Light: Reflection and Refraction — Class 10 Science PYQs

20 previous-year board questions (2026) with marking-scheme solutions, grouped by topic and marks.

Try each question first, then press (or tap Show Solution) to reveal the answer. Press again for the next question.

Marks:

Reflection and spherical mirrors

1 Mark Questions
11 Mark · March 2026 · Standardopen ↗
Direction : For question number 32, two statements are given – one labelled as Assertion
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(A) / Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) both are true, and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (1 Mark)
2 Marks Questions
22 Marks · March 2026 · Standardopen ↗
Write any two differences between the images formed by convex mirror and plane mirror.
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Images formed by convex mirror
1 Size of image is always smaller than object. (1 Mark)
2 Image distance is not equal to object distance. (1 Mark)
Images formed by plane mirror
Size of image is same as size of object.
Image distance is equal to object distance.
(any other suitable difference)

Mirror formula and magnification

1 Mark Questions
31 Mark · March 2026 · Standardopen ↗
From the following options choose the one which gives negative magnification greater than one :
  • (a)Concave mirror; Nature of image – real
  • (b)Concave mirror; Nature of image – virtual
  • (c)Convex mirror; Nature of image – real
  • (d)Convex mirror; Nature of image – virtual
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(A) / Concave mirror, Nature of image-real (1 Mark)

Refraction: laws and refractive index

2 Marks Questions
42 Marks · March 2026 · Standardopen ↗
(a) Relate the speed of light in the given medium with its optical density.
(b) Using the information given in the table below, arrange the medium A, B and C in the ascending order of their optical density.
begin{tabular}{|c|c|}
hline Medium & Speed of light (m/s)
hline A & $2.25 \times 10^8$
hline B & $2 \times 10^8$
hline C & $2.08 \times 10^8$
hline
end{tabular}
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(a) In optically rarer medium speed of light is more and in optically denser medium speed of light is less. (1 Mark)
(b) $A < C < B$ (1 Mark)
52 Marks · March 2026 · Standardopen ↗
(a) Define absolute refractive index of an optical medium.
(b)
begin{tabular}{|c|c|}
hline Material Medium & Refractive Index
hline A & 1.50
hline B & 1.46
hline C & 1.31
hline D & 1.77
hline
end{tabular}
Arrange these material mediums given in the table in increasing order of speed of light through them.
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(a) Absolute refractive index of a medium is the ratio of speed of light in air to the speed of light in the given medium / Refractive index of a medium with respect to air / $n = \frac{c}{v}$ (1 Mark)
(b) $V_D < V_A < V_B < V_C$ (1 Mark)
62 Marks · March 2026 · Standardopen ↗
When an incident ray of light enters in a medium ‘X’ from medium ‘Y’, it bends away from the normal.
Comment about the following :
(a) Speed of light in medium ‘X’ with respect to the speed of light in medium of ‘Y’.
(b) Optical density of medium ‘X’ with respect to the optical density of medium ‘Y’.
Give reason for your answer in each case.
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(a) • Speed of light in medium 'X' is more than in medium 'Y'. (1/2)
• Because light ray bends away from the normal in optically rarer medium. (1/2)
(b) • Optical density of medium 'X' is less than medium 'Y'. (1/2)
• Because in optically rarer medium light bends away from the normal. (1/2)
72 Marks · March 2026 · Standardopen ↗
Attempt either subpart (a) or (b) :
OR
(b) When a ray of light passes from water to air (I) will the angle of refraction in air (r) be greater than the angle of incidence in water (i) or less than it ? (II) and when we increase the angle of incidence in water, will the angle of refraction in air increase or decrease ? What is the limiting value for $\angle\text{r}$ ?
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(b) (I) $\angle r$ will be greater than $\angle i$. (1 Mark)
(II) • $\angle r$ will increase. (½ Mark)
• Limiting value of $\angle r$ will be $90^\circ$. (½ Mark)

Refraction by spherical lenses

2 Marks Questions
82 Marks · March 2026 · Standardopen ↗
Read the following passage and answer the questions given below :
Lenses can form different types of images depending upon their focal length and position of object. A convex lens can create real, inverted or virtual, erect images, while a concave lens forms only virtual and diminished images. The focal length determines the power of lens. Convex lenses have positive focal length while concave lenses have negative focal length by convention. When lenses are placed together, their combined power is determined by the sum of their individual powers. Ray diagrams help to visualize how light converges or diverges through lens to form an image.
(a) A convex lens of focal length $$\begin{aligned}& 20 \\ & \text{cm}\end{aligned}$$ is used to form an image. If an object is placed at $$\begin{aligned}& 40 \\ & \text{cm}\end{aligned}$$ from the lens, what will be the position and nature of image ?
(b) Illustrate the formation of image with the help of ray diagram, when the object is placed between the optical centre and principal focus of concave lens.
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$f_1 = 30 \text{ cm} = 0.3 \text{ m, } f_2=-15\text{cm} = -0.15 \text{ m}$
$P = \frac{1}{f}$
$P_1=\frac{+1}{0.3} \text{ D} ; P_2=\frac{-1}{0.15} \text{ D}$
$\frac{1}{2}$
Equivalent power, $P = P_1+P_2$
$P = - 3.33\text{D}$
$\frac{1}{2}$
Equivalent focal length, $f=\frac{1}{P}$
$\frac{1}{2}$
$f=\frac{-1}{3.33} = - 0.3 \text{ m} = - 30 \text{ cm}$
$\frac{1}{2}$
4 Marks Questions
94 Marks · March 2026 · Standardopen ↗
Read the following passage and answer the questions given below :
Lenses can form different types of images depending upon their focal length and position of object. A convex lens can create real, inverted or virtual, erect images, while a concave lens forms only virtual and diminished images. The focal length determines the power of lens. Convex lenses have positive focal length while concave lenses have negative focal length by convention. When lenses are placed together, their combined power is determined by the sum of their individual powers. Ray diagrams help to visualize how light converges or diverges through lens to form an image.
(a) A convex lens of focal length $$\begin{aligned}& 20 \\ & \text{cm}\end{aligned}$$ is used to form an image. If an object is placed at $$\begin{aligned}& 40 \\ & \text{cm}\end{aligned}$$ from the lens, what will be the position and nature of image ?
(b) Illustrate the formation of image with the help of ray diagram, when the object is placed between the optical centre and principal focus of concave lens.
(c) (i) A lens combination consists of a convex lens of focal length $$\begin{aligned}& 30 \\ & \text{cm}\end{aligned}$$ and a concave lens of focal length $$\begin{aligned}& 15 \\ & \text{cm}\end{aligned}$$ placed together. Find the equivalent focal length and power of this lens combination.
OR
(c) (ii) Two lenses are placed in contact. One is a concave lens with focal length $$\begin{aligned}& 2 \\ & \text{m}\end{aligned}$$ and the other is a convex lens with focal length $$\begin{aligned}& 1.5 \\ & \text{m}\end{aligned}$$. What type of lens will the combination behave as (convex or concave) ? Give reason.
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$f_1 = 30 \text{ cm} = 0.3 \text{ m}, f_2 = -15\text{cm} = -0.15 \text{ m}$ (
frac{1}{2} Mark)
$P = \frac{1}{f}$
$P_1 = \frac{+1}{0.3} \text{ D} ; P_2 = \frac{-1}{0.15} \text{ D}$ (
frac{1}{2} Mark)
Equivalent power, $P = P_1+P_2$
$P = -3.33 \text{D}$ (
frac{1}{2} Mark)
Equivalent focal length, $f = \frac{1}{P}$
$f = \frac{-1}{3.33} = -0.3 \text{ m} = -30 \text{ cm}$ (
frac{1}{2} Mark)

Lens formula, magnification, power of a lens

1 Mark Questions
101 Mark · March 2026 · Standardopen ↗
A convex lens of focal length $$\begin{aligned}& 15 \\ & \text{cm}\end{aligned}$$, is forming a real image. If the size of image is same as the size of object, then position of object and position of image will be, respectively :
  • (a)$$\begin{aligned}& 15 \\ & \text{cm}\end{aligned}$$ and $$\begin{aligned}& -15 \\ & \text{cm}\end{aligned}$$ from lens
  • (b)$$\begin{aligned}& -15 \\ & \text{cm}\end{aligned}$$ and $$\begin{aligned}& +15 \\ & \text{cm}\end{aligned}$$ from lens
  • (c)$$\begin{aligned}& -30 \\ & \text{cm}\end{aligned}$$ and $$\begin{aligned}& +30 \\ & \text{cm}\end{aligned}$$ from lens
  • (d)$$\begin{aligned}& -30 \\ & \text{cm}\end{aligned}$$ and $$\begin{aligned}& -30 \\ & \text{cm}\end{aligned}$$ from lens
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(C) / - 30 cm and + 30 cm from lens
1
1
111 Mark · March 2026 · Standardopen ↗
The variation of image distance ($v$) with the object distance ($u$) for a convex lens is given in the following observation table. Analyse it and answer the questions given below :
S.No.Object distance ($u$) cmImage distance ($v$) cm
---------
1$-150$$+30$
2$-75$$+37.5$
3$-50$$+50$
4$-37.5$$+75$
5$-30$$+150$
6$-15$$+37.5$
(a) Without calculation, find out the focal length of the given convex lens. Justify your answer.
(b) Which one of the observations given in the table is not correct and why?
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(c) $m = \frac{v}{u} = \frac{150}{-30} = -5$
Nature of image: Image will be real and inverted
Reason: because the value of m is negative.
121 Mark · March 2026 · Standardopen ↗
Rays from the sun converge at a point $$\begin{aligned}& 25 \\ & \text{cm}\end{aligned}$$ behind a convex lens. The distance at which an object be placed in front of the lens to get a virtual image, is :
  • (a)20 cm
  • (b)40 cm
  • (c)50 cm
  • (d)More than 50 cm
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(A) / 20 cm (1 Mark)
2 Marks Questions
132 Marks · March 2026 · Standardopen ↗
(c) (i) A lens combination consists of a convex lens of focal length $$\begin{aligned}& 30 \\ & \text{cm}\end{aligned}$$ and a concave lens of focal length $$\begin{aligned}& 15 \\ & \text{cm}\end{aligned}$$ placed together. Find the equivalent focal length and power of this lens combination.
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Solution not available.
142 Marks · March 2026 · Standardopen ↗
(c) (ii) Two lenses are placed in contact. One is a concave lens with focal length $$\begin{aligned}& 2 \\ & \text{m}\end{aligned}$$ and the other is a convex lens with focal length $$\begin{aligned}& 1.5 \\ & \text{m}\end{aligned}$$. What type of lens will the combination behave as (convex or concave) ? Give reason.
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Solution not available.
152 Marks · March 2026 · Standardopen ↗
(c) (i) Find out the value of magnification for $$\begin{aligned}& u = -30 \\ & \text{cm}\end{aligned}$$. Write the nature of the image formed. Give reason for your answer.
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Solution not available.
3 Marks Questions
163 Marks · March 2026 · Standardopen ↗
(a) Write the expression for the magnification produced by a lens in terms of object distance and image distance.
(b) A $$\begin{aligned}& 4 \\ & \text{cm}\end{aligned}$$ tall object is placed perpendicular to the principal axis of a convex lens of focal length $$\begin{aligned}& 20 \\ & \text{cm}\end{aligned}$$. Calculate the size of the image formed, if the distance of the object from the lens is $$\begin{aligned}& 10 \\ & \text{cm}\end{aligned}$$.
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(a) Magnification, $m = \frac{\text{Image distance}}{\text{Object distance}} / m = \frac{v}{u}$
(b)
$h_o= + 4 \text{ cm}$
$f = + 20 \text{ cm}$
$u = -10 \text{ cm}$
$h_i = ?$
$\frac{1}{v} - \frac{1}{u} = \frac{1}{f}$
$\frac{1}{v} = \frac{1}{f} + \frac{1}{u}$
$\frac{1}{v} = \frac{1}{20} + \frac{1}{-10}$
$\frac{1}{v} = \frac{1-2}{20}$
$v = -20 \text{ cm}$
$m = \frac{v}{u}$
$m = \frac{-20}{-10}$
$m = 2$
$m = \frac{\text{height of image}}{\text{height of object}}$
height of image = $m \times$ height of object
height of image = $2 \times 4 \text{ cm} = 8 \text{ cm}$
173 Marks · March 2026 · Standardopen ↗
(a) Write the name of the lens and position of the object in front of it so that a virtual and magnified image is formed.
(b) An object is placed perpendicular to the principal axis of a convex lens of focal length $$\begin{aligned}& 20 \\ & \text{cm}\end{aligned}$$. If object is located at $$\begin{aligned}& 30 \\ & \text{cm}\end{aligned}$$ from this lens, using lens formula find out the position and nature of the image formed.
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(a)
* Convex lens (½ Mark)
* When object is placed between focus and optical centre (½ Mark)
(b) $f = + 20 \text{ cm}$
$u = -30 \text{ cm}$
$\frac{1}{v} - \frac{1}{u} = \frac{1}{f}$ (½ Mark)
$\frac{1}{v} = \frac{1}{f} + \frac{1}{u}$
$\frac{1}{v} = \frac{1}{20} + \frac{1}{-30}$
$\frac{1}{v} = \frac{1}{60}$ (½ Mark)
$v = 60 \text{ cm}$
The image is formed at a distance of 60 cm on the other side of the optical centre.
* Nature of image – Real, inverted (1 Mark)
183 Marks · March 2026 · Standardopen ↗
An object is placed at a distance of $30\,\text{cm}$ in front of a convex lens of focal length $15\,\text{cm}$. Use lens formula to determine the position of the image. What will be the size of the image in this case ?
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• $u = -30\text{ cm}$, $f = 15\text{ cm}$
$\frac{1}{v} - \frac{1}{u} = \frac{1}{f}$ (½ Mark)
$\frac{1}{v} = \frac{1}{f} + \frac{1}{u}$
$\frac{1}{v} = \frac{1}{15} + \frac{1}{-30}$ (½ Mark)
$v = 30\text{ cm}$ (1 Mark)
• $m = \frac{v}{u} = +\frac{30}{-30} = -1$
Hence, size of image will be same as the object. / Size of image will be same as size of object because when object is kept at $2F_1$, image will be formed at $2F_2$. (1 Mark)
193 Marks · March 2026 · Standardopen ↗
An object of height $$\begin{aligned}& 6 \\ & \text{cm}\end{aligned}$$ is placed at a distance of $$\begin{aligned}& 30 \\ & \text{cm}\end{aligned}$$ from the optical centre of a concave lens of focal length $$\begin{aligned}& 15 \\ & \text{cm}\end{aligned}$$.
Use lens formula to determine :
(a) The distance of image from the optical centre.
(b) The height of the image formed.
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(a) Height of object = $\text{6.0 cm}$
$u = \text{-30 cm}$
$f = \text{-15 cm}$
$\frac{1}{v} - \frac{1}{u} = \frac{1}{f}$
$\frac{1}{v} = \frac{1}{f} + \frac{1}{u}$
$\frac{1}{v} = \frac{1}{-15} + \frac{1}{-30}$ (1/2)
(b) $v = \text{-10 cm}$
$m = \frac{v}{u}$
$m = \frac{-10}{-30}$
$m = \frac{1}{3}$
$\text{height of image} = \frac{h'}{\text{height of object}} = \frac{h'}{h}$
$h' = m \times h$
$h' = \frac{1}{3} \times 6$
$h' = \text{2 cm}$ (1/2)
203 Marks · March 2026 · Standardopen ↗
Optical device Object distance Focal length Height of object
(cm)
(cm)
(cm)
Convex lens 20 10 6
Concave mirror 30 10 6
By using the data given in the table, compare the properties of images formed by convex lens and concave mirror in terms of the positions and nature of images formed.
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For Convex lens
• Position:
$\frac{1}{v} - \frac{1}{u} = \frac{1}{f}$ (1 Mark)
$\frac{1}{v} = \frac{1}{f} + \frac{1}{u}$ (1 Mark)
$\frac{1}{v} = \frac{1}{10} + \frac{1}{-20}$ (1 Mark)
$v = +20cm$ (1 Mark)
• Nature: real, inverted (½ Mark)
For Concave mirror
• Position:
$\frac{1}{v} + \frac{1}{u} = \frac{1}{f}$ (1 Mark)
$\frac{1}{v} = \frac{1}{f} - \frac{1}{u}$ (1 Mark)
$\frac{1}{v} = \frac{1}{-10} - \frac{1}{-30}$ (1 Mark)
$v = -15cm$ (1 Mark)
• Nature: real, inverted (½ Mark)
/
Alternate answer
Convex lens: -
• When object is placed at centre of curvature, the image is formed at centre of curvature. (1 Mark)
• Nature of image is real and inverted. (½ Mark)
Concave Mirror: -
• When object is between infinity and centre of curvature the image is formed between focus and centre of curvature. (1 Mark)
• Nature of image is real and inverted. (½ Mark)