CBSE

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CBSE QUESTION PAPER-2023-24 (55/3/1)
SUBJECT : PHYSICS
Time : 3 Hrs. Max. Marks : 70

General Instructions :
Read the following instructions very carefully and follow them :
(i) This question paper contains 33 questions. All questions are compulsory.
(ii) Question paper is divided into FIVE sections – Section A, B, C, D and E.
(iii) SECTION A – Question number 1 to 16 are Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) type
questions. Each question carries 1 mark.
(iv) SECTION B – Question number 17 to 21 are Very Short Answer type questions. Each question
carries 2 mark.
(v) SECTION C – Question number 22 to 28 are Short Answer type questions. Each question
carries 3 mark.
(vi) SECTION D – Question number 29 and 30 are Case-Based questions. Each question carries
4 mark.
(vii) SECTION E – Question number 31 to 33 are Long Answer Type questions. Each question
carries 5 mark.
(viii) There is no overall choice given in the question paper. However, an internal choice has been
provided in few questions in all the Sections except Section-A.
(ix) Kindly not that there is a separate question paper for Visually Impaired candidates.
(x) Use of calculators NOT allowed.
You may use the following values of physical constants wherever necessary :
c = 3 × 108 m/s
h = 6.63 × 10–34 Js
e = 1.6 × 10–19 C
0 = 4 × 10–7 T m A–1
0 = 8.854 × 10–12 C2 N–1m–2
1
= 9 × 109 N m2 C–2
40
Mass of electron (me) = 9.1 × 10–31 kg
Mass of neutron = 1.675 × 10–27 kg
Mass of proton = 1.673 × 10–27 kg
Avogadro's number = 6.023 × 1023 per gram mole
Boltzmann constant = 1.38 × 10–23 JK–1

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SECTION-A
1. Consider a group of charges q1, q2, q3 …. such that q  0. Then equipotentials at a large
distance, due to this group are approximately :-
(A) Plane (B) Spherical surface
(C) Paraboloidal surface (D) Ellipsoidal surface.
2. A proton is taken from point P1 to point P2, both located in an electric field. The potentials at
points P1 and P2 are –5V and +5V respectively. Assuming that kinetic energies of the proton at
points P1 and P2 are zero, the work done on the proton is :–
(A) –1.6 × 10–18 J (B) 1.6 × 10–18 J (C) Zero (D) 0.8 × 10–18 J
3. A 2.0 cm segment of wire, carrying 5.0 A current in positive y–direction lies along y–axis, as
shown in the figure. The magnetic field at a point (3m, 4m, 0) due to this segment (part of circuit)
is :–
y

5.0A Q
x
O
P
z
(A) (0.12 nT) ˆj (B) – (0.10 nT) ˆj (C) – (0.24 nT)kˆ (D) (0.24 nT)kˆ
4. A circular loop of wire, carrying a current 'I' is lying in xy–plane with its centre coinciding with
the origin. It is subjected to a uniform magnetic field pointing along + z–axis. The loop will :–
(A) move along x–axis (B) move along –y axis
(C) move along z–axis (D) remain stationary
5. A current carrying circular loop of magnetic moment M is suspended in a vertical plane in an
external magnetic field B such that its plane is normal to B . The work done in rotating this loop
by 45° about an axis perpendicular to B is closed to :–
(A) –0.3 MB (B) 0.3 MB (C) –1.7 MB (D) 1.7 MB
6. The current in a coil of 15 mH increases uniformly from zero to 4A in 0.004 s. The emf induced
in the coil will be :-
(A) 22.5 V (B) 17.5 V (C) 15.0 V (D) 12.5 V
7. Consider a solenoid of length l and area of cross–section A with fixed number of turns. The
self–inductance of the solenoid will increase if :-
(A) both l and A are increased (B) l is decreased and A is increased
(C) l is increased and A is decreased (D) both l and A are decreased

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8. Which one of the following has the highest frequency ?
(A) Infrared rays (B) Gamma rays
(C) Radio waves (D) Microwaves
9. A proton and an alpha particle having equal velocities approach a target nucleus. They come
momentarily to rest and then reverse their directions. The ratio of the distance of closest approach
of the proton to that of the alpha particle will be :-
1 1
(A) (B) 2 (C) (D) 4
2 4
10. Which one of the following is the correct graph between the maximum kinetic energy (Km) of the
emitted photoelectrons and the frequency of incident radiation () for a given photosensitive
surface ?
Km Km Km Km

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

   
11. An electron makes a transition from n = 2 level to n = 1 level in the Bohr model of a hydrogen
atom. Its period of revolution :-
(A) increases by 87.5% (B) decreases by 87.5%
(C) increases by 43.75% (D) decreases by 43.75%
12. Si is doped with a pentavalent element. The energy required to set the additional electron free is
about :-
(A) 0.01 eV (B) 0.05 eV (C) 0.72 eV (D) 1.1 eV

Note : For questions number 13 to 16, two statements are given - one labelled Assertion (A) and the
other labelled Reason (R). Select the correct answer to these questions from the codes (A), (B),
(C) and (D) as given below :
(A) If both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of
Assertion (A).
(B) If both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is not the correct explanation
of Assertion (A).
(C) If Assertion (A) is true and Reason (R) is false.
(D) If both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are false.
13. Assertion (A) : In a semiconductor, the electrons in the conduction band have lesser energy than
those in the valence band.
Reason (R) : Donor energy level is just above the valence band in a semiconductor.

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14. Assertion (A) : Photoelectric effect demonstrates the particle nature of light.
Reason (R) : Photoelectric current is proportional to frequency of incident radiation.
15. Assertion (A) : A proton and an electron enter a uniform magnetic field B with the same
momentum p such that p is perpendicular to B . They describe circular paths of the same radius.

p
Reason (R) : In a magnetic field, orbital radius r is equal to
qB
16. Assertion (A) : A convex lens, when immersed in a liquid, disappears.
Reason (R) : The refractive indices of material of the lens and the liquid are equal.

SECTION-B
17. (a) What is meant by 'relaxation time' of free electrons in a conductor ?
Show that the resistance of a conductor can be expressed by , where symbols have their
usual meanings.
OR
(b) Draw the circuit diagram of a Wheatstone bridge. Obtain the condition when no current
flows through the galvanometer in it.
18. The magnifying power of an astronomical telescope is 24. In normal adjustment, distance
between its two lenses is 150 cm. Find the focal length of the objective lens.
19. Explain the following :
(a) For a simple microscope, the angular size of the object equals the angular size of the image.
Yet it offers magnification.
(b) Both plane and convex mirrors produce virtual images of objects. Can they produce real
images under some circumstances ?
20. The minimum intensity of white light that our eyes can perceive is about 0.1 nWm–2. Calculate
the number of photons of this light entering our pupil (area 0.4 cm2) per second.
(Take average wavelength of white light = 500 nm and Planck's constant = 6.6 × 10–34 Js)
21. Suppose a pure Si crystal has 5 × 1028 atoms m–3. It is doped by 1 ppm concentration of boron.
Calculate the concentration of holes and electrons, given that ni = 1.5 × 1016 m–3. Is the doped
crystal n–type or p–type ?

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SECTION-C
22. Determine the current in branches AB, AC and BC of the network shown in figure.
B

2
10V 
A C F
 5V
2

D
23. Two long straight parallel conductors carrying currents, exert a force on each other. Why ?
Derive an expression for the force per unit length between two long straight parallel conductors
carrying currents in opposite directions. Explain the nature of the force between these
conductors.
24. A sinusoidal voltage is applied to an electric circuit containing a circuit element 'X' in which the

current leads the voltage by .
2
(a) Identify the circuit element 'X' in the circuit.
(b) Write the formula for its reactance.
(c) Show graphically the variation of this reactance with frequency of ac voltage.
(d) Explain the behavior of this element when it is used in (i) an ac circuit, and (ii) a dc circuit.
25. The electric field in an electromagnetic wave in vacuum is given by :
E = (6.3 N/C) [cos (1.5 rad/m) y + (4.5 × 108 rad/s) t] î
(a) Find the wavelength and frequency of the wave.
(b) What is the amplitude of the magnetic field of the wave ?
(c) Write an expression for the magnetic field of this wave.
26. State Bohr's first and second postulates. Use them to derive an expression for the radius of the
nth orbit in a hydrogen atom.
27. (a) Define atomic mass unit (u).
(b) Calculate the energy required to separate a deuteron into its constituent parts (a proton and
a neutron). Given :
m(D) = 2.014102 u
mH = 1.007825 u
mn = 1.008665 u

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28. (a) Draw the circuit diagrams for obtaining the V–I characteristics of a p–n junction diode.
Explain briefly the salient features of the V–I characteristics in (i) forward biasing, and
(ii) reverse biasing.
OR
(b) On the basis of energy band diagrams, distinguish between
(i) an insulator, (ii) a semiconductor, and (iii) a conductor.

SECTION-D
29. The figure shows for pairs of parallel identical conducting plates, separated by the same distance
2.0 cm and arranged perpendicular to x–axis. The electric potential of each plate is mentioned.
The electric field between a pair of plates is uniform and normal to the plates.
y
^i
x
–70V –50V –50V +150V –20V +200V –100V –400V z

I II III IV

(i) For which pair of the plates is the electric field E along î ?
(A) I (B) II (C) III (D) IV
(ii) An electron is released midway between the plates of pair IV. It will :-
(A) move along î at constant speed (B) move along – î at constant speed
(C) accelerate along î (D) accelerate along – î
(iii) Let V0 be the potential at the left plate of any set, taken to be at x = 0 m. Then potential V
at any point (0  x  2 cm) between the plates of that set can be expressed as :-
(A) V = V0 + x (B) V = V0 + x2
(C) V = V0 + x1/2 (D) V = V0 + x3/2
where a is a constant, positive or negative.
(iv) (a) Let E1, E2, E3 and E4 be the magnitudes of the electric field between the pairs of plates,
I, II, III and IV respectively. Then :
(A) E1 > E2 > E3 > E4 (B) E3 > E4 > E1 > E2
(C) E4 > E3 > E2 > E1 (D) E2 > E3 > E4 > E1
OR
(b) An electron is projected from the right plate of set I directly towards its left plate. It
just comes to rest at the plate. The speed with which it was projected is about :
(Take e/m) = 1.76 × 1011 c/kg
(A) 1.3 × 105 m/s (B) 2.6 × 106 m/s
(C) 6.5 × 105 m/s (D) 5.2 × 107 m/s
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30. Diffraction and interference are closely related phenomena that occur together. Diffraction is the
phenomenon of bonding of light around the edges of the obstacle, while interference is the
combination of waves that results in a new wave pattern. In order to get interference, there must
be at least two waves that are diffracting. So while diffraction can occur without interference,
interference cannot occur without diffraction.
Two slits of width 2 m each in an opaque material are separated by a distance of 6 m.
Monochromatic light of wavelength 450 nm is incident normally on the slits. One finds a
combined interference and diffractions pattern on the screen.
(i) The number of peaks of the interference fringes formed within the central peak of the
envelope of the diffraction pattern will be :
(A) 2 (B) 3 (C) 4 (D) 6
(ii) The number of peaks of the interference formed if the slit width is doubled while keeping
the distance between the slits same will be :–
(A) 1 (B) 2 (C) 3 (D) 4
(iii) (a) If instead of 450 nm light, another light of wavelength 680 nm is used, number of
peaks of the interference formed in the central peak of the envelope of the
differaction patter will be :-
(A) 2 (B) 4 (C) 6 (D) 9
OR
(b) Consider the diffraction of light by a single slit described in this case study. The first
minimum falls at an angle  equal to :-
(A) sin–1 (0.12) (B) sin–1 (0.225)
(C) sin–1(0.32) (D) sin–1(0.45)
4
(iv) The number of bright fringes formed due to interference on 1m of screen placed at m
3
away from the slits is :
(A) 2 (B) 3 (C) 6 (D) 10

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SECTION-E
31. (a) (i) Obtain the expression for the capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor with a dielectric
medium between its plates.
(ii) A charge of 6 C is given to a hollow metallic sphere of radius 0.2 m. Find the
potential at (i) the surface and (ii) the centre of the sphere.
OR
(b) (i) A charge +Q is placed on a thin conducting spherical shell of radius R. Use Gauss's
theorem to derive an expression for the electric field at a point lying (i) inside and (ii)
outside the shell.
(ii) Show that the electric field for same charge density () is twice in case of a
conducting plate or surface than in a nonconducting sheet.
32. (a) (i) (1) What is meant by current sensitivity of a galvanometer ? Mention the factors on
which it depends.
(2) A galvanometer of resistance G is converted into a voltmeter of range (0 – V)
by using a resistance R. Find the resistance, in terms of R and G, required to
 V
convert it into a voltmeter of range  0   .
 2
(ii) The magnetic flux through a coil of resistance 5 increases with time as :
 = (2.0 t3 + 5.0 t2 + 6.0 t) mWb
Find the magnitude of induced current through the coil at t = 2s.
OR
(b) (i) A rectangular coil of N turns and area of cross–section A is rotated at a steady
angular speed  in a uniform magnetic field. Obtain an expression for the emf
induced in the coil at any instant of time.
(ii) Two coplanar and concentric circular loops L1 and L2 are placed coaxially with their
centres coinciding. The radii of L1 and L2 are 1 cm and 100 cm respectively.
Calculate the mutual inductance of the loops (Take 2 = 10)
33. (a) (i) Trace the path of a ray of light showing refraction through a triangular prism and
hence obtain an expression for angle of deviation () in terms of A, i and e, where
symbols have their usual meanings. Draw a graph showing the variation of angle of
deviation with the angle of incidence.

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(ii) In the figure, a ray of light is incident on a transparent liquid contained in a thin glass
box at an angle of 45° with its one face. The emergent ray passes along the face AB.
Find the refractive index of the liquid.

45°
A D

B C

OR
(b) (i) The displacement of two light waves, each of amplitude 'a' and frequency ,
emanating from two coherent sources of light, are given by y1 = a cos t and y2 = a
cos (t + )  is the phase difference between the two waves. These light waves
superpose at a point. Obtain the expression for the resultant intensity at that point.
(ii) In Young's double slit experiment, find the ratio of intensities at two points on a
screen when waves emanating from two slits reaching these points have path
 
difference (i) (ii) .
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