Step 1: Understanding the given information.
The lens is a convex lens, and sunlight is focused on a paper, causing it to burn when the lens is at a specific distance (30 cm) from the paper. The radius of curvature \( R \) of the lens is given as 60 cm.
The distance at which the paper starts burning corresponds to the focal length \( f \) of the lens, and the focal length of a convex lens is related to the radius of curvature \( R \) by the formula:
\[
f = \frac{R}{2}.
\]
Substituting the value of \( R \):
\[
f = \frac{60}{2} = 30 \, \text{cm}.
\]
Thus, the focal length of the lens is 30 cm, which matches the distance from the lens to the paper.
Step 2: Using the lens formula.
The lens formula relates the focal length \( f \), the object distance \( u \), and the image distance \( v \) as:
\[
\frac{1}{f} = \frac{1}{u} + \frac{1}{v}.
\]
In this case, the object is at infinity (as sunlight is parallel), and the image is formed at the focal point of the lens. Therefore, the image distance \( v \) is equal to the focal length \( f \). So, we have:
\[
\frac{1}{f} = \frac{1}{u} + \frac{1}{f}.
\]
Since the object distance is at infinity, the equation simplifies to:
\[
\frac{1}{f} = \frac{1}{f} \quad \text{(valid)}.
\]
Step 3: Refractive index calculation.
The refractive index \( n \) of the lens material is related to the focal length \( f \) and the radius of curvature \( R \) by the formula:
\[
\frac{1}{f} = (n - 1) \left( \frac{2}{R} \right).
\]
Substituting the known values \( f = 30 \, \text{cm} \) and \( R = 60 \, \text{cm} \):
\[
\frac{1}{30} = (n - 1) \left( \frac{2}{60} \right).
\]
Simplifying the equation:
\[
\frac{1}{30} = (n - 1) \cdot \frac{1}{30}.
\]
Thus, we get:
\[
n - 1 = 1 \quad \Rightarrow \quad n = 2.
\]
The refractive index of the lens is 2. Now, since the refractive index is given as \( \frac{\alpha}{10} \), we equate:
\[
\frac{\alpha}{10} = 2.
\]
Thus, the value of \( \alpha \) is:
\[
\boxed{20}.
\]