Light

Q 1.
Define the principal focus of a concave mirror.

SOLUTION:
A point on the principal axis where the parallel rays of light after reflecting
from a concave mirror meet.

Q 2.
The radius of curvature of a spherical mirror is 20 cm. What is its focal length ?

SOLUTION:
Radius of curvature, R = 20 cm

∴ Focal length,

Q 3.
Name a mirror that can give an erect and enlarged image of an object.

SOLUTION:
A concave mirror gives an erect and enlarged image of an object held between
pole and principal focus of the mirror.

Q 4.
Why do we prefer a convex mirror as a rear-view mirror in vehicles?

SOLUTION:
This is because a convex mirror forms an erect and diminished (small in size)
images of the objects behind the vehicle and hence the field of view behind the
vehicle is increased.

Q 5.
Find the focal length of a convex mirror whose radius of curvature is 32 cm.

SOLUTION:
Given, R = + 32 cm

∴
Thus, the focal length of the convex mirror = + 16 cm.

Q 6.
A concave mirror produces three times magnified real image of an object placed
at 10 cm in front of it. Where is the image located ?

SOLUTION:
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Here, linear magnification (m) = – 3
(Negative sign for real image, which is inverted)
Object distance (u) = – 10 cm
Image distance (v) = ?
As ⇒ ∴ v = –30 cm
The image is located at 30 cm in front of the mirror.

Q 7.
The image formed by a concave mirror is observed to be virtual, erect and
larger than the object. Where should be the position of the object? (A) Between
the focus and the centre of curvature (B) At the centre of
curvature (C) Beyond the centre of curvature (D) Between the pole of the
mirror and its focus.

SOLUTION:
For virtual, erect and larger image, the object must lie between the pole of the
mirror and its focus.

Q 8.
No matter how far you stand from a mirror, your image appears erect. The
mirror is likely to be (A) plane (B) concave (C) convex (D) either plane or
convex

SOLUTION:
The image is erect in a plane mirror and also in a convex mirror, for all
positions of the object.

Q 9.
We wish to obtain an erect image of an object, using a concave mirror of focal
length 15 cm. What should be the range of distance of the object from the
mirror? What is the nature of the image? Is the image larger or smaller than the
object? Draw a ray diagram to show the image formation in this case.

SOLUTION:
A concave mirror produces an erect image if the object is placed between the
pole and the focus of the concave mirror. Thus, object may be placed at any
position whose distance is less than 15 cm from the concave mirror. The image
is virtual and erect. The image is larger than the object. The ray diagram is

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shown below.

Q 10.
Name the type of mirror used in the following situations. (A) Headlights of a
car (B) Side/rear-view mirror of a vehicle (C) Solar furnace
Support your answer with reason.

SOLUTION:
(A) For head lights of a car, we use a concave mirror. The light source is held at
the focus of the mirror. On reflection, a strong parallel beam of light emerges.
(B) A convex mirror is used as side rear view mirror, because its field of view is
larger and it forms virtual, erect and diminished images of objects behind.
(C) For solar furnace, we use a concave mirror. Light from the sun, on
reflection from the mirror, is concentrated at the focus of the mirror, producing
heat.

Q 11.
An object is placed at a distance of 10 cm from a convex mirror of focal length
15 cm. Find the position and nature of the image.

SOLUTION:
Here, object distance (u) = –10 cm,
focal length (f) = 15 cm,
image distance (v) = ?

As

⇒
∴ v = 6 cm
Here, + sign of v indicates that image is at the back of the mirror. It must be
virtual, erect and smaller in size than the object

Q 12.
The magnification produced by a plane mirror is m = + 1. What does this mean?

SOLUTION:

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As ⇒ h2 = h1
i.e., size of image is equal to size of the object. Further, + sign of m indicates
that the image is erect and hence virtual.

Q 13.
An object 5.0 cm in length is placed at a distance of 20 cm in front of a convex
mirror of radius of curvature 30 cm. Find the position of the image, its nature
and size.

SOLUTION:
Here, object size (h1) = 5.0 cm, object distance (u) = –20 cm
Radius of curvature (R) = 30 cm, image distance (v) = ?

As

∴
Positive sign of v indicates that image is at the back of the mirror. It must be
virtual and erect.

As ⇒

∴
This is the size of the erect image.

Q 14.
An object of size 7.0 cm is placed at 27 cm in front of a concave mirror of focal
length 18 cm. At what distance from the mirror should a screen be placed, so
that a sharp focussed image can be obtained? Find the size and the nature of the
image.

SOLUTION:
Here, object size (h1) = 7.0 cm, object distance
(u) = – 27 cm
focal length (f) = –18 cm,
image distance (v) = ?

As

⇒
∴ v = – 54 cm
Therefore, the screen should be held in front of the mirror at a distance of 54 cm

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from the mirror. The image obtained on the screen will be real.

As ⇒
∴ h2 = – 14.0 cm
Negative sign of h2 shows that the image is inverted.

Q 15.
A ray of light travelling in air enters obliquely into water. Does the light ray
bend towards the normal or away from the normal? Why?

SOLUTION:
When a ray of light travels from air into water obliquely, it bends towards the
normal. This is because water is optically denser than air. On entering water,
speed of light decreases and the light bends towards

Q 16.
Light enters from air to glass having refractive index 1.5. What is the speed of
light in glass? The speed of light in vacuum is 3 × 108m s–1.

SOLUTION:
Here, refractive index, n = 1.5, speed of light in vacuum = c = 3 × 108 m s–1
speed of light in glass, v = ?

From, ⇒ = 2 × 108 m s–1

Q 17.
Give the medium having highest optical density. Also, give the medium with
lowest optical density.

SOLUTION:
The medium with highest optical density is diamond and its refractive index is
maximum (= 2.42), also, the medium with lowest optical density is air and its
refractive index is minimum (= 1.0003).

Q 18.
You are given kerosene, turpentine and water. In which of these does the light
travel fastest?

SOLUTION:
We know from the definition of refractive index, that the speed of light is higher
in a medium with lower refractive index. So, the light travels fastest in water
relative to kerosene and turpentine.

Q 19.

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The refractive index of diamond is 2.42. What is the meaning of this statement?

SOLUTION:
This statement means that the speed of light in diamond is lower by a factor of
2.42 relative to that in vacuum.

Q 20.
Define 1 dioptre of power of a lens.

SOLUTION:
The power of a lens whose focal length is one metre (1 m) is one dioptre.

Q 21.
A convex lens forms a real and inverted image of a needle at a distance of 50
cm from it. Where is the needle placed in front of the convex lens if the image is
equal to the size of the object? Also, find the power of the lens.

SOLUTION:
Distance of the image from the lens, v = 50 cm
Distance of the object from the lens, u = ?
Size of the image, I = Size of the object, O
From the definition, if h is the height of the image and that of the object,

magnification =
[∵ The image is inverted]
For a lens, magnification =
So, = –1 ⇒ u = –v = – 50 cm
So, the needle (the object) is placed at a distance of 50 cm in front of the lens.

Using the lens formula,

∴ f = 25 cm

Then, power of the lens =

Q 22.
Find the power of a concave lens of focal length 2 m.

SOLUTION:
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Focal length of the concave lens = –2 m

So, power of the concave lens = = –0.5 D

Q 23.
Which one of the following materials cannot be used to make a lens ?
(A) Water (B) Glass (C) Plastic (D) Clay

SOLUTION:
The correct answer is (D), because clay is opaque.

Q 24.
Which of the following lenses would you prefer to use while reading small
letters found in a dictionary? (A) Convex lens of focal length 50 cm (B) A
concave lens of focal length 50 cm (C) A convex lens of focal length 5
cm (D) A concave lens of focal length 5 cm

SOLUTION:
For reading small letters in a dictionary, we need to use a convex lens of smaller
focal length. Choice (C) is correct.

Q 25.
One half of a convex lens is covered with a black paper. Will this lens produce a
complete image of the object ? Verify your answer experimentally. Explain
your observations.

SOLUTION:
Yes, it will produce a complete image of the object, as shown in figure. This can
be verified experimentally by observing the image of a distance object like tree
on a screen, when lower half of the lens is covered with a black paper. However,
the intensity or brightness of image will reduce.

Q 26.
An object 5 cm in length is held 25 cm away from a converging lens of focal
length 10 cm. Draw the ray diagram and find the position, size and the nature of
the image formed.

SOLUTION:

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Here, object size, h1 = 5 cm
object distance, u = – 25 cm
focal length of lens, f = 10 cm
image distance, v = ?
image size, h2 = ?

As ∴

⇒
As v is positive, the image formed is real; on the right side of the lens, as shown
in figure above.

As

∴
Negative sign shows that the image is inverted.

Q 27.
A concave lens of focal length 15 cm forms an image 10 cm from the lens. How
far is the object placed from the lens? Draw the ray diagram.

SOLUTION:
Here, focal length of lens, f = – 15 cm
image distance, v = – 10 cm
object distance,
u=?

As

∵ u = – 30 cm
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Q 28.
Find the focal length of a lens of power –2.0 D. What type of lens is this ?

SOLUTION:
Here, focal length, f = ?, power, P = –2.0 D

As ⇒
As power of lens is negative, the lens must be concave.

Q 29.
A doctor has prescribed a corrective lens of power +1.5 D. Find the focal length
of the lens. Is the prescribed lens diverging or converging?

SOLUTION:
Power of the lens, P = +1.5 D = + 1.5 m–1

∴ Focal length of the lens, f =

= 0.667 m = 66.7 cm
Thus, the focal length of the lens is 66.7 cm
Since the focal length of the lens is positive, hence the given lens is a
converging lens.

8. Name the type of mirror used in the following situations.

(a) Headlights of a car
(b) Side/rear-view mirror of a vehicle
(c) Solar furnace
Support your answer with a reason.
Answer-
(a) Concave Mirror : Concave mirrors are used in car headlights because
they can focus light into a powerful parallel beam. When the light source
is placed at the principal focus of the concave mirror, the mirror reflects
the light in a parallel direction, which is ideal for illuminating the road.
(b) Convex Mirror : Convex mirrors are used as side or rear-view mirrors
in vehicles because they provide a wide field of view. This allows drivers
to see more of the area behind and beside the vehicle, enhancing safety.
(c) Concave Mirror : Concave mirrors are used in solar furnaces because
they can concentrate parallel rays of sunlight to a single point, the
principal focus. This concentration of light is useful for generating high
temperatures required in solar energy applications.

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Question. An object 5 cm in length is held 25 cm away from a converging
lens of focal length 10 cm. Draw the ray diagram and find the position, size
and nature of the image formed.
Answer-

Height of the object, h 0 = 5 cm Distance of the object from converging lens, u

= -25 cm Focal length of a converging lens, f = 10 cm Using the lens
formula, Thus, the image is inverted and formed at a distance of 16.7 cm behind
the lens and measures 3.3 cm. The ray diagram is shown
below.

Question. A concave lens of focal length 15 cm forms an image 10 cm from

the lens. How far is the object placed from the lens? Draw the ray diagram.
Answer-
Focal length of concave lens (OF 1 ), f = – 15 cm Image distance, v= – 10 cm

According to the lens formula, The

negative value of u indicates that the object is placed 30 cm in front of the lens.
This is shown in the following ray

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diagram.

12. An object is placed at a distance of 10 cm from a convex mirror of focal

length 15 cm. Find the position and nature of the image.
Answer-
Focal length of convex mirror (f) = +15 cm Object distance (u) = – 10 cm.

mirror formula,
The image is located at a distance of 6 cm from the mirror on the other side of
the mirror. The positive and a value of less than 1 magnification indicates that
the image formed is virtual, erect, and diminished.
QUESTION. The magnification produced by a plane mirror is +1. What
does this mean?
Answer-
The positive sign indicates that the image formed by a plane mirror is virtual
and erect. Since the magnification is 1, it means that the image is of the same
size as the object.
Question. An object 5 cm is placed at a distance of 20 cm in front of a
convex mirror of radius of curvature 30 cm. Find the position, nature and
size of the image.

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Answer-
Object distance (u) = – 20 cm Object height (h) = 5 cm Radius of curvature (R)
= 30 cm Radius of curvature = 2 × Focal length R = 2f f = 15 cm According to
the mirror
formula,

The positive value of image height indicates that the image formed is erect.
Hence, the image formed is erect, virtual, and smaller in size.
Question. An object of size 7.0 cm is placed at 27 cm in front of a concave
mirror of focal length 18 cm. At what distance from the mirror should a
screen be placed so that a sharply focused image can be obtained? Find the
size and nature of the image.
Answer-
Object distance (u) = – 27 cm Object height (h) = 7 cm Focal length (f) = – 18
cm According to the mirror
formula,

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The negative value of image height indicates that the image formed is inverted.

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