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Fundamentals of Optics
Optics
A collection of foundational questions covering basic principles of optics, including reflection, refraction, light properties, and lenses.
physics
light
reflection
refraction
lenses
high school
24 Questions
Easy
Ages 14+
Apr 19, 2026
About this Study Set
This study set covers Optics through
24 practice questions.
A collection of foundational questions covering basic principles of optics, including reflection, refraction, light properties, and lenses. Every question includes the correct answer so you can learn as you go — pick any format above to get started.
Questions & Answers
Browse all 24 questions from the
Fundamentals of Optics study set below.
Each question shows the correct answer — select a study format above to practice interactively.
1
Which phenomenon describes the bouncing back of light rays when they strike a surface?
-
A
Refraction
-
B
Diffraction
-
C
Reflection
-
D
Dispersion
2
When light passes from one medium to another and changes direction, this is called:
-
A
Reflection
-
B
Interference
-
C
Diffraction
-
D
Refraction
3
The splitting of white light into its constituent colours when passing through a prism is known as:
-
A
Diffraction
-
B
Dispersion
-
C
Polarization
-
D
Interference
4
A mirror that curves inward and can form magnified, real images is a:
-
A
Plane mirror
-
B
Convex mirror
-
C
Concave mirror
-
D
Spherical mirror
5
A mirror that curves outward and always forms virtual, diminished images is a:
-
A
Plane mirror
-
B
Concave mirror
-
C
Convex mirror
-
D
Parabolic mirror
6
Light travels fastest in which medium?
-
A
Water
-
B
Glass
-
C
Diamond
-
D
Vacuum
7
What is the unit of luminous flux?
-
A
Candela
-
B
Lux
-
C
Lumen
-
D
Watt
8
The law of reflection states that the angle of incidence is equal to the:
-
A
Angle of refraction
-
B
Angle of diffraction
-
C
Angle of reflection
-
D
Angle of dispersion
9
A lens that is thicker in the middle and thinner at the edges, and converges parallel light rays, is a:
-
A
Diverging lens
-
B
Concave lens
-
C
Convex lens
-
D
Biconcave lens
10
A lens that is thinner in the middle and thicker at the edges, and diverges parallel light rays, is a:
-
A
Converging lens
-
B
Convex lens
-
C
Concave lens
-
D
Biconvex lens
11
The phenomenon where light bends as it passes through a narrow opening or around an obstacle is called:
-
A
Reflection
-
B
Refraction
-
C
Interference
-
D
Diffraction
12
What property of light allows us to see colours?
-
A
Polarization
-
B
Intensity
-
C
Wavelength
-
D
Frequency
13
A ray of light striking a plane mirror perpendicularly will reflect back along the same path. What is the angle of incidence in this case?
-
A
90 degrees
-
B
45 degrees
-
C
0 degrees
-
D
180 degrees
14
The point where parallel rays of light converge after passing through a convex lens is called the:
-
A
Virtual focus
-
B
Principal axis
-
C
Optical centre
-
D
Focal point
15
Which of these is a primary colour of light?
-
A
Yellow
-
B
Cyan
-
C
Green
-
D
Magenta
16
The bending of light when it enters a denser medium is due to a change in its:
-
A
Frequency
-
B
Colour
-
C
Speed
-
D
Amplitude
17
A camera obscura works on the principle of:
-
A
Reflection
-
B
Diffraction
-
C
Rectilinear propagation of light
-
D
Interference
18
What type of image is formed by a convex lens when the object is placed beyond the focal point?
-
A
Virtual and erect
-
B
Real and inverted
-
C
Virtual and inverted
-
D
Real and erect
19
Which optical instrument uses a combination of lenses to magnify distant objects?
-
A
Microscope
-
B
Telescope
-
C
Periscope
-
D
Spectacles
20
The phenomenon of light behaving as waves is demonstrated by:
-
A
Reflection
-
B
Refraction
-
C
Diffraction and Interference
-
D
Rectilinear propagation
21
The colour of an object is determined by the wavelengths of light it:
-
A
Absorbs
-
B
Refracts
-
C
Scatters or reflects
-
D
Diffracts
22
A pinhole camera produces an image that is:
-
A
Virtual and erect
-
B
Real and erect
-
C
Virtual and inverted
-
D
Real and inverted
23
When light passes from a rarer medium to a denser medium, it bends:
-
A
Away from the normal
-
B
Towards the normal
-
C
Parallel to the normal
-
D
Does not bend
24
The optical property that allows light waves to vibrate in only one plane is called:
-
A
Interference
-
B
Diffraction
-
C
Dispersion
-
D
Polarization
