Ray Optics

JEE Main level, numerical answer, medium

132 of 295

Question 132 of 295

A parallel beam of light travelling in air (refractive index 1.0) is incident on a convex spherical glass surface of radius of curvature 50 cm. Refractive index of glass is 1.5. The rays converge to a point at a distance x cmx \mathrm{~cm} from the centre of the curvature of the spherical surface. The value of xx is ____\_\_\_\_ cm.

Show answer and solution

Answer: 100

For refraction at a single spherical surface, we use the formula: μ2v−μ1u=μ2−μ1R\frac{\mu_2}{v} - \frac{\mu_1}{u} = \frac{\mu_2 - \mu_1}{R}
Given data:

Refractive index of air
μ1=1.0\mu_1 = 1.0
Refractive index of glass
μ2=1.5\mu_2 = 1.5
Radius of curvature
R=+50R = +50 cm (convex surface)
Object is at infinity for a parallel beam, so
u=−∞u = -\infty
Substituting the values:

1.5v−1.0−∞=1.5−1.050\frac{1.5}{v} - \frac{1.0}{-\infty} = \frac{1.5 - 1.0}{50}
1.5v−0=0.550\frac{1.5}{v} - 0 = \frac{0.5}{50}
1.5v=1100\frac{1.5}{v} = \frac{1}{100}
v=1.5×100=150v = 1.5 \times 100 = 150 cm
The image is formed at a distance of
150150 cm from the pole (vertex) of the spherical surface.
The question asks for the distance
xx from the centre of curvature.
Distance from centre of curvature
x=∣v−R∣x = |v - R|
x=150−50=100x = 150 - 50 = 100 cm

JEE Main question paper PDF

Open a shift to read the full paper on this page, or download it.

JEE Main 2025 Apr 2 Shift 1 question paper

Open Download PDF

Opening paper…

Explain it as a whiteboard videoStep-by-step, in Hinglish or English. Your first video needs no login.Solved it on paper but got it wrong?Upload a photo of your working. Mistake Doctor marks the exact line that broke.
See it move: Lens ray diagram simulationDrag the sliders and watch the numbers in this question change.Revise Ray Optics firstFormula sheet, solved examples and the traps students fall into.

More Physics practice

JEE Main Physics practice question on Ray Optics (Lens Formula, Refraction of light from curved surface), with the answer and a step-by-step solution. Scan a question from your own book or paper to get a whiteboard video.