List of Most Imp Derivations and long answer questions for CBSE PHYSICS Exam

: By Dr. Mukesh Shrimali

Whenever required please draw proper diagram whether asked or not in long
answer questions

Q. 1. (a)Derive an expression for the torque acting on a loop of N turns, area A, carrying
current i, when held in a uniform magnetic field with the help of circuit, then show how this
concept is useful, in a construction and working of moving coil galvanometer . Write the
necessary mathematical formula.

(b)An ammeter and a milliammeter are converted from same galvanometer. Out of two,
which current measuring instrument has a higher resistance? (milliammeter)

OR

(a)Write an expression for the force experienced by a charged particle moving in a uniform
magnetic field B. under what condition this force is maximum

With the help of a diagram, explain the principle and working of a cyclotron. Show that
cyclotron frequency does not depend on the speed. of the particles. Also give resonance
condition for cyclotron. (b) A proton and a deuteron having equal momenta enter in a
region of uniform magnetic field at right angle to the direction of the field. Depict their
trajectories in the field

(c) A cyclotron’s oscillator frequency is 10 MHz. What should be the operating magnetic
field for accelerating protons? If the radius of its ‘Dees’ is 60 cm, what is the kinetic energy
of the proton beam produced by the accelerator? Express your answer in units of MeV.
(e = 1.6×10-19 C, mp = 1.67×10-27 kg, 1 MeV = 1.602×10-13 J). 5

Q. 2(a). With the help of a ray diagram, show the formation of image of a point object by
refraction of light at a spherical surface separating two media of refractive indices n1 and
n2 (n2 > n1) respectively. Using this diagram, derive the relation. Write the sign
conventions used.

(b) What happens to the focal length of convex lens of refractive index 4/3 when it is
immersed in water of refractive index 4/3?

1.5−1
(Fnew = (ng -1)/(ng/nl -1 ) ×f = (( 1.5 ) ×20 = 80 cm.)
−1)
(4/3

OR

(a) Draw a graph to show the angle of deviation δ with the variation of angle of
incidence I for a monochromatic ray of light passing through a prism of refracting
angle A then deduce prism formula
(b) A ray of light passing through a prism. If the refracted ray QR is parallel to the base
BC.show that (i) r1=r2 =A/2 (ii) angle of minimum deviation δm = 2i-A

Q.3. Deduce the condition for balance in a Wheatstone Bridge Using the principle of
Wheatstone Bridge, describe the method to determine the specific resistance of a wire in
the laboratory. Draw the circuit diagram and write the formula used. Write any two
important precautions observe while performing the experiment.

OR

(a)Draw the circuit diagram of potentiometer which can be used to determine the internal
resistance of a given cell E . Describe a method to find the internal resistance of a primary
cell. Give any two possible causes for one sided deflection in the potentiometer
experiment.

(b) Why is a potentiometer considered to be superior or better than a voltmeter to measure

the emf of a cell

Q 4. (a) Using Huygens’ principle, draw a diagram to show propagation of a wave-front

originating from a monochromatic point source. Then show behavior of plane wave front
as they pass through (a) thin prism (b) thin convex lens
(b)Describe diffraction of light due to a single slit. Derive expression for width of central
maxima then explain formation of a pattern of fringes obtained on the screen and plot
showing variation of intensity with angle in single slit diffraction.

OR
(a)What is meant by a linearly polarized light? Which type of waves can be polarized?
Briefly explain reflection for producing polarized light.
(b)Two polaroid’s are placed at 90° to each other and the intensity of transmitted light is
zero. What will be the intensity of transmitted light when one more polaroid is placed?
between these two bisecting the angle between them? Take intensity of unpolarized
light as IO.

Q.5. (a) With the help of a circuit diagram, Action of transistor. How CE transistor can be
used to amplify signal. Why there is phase reversal in input and output?
(b) Draw truth table for following logic diagram and explain its working with the help
of input, output waveforms. Identify the equivalent gate.

OR

(a) Describe briefly the role of two important process involved in the formation of a P-N
junction. Explain briefly with the help of a circuit diagram how V-I characteristics of a p-n
junction diode are obtained in (i) forward bias, and (ii) reverse bias.
(b) A photodiode is fabricated from a semiconductor with a band gap of 2.8 eV. Can it
detect wavelength of 6000 nm ? Justify.

Q6 (a) .Deduce the expression for the frequency of revolution of a charged particle in a
magnetic field and show that it is independent of velocity or energy.
(b.)Define current sensitivity and voltage sensitivity of a galvanometer. Increasing the
current sensitivity may not necessarily increase the voltage sensitivity of a galvanometer.
Justify.
OR
(a)Depict the magnetic field lines due to two straight, long, parallel conductors carrying
currents I1 and I2 in the same direction. Hence deduce an expression for the force
acting per unit length on one conductor due to the other. Is this force attractive or
repulsive ?
(b)Figure shows a rectangular current-carrying loop placed 2 cm away from a long,
straight, current-carrying conductor. What is the direction and magnitude of the net
force acting on the loop

Q. 7. An ac source of voltage V = Vm sin t is connected, one by one, to three

circuit elements, X, Y and Z. it is observed that the current flowing in them

(a) is in phase with applied voltage for element X.

(b) lags the applied voltage, in phase, by angle  / 2. for element Y.

(c) leads the applied voltage, in phase, by angle  / 2.

(a)Identify the three circuit elements.

(b)Find an expression for the current flowing in the circuit, when the same
ac source is connected across a series combination of the elements X, Y
and Z.
(c)If the frequency of the applied voltage is varied, set up the condition of
the frequency when the current amplitude in the circuit is maximum. Write
expression for this current amplitude.

Or
(a) Explain principle construction and working of transformer. Assuming the
transformer to be an ideal one, deduce the expression for the ratio of output voltage
 to input voltage and output current and input current in terms of number of turns in
primary and secondary, how we minimize energy losses in transformer.
(b)The primary coil of an ideal step-up transformer has 100 turns and the
transformation ratio is also 100. The input voltage the power
are 220 V and 1100 W respectively. Calculate:
(i) number of turns in the secondary
(ii) the current in the primary
(iii) voltage across the secondary
(iv) the current in the secondary
(v) power in the secondary

Q. 8. (a)What is interference of light? Write two essential conditions for sustained

interference pattern to be produced on the screen. Derive expression for fringe width of
interference fringes
Draw a graph showing the variation of intensity versus the position on the screen in
Young’s experiment when (a) both the slits are
opened and (b) one of the slits is closed.
What is the effect on the interference pattern in Young’s double slit experiment when:
(i) screen is moved closer to the plane of slits?
(ii) separation between two slits is increased. Explain your answer in each case.
(b)In young’s double slit experiment using monochromatic light of wavelength λ , the
intensity at a point on the screen where path difference is λ is K units. What is the intensity
of light at a point where path difference is λ/3?
OR
(a)What is diffraction of light? Draw a graph showing the variation of intensity with angle
in a single slit diffraction experiment. Write one feature which distinguishes the observed
pattern from the double slit interference pattern.
How would the diffraction pattern of a single slit be affected when?
(i) the width of the slit is decreased?
(ii) the monochromatic source of light is replaced by a source of white light?
(b)How does resolving power of compound microscope get affected on
(i) decreasing the diameter of its objective
(ii) increasing the focal length of its objective?

Q. 9. (a)a straight thick long wire of uniform circular cross section of radius a is carrying
a steady current I. the current is uniformly distributed across the cross section. Use
ampere circuital law to obtain a relation showing variation of magnetic field inside and
outside the wire. Plot the graph showing variations of B with distance.
(b)A galvanometer coil has a resistance of 12Ω and the meter shows full scale deflection
for a current of 3mA. How will you convert the meter into a voltmeter of range 0 to 18 V.
OR
(a)Derive a mathematical expression for the force per unit length experienced by each of
the two-long current carrying conductors placed parallel to each other in air. Hence define
one ampere of current.
Explain why two parallel straight conductors carrying current in the opposite direction kept
near each other in air repel.
(b.) A square current loop of side 20 cm carrying current 15 A is placed 1 cm away from
a long straight current carrying conductor of length 20 cm carrying current of 10 A. nearby
side carrying current in same direction. Calculate net force on conductor and what will be
nature of this force.

Q. 10. (a)Draw a labelled diagram of a moving coil galvanometer. State the principle on
which it works. What is the function of:(i) uniform radial field (ii) soft iron core in such a
device?
Deduce an expression for the torque acting on a rectangular current carrying loop kept
in a uniform magnetic field. Write two factors on which the current sensitivity of a moving
coil galvanometer depends.
(b) A moving coil meter has the following particulars: Number of turns, N = 24; Area of
the coil, A = 20 × 10–3 m2; Magnetic field strength, B = 0.20 T; Resistance of the
coil, R = 14 Ω.
 (i) Indicate a simple way to increase the current sensitivity of the meter by 25%. (It
is not easy to change A or B).

(ii) If in so doing, the resistance of the coil increases to 21 Ω, is the voltage

sensitivity of the modified meter greater or less than the original meter?
Or
(a)State Biot-Savart law. Use it to derive an expression for the magnetic field on the axis
of a circular loop of radius R carrying a steady current I. Sketch the magnetic field lines
for such a current carrying loop.
(b) Two identical circular wires P and Q each of radius R and carrying current I are kept
in perpendicular planes such that they have a common center. Find the magnitude and
direction of the net magnetic field at the common center.

Q. 11. What are coherent sources ? Why are coherent sources required to produce
interference of light ? Give an example of interference of light in everyday life. In Young's
double slit experiment, the two slits are 0.03 cm apart and the screen is placed at a
distance of 1.5 m away from the slits. The distance between the central bright fringe and
fourth bright fringe is 1 cm. Calculate the wavelength of light used. 5
Or
State the condition under which the phenomenon of diffraction of light takes place. Derive
an expression for the width of the central maximum due to diffraction of light at a single
slit. A slit of width 'a' is illuminated by a monochromatic light of wavelength 700 nm a
normal incidence. Calculate the value of 'a' for position of
1. first minimum at an angle of diffraction of 30°.
2. first maximum at an angle of diffraction of 30°.

Q. 12. (a)State the principle of working of p-n diode as a rectifier. Explain, with the help
of a circuit diagram, the use of PN -diode as a full wave rectifier. Draw a sketch of the
input and output waveforms.
(b) Name the semiconductor device used to compare intensity of light. Draw its
characteristics curve .
(c) Two semiconductor material X and Y are made by doping a germanium crystal with
indium and arsenic respectively
X Y
If X is connected with positive and Y with negative. Will the junction forward bias or
reverse bias. Sketch a V-I graph for this arrangement.

Or
(a)Draw the symbolic representation of a (i) p-n-p, (ii) n-p-n transistor. Why is the base
region of transistor thin and lightly doped ? With proper circuit diagram, show the biasing
of a p-n-p transistor in common base configuration.
Explain the movement of charge carriers through different parts of the transistor in such
a configuration and show that Ie= Ib + Ic
(a) A Change of 0.2 mA in the base current causes a change of 5mA in the collector
current for a common emitter amplifier.
(i) Find the current gain
(ii) If the input resistance is 2kΩ and voltage gain is 75, calculate the load
resistance.

Q13. (a) Derive an expression for the electric potential at a point due to an electric dipole.
Mention the contrasting features of electric potential of dipole at a point as compared to
that due to a single charge.
(b) Two charges are located 16 cm apart. Their magnitude are 5× 10-8 and
-3× 10-8 Coulomb respectively. At what point net potential is zero ?
OR
(a)Derive expression of capacitance of parallel plate capacitor. If a capacitor is charged
by a battery, which is then disconnected. A dielectric slab is then inserted in the space
between the plates. Explain what changes ,if any occur in the values of
(i) capacitance
(ii) potential difference
(iii) electric field between the plates
(iv) Energy stored in the capacitor
(b A test charge q is moved without acceleration from A to C along the path from A to B
and B to C in electric field E as shown.

Calculate the potential difference between A and C and explain at which point is the
electric potential is more and why ?
( 4E, Potential at C is greater than A because electric field always point in decreasing
potential)

Q14(a) For a ray of light traveling from a denser medium of refractive index n 1 to a rarer
medium of refractive index n2, prove that
n2/n1=Sin ic ,where ic is the critical angle of incidence for the media.
(b) Explain with the help of a diagram, how the above the principle is used for transmission
of video signals using optical fibers.
(c) A compound microscope consists of an objective lens of focal length 2.0cm and
eyepiece of focal length 6.25cm separated by a distance of 15 cm. How far from objective
should an object be placed in order to obtain the final image at (i) D (ii) infinity
OR
(a) What is plane polarised light? Two polaroids are placed at 90o to each other and the
transmitted intensity is zero. What happens when one more Polaroid is placed between
these two, bisecting the angle between them? How will the intensity of transmitted light
vary on further rotating the third Polaroid?

(b) 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 '1' and
'2' are respectively 1.35 and 1.45. Trace the path of these rays after entering the prism.
Q15. (a) State Gauss theorem. Using Gauss’ law, derive an expression for the electric
field intensity at any point outside a uniformly charge thin spherical shell of radius R and
charge density σ C /m2 Draw the field lines when the charge density of the sphere is (i)
positive, (ii) negative.
(b) A uniformly charged conducting sphere of 2.5m in diameter has a surface charge
density of 100mC /m2 calculate the
(i) Charge on the sphere
(ii) Total eclectic flux passing through the sphere
OR
(a) Derive an expression for the torque experienced by an electric dipole kept in a uniform
electric field. What will be force on it. Then find work done in rotating a dipole from angle
0 to 180.
(b) Calculate the work done to dissociate the system of three charges placed on the
vertices of a triangle as shown.
Q16. (a) Explain the formation of depletion layer and potential barrier in a p–n junction.
(b) Using semiconductor based device X ,the input AC waveform is converted into the
output DC waveform by a device ‘X’.
Name the device and draw its circuit diagram.
(b) Two signals A, B are given below, are applied as input to NOR gate. Draw the
output wave-form in each case.

OR

(a) With the help of circuit diagram explain how a Zener diode works to obtain a constant
DC voltage from unregulated supply.
(b) Distinguish between a conductor, a semiconductor and an insulator on the basis of
energy band diagrams.
(c) the current in the forward bias is known to be more than the current in the reverse
bias. What is the reason then to operate the photodiode in reverse bias ?
Q17. Describe briefly, with the help of a labelled diagram, the basic elements of an A.C.
generator. State its underlying principle. Show diagrammatically how an alternating emf
is generated by a loop of wire rotating in a magnetic field. Write the expression for the
instantaneous value of the emf induced in the rotating loop.
OR
A series LCR circuit is connected to a source having voltage v = v m sinw t. Derive the
expression for the instantaneous current I and its phase relationship to the applied
voltage.
Obtain the condition for resonance to occur. Define ‘power factor’. State the conditions
under which it is (i) maximum and (ii) minimum.
Q18.(a) State Huygens’s principle. Show, with the help of a suitable diagram, how this
principle is used to obtain the diffraction pattern by a single slit .In what way is diffraction
from each slit related to the interference pattern in a double slit experiment ?
Draw a plot of intensity distribution and explain clearly why the secondary maxima
becomes weaker with increasing order (n) of the secondary maxima.
(b.) What are coherent sources of light ? why are coherent sources required to produce
interference of light ?Give one example of interference in daily life.
OR
(a)Draw a ray diagram to show the working of a compound microscope. Deduce an
expression for the total magnification when the final image is formed at the near point.
(b)In a compound microscope, an object is placed at a distance of 1.5 cm from the
objective of focal length 1.25 cm. If the eye piece has a focal length of 5 cm and the final
image is formed at the near point, estimate the magnifying power of the microscope.
Q19. (a) Derive the expression for the law of radioactive decay of a given sample having
initially N0 nuclie decaying to the number N present at any subsequent time t. plot a graph
showing the variation of the number of nuclie versus the time t lapsed. Mark the point on
the plot when number present N=N0/16
(b)Derive expression for average life of a radio nuclie.
OR
(a) Draw a schematic arrangement of Geiger -Marsden experiment for the study of
scattering of alpha particle. How this study can be used to estimate size of nucleus.
(b) The ground state energy of hydrogen atom is -13.6eV. What is the kinetic and
potential energies of the electron in this state ?

Q20. State the working of a.c. generator with the help of a labeled Diagram.
The coil of an a.c. generator having N turns, each of area A ,is rotated with a
constant angular velocity w. Deduce the expression for alternating e.m.f.
generated in the coil.
What is the source of energy generation in this device?
 OR
(a) Prove that in a AC circuit containing L only voltage is ahead of current by π/2 in
phase. Where as in circuit containing C only it lags behind by π/2
(b) If a wire of length L is falling with speed v at right angles to the horizontal
component
(i) Write the expression for the instantaneous value of the e.m.f. induced in the wire.
(ii) What is the direction of the e.m.f. ?
(iii) Which end of the wire is at the higher potential?

Q21.(a) 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.
(b) A convex lens of focal length f1 is kept in contact with a concave lens f2 .Find focal
length of combination.

OR
(a) Draw a ray diagram for the formation of image of a point object by a thin double
convex lens having radii of curvature R1 and R2. Hence derive lens maker’s formula
for a double convex lens,
(b) Derive the lens formula for convex lens

Q22.Define magnifying power of a refracting type telescope. When final image formed at
infinity then derive its expression. then explain why we prefer reflecting type over
reflecting type telescope.
A small telescope has an objective lens of focal length 150 cm and an eye piece of
focal length 5 cm. If this telescope is used to view a 100 m high tower 3 km away,
find the height of the final image when it is formed 25 cm away from the eye piece.
OR
How is the construction and working of a telescope different from that of a microscope?
The focal lengths of the objective and eyepiece of a microscope are 1.25 cm and
5 cm respectively. Find the position of the object relative to the objective in order to
obtain an angular magnification of 30 in normal adjustment.

Q23. Draw a simple circuit of a CE transistor amplifier. Explain its working. Show that the
voltage gain, Av, of the amplifier is given by Av =- β RL/Ri, where βac is the current I
gain, RL is the load resistance and Ri is the input resistance of the transistor. What is
the significance of the negative sign in the expression for the voltage gain?
OR
(a) Draw the circuit diagram of a full wave rectifier using p-n junction diode.
Explain its working and show the output, input waveforms.
(b) Draw the circuit arrangement for studying the input and output characteristics of n-p-
n transistor in CE configuration. With help of these characteristics define (i)input
resistance (ii) current amplification

Q24 (a)Define electric point dipole. Find an expression for the electric field strength at a
distant point situated (i)On the axis line. (ii) on the equatorial line
(c) Draw an equipotential surface in a(i) uniform electric field.(ii) electric dipole
OR
(a) Define electric flux. Write its S.l. units.
(b) Using Gauss's law, prove that the electric field at a point due to a uniformly
charged infinite plane sheet is independent of the distance from it.
(c) How is the field directed if (i) the sheet is positively charged, (ii) negatively
charged?

Q25. (a) Derive the expression for the torque on a rectangular current carrying loop
suspended in a uniform magnetic field. (b) A proton and a deuteron having equal
momenta enter in a region of uniform magnetic field at right angle to the direction of the
field. Depict their trajectories in the field.
OR
(a) A small compass needle of magnetic moment ‘m’ is free to turn about an axis
perpendicular to the direction of uniform magnetic field ‘B’. The moment of inertia of the
needle about the axis is ‘I’. The needle is slightly disturbed from its stable position and
then released. Prove that it executes simple harmonic motion. Hence deduce the
expression for its time period. (b) A compass needle, free to a turn in a vertical plane
orients itself with its axis vertical at a certain place on the earth. Find out the values of (i)
horizontal component of earth’s magnetic field and (ii) angle of dip at the place.

Q26. (a) Draw a ray diagram showing the image formation by a compound microscope.
Hence obtain expression for total magnification when the image is formed at infinity. (b)
Distinguish between myopia and hypermetropia. Show diagrammatically how these
defects can be corrected.
OR
(a) State Huygen’s principle. Using this principle draw a diagram to show how a plane
wave front incident at the interface of the two media gets refracted when it propagates
from a rarer to a denser medium. Hence verify Snell’s law of refraction. (b) When
monochromatic light travels from a rarer to a denser medium, explain the following, giving
reasons: (i) Is the frequency of reflected and refracted light same as the frequency of
incident light? (ii) Does the decrease in speed imply a reduction in the energy carried by
light wave?

Q27. (a) State the working principle of a potentiometer. With the help of the circuit
diagram, explain how a potentiometer is used to compare the e.m.f.’s of two primary cells.
Obtain the required expression used for comparing the e.m.f.’s. (b) Write two possible
causes for one sided deflection in a potentiometer experiment.
OR
(a) State Kirchhoff’s rules for an electric network. Using Kirchhoff’s rules, obtain the
balance condition in terms of the resistances of four arms of Wheatstone bridge.
(b) In the meterbridge experimental set up, shown in the figure, the null point ‘D’ is
obtained at a distance of 40 cm from end A of the meterbridge. If a resistance of
 10 is connected in series with R1, null point is obtained at AD = 60 cm. Calculate
the values of R1 and R2.

Q28. (a)Using the postulates of Bohr’s model of hydrogen atom, obtain an expression
for the frequency of radiation emitted when atom make a transition from the higher
energy state with quantum number ni to the lower energy state with quantum
number nf (nf < ni). When electron in hydrogen atom jumps from energy
state ni=4 to nf = 3,2,1 ,identify the spectral series to which the emission lines
belong

(b) Draw a graph showing the variation of potential energy between a pair of
nucleons as a function of their separation. Indicate the regions in which the nuclear
force is attractive and repulsive. Write any two conclusion which you can draw
regarding the nature of nuclear forces.

OR
(a) Draw the graph showing the variation of binding energy per nucleon. Which element
show maximum stability. Also explain nuclear fusion and fission region.
(b) Use this graph to show release of energy in both the processes of nuclear fusion
and fission.
(c) Write the basic nuclear process of neutron undergoing beta decay. Why is the
detection of neutrinos found very difficult ?

Q.29 (a) Define electric dipole moment. Is it scalar or vector. Derive the expression
for the electric field of dipole on the equatorial plane
(b) Draw the equipotential surfaces due to an electric dipole. Locate the points where
the potential due to the dipole is Zero.
OR
(a) Using Gauss’s law deduce the expression for the electric field due to a uniformly
charged spherical conducting shell of radius R at a point outside and inside the
shell
(b) Plot a graph showing variation of electric field as a function of r>R and r<R
Q.30 What do you mean by mutual induction of two nearby coils. Find an expression for
two coaxial solenoid.
(b) What does a toroid consist of ? Find out the expression for the magnetic field inside
the toroid for N turns of coil having the average radius r and carrying a current I
OR
(a) Derive an expression of induced emf and induced current when a conductor of
length l is moved with a uniform velocity v normal to a uniform magnetic field if
resistance of conductor is R.
(b) State Faraday’s law. If a conducting rod of length l is rotated with a uniform angular
speed w in a vertical plane in a magnetic field then deduce expression of emf
induced in this rod