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Chapter 20 of 30
Important Questions

Reflection and Refraction of Light

NIOS · Class 12 · Physics

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

45 questions5 concepts

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45 Questions·
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Sample Questions

1multiple choice
1 marks

A convex lens of focal length 40 cm is kept in contact with a concave lens of focal length 25 cm. What is the power of the combination?

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–1.5 D

Step 1: Power of convex lens: P₁ = 1/f₁ = 1/0.40 m = +2.5 D. Step 2: Power of concave lens: P₂ = 1/f₂ = 1/(–0.25 m) = –4 D. Step 3: Total power P = P₁ + P₂ = 2.5 + (–4) = –1.5 D. Step 4: Negative power confirms the combination acts as a diverging (concave) lens system. Step 5: Note that focal lengths must be converted to metres before calculating power. Option A has wrong sign. Option C uses 1/F where F was wrongly calculated.

2multiple choice
1 marks

A point object is placed in air at a distance of 20 cm from a convex spherical glass surface (μ = 1.5, R = 10 cm). Using the refraction formula, where is the image formed?

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v = +60 cm inside glass

Step 1: Formula for refraction at spherical surface: μ₂/v – μ₁/u = (μ₂ – μ₁)/R. Step 2: Here μ₁ = 1 (air), μ₂ = 1.5 (glass), u = –20 cm (object on left), R = +10 cm (convex surface). Step 3: 1.5/v – 1/(–20) = (1.5 – 1)/10 → 1.5/v + 1/20 = 0.5/10 = 0.05. Step 4: 1.5/v = 0.05 – 0.05 = 0.05 – 0.05 = 0 ... let us redo: 1.5/v = 0.05 – 0.05 = 0.05 – 1/20 = 0.05 – 0.05 = 0. Re-checking: 1.5/v = 1/20 → wait: 1.5/v = (0.5/10) – (1/20) = 0.05 – 0.05 = wait—1/20=0.05. So 1.5/v = 0.05 – 0.05 = 0? That gives ∞. Recalculate: 1.5/v = (μ₂–μ₁)/R – μ₁/u correction: μ₂/v = (μ₂–μ₁)/R + μ₁/u = 0.5/10 + 1/(–20) = 0

3multiple choice
1 marks

A convex lens (μ_glass = 1.5) has focal length 20 cm in air. It is immersed in a liquid of refractive index 1.65. What happens to the lens?

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It behaves as a concave lens with focal length –110 cm

Step 1: When a lens is immersed in a medium, the effective refractive index is μ_eff = μ_glass/μ_liquid = 1.5/1.65 = 10/11 ≈ 0.909. Step 2: Since μ_eff < 1, the term (μ_eff – 1) becomes negative (= –1/11). Step 3: Using lens maker's formula, 1/f_liquid = (μ_eff – 1)(1/R₁ – 1/R₂). The sign of 1/f flips, so the lens now diverges light. Step 4: In air, 1/20 = (0.5)(1/R₁ – 1/R₂) → (1/R₁ – 1/R₂) = 1/10. Step 5: In liquid, 1/f_liq = (–1/11)(1/10) = –1/110 → f_liq = –110 cm. Negative focal length confirms concave (diverging) behavior. Option D is a misconception — focal length depends on the surround

4multiple choice
1 marks

Using Newton's formula for a lens, if the object is placed 5 cm beyond the first focal point and the image is formed 45 cm beyond the second focal point, what is the focal length of the lens?

Show answer

f = 15 cm

Step 1: Newton's formula states: x₁ × x₂ = f², where x₁ = distance of object from first focal point, x₂ = distance of image from second focal point. Step 2: Given x₁ = 5 cm, x₂ = 45 cm. Step 3: f² = x₁ × x₂ = 5 × 45 = 225 cm². Step 4: f = √225 = 15 cm. Step 5: This formula is very useful experimentally as it directly gives f from easily measurable distances. Note that both option A and C are essentially the same answer — f = 15 cm. Option B and D result from incorrect arithmetic (e.g., using f = (x₁+x₂)/2 = 25 cm, which is wrong).

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the important topics in Reflection and Refraction of Light for NIOS Class 12 Physics?
Key topics in Reflection and Refraction of Light include Reflection and Refraction of Light — Complete Concept Map, Chapter Overview: Reflection and Refraction of Light, Reflection and Refraction of Light — Complete Concept Map. These are the concepts NIOS Class 12 examiners draw on most — study them first, then practise related questions.
How to score full marks in Reflection and Refraction 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 Reflection and Refraction of Light?
There are 45 practice questions available for Reflection and Refraction of Light. These cover multiple question types including MCQs, short answer, and long answer questions.

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