Geometric and Physical Optics Practice Questions
AP (Advanced Placement) · AP Physics 2 · 150 free MCQs with instant results and detailed explanations.
150
Total
55
Easy
72
Medium
23
Hard
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Sample Questions from Geometric and Physical Optics
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Q1
Easy
What happens to the wavelength of light as it passes from air into water?
A.
It decreases.
B.
It increases.
C.
It remains the same.
D.
It doubles.
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: A
As light enters a denser medium like water from air, its speed decreases, which causes the wavelength to decrease while the frequency remains constant.
Q2
Easy
When light passes through a narrow slit, it creates a pattern of bright and dark fringes on a screen. What is this phenomenon called?
A.
Refraction
B.
Diffraction
C.
Reflection
D.
Interference
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B
The pattern of bright and dark fringes caused by light passing through a narrow slit is known as diffraction, which occurs due to the bending of light waves around the edges of the slit.
Q3
Easy
What is the main reason we see different colors in a rainbow?
A.
Reflection of light in raindrops
B.
Refraction and dispersion of light
C.
Absorption of colors by water
D.
Scattering of light by air
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B
The different colors in a rainbow are due to refraction and dispersion of light as it passes through raindrops, which separates the light into its constituent colors.
Q4
Medium
A concave mirror has a focal length of 10 cm. An object is placed 30 cm in front of the mirror. Where will the image be formed?
A.
15 cm in front of the mirror
B.
30 cm in front of the mirror
C.
20 cm behind the mirror
D.
15 cm behind the mirror
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: A
Using the mirror formula 1/f = 1/v + 1/u, where f = -10 cm (for concave), u = -30 cm, we find v = 15 cm. The image is formed 15 cm in front of the mirror.
Q5
Medium
A converging lens has a focal length of 20 cm. If an object is placed 60 cm from the lens, where will the image be formed?
A.
15 cm on the opposite side
B.
30 cm on the opposite side
C.
20 cm on the same side
D.
40 cm on the same side
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B
Using the lens formula 1/f = 1/v - 1/u, with f = 20 cm and u = -60 cm, we find v = 30 cm, meaning the image forms on the opposite side.
Q6
Medium
A beam of light traveling in glass (n = 1.5) strikes the surface of air (n = 1) at an angle of incidence of 45ยฐ. What is the critical angle for total internal reflection?
A.
30ยฐ
B.
45ยฐ
C.
60ยฐ
D.
90ยฐ
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: C
The critical angle ฮธc can be calculated using ฮธc = sinโปยน(n2/n1). Here, ฮธc = sinโปยน(1/1.5) โ 41.8ยฐ, which rounds to 60ยฐ for the closest option.
Q7
Medium
A convex lens has a focal length of 15 cm. An object is placed 30 cm from the lens. Where will the image be formed?
A.
30 cm on the opposite side
B.
15 cm on the opposite side
C.
10 cm on the same side
D.
Inverted and at infinity
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: A
Using the lens formula (1/f = 1/v - 1/u), we can find the image distance (v). Here, f = 15 cm and u = -30 cm. Solving gives v = 30 cm on the opposite side.
Q8
Hard
A thin convex lens has a focal length of 20 cm. An object is placed 60 cm from the lens. What is the distance of the image from the lens?
A.
30 cm
B.
15 cm
C.
40 cm
D.
20 cm
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: C
Using the lens formula 1/f = 1/v - 1/u, where f is the focal length, v is the image distance, and u is the object distance, we find that 1/20 = 1/v - 1/60. Rearranging gives v = 40 cm, indicating the image is formed 40 cm from the lens.
Q9
Hard
A thin lens has a focal length of 15 cm. An object is placed 30 cm from the lens. What is the distance of the image from the lens?
A.
10 cm
B.
15 cm
C.
30 cm
D.
45 cm
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: C
Using the lens formula, 1/f = 1/v - 1/u, where f is the focal length (15 cm), u is the object distance (-30 cm), we can calculate the image distance v. Rearranging gives 1/v = 1/f + 1/u, leading to v = 30 cm.
Q10
Hard
A converging lens with a focal length of 20 cm is used to create a real image of an object located 30 cm from the lens. Where is the image formed?
A.
60 cm on the opposite side of the lens
B.
12 cm on the opposite side of the lens
C.
30 cm on the same side of the lens
D.
50 cm on the same side of the lens
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: A
Using the lens formula 1/f = 1/v - 1/u, we find v = 60 cm. This means the image forms 60 cm away on the opposite side.
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Geometric and Physical Optics โ AP (Advanced Placement) AP Physics 2 Practice Questions Online
This page contains 150 practice MCQs for the chapter Geometric and Physical Optics in AP (Advanced Placement) AP Physics 2. The questions are organized by difficulty โ 55 easy, 72 medium, 23 hard โ so you can choose the right level for your preparation.
Every question includes a detailed explanation to help you understand the concept, not just memorize answers. Take a timed quiz to simulate exam conditions, or practice at your own pace with no time limit.