NEET Physics: reflection of waves Practice Questions
15 free multiple-choice questions on reflection of waves (Oscillations and Waves) for NEET Physics, each with the correct answer and a step-by-step explanation. Attempt a question, then reveal the solution to check your reasoning.
Practice thousands more NEET questions in the app →Q1. A wave is incident on a boundary separating two regions, Medium A and Medium B. If the angle of incidence of the wave with respect to the normal is θ, what is the angle of reflection?
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Correct answer: C — θ
According to the law of reflection, the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection. Thus, if the angle of incidence is θ, the angle of reflection is also θ with respect to the normal.
Q2. What type of reflection occurs when the incident wave strikes a smooth, highly polished surface?
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Correct answer: D — Specular reflection
Reflection from smooth surfaces is specular reflection, where the reflected rays maintain a specific, predictable direction, similar to a mirror.
Q3. If the incident wave has a frequency f and reflects off a boundary, what is the frequency of the reflected wave?
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Correct answer: B — f
Reflection does not change the frequency of the wave; the reflected wave maintains the same frequency as the incident wave.
Q4. Reflection of light from a highly polished mirror is an example of which type of reflection?
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Correct answer: D — Specular reflection
Reflection from a smooth, polished surface, like a mirror, is called specular reflection, where all reflected rays travel in the same direction.
Q5. When a wave strikes a surface and is reflected, which of the following statements is always true regarding the angle of incidence and reflection?
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Correct answer: B — The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.
The fundamental law of reflection states that the angle of incidence (θᵢ) is equal to the angle of reflection (θᵣ), measured with respect to the normal to the surface.
Q6. When a wave reflects off a surface, the relationship between the amplitude of the incident wave and the amplitude of the reflected wave is governed by the reflection coefficient. If the reflection coefficient R is 0, what happens to the reflected wave amplitude?
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Correct answer: B — It becomes zero.
If the reflection coefficient (R) is zero, it means no energy is reflected, so the amplitude of the reflected wave must be zero.
Q7. When a plane wave strikes a smooth, rigid surface, the angle of reflection is related to the angle of incidence by which law?
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Correct answer: B — Law of Reflection
The Law of Reflection states that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection. This is the fundamental principle governing wave reflection on smooth surfaces.
Q8. When a transverse wave reflects from a boundary, the reflected wave has the same frequency as the incident wave. What property of the wave remains unchanged during reflection?
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Correct answer: B — Frequency
Reflection of a wave off a boundary does not change the frequency of the wave. Frequency is determined by the source and remains constant regardless of the reflection process.
Q9. If a wave strikes a surface at an angle of incidence of 30° with respect to the normal, what is the angle of reflection?
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Correct answer: A — 60°
According to the law of reflection, the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection. Therefore, if the angle of incidence is 30°, the angle of reflection is also 30° (This is a conceptual check on the law).
Q10. A wave is reflected from a perfectly smooth mirror. If the angle of incidence is 30°, what is the angle of reflection?
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Correct answer: A — 30°
By the Law of Reflection, the angle of reflection is equal to the angle of incidence.
Q11. Which phenomenon describes the reflection of light from a highly polished surface, resulting in a clear, mirror-like image?
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Correct answer: A — Specular reflection
Specular reflection occurs when the reflection is uniform in all directions, characteristic of smooth surfaces like mirrors.
Q12. The reflection of a wave from a surface is generally characterized by which type of reflection?
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Correct answer: A — Specular reflection
Reflection from a smooth surface is called specular reflection, where the reflected rays are parallel to each other and follow the law of reflection.
Q13. A plane wave strikes a medium interface. If the wave properties are preserved, the reflected wave must have the same amplitude and wavelength as the incident wave. True or False?
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Correct answer: B — True
In simple reflection scenarios, the amplitude and wavelength (related to frequency) of the reflected wave are generally conserved, provided the reflection is elastic.
Q14. When a plane wave is incident on a smooth, rigid surface, the angle of reflection is equal to the angle of incidence. This is known as the Law of Reflection. Which of the following statements correctly describes the relationship between the angle of incidence and the angle of reflection?
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Correct answer: C — Angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.
According to the Law of Reflection, the angle of incidence (θᵢ) is equal to the angle of reflection (θᵣ).
Q15. For a wave incident on a boundary, if the angle of incidence is 30°, what is the angle of reflection, assuming the reflection occurs across a straight boundary?
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Correct answer: B — 15°
According to the law of reflection, the angle of reflection is equal to the angle of incidence. If incidence is 30°, reflection is 30°.
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