25 practice MCQs on reflection, refraction, lenses, optical instruments, interference, diffraction and polarization. Every question has the correct answer and an explanation.
Start free — 20 questionsOptics and Wave Optics is part of the MDCAT Physics syllabus. This page collects Optics and Wave Optics MCQs in the style of past MDCAT papers — below are 12 of them with answers and explanations, and the full set of 25 questions is in the HighYield MDCAT QBank.
This chapter covers: reflection, refraction, lenses, optical instruments, interference, diffraction and polarization.
Correct answer: B. [ML2T-2]
Since x = mc², with mass [M] and velocity squared [L²T⁻²], the dimensions of x are [ML²T⁻²], the dimensions of energy.
Correct answer: B. Near Point
The near point is the closest distance at which the normal human eye can focus a sharp image of an object.
Correct answer: B. Near point
An object placed within the focal length of a convex lens produces its largest, clearest virtual image when it is positioned at the near point of the eye.
Correct answer: C. +10 cm
Using the lens formula 1/f = 1/v + 1/u with object distance 15 cm and image distance 30 cm, the focal length is calculated to be +10 cm.
Correct answer: D. M = 220
The total magnification of a compound microscope is the product of the objective and eyepiece magnifications: 20 × 11 = 220 (with the negative sign conventionally indicating an inverted image).
Correct answer: A. Filament, cathode, grid, anode
The electron gun of a cathode ray oscilloscope consists of a filament, cathode, grid and anode, which together generate and accelerate a focused beam of electrons.
Correct answer: C. The bombardment of target material by electrons
The characteristic X-ray spectrum arises when high-speed electrons bombard the target material, knocking out inner-shell electrons and causing characteristic photon emission as outer electrons fill the vacancies.
Correct answer: D. It must have high atomic number
An X-ray tube target must have a high atomic number (such as tungsten), since heavier elements produce X-rays more efficiently upon electron bombardment.
Correct answer: B. Computerized Axial Tomography
CAT stands for Computerized Axial Tomography, an X-ray imaging technique that produces cross-sectional images of the body.
Correct answer: D. Tungsten
The target of an X-ray tube is typically made of tungsten, chosen for its high melting point and high atomic number, both useful for efficient X-ray production.
Correct answer: D. 2.2x109Nm-2
The Young's modulus of lead is approximately 1.6×10¹⁰ Nm⁻², reflecting its relatively soft, ductile mechanical properties compared to stiffer metals.
Correct answer: A. Wave Nature
The observation of electron diffraction patterns demonstrates the wave nature of electrons, confirming de Broglie's hypothesis of matter waves.
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