1

CBSE- 2006
Q. 1. Define the term ‘dielectric constant’ of a medium in terms of capacitance of a capacitor. 1
Q. 2. Sketch a graph showing variation of resistivity of carbon with temperature. 1

Q. 3. The vertical component of Earth’s magnetic field at a place is times the horizontal component. What
is the value of angle of dip at this place? 1
Q. 4. With that purpose was famous Davisson-Germer experiment with electrons performed? 1
Q. 5. Name the type of communication in which the signal is a discrete and binary coded version of the
message or information. 1
Q. 6. The electric field and electric potential at any point due to a point charge kept in air is 20 NC-1 and 10
JC-1 respectively. Compute the magnitude of this charge. 2
Q. 7. Write the mathematical relation between mobility and drift velocity of charge carriers in a conductor.
Name the mobile charge carriers responsible for conduction of electric current in (i) an electrolyte (ii) an
ionised gas. 2
Q. 8. State the principle of working of a cyclotron. Write two uses of this machine. 2
Q. 9. Draw a labelled ray diagram of a reflecting type telescope. Write its any one advantage over refracting
type telescope.
Q. 10. Draw and explain the output waveform across the load resistor R, if the input waveform is as shown in
the given figure. 2

Or
Explain how the width of depletion layer in a p-n junction diode changes when the junction is (i) forward
biased (ii) reverse biased.
Q. 11. The given graph shows the variation of charge q versus potential difference V for two capacitors . The
two capacitors C1 and C2 have same plate separation but the plate area of C2 is double than that of C1 . Which
of the lines in the graph correspond to C1 and C2 ssssand why? 2

Q. 12. Two cells E1 and E2 in the given circuit diagram have an emf of 5 V and 9 V and internal resistance of
respectively. 2

Calculate the value of current flowing through the resistance of .

Q. 13. How is the mutual inductance of a pair of coils affected when: 3
(i) separation between the coils is increased?
(ii) the number of turns of each coil is increased ?
(iii) a thin iron sheet is placed between the two coils, other factors remaining the same? Explain your answer
in each case.
Q. 14. A convex lens made up of glass of refractive index 1.5 is dipped, in turn, in: 3
(i) medium A of refractive index 1.65
(ii) medium B of refractive index 1.33
Explain, giving reasons, whether it will behave as a converging lens or a diverging lens in each of these two
media.
Q. 15. Define the terms threshold frequency and stopping potential in relation to the phenomenon of
photoelectric effect. How is the photoelectric current affected on increasing the (i) frequency (ii) intensity of
the incident radiations and why? 3
Q. 16. Explain, with the help of a nuclear reaction in each of the following cases, how the neutron to proton
ratio changes during (i) alpha-decay (ii) beta-decay? 3
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CBSE- 2006
Q. 17. What is an intrinsic semiconductor? How can this material be converted into (i) P-type (ii) N-type
extrinsic semiconductor? Explain with the help of energy band diagrams. 3
Q. 18. Why is the mass of a nucleus always less than the sum of the masses of its constituents, neutrons and
protons. 3
If the total number of neutrons and protons in a nuclear reaction is conserved, how then is the energy
absorbed or evolved in the reaction? Explain.
Or
Draw a graph showing the variation of binding energy per nucleon with mass number for different nuclei.
Explain, with the help of this graph, the release of energy by the process of nuclear fusion.
Q. 19. Define the term modulation. Name three different types of modulation used for a message signal using
a sinusoidal continuous carrier wave. Explain the meaning of any one of these. 3
Q. 20. What is electric flux? Write its S.I. units.
Using Gauss’s theorem, deduce an expression for the electric field at a point due to a uniformly charged
infinite plane sheet. 3
Q. 21. A 10 m long wire of uniform cross-section and resistance is used in a potentiometer. The wire is
connected in series with a battery of 5 V along with an external resistance of . If an unknown emf E is
balanced at 6.0 m length of the wire, calculate: 3
Q. 22. Draw a circuit diagram for use of NPN transistor as an amplifier in common emitter configuration. The
input resistance of a transistor is . On changing its base current by , the collector current
increases by 2 m A. If a load resistance of is used in the circuit, calculate: 1 + 2
(i) the current gain
(ii) voltage gain of the amplifier
Q. 23. Define the term ‘critical frequency’ in relation to sky wave propagation of electromagnetic waves.
On a particular day, the maximum frequency reflected from the ionosphere is 10 MHz. On another day, it was
found to decrease to 8 MHz. Calculate the ratio of the maximum electron densities of the ionosphere on the
two days. 3
Q. 24. Draw a labelled diagram of Hertz’s experimental set-up to produce electromagnetic waves. Explain the
generation of- electromagnetic waves using this set-up. 3
Q. 25. The given circuit diagram shows a series LCR circuit connected to a variable frequency 230 V source: 5

(a) Determine the source frequency which drives the circuit in resonance.
(b) Obtain the impedance of the circuit and the amplitude of current at the resonating frequency.
(c) Determine the rms potential drops across the three elements of the circuit.
(d) How do you explain the observation that the algebraic sum of the voltages across the three elements
obtained in (c) is greater than the supplied voltage?
Or
The primary coil of an ideal step-up transformer has 100 turns and the transformation ratio is also 100. The
input voltage the power are 220 V and 1100 W respectively. Calculate:
(i) number of turns in the secondary
(ii) the current in the primary
(iii) voltage across the secondary
(iv) the current in the secondary
(v) power in the secondary
Q. 26. What is interference of light? Write two essential conditions for sustained interference pattern to be
produced on the screen. 5
Draw a graph showing the variation of intensity versus the position on the screen in Young’s experiment when
(a) both the slits are opened and (b) one of the slits is closed.
What is the effect on the interference pattern in Young’s double slit experiment when:
(i) screen is moved closer to the plane of slits?
(ii) separation between two slits is increased. Explain your answer in each case.
Or
What is diffraction of light? Draw a graph showing the variation of intensity with angle in a single slit
diffraction experiment. Write one feature which distinguishes the observed pattern from the double slit
interference pattern.
How would the diffraction pattern of a single slit be affected when:
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CBSE- 2006
(i) the width of the slit is decreased?
(ii) the monochromatic source of light is replaced by a source of white light?
Q. 27. With the help of a neat and labelled diagram, explain the underlying principle and working of a moving
coil galvanometer. What is the function of:
(i) uniform radial field 5
(ii) soft iron core
in such a device?
Or
Derive a mathematical expression for the force per unit length experienced by each of the two long current
carrying conductors placed parallel to each other in air. Hence define one ampere of current.
Explain why two parallel straight conductors carrying current in the opposite direction kept near each other in
air repel?
Q. 1. Define the term electric dipole moment. Is it a scalar or a vector quantity? 1
Q. 2. The variation of potential difference V with length I in case of two potentiometers P and Q is as shown.
Which one of these two will you prefer for comparing emfs of two primary cells. 1
Q. 3. de Brogue wavelength associated with an electron accelerated through a potential difference .
What will be its wavelength when the accelerating potential is increased to 4 V?
Q. 4. Give any one difference between FAX and e-mail systems of communication. 1
Q. 5. Steel is preferred for making permanent magnets whereas soft iron is preferred for making
electromagnets. Give one reason. 1
Q. 6. You are given ‘a’ resistors, each of resistance ‘r’. These are first connected to get minimum possible
resistance. In the second case, these are again connected differently to get maximum possible resistance.
Compute the ratio between the minimum and maximum values of resistance so obtained. 2
Q. 7. Two capacitors of capacitance of are connected in series with a battery. The voltage
across the capacitor is 2 V. Compute the total battery voltage. 2
Or
A parallel plate capacitor with air between the plates has a capacitance of 8 pF. The separation between the
pates is now reduced by half and the space between them is filled with a medium of dielectric constant 5.
Calculate the value of capacitance of the capacitor in the second case. 2
Q. 8. Draw a labelled ray diagram to show the image formation in a refracting type astronomical telescope.
Why should the diameter of the objective of a telescope belarge?
Q. 9. Draw a circuit diagram using a metre bridge and write the necessary mathematical relation used to
determine the value of an unknown resistance. Why cannot such an arrangement be used for measuring very
low resistances? 2
Q. 10. Which one of the two, an ammeter or a milliammeter, has a higher resistance and why? 2
Q. 11. An alternating voltage of frequency f is applied across a series LCR circuit. Let fr be the resonance
frequency for the circuit. Will the current in the circuit lag, lead or remain in phase with the applied voltage
when (i) (ii) Explain your answer in each case. 2
Q. 12. A point charge ‘q’ is placed at O as shown in the figure.

Q. 13. Using Gauss’s theorem, show mathematically that for any point outside the shell, the field due to a
uniformly charged thin spherical shell is the same as if the entire charge of the shell is concentrated at the
centre. Why do you expect the electric field inside the shell to be zero according to this theorem? 3
Q. 14. Distinguish between frequency modulation and amplitude modulation. Why is an FM signal less
susceptible to noise than an AM signal? 3
Q. 15. Write the order of frequency range and one use of each of the following electromagnetic radiations. 3
(i) Microwaves
(ii) Ultra-violet rays
(iii) Gamma rays
Q. 16. Sketch a graph between frequency of incident radiations and stopping potential for a given
photosensitive material. What information can be obtained from the value of the intercept on the potential
axis?
A source of light of frequency greater than the threshold frequency is placed at a distance of 1 m from the
cathode of a photo-cell. The stopping potential is found to be V. If the distance of the light source from the
cathode is reduced, explain giving reasons, what change will you observe in the
(i) photoelectric current,
(ii) stopping potential. 3
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CBSE- 2006
Q. 17. Define the terms half-life period and decay constant of a radioactive substance. Write their S.I. units.
Establish the relationship between the two. 3

Q. 18. A neutron is absorbed by a nucleus with the subsequent emission of an alpha particle.
(i) Write the corresponding nuclear reaction.
(ii) Calculate the energy released, in MeV, in this reaction. 3

Q. 19. When an inductor L and a resistor R in series are connected across a 12 V, 50Hz supply, a current of
0.5 A flows in the circuit. The current differs in phase from applied voltage by radian. Calculate the value
of R. 3
Or
A 0.5 long metal rod PQ completes the circuit as shown in the figure. The area of the circuit is perpendicular to
the magnetic field of flux density 0.15 T. If the resistance of the total circuit is , calculate the force needed
to move the rod in the direction as indicated with a constant speed of 2 ms-1.

Q. 20. State Faraday’s laws of electrolysis. Express these in mathematical notation. Name any two
applications of electrolysis. 3
Q. 21. What are eddy currents. How are these produced? in what sense are eddy currents considered
undesirable in a transformer and how are these reduced in such a device? 3
Q. 22. A beam of light converges to a point P. A lens is placed in the path of the convergent beam 12 cm from
P. At what point does the beam converge if the lens is
(i) a convex lens of focal length 20 cm,
(ii) a concave lens of focal length 16 cm ? 3
Do the required calculations.
Q. 23. Consider an optical communication system operating at nm. Suppose, only 1% of the optical
source frequency is the available channel band-width for optical communication. How many channels can be
accommodated for transmit ting
(a) audio-signals requiring a band-width of 8 kHz,
(b) video TV signals requiring an approximate band-width of 4.5 MHz? Support your answer with suitable
calculations. 3
Q. 24. Explain (I) forward biasing, (ii) reverse biasing of a P-N junction diode. With the help of a circuit
diagram, explain the use of this device as a half - wave rectifier. 3
Q. 25. Draw a neat and labelled diagram of a cyclotron. State the underlying principle and explain how a
positively charged particle gets accelerated in this ma chine. Show mathematically that the cyclotron
frequency does not depend upon the speed of the particle. 5
Or
State the Biot - Savart law for the magnetic field due to a current carrying element. Use this law to obtain a
formula for magnetic field at the centre of a circular loop of radius R carrying a steady current I. Sketch the
magnetic field lines for a current loop clearly indicating the direction of the field. 5
Q. 26. What are coherent sources of light? State two conditions for two light sources to be coherent.
Derive a mathematical expression for the width of interference fringes obtained in Young’s double slit
experiment with the help of a suitable diagram. 5
Or
State Huygens’ principle. Using the geometrical construction of secondary wave- lets, explain the refraction of
a plane wave front incident at a plane surface. Hence verify Snell’s law of refraction.
Illustrate with the help of diagrams the action of (i) convex lens and (ii) concave mirror on a plane wave front
incident on it. 5
Q. 27. What are energy bands? How are these formed? Distinguish between a conductor, an insulator and a
semiconductor on the basis of energy band diagram. 5
Or
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CBSE- 2006
Explain the function of base region of a transistor. Why is this region made thin and lightly doped?
Draw a circuit diagram to study the input and output characteristics of n-p-n transistor in a common emitter
(CE) configuration. Show these characteristics graphically. Explain how current amplification factor of the
transistor is calculated using output characteristics. 5
Q. 1. Name the electromagnetic radiation to which the following wavelengths belong: 1
(a) 10-3m
(b) 1 A
Q. 2. Draw the graph showing the distribution of kinetic energy of electrons emitted during beta decay. 1
Q. 3. How will the photoelectric current change on decreasing the wavelength of incident radiation for a given
photosensitive material? 1
Q. 4. How does the d.c. current gain of a transistor change, if the width of the base region is increased?
Q. 5. What is the length of a dipole antenna to transmit signals of frequency 200MHz? 1

Q. 6. An electric dipole of length 10cm having charges placed at 300 with respect to a uniform

electric field, experiences a torque of magnitude Nm. Calculate

(i) the magnitude of the electric field.
(ii) the potential energy of the dipole. 2
Q. 7. A plane electromagnetic wave of frequency 25 MHz travels in free space along the x-direction. At a

particular point in space and time the electric vector is Calculate at this point. 2
Q. 8. A conducting rod of length l is moved in a magnetic field of magnitude B with velocity v such that the
arrangement is mutually perpendicular. Prove that the emf induced in the rod is | E I = B / v. 2
Or
A rectangular coil of area A, having number of turns N is at f revolutions per second in a uniform magnetic
field B, the field being perpendicular to the coil Prove that the maximum emf induced in the coil is
.2
Q. 9. A concave lens has the same radii of curvature for both sides and has a refractive index 1.6 in air. In the
second case, it is immersed in a liquid of refractive index 1.4. Calculate the ratio of the focal lengths of the
lens in the two cases. 2
Q. 10. ‘The output of an unregulated d.c. power supply is to be regulated. Name the device that can be used
for this purpose and draw the relevant circuit diagram. 2
Q. 11. Derive an expression for the maximum force experienced by a straight conductor of length l, carrying
current I and kept in a uniform magnetic field, B. 2
Q. 12. State two characteristics of nuclear force. Why does the binding energy per nucleon decrease with
increase in mass number for heavy nuclei like 235U? 2
Q. 13. Define electric flux. Write its S.I. units. Using Gauss’ theorem, derive an expression for the electric field
intensity at any point outside a charged spherical shell. 3
Q. 14. Derive the expression for the energy stored in a parallel plate capacitor with air between the plates.
How does the stored energy change if air is replaced by a medium of dielectric constant K? 3
Q. 15. Define the term current density of a metallic conductor. Deduce the relation connecting current density
(J) and the coductivity of the conductor, when an electric field E, is applied to it. 3
Q. 16. Using Biot — Savart law derive the expression for the magnetic field at a distance x along the axis from
the centre of a current carrying circular loop. 3
Q. 17. The height of a T.V. tower at a place is 400 m. Calculate
(i) the maximum range upto which signals can be received from time tower and
(ii) area covered by the transmission.
(Radius of the Earth 6400 km) 3
Q. 18. Explain the three modulation techniques employed for tansferring digital data into analog form, using
diagrams. 3
Q. 19. In the following circuit, calculate, (I) the capacitance ‘C’ of the capacitor, if the power factor of the
circuit is unity, and (ii) also calculate the Q-factor of the circuit 3

Q. 20. Deduce an expression for the self-inductance of a long solenoid of N turns, having a core of relative
permeability 3
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CBSE- 2006
Q. 21. Two wavelengths of sodium light 590 nm, 596 nm are used, in turn, to study the diffraction taking
place at a single slit of aperture 2 x 10-6 m. The distance between the slit and the screen is 1.5 m. Calculate
the separation between the positions of first maximum of the diffraction pattern obtained in the two cases. 3
Or
In Young’s slit experiment, interference fringes are observed on a screen, kept at D from the slits. If the screen
is moved towards the slits by 5 x 10-2 m, the change in fringe width is found to be 3 x 10-5 m. If the separation
between the slits is 10-3 m, calculate the wavelength of the light used. 3
Q. 22. Sketch the graphs, showing the variation of stopping poential with frequency of incident for two
photosensitive materials A and B having thresh old frequencies V0 > V0' respectively.
(i) Which of the two metals, A or B has higher work function?
(ii) What information do you get from the slope of the graphs?
(iii) What does the value of the intercept of graph ‘A’ on the potential axis represent?3
Q. 23. Three identical specimens of magnetic materials Nickel, Antimony, Aluminium are kept in a non-
uniform magnetic field. Draw the modification in the field lines in each case. Justify your answer. 3
Q. 24. Define the term decay constant of a radioactive nucleus.
Two nuclei P, Q have equal number of atoms at t = 0. Their half lives are 3 hours and 9 hours respectively.
Compare their rates of disintegration, after 18 hours from the start. 3
Q. 25. State Kirchoff’s laws of an electrical network. Using Kirchoff’s laws, calculate the potential difference
across the 8 ohm resistor.

State the working principle of a potentiometer. Explain, with the help of a circuit diagram, how the emf of two
primary cells are compared by using a potentiometer.
In a potentiometer arrangement, a cell of emf 1.20 volt gives a balance point at 30 cm length of the wire. This
cell is now replaced by another cell of unknown emf. If the ratio of the emfs of the two cells is 1.5, calculate
the difference in the balancing length of the potentiometer wire in the two cases. 5
Q. 26. Draw a circuit diagram of a common-emitter amplifier. Deduce an expression for its voltage gain.
Explain briefly how the output voltage is out of phase by 180° with the input voltage. 5
Or
Draw a circuit diagram to study the input and output characteristics of a n-p-n transistor in its common-
emitter configuration. Draw the typical input and output characteristics and explain how these graphs are
used to calculate (I) input resistance. (ii) output resistance and (iii) current amplification factor of the
transistor.5
Q. 27. Derive the expression for the refractive index of the material of the prism in terms of the angle of the
prism and angle of minimum deviation.
Use this formula to calculate the angle of minimum deviation for an equilateral triangular prism of refractive

index
Or
Draw a labelled ray diagram of an astronomical telescope for the near point adjustment. You are given three
lenses of powers 0.5 D, 4 D, 10 D. State, with reason, which two lenses will you select for constructing a good
astronomical telescope.
Calculate the resolving power of this telescope, assuming the diameter of the objective lens to be 6cm and the
wavelength of light used to be 540 nm. 5
Q. 1. Write two properties of a material used as a suspension wire in a moving coil glvanometer. 1
Q. 2. Name the experiment which establishes the wave nature of a particle. 1
Q. 3. Write the S.I. unit for the activity of a radoactive nuclide. 1
Q. 4. The a.c. current gain of a transistor is 120. What is the change in the collector current in the transistor
whose base current changes by 1
Q. 5. Name the underlying principle of the working of an optical fibre. 1
Q. 6. Define ‘dielectric constant’ of a medium. Briefly explain why the capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor
increases, oii introducing a dielectric medium between the plates. 2
Q. 7. Why does a paramagnetic substance display greater magnetisation for the same magnetising field when
cooled? How does a diamagnetic substance respond to similar temperature changes? 2
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CBSE- 2006
Q. 8. Explain how electron mobility changes for a good conductor when (i) the temperature of the conductor is
decreased at constant potential difference and (ii) applied potential difference is doubled at constant
temperature. 2
Q. 9. A capacitor and a resistor are connected in series with an a.c. source. If the potential difference across
C, R are 120 V, 90 V rspectively and if the r.m.s. current of the circuit is 3 A, calculate the (i) impedance, (ii)
power factor of the circuit. 2
Or
An inductor 200 mH, a capacitor C and a resistor 10 ohm are connected in series with a 100 V, 50 s-1 a.c.
source. If the current and voltage arc in phase with each other, calculate the capacitance of the capacitor.
Q. 10. Draw the curve showing variation of binding energy/nucleon with mass number of different nuclei.
Briefly state, how nuclear fusion and nuclear fission can be explained on the basis of this graph. 2
Q. 11. Give r for the following:
(a) Rainbow is never observed on the surface of the Moon.
(b) The Sun looks reddish at sunrise and sunset as viewed from Earth.
Q. 12. The following figure shows the input waveforms (A, B) and the output waveform (Y) of a gate. Identify
the gate and write its truth table. 2

Q. 13. What are eddy currents? How are these minimised? Mention two applications of eddy currents. 3
Q. 14. Draw the graphs showing the variation of photoelectric current with an ode potential of a photocell for
(i) the same frequencies but different intensities I1 > I2 > I3, of incident radiation, (ii) the same intensity but
different frequencies V1 > V2 > V3 of incident radiation.
Explain why the saturation current is independent of the anode potential. 3
Q. 15. State Faraday’s laws of electrolysis. Deduce the relation connecting Faraday constant, chemical
equivalent and electrochemical equivalent. 3
Q. 16. 4 cells of identical emf E, internal resistance r, are connected in series to a variable resistor. The
following graph shows the variation of terminal voltage of the combination with the current output:

(i) What is the emf of each cell used?

(ii) For what current from the cells, does maximum power dissipation occur in the circuit?
(iii) Calculate the internal resistance of each cell. 3
Q. 17. What is pulse modulation? Distinguish between pulse amplitude modulation and pulse duration
modulation by drawing suitable modulated signals. 3
Q. 18. Write any two criteria required for a detector of an optical communication system.
A photo-detector is made from a semiconductor having Eg = 0.73 eV. What is the maximum wavelength which
it can detect? 3
Q. 19. Using Gauss’ theorem, deduce an expression for the electric field intensity at any point due to a thin,
infinitely long wire of charge/length 3
Or
Using Gauss’ theorem, derive an expression for the electric field intensity at any point outside a charged

spherical shell of radius R and of charge density

Q. 20. A metallic square loop ABCD of size 15 cm and resistance is moved at a uniform velocity of v
m/s, in a uniform magnetic field of 2 Tesla, the field lines being normal to the plane of the paper. The loop is
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CBSE- 2006
connected to an electrical network of resistors, each of resistance Calculate the speed of the loop, for
which 2 m A current flows in the loop.

Q. 21. Sketch a graph showing the variation of potential energy of a pair of nucleons as a function of their
separation.
Write three characteristic properties of nuclear force which distinguish it from the electrostatic force. 3
Q. 22. Explain, using Huygen’ principle, how diffraction is produced by a narrow slit which is illuminated by a
monochromatic light.
Show that central maximum is twice as wide as the other maxima and the pattern becomes narrower as the
width of the slit is increased. 3
Q. 23. Draw a labelled diagram o the experimental set-up used by Hertz to produce electromagnetic waves.
Explain how the electromagnetic waves are detected. 3
Q. 24. Define the term electric potential due to a point charge.

Calculate the electric potential at the centre of a square of side having charges
at the four corners of the square. 3
Q. 25. Derive an expression for the magnetic field along the axis of an air-cored solenoid, using Ampere’s
circuital law.
Sketch the magnetic field lines for a finite solenoid. Explain why the field at the exterior mid-point is weak
while at the interior it is uniform and strong. 5
Or
Explain with the help of a labelled diagram the working principle of a cyclotron.
Show that the cyclotron frequency does not depend on the speed of the particle. Write one of the uses and
point out one of the drawbacks of a cyclotron.
Q. 26. Draw a labelled circuit diagram of a transistor oscillator. Briefly explain its principle and state how the
oscillations are sustained. 5
Or
Draw the energy band diagrams of p-type, n-type semiconductors. Explain with a circuit diagram the working
of a full wave rectifier.
Q. 27. (i) Draw a labelled ray diagram of a compound microscope, showing the formation of image at the near
point of the eye.
(ii) A compound microscope uses an objective lens of focal length 4 cm and eye lens of focal length 10cm. An
object is placed at 6 cm from the objective lens.
(a) Calculate magnifying power of the compound microscope, if the final image is formed at the near point.
(b) Calculate the length of the compound microscope also. 5
Or
Draw a labelled ray diagram of an astronomical telescope, forming the image at infinity.
As astronomical telescope uses two lenses of powers 10 diopter, 1 diopter.
(i) State with reason, which lens is preferred as objective and eye-piece.
(ii) Calculate the magnifying power of the telescope, if the final image is formed at the near point.
(iii) How do the light gathering power and resolving power of a telescope change, if the aperture of the
objective lens is double