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Physics · chapter PYQs

Ray Optics and Optical Instruments, on the exam screen.

8 questions from NEET 2026, Re-NEET 2026, NEET 2020, 8 minutes, marked +4 / −1. See them with solutions.

Ray Optics and Optical Instruments · PYQs

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  1. Question 1 · NEET 2026 · Q8 · +4 / −1

    A ray of monochromatic light is passing through an equilateral prism (ABCABC) as shown in the figure. The refracted ray (QRQR) is parallel to its base (BCBC) and the angle of incidence (ii) is 50∘^{\circ}. Then the angle of deviation (δ\delta) is:

    figure
    Answer and explanation

    Answer: (3)

    When the ray inside an equilateral prism (A=60∘A = 60^{\circ}) travels parallel to the base, the prism is in the minimum-deviation condition where the angle of incidence equals the angle of emergence (i=ei = e). Using i+e=A+δi + e = A + \delta gives δ=2i−A=2(50∘)−60∘=40∘\delta = 2i - A = 2(50^{\circ}) - 60^{\circ} = 40^{\circ}, option (3).

    figure
  2. Question 2 · NEET 2026 · Q43 · +4 / −1

    In a concave lens, a ray of light emanating from the object parallel to the principal axis of the lens after refraction:

    Answer and explanation

    Answer: (2)

    A concave lens is diverging, so a ray incident parallel to the principal axis bends away from the axis and travels as though it originated from the focal point on the same (incident) side of the lens. Traced backwards, the emergent ray appears to diverge from that near-side focus. Strictly, this near-side point is the second principal focus (F2F_2 in the figure), but option (2) is still the best answer, because it is the only option where the ray appears to diverge from a focus.

    figure

    Why the other options are wrong:

    - (1) A parallel ray relates to the focus, not to 2F2F; this describes a different ray.
    - (3) It does not stay parallel; a diverging lens spreads a parallel beam.
    - (4) The emergent ray only appears to come from the second principal focus F2F_2 on the incident side; it moves away from that point and never passes through it.

  3. Question 3 · Re-NEET 2026 · Q20 · +4 / −1

    Which of the following measurements require 'index correction'?

    Answer and explanation

    Answer: (3)

    On an optical bench the positions read on the scale are those of the UPRIGHTS, not of the optical centres of the lens, mirror or object pin. The fixed offset between an upright's index mark and the actual optical element is removed by the index (or bench) correction, applied to every measured object and image distance before computing the focal length. NCERT Class 12 practical work, Ray Optics and Optical Instruments.

  4. Question 4 · Re-NEET 2026 · Q22 · +4 / −1

    Consider three media PP, QQ and RR with refractive indices 1, 1.25, and 1.5 respectively. The medium QQ having a thickness of 5 cm is placed between extended media PP and RR as shown in the figure. An object OO is placed at the centre of medium QQ. If viewed from medium PP near the normal direction, the apparent depth of OO is h1h_1. For similar observation from medium RR, the apparent depth is h2h_2. The value of ∣h1−h2∣|h_1 - h_2|, in cm, is:

    figure
    Answer and explanation

    Answer: (2)

    For near-normal viewing across a plane boundary, apparent depth == real depth ×nobservernobject\times \frac{n_{\text{observer}}}{n_{\text{object}}}, and the object sits 2.5 cm from each face. Viewed from PP: h1=2.5×11.25=2 cmh_1 = 2.5 \times \frac{1}{1.25} = 2\ \text{cm}. Viewed from RR: h2=2.5×1.51.25=3 cmh_2 = 2.5 \times \frac{1.5}{1.25} = 3\ \text{cm}. Hence ∣h1−h2∣=1 cm|h_1 - h_2| = 1\ \text{cm}. Looking in from the DENSER side makes the object appear farther away, which is the sense check here. NCERT Class 12, Ray Optics and Optical Instruments (refraction at plane surfaces).

    Why the other options are wrong:

    - (1) assumes the symmetric placement of the object makes the two apparent depths equal, ignoring the different observer media
    - (3) uses the full 5 cm thickness instead of the 2.5 cm from the object to each face
    - (4) computes h2h_2 alone and reports it as the difference

  5. Question 5 · Re-NEET 2026 · Q29 · +4 / −1

    The lens combination as shown in the figure, consists of two lenses, L1L_1 and L2L_2, of the focal lengths +10 cm and -10 cm, respectively. The position of the image formed is:

    figure
    Answer and explanation

    Answer: (2)

    For the convex lens, u=−30 cmu = -30\ \text{cm} and f=+10 cmf = +10\ \text{cm} give 1v=110−130=115\frac{1}{v} = \frac{1}{10} - \frac{1}{30} = \frac{1}{15}, so its image lies 15 cm to its right. The lenses are 3 cm apart, so that image sits 12 cm BEYOND the concave lens and acts as a VIRTUAL OBJECT with u=+12 cmu = +12\ \text{cm}. Then 1v=−110+112=−160\frac{1}{v} = -\frac{1}{10} + \frac{1}{12} = -\frac{1}{60}, giving v=−60 cmv = -60\ \text{cm}: 60 cm to the left of the concave lens. NCERT Class 12, Ray Optics and Optical Instruments (combination of thin lenses).

    Why the other options are wrong:

    - (1) uses the thin-lens-in-contact formula 1f=1f1+1f2\frac{1}{f} = \frac{1}{f_1} + \frac{1}{f_2}, which fails for a 3 cm separation
    - (3) keeps the sign of vv positive, missing that a negative vv places a virtual image on the incoming side
    - (4) gets the magnitude right but assigns the image to the wrong side of the concave lens

  6. Question 6 · NEET 2020 · Q139 · +4 / −1

    A ray is incident at an angle of incidence i on one surface of a small angle prism (with angle of prism A) and emerges normally from the opposite surface. If the refractive index of the material of the prism is μ\mu, then the angle of incidence is nearly equal to

    Answer and explanation

    Answer: (2)

    Because the ray emerges normally, the second internal angle is zero and the first is approximately the prism angle A. For a small angle, Snell's law gives i ≈\approx μ\muA. Chapter: Ray Optics and Optical Instruments.

  7. Question 7 · NEET 2020 · Q148 · +4 / −1

    Assume that light of wavelength 600 nm is coming from a star. The limit of resolution of a telescope whose objective diameter is 2 m is

    Answer and explanation

    Answer: (4)

    The limit of resolution θ\theta for a telescope is given by θ=1.22λD\theta = 1.22 \frac{\lambda}{D}. Substituting the values, θ=1.22600×10−92=3.66×10−7 rad\theta = 1.22 \frac{600 \times 10^{-9}}{2} = 3.66 \times 10^{-7}\ rad. Chapter: Ray Optics and Optical Instruments.

  8. Question 8 · NEET 2020 · Q163 · +4 / −1

    The Brewsters angle iᵦ for an interface should be

    Answer and explanation

    Answer: (2)

    Brewster's angle ibi_b is given by tan⁡ib=μ\tan i_b = \mu, where μ\mu is the refractive index of the second medium with respect to the first. Since μ>1\mu > 1, ibi_b must be greater than 45° but less than 90°. Chapter: Ray Optics and Optical Instruments.