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SUBJECT : PHYSICS
SYLLABUS
Unit I MATHEMATICAL PHYSICS
Dimensional analysis: Differential equation (ordinary and partial) – order of
equation – Expressions for gradient, divergence, curl and Laplacian – vector algebra
and vector calculus – Gauss divergence theorem – Green’s theorem – Stokes’
theorem. Matrix: Cayley – Hamilton theorem, inverse of matrix – Eigen values
and Eigen vectors. Polynomials: Hermite, Bessel and Legendre Functions. Special
function: Beta and Gamma functions. Probability: Elementary probability theory
– Random variables – Binomial – Poisson and Normal distribution. Complex
variables: Analytic functions – Singular points – Cauchy’s integral theorem and
formula -Taylor’s and Laurent’s expansions, poles, Calculus of residues and
evaluation of integrals. Integral transforms: Fourier series and Fourier transform
and their properties.
Unit II CLASSICAL MECHANICS
Mechanics of particles and systems of particles: Constraints and Generalized
coordinates, Law of conservation of Energy, Linear and Angular momentum,
Conservative and Non-Conservative systems, Degrees of freedom, Holonomic
– Nonholonomic – Scleronomic systems. Lagrangian Formalism: Lagrange
equations of motion – D’Alembert’s principle – Applications (Simple pendulum,
Atwood’s machine, Harmonic Oscillator, Electrical circuit). Hamiltonian
Formalism: Hamilton’s equation of motion – Cyclic co-ordinates – Hamilton’s
equation from variational principle, Principle of least action, Canonical
transformation, Liouville’s theorem. Rigid body Dynamics: Euler’s angles –
Moment of inertia tensor, Euler’s equation of motion – Symmetrical top, Special
theory of Relativity: Inertial and Non- inertial frames, Lorentz transformation,
Lorentz inverse transformation, Length contraction, Time dilation, Mass
invariance, Einstein’s mass-energy relation.
Unit III ELECTROMAGNETIC THEORY
Electrostatics: Coulomb’s law – Gauss’s law and its application. Laplace and
Poisson’s equations. Magnetostatics: Biot Savart’s law – Ampere’s law – Magnetic
scalar and vector potentials – magnetic susceptibility – Equation of continuity
– Displacement current – Maxwell’s equations (free space and linear isotropic
media) – Electromagnetic waves – Poynting’s theorem – Dielectrics: Retarded
potentials – Polarization – Radiation from a linear antenna – Transmission lines
and Wave guides.
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Unit IV QUANTUM MECHANICS
Failures of Classical mechanics – Black body radiation – Wave and particle duality
– Postulates of Quantum mechanics – Wave function and properties – Expectation
values – Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle – Schrodinger equations (time –
dependent and time- independent). Eigen value problems: Particle in a box (1D and
3D), Particle in a finite potential well & barrier, Tunnelling, Harmonic oscillator.
Operators: Ladder operators, Angular momentum operator, Hydrogen atom, spin
– Stern Gerlach experiment. Approximation methods: Variational principle, Time
independent (1st and 2nd order ) degenerate and non-degenerate perturbation theory
– Time-Dependent perturbation theory – Fermi’s golden rule, Identical particles.
Relativistic Quantum Mechanism: Pauli’s spin Matrices, Dirac and Klein Gordon
equation. Commutators. Scattering theory: Scattering cross-section, Scattering by a
central potential, Partial wave analysis, Breit-Wigner formula.
Unit V THERMODYNAMICS AND STATISTICAL MECHANICS
Laws of thermodynamics and their consequences – thermodynamic system
(closed and open) – thermodynamic processes (isothermal, adiabatic, isochoric,
isobaric, isotropic) – cyclic process – thermodynamic potentials (U, S, G, H) –
relation between them. Specific heat – equation of state – intensive and extensive
variables – The P-V diagram – Carnot cycle and its efficiency – Entropy –
reversible and irreversible – T-S diagram – Equipartition theorem. Phase space
– micro and macrostates – Liouville’s theorem – ensembles – partition function
– classical (MB distribution) – Maxwell’s distribution of velocities – Kinetic
Theory of gases – Pressure exerted by gas – Mean free path – Mean – RMS
and most probable speed – and quantum (BE & FD distribution) statistics –
applications to black body radiation – Bose Einstein condensation.
Unit VI ATOMIC PHYSICS AND SPECTROSCOPY
Quantum states of an electron in an atom – Hydrogen atom spectrum – Electron
spin -Spin orbit coupling – Fine structure – Relativistic correction – Spectroscopic
terms and selection rules – Hyperfine structure – Exchange symmetry of wave
functions – Pauli’s exclusion principle – Hund’s rule – Periodic table – Alkali
type spectra – LS and JJ Coupling – Zeeman, Paschen – Back and Stark effects.
Principles of ESR, NMR, Chemical shift – Frank Condon principle – Born
Oppenheimer approximation – Electronic, rotational and vibrational spectra of
diatomic molecules, Selection rules.
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Unit VII SOLID STATE PHYSICS
Crystal Physics: Lattice, Crystal structures – Bravais lattices – Miller indices
– Reciprocal lattices – Lattice Dynamics: Monoatomic, diatomic lattices –
Theories of specific heat – Einstein’s and Debye’s model for lattice specific
heat. Classical free electron theory: Drude model – Thermal conductivity
– Wiedemann Franz law. Energy bands in solids: Energy bands in metals,
insulators and semiconductors, E-k diagram – Density of states – Brillouin zones
– Wave equation of electron in a Periodic potential. Semiconductor Physics:
Types of semiconductors – Mobility – Carrier concentration of charge carriers –
Bloch’s theorem – Kronig – Penney model. Dielectrics: Polarization Mechanism
– Clausius – Mossotti Equation – Piezo, Pyro and Ferroelectricity. Magnetism:
Dia, Para, Ferro, Anti-Ferro and Ferri magnetism. Superconductivity: Meissner
effect – Type I and Type II superconductivity – BCS theory – Josephson effect.
Unit VIII NUCLEAR AND PARTICLE PHYSICS
Nuclear properties (size, shape, charge distribution, spin and parity) – Binding
energy, Nuclear force – Liquid drop model – semi – empirical mass formula, Shell
model and Collective model – Deuteron, Ground state of deuteron – exicted state of
deuteron – Meson theory of nuclear force – Yukawa potentials – Elementary ideas
of alpha, beta and gamma decays – Radioactive decay – Fission, Fusion – Chain
reaction – Nuclear reactor. Elementary particles: Classification of elementary
particles, Fundamental interactions (EM, Strong, Weak, Gravitational) and their
quantum numbers (charge, spin, parity, isospin, strangeness, etc.) – Gell-Mann-
Nishijima formula. Elementary particles – Classifications – Quark model, Baryons
and Mesons, Parity non-conservation in weak interaction.
Unit IX ELECTRONICS
Semiconducting devices: Diodes – Junction diode – Rectification – Zener diode
– Light Emitting Diode. Junction Transistors: common base, common emitter
and common collector configurations – Static characteristics – Transistors as
amplifier and oscillators – FET, JFET, MOSFET. IC: Fabrication technology,
Monolithic IC Processing. 555 Timer, Phase shift, Wien bridge oscillators.
Operational Amplifier (IC 741): Op-Amp characteristics, Inverting and
Non-inverting Amplifiers, Adder, Subtractor, Differentiator and Integrator. Digital
techniques and applications: Flip Flops, Registers – Counters. Digital integrated
circuits: Logic gates, NAND and NOR – Universal building blocks – Half and
Full adder. Communication Electronics: Modulation and Demodulation (AM, FM,
Phase), Transmitter and Receiver, Satellite and Fiber optic communication.
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Unit X EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICS
Units and dimension of physical quantities – significant figures. Data interpretation
and analysis, precision and accuracy, error analysis, propagation of errors, Least
square fitting. Measurement of fundamental constants – e, h, c – Detection of
X-rays, gamma rays, Charged particles, neutrons. Ionization chamber –
proportional counter – Measurement of e/m ratio – Measurement of Hall
voltage, mobility and charge carrier concentration – measurement of resistance
and capacitance in series and parallel.