Q38
4 marksSection C

Read the following passage and answer the questions given: Lenses can form different types of images depending upon their focal length and position of object. A convex lens can create real, inverted or virtual, erect images, while a concave lens forms only virtual and diminished images. The focal length determines the power of lens. Convex lenses have positive focal length while concave lenses have negative focal length by convention. When lenses are placed together, their combined power is determined by the sum of their individual powers. Ray diagrams help to visualize how light converges or diverges through lens to form an image. (a) A convex lens of focal length 20cm20\mathrm{cm} is used to form an image. If an object is placed at 40cm40\mathrm{cm} from the lens, what will be the position and nature of image? (b) Illustrate the formation of image with the help of ray diagram, when the object is placed between the optical centre and principal focus of concave lens. (c) (i) A lens combination consists of a convex lens of focal length 30cm30\mathrm{cm} and a concave lens of focal length 15cm15\mathrm{cm} placed together. Find the equivalent focal length and power of this lens combination. OR (c) (ii) Two lenses are placed in contact. One is a concave lens with focal length 2m2\mathrm{m} and the other is a convex lens with focal length 1.5m1.5\mathrm{m}. What type of lens will the combination behave as (convex or concave)? Give reason.

Light — Reflection and Refraction
Lens formula, ray diagrams, and combination of lenses
Official Answer

(a) Real, inverted, same-size image formed at 40cm40\mathrm{cm} on the other side of the convex lens (object was at 2F12F_1, image forms at 2F22F_2).


(b) A concave lens forms a virtual, erect, diminished image between the optical centre OO and the focus F1F_1 (same side as the object) — see ray diagram in the step-by-step solution.


(c)(i) Equivalent focal length =30cm= -30\mathrm{cm}; net power 3.33D\approx -3.33\,\mathrm{D} — the combination behaves as a diverging (concave) lens system.


(c)(ii) Net power is positive (+0.167D\approx +0.167\,\mathrm{D}), so the combination behaves as a convex (converging) lens.

Analysis & Explanation

This case-study question integrates three core ideas of Section 9.3 of the chapter: (a) applying the lens formula/magnification (Eq. 9.8, 9.10) to a convex lens with the object at 2F12F_1, directly matching Table 9.4; (b) qualitative ray-diagram construction for a concave lens (Section 9.3.5, rays (i) and (iii)) confirming that a concave lens forms only virtual, erect, diminished images (Table 9.5), irrespective of object position between OO and F1F_1; and (c) the additive property of lens powers in contact, P=P1+P2+P=P_1+P_2+\ldots (Section 9.3.8), used to determine both the equivalent focal length and the converging/diverging character of a lens combination — the sign of the net power (positive = convex/converging, negative = concave/diverging) decides the outcome, exactly as illustrated in the chapter's discussion of combined lens systems used in cameras, microscopes, and telescopes.



Principal axisConvex lensObject at 2F1 (u=-40cm)Image at 2F2 (v=+40cm, same size, real, inverted)F1F2
(a) Object at 2F1 (f=20cm) forms a real, inverted, same-size image at 2F2 (v=+40cm).

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many marks does this question carry in CBSE Class 10 Science 2026?

This question carries 4 marks in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2026 examination.

Which chapter does this question come from in Science?

This question is from the chapter "Light — Reflection and Refraction" in the CBSE Class 10 Science syllabus.

What topic does this question cover in Science?

This question covers the topic "Lens formula, ray diagrams, and combination of lenses" from CBSE Class 10 Science.

What type of question is this in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2026 paper?

This question appears in Section C in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2026 paper.