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Most Repeated MDCAT Physics: Optics, Nature of Light and Optical Instruments MCQs

The most repeated Optics, Nature of Light and Optical Instruments questions in MDCAT Physics, measured from 377 real past papers. Optics, Nature of Light and Optical Instruments contributed 308 questions across those papers, and 15 distinct questions recurred with the same verified answer across 2 or more different exam years — listed below (ranked by how many years each recurs in), with the answer, an explanation, and the exact years.

Measured from 377 real past papers · updated July 2026

  1. 1
    Repeated in 3 yearsOptics, Nature of Light and Optical Instruments

    What will be the position of the object, when a convex lens of focal length 20 cm, is used to form an erect image which is twice as large as the object.

    • A10 cm
    • B20 cm
    • C30 cm
    • D40 cm

    Explanation

    This is the correct answer. To form an erect image twice as large as the object using a convex lens, the object must be placed between the focal point and the optical center of the lens. Focal length (f): 20 cm Magnification (m): 2 (since the image is twice as large as the object)Using the lens formula:1/v - 1/u = 1/fWhere: v is the image distance u is the object distanceSince the magnification is positive for an erect image:m = v/u = 2Therefore: v = 2uSubstituting this into the lens formula: 1/(2u) - 1/u = 1/20 cm Solving for u:u = 10 cmTherefore, the object must be placed 10 cm from the lens to form an erect image twice as large as the object.

    Appeared in the past papers of: 2012, 2016, 2023

  2. 2
    Repeated in 2 yearsOptics, Nature of Light and Optical Instruments

    An object is placed 60 cm from a spherical convex mirror. If the mirror forms a virtual image of 20 cm from the mirror, what is the magnitude of the mirror’s radius of curvature:

    • A7.5 cm
    • B15 cm
    • C30 cm
    • D60 cm
    • E120 cm

    Explanation

    We can find focus coordinate from mirror equation: 1/u + 1/v = 1/f as the image is virtual, v is negative. And we find: 1/f = 1/60 - 1/20 = -2/60 = - 1/30 Hence, the focus is at 30 cm from the mirror. Focus and radius of curvature are connected as: R= 2f = 60 cm.

    Appeared in the past papers of: 2009, 2010

  3. 3
    Repeated in 2 yearsOptics, Nature of Light and Optical Instruments

    A point source of light is placed at the principal focus of a concave lens. Which of the following will be true of the refracted light?I- I will diverge.II- It will be paralel to be principle axis.III- It will seem to come from a point 1/2 of the radius of curvature from the lens.IV- It will converage.

    • AI, II and III Only
    • BI and III only
    • CII and IV only
    • DIV only
    • ENone of the above

    Explanation

    Statement I is correct because a concave lens is diverging.Statement II is incorrect because the refracted rays will not be parallel to the principal axis.Statement III is incorrect because this is not true.Statement IV is incorrect because a concave lens is diverging while a convex lens is converging. Judging from our deductions about the statements, none of the options A, B, C, or D are correct. Hence option E is the right answer.

    Appeared in the past papers of: 2009, 2010

  4. 4
    Repeated in 2 yearsOptics, Nature of Light and Optical Instruments

    If an object is placed 30 cm from a convex loin whose local enuth is 15 cm, the size of the image compared to the size of the object will be approximately:

    • ATwice as large
    • BMore than twice as large
    • C1.5 times as large
    • DSmaller
    • EThe same size

    Explanation

    For an object placed at twice the focal length of a convex lens, the image will be inverted, real, and the same size. So the correct answer here should be E. This can be confirmed using a ray diagram.

    Appeared in the past papers of: 2009, 2010

  5. 5
    Repeated in 2 yearsOptics, Nature of Light and Optical Instruments

    An object 4 cm high is located 10 cm from the converging lens, whose focal length is 20 cm. The image that will be formed is:

    • AVirtual
    • BErect
    • CReal
    • DBoth Virtual and Erect
    • EBoth Erect and Real

    Explanation

    The object is placed 10 cm from a converging lens with a focal length of 20 cm, meaning it is inside the focal point. For converging lenses, when the object is placed between the focal point and the lens, the image formed is virtual and erect. Thus, the correct answer is 'Both Virtual and Erect'.Options stating the image is real or simply erect without being virtual are incorrect because a real image would be inverted, and a solely erect image implies it must also be virtual.

    Appeared in the past papers of: 2013, 2015

  6. 6
    Repeated in 2 yearsOptics, Nature of Light and Optical Instruments

    Incident rays of light parallel to the principal axis of a convex lens, after refraction by the lens, will:

    • AConverge at the principal focus
    • BConverge inside the principal focus
    • CConverge outside the principal focus
    • DConverge at the center of curvature
    • Ediverge as long as theý are close to the lens

    Explanation

    Incident rays of light parallel to the principal axis of the convex lens converge at the principal focus.A convex lens also known as a converging lens is thick in the middle and thin at the edges. It converges the light rays coming from a source on the principal focus. A principle focus of a convex lens is defined as the point on the principal axis on which the light rays coming parallel to the principal axis converge after getting refracted from the convex lens.

    Appeared in the past papers of: 2017, 2023

  7. 7
    Repeated in 2 yearsOptics, Nature of Light and Optical Instruments

    The process in which light bends around an obstacle is called:

    • ADiffraction of Light
    • BAn interference of light
    • CReflection of light
    • DPolarization of light

    Explanation

    Diffraction is the slight bending of light as it passes around the edge of an object. The amount of bending depends on the relative size of the wavelength of light to the size of the opening.

    Appeared in the past papers of: 2018, 2023

  8. 8
    Repeated in 2 yearsOptics, Nature of Light and Optical Instruments

    If the wavelength of a light is 3×10-7, then what is it its frequency?

    • A1×1013 Hz
    • B1×1014 Hz
    • C1×1015 Hz
    • D1×1016 Hz

    Explanation

    By using c = f λ f = c/λ = 3 ×10^8/3 × 10^-7 f = 1 × 10^8+7 f = 1 × 10^15 Hz Hence, option c is correct.

    Appeared in the past papers of: 2023, 2024

  9. 9
    Repeated in 2 yearsOptics, Nature of Light and Optical Instruments

    The energy of light is determined by its:

    • AFrequency
    • BIntensity
    • CAmplitude
    • DSpeed

    Explanation

    As E = hf Where, h is constant. Energy is determined by frequency. Hence, option A is correct.

    Appeared in the past papers of: 2023, 2024

  10. 10
    Repeated in 2 yearsOptics, Nature of Light and Optical Instruments

    If a wave can be polarized, it must be:

    • AAn electromagnetic wave
    • BA stationary wave
    • CTransverse wave
    • DA longitudinal wave

    Explanation

    Transverse waves which include all electromagnetic waves such as light, radio waves, and x-rays can be polarized, hence the answer will be C.

    Appeared in the past papers of: 2009, 2013

  11. 11
    Repeated in 2 yearsOptics, Nature of Light and Optical Instruments

    If a soap bubble is charged:

    • AIts size decreases
    • BIts size increases
    • CNo change
    • DNone of the above

    Explanation

    When a soap bubble is charged, either positively or negatively, the like charges spread over its surface due to electrostatic forces. These like charges repel each other, causing the bubble to expand and increase in size. Option B is correct because it accurately describes this phenomenon. Options A and C are incorrect as they suggest a decrease or no change in size, which contradicts the effects of electrostatic repulsion. Option D is incorrect because there is indeed a change.

    Appeared in the past papers of: 2012, 2023

  12. 12
    Repeated in 2 yearsOptics, Nature of Light and Optical Instruments

    Which of the following waves cannot be polarized?

    • ARadio waves
    • BUltrasound
    • CUltraviolet
    • DX-rays

    Explanation

    "Ultrasound" waves are longitudinal in nature, hence they cannot be polarized.Only transverse waves like electromagnetic waves can be polarized.

    Appeared in the past papers of: 2017, 2023

  13. 13
    Repeated in 2 yearsOptics, Nature of Light and Optical Instruments

    What is the energy of a photon in a beam of infrared radiation of wavelength 1240nm?

    • A1.0 eV
    • B3.0 eV
    • C5.0 eV
    • D7.0 eV

    Explanation

    Photon velocity equals the speed of light. Photons are massless, but they have energy E = hf = hc/λ. Here h = 6.626*10-34 Js is called Planck's constant. The photon energy is inversely proportional to the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave.E=6.626×10−34 × 3×108​/1240×10-9 ≈ 1.00 eV.

    Appeared in the past papers of: 2014, 2015

  14. 14
    Repeated in 2 yearsOptics, Nature of Light and Optical Instruments

    The property of bending of light around obstacles and spreading of light waves into a geometrical shadow of an obstacle is known as:

    • ADiffraction
    • BInterference
    • CPolarization
    • DOptical rotation

    Explanation

    Diffraction, the spreading of waves around obstacles.Diffraction is the slight bending of light as it passes around the edge of an object. The amount of bending depends on the relative size of the wavelength of light to the size of the opening.So the correct option is A.

    Appeared in the past papers of: 2014, 2015

  15. 15
    Repeated in 2 yearsOptics, Nature of Light and Optical Instruments

    The ratio of the angles subtended by the image as seen through the optical device to that subtended by the object at the unaided eye is known as:

    • AMagnifying power
    • BAngular magnification
    • CSimple magnification
    • DBoth A and B

    Explanation

    The magnifying power or angular magnification is defined as the ratio of the angles subtended by the image as seen through the optical device to that subtended by the object at the unaided eye.

    Appeared in the past papers of: 2014, 2015

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