TEN YEARS BOARD PROBLEMS

CBSE 2018
1. (a) Show using a proper diagram how unpolarised light can be linearly polarised by reflection from a
transparent glass surface.
(b) The figure shows a ray of light falling normally on the face AB of an equilateral glass prism having
refractive index 3/2 , placed in water of refractive index 4/3 . Will this ray suffer total internal reflection on
striking the face AC ? Justify your answer. (3)

OR

(a) If one of two identical slits producing interference in Young’s experiment is covered with glass, so that
the light intensity passing through it is reduced to 50%, find the ratio of the maximum and minimum
intensity of the fringe in the interference pattern.
(b) What kind of fringes do you expect to observe if white light is used instead of monochromatic light ? (3)

2. A symmetric biconvex lens of radius of curvature R and made of glass of refractive index 1·5, is placed on a
layer of liquid placed on top of a plane mirror as shown in the figure. An optical needle with its tip on the
principal axis of the lens is moved along the axis until its real, inverted image coincides with the needle
itself. The distance of the needle from the lens is measured to be x. On removing the liquid layer and
repeating the experiment, the distance is found to be y. Obtain the expression for the refractive index of the
liquid in terms of x and y. (3)

3.
(a) Draw a ray diagram to show image formation when the concave mirror produces a real, inverted and
magnified image of the object.
 (b) Obtain the mirror formula and write the expression for the linear magnification.
(c) Explain two advantages of a reflecting telescope over a refracting telescope. (5)
OR

(a) Define a wavefront. Using Huygens’ principle, verify the laws of reflection at a plane surface.
(b) In a single slit diffraction experiment, the width of the slit is made double the original width. How does
this affect the size and intensity of the central diffraction band ? Explain.
(c) When a tiny circular obstacle is placed in the path of light from a distant source, a bright spot is seen
at the centre of the obstacle. Explain why. (5)

CBSE 2017
1. How does the angle of minimum deviation of a glass prism vary, if the incident violet light is replaced by red
light ? Give reason. (1)
2. Draw the intensity pattern for single slit diffraction and double slit interference. Hence, state two difference
between interference and diffraction patterns. [2]
OR
Unpolarised light is passed through a polaroid P1. When this polarised beam passes through another
polaroid P2 and if the pass axis of P2 makes angle with the pass axis of P1, then write the expression
for the polarised beam passing through P2. Draw a plot showing the variation of intensity when
varies from 0 to 2 .
3. (a) Monochromatic light of wavelength 589 nm is incident from air on a water surface. If for water is
1.33, find the wavelength, frequency and speed of the refracted light. [3]
(b) A double convex lens is made of a glass of refractive index 1.55, with both faces of the same radius
of curvature. Find the radius of curvature required, if the focal length is 20 cm.
4. (a) Draw a ray diagram depicting the formation of the image by an astronomical telescope in normal
adjustment [3]
(b) You are given the following three lenses. Which two lenses will you use as an eyepiece and as an
objective to construct an astronomical telescope ? Give reason.

5. (a) Define wavefront. Use Huygens' principle to verify the laws of refraction.
(b) How is linearly polarised light obtained by the process of scattering of light ? Find the Brewster angle for
air – glass interface, when the refractive index of glass = 1.5 [5]
OR
(a) Draw a ray diagram to show the image formation by a combination of two thin convex lenses in
contact. Obtain the expression for the power of this combination in terms of the focal lengths of the
lenses.
(b) A ray of light passing from air through an equilateral glass prism undergoes minimum deviation
when the angle of incidence is th of the angle of prism. Calculate the speed of light in the prism.
 CBSE 2016
1. Why can't we see clearly through fog ? Name the phenomenon responsible for it. [1]
2. A ray PQ incident on the refracting face BA is refracted in the prism BAC as shown in the figure and
emerges from the other refracting face AC as RS such that AQ = AR. If the angle of prism A = 60 0 and
refractive index of material of prism is , calculate angle θ. [2]

3. (i) Derive Snell's law on the basis of Huygen's wave theory when light is travelling from a denser to a rarer
medium
(ii) Draw the sketches to differentiate between plane wavefront and spherical wavefront. [3]
4. (i) A screen is placed at a distance of 100 cm from an object. The image of the object is formed on the
screen by a convex lens for two different location of the lens separated by 20 cm. Calculate the focal length
of the lens used.
(ii) A converging lens is kept coaxially in contact with a diverging lens-both the lenses being of equal focal
length. What is the focal length of the combination ? [3]
5. (a) Why does unpolarised light from a source show a variation in intensity when viewed through a polaroid
which is rotated ? Show with the help of a diagram, how unpolarised light from sun gets linearly polarised
by scattering.
(b) Three identical polaroid sheets P1, P2 and P3 are oriented so that the pass axis of P2 and P3 are inclined
at angles of 600 and 900 respectively with the pass axis of P1. A monochromatic source S of unpolarized
light of intensity I0 is kept in front of the polaroid sheet P1 as shown in the figure. Determine the intensities
of light as observed by the observer at O, when polaroid P3 is rotated with respect to P2 at angles θ = 300
and 600. [5]

OR
(a) Derive an expression for path difference in Young's double slit experiment and obtain the conditions for
constructive and destructive interference at a point on the screen.
(b) The intensity at the central maxima in Young's double slit experiment is I0. Find out the intensity at a
point where the path difference is and .
 CBSE 2015
1. When light travels from an optically denser medium to a rarer medium, why does the critical angle of
incidence depend on the colour of light ? (1)
2. Define a wavefront. Using Huygens’ principle, draw the shape of a refracted wavefront, when a plane wave
is incident on a convex lens. (2)
OR
3. (a) When a wave is propagating from a rarer to a denser medium, which characteristic of the wave does
not change and why ?
(b) What is the ratio of the velocity of the wave in the two media of refractive indices and ?
4. A ray of light is incident normally on the face AB of a right-angled glass prism of refractive index = 1·5. The
prism is partly immersed in a liquid of unknown refractive index. Find the value of refractive index of the liquid
so that the ray grazes along the face BC after refraction through the prism. (3)

5. In Young’s double slit experiment, the two slits are separated by a distance of 1·5 mm and the screen is
placed 1 m away from the plane of the slits. A beam of light consisting of two wavelengths 650 nm and 520
nm is used to obtain interference fringes. Find
(a) the distance of the third bright fringe for = 520 nm on the screen from the central maximum.
(b) the least distance from the central maximum where the bright fringes due to both the wavelengths
coincide. (3)
6. (a) A point-object is placed on the principal axis of a convex spherical surface of radius of curvature R,
which separates the two media of refractive indices n1 and n2 (n2 > n1). Draw the ray diagram and deduce
the relation between the distance of the object (u), distance of the image (v) and the radius of curvature (R)
for refraction to take place at the convex spherical surface from rarer to denser medium.
(b) Use the above relation to obtain the condition on the position of the object and the radius of curvature
in terms of n1 and n2 when the real image is formed.
OR
(a) Draw a labelled ray diagram showing the formation of image by a compound microscope in normal
adjustment. Derive the expression for its magnifying power.
(b) How does the resolving power of a microscope change when
(i) the diameter of the objective lens is decreased,
(ii) the wavelength of the incident light is increased ? Justify your answer in each case. (5)

CBSE 2014
1. A biconvex lens made of a transparent material of refractive index 1.5 in immersed in water of refractive
index 1.33. Will the lens behave as a converging or a diverging lens? Give reason. (2)
2. Two monochromatic rays of light are incident normally on the face AB of an isosceles right-angled prism
ABC. The refractive indices of the glass prism for the two rays are respectively .
Trace the path of these rays after entering through the prism.

3. A convex lens of local length 20 cm is placed coaxially with a convex mirror of focal length 10 cm at a
distance of 50 cm apart from each other. A beam of light coming parallel to the principal axis is incident on
the convex lens. Find the position of the image by this combination. Draw the ray diagram showing the
formation of the image.
4. (a) Using the phenomenon of polarisation, show how transverse nature of light can be demonstrated.
(b) Two polaroids P1 and P2 are placed with their pass axes perpendicular to each other. Unpolarised light
of intensity I0 is incident on P1. A third polaroid P3 is kept in between P1 and P2 such that its pass axis makes
an angle of 30° with that of P1. Determine the intensity of light transmitted through P1, P2 and P3 .
5. (a) In Young’s double slit experiment, describe briefly how bright and dark fringes are obtained on the
screen kept in front of a double slit. Hence obtain the expression for the fringe width.
(b) The ratio of the intensities at minima to the maxima in the Young’s double slit experiment is 9 : 25. Find
the ratio of the widths of the two slits.
OR
(a) Describe briefly how a diffraction pattern is obtained on a screen due to a single narrow slit illuminated
by a monochromatic source of light. Hence obtain the conditions for the angular width of secondary
maxima and secondary minima.
(b) Two wavelengths of sodium light of 590 nm and 596 nm are used in turn to study the diffraction taking
place at a single slit of aperture 2 × 10–6 m. The distance between the slit and the screen is 1.5 m. Calculate
the separation between the positions of first maxima of the diffraction pattern obtained in the two cases.

CBSE 2013
1. A convex lens of focal length f1 is kept in contact with a concave lens of focal length f2. Find the focal length
of the combination.
2. Draw a labeled ray diagram of a refracting telescope. Define its magnifying power and write the expression
for it. Write two important limitations of a refracting telescope over a reflecting type telescope.
3. A parallel beam of light of 500 nm falls on a narrow slit and the resulting diffraction pattern is observed on
a screen 1 m away. It is observed that the first minimum is at a distance of 2.5 mm from the centre of the
screen. Calculate the width of the slit.
4. (a) What is linearly polarized light? Describe briefly using a diagram how sunlight is polarised.
(b) Unpolarised light is incident on a polaroid. How would the intensity of transmitted light change when
the polaroid is rotated?
5. One day Chetan’s mother developed a serve stomach ache all of a sudden. She was rushed to the doctor
who suggested for an immediate endoscopy test and gave an estimate of expenditure for the same. Chetan
immediately contacted his class teacher and shared the information with her. The class teacher arranged
for the money and rushed to the hospital On realizing that Chetan belonged to a below average income
group family, even the doctor offered concession for the test fee. The test was conducted successfully.
Answer the following questions based on the above information:
(a) Which principal in optics is made use of in endoscopy?
(b) Briefly explain the values reflected in the action taken by the given situation?
(c) In what way do you appreciated the response of the doctor on the given situation?

CBSE 2012
1. For the same angle of incidence, the angles of refraction in three different media A, B and C are
respectively. In which medium, will the velocity of light be minimum?
2. In a single-slit diffraction experiment, the width of the slit is made double the original width. How does this
affect the size and intensity of the central diffraction band?
3. An object AB is kept in front of a convex mirror as shown in the figure.

(i) Complete the ray diagram showing the image formation of the object.
(ii) How will the position and intensity of the image be affected if the lower half of the mirror’s reflecting
surface is painted block?
(iii)
4. Draw a labelled ray diagram of a reflecting telescope. Mention its advantages over the reflecting telescope.
5. You are given three lenses each of focal length 20cm. An object is kept at 40 cm in front of L 1 ,
as shown. The final real image is formed at the focus ‘I’ of . Find the separations between
.
6. (a) In Young’s double slit experiment, derive the condition for
(i) constructive interference and
(ii) destructive interference at a point on the screen

(b) A beam of light consisting of two wavelengths, 800 nm and 600 nm is used to obtain the interference
fringes in a Young’s double slit experiment on a screen placed 1.4 m away. If the two slits are
separated by 0.28 mm, calculate the least distance from the central bright maximum where the bright
fringes of the two wavelengths coincide.
OR
(a) How does an unpolarised light incident on a polaroid get polarised? Describe briefly, with the help of a
necessary diagram, the polarisation of light by reflection from a transparent medium.
(b) Two polaroids ‘A’ and ‘B’ are kept in crossed position. How should a third polaroid ‘C’ be placed
between them so that the intensity of polarised light transmitted by polaroid B reduces to 1/8th of the
intensity of unpolarised light incident on A?

CBSE 2011
1. A converging lens has a focal length of 20 cm in air. It is made of a material of refractive index 1.6. It is
immersed in a liquid of refractive index 1.3. Calculate its new focal length.
2. Use the mirror equation to show that
(a) An object placed between f and 2f of a concave mirror produces a real image beyond 2f.
(b) a convex mirror, always produces a virtual image independent of the location of the object.
(c) An object is placed between pole and the focus of a concave mirror produces a virtual and enlarged
image.
3. A convex lens made up of glass of refractive index 1.5 is dipped, in turn , in (i) a medium of refractive index
1.6, (ii) a medium of refractive index 1.3.
(a) Will it behave as a converging or a diverging lens in the two cases?
(b) How will its focal length change in the two media?
4. A compound microscope uses an objective lens of focal length 4 cm and eyepiece lens of focal length 10 cm.
An object is placed at 6 cm from the objective lens. Calculate the magnifying power of the compound
microscope. Also calculate the length of the microscope.
OR
A giant refracting telescope at an observatory has an objective lens of focal length 15m. If an eyepiece
lens of focal length 1.0 cm is used, find the angular magnification of the telescope. If this telescope is
used to view the moon, what is the diameter of the image of the moon formed by the objective lens?
The diameter of the moon is and the radius of the lunar orbit is .
5. State the importance of coherent sources in the phenomenon of interference. In Young’s double slit
experiment to produce interference pattern, obtain the conditions for constructive and destructive
interference. Hence, deduce the expression for the fringe width. How does the fringe width get affected, if
the entire experimental apparatus of Young is immersed in water?
OR
(a) State Huygen’s principle. Using this principle explain how a diffraction pattern is obtained on a screen
due to a narrow slit on which a narrow beam coming from a monochromatic source of light is incident
normally.
(b) Show that the angular width of the first diffraction fringe is half of that of the central fringe.
(c) If a monochromatic source of light is replaced by white light, what change would you
observe in the diffraction pattern?

CBSE 2010
1. A converging lens is kept coaxially in contact with a diverging lens both the lenses being of equal focal
lengths. What is the focal length of the combination?
2. The image obtained with a convex lens is erect and its length is four times the length of the object. If the
focal length of the lens is 20 cm, calculate the object and image distances.
3. When light travels from a rarer to a denser medium, the speed decreases. Does this decrease in speed
imply a decrease in the energy carried by the light wave? Justify your answer.
4. (i) Draw a neat labelled ray diagram of an astronomical telescope in normal adjustment. Explain briefly its
working.
(ii) An astronomical telescope used two lenses of power 10D and 1D. What is its magnifying power in
normal adjustment?
OR
(i) Draw a neat labelled ray diagram of a compound microscope. Explain briefly its working.
(ii) Why must both objective and the eyepiece of a compound microscope have short focal lengths?
5. An illuminated object and a screen are placed 90 cm apart. Determine the focal length and nature of the
lens required to produce a clear image on the screen, twice the size of the object.
6. In Young’s double slit experiment, the two slits 0.15 mm apart are illuminated by monochromatic light of
wavelength 450 nm. The screen is 1.0 m away from the slits.
(a) Find the distance of the second (i) bright fringe, (ii) dark fringe from the central maximum.
(b) How will the fringe pattern change if the screen is moved away from the slits?
7. How does an unpolarised light get polarised when passed through polaroid? Two polaroids are set in
crossed positions. A third polaroid is placed between the two making an angle with the pass axis of the
first polaroid. Write the expression of the intensity of light transmitted from the second polaroid. In what
orientations will the transmitted intensity be
(i) minimum and (ii) maximum?
CBSE 2009
1. Two thin lenses of power +4D and -2D in contact. What is the focal length of the combination?
2. Define refractive index of a transparent medium. A ray of light passes through a triangular prism. Plot a
graph showing the variation of the angle of deviation with the angle of incidence.
3. Define the term ‘linearly polarised light. When does the intensity of transmitted light become maximum,
when a polaroid sheet is rotated between two crossed polaroids?
4. (i) State the principal on which the working of an optical fiber is based.
(ii) What are the necessary conditions for this phenomenon to occur?
5. In Young’s double slit experiment, monochromatic light of wavelength 630 nm illuminates the pair of slits
and produces an interference pattern in which two consecutive bright fringes are separated by 8.1 mm.
Another source of monochromatic light produces the interference pattern in which the two consecutive
bright fringes are separated by 7.2 mm. Find the wavelength of light from the second source. What is the
effect on the interference fringes if the monochromatic source is replaced by a source of white light?
6. (a) (i) Draw a labelled ray diagram to show the formation of image in an astronomical telescope for a
distant object.
(ii) Write three distinct advantages of a reflecting type telescope over a refracting type telescope.
(b) A convex lens of focal length 10 cm is placed coaxially 5 cm away from a concave lens of focal length
10cm. If an object is placed 30 cm in front of the convex lens, find the position of the final image formed by
the combined system.
OR
(a) With the help of a suitable ray diagram, derive the mirror formula for a concave mirror.
(b) The near point of a hypermetropic person is 50 cm from the eye. What is the power of the lens
required to enable the person to read clearly a book held at 25 cm from the eye?