GATE Physics Syllabus


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Subject Code: PH

Course Structure

Sections/Units Topics
Section 1 Mathematical Physics
Section 2 Classical Mechanics
Section 3 Electromagnetic Theory
Section 4 Quantum Mechanics
Section 5 Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics
Section 6 Atomic and Molecular Physics
Section 7 Solid State Physics & Electronics
Section 8 Nuclear and Particle Physics

Course Syllabus

Section 1: Mathematical Physics

  • Linear vector space −
    • Basis
    • Orthogonality
    • Completeness
  • Matrices
  • Vector calculus
  • Linear differential equations, elements of complex analysis
  • Cauchy Riemann conditions −
    • Cauchy’s theorems
    • Singularities
    • Residue theorem
    • Applications
  • Laplace transforms −
    • Fourier analysis
  • Elementary ideas about tensors −
    • Covariant and contravariant tensor
    • Levi-Civita and Christoffel symbols

Section 2: Classical Mechanics

  • D’Alembert’s principle
  • Cyclic coordinates
  • Variational principle
  • Lagrange’s equation of motion
  • central force and scattering problems
  • Rigid body motion
  • Small oscillations
  • Hamilton’s formalisms
  • Poisson bracket
  • special theory of relativity −
    • Lorentz transformations
    • Relativistic kinematics
    • Mass-energy equivalence

Section 3: Electromagnetic Theory

  • Solutions of electrostatic and magnetostatic problems including boundary value

  • Problems

  • Dielectrics and conductors

  • Maxwell’s equations

  • Scalar and vector potentials

  • Coulomb and Lorentz gauges

  • Electromagnetic waves and their reflection, refraction, interference, diffraction and polarization

  • Poynting vector, Poynting theorem, energy and momentum of electromagnetic waves

  • Radiation from a moving charge

Section 4: Quantum Mechanics

  • Postulates of quantum mechanics

  • Uncertainty principle

  • Schrodinger equation

  • One-, two- and three-dimensional potential problems

  • Particle in a box, transmission through one dimensional potential barriers, harmonic oscillator, hydrogen atom

  • Linear vectors and operators in Hilbert space

  • Angular momentum and spin

  • Addition of angular momenta

  • Time independent perturbation theory

  • Elementary scattering theory

Section 5: Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics

  • Laws of thermodynamics
  • Macrostates and microstates
  • Phase space
  • Ensembles
  • Partition function, free energy, calculation of thermodynamic quantities
  • Classical and quantum statistics
  • Degenerate fermi gas
  • Black body radiation and Planck’s distribution law
  • Bose-Einstein condensation
  • First and second order phase transitions, phase equilibria, critical point

Section 6: Atomic and Molecular Physics

  • Spectra of one- and many-electron atoms
  • Ls and jj coupling
  • Hyperfine structure
  • Zeeman and stark effects
  • Electric dipole transitions and selection rules
  • Rotational and vibrational spectra of diatomic molecules
  • Electronic transition in diatomic molecules, Franck-Condon principle
  • Raman effect
  • NMR, ESR, X-Ray Spectra
  • Lasers −
    • Einstein coefficients
    • Population inversion
    • Two and three level systems

Section 7: Solid State Physics & Electronics

  • Elements of crystallography

  • Diffraction methods for structure determination

  • Bonding in solids

  • Lattice vibrations and thermal properties of solids

  • Free electron theory

  • Band theory of solids −

    • Nearly free electron and tight binding models

  • Metals, semiconductors and insulators

  • Conductivity, mobility and effective mass

  • Optical, dielectric and magnetic properties of solids

  • Elements of superconductivity −

    • Type-I and Type II superconductors

    • Meissner effect

    • London equation

  • Semiconductor devices −

    • Diodes

    • Bipolar junction transistors

    • Field effect transistors

  • Operational amplifiers −

    • Negative feedback circuits

    • Active filters and oscillators

  • Regulated power supplies

  • Basic digital logic circuits, sequential circuits, flip-flops, counters, registers, A/D and D/A conversion

Section 8: Nuclear and Particle Physics

  • Nuclear radii and charge distributions, nuclear binding energy, electric and Magnetic moments
  • Nuclear models, liquid drop model −
    • Semi-empirical mass formula
    • Fermi gas model of nucleus
    • Nuclear shell model
  • Nuclear force and two nucleon problem
  • Alpha decay, beta-decay, electromagnetic transitions in nuclei
  • Rutherford scattering, nuclear reactions, conservation laws
  • Fission and fusion
  • Particle accelerators and detectors
  • Elementary particles, photons, baryons, mesons and leptons
  • Quark model

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