MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS ( in REFLECTION )

Sample Multiple Choice Questions :

1. When you look at yourself at a plane mirror, what you see is:
a. real image behind the mirror c. real image in front of the mirror
b. virtual image behind the mirror d. virtual image in front of the mirror

2. What type of mirror can form a virtual image smaller than the size of an object?
a. plane mirror c. concave mirror
b. convex mirror d. two plane mirror facing each other

3. What is the image distance when an object is placed 30 cm in front of a concave mirror
of focal length 15 cm?
a. 10 cm b. -10 cm c. 30 cm d. -30 cm

4. Two plane mirrors are oriented perpendicular to one another and joined at their edges. A laser
beam is incident at an angle of 35o on one of the mirrors. What is the angle of incidence
of the light as it approaches the second mirror?
a. 18o ` b. 35o c. 55o d. 47o

5. When you are infront of a plane mirror you can see a full length view of yourself .Which
of the following is NOT the characteristic of your image?
a. perverted c. same as your height
b. inverted d. same as your distance

6. Where must a man stand in front of a concave mirror so that his image appears inverted
and same his size?
a. focus b. principal axis c. vertex d. center of curvature

7. The image of a postage stamp, located at the focus of converging mirror with focal length
of 20cm is formed _________.
a. 20cm in front of the lens c. at infinity
b. 20cm on the other side of the lens d. undefined

8. The image formed by the concave mirror is real, inverted and diminished
a. when object distance is more than twice the focal length.
b. when object distance is equal to twice the focal length.
c. when object distance is less than twice the focal length.
d. when object distance is less than the focal length.

Note: answer first the multiple choice questions before looking at the following answers.
Answers to multiple choice 1. B 2. B 3. C 4. C 5. B 6. D 7. C 8. A

1
Refraction of Light
1. It is the abrupt change of velocity of light wave as it passes from one medium
to another medium of different density.
2. It is the bending of light waves or rays as they travel from one medium to another of different density.
Note: The boundary between two media is called the interface.

Consider a light ray from a source incident on a refracting surface.

N
Where :
I medium 1
I = incident ray
i n1
interface R = refracted ray
N = normal line
i = angle of incidence
r
r = angle of refraction
medium 2
n = index of refraction of medium
n2 R

EXPERIMENTAL LAWS OF REFRACTION

1. N, I, and R are co-planar
2. SNELLS LAW:
n1 sin i = n2 sin r

ABSOLUTE INDEX OF REFRACTION (n)

It is the ratio between the velocity of light in free space C or vacuum to the velocity of light in the
medium v . In vacuum, velocity of light is 3 x 10 8 m/ s.
n = C/v
V1
n1 = C / V1 V2
n2 = C / V2
Medium 1 Medium 2
n1 / n2 = v2 / v1
For air n = 1.0 for water n = 4/3 or 1.33 for glass n = 3/2 or 1.5

BENDING OF LIGHT
When light ray goes from less dense to more dense medium or vice versa, light ray tends to bend in a
direction relative to normal (N).

CASE I :
Refraction from more dense
CASE II: When light goes from to less dense medium, light
less dense to more dense medium, bends away from normal. i
it bends towards the normal. i > < r 2
r
CASE III: When light goes from more dense to less dense medium and light incident on the
refracting surface is refracted at an angle of 900 , the angle of incidence i is a critical
angle c.

Note: When the angle of incidence is greater than the critical angle c , light ray is not
refracted but reflected. (Total Internal Reflection)

SHALLOWING EFFECT OF REFRACTION

An object under the water surface (or refracting surface) at a certain depth H , appears elevated as
viewed vertically. The apparent depth H of the object as seen by the observer is

Case 1. When object is in water, n1 = 4/3 and viewer is in air n 2 = 1 H < H

H = ( 1/ 1.33 ) H
Ex. A man, viewing a fish below the water surface, sees the fish appearing near the surface of water.

Case 2. When object is in air n1 = 1 and viewer is in water n2 = 4/3 H > H

H = ( 1.33 ) H
Ex. An underwater swimmer sees a bird flying in the sky appearing to be farther from the surface of water.

3
OTHER EFFECTS OF REFRACTION
1. Dispersion of White light in a prism.
2. Formation of a RAINBOW.
3. Formation of a MIRAGE.
4. Wet appearance of road surface during hot summer.
5. A straight stick appears bent when partly submerged in water

SAMPLE PROBLEMS:
1. A light ray travels from glass (n = 1.5) to water (n = 4/3). Find the speed of light in (a) glass, (b) in water.
a ) for glass, n = C / v v = C / n = 3 x 10 8 m/ s / 1.5 = 2 x 10 8 m/s
b) for water , n = C / v v = C / n = 3 x 10 8 m/ s / ( 4/3 ) = 2.25 x 10 8 m/ s

2. A ray of light traveling in air makes an angle of incidence 45 o at the surface of a sheet of ice. The ray is
refracted into the ice at 30o .What is the critical angle for the ice?
From Snells law n1 sin i = n2 sin r n air ( sin 45o ) = n ice ( sin 30o )
n ice = ( 1 ) (0.707) / 0.5 = 1.414
critical angle c = arcsin ( n2 / n1 ) = arc sin (n air / n ice )
c = arc sin ( 1 / 1.414 ) = 45o
3. A child stands over the chair in an attempt to reach a silver coin at the bottom of a shallow water (n=1.33) in
the kitchen sink.. If the depth of the water is 0.24 m, what is the apparent depth of the coin?
H = H (n2 / n1 ) = 0.24 m ( 1/ 1.33 ) = 0.18

4. A plane mirror is placed on the level bottom of a swimming pool, which holds water to a depth of 2.5 m. A
small toy is suspended 2.0 m above the mirror. An observer above the water looks vertically downward at the
toy and its image in the mirror. What is the difference between the apparent depths of the toy and its image in
the mirror ?
by reflection and refraction
For the toy, apparent depth = 0.5 m ( 1/ 1.33 ) = 0.38 m
For the toys image, apparent depth = 4.5 m ( 1/ 1.33 ) = 3.38 m
Difference between apparent depths = 3.38 m - 0.38 m = 3.0 m

Exercise Problems .
1.Light passes from air (n=1) into ice with part of the ray reflected and part refracted. The reflected and
refracted rays are at 90 with each other. At what angle of incidence should the beam of light strike the surface
of ice if light ray is refracted at an angle of 30 ?. Find the index of refraction of ice. What is the velocity of
light in ice ? Answer : Incident Angle q i = 60 degrees,
index of refraction of ice n = 1.73 ,
speed in ice v = 1.734 x 10 8 m/s

2. A child sees a coin apparently 24 cm from the top surface of a plastic plate. The coin is actually under the
rectangular plate 30 cm thick. Find the index of refraction of plastic plate. What is the velocity of light in plastic
plate? Answer : n = 1.25 v = 2.4 x 10 8 m/s

3 Captain Barbel, flying at an altitude of 210 m above the surface of the ocean, sees Dyesebel below the
surface who is at an actual depth of 360 m. Find the apparent depth of Dyesebel as seen by Captain Barbel.
How far is Captain Barbel from the surface of the ocean as seen by Dyesebel? n water = 4/3
Answer: apparent depth of Dyesebel = 270 m
apparent depth of Captain Barbel = 280 m
4
 4.Light traveling in first medium with a speed of 1.5x108 m/sec, strikes the surface of a transparent material
where it travels at a speed of 2x108 m/sec. If the incident angle is 37o, find the angle of refraction and
the critical angle between the two media.
Answer : angle of refraction = 53 degrees critical angle = 48.6 deg

5.A ray of light originates inside the

glass filled with water, as shown in
the figure. It travels through water,
is incident on the glass side,and
emerges into the air.Ignore any
partial reflections. What are the
values of angles and ?

6. In the figure, ray A enters a

30o-60o-90o glass prism
vertically downward. Ray C
exits the prism into an
unknown medium C. Find the
index of refraction of medium
C.

Sample multiple choice questions:

1. Due to refraction, an underwater swimmer is seen by the bird in the sky appearing to be
a. farther from the water surface c. nearer the water surface
b. at its actual size d. on the water surface
2. The total internal reflection occurs when the angle of incidence in the denser medium is__.
a. greater than the critical angle c. less then the critical angle
b. between zero and the critical angle d. equal to the critical angle
3. A ray of light in air shines on the surface of a transparent material at an angle of incidence of 30o
and is refracted at an angle of 20o. What is the index of refraction of the transparent material?
a. 2.0 b. 3.0 c. 1.46 d. 1.7
4. Which of the following statements is INCORRECT?
a. the angle of reflection is equal to the angle of incidence
b. light rays travel in vacuum and in air
c. the angle of refraction is not equal to the angle of incidence
d. light rays travel faster in glass than in a water

5. What is the critical angle for light traveling through a diamond (n = 2.42 ) embedded in a block
of ice (n = 1.31)?
a. 0o b. 33o c. 90o d. 37o
Note: answer first the multiple choice questions before looking at the following answers.
answer to multiple chice 1. C 2. A 3. C 4. D. 5. D
5
THIN LENS
LENSES is an optical device of circular form that alters the shape of wave fronts of light that pass through it.
The effect of a lens is to refract light passing through it. A lens can also be made from almost any transparent
substance (not only grass, others like diamond, plastic, clear liquid may also be used) that is bounded by two
surfaces of regular form (either plane or formed). The only condition is that the index of refraction of the
material should be higher than that of the surrounding medium.

CLASSIFICATION OF LENSES
According to the manner in which they refract light
I. CONVERGING LENS thicker in the middle than they are in the edge. The lens bends the wave front of
light passing through it, the thick portion retarding the light more than the thin portion near the edge. Thus,
plane waves incident on the surface of a converging lens parallel to the lens axis are refracted and converge at a
point beyond the lens (called the principal focus, F).

Plano- Convex Concave - Convex Double - Convex

II. DIVERGING LENS - thicker at the edges than the middle. The diverging lens bends the wave front passing
through it which the thicker portion at the edge retarding the light more than the thin portion. Thus, parallel
incident rays are refracted for and diverge from a point in front of the lens (principal focus).

Plano- Concave Convex - Concave Double - Concave

THE LENS - MAKER EQUATION:

In order that a lens will have the required focal length, the surface may be ground to have proper radii of
curvature. The focal length depends on the index of refraction of the lens with respect to that of the surrounding
medium. Thus the focal length of the lens may be expressed as
Sign Convention :
1 n2 1 1 R1 R is + when measurement of radius from
f
= ( n -1) ( R - R ) surface to center is same as direction of
1 1 2
R2 refracted ray.
R is -- when measurement of radius is
opposite to direction of refracted ray.

6
where:
n2 = index of refraction of the lens R1 = radius of the 1st surface
n1 = index of refraction of the surrounding medium. R2 = radius of the 2nd surface

Note: When refracted rays intersect each other, an image is formed at the point of intersection with a definite
descriptive characteristic.

Problem:
A plano-convex lens of focal length 12 cm in air is made of glass of index of refraction 1.5. What should be the
radius of curvature of the curved surface?

Solution:
Form the Lensmakers Equation,

IMAGES FORMED BY LENSES; LENS EQUATION:

The image of a point object is the point of intersect of any two rays coming from the object after they
have passed through the lens. The point of intersection may be real (if the refracted rays are usually pass
through or converge as it) and thus from a real image. the intersection may be virtual (as if it is prolonged
refracted rays seem to meet as the point) and thus the image is virtual.

Real Image formed by the intersection of real refracted rays since the rays actually pass through the lens, a
real image is formed behind the lens, on the other side of the object.

Virtual Image formed by the intersection of the extension of refracted rays which seem to diverge from the
focus. Thus, a virtual image is in front of the lens, on the same side of the object.

DESCRIPTION OR CHARACTER OF IMAGE

I. According to the nature or manner of function.
(a) REAL the image formed by real rays on the other side of the lens. It can be seen with the aid of the
screen.
(b)VIRTUAL the image formed by virtual refracted rays in front of the lens.

II. According to Orientation Relative to the objects position.

(a) ERECT same vertical orientation as object
(b) INVERTED opposite to the vertical orientation of object
*REAL IMAGE is always inverted. *VIRTUAL IMAGE is always erect.
III. According to size relative to object size
7
 (a) Magnified increase in size (hi > ho). (b) Same size equal to size of object (hi = ho).
(c) Diminished reduced in size (hi < ho).
IMAGES FORMED BY CONVERGING LENS OR CONVEX LENS:
The image formed by the converging lens has various characteristics depending on the position of the object
There are six cases as follows:
Case I. Objects at Infinite Distance. The image is formed at the focal point .
Case II. Object at a Finite Distance beyond twice the focal length or radius
The image formed is real, inverted and diminished located between focal point F and center of curvature C.

Case III. Objects of a Distance equal to radius or twice the focal length
The image formed is real, inverted and same size as object
Case IV. Object at a distance between focal point F and center of curvature C (converse of Case II)
The image is real, inverted, enlarged, and located beyond C at the opposite side of the lens.
Case V. Object at the focus (converse of Case I). No image is formed.

Case VI. Object at a Distance less than one focal length.

The image is virtual, erect and magnified.

A CONCAVE LENS or a diverging lens always forms an image described as virtual, erect and diminished.

ANALYTICAL METHOD USED TO DESCRIBE THE IMAGE FORMED BY A THIN LENS

The treatment requires the use of equations and mathematical formula as follows:

(1) LENS EQUATION 1/ f = 1/ p + 1/ q

where: f = focal length p = object distance q = image distance

(2) LATERAL MAGNIFICATION (m)

m = - (q/p) = hi/ho hi = image height ho = object height

SIGN CONVENTION
*for f or R use (+) f or (+) R,. if the lens is convex. ( - ) f or ( - ) R, if the lens is concave
*for P and q use (+) p, if the object is real. ( - ) p, if the object is virtual.
use (+) q, if the image is real. ( - ) q, if the image is virtual.
* for hi and ho use (+) hi , (+) ho -- if the image or object is above the principal axis.
use (-) hi , (-) ho, -- if the image or object is below the principal axis.

Interpretation of the magnification: ( Separate the sign and the value of magnification )
For the sign : When m is positive ( m = + ) , the image is erect but when m is negative ( m= - ),
the image formed is inverted.
For the value : When m > 1, the image is magnified.
When m < 1 , the image is diminished.
When m = 1 , the image formed is same size as object.

Sample Problems:
1. An object 20 cm high is 30 cm from a convex lens of focal length 10 cm . Locate and
describe the image formed.
Given: f = + 10 cm ( convex lens ) p = + 30 cm ( real object )
From mirror equation , 1/ f = 1/ p + 1/ q 1/q = 1/f 1/ p
8
 1/ q = 1/ 10 - 1/ 30 = 3/ 30 - 1/ 30 = 2/ 30
q = +15 cm + q means the image is real
From lateral magnification m = - q/ p = - 15 cm / 30 cm = - 0.5
Negative m means the image is inverted , m = 0.5 < 1 means the image is smaller than the object.
Therefore, image is REAL, INVERTED and DIMINISHED as object located 15 cm from the lens.

2. Where must Kokey stand in front of a convex lens of f = 20 cm in order to form an inverted
image five times the height of Kokey?
f = + 20 cm ( convex lens ) hi = 5 ho
hi / ho = 5 = m and an inverted image has a negative magnification
therefore, m = - 5
1/ f = 1/ p + 1/ q 1/ 20 = 1/ p + 1/ q eqn 1.
From m = - q / p = - 5 q= 5p eqn 2
Subs eqn 1 to eqn 2
1/ 20 = 1/ p + 1/ 5p = 5/ 5p + 1/ 5p = 6/ 5p
5p = 6 ( 20 )
p = 24 cm

EXERCISE PROBLEMS
1. A jolly bee flies towards the first surface of a thin lens at an instantaneous velocityV.
Its Virtual image is observed to be travelling at an instantaneous velocity V.
Derive the formula to express the rate of change of magnification from
m = - q / p to prove the relationship for lenses as follows :
dm q 1 where
2 v v
dt p p p = object distance
q = image distance

COMBINATION OF LENSES
When a combination of lenses is used to form an image of an object like in a microscope, the
procedure for describing and locating the final image is to consider the image formed by each lens in a
sequence as the object of the next lens combination. Therefore, to find the image formed by the
combination of two lenses, the first step is to find the image formed by the first lens. This image serves
as the object of the second lens but following the same sign convention, such that, the first image
formed in front of the second lens has a positive object distance; whereas if the first image is formed at
the back of the second lens, the first image as object of the second lens has a distance, from the second
lens, considered negative.

The combined magnification of a system of lenses is

m = m1 x m2 x . x m of last lens
( follow same interpretation considering the sign and value )

Note: for nature characteristics : 1. The final image is real if it is formed after the last lens.
2. The final image is virtual if it is formed before the last lens.

9
2. Two converging lenses A & B, having focal lengths 10 cm and 5 cm respectively, are
placed 40 cm apart on a common principal axis. A plastic sword is placed vertically
upward in front of lens A at a distance of 15 cm. Locate and describe the nature,
orientation and size of the final image formed by the combination of lenses.
First step. (a) What is the location and magnification of the image formed by the first lens A ?
Second step (b) What is the location and magnification of the image formed by lens B ( use the image
of lens A as object of lens B ) ?
Last step Give the nature, orientation and size description of the final image.

p = 15 cm d = 40 cm

Parallel problem in the design of a microscope

The objective lens of a microscope has a focal length of 8.00 cm and is 40.0 cm from the
eyepiece. The eyepiece has a focal length of 20.0 cm. An object is placed 16.00 cm from
the objective lens. (a) What is the location and magnification of the image formed by the
objective lens?Describe the image. (b) What is the location and magnification of the final
image?

For Practice : . A microscope has an objective lens of focal length 8.0 cm and is 70.0 cm from the eyepiece lens.
The eyepiece lens has a focal length of 20.0 cm. An object is placed 10.0 cm from the objective lens.
(a) What is the location and magnification of the image formed by the objective lens?
(b) What is the location and magnification of the final image? Give the nature, orientation and size
description of the final image.

3. A man stands 50 cm infront of a screen. At what two positions must a convex lens of focal
length 10 cm be placed in order to form a clear image of the man on the screen?

4. A convex lens of f = 20 cm and an unknown lens are in contact with each other. A man
30 cm infront of the lens combination has a virtual image formed half the size of the man.
What type of lens is the unknown and what is its focal length ?

10
Multiple Choice Questions
1 .A nail is placed 15cm infront of converging lens. What is the magnification if its image is located
60cm on the other side of the lens?
a. 0.25 b. -0.25 c. 4.0 d. -4.0

2. The image of a postage stamp, located at the focus of converging lens with focal length of 20cm is
formed
a. 20cm in front of the lens c. at infinity
b. 20cm on the other side of the lens d. undefined

3 . Where must a man stand in front of a convex lens so that his image appears inverted and magnified?
a. focus b. principal axis c. between F & C d. center of curvature

4. A convex lens can form an image described as virtual, erect and magnified,
A. when object distance is less than twice the focal length.
B. when object distance is more than twice the focal length
C. when object distance is less than the focal length.
D. when object distance is equal to twice the focal.

5.. What is the image distance and image size when a wooden stick 50 cm long is placed 40 cm in front
of a convex lens of focal length 20 cm?
a. 40 cm , 50 cm b. 20 cm, 50 cm c. 30 cm , 40 cm d. 40 cm, 20 cm

6. Where must a coin be placed in front of a convex lens of focal length 30 cm in order to form a
virtual and erect image three the size of the coin?
a. 40cm b. 10cm c. 60cm d. 20cm

answers to multiple choice. 1 D 2. C 3. C 4. C 5. A 6. D

11
ADDITIONAL LECTURE NOTES.
Problem: 1
A plano-convex lens of focal length 12 cm in air is made of glass of index of refraction 1.5. What should be the
radius of curvature of the curved surface?
Solution:
Form the Lensmakers Equation,

Problem:2
A converging lens which is made of glass (n = 1.66) has a focal length fa of 5 cm in air. What is the focal length
fw when it is placed in water?

Solution:
When the lens in air,
air

When the lens is in water,

water

12
13