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Refraction through a LensICSE Class 10 Physics Important Questions

13 hand-picked ICSE Class 10 Physics important questions for Refraction through a Lens, each with a full model answer — the formats and topics most likely to appear in your board exam.

13
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6
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32
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Quick answer

High-yield ICSE Refraction through a Lens questions use the lens formula 1v1u=1f\dfrac{1}{v}-\dfrac{1}{u}=\dfrac{1}{f}1/v-1/u=1/f with sign convention, magnification m=vu=hihom=\dfrac{v}{u}=\dfrac{h_i}{h_o}m=v/u=h_i/h_o, and power P=1f(m)P=\dfrac{1}{f\text{(m)}}P=1/f(m). Expect numericals finding image position and size, ray-diagram image formation by a convex lens, and distinguishing convex from concave lens behaviour.

About Refraction through a Lens

In the ICSE Class 10 Physics chapter Refraction through a Lens you study how convex (converging) and concave (diverging) lenses bend light, the nature, position and size of images for an object placed at different positions, and the numerical relations linking object distance, image distance and focal length. You apply the lens formula and magnification with the New Cartesian sign convention and compute the power of a lens in dioptres.

Convex and concave lenses and their action on lightImage formation by a convex lens for various object positionsLens formula and sign conventionLinear magnificationPower of a lens and combination of lenses

Key concepts & formulas

Lens formula

With the New Cartesian sign convention, 1v1u=1f\dfrac{1}{v}-\dfrac{1}{u}=\dfrac{1}{f}1/v-1/u=1/f, where uuu is object distance, vvv image distance and fff focal length (f>0f>0f>0 for convex, f<0f<0f<0 for concave).

Magnification

Linear magnification m=hiho=vum=\dfrac{h_i}{h_o}=\dfrac{v}{u}m=h_i/h_o=v/u. A positive mmm means a virtual, erect image; a negative mmm means a real, inverted image.

Power of a lens

P=1fP=\dfrac{1}{f}P=1/f with fff in metres; unit is the dioptre (D). Convex lens: P>0P>0P>0; concave lens: P<0P<0P<0. For lenses in contact, P=P1+P2+P=P_1+P_2+\dotsP=P_1+P_2+

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Important questions with answers

Try each on paper first, then reveal the model answer to check your method.

Question typeCountMarks
MCQ41
Assertion–Reason11
Very Short22
Short Answer33
Long Answer25
Case-based14

Multiple-choice questions (1 mark)

Q1MCQEasy1 mark

The focal length of a convex lens of power +2.5D+2.5\,\text{D}+2.5\,D is:

  1. (a)

    0.25m0.25\,\text{m}0.25\,m

  2. (b)

    0.40m0.40\,\text{m}0.40\,m

  3. (c)

    2.5m2.5\,\text{m}2.5\,m

  4. (d)

    4.0m4.0\,\text{m}4.0\,m

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Answer: (b) 0.40m0.40\,\text{m}0.40\,m.

P=1ff=1P=12.5=0.40mP=\dfrac{1}{f}\Rightarrow f=\dfrac{1}{P}=\dfrac{1}{2.5}=0.40\,\text{m}P=1/f f=1/P=1/2.5=0.40\,m (=40cm=40\,\text{cm}=40\,cm).

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Q2MCQEasy1 mark

A concave lens always forms an image that is:

  1. (a)

    real, inverted and magnified

  2. (b)

    real, erect and diminished

  3. (c)

    virtual, erect and diminished

  4. (d)

    virtual, inverted and magnified

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Answer: (c) virtual, erect and diminished.

A concave (diverging) lens forms a virtual, erect, diminished image on the same side as the object for every real object position.

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Q3MCQModerate1 mark

An object is placed at the centre of curvature (2F2F2F) of a convex lens of focal length 10cm10\,\text{cm}10\,cm. The image is formed at:

  1. (a)

    the focus

  2. (b)

    between FFF and 2F2F2F

  3. (c)

    2F2F2F on the other side, same size

  4. (d)

    infinity

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Answer: (c) 2F2F2F on the other side, same size.

For an object at 2F2F2F (u=20cmu=-20\,\text{cm}u=-20\,cm): 1v=1f+1u=110120=120\dfrac{1}{v}=\dfrac{1}{f}+\dfrac{1}{u}=\dfrac{1}{10}-\dfrac{1}{20}=\dfrac{1}{20}1/v=1/f+1/u=1/10-1/20=1/20, so v=+20cmv=+20\,\text{cm}v=+20\,cm. The image is real, inverted and the same size.

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Q4MCQHOTS1 mark

A convex lens forms a real image three times the size of the object on a screen. If the object is 20cm20\,\text{cm}20\,cm from the lens, the focal length is:

  1. (a)

    10cm10\,\text{cm}10\,cm

  2. (b)

    12cm12\,\text{cm}12\,cm

  3. (c)

    15cm15\,\text{cm}15\,cm

  4. (d)

    18cm18\,\text{cm}18\,cm

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Answer: (c) 15cm15\,\text{cm}15\,cm.

Real, inverted image: m=3=vum=-3=\dfrac{v}{u}m=-3=v/u. With u=20cmu=-20\,\text{cm}u=-20\,cm, v=3u=60cmv=-3u=60\,\text{cm}v=-3u=60\,cm. Then 1f=1v1u=160120=160+360=460\dfrac{1}{f}=\dfrac{1}{v}-\dfrac{1}{u}=\dfrac{1}{60}-\dfrac{1}{-20}=\dfrac{1}{60}+\dfrac{3}{60}=\dfrac{4}{60}1/f=1/v-1/u=1/60-1/-20=1/60+3/60=4/60, so f=15cmf=15\,\text{cm}f=15\,cm.

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Assertion–Reason questions (1 mark)

Q5Assertion–ReasonModerate1 mark

Assertion (A): A convex lens can form a virtual, erect and magnified image.

Reason (R): When an object is placed between the optical centre and the focus of a convex lens, the refracted rays diverge and appear to come from a point on the same side as the object.

  1. (a)

    Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A

  2. (b)

    Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A

  3. (c)

    A is true but R is false

  4. (d)

    A is false but R is true

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Answer: (a) For an object between FFF and the optical centre, the emergent rays diverge and their backward projections meet on the object side, giving a virtual, erect, magnified image (as in a magnifying glass). R correctly explains A.

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Very short answer questions (2 marks)

Q6Very ShortEasy2 marks

Distinguish between a convex and a concave lens on the basis of (i) their shape and (ii) their action on a parallel beam of light.

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(i) Shape: A convex lens is thicker at the centre than at the edges; a concave lens is thinner at the centre than at the edges.

(ii) Action on light: A convex lens converges a parallel beam to a real focus (converging lens). A concave lens diverges a parallel beam so that the rays appear to come from a virtual focus (diverging lens).

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Q7Very ShortModerate2 marks

A lens has a power of 4D-4\,\text{D}-4\,D. (i) What is the nature of the lens? (ii) Calculate its focal length.

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(i) Nature: The power is negative, so it is a concave (diverging) lens.

(ii) Focal length: f=1P=14=0.25m=25cmf=\dfrac{1}{P}=\dfrac{1}{-4}=-0.25\,\text{m}=-25\,\text{cm}f=1/P=1/-4=-0.25\,m=-25\,cm. The negative sign confirms a concave lens.

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Short answer questions (3 marks)

Q8Short AnswerModerate3 marks

An object 4cm4\,\text{cm}4\,cm high is placed at a distance of 30cm30\,\text{cm}30\,cm from a convex lens of focal length 15cm15\,\text{cm}15\,cm. Find the position, nature and size of the image.

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Given u=30cmu=-30\,\text{cm}u=-30\,cm, f=+15cmf=+15\,\text{cm}f=+15\,cm, ho=4cmh_o=4\,\text{cm}h_o=4\,cm.

1v=1f+1u=115+130=2130=130\dfrac{1}{v}=\dfrac{1}{f}+\dfrac{1}{u}=\dfrac{1}{15}+\dfrac{1}{-30}=\dfrac{2-1}{30}=\dfrac{1}{30}1/v=1/f+1/u=1/15+1/-30=2-1/30=1/30

So v=+30cmv=+30\,\text{cm}v=+30\,cm: the image is 30cm30\,\text{cm}30\,cm behind the lens, real and inverted.

m=vu=3030=1m=\dfrac{v}{u}=\dfrac{30}{-30}=-1m=v/u=30/-30=-1, so hi=m×ho=1×4=4cmh_i=m\times h_o=-1\times4=-4\,\text{cm}h_i=m× h_o=-1×4=-4\,cm.

The image is real, inverted, same size (4cm4\,\text{cm}4\,cm), formed 30cm30\,\text{cm}30\,cm from the lens on the opposite side (object at 2F2F2F).

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Q9Short AnswerModerate3 marks

An object is placed 10cm10\,\text{cm}10\,cm in front of a concave lens of focal length 15cm15\,\text{cm}15\,cm. Determine the position, magnification and nature of the image.

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Given u=10cmu=-10\,\text{cm}u=-10\,cm, f=15cmf=-15\,\text{cm}f=-15\,cm.

1v=1f+1u=115+110=2330=530=16\dfrac{1}{v}=\dfrac{1}{f}+\dfrac{1}{u}=\dfrac{1}{-15}+\dfrac{1}{-10}=\dfrac{-2-3}{30}=\dfrac{-5}{30}=\dfrac{-1}{6}1/v=1/f+1/u=1/-15+1/-10=-2-3/30=-5/30=-1/6

So v=6cmv=-6\,\text{cm}v=-6\,cm: the image is 6cm6\,\text{cm}6\,cm from the lens on the same side as the object.

m=vu=610=+0.6m=\dfrac{v}{u}=\dfrac{-6}{-10}=+0.6m=v/u=-6/-10=+0.6.

The image is virtual, erect and diminished (0.6 times), located 6cm6\,\text{cm}6\,cm in front of the lens.

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Q10Short AnswerHOTS3 marks

A convex lens of focal length 20cm20\,\text{cm}20\,cm produces an image on a screen that is twice the size of the object. Find the distance of the object and of the image from the lens.

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A real image on a screen is inverted, so m=2=vum=-2=\dfrac{v}{u}m=-2=v/u, giving v=2uv=-2uv=-2u.

Lens formula: 1v1u=1f\dfrac{1}{v}-\dfrac{1}{u}=\dfrac{1}{f}1/v-1/u=1/f

12u1u=120\dfrac{1}{-2u}-\dfrac{1}{u}=\dfrac{1}{20}1/-2u-1/u=1/20

122u=12032u=120\dfrac{-1-2}{2u}=\dfrac{1}{20}\Rightarrow\dfrac{-3}{2u}=\dfrac{1}{20}-1-2/2u=1/20-3/2u=1/20

2u=60u=30cm2u=-60\Rightarrow u=-30\,\text{cm}2u=-60 u=-30\,cm.

Then v=2u=2(30)=60cmv=-2u=-2(-30)=60\,\text{cm}v=-2u=-2(-30)=60\,cm.

The object is 30cm30\,\text{cm}30\,cm from the lens and the real image is 60cm60\,\text{cm}60\,cm from the lens on the other side.

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Long answer questions (5 marks)

Q11Long AnswerModerate5 marks

(a) Draw a ray diagram to show the formation of the image when an object is placed between FFF and 2F2F2F of a convex lens, and state the nature of the image. (b) An object is placed 12cm12\,\text{cm}12\,cm from a convex lens of focal length 18cm18\,\text{cm}18\,cm. Find the image distance and magnification, and state the nature of the image.

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(a) With the object between FFF and 2F2F2F, the image is real, inverted, magnified and formed beyond 2F2F2F on the other side.

ICSE Class 10 Physics — Refraction through a Lens: (a) Draw a ray diagram to show the formation of the image when an object is placed between F and 2F of a convex lens, and state t

(b) u=12cmu=-12\,\text{cm}u=-12\,cm, f=+18cmf=+18\,\text{cm}f=+18\,cm (object is inside the focus).

1v=1f+1u=118+112=2336=136\dfrac{1}{v}=\dfrac{1}{f}+\dfrac{1}{u}=\dfrac{1}{18}+\dfrac{1}{-12}=\dfrac{2-3}{36}=\dfrac{-1}{36}1/v=1/f+1/u=1/18+1/-12=2-3/36=-1/36

v=36cmv=-36\,\text{cm}v=-36\,cm. m=vu=3612=+3m=\dfrac{v}{u}=\dfrac{-36}{-12}=+3m=v/u=-36/-12=+3.

The image is virtual, erect and magnified (3×3\times), formed 36cm36\,\text{cm}36\,cm from the lens on the same side as the object.

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Q12Long AnswerHOTS5 marks

(a) Define the power of a lens and state its SI unit. (b) Two thin lenses of powers +5D+5\,\text{D}+5\,D and 2D-2\,\text{D}-2\,D are placed in contact. Find the power, focal length and nature of the combination. (c) An object is placed 25cm25\,\text{cm}25\,cm from this combination. Locate the image.

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(a) The power of a lens is the reciprocal of its focal length in metres, P=1f(m)P=\dfrac{1}{f\text{(m)}}P=1/f(m); it measures the lens's ability to converge or diverge light. SI unit: dioptre (D), where 1D=1m11\,\text{D}=1\,\text{m}^{-1}1\,D=1\,m^-1.

(b) For lenses in contact, P=P1+P2=(+5)+(2)=+3DP=P_1+P_2=(+5)+(-2)=+3\,\text{D}P=P_1+P_2=(+5)+(-2)=+3\,D.

Focal length f=1P=13m=+33.3cmf=\dfrac{1}{P}=\dfrac{1}{3}\,\text{m}=+33.3\,\text{cm}f=1/P=1/3\,m=+33.3\,cm. Since P>0P>0P>0, the combination behaves as a convex (converging) lens.

(c) f=+33.3cmf=+33.3\,\text{cm}f=+33.3\,cm, u=25cmu=-25\,\text{cm}u=-25\,cm.

1v=1f+1u=133.3+125=0.0300.040=0.010cm1\dfrac{1}{v}=\dfrac{1}{f}+\dfrac{1}{u}=\dfrac{1}{33.3}+\dfrac{1}{-25}=0.030-0.040=-0.010\,\text{cm}^{-1}1/v=1/f+1/u=1/33.3+1/-25=0.030-0.040=-0.010\,cm^-1

v=100cmv=-100\,\text{cm}v=-100\,cm. The image is virtual, erect and magnified, formed 100cm100\,\text{cm}100\,cm in front of the combination on the object's side (object lies within the focal length).

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Case-based questions (4 marks)

Q13Case-basedModerate4 marks

A student uses a convex lens of focal length 10cm10\,\text{cm}10\,cm as a magnifying glass to read fine print and also to obtain a sharp image of a distant window on a screen.

(i) When the lens is used as a magnifying glass, where must the object be placed relative to the lens?

(ii) State the nature of the image seen through the magnifying glass.

(iii) When a sharp image of the distant window is formed on the screen, at what distance from the lens is the screen? Give a reason.

(iv) If the object is now placed 10cm10\,\text{cm}10\,cm from the lens, where is the image formed?

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(i) The object must be placed between the optical centre and the focus, i.e. within the focal length (<10cm<10\,\text{cm}<10\,cm).

(ii) The image is virtual, erect and magnified, on the same side as the object.

(iii) The screen is at 10cm10\,\text{cm}10\,cm (the focal length). A distant object sends nearly parallel rays, so uu\to\inftyu and 1v=1f\dfrac{1}{v}=\dfrac{1}{f}1/v=1/f, giving v=f=10cmv=f=10\,\text{cm}v=f=10\,cm; the real, inverted, diminished image forms at the focus.

(iv) With the object at FFF (u=10cmu=-10\,\text{cm}u=-10\,cm, f=10cmf=10\,\text{cm}f=10\,cm): 1v=110110=0\dfrac{1}{v}=\dfrac{1}{10}-\dfrac{1}{10}=01/v=1/10-1/10=0, so v=v=\inftyv=. The image is formed at infinity (rays emerge parallel).

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  • What types of questions are covered for Refraction through a Lens?
    A full mix — multiple-choice questions, assertion–reason questions, very short answer questions, short answer questions, long answer questions, case-based questions — so every format in the ICSE paper is covered.

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