Key Optics Concepts Explained with Practice Problems
FAQs on Optics Practice Paper: Questions, Answers, and Solutions
1. What is optics in physics?
Optics is a branch of physics that studies the behavior and properties of light. Main topics include:
- The nature of light (wave and particle theory)
- Reflection and refraction
- Formation of images by mirrors and lenses
- Optical instruments (microscopes, telescopes)
2. What are the laws of reflection of light?
The laws of reflection describe how light bounces from surfaces. They are:
- The incident ray, the reflected ray, and the normal to the reflecting surface all lie in the same plane.
- The angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection.
3. What is refraction of light and why does it occur?
Refraction is the bending of light as it passes from one medium to another due to a change in its speed. Key points include:
- Light slows down or speeds up when moving between media (like air to water)
- This causes the path of light to change direction
- Applications: Lenses, prisms, and human vision
4. State and explain Snell's Law.
Snell's Law mathematically relates the angles of incidence and refraction when light enters a new medium. It is given by:
- n₁ sinθ₁ = n₂ sinθ₂, where n₁ and n₂ are refractive indices of the two media
- θ₁ is the angle of incidence, and θ₂ is the angle of refraction
5. How do concave and convex lenses form images?
Concave and convex lenses form images by refracting light rays.
- Convex lenses converge light, forming real or virtual images depending on object position.
- Concave lenses diverge light, always forming virtual, erect, and diminished images.
- Image characteristics (size, orientation, type) depend on the object’s distance from the lens.
6. List the differences between real and virtual images.
Real and virtual images differ in several key ways:
- Real images can be projected on a screen; virtual images cannot.
- Real images are formed by actual intersection of rays; virtual images form where rays appear to diverge from.
- Real images are usually inverted; virtual images are erect.
7. What is the principle of a pinhole camera?
A pinhole camera works on the principle of rectilinear propagation of light. Main concepts:
- Light travels in a straight line
- Inverted and real image is formed on the screen
- No lens is used; only a small opening (pinhole)
8. What is total internal reflection? Give examples.
Total internal reflection (TIR) occurs when a light ray traveling from a denser to a rarer medium is incident at an angle greater than the critical angle, causing it to reflect entirely back. Examples include:
- Mirage formation
- Optical fibers
- Diamond sparkle
9. What is the function of a prism in optics?
A prism splits white light into its constituent colors by dispersion.
- Light bends differently depending on wavelength
- This creates a spectrum of colors (VIBGYOR)
- Important for studying dispersion and rainbow formation
10. What are some applications of optics in daily life?
Optics has many applications in daily life. Examples include:
- Vision correction using lenses (spectacles, contact lenses)
- Cameras and microscopes
- Telescopes for astronomical observation
- Fiber optic cables for communication






















