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BITSAT SERIES
Physics

Ray Optics And Optical Instruments

23 previous year questions.

Volume: 23 Ques
Yield: High

High-Yield Trend

2
2026
4
2025
2
2021
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2020
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2019
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2017
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2015
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2013
1
2012
2
2011
1
2010

Chapter Questions
23 MCQs

01
PYQ 2010
medium
physics ID: bitsat-2
The diameter of the objective of a telescope is a, its magnifying power is m and wavelength of light is λ. The resolving power of the telescope is
1
(1.22λ)/a
2
(1.22a)/λ
3
λ m/(1.22a)
4
a/(1.22λ)
02
PYQ 2011
medium
physics ID: bitsat-2
A thin convergent glass lens (= 1.5) has a power of +5.0 D. When this lens is immersed in a liquid of refractive index μ, it acts as a divergent lens of focal length 100 cm. The value of μ must be:
1
(4)/(3)
2
(5)/(3)
3
(5)/(4)
4
(6)/(5)
03
PYQ 2011
medium
physics ID: bitsat-2
A vessel of depth d is half-filled with a liquid of refractive index ₁ and the upper half with a liquid of refractive index ₂. The apparent depth of the vessel seen perpendicularly is:
1
d(₁₂)/(₁+₂)
2
d((1)/(₁)+(1)/(₂))
3
2d((1)/(₁)+(1)/(₂))
4
2d((1)/(₁₂))
04
PYQ 2012
medium
physics ID: bitsat-2

A ray of light is incident at the glass-water interface at an angle , it emerges finally parallel to the surface of water, then the value of would be: 

1

2

3

4
1
05
PYQ 2013
medium
physics ID: bitsat-2
When light is refracted, which of the following does not change?
1
Wavelength
2
Frequency
3
Velocity
4
Amplitude
06
PYQ 2015
medium
physics ID: bitsat-2
A plano-convex lens fits exactly into a plano-concave lens. Their plane surfaces are parallel to each other. If the lenses are made of different materials of refractive indices and and is the radius of curvature of the curved surfaces of the lenses, then the focal length of the combination is:
1

2

3

4
07
PYQ 2016
medium
physics ID: bitsat-2
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 refractive index:
1
lies between √(2) and 1
2
lies between 2 and √(2)
3
is less than 1
4
is greater than 2
08
PYQ 2016
medium
physics ID: bitsat-2
A biconvex lens has a radius of curvature of magnitude 20cm. Which of the following options best describe the image formed of an object of height 2cm placed 30cm from the lens?
1
Virtual, upright, height = 1cm
2
Virtual, upright, height = 0.5cm
3
Real, inverted, height = 4cm
4
Real, inverted, height = 1cm
09
PYQ 2017
medium
physics ID: bitsat-2

Two plano-concave lenses (1 and 2) of glass of refractive index 1.5 have radii of curvature 25 cm and 20 cm. They are placed in contact with their curved surfaces towards each other and the space between them is filled with liquid of refractive index 4/3. The combination is 

1
convex lens of focal length 70 cm
2
concave lens of focal length 70 cm
3
concave lens of focal length 66.6 cm
4
convex lens of focal length 66.6 cm
10
PYQ 2017
medium
physics ID: bitsat-2

On a hypotenuse of a right angled prism of liquid is placed as shown in the figure. Light is allowed to fall normally on the short face of the prism. In order that the ray of light may be totally reflected, the maximum value of refractive index is 

1
1.30
2
1.47
3
1.20
4
1.25
11
PYQ 2017
medium
physics ID: bitsat-2
On a hypotenuse of a right prism of refractive index , a drop of liquid is placed as shown in figure. Light is allowed to fall normally on the short face of the prism. In order that the ray of light may get totally reflected, the maximum value of refractive index is :
1
1.3
2
1.47
3
1.2
4
1.25
12
PYQ 2018
medium
physics ID: bitsat-2

A point object O is placed in front of a glass rod having spherical end of radius of curvature 30cm. The refractive index of glass is μ = 1.5. The image would be formed at: 

1
30 cm left
2
infinity
3
1 cm to the right
4
18 cm to the left
13
PYQ 2019
medium
physics ID: bitsat-2
A planoconvex lens fits exactly into a planoconcave lens. Their planar surfaces are parallel to each other. If the lenses are made of different materials of refractive indices mu₁ and mu₂ and R is the radius of curvature of the curved surface, then focal length of the combination is
1

2

3

4
(R)/(2-(mu₁+mu₂))
14
PYQ 2020
medium
physics ID: bitsat-2
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 refractive index:
1
lies between √(2) and 1
2
lies between 2 and √(2)
3
is less than 1
4
is greater than 2
15
PYQ 2020
medium
physics ID: bitsat-2
A bi-convex lens has a radius of curvature of magnitude 20cm. Which one of the following options best describes the image formed of an object of height 2cm placed 30cm from the lens?
1
Virtual, upright, height = 1cm
2
Virtual, upright, height = 0.5cm
3
Real, inverted, height = 4cm
4
Real, inverted, height = 1cm
16
PYQ 2021
medium
physics ID: bitsat-2
A telescope has an objective lens of 10cm diameter and is situated at a distance of one kilometer from two objects. The minimum distance between these two objects, which can be resolved by the telescope, when the mean wavelength of light is 5000AA, is of the order of
1
6mm
2
6cm
3
6μm
4
6m
17
PYQ 2021
medium
physics ID: bitsat-2

On a hypotenuse of a right prism (30^∘-60^∘-90^∘) of refractive index 1.50, a drop of liquid is placed as shown in figure. Light is allowed to fall normally on the short face of the prism. In order that the ray of light may get totally reflected, the maximum value of refractive index of the liquid is 

1
1.30
2
1.47
3
1.20
4
1.25
18
PYQ 2025
hard
physics ID: bitsat-2
A convex lens has focal length 20 cm. An object is placed at a distance of 40 cm from the lens. What is the position of the image formed?
1
40 cm on the opposite side
2
20 cm on the same side
3
20 cm on the opposite side
4
40 cm on the same side
19
PYQ 2025
medium
physics ID: bitsat-2
Find the focal length of a lens in a compound lens system.
1
2
3
4
20
PYQ 2025
medium
physics ID: bitsat-2
A concave mirror produces an image that is real, inverted, and diminished. What is the position of the object in relation to the mirror?
1
At the focal point
2
Between the focus and the mirror
3
Beyond twice the focal length
4
Between the focus and twice the focal length
21
PYQ 2025
easy
physics ID: bitsat-2
A radio wave travels in a medium with refractive index 1.5. What is the speed of light in this medium if the speed of light in vacuum is ?
1

2

3

4

22
PYQ 2026
medium
physics ID: bitsat-2
A given ray of light suffers minimum deviation in an equilateral prism P. Additional prisms Q and R of identical shape and of same material as that of P are now combined as shown in the figure. The ray will now suffer

1
greater deviation
2
no deviation
3
same deviation as before
4
total internal reflection
23
PYQ 2026
medium
physics ID: bitsat-2
The critical angle of a medium for a specific wavelength, if the medium has relative permittivity 3 and relative permeability for this wavelength, will be:
1
15°
2
30°
3
45°
4
60°

About Ray Optics And Optical Instruments - BITSAT

Ray Optics And Optical Instruments is a vital chapter for BITSAT aspirants. Mastering the concepts covered in this chapter is essential for securing a top rank.

By rigorously practicing the previous year questions associated with this chapter, you can identify high-yield topics, understand the examiner's perspective, and boost your confidence during the actual exam.

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