Free Optics MCQs with Answers

665 Optics MCQs from Physics, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.

Light is studied through reflection, refraction, dispersion, interference, diffraction and polarization, linking ray behavior with its wave nature. Questions may involve mirrors, lenses, optical instruments, refractive index and image formation, while geometrical optics deals with rays and wave optics explains effects such as interference and diffraction.

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665 questions · page 25 of 34

  • A. Light travels in straight line
  • B. Light travels in electromagnetic waves
  • C. All points on primary wave front are source of secondary wavelets
  • D. Light has dual nature

Explanation: Huygen's principle states that all points on the primary wavefront are sources of secondary wavelets that spread out in all directions.

Correct answer: All points on primary wave front are source of secondary wavelets
  • A. The sources should be monochromatic
  • B. The sources should be phase coherent
  • C. The linear superposition should be applicable
  • D. All of these

Explanation: The correct answer is Option D: All of these. Monochromatic sources ensure a single wavelength for interference, phase coherence maintains…

Correct answer: All of these
  • A. Newton
  • B. Michelson
  • C. Huygen
  • D. Young

Explanation: The correct answer is Option B: Michelson. Albert A. Michelson accurately determined the velocity of light using his interferometer, a…

Correct answer: Michelson
  • A. Dispersion of light
  • B. Diffraction of light
  • C. Scattering of light
  • D. Interference of light

Explanation: Soap film in sunlight appears colored due to the interference of light.

Correct answer: Interference of light
  • A. Bright fringes are wider than dark fringes
  • B. Dark fringes are wider than bright fringes
  • C. Both dark and bright fringes are of equal width
  • D. Central fringes are brighter than the outer

Explanation: Interference patterns exhibit a specific relationship between the widths of dark and bright fringes.

Correct answer: Both dark and bright fringes are of equal width
  • A. Polarisation of light
  • B. Different elements present in the oil
  • C. Interference of light
  • D. The transmission of light

Explanation: When light strikes the thin oil film on water, some of it is reflected from the top surface and some of it is reflected from the oil-water…

Correct answer: Interference of light
  • A. Diffraction
  • B. Reflection
  • C. Interference
  • D. Polarisation

Explanation: The appearance of colours in thin films is due to interference, where light waves interact either constructively or destructively leading…

Correct answer: Interference
  • A. Diffraction of light
  • B. Interference of light
  • C. Polarisation of light
  • D. Reflection of light

Explanation: Newton's rings are formed due to the interference of light. When a plano-convex lens is placed on a flat glass surface, a thin film of air…

Correct answer: Interference of light
  • A. 10 A0
  • B. 1000 A0
  • C. 1 A0
  • D. 100 A0

Explanation: X-rays have wavelengths in the range of 0.01 to 10 nanometers, which is approximately 1 Angstrom. This makes option C the correct answer.

Correct answer: 1 A0
  • A. Corpuscular in nature
  • B. Of extremely short waves
  • C. Longitudinal waves
  • D. Transverse waves

Explanation: Polarisation of light refers to the orientation of the oscillations of light waves.

Correct answer: Transverse waves
  • A. The magnetic field (H)
  • B. The electric field (E)
  • C. Both the electric and magnetic fields Hand (E)
  • D. Frequency (f)

Explanation: The energy of a photon is directly proportional to its frequency, as described by Planck's formula E = hf, where h is Planck's constant.

Correct answer: Frequency (f)
  • A. d = λ /2
  • B. d = 3 λ /2
  • C. d = 5 λ /2
  • D. d = m λ

Explanation: For constructive interference to occur, the path difference between the two interfering waves must be an integer multiple of the…

Correct answer: d = m λ
  • A. hf/c2
  • B. hc2
  • C. h/f
  • D. h/c2

Explanation: The energy of a photon is given by the equation E = hf, where E is the energy, h is Planck's constant, and f is the frequency of the…

Correct answer: h/f
  • A. Find index of refraction
  • B. Explain polarisation
  • C. Locate the wave front
  • D. Determine the speed of light

Explanation: Huygen's principle states that every point on a wavefront can be considered as a source of secondary wavelets that spread out in all…

Correct answer: Locate the wave front
  • A. Frequency of light
  • B. Wavelength of light
  • C. Nature of the medium
  • D. Temperature

Explanation: The index of refraction of a medium is primarily influenced by the nature of the medium itself.

Correct answer: Nature of the medium
  • A. Blue
  • B. Green
  • C. Red
  • D. Orange

Explanation: Complementary colors are pairs of colors that contrast with each other the most.

Correct answer: Blue
  • A. Greater than that of red colour
  • B. Less than that of red colour
  • C. The same as that of red colour
  • D. None of these

Explanation: When comparing the energy of photons, it is important to consider their wavelengths.

Correct answer: Greater than that of red colour
  • A. Maxwell
  • B. Newton
  • C. Huygen
  • D. Thomas Young

Explanation: Issac Newton laid the foundation of the theory 'corpuscular nature of light' through his work in optics.

Correct answer: Newton
  • A. Thomas Young
  • B. Huygen
  • C. Newton
  • D. Maxwell

Explanation: Thomas Young performed his famous double slit experiment which provided the experimental evidence in favour of the wave theory about the…

Correct answer: Thomas Young
  • A. Velocity
  • B. Wavelength
  • C. Amplitude
  • D. Frequency

Explanation: Frequency does not depend on the nature of medium, as it remains the same in different mediums.

Correct answer: Frequency