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Chapter 21 of 30
Important Questions

Dispersion and Scattering of Light

NIOS · Class 12 · Physics

Most important questions from Dispersion and Scattering of Light for NIOS Class 12 Physics board exam 2026. MCQs, short answer, and long answer questions with marks.

45 questions38 flashcards5 concepts

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45 Questions·
multiple choicemultiple correct

Sample Questions

1multiple choice
1 marks

For a prism with apex angle A, the angle of minimum deviation is δm = A. What is the refractive index of the prism material? (Use sin(3A/4) / sin(A/2) for A = 60°, sin 45° = 0.707, sin 30° = 0.500)

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1.414

Step 1: Using μ = sin((A + δm)/2) / sin(A/2) and δm = A: μ = sin((A + A)/2) / sin(A/2) = sin(A) / sin(A/2). Step 2: Using double angle formula: sin(A) = 2sin(A/2)cos(A/2). Step 3: μ = 2sin(A/2)cos(A/2) / sin(A/2) = 2cos(A/2). Step 4: For A = 60°: μ = 2cos(30°) = 2 × (√3/2) = √3 ≈ 1.732. Wait — re-checking with δm = A/2: μ = sin(3A/4)/sin(A/2). For A=60°: sin45°/sin30° = 0.707/0.500 = 1.414. The question states δm = A/2 effectively for A=60°, giving √2 = 1.414. Options B, C, D are common guesses without applying the formula correctly.

2multiple choice
1 marks

Which of the following correctly distinguishes the primary rainbow from the secondary rainbow?

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Primary rainbow: two refractions + one internal reflection; red on outside, subtends ~42° at observer's eye

Step 1: The primary rainbow forms by two refractions and ONE internal reflection inside the water drop. Step 2: The mean angle of minimum deviation is about 137°29', so the bow subtends about 42°31' at the observer's eye. Step 3: Red light (longer wavelength, less deviation) appears on the outer side (43°) and violet on the inner side (41°). Step 4: The secondary rainbow forms by two refractions and TWO internal reflections, subtends ~51° for red (inner) and ~54° for violet (outer) — colour order is reversed. Option A describes the secondary rainbow. Option C confuses primary with secondary. O

3multiple choice
1 marks

In a Raman scattering experiment, the incident light has frequency ν₀. The molecule is initially in its ground state. What is the frequency of the Stokes' line observed in the scattered spectrum?

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ν₀ − νm

Step 1: In the Raman effect, when incident photon interacts with a molecule in the ground state, it can excite the molecule to a higher vibrational energy level. Step 2: In doing so, the photon loses energy equal to the vibrational energy hνm of the molecule. Step 3: Therefore, the scattered photon has energy h(ν₀ − νm), i.e., frequency = ν₀ − νm. These are called Stokes' lines (lower frequency than incident). Step 4: Option A (ν₀ + νm) describes anti-Stokes' lines, which occur when the molecule is already in an excited state and gives energy to the photon. Option C describes Rayleigh (elastic

4multiple choice
1 marks

A prism of apex angle 5° is made of glass having μV = 1.55 and μR = 1.50. What is the angular dispersion between violet and red light produced by this prism?

Show answer

0.25°

Step 1: For a small-angle prism, deviation for any colour is δ = (μ − 1)A. Step 2: Deviation for violet: δV = (1.55 − 1) × 5° = 0.55 × 5° = 2.75°. Step 3: Deviation for red: δR = (1.50 − 1) × 5° = 0.50 × 5° = 2.50°. Step 4: Angular dispersion = δV − δR = 2.75° − 2.50° = 0.25°. Option A (0.15°) is wrong — likely a subtraction error. Option C (0.50°) results from not subtracting properly. Option D (0.05°) divides instead of multiplying by A.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the important topics in Dispersion and Scattering of Light for NIOS Class 12 Physics?
Key topics in Dispersion and Scattering of Light include Chapter Overview: Dispersion and Scattering of Light, Mind map showing the two major topics of the chapter — Dispersion and Scattering — with their key sub-concepts, Flowchart showing how white light entering a denser medium splits into colours due to different refractive indices for different wavelengths. These are the concepts NIOS Class 12 examiners draw on most — study them first, then practise related questions.
How to score full marks in Dispersion and Scattering of Light — NIOS Class 12 Physics?
Understand the core concepts first, then work through the 45 practice questions available for this chapter. Revise formulas and definitions regularly, and use flashcards for quick recall before the exam.
How many important questions are there in Dispersion and Scattering of Light?
There are 45 practice questions available for Dispersion and Scattering of Light. These cover multiple question types including MCQs, short answer, and long answer questions.

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