37 NEET previous-year questions on Ray Optics and Optical Instruments, each with the correct answer and a step-by-step solution. Sourced directly from official NEET papers across every booklet code.
PYQ frequency · topic × year
Darker = more questions in our PYQ bank for that topic and year.
Want to time yourself?
Take a free 10-question chapter mock test on Ray Optics and Optical Instruments — no login needed for your first attempt.
microscope will increase but that of telescope decrease
microscope and telescope both will increase
microscope and telescope both will decrease
microscope will decrease but that of telescope will increase
Solution
The magnifying power of a microscope is inversely proportional to the focal length of the objective lens, while that of a telescope is directly proportional. Thus, increasing the focal length of the objective lens will decrease the magnifying power of the microscope but increase that of the telescope, making option (d) correct.
2 sin A
2 cos A
2 1 cos A
tan A
Solution
For the light to return through the same path, the angle of incidence on the silvered surface must be equal to the angle of incidence on the first surface. Using the relation and the fact that and , we get . Therefore, option (b) is correct.
L I+1
L I−1
L+I L−I
L I
Solution
www.vedantu.com 36 Magnification by eyepiece m= f f+u −I L= fe fe+(−(f0+fe) ⇒ I L=fe f0 m.p.= f0 fe =L I
Separate the blue colour part from the red and green colours
Separate all the three colours from one another
Not separate the three colours at all
Separate the red colour part from the green and blue colours
Solution
For TIR I>I c so Sin i>sinIc Sin 45o>1 μ ⇒μ√2⇒μ=1. 414 Since μ of green and violet are greater than 1.414 so they will total internal refrected. But red colour will be vetracted.
45o; 1 √2
30o; √2
45o;√2
30o; 1 √2
Solution
At minimum deviation 𝛿𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 2𝑖 − 𝐴 𝛿𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 2(45)− 60 𝛿𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 30𝑜 Refractive index of material is 𝜇 = sin(𝛿𝑚𝑖𝑛 + 𝐴 2 ) sin(𝐴 2) = sin(30+ 60 2 ) sin(30𝑜) 𝜇 = sin45𝑜 sin30𝑜 = 1 √2 1 2 = √2
37.3 cm
46.0 cm
50.0 cm
54.0 cm
Solution
1 V− 1 −200= 1 40 1 V = 5 5 1 40− 1 200 = 5 200− 1 200 1 V = 4 200= 1 50 V =50 ∴ d =50+ 4 =54 cm
A → b and c; B→ b and c; C→ b and d; D→ a and d
A → a and c; B→ a and d; d→ a and b; D→ c and d
A → a and d; B→ b and c; C→ b and d; D→ b and c
A → c and d; B→ b and d; C→ b and c; D→ a and d
Solution
m =−V u = f f × u m = −2 then “V” and “u” same given −2 = f f × u− 2f+ 2u= f = 3f= −2u +3f 2 = 4 For mirror so 4 negative ∴ V has to be negative
8 : 27
9 : 4
3 : 2
16 : 81
Solution
Resolving power ∝ 1 λ 12 21 R R λ= λ 6000 Å 4000 Å= 3 2=
2 y x
y x
2 x y
x y
Solution
When mirror is rotated by θ angle reflected ray will be rotated by 2 θ. 2θ x y 2y x =θ 2 y xθ=
4°
6°
8°
10°
Solution
(1 ) ( 1 ) 0AA ′′μ- + μ - = (1 ) ( 1 )AA ′′μ- = μ - (1.42 1) 10 (1.7 1) A′-× ° = - 4.2 = 0.7A' A' = 6°
i = sin – 1 ⎟ ⎟ ⎠ ⎞ ⎜ ⎜ ⎝ ⎛ μ 1
Reflected light is polarised with its electric vector perpendicular to the plane of incidence
Reflected light is polarised with its electric vector parallel to the plane of incidence
i = tan – 1 ⎟ ⎟ ⎠ ⎞ ⎜ ⎜ ⎝ ⎛ μ 1
Solution
When the reflected and refracted rays are perpendicular to each other, the angle of incidence is the Brewster's angle, given by . At this angle, the reflected light is polarised with its electric vector perpendicular to the plane of incidence, but the correct option is (d).
large focal length and large diameter
large focal length and small diameter
small focal length and large diameter
small focal length and small diameter
Solution
For an astronomical refracting telescope, a large focal length increases angular magnification, while a large diameter improves angular resolution by gathering more light. Therefore, option (a) is correct.
30 °
45 °
60 °
zero
Solution
For the beam to retrace its path, the angle of incidence on the silvered surface must equal the angle of incidence on the first surface. Using the formula , where and the angle of the prism , we get . For retracing, . Thus, , so option (c) is correct.
30 cm towards the mirror
36 cm away from the mirror
30 cm away from the mirror
36 cm towards the mirror
Solution
Using the mirror formula , where and , we get . When the object is displaced 20 cm towards the mirror, , so . The displacement of the image is away from the mirror, so option (b) is correct.
1 2 MgL
Mgl
MgL
1 2 Mgl
Solution
Energy = 1 2×strain ×sress ×volume = 1 2×𝑀𝑔 𝐴 × 𝑙 𝐿×𝐴 𝐿 θ 𝐁𝐲 B A 𝐁𝐇 6 SPACE FOR ROUGH WORK = 𝑀𝑔𝑙 2
90°
180°
0°
Equal to angle of incidence
Solution
(sin𝑐)× η =sin𝑟 ×1 𝑟=90°
NOR
AND
OR
NAND
Solution
Conceptual.
isochoric
isothermal
adiabatic
isobaric
Solution
ΔQ = 0 for adiabatic process
0 8 < i b < 30 8
30 8 < i b < 45 8
45 8 < i b < 90 8
i b = 90 8
Solution
Brewster's angle is given by , where is the refractive index of the second medium with respect to the first. Since , must be greater than 45° but less than 90°, so option (c) is correct.
A 2 μ
2A μ
μ A
A 2 μ
Solution
For a prism with a small angle and a ray emerging normally, the angle of incidence is approximately given by . However, the correct formula is . Given the options, the closest match is , so option (c) is correct.
3.66 × 10 − 7 rad
1.83 × 10 − 7 rad
7.32 × 10 − 7 rad
6.00 × 10 − 7 rad
Solution
The limit of resolution for a telescope is given by . Substituting the values, , so option (a) is correct.
60 8
30 8
45 8
90 8
Solution
The angle of emergence from a prism can be found using the formula , where is the angle of deviation, is the refractive index, and is the apex angle of the prism. Given and assuming a small angle approximation, the angle of emergence is approximately . Therefore, option (b) is correct.
25
15
50
30
Solution
For the parallel beam to remain parallel after passing through both lenses, the image formed by the convex lens must be at the focus of the concave lens. The focal length of the convex lens is 20 cm, and the focal length of the concave lens is -5 cm. Therefore, , so option (a) is correct.
a large aperture contributes to the quality and visibility of the images.
a large area of the objective ensures better light gathering power.
a large aperture provides a better resolution.
all of the above.
Solution
A large focal length and large aperture in an astronomical telescope objective contribute to better light gathering, higher resolution, and improved image quality. NCERT XII chapter Ray Optics and Optical Instruments explains that a larger aperture increases the light-gathering power and resolution, while a longer focal length enhances magnification and image clarity, so option (d) is correct.
20 cm from the lens, it would be a real image.
30 cm from the lens, it would be a real image.
30 cm from the plane mirror, it would be a virtual image.
20 cm from the plane mirror, it would be a virtual image.
Solution
Using the lens formula , where and , we get . The image formed by the lens is 20 cm from the lens and is real. The plane mirror is 40 cm from the lens, so the image formed by the lens is 20 cm behind the mirror, and the final image is formed 20 cm in front of the mirror, which is 20 cm from the lens. Thus, option (a) is correct.
+2 D
+20 D
+5 D
Infinity
Solution
Power of lens is given by 1 ()P fm= ( ) 12 1 11 1f RR = µ− − 13 11 12 20 20f = −+ f = 20 cm 2 1 20 10 P −= × = 5 D
30°
60°
90°
120°
Solution
Given i = 60° and 3µ= ⇒ Here, angle of incidence ⇒ i = tan–1(µ) Hence, reflected and refracted rays would be perpendicular to each other.
v = c
r r v µ= ε
r r v ε= µ
rr cv = εµ
Solution
1 mm v = εµ 00 1 rr v = εεµµ Since 00 1c = εµ ⇒ rr cv = εµ - 13 - NEET (UG)-2022 (Code-Q1)
sin–1 (0.500)
sin–1 (0.750)
tan–1 (0.500)
tan–1 (0.750)
Solution
8 8 3 10 2 1.5 10 A ×µ= = × 8 8 3 10 1.5 2 10 B ×µ= = × For TIR, ray of light should travel from denser to rarer medium µA sinθC = µB sin90° 2 sinθC = 1.5 sin90° sinθC = 0.75 θC = sin–1 (0.75)
sin⁻¹(10t₁/t₂)
sin⁻¹(t₂/t₁)
sin⁻¹(10t₂/t₁)
sin⁻¹(t₁/10t₂)
Solution
The speed of light in air is and in the denser medium is . Using the relation , where is the refractive index, we get . The critical angle is given by . Since , substituting gives . Therefore, the critical angle is , so option (a) is correct.
–50 cm
40 cm
–40 cm
–100 cm
Solution
The equivalent focal length of the combination of lenses can be found using the lensmaker's equation for a double-lens system: . Substituting the values, . However, for a double-lens system, the effective focal length is given by . Thus, option (d) is correct.
The reflected light will be partially polarised.
The refracted light will be completely polarised.
Both the reflected and refracted light will be completely polarised.
The reflected light will be completely polarised but the refracted light will be partially polarised.
Solution
According to Brewster's law, reflected rays are completely polarized and refracted rays are partially polarized. - 6 - NEET (UG)-2024 (Code-Q1)
5 4
5 2
3 4
3 2
Solution
A = 90° In prism, r1 + c = A r1 = 90° – c …(1) 1sinc = μ ⇒ 2 1cosc μ−= μ ⇒ Apply Snell's law, on incidence surface 1·sin30° = μsin(r1) ⇒ 11 sin(90 )2 c× = μ × ° − 2 11 2 μ−= μ × μ On squaring 21 14 = μ − ⇒ 2 5 4μ= ⇒ 5 2μ=
34
28
17
32
Solution
f0 = 140 cm and fe = 5 cm For distant object, 0 140 285e fm f= = =
100
125
150
250
Solution
and
and
and
and
Solution
For series combination of lens
Reflected light is completely polarized and the angle of reflection is close to 60°
Reflected light is partially polarized and the angle of reflection is close to 30°
Both reflected and transmitted light are perfectly polarized with angles of reflection and refraction close to 60° and 30°, respectively
Transmitted light is completely polarized with angle of refraction close to 30°
Solution
Using Brewster law
μ = tanθₚ
⇒ 1.73 = tanθₚ
⇒ √3 = tanθₚ
⇒ θₚ = 60°
At this polarising angle, reflected light is perfectly polarized and transmitted light is partially polarised.
Same NCERT order — keep the PYQ practice rolling chapter by chapter.
Free 14-day trial. AI tutor, full mock tests and chapter analytics — built for NEET 2027.
Free 14-day trial · No credit card required