NCERT Exemplar Solutions Class 10

Physics
Chapter 10-Light-Reflection and Refraction

Exercise
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. Which of the following can make a parallel beam of light when light from
a point source is incident on it?
(a) Concave mirror as well as convex lens
(b) Convex mirror as well as concave lens
(c) Two plane mirrors placed at 90 to each other
(d) Concave mirror as well as concave lens
Ans: (a) Concave mirror as well as convex lens
Explanation: When a point source of light is kept at focus of a concave mirror
or convex lens, then the emergent light rays are parallel to the principal axis.
Hence, they form a parallel beam of light.

2. A 10 mm long awl pin is placed vertically in front of a concave mirror. A

5 mm long image of the awl pin is formed at 30 cm in front of the mirror.
The focal length of this mirror is
a) 30cm
b) 20cm
c) 40cm
d) 60cm
Ans: b) 20cm
Explanation: Object size is ho  10mm and image size is hi  5mm since image
formed in front of concave mirror is real and inverted.

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We are given that image is formed 30 cm in front of the mirror. So, v  30cm .
hi v
Now, we have the relation  .
ho u

Substituting the known values, we get,

 5 mm  30 cm
 
10 mm u

 u  60cm

1 1 1
Now, we will find focal length of the mirror using mirror formula   .
u v f
Substituting the known values, we get,
1 1 1
  
60cm 30cm f

2  4 1
 
120cm f

 f   20cm

Hence, focal length of the concave mirror is 20cm .

3. Under which of the following conditions a concave mirror can form an

image larger than the actual object?
(a) When the object is kept at a distance equal to its radius of curvature
(b) When object is kept at a distance less than its focal length
(c) When object is placed between the focus and centre of curvature
(d) When object is kept at a distance greater than its radius of curvature
Ans: (c) When object is placed between the focus and centre of curvature
Explanation: A concave mirror produces a real, inverted and magnified image
when the actual object is placed between centre of curvature and focus.

4. Figure 10.1 shows a ray of light as it travels from medium A to medium B.

Refractive index of the medium B relative to medium A is

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 3
a)
2

2
b)
3

1
c)
2

d) 2
3
Ans: a)
2

Explanation: Refractive index of the medium B relative to medium A can be

calculated using Snell’s law. Hence, we have, 1 sin 1   2 sin  2 .

Substituting the values, we get,

 B sin 60

 A sin 45

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  3
 
B  2 
 
A  1 
 
 2

B 3
 
A 2

5. A light ray enters from medium A to medium B as shown in Figure 10.2.

The refractive index of medium B relative to A will be

(a) greater than unity

(b) less than unity
(c) equal to unity
(d) zero
Ans: (b) less than unity
Explanation: The light ray bends away from the normal when it comes into
medium B from medium A. The light ray on going from optical denser medium
to optically rarer medium, always bends away from the normal. As in this case,
the refracted ray is bending away from the normal. Hence, medium B is optically
rarer as compared to medium A. Hence, the ratio of refractive indices of medium
B to medium A will be less than unity.

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6. Beams of light are incident through the holes A and B and emerge out of
box through the holes C and D respectively as shown in the Figure10.3.
Which of the following could be inside the box?

(a) A rectangular glass slab

(b) A convex lens
(c) A concave lens
(d) A prism
Ans: (a) A rectangular glass slab
Explanation: The incident rays falling perpendicularly on the surface of a
rectangular glass slab are first refracted away from the normal and then re-
refracted towards the normal by the same deviation. This causes lateral shift in
the light ray but the direction of propagation remains the same.

7. A beam of light is incident through the holes on side A and emerges out of
the holes on the other face of the box as shown in the Figure 10.4. Which of
the following could be inside the box?

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(a) Concave lens
(b) Rectangular glass slab
(c) Prism
(d) Convex lens
Ans: (a) Concave lens
Explanation: The incident rays are parallel and the rays emerging from within
the box are diverging. Concave lens is also called as a diverging lens. Hence,
concave lens can be there in the box.

8. Which of the following statements is true?

(a) A convex lens has 4 dioptre power having a focal length 0.25m
(b) A convex lens has  4 dioptre power having a focal length 0.25m
(c) A concave lens has 4 dioptre power having a focal length 0.25m
(d) A concave lens has 4 dioptre power having a focal length 0.25m
Ans: (a) A convex lens has 4 dioptre power having a focal length 0.25m
Explanation: All the options have focal length as positive. A convex lens has
positive focal length. Hence, this means that options (c) and (d) are incorrect.
Now, Power is reciprocal of focal length in metres. Since focal length is positive,
the power will also be positive. Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

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9. Magnification produced by a rear view mirror fitted in vehicles
(a) is less than one
(b) is more than one
(c) is equal to one
(d) can be more than or less than one depending upon the position of the
object in front of it
Ans: (a) is less than one
Explanation: A convex mirror is fitted in the rear view mirrors as it has a wider
field of view. The images produced by the convex mirror are smaller in size than
the original object. Hence, magnification produced is less than one.

10. Rays from Sun converge at a point 15cm in front of a concave mirror.
Where should an object be placed so that size of its image is equal to the size
of the object?
(a) 15cm in front of the mirror
(b) 30cm in front of the mirror
(c) between 15cm and 30cm in front of the mirror
(d) more than 30cm in front of the mirror
Ans: (b) 30cm in front of the mirror
Explanation: Sun is a source of parallel beam of light. We know that all the
parallel light rays converge at the focus of mirror. So, focal length of concave
mirror is 15cm . Now, we know that if the object is kept at centre of curvature of
a concave mirror, the image produced is same in size as the size of object. Also,
distance of centre of curvature from the pole is twice the focal length. Hence, the
object should be kept 30cm in front of the mirror.

11. A full length image of a distant tall building can definitely be seen by
using
(a) a concave mirror
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(b) a convex mirror
(c) a plane mirror
(d) both concave as well as plane mirror
Ans: (b) a convex mirror
Explanation: Convex mirror has a greater field of vision than a concave and a
plane mirror. So, it is possible to see a full length image of a distant tall building.

12. In torches, search lights and headlights of vehicles the bulb is placed
(a) between the pole and the focus of the reflector
(b) very near to the focus of the reflector
(c) between the focus and centre of curvature of the reflector
(d) at the centre of curvature of the reflector
Ans: (b) very near to the focus of the reflector
Explanation: The reflectors are made in the shape of concave mirror and are
placed behind the search lights and headlights of vehicles. A concave mirror
produces a parallel beam of light when an object is placed near to the focus of the
mirror. Therefore, the bulb is placed such that it gives a parallel beam of light.

13. The laws of reflection hold good for

(a) plane mirror only
(b) concave mirror only
(c) convex mirror only
(d) all mirrors irrespective of their shape
Ans: (d) all mirrors irrespective of their shape
The law of reflection is universal for every reflecting surface and is followed by
all mirrors irrespective of their shape and nature.

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14. The path of a ray of light coming from air passing through a rectangular
glass slab traced by four students are shown as A, B, C and D in Figure 10.5.
Which one of them is correct?
a) A
b) B
c) C
d) D

Ans: Glass is optically denser medium than air. So, when light ray comes from
optically rarer medium, air to optically denser medium, glass, it bends towards
the normal due to refraction. Then, when light ray coming out of glass comes into
air, it bends away from the normal due to refraction. Hence, option (b) is the
correct answer.

15. You are given water, mustard oil, glycerine and kerosene. In which of
these media a ray of light incident obliquely at same angle would bend the
most?
(a) Kerosene
(b) Water
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(c) Mustard oil
(d) Glycerine
Ans: The bending of light ray on entering a new medium is called refraction and
depends upon the refractive indices of the mediums. The light ray will bend the
most in the case of medium with greatest refractive index. Glycerine has the
highest refractive index. So, option (d) is the correct answer.

16. Which of the following ray diagrams is correct for the ray of light
incident on a concave mirror as shown in Figure 10.6?

a) Fig A
b) Fig B
c) Fig C
d) Fig D
Ans: For concave mirror, the incident ray parallel to principal axis passes through
focus of the mirror. Hence, option (d) is the correct answer.

17. Which of the following ray diagrams is correct for the ray of light
incident on a lens shown in Fig. 10.7?

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a) Fig A
b) Fig B
c) Fig C
d) Fig D
Ans: The incident rays passing through the focus of convex lens goes parallel to
the principal axis after refraction. Hence, option (a) is the correct answer.

18. A child is standing in front of a magic mirror. She finds the image of her
head bigger, the middle portion of her body of the same size and that of the
legs smaller. The following is the order of combinations for the magic mirror
from the top.
(a) Plane, convex and concave
(b) Convex, concave and plane
(c) Concave, plane and convex
(d) Convex, plane and concave
Ans: (c) Concave, Plane and convex
Explanation: In case of an object kept between focus and pole, concave mirror
produces a virtual, erect and enlarged image and a convex mirror produces a
virtual and erect images that is smaller in size than the object. Plane mirror always
produces images of same size as the object. Hence, the combinations is concave,
plane and convex mirror.

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19. In which of the following, the image of an object placed at infinity will be
highly diminished and point sized?
(a) Concave mirror only
(b) Convex mirror only
(c) Convex lens only
(d) Concave mirror, convex mirror, concave lens and convex lens
Ans: (d) Concave mirror, convex mirror, concave lens and convex lens
Explanation: All the mentioned objects produce highly diminished and point
sized images of an object that is kept at infinity.

20. Identify the device used as a spherical mirror or lens in following cases,
when the image formed is virtual and erect in each case.
(a) Object is placed between device and its focus, image formed is enlarged
and behind it.
Ans: Concave mirror
(b) Object is placed between the focus and device, image formed is enlarged
and on the same side as that of the object.
Ans: Concave lens
(c) Object is placed between infinity and device, image formed is diminished
and between focus and optical centre on the same side as that of the object.
Ans: Concave lens
(d) Object is placed between infinity and device, image formed is diminished
and between pole and focus, behind it.
Ans: Convex mirror

21. Why does a light ray incident on a rectangular glass slab immersed in
any medium emerges parallel to itself? Explain using a diagram.

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Ans: A light ray incident on a rectangular glass slab immersed in any medium
emerges parallel to itself due to the phenomenon of refraction. When a light ray
enters from optically rarer medium like air to optically denser medium like glass,
it bends towards the normal because of refraction of the light. When the light ray
exits the glass slab and goes into air, it refracts away from the normal and emerges
parallel to the incident ray.

22. A pencil when dipped in water in a glass tumbler appears to be bent at

the interface of air and water. Will the pencil appear to be bent to the same
extent, if instead of water we use liquids like, kerosene or turpentine?
Support your answer with reason.
Ans: The appearance of pencil as bent is due to the phenomenon of refraction.
The degree of refraction is dependent upon the refractive indices of the media
involved. Since the first medium is air in both the cases, it depends upon the
refractive index of liquid in use. Therefore, the degree of bent will be different
in case of liquids such as kerosene and turpentine.

23. How is the refractive index of a medium related to the speed of light?
Obtain an expression for refractive index of a medium with respect to
another in terms of speed of light in these two media?

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Ans: The refractive index of a medium in the ratio of speed of light in vacuum to
c
speed of light in that specific medium. So, we have,   , where c is the speed
v
of light in vacuum and v is the speed of light in that medium.
Hence, refractive index of a one medium in reference to another is given by
c
 
1  v1 
 .
2  c 
 
 v2 

1 v 2
So, we get,  .
 2 v1

Hence, refractive index of first medium in respect to second medium is ratio of

speed of light in second medium to the speed of light in first medium.

24. Refractive index of diamond with respect to glass is 1.6 and absolute
refractive index of glass is 1.5. Find out the absolute refractive index of
diamond.
Ans: Relative refractive index of first medium with respect to second medium is
just the ratio of refractive index of first medium to the refractive index of second
medium.
So, refractive index of diamond with respect to glass
refractive index of diamond
  1.6
refractive index of glass

Now, we are given the refractive index of glass as 1.5 . Substituting these values,
we get,
refractive index of diamond
  1.6
1.5

 refractive index of diamond  1.6 1.5  2.4

Therefore, absolute refractive index of diamond is 2.4 .

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25. A convex lens of focal length 20 cm can produce a magnified virtual as
well as real image. Is this a correct statement? If yes, where shall the object
be placed in each case for obtaining these images?
Ans: A convex lens can produce a magnified virtual as well as a real image. So,
the statement is true.
For virtual and magnified image, we can place the object between focus and
optical centre of the convex lens. In this case, the image formed will be on the
same side of the lens and will be larger in size than the object. So, the object
should be placed at a distance of less than 20 centimetres from the optical centre
of lens.
For real and magnified image, the object should be placed between focus and
centre of curvature of lens. The image so formed on other side of the lens, and is
real, inverted and magnified. So, object should be placed between 20 centimetres
and 40 centimetres from the optical centre of lens.

26. Sudha finds out that the sharp image of the window pane of her science
laboratory is formed at a distance of 15 cm from the lens. She now tries to
focus the building visible to her outside the window instead of the window
pane without disturbing the lens. In which direction, will she move the screen
to obtain a sharp image of the building? What is the approximate focal
length of this lens?
Ans: Let us assume that the window pane is between F2 and infinity from this
lens and this is a convex lens. We know that when the object is between infinity
and F2 , its inverted and real image is formed between 2F and 2F2 . Now, the
distant building is at infinity from the lens. Its image would be formed at 2F. So,
the screen needs to be moved towards the lens in order to get a sharp image. Its
approximate focal length is 10cm (less than image distance in earlier case).

27. How are power and focal length of a lens related? You are provided with
two lenses of focal length 20 cm and 40 cm respectively. Which lens will you
use to obtain more convergent light?
Ans: Power of a lens is defined as the reciprocal of the focal length in metres.
This means that smaller the focal length, more is the power of the lens. So, this
means that out of the two lenses that we are given, the one with the focal length

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20 cm will have more power as compared to the one with focal length 40 cm. The
lens with higher power should be used to obtain more convergent light.

28. Under what condition in an arrangement of two plane mirrors, incident

ray and reflected ray will always be parallel to each other, whatever may be
angle of incidence. Show the same with the help of diagram.
Ans: When two plane mirrors are at right angles to each other, incident ray and
reflected ray will always be parallel to each other, whatever may be the angle of
incidence. Let us use following figure to understand this.

ED and DC are two plane mirrors placed at right angles. A is an incident ray on
CD and MN is normal at the incidence point. So, NQ is reflected ray from N and
is then incident on DE again on point Q.
Then, QB is reflected ray and PQ is normal to ED.
Now, since angle of incidence is equal to angle of reflection. So, we have,
 ANM   MNQ and  NQP   PQB

Now, we also have MNQ  QND  90 since MN is normal on CD.

Also, mirrors at right angle. So, QDN  90 .

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In triangle QDN,
QND  NQD  90 due to the angle sum property of triangles.

So, from above equations, we get,

 MNQ   NQD

Hence,  QND   NQP as NQP and NQD are complementary.

Now, PQB and PQD form a linear pair and are supplementary.
So,  BQE   ANM

Therefore, BQ is parallel to AN.

Thus, the incident ray and reflected ray will always be parallel regardless of the
measure of incident angle.

29. Draw a ray diagram showing the path of rays of light when it enters with
oblique incidence (i) from air into water; (ii) from water into air.
Ans. 1. When light passes from a rarer medium into a denser medium then the
light slows down and the light ray bends more towards the normal shown in fig.
(i).
2. The light ray bends away from the normal from a denser medium to a rarer
medium shown in fig. (ii).

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LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

30. Draw ray diagrams showing the image formation by a concave mirror
when an object is placed
(a) between pole and focus of the mirror
(b) between focus and centre of curvature of the mirror
(c) at centre of curvature of the mirror
(d) a little beyond centre of curvature of the mirror
(e) at infinity
Ans. (a) between pole and focus of the mirror

(b) between focus and centre of curvature of the mirror

(c) at centre of curvature of the mirror

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(d) a little beyond centre of curvature of the mirror

(e) at infinity

31. Draw ray diagrams showing the image formation by a convex lens when
an object is placed
(a) between optical centre and focus of the lens
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(b) between focus and twice the focal length of the lens
(c) at twice the focal length of the lens
(d) at infinity
(e) at the focus of the lens
Ans. (a) between optical centre and focus of the lens

(b) between focus and twice the focal length of the lens

(c) at twice the focal length of the lens

(d) at infinity
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(e) at the focus of the lens

32. Write laws of refraction. Explain the same with the help of ray diagram,
when a ray of light passes through a rectangular glass slab.
Ans. Refraction has following laws:
(a) At the point of incidence, the refracted ray, incident ray and normal; all lies in
the same plane.
(b) For the light of a given colour and for a given pair of media, the ratio of sine
of incidence to the sine of refraction is a constant. This law is also known as
Snell’s Law.

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(i) The glass slab be ABCD. The incident ray be EF which is incident on the point
O on the air-glass interface.
(ii) The normal be NO and angle of incidence be EON  i1 .
(iii) N ' O ' be the normal extended towards the glass slab and angle of refraction
be N ' OO  r1 .
(iv) From surface AB, OO ' be the refracted ray from surface AB which behaves
like incident ray on the surface CD.
(v) when ray EF enters the slab, it bends to become OO ' .
(vi) On the surface CD, MO ' and O ' M ' are the normal.
(vii) The emergent ray is GH .
(viii) At surface CD, angle of incidence is OO ' M  i2 .

(ix) At surface CD, angle of refraction is MO ' H  r2 .

(x) EF , NO and OO ' lie in the same plane, which is in accordance to the first law
of refraction.
(xi) Emergent ray is parallel to incident ray i.e., EF GH . This Is because the
degree of bend at opposite surfaces of glass slab is same.

33. Draw ray diagrams showing the image formation by a concave lens when
an object is placed

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(a) at the focus of the lens
(b) between focus and twice the focal length of the lens
(c) beyond twice the focal length of the lens
Ans. (a) at the focus of the lens

(b) between focus and twice the focal length of the lens

(c) beyond twice the focal length of the lens

34. Draw ray diagrams showing the image formation by a convex mirror
when an object is placed
(a) at infinity

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(b) at finite distance from the mirror
Ans. (a) at infinity

(b) at finite distance from the mirror

35. The image of a candle flame formed by a lens is obtained on a screen

placed on the other side of the lens. If the image is three times the size of the
flame and the distance between lens and image is 80 cm, at what distance
should the candle be placed from the lens? What is the nature of the image
at a distance of 80 cm and the lens?
Ans. It is given that; magnification is three times and image distance is v  80 cm

v
Magnification 
u

80 cm
3
u

80 cm
u
3

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As per sign convention the object distance is taken as negative;
80 cm
u
3

Nature of image: As image is formed on the other side of lens hence it is real
image and inverted image.
Nature of lens: As the image is formed enlarge by convex lens not by concave
lens, so it is a convex lens.

36. Size of image of an object by a mirror having a focal length of 20 cm is

1
observed to be reduced to rd of its size. At what distance the object has
3
been placed from the mirror? What is the nature of the image and the
mirror?
1 1
Ans. The image distance is rd of object distance as the image size is of object
3 3
size because
h' v

h u

We can calculate object distance and image distance by using the mirror formula,
1 1 1
 
v u f

3 1 1
  
u u 20

3 1 1
 
u 20

 u   40 cm

We can find image distance by using:

1 1 1
 
v u f

1 1 1
  
v 40 20

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 1 1 1
  
v 20 40

1 2  1
 
v 40

1 1

v 40

But our assumption does not match with the value of image distance. This means
that this mirror is a convex mirror, not a concave mirror. Thus, assuming that it
is a convex mirror so,
1 1 1
 
v u f

1 1 1
  
v 40 20

1 1 1
 
v 20 40

1 3

v 40

40
v cm
3

Nature of mirror: convex mirror

Nature of image: it is smaller than object, erect and virtual.

37. Define power of a lens. What is its unit? One student uses a lens of focal
length 50 cm and another of –50 cm. What is the nature of the lens and its
power used by each of them?
Ans. The ability of the lens to converge or diverge the ray of light falling on it is
termed as power of a lens. We can also say that power is reciprocal of focal length
of the lens. It is denoted by D .
Here the focal length taken by first student is positive thus it is a convex lens.
And by the second student is concave lens.
1
p
f

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 1

0.5

2

So, the power of the lens (of first student)  2

And the power of the lens (of second student)  2

38. A student focussed the image of a candle flame on a white screen using a
convex lens. He noted down the position of the candle screen and the lens as
under Position of candle = 12.0 cm Position of convex lens = 50.0 cm Position
of the screen = 88.0 cm
(i) What is the focal length of the convex lens?
(ii) Where will the image be formed if he shifts the candle towards the lens
at a position of 31.0 cm?
(iii) What will be the nature of the image formed if he further shifts the
candle towards the lens?
(iv) Draw a ray diagram to show the formation of the image in case (iii) as
said above.
Ans. (i) u  50  12
 38 cm

The image distance v  88  50

 38 cm

Thus, the focal length can be calculated using the lens formula;
1 1 1
 
v u f

1 1 1
  
38 38 f

 f  19 cm

(ii) in this case, object distance = focal length

u  50  31

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 19 cm

This means that image which is form is at infinity.

(iii) when he will shift the candle further towards the lens, then object comes
between F and O . In this case, the image which is form is virtual, enlarged, erect
and is formed on the same side of lens.
(iv)

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