CBSE-CLASS-XII SERIES
Physics

Ray Optics And Optical Instruments

53 previous year questions.

Volume: 53 Ques
Yield: High

High-Yield Trend

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2026
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2025
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2024

Chapter Questions
53 MCQs

01
PYQ 2024
hard
physics ID: cbse-cla
The above two parts are kept in contact with each other as shown in the figure. The power of the combination will be: The above two parts are kept in contact
02
PYQ 2024
medium
physics ID: cbse-cla
A ray of light of wavelength 600 nm is incident in water ( ) on the water-air interface at an angle less than the critical angle. The wavelength associated with the refracted ray is:
03
PYQ 2024
easy
physics ID: cbse-cla
A convex lens ( ) has a focal length of 15.0 cm in air. Find its focal length when it is immersed in a liquid of refractive index 1.65. What will be the nature of the lens?
04
PYQ 2024
easy
physics ID: cbse-cla
A plano-convex lens of focal length is made of a material of refractive index . Calculate the radius of the curved surface of the lens.}
05
PYQ 2024
easy
physics ID: cbse-cla
Three beams of red, yellow, and violet colours are passed through a prism, one by one under the same condition. When the prism is in the position of minimum deviation, the angles of refraction from the second surface are , , and respectively. Then,
1

2

3

4

06
PYQ 2024
medium
physics ID: cbse-cla
Two capacitors of capacitances and , are first connected in series and then in parallel across the same battery. The ratio of energies stored in series combination to that in parallel is:
1

2

3

4

07
PYQ 2024
hard
physics ID: cbse-cla
A telescope has an objective lens of focal length 150 cm and an eyepiece of focal length 5 cm. Calculate its magnifying power in normal adjustment and the distance of the image formed by the objective.
08
PYQ 2024
medium
physics ID: cbse-cla
An object is placed between the pole and the focus of a concave mirror. Using mirror formula, prove mathematically that it produces a virtual and enlarged image.
09
PYQ 2024
medium
physics ID: cbse-cla
Discuss briefly diffraction of light from a single slit and draw the shape of the diffraction pattern.
10
PYQ 2024
medium
physics ID: cbse-cla
The critical angle for a ray of light passing from glass to water is minimum for
1
red colour
2
blue colour
3
yellow colour
4
violet colour
11
PYQ 2024
medium
physics ID: cbse-cla
When a ray of light of wavelength and frequency is refracted into a denser medium,
1
and both increase.
2
increases but is unchanged.
3
decreases but is unchanged.
4
and both decrease.
12
PYQ 2024
medium
physics ID: cbse-cla
The critical angle for glass is and that for water is . The critical angle for the glass-water surface would be (given , ):
1
less than
2
between and
3
greater than
4
less than
13
PYQ 2024
medium
physics ID: cbse-cla
A ray of light is incident normally on a refracting face of a prism of prism angle A and suffers a deviation of angle δ. Prove that the refractive index n of the material of the prism is given by:n = sin(A+δ)/sin A
14
PYQ 2024
hard
physics ID: cbse-cla
The refractive index of the material of a prism is √2. If the refracting angle of the prism is 60◦, find:
(1) Angle of minimum deviation:
(2) Angle of incidence:
15
PYQ 2024
medium
physics ID: cbse-cla
The focal lengths of the objective and the eyepiece of a compound microscope are 1 cm and 2 cm respectively. If the tube length of the microscope is 10 cm, the magnification obtained by the microscope for most suitable viewing by relaxed eye is:
1
250
2
200
3
150
4
125 \bigskip
16
PYQ 2024
medium
physics ID: cbse-cla
A telescope consists of two lenses of focal length 100 cm and 5 cm. Find the magnifying power when the final image is formed at infinity.
17
PYQ 2024
medium
physics ID: cbse-cla
Draw a labelled ray diagram of a compound microscope showing image formation at least distance of distinct vision. Derive an expression for its magnifying power.
18
PYQ 2024
medium
physics ID: cbse-cla
The figure shows the path of a light ray through a triangular prism. In this phenomenon, the angle is given by:
19
PYQ 2024
medium
physics ID: cbse-cla
Two media A and B are separated by a plane boundary. The speed of light in medium A and B is and , respectively. The critical angle for a ray of light going from medium A to medium B is:
20
PYQ 2024
hard
physics ID: cbse-cla
The interface AB between the two media A and B is shown in the figure. In the denser medium A, the incident ray PQ makes an angle of with the horizontal. The refracted ray is parallel to the interface. The refractive index of medium B with respect to medium A is:
21
PYQ 2024
medium
physics ID: cbse-cla
When a ray of light propagates from a denser medium to a rarer medium, it bends away from the normal. When the incident angle is increased, the refracted ray deviates more from the normal. For a particular angle of incidence in the denser medium, the refracted ray just grazes the interface of the two surfaces. This angle of incidence is called the critical angle for the pair of media involved.
22
PYQ 2024
medium
physics ID: cbse-cla
Assertion (A): The magnifying power of a compound microscope is negative.
Reason (R): The final image formed is erect with respect to the object.
1
Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of the Assertion (A).
2
Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of the Assertion (A).
3
Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
4
Assertion (A) is false and Reason (R) is also false.
23
PYQ 2024
medium
physics ID: cbse-cla
A double-convex lens of power , with each face having the same radius of curvature, is cut into two equal parts perpendicular to its principal axis. The power of one part of the lens will be:
24
PYQ 2024
medium
physics ID: cbse-cla
An object is placed 30 cm in front of a concave mirror of radius of curvature 40 cm. Find the (i) position of the image formed and (ii) magnification of the image.
25
PYQ 2024
hard
physics ID: cbse-cla
Assertion (A): Plane and convex mirrors cannot produce real images under any circumstance.
Reason (R): A virtual image cannot serve as an object to produce a real image.
1
Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of the Assertion (A).
2
Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of the Assertion (A).
3
Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
4
Assertion (A) is false and Reason (R) is also false.
26
PYQ 2024
easy
physics ID: cbse-cla
State Huygens' principle. Plane wave incident at angle i on reflecting surface. Construct reflected wavefront and prove i=r.
27
PYQ 2024
medium
physics ID: cbse-cla
An object is placed 30 cm in front of a concave mirror (radius of curvature 40 cm). Find: (i) image position (ii) magnification
28
PYQ 2024
medium
physics ID: cbse-cla

An electric lamp is designed to operate at DC and current. If the lamp is operated on , AC source with a coil in series, then find the inductance of the coil.Correct Answer:
The inductance of the coil is .

29
PYQ 2024
medium
physics ID: cbse-cla
When does an inductor act as a conductor in a circuit? Give reason for it.
30
PYQ 2025
hard
physics ID: cbse-cla
The focal length of a concave mirror in air is . When the mirror is immersed in a liquid of refractive index , its focal length will become:
1

2

3

4

31
PYQ 2025
hard
physics ID: cbse-cla
Two statements are given one labelled Assertion (A) and the other labelled Reason (R). Select the correct answer from the codes (A), (B), (C) and (D) as given below.
Assertion (A): In a reflecting telescope, the image does not have chromatic aberration.
Reason (R): Chromatic aberration occurs only due to refraction of light through an optical medium.
1
Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of the Assertion (A).
2
Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of the Assertion (A).
3
Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
4
Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are false.
32
PYQ 2025
easy
physics ID: cbse-cla
Explain the transmission of optical signal through an optical fiber with a diagram.
33
PYQ 2025
medium
physics ID: cbse-cla
Two convex lenses A and B, each of focal length 10.0 cm, are mounted on an optical bench at 50.0 cm and 70.0 cm respectively. An object is mounted at 20.0 cm. Find the nature and position of the final image formed by the combination.
34
PYQ 2025
hard
physics ID: cbse-cla
Consider the arrangement shown in the figure. A black vertical arrow and a horizontal thick line with a ball are painted on a glass plate. It serves as the object. When the plate is illuminated, its real image is formed on the screen.
Which of the following correctly represents the image formed on the screen?
 black vertical arrow and a horizontal thick
35
PYQ 2025
medium
physics ID: cbse-cla
A point source of light in air is kept at a distance of 12 cm in front of a convex spherical surface of glass of refractive index 1.5 and radius of curvature 30 cm. Find the nature and position of the image formed.
36
PYQ 2025
medium
physics ID: cbse-cla
When a parallel beam of light enters water surface obliquely at some angle, what is the effect on the width of the beam?
37
PYQ 2025
medium
physics ID: cbse-cla
A right-angled isosceles glass prism ABC is kept in contact with an equilateral triangular prism DBC as shown in the figure. Both prisms are made of the same glass of refractive index 1.6. Trace the path of the ray MN incident normally on face AB as it passes through the combination.
right-angled isosceles glass prism
38
PYQ 2025
medium
physics ID: cbse-cla
An object is placed 30 cm from a thin convex lens of focal length 10 cm. The lens forms a sharp image on a screen. If a thin concave lens is placed in contact with the convex lens, the sharp image on the screen is formed when the screen is moved by 45 cm from its initial position. Calculate the focal length of the concave lens.
39
PYQ 2025
easy
physics ID: cbse-cla

A current element X is connected across an AC source of emf . It is found that the voltage leads the current in phase by radian. If element X was replaced by element Y, the voltage lags behind the current in phase by radian.
(I) Identify elements X and Y by drawing phasor diagrams.
(II) Obtain the condition of resonance when both elements X and Y are connected in series to the source and obtain expression for resonant frequency. What is the impedance value in this case?

40
PYQ 2025
medium
physics ID: cbse-cla
An equiconvex lens is made of glass of refractive index 1.55. If the focal length of the lens is 15.0 cm, calculate the radius of curvature of its surfaces.
41
PYQ 2025
medium
physics ID: cbse-cla
Which of the following statements is incorrect?
(A) For a convex mirror, magnification is always negative.
(B) For all virtual images formed by a mirror, magnification is positive.
(C) For a concave lens, magnification is always positive.
(D) For real and inverted images, magnification is always negative.
42
PYQ 2025
easy
physics ID: cbse-cla
With the help of a ray diagram, show that a straw appears bent when it is partly dipped in water and explain it.
43
PYQ 2025
easy
physics ID: cbse-cla
A transparent solid cylindrical rod (refractive index ) is kept in air. A ray of light incident on its face travels along the surface of the rod, as shown in the figure. Calculate the angle .
transparent solid cylindrical rod
44
PYQ 2025
medium
physics ID: cbse-cla
A beaker is filled with water (refractive index ) up to a height . A coin is placed at its bottom. The depth of the coin, when viewed along the near normal direction, will be:
1
2
3
4
45
PYQ 2026
hard
physics ID: cbse-cla
Consider the nuclear reaction . Let , , and be the masses of the three nuclei X, Y, and Z respectively. Then which of the following relations hold true?
1

2

3

4

46
PYQ 2026
easy
physics ID: cbse-cla
A 500 nm photon is incident normally on a perfectly reflecting surface and is reflected. The value of momentum transferred to the surface is:
1

2

3

4

47
PYQ 2026
medium
physics ID: cbse-cla
A point source, in air, is placed at a distance of 6 cm in front of a convex spherical surface (n = 1.5 and radius of curvature = 24 cm). Find the position and nature of the image formed.
48
PYQ 2026
medium
physics ID: cbse-cla
Write any two points of difference between interference pattern due to double-slit and diffraction pattern due to single-slit.
49
PYQ 2026
medium
physics ID: cbse-cla
A parallel beam of monochromatic light falls normally on a single slit of width and a diffraction pattern is observed on a screen placed at a distance from the slit. Explain:
the formation of maxima and minima in the diffraction pattern, and
why the maxima go on becoming weaker and weaker with increasing order .
50
PYQ 2026
medium
physics ID: cbse-cla
Two thin lenses of focal length and are placed in contact with each other coaxially. Prove that the focal length of the combination is given by
51
PYQ 2026
medium
physics ID: cbse-cla
The energy of an electron in an orbit in hydrogen atom is -3.4 eV. Its angular momentum in the orbit will be:
1

2

3

4
52
PYQ 2026
medium
physics ID: cbse-cla
The real image of an object placed between and from a convex lens can be seen on a screen placed at the image location. If the screen is removed, is the image still there? Explain. Plane and convex mirrors produce virtual images of objects. Can they produce real images under some circumstances? Explain.
53
PYQ 2026
medium
physics ID: cbse-cla
With the help of a ray diagram, describe the construction and working of a compound microscope.