MCQEasyJEE 2024Refraction & Lenses

JEE Physics 2024 Question with Solution

The following figure represents two biconvex lenses L1L_1 and L2L_2 having focal lengths 10cm10 \, \text{cm} and 15cm15 \, \text{cm}, respectively. The distance between L1L_1 and L2L_2 is:

  • A

    10cm10 \, \text{cm}

  • B

    15cm15 \, \text{cm}

  • C

    25cm25 \, \text{cm}

  • D

    35cm35 \, \text{cm}

Answer

Correct answer:C

Step-by-step solution

Standard Method

Given: Two biconvex lenses have focal lengths f1=10cmf_1 = 10 \, \text{cm} and f2=15cmf_2 = 15 \, \text{cm}.

Find: The distance between the lenses.

From the solution, the required condition is that parallel rays entering the system pass through the first lens focus and emerge parallel after the second lens. For this arrangement, the separation is the sum of the focal lengths:

D=f1+f2D = f_1 + f_2

Substituting the given values,

D=10cm+15cm=25cmD = 10 \, \text{cm} + 15 \, \text{cm} = 25 \, \text{cm}

Therefore, the distance between the two lenses is 25cm25 \, \text{cm}. The correct option is C.

Using the afocal condition

Given: Two biconvex lenses L1L_1 and L2L_2 have focal lengths 10cm10 \, \text{cm} and 15cm15 \, \text{cm}, respectively.

Find: The distance between L1L_1 and L2L_2.

If the image formed by the first lens acts as the object for the second lens and the emergent rays are parallel, then the image produced by the first lens must lie at the first focal point of the second lens.

So, the lens separation must equal the sum of the focal lengths:

D=f1+f2D = f_1 + f_2

Now substitute:

D=10+15=25cmD = 10 + 15 = 25 \, \text{cm}

Hence, the required distance is 25cm25 \, \text{cm}.

Common mistakes

  • Adding or comparing the focal lengths without using the afocal condition. The key idea is that the focus of the first lens must coincide with the focal point of the second lens, so use D=f1+f2D = f_1 + f_2.

  • Choosing 10cm10 \, \text{cm} or 15cm15 \, \text{cm} because they are individual focal lengths. These values belong to single lenses, not to the required separation of the two-lens system.

  • Assuming the larger numerical option is more realistic. In lens-system questions, the result must follow the optical condition, not a guess based on physical size or spacing.

Practice more Refraction & Lenses questions

Get unlimited AI-adaptive practice, mastery tracking, and an AI tutor that explains every step — free to start.

Related questions