Physics · Science General

Optics and Light Properties

2,019 Questions

Optics and light properties focus on the behavior of light, including reflection, refraction, dispersion, and polarization. This topic also covers the wave nature of light, illumination, and the functioning of optical instruments like microscopes. Questions on these concepts are common in general science sections of SSC, Railways, and State exams.

Reflection and mirrorsRefraction and mediumsLight wave theoriesPolarization and intensity

Optics and Light Properties Questions

Multiple choice

What do we call the reflection from a rough surface?

  1. Diffuse reflection

  2. Regular reflection

  3. Sometimes it is regular reflection and sometimes it is diffuse reflection

  4. Both (1) and (2)

  5. Total internal reflection
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Reflection from a rough surface is called diffuse reflection.

Multiple choice

Why we cannot see the shadow of bird flying in the sky?

  1. The extended source of light (the Sun) is very large as compared to the opaque body (the bird).

  2. The bird is very small as compared to the diameter of the Sun.

  3. The umbra formed by the bird is so small that it finishes in the air while the penumbra formed is very light and faint, i.e. hardly visible.

  4. The shadow of the bird cannot be formed.

  5. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

The shadow of the bird cannot be formed because the extended source of light (the Sun) is very large as compared to the opaque body (the bird). The bird is very small as compared to the diameter of the Sun. The umbra formed by the bird is so small that it finishes in the air while the penumbra formed is very light and faint, i.e. hardly visible.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is not translucent?

  1. Smoke

  2. Air

  3. Sheet of cellophane

  4. Fog

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

Yes, it is the correct option. Light can fully pass through air, hence it is transparent and not translucent. 

Multiple choice

Why is the source of light not visible through a bent cylindrical tube?

  1. The distance between the eye and the source of light increases.

  2. The light is absorbed by the tube.

  3. The light travels in a straight line.

  4. It is dark inside the tube.

  5. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Yes, light always travels in a straight line. Once the tube is bent at some angle, it is not possible to see the source of light through it. This happens because light travels in a straight line.

Multiple choice

Light falling on a mirror gets ____________.

  1. absorbed

  2. partially absorbed and partially reflected

  3. reflected back

  4. partially passed through it and partially reflected

  5. partially passed through it and partially absorbed
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Yes, it is correct. When light falls on a shiny surface, the light rays bounce back. This phenomenon is called the reflection of light. A mirror is a surface from which most of the incident light gets reflected.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are true?

(a) We can see an object clearly behind translucent glass. (b) We can see an object in the presence of a luminous object. (c) Light travels in a straight line. (d) Stars are non-luminous.

  1. Only d

  2. Only a

  3. a and b

  4. b and c

  5. c and d
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Yes, it is the correct answer. Both are the correct statements. When light falls on an object, it is visible and light travels in a straight line.

Multiple choice

In a direct vision spectroscope, one uses

  1. interference without deviation

  2. deviation without interference

  3. deviation without dispersion

  4. dispersion without deviation
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

A direct vision spectroscope is designed so that the dispersed spectrum is visible without significant deviation of the mean ray. This is accomplished by using multiple prisms (typically flint and crown glass) that disperse light but cancel out overall deviation, allowing direct viewing of the spectrum.