NEET Previous Year Questions (2014-2025): Ray Optics & Optical Instruments

Table of Contents
1. 2025
2. 2024
3. 2023
4. 2022
5. 2021
6. 2020
7. 2019
8. 2018
9. 2017
10. 2016
11. 2015
12. 2014
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2025

Q1: A microscope has an objective of focal length 2 cm, an eyepiece of focal length 4 cm, and a tube length of 40 cm. If the distance of distinct vision of the eye is 25 cm, the magnification in the microscope is
(a) 150
(b) 250
(c) 100
(d) 125

Q2: In a certain camera, a combination of four similar thin convex lenses is arranged axially in contact. Then the power of the combination and the total magnification in comparison to the power(p) and magnification (m) for each lens will be, respectively

(a) 4p and m⁴  
(b) p⁴ and m⁴  
(c) 4p and 4m  
(d) p⁴ and 4m

2024

(a) √5/4
(b) √5/2
(c) √3 /4
(d) √3/2      

Q2: A small telescope has an objective of focal length 140cm and an eye piece of focal length 5.0cm. The magnifying power of telescope for viewing a distant object is:       [2024]
(a) 34
(b) 28
(c) 17
(d) 32 

Q3: For a prism, when the light undergoes minimum deviation, the relationship between the angle of incidence (i) and the angle of emergence (i′) is:      [2024]
(a) i = i′ 
(b) i > i′ 
(c) i < i′ 
(d) i = 0 

Q4: The graph which shows the correct variation of 1/v with 1/u for a concave mirror, where u is the object distance and v is the image distance, is:      [2024]
(a)

(b)
(c)
(d)

Q5: The time taken by sunlight to pass through a glass slab of thickness 5 mm and refractive index 1.5 is:       [2024]
(a) (5/3) × 10^-8 s 
(b) (5/2) × 10^-11 s 
(c) (5/3) × 10^-11 s 
(d) (5/2) × 10^-8 s

Q6: Given below are two statements:      [2024]
Statement I: Image formation needs regular reflection and/or refraction.
Statement II: The variety in colour of objects we see around us is due to the constituent colours of the light incident on them. 
(a) Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect.
(b) Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct.
(c) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct.
(d) Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect.

2023

Q1: Light travels a distance x in time t₁ in air and 10x in time t₂ in another denser medium. What is the critical angle for this medium? (a)
(b)
(c)
(d)

Q2: Two thin lenses are of the same focal lengths (f), but one is convex and the other one is concave. When they are placed in contact with each other, the equivalent focal length of the combination will be     
(a) Zero
(b) f/4
(c) f/2
(d) Infinite

Q3: In the figure shown here, what is the equivalent focal length of the combination of lenses (Assuming that all layers are thin)?     
(a) 40 cm
(b) -40 cm 
(c) -100 cm 
(d) -50 cm

Q4: A lens is made up of 3 different transparent media as shown in figure. ! point object O is placed on its axis beyond 2f. How many real images will be obtained on the other side?

(a) 2
(b) 1
(c) No image will be formed
(d) 3

Q5: ε_o and μ_o are the electric permittivity and magnetic permeability of free space respectively. If the corresponding quantities of a medium are 2 ε_o and 1.5 μ_o respectively, the refractive index of the medium will nearly be :
(a) √2
(b) √3
(c) 3
(d) 2

Q6: A horizontal ray of light is incident on the right-angled prism with prism angle 6^∘. If the refractive index of the material of the prism is 1.5, then the angle of emergence will be:

(a) 9^o
(b) 10^o
(c) 4^o
(d) 6^o

Q7: Which set of colors will come out in air for a situation shown in figure?

(a) Yellow, Orange and Red
(b) All
(c) Orange, Red and Violet
(d) Blue, Green and Yellow

Q8: An object is mounted on a wall. Its image of equal size is to be obtained on a parallel wall with the help of a convex lens placed between these walls. The lens is kept at distance x in front of the second wall. The required focal length of the lens will be:
(a) less than x/4
(b) more than x/44 but less than x/2
(c) x/2
(d) x/4

2022

Q1: During a cloudy day, a primary and a secondary rainbow may be created, then the :
(a) secondary rainbow is due to single internal reflection and is formed above the primary one.
(b) primary rainbow is due to double internal reflection and is formed above the secondary one.
(c) primary rainbow is due to double internal reflection and is formed below the secondary one.
(d) secondary rainbow is due to double internal reflection and is formed above the primary one.

Q2: An astronomical refracting telescope is being used by an observer to observe planets in normal adjustment. The focal lengths of the objective and eye piece used in the construction of the telescope are 20 m and 2 cm respectively. Consider the following statements about the telescope :
(a) The distance between the objective and eye piece is 20.02 m
(b) The magnification of the telescope is (-) 1000
(c) The image of the planet is erect and diminished
(d) The aperture of eye piece is smaller than that of objective
The correct statements are :
(a) (a), (b) and (d)
(b) (a), (b) and (c)
(c) (b), (c) and (d)
(d) (c) , (d) and (a)

Q3: In a Young's double slit experiment, a student observes 8 fringes in a certain segment of screen when a monochromatic light of 600 nm wavelength is used. If the wavelength of light is changed to 400 nm, then the number of fringes he would observe in the same region of the screen is
(a) 6
(b) 8
(c) 9
(d) 12

Q4: When light propagates through a material medium of relative permittivity εr and relative permeability μr, the velocity of light, v is given by (c-velocity of light in vacuum)
(a) v = c
(b)
(c)
(d)

Q5: Two transparent media A and B are separated by a plane boundary. The speed of light in those media are 1.5 × 10⁸ m/s and 2.0 × 10⁸ m/s, respectively. The critical angle for a ray of light for these two media is                             
(a) sin^-1 (0.750) 
(b) tan^-1 (0.500) 
(c) tan^-1 (0.750) 
(d) sin^-1 (0.500) 

Q6: A biconvex lens has radii of curvature, 20 cm each. If the refractive index of the material of the lens is 1.5, the power of the lens is  
(a) +20 D
(b) +5 D
(c) Infinity
(d) +2 D  

Q7: A light ray falls on a glass surface of refractive index √3, at an angle 60°. The angle between the refracted and reflected rays would be
(a) 60°
(b) 90°
(c) 120°
(d) 30°

2021

Q1: A lens of large focal length and large aperture is best suited as an objective of an astronomical telescope, since 
(a) a large aperture contributes to the quality and visibility of the images
(b) a large area of the objective ensures better light gathering power
(c) a large aperture provides a better resolution
(d) All of the above

Q2: A convex lens A with a focal length of 20 cm and a concave lens B with a focal length of 5 cm are kept along the same axis with the distance d between them. If a parallel beam of light falling on A leaves B as a parallel beam, then distance d in cm will be     
(a) 25
(b) 15
(c) 30
(d) 50

Q3: Find the value of the angle of emergence from the prism. The refractive index of the glass is √3.     

(a) 45°
(b) 90°
(c) 60°
(d) 30°

Q4: A lens of large focal length and large aperture is best suited as an objective of an astronomical telescope since:     
(a) a large aperture contributes to the quality and visibility of the images.
(b) a large area of the objective ensures better light-gathering power.
(c) a large aperture provides a better resolution.
(d) all of the above.

Q5: A point object is placed at a distance of 60 cm from a convex lens of focal length 30 cm. If a plane mirror were put perpendicular to the principal axis of the lens and at a distance of 40 cm from it, the final image would be formed at a distance of:     

(a) 30 cm from the plane mirror, it would be a virtual image.
(b) 20 cm from the plane mirror, it would be a virtual image.
(c) 20 cm from the lens, it would be a real image.
(d) 30 cm from the lens, it would be a real image.

2020

Q1: An object is placed on the principal axis of a concave mirror at a distance of 1.5 f (f is the focal length). The image will be at 
(a) -3f 
(b) 1.5 f 
(c) -1.5 f 
(d) 3f

Q2: If the critical angle for total internal reflection from a medium to vacuum is 45°, then velocity of light in the medium is
(a) 1.5 × 10⁸ m/s
(b) 3/√2× 10⁸ m/s
(c) √2 × 10⁸ m/s
(d) 3 × 10⁸ m/s

Q3: A plano-convex lens of unknown material and unknown focal length is given. With the help of a spherometer we can measure the
(a) focal length of the lens
(b) radius of curvature of the curved surface
(c) aperture of the lens
(d) refractive index of the material

Q4: The power of a biconvex lens is 10 D and the radius of curvature of each surface is 10 cm. Then, the refractive index of the material of the lens is  
(a) 4/3
(b) 9/8
(c) 5/3
(d) 3/2

Q5: A ray is an incident at an angle of incidence i on one surface of a small angle prism (with the angle of prism A) and emerges normally from the opposite surface. If the refractive index of the material of the prism is m, then the angle of incidence is nearly equal to:    
(a) μA
(b) μA/2
(c) A/2μ
(d) 2A/μ

Q6: Light with an average flux of 20 W/cm² falls on a non-reflecting surface at normal incidence having a surface area of 20 cm². The energy received by the surface during time span of 1 minute is:  
(a) 24 × 10³ J 
(b) 48 × 10³ J 
(c) 10 × 10³ J 
(d) 12 × 10³ J

2019

Q1: An equi-convex lens has power P it is cut into two symmetrical halves by a plane containing the principal axis. The power of one part will be (a) 0
(b) P/2
(c) P/4
(d) P

Q2: A double convex lens has focal length 25 cm. The radius of curvature of one of the surfaces is doubled of the other. Find the radii, if the refractive index of the material of the lens is 1.5.
(a) 100 cm, 50 cm
(b) 25 cm, 50 cm
(c) 18.75 cm, 37.5 cm
(d) 50 cm, 100 cm

Q3: Which colour of the light has the longest wavelength?
(a) Blue
(b) Green
(c) Violet
(d) Red

Q4: Pick the wrong answer in the context of the rainbow.    
(a) When the light rays undergo two internal reflections in a water drop, a secondary rainbow is formed
(b) The order of colors is reversed in the secondary rainbow
(c) An observer can see a rainbow when his front is towards the sun
(d) Rainbow is a combined effect of dispersion refraction and  reflection of sunlight

Q5: Two similar thin equi-convex lenses, of focal length f each, are kept coaxially in contact with each other such that the focal length of the combination is F₁. When the space between the two lenses is filled with glycerine (which has the same refractive index (μ = 1.5) as that of glass) then the equivalent focal length is F₂. The ratio F₁ :  F₂ will be :  
(a) 2 : 1
(b) 1 : 2
(c) 2 : 3
(d) 3 : 4

Q6:  In total internal reflection when the angle of incidence is equal to the critical angle for the pair of media in contact, what will be the angle of refraction?    
(a) 180°
(b) 0°
(c) Equal to the angle of incidence
(d) 90°

2018

Q1: The refractive index of the material of a prism is √2 and the angle of the prism is 30°. One of the two refracting surfaces of the prism is made a mirror inwards, by silver coating. A beam of monochromatic light entering the prism from the other face will retrace its path (after reflection from the silvered surface) if its angle of incidence on the prism is:
(a) 60°
(b) 45°
(c) 30° 
(d) zero

Q2: An object is placed at a distance of 40 cm from a concave mirror of a focal length of 15 cm. If the object is displaced through a distance of 20 cm towards the mirror, the displacement of the image will be:
(a) 30 cm away from the mirror
(b) 36 cm away from the mirror
(c) 30 cm towards the mirror
(d) 36 cm towards the mirror

Q3: An astronomical refracting telescope will have large angular magnification and high angular resolution, when it has an objective lens of:   
(a) small focal length and large diameter
(b) large focal length and small diameter
(c) large focal length and large diameter
(d) small focal length and small diameter

2017

Q1: A beam of light from a source L is incident normally on a plane mirror fixed at a certain distance x from the source. The beam is reflected as a spot on a scale placed just above the source I. When the mirror is rotated through a small angle q, the spot of the light is found to move through a distance on the scale. The angle q is given by:   
(a) y/x
(b) x/2y
(c) x/y
(d) y/2x

Q2: The ratio of resolving powers of an optical microscope for two wavelengths λ₁ = 4000 Å and λ₂ = 6000 Å is :
(a) 9 : 4
(b) 3 : 2
(c) 16 : 81
(d) 8 : 27

Q3: A thin prism having a refracting angle of 10° is made of glass with a refractive index of 1.42. This prism is combined with another thin prism of glass with a refractive index of 1.7. This combination produces dispersion without deviation. The refracting angle of the second prism should be:
(a) 6°
(b) 8°
(c) 10°
(d) 4°

2016

Q1: The angle of incidence for a ray of light at a refracting surface of a prism is 45°. The angle of prism is 60°. If the ray suffers minimum deviation through the prism, the angle of minimum deviation and refractive index of the material of the prism respectively, are
(a) 30°; √2
(b)  45°; √2
(c) 30°; 1/√2
(d) 45°; 1/√2

Q2: An air bubble in a glass slab with refractive index 1.5 (near normal incidence) is 5 cm deep when viewed from one surface and 3 cm deep when viewed from the opposite face. The thickness (in cm) of the slab is
(a) 8
(b) 10
(c) 12
(d) 16

Q3: A beam of light consisting of red, green and blue colours is incident on a right angled prism. The refractive index of the material of the prism for the above red, green and blue wavelengths are 1.39, 1.44 and 1.47, respectively.

The prism will
(a) separate the blue colour part from the red and green colours
(b) separate all the three colours from one another
(c) not separate the three colours at all
(d) separate the red colour part from the green and blue colours

Q4: The angle of a prism is A. One of its refracting surfaces is silvered. Light rays falling at an angle of incidence 2A on the first surface returns back through the same path after suffering reflection at the silvered surface. The refractive index µ , of the prism is
(a) 2 sin A
(b) 2 cos A
(c) 1/2cos A
(d) tan A

Q5: Two identical glass (µ_g) = 3/2 equi-convex lenses of focal length f each are kept in contact. The space between the two lenses is filled with water ( µ_w ) = 4 3 The focal length of the combination is
(a) f/3
(b) f
(c) 4f/3
(d) 3f/4

Q6: A astronomical telescope has objective and eyepiece of focal lengths 40 cm 4 cm respectively.
To view an object 200 cm away from the objective, the lenses must be separated by a distance
(a) 46.0 cm
(b) 50.0 cm
(c) 54.0 cm
(d) 37.3 cm

Q7: An astronomical telescope has an objective and eyepiece of focal lengths of 40 cm and 4 cm respectively. To view an object 200 cm away from the objective, the lenses must be separated by a distance :   
(a) 54 cm
(b) 37.3 cm 
(c) 46 cm
(d) 50 cm

Q8: Match the corresponding entries of column 1 with column 2. [Where m is the magnification produced by the mirror]     
Column - 1                   Column - 2
(A) m = -2              (a) Convex mirror
(B) m = -1/2          (b) Concave mirror
(C) m = +2             (c) Real image
(D) m = =1/2         (d) Virtual image
(a) A → c and d; B → b and d; C → b and c; D → a and d
(b) A → b and c; B → b and c; C → b and d; D → a and d
(c) A → a and c; B → a and d; C → a and b; D → c and d
(d) A → a and d; B → b and c; C → b and d; D → b and c

Q9: The angle incidence for a ray of light at a refracting surface of a prism is 45 degrees. The angle of the prism is 60 degrees If the ray suffers minimum deviation through the prism, the angle of minimum deviation and refractive index of the material of the prism respectively, are     
(a) 30 deg; 1/√2
(b) 45 deg; 1/√2
(c) 30 deg; √2
(d) 45 deg; √2

2015

Q1: In an astronomical telescope in normal adjustment a straight black line of length L is drawn on inside part of objective lens. The eye-piece forms a real image of this line. The length of this image is I. The magnification of the telescope is
(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

Q2: The refracting angle of a prism is A, and the refractive index of the material of the prism is cot (A/2). The angle of minimum deviation is :     
(a) 180º + 2A
(b) 180º - 3A
(c) 180º - 2A
(d) 90º - A

Q3: Two identical thin plano-convex glass lenses (refractive index 1.5) each having a radius of curvature of 20 cm are placed with their convex surfaces in contact at the center. The intervening space is filled with oil of a refractive index of 1.7. The focal length of the combination is :     
(a) 50 cm
(b) -20 cm
(c) -25 cm
(d) -50 cm

2014

Q1: The angle of a prism is A. One of its refracting surfaces is silvered.
Light rays falling at an angle of incidence 2A on the first surface returns back through the same path after suffering reflection at the silvered surface. The refractive index µ , of the prism is
(a) 2 sin A
(b) 2 cos A
(c) 1/2cos A
(d) tan A

Q2: The angle of a prism is 'A'. One of its refracting surfaces is silvered. Light rays falling at an angle of incidence 2A on the first surface returns back through the same path after suffering reflection at the silvered surface. The refractive index μ, of the prism is :     
(a) 1/2 cos A
(b) tan A
(c) 2 sin A
(d) 2 cos A

Q3:  If the focal length of the objective lens is increased then the magnifying power of :     
(a) microscope and telescope both will decrease
(b) microscope will decrease but that of telescope will increase
(c) microscope will increase but that of telescope will decrease
(d) microscope and telescope both will increase