Physics

Light and Mirrors

458 Questions

Light and mirrors questions cover the principles of reflection, image formation, and mirror magnification. Concepts include the properties of plane mirrors, the uses of concave mirrors in solar devices, and the behavior of light rays. These fundamentals are essential general science topics in major competitive examinations.

Plane mirror propertiesConcave mirror applicationsMirror magnification formulaLight reflection lawsImage formation

Light and Mirrors Questions

Multiple choice

Looking glass or simple microscope forms ______.

  1. elongated real image

  2. equal but virtual image near the eye

  3. elongated virtual image

  4. small virtual image
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

A simple microscope (convex lens) creates a magnified, virtual, and erect image when the object is placed between the lens and its focal point. The image appears larger than the object (elongated) and on the same side as the object.

Multiple choice

The mirror used in the headlights of vehicles is __________.

  1. a plane mirror

  2. a concave mirror

  3. a convex mirror

  4. a parabolic mirror

  5. none of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Parabolic mirrors are used in car headlights to concentrate and focus the light in one direction. Without these mirrors, one would either waste the indirect light or the light would shine in all directions, which would blind the driver.

Multiple choice

Parallax error during measurement is due to ___________.

  1. incorrect object position

  2. incorrect eye position

  3. incorrect ruler position

  4. not proper light

  5. all of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Yes, it is the correct answer. The eye position should be just above the point to be measured. Incorrect eye position leads to parallax error and gives incorrect reading.

Multiple choice

Why is a concave mirror used in solar cookers?

  1. It reflects and distributes the sunlight at all points.

  2. It reflects and focusses the sunlight at a point.

  3. It can magnify the solar energy.

  4. It reflects and focusses sunlight at the optical centre.

  5. -
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct answer. Concave mirror reflects and focusses the sunlight at a point, due to which temperature at the point increases, which heats and cooks up the food.

Multiple choice

Mirror shows the image because ____________.

  1. it reflects the light which hits it

  2. it absorbs the light which hits it

  3. it allows the light to pass through which hits it

  4. it partially allows the light to pass through it

  5. it shows the image because it is transparent
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Mirror shows the image because it reflects the light which hits it.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are false?

(1) A camera works on the refraction of light through a concave lens. (2) The process in which an eye can adapt itself to see objects at different distances is called magnification. (3) The reflecting telescope uses an arrangement of mirrors to form an image.

  1. Only (1)

  2. Only (2)

  3. Only (1) and (2)

  4. Only (2) and (3)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

(I) Statement (1) is wrong. A camera works on the refraction of light through a convex lens. (II) Statement (2) is wrong. The process in which an eye can adapt itself to see objects at different distances is called accommodation. (III) There are three types of optical telescopes: - Refracting telescope - Uses lens to form an image - Reflecting telescope - Uses an arrangement of mirrors to form an image - Catadiopteric telescope - Uses mirrors combined with lenses to form an image

Multiple choice

Consider the following statements:

(1) If an object is placed midway between two parallel plane mirrors facing each other, then the number of images that appear in the mirrors is four. (2) A magnifying glass is made of a converging lens. (3) To get a virtual and magnified image of an object, convex mirror is used.

Which of the given statements is/are false?

  1. Only (1)

  2. Only (2)

  3. Only (1) and (3)

  4. Only (2) and (3)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

(I) Statement (1) is wrong. If an object is placed midway between two parallel plane mirrors facing each other, the number of images that appear in the mirrors is infinity. (II) Statement (2) is correct. Magnifying glass is made of a converging lens which helps to produce an upright and magnifying image of an object. (III) Statement (3) is wrong. To get a virtual and magnified image, concave mirror is used.

Multiple choice

Consider the following statements:

(1) If you want to see your full image, then the minimum size of the mirror should be one-fourth of the height. (2) The rear view mirror of a car is concave mirror.

Which of the given statements is/are correct?

  1. Only (1)

  2. Only (2)

  3. Both of these

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Statement (1) is wrong.To view an image of yourself in a plane mirror, you will need an amount of mirror equal to one-half of your height.

Statement (2) is wrong. A convex mirror has an outward curve, meaning that the reflecting surface is focused towards the source of light falling onto it. Such mirrors create a virtual image of the object and this image is lightly diminished as compared to the object's actual size. This is why in some of the cars, the passenger side-mirror is generally inscribed with a warning, which states that “Objects in the mirror are closer than they appear”. The convex mirror produces an upright image of any object and offers a wide viewing area as compared to the plane mirror. The usage of this type of mirror can be perceived on the rear-view mirror and side-view mirror of the cars, and the motorcycles. These mirrors in the vehicles help in cutting down the blind spots as long as the object is in their focus. 

Multiple choice

Pinhole camera is based on

  1. reflection of light

  2. refraction of light

  3. rectilinear propagation of light

  4. none of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Pinhole camera is based on the rectilinear propagation of light, i.e. the property that light travels in straight lines.

Multiple choice

In which of the following is/are convex mirror not used?(i) Headlights of a car (ii) Side/rear-view mirror of a vehicle (iii) Solar furnace (iv) Dentist’s mirror

  1. Only (i) and (iv)

  2. Only (iii) and (iv)

  3. Only (i), (ii) and (iv)

  4. All of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

(i) Headlights of a car- Convex mirror (ii) Side/rear-view mirror of a vehicle – Convex mirror (iii) Solar furnace – Concave mirror (iv) Dentist’s mirror – Concave mirror

Multiple choice

Consider the following statements:

  1. The minimum distance from the eye at which an object appears to be distinct is 25 cm.
  2. The reflecting optical coating is present on the mirrored sunglasses for the protection against the glare of sunlight.

Which of the given statements is/are correct?

  1. Only 1

  2. Only 2

  3. Both 1 and 2

  4. Neither 1 nor 2
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Statement 1 is correct. The minimum distance from the eye at which an object appears to be distinct is called least distance of distinct vision or near point, which is 25 cm from the eye. If the object is held closer to the eye than the distance the image formed will be blurred and fuzz. Statement 2 is also correct. A mirror coating reflects the sun rays, which does not get hot in sunlight and prevents the scattering of rays in the lens bulk. The reflecting optical coating is present for the protection against the glare of sunlight.