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

A special variant of dark field illumination in which transparent, coloured filters are inserted just before the condenser so that light rays at high aperture are differently coloured than those at low aperture is known as

  1. dispersion staining

  2. oblique illumination

  3. bright field

  4. rheinberg illumination

  5. phase contrast
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Rheinberg illumination is a special variant of dark field illumination in which transparent, coloured filters are inserted just before the condenser, so that light rays at high aperture are differently coloured than those at low aperture (i.e. the background to the specimen may be blue while the object appears self-luminous red).

Multiple choice

The speed of light will be minimum while passing through

  1. glass

  2. vacuum

  3. air

  4. water
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The speed of light is inversely proportional to the refractive index of the medium. Among the choices, glass has the highest refractive index, causing light to travel the slowest through it.

Multiple choice

Light travels in _____ lines.

  1. perpendicular

  2. parallel

  3. circular

  4. straight
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Light travels in straight lines, a property known as rectilinear propagation. This is why shadows are formed when an object blocks the path of light.

Multiple choice

Match the following:

 
a. Point source of light 1. It is the phenomenon due to which a beam of light bounces off from a smooth polished surface in some other direction.
b. Ray of light 2. It is the source of light which is of the size of the head of a common pin.
c. Reflection of light 3. It is the path along which light energy travels in a given direction.

  1. a – 3, b – 2, c – 1

  2. a – 1, b – 3, c – 2

  3. a – 1, b – 2, c – 3

  4. a – 2, b – 1, c – 3

  5. a – 2, b – 3, c – 1
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct option. Point source of light is the source of light which is of the size of the head of a common pin. Ray of light is the path along which light energy travels in a given direction. Reflection of light is the phenomenon due to which a beam of light bounces off from a smooth polished surface in some other direction.

Multiple choice

A shadow is a dark patch formed behind an opaque body when it is placed in the path of light. Which of the following is not a characteristic of a shadow?

  1. The shape of the shadow may or may not match with that of the object.

  2. A shadow is a dark outline of the object.

  3. The size of the shadow increases if the opaque body is closer to the source of light and away from the screen.

  4. The size of the shadow decreases if the opaque body is closer to the screen and away from the source of light.

  5. Objects of same colour, but of different shapes form the same kind of shadow.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct option as this is not a characteristic of a shadow. Objects of different colour, but of same shape form the same kind of shadow, i.e. a dark patch.

Multiple choice

Match the following:

 
a. Luminous bodies 1. They are those bodies that do not emit light of their own, but reflect the light energy falling on them.
b. Non-luminous bodies 2. They are those bodies that do not allow the light energy to pass through them.
c. Opaque bodies 3. They are those bodies that emit light by themselves.

  1. a – 3, b – 2, c – 1

  2. a – 3, b – 1, c – 2

  3. a – 1, b – 3, c – 2

  4. a – 1, b – 2, c – 3

  5. a – 2, b – 1, c – 3
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct option. Luminous bodies are those bodies that emit light by themselves. Non-luminous bodies are those bodies that do not emit light of their own, but reflect the light energy falling on them. Opaque bodies are those bodies that do not allow the light energy to pass through them.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are false?

a. Planets reflect the light of the Sun falling on them. b. A non-luminous body can be made a luminous body by cooling it. c. Anything through which light energy can pass partially or wholly is called an optical medium.

  1. Only a

  2. Only a and b

  3. Only b

  4. Only b and c

  5. Only c
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct option as this statement is false. A non-luminous body can be made a luminous body by heating it.