuating masses medium
are not stationary. Starlight travels through fluctuating masses of air in motion with changing
conditions of temperature, temperature gradients etc. The fluctuating apparent position of the star
gives rise to the twinkling effect.
(d) Since the stmosphere bends starlight towards the normal, the apparent position of a star is
slightly above’ its actual position.Thus, even when the Sun has actually set (i.e., gone below the
horizontal) its apparent position remains above the horizontal for some time.
20. (a) A white body reflects all the light incident on it. A black body, in contrast, absorbs all of the light
energy incident on it which then gets converted into heat. That is why dark dresses are used to
keep warm in winter.
(b) If an object looks blue in white light, it means that it absorbs all the colours except those in the
blue region. Light from a sodium lamp is yellow which therefore is nearly totally absorbed by the
object. The object will appear black.
(c) The mask has a filter that absorbs the ultraviolet radiation (which is dangerous for the eyes)
produced by the welding arc.
(d) Scattering of light by the atmosphere is colour-dependent. Blue light is scattered much more
strongly than red light. The blue component of sunlight is therefore proportionately more in light
coming from different parts of the atmosphere. This gives the impression of the blue sky. In the
evening, when the Sun is near the horizon, sunlight has to travel through much greater distances
than at noon. Thus, a larger proportion of the blue component of sunlight gets scattered away.
Light reaching the observer therefore has larger proportion of the remaining colour. The Sun,therefore,
appears orange or red.
21. (a) The camera lens is moved towards or away from the film. For instance, if a very distant object is
being focussed, the distance between the lens and the film is about the focal length of the lens.
At closer object distance, the camera lens must be moved away from the film to provide the
required greater image distance. In partice, because of the small focal length of the lens in an
ordinary camera (about 5 cm) and the large object distances involved, only a minor movement of
the camera lens serves the purpose.
(b) f-number of a camera lens describes the ratio of focal length to the diameter of the aperture of the
lens. Thus, f/11 means the diameter of the aperture is focal length divided by 11.
Now, the capacity to collect light depends on the square of the aperture size. Thus, the given
sequence of apertures (for a fixed focal length) have a light gathering capacity proportional to
1 1 1 1 1 1
, , , , ,
2 (2.8) 4 (5.6 ) 8 112
2 2 2 2 2

which is roughtly in the ratio

1 1 1 1 1
1: : : : :
2 4 8 16 32
The corresponding exposure times required to receive the same total amount of light are in the
ratio : 2 : 4 : 8 : 16 : 32.
(c) The shutter controls the exposure time, usually to convenient steps such as (1/60)s, (1/20) s etc.
For a proper photograph, the total amount o light received by the film should be within certain
limits. The aperture size and exposure time together determine the total amount of light received.

22. For the head to be seen by the eye, the top edge of the mirror should not be lower than 1.44 m from
the ground. For the foot to be seen, the bottom edge of the mirror should not be higher than 0.69 m
from ground. Thus, the minimum length of the mirror for a full view is (1.44 – 0.69) m = 0.75 m. This
minimum length is the same for any level, but the positions of the top and bottom edges of the mirror
will depend on the eye-level.

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[ 88 ] RAY OPTICS

23 Time required by light for the round trip M to N to M

4.5  10 4
= = 1.5 × 10–4 s
3  10 8
During this time the mirror rotates by (1/2) × 27° = 13.5°
Speed of rotation of the mirror
13.5 1
= × rev/s
360 10  4  1.5
= 250 rev s–1.

1 1 1 1 1 1
24. (a)   or  
v u f v f u
f < 0 (concave mirror) :
u < 0 (object on left)
For 2f < u < f implies
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
  or        
2f u f 2f u f 2f 4 f 2f 4 f
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
or    0 or  0     0   0
f 2f f u 2f v f 2f f 4 2f 
which means v < 0 (image on left, real), the image lies beyond 2f. The image is real because v is
negative.
1 1 1
(b)   . Now for a convex mirror f > 0. Also we have u < 0 (object on left). Therefore, (1/v)
v f u
or v > 0 (image on right; virtual) i.e., the image is virtual whatever be the value of u.
1 1 1
(c)   . Since, f > 0 (convex mirror) and u < 0, (1/v) > (1/f) i.e., v < f (image located
v f u
between the pole and the focus). and from the above, v < |u| (image diminished).
1 1 1 1 1
(d)   ; f < 0 (concave mirror), f < u < 0 implies   0 , i.e., (1/v) > 0 or v > 0 (image
v f u f u
on right; virtual).
1 1
also v  | u | i.e., v > |u| (image enlarged).

25. The pin appears raised by 15 [1 – (1/1.5)] cm = 5.0 cm. You can see from an explicit ray diagram that
the answer is independent of the location of the slab (for small angles of incidence).

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RAY OPTICS [ 89 ]
EXERCISE-2
(NEET PATTERN)
1. (2) 2. (1) 3. (1) 4. (2) 5. (1) 6. (1) 7. (1) 8. (1) 9. (1)
10. (4) 11. (4) 12. (3) 13. (1) 14. (3) 15. (2) 16. (2) 17. (2) 18. (4)
19. (1) 20. (2) 21. (2) 22. (4) 23. (3) 24. (4) 25. (3) 26. (3) 27. (1)
28. (3) 29. (1) 30. (3) 31. (2) 32. (3) 33. (2) 34. (2) 35. (2) 36. (4)
37. (2) 38. (3) 39. (1) 40. (3)

EXERCISE-3
(AIIMS PATTERN)
1. (3) 2. (3) 3. (3) 4. (3) 5. (1) 6. (1) 7. (2) 8. (1) 9. (3)
10. (2) 11. (4) 12. (1) 13. (3) 14. (2) 15. (3) 16. (2) 17. (4) 18. (2)
19. (2) 20. (1) 21. (3) 22. (4) 23. (4) 24. (2) 25. (3) 26. (2) 27. (4)
28. (1) 29. (1) 30. (3)

EXERCISE-4
(ASSERTION & REASON TYPE QUESTIONS)
1. (4) 2. (4) 3. (2) 4. (1) 5. (2) 6. (4) 7. (3) 8. (2) 9. (2)

10. (3) 11. (3) 12. (1) 13. (3) 14. (1) 15. (1) 16. (1) 17. (4) 18. (1)

EXERCISE-5
(PREVIOUS YEAR AIIMS & OTHER MEDICAL ENTRANCE QUESTIONS)
1. (3) 2. (3) 3. (1) 4. (1) 5. (4) 6. (2) 7. (1) 8. (3) 9. (2)
10. (3) 11. (1) 12. (4) 13. (2) 14. (2) 15. (1) 16. (1) 17. (2) 18. (2)
19. (4) 20. (3) 21. (4) 22. (1) 23. (3) 24. (2) 25. (4) 26. (1) 27. (1)
28. (4) 29. (4) 30. (3) 31. (1) 32. (3) 33. (3) 34. (1) 35. (4) 36. (1)
37. (2) 38. (2) 39. (3) 40. (4) 41. (3) 42. (1) 43. (1)

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