Reflection and Refraction of Light
NIOS · Class 12 · Physics
Practice quiz for Reflection and Refraction of Light — NIOS Class 12 Physics. MCQs and questions with answers to test your preparation.
Interactive on Super Tutor
Studying Reflection and Refraction of Light? Get the full interactive chapter.
Quizzes, flashcards, AI doubt-solver and a step-by-step study plan — built for practice quiz and more.
1,000+ Class 12 students started this chapter today

This is just one of 9+ visuals inside Super Tutor's Reflection and Refraction of Light chapter
Explore the full setQuick Quiz: Reflection and Refraction of Light
0/4Tap an answer to check it instantly. No sign-up needed for these 4.
An object is placed 20 cm in front of a concave mirror of focal length 15 cm. What is the image distance, and what is the nature of the image?
A ray of light passes from water (μ = 4/3) to glass (μ = 3/2). If the angle of incidence in water is 30°, what is the angle of refraction in glass?
The refractive index of diamond is 2.42. A ray of light inside diamond strikes a diamond-air interface. What is the critical angle, and what happens if light strikes at 30°?
A biconvex lens has radii of curvature R₁ = +20 cm and R₂ = –30 cm, and is made of glass with μ = 1.5. What is the focal length of this lens?
Sample Questions
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?
Show answer
–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.
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?
Show answer
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
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?
Show answer
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
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).
+41 more questions available
Practice AllFrequently Asked Questions
What are the important topics in Reflection and Refraction of Light for NIOS Class 12 Physics?
How to score full marks in Reflection and Refraction of Light — NIOS Class 12 Physics?
Sources & Official References
Content is aligned to the official syllabus. Refer to the board website for the latest curriculum.
More resources for Reflection and Refraction of Light
Important Questions
Practice with board exam-style questions
Syllabus
What topics to cover
Revision Notes
Key points for last-minute revision
Study Plan
Step-by-step plan to ace this chapter
Flashcards
Quick-fire cards for active recall
Formula Sheet
All formulas in one place
Chapter Summary
Understand the chapter at a glance
Concept Maps
See how topics connect visually
NCERT Solutions
Every textbook question solved step by step
For serious students
Get the full Reflection and Refraction of Light chapter — for free.
Quizzes, flashcards, AI doubt-solver and a step-by-step study plan for NIOS Class 12 Physics.