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Ray Optics and Optical Instruments appeared 63 times across 3 years — 7.3% of Physics. This question is from Spherical Mirrors.

Year 2026 2025 2024 Total
Questions 19 34 10 63

If the distance between object and its two times magnified virtual image produced by a curved mirror is 15 cm, the focal length of the mirror must be:

Solution & Explanation

Related Formula

Magnification formula for spherical mirrors:

m = -(v)/(u)

Mirror formula:

(1)/(f) = (1)/(v) + (1)/(u)

where:

  • u is the object distance
  • v is the image distance
  • f is the focal length
Core Logic

Since the image is magnified (m = 2) and virtual, the mirror must be concave (f < 0). Let us use standard coordinate geometry signs: object is on the left (u is negative, say -u₀), virtual image is on the right (v is positive, say +v₀).

Given magnification:

m = 2 = -(v)/(u) v = -2u

In terms of magnitudes:

v₀ = 2u₀

Step 1: Use Distance Condition

The distance between the object and virtual image is 15 cm. Since the object is in front of the mirror and the virtual image is behind it:

Distance = u₀ + v₀ = 15 cm

Substitute v₀ = 2u₀:

u₀ + 2u₀ = 15 3u₀ = 15 u₀ = 5 cm

Thus:

  • u₀ = 5 cm u = -5 cm
  • v₀ = 10 cm v = +10 cm
  • Ray diagram for virtual image in concave mirror for Q38
    Ray diagram for virtual image in concave mirror for Q38

Step 2: Calculate Focal Length

Using the mirror formula:

(1)/(f) = (1)/(v) + (1)/(u) (1)/(f) = (1)/(10) + (1)/(-5) (1)/(f) = (1 - 2)/(10) = -(1)/(10) f = -10 cm

Thus, the focal length is -10 cm.

Pattern Recognition

Virtual and magnified image → always concave mirror. Distance D between object and virtual image is given by D = |u| + v. Since v = m|u|, we can simplify to |u| = (D)/(m+1).

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Ray Optics and Optical Instruments

Reference Study Guides

More Ray Optics and Optical Instruments Previous-Year Questions — Page 10

Q jee_main_2025_24_jan_morning Silvering of Lenses
A thin plano convex lens made of glass of refractive index 1.5 is immersed in a liquid of refractive index 1.2. When the plane side of the lens is silver coated for complete reflection, the lens immersed in the liquid behaves like a concave mirror of focal length 0.2 m. The radius of curvature of the curved surface of the lens is :-
  • A. 0.15 m
  • B. 0.10 m
  • C. 0.20 m
  • D. 0.25 m

Solution

Related Formula

The net focal power of a silvered tracking lens system is given by:

P = 2PL + PM (1)/(f) = 2fL + 1fM
Core Logic

As shown in diagram

Silvering of Lenses diagram for Q12 - JEE Main 2025 Morning
Silvering of Lenses diagram for Q12 - JEE Main 2025 Morning
, the plane flat side boundary interface has an infinite radius of curvature (R₂ = ∞), meaning its mirror focal component is fM = ∞ PM = 0. The power depends entirely on the refraction step:

(1)/(f) = 2fL
Step 1: Lens Maker Formulation

Find the focal expression of the immersed lens element [cite: 91, 679]:

1fL = ( μglassμliquid - 1)((1)/(R)) = ((1.5)/(1.2) - 1)(1)/(R) = (0.3)/(1.2)(1)/(R) = (1)/(4R)

Now insert this into the total system tracking balance relation :

(1)/(f) = 2 ((1)/(4R)) = (1)/(2R)

Given the final effective concave configuration matches f = 0.2 m :

(1)/(0.2) = (1)/(2R) 2R = 0.2 R = 0.10 m
Pattern Recognition

Silvering a plano-flat back boundary means light traverses the initial curved face interface exactly twice, mapping to R = 2 · f · (μrel - 1).

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Ray Optics and Optical Instruments

Q jee_main_2025_24_jan_morning Lens Maker's Formula
A plano-convex lens having radius of curvature of first surface 2 cm exhibits focal length of f₁ in air. Another plano-convex lens with first surface radius of curvature 3 cm has focal length of f₂ when it is immersed in a liquid of refractive index 1.2. If both the lenses are made of same glass of refractive index 1.5, the ratio of f₁ and f₂ will be :-
  • A. 3:5
  • B. 1:3
  • C. 1:2
  • D. 2:3

Solution

Related Formula

Lens Maker's Formula for a lens in a surrounding medium of refractive index μm is:

(1)/(f) = ( μlensμm - 1)( 1R₁ - 1R₂)
Core Logic

For a plano-convex configuration, the flat side has an infinite radius of curvature (R₂ = ∞ 1R₂ = 0).

Step 1: Evaluating Respective Focal Scales

For the first lens setup in air (μm = 1) :

1f₁ = (1.5 - 1)((1)/(2) - 0) = 0.5 × (1)/(2) = (1)/(4) f₁ = 4 cm

For the second lens setup immersed inside fluid (μm = 1.2) :

1f₂ = ((1.5)/(1.2) - 1)((1)/(3) - 0) = (1.25 - 1)(1)/(3) = (0.25)/(3) = (1)/(12) f₂ = 12 cm

Taking their direct ratio :

f₁ : f₂ = 4 : 12 = 1 : 3
Pattern Recognition

Always separate the refractive index multiplier from the geometric shape factor. This lets you calculate each change independently before taking the final ratio.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Ray Optics and Optical Instruments

Q2 jee_main_2025_24_jan_morning Power of a Lens
What is the relative decrease in focal length of a lens for an increase in optical power by 0.1 D from 2.5 D ? ['D' stands for dioptre]
  • A. 0.04
  • B. 0.40
  • C. 0.1
  • D. 0.01

Solution

Related Formula

The relationship between optical power P and focal length F is given by:

F = (1)/(P)

Relative decrease in focal length is defined as:

(Δ F)/(F) = (F - F')/(F)
Core Logic

Given initial power P = 2.5 D[cite: 19, 600]. After an increase of 0.1 D, the new power is[cite: 19, 603]:

P' = 2.5 + 0.1 = 2.6 D
Step 1: Calculate Focal Length Change

Find the initial and final focal lengths [cite: 602, 604]:

F = (1)/(2.5) = (2)/(5) F' = (1)/(2.6) = (5)/(13)

Now, calculate the relative decrease:

(F - F')/(F) = 1 - (F')/(F) = 1 - (P)/(P') = 1 - (2.5)/(2.6) = (0.1)/(2.6) = (1)/(26) ≈ 0.04
Pattern Recognition

For a small change, we can approximate using differentiation: P = (1)/(F) dP = -(dF)/(F²) (dF)/(F) = -(dP)/(P). Thus, the relative change magnitude is (0.1)/(2.5) = (1)/(25) = 0.04.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Ray Optics and Optical Instruments

Q6 jee_main_2025_28_jan_evening Refraction at Spherical Surfaces
In a long glass tube, mixture of two liquids A and B with refractive indices 1.3 and 1.4 respectively, forms a convex refractive meniscus towards A. If an object placed at 13cm from the vertex of the meniscus in A forms an image with a magnification of -2 then the radius of curvature of meniscus is :
  • A. 1 cm
  • B. (1)/(3)cm
  • C. (2)/(3) ~cm
  • D. (4)/(3) ~cm

Solution

Related Formula

For refraction at a single spherical surface separating two mediums :

(n₂)/(v) - (n₁)/(u) = (n₂ - n₁)/(R)

Linear magnification for a spherical refracting boundary is given by:

m = (v / n₂)/(u / n₁) = (v · n₁)/(u · n₂)$

Core Logic

Given parameters from the [cite: 17, 651, 654]:

  • Refractive index of Medium A, $n₁ = 1.3$
  • Refractive index of Medium B, $n₂ = 1.4$
  • Object distance, $u = -13 cm$
  • Magnification, $m = -2$
  • Using the magnification formula to locate image position $v$ :

-2 = \frac{v \cdot 1.3}{(-13) \cdot 1.4}-2 = \frac{1.3 \cdot v}{-18.2} \implies 1.3 v = 36.4 \implies v = 28 \text{ cm}

Now substitute $u = -13$, $v = 28$, $n₁ = 1.3$, $n₂ = 1.4$ into the boundary equation:

\frac{1.4}{28} - \frac{1.3}{-13} = \frac{1.4 - 1.3}{R}\frac{1}{20} + \frac{1}{10} = \frac{0.1}{R}\frac{1 + 2}{20} = \frac{0.1}{R} \implies \frac{3}{20} = \frac{1}{10R}30 R = 20 \implies R = \frac{2}{3} \text{ cm}$
Step 1: Visual Context

The visual system configuration of the refracting interface is tracked here:

Refraction at Spherical Surfaces diagram for Q6 - JEE Main 2025 Evening
Refraction at Spherical Surfaces diagram for Q6 - JEE Main 2025 Evening

Pattern Recognition

Keep precise track of sign conventions for single spherical surfaces. A convex meniscus towards A means the center of curvature lies inside medium B, meaning

Step 1: Visual Context

The visual system configuration of the refracting interface is tracked here:

Refraction at Spherical Surfaces diagram for Q6 - JEE Main 2025 Evening
Refraction at Spherical Surfaces diagram for Q6 - JEE Main 2025 Evening

Pattern Recognition

Keep precise track of sign conventions for single spherical surfaces. A convex meniscus towards A means the center of curvature lies inside medium B, meaning $R$ will mathematically return as a positive parameter.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Ray Optics

Q13 jee_main_2025_28_jan_evening Reflection by Spherical Mirrors
A concave mirror produces an image of an object such that the distance between the object and image is 20 cm. If the magnification of the image is -3' , then the magnitude of the radius of curvature of the mirror is:
  • A. 3.75cm
  • B. 30cm
  • C. 7.5cm
  • D. 15cm

Solution

Related Formula

Magnification m of a mirror is given by:

m = -(v)/(u)

The mirror equation relates focal length to distance positions:

(1)/(f) = (1)/(v) + (1)/(u) f = (uv)/(u+v)

Radius of curvature R = 2f.

Core Logic

Given, magnification m = -3. This tells us the image is real and inverted[cite: 131, 757]:

-3 = -(v)/(u) v = 3u

Since both real objects and real images lie on the same side in front of a concave mirror, u and v are both negative fields. The physical distance separation between them is:

|v| - |u| = 20 3|u| - |u| = 20 2|u| = 20 |u| = 10 cm

Therefore, object distance u = -10 cm and image distance v = -30 cm .

Substitute into the focal equation formula:

f = ((-10)(-30))/(-10 - 30) = (300)/(-40) = -7.5 cm R = 2 × |f| = 2 × 7.5 = 15 cm
Step 1: Visual Diagram

The visual positioning profile tracking focal path boundaries is given below:

Reflection by Spherical Mirrors diagram for Q13 - JEE Main 2025 Evening
Reflection by Spherical Mirrors diagram for Q13 - JEE Main 2025 Evening

Pattern Recognition

A magnification of -3 tells you immediately that the object lies between the Focus (F) and Center of Curvature (C), while the image forms beyond C. This geometric layout instantly verifies that the radius value must exceed 10 cm.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Ray Optics

More Ray Optics and Optical Instruments Questions — jee_main_2024_29_january_evening

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