Comprehensive Physics Preparation Material

For MPhil Physics Entry Test

Level: BS Physics

1. Classical Mechanics

Vector Analysis: Understanding vectors, vector addition, scalar and vector products, and applications in

physics.

Kinematics: Describes motion without considering its causes. Equations for uniformly accelerated motion,

projectile motion, and circular motion.

Newton's Laws: Three fundamental laws describing the relationship between the motion of an object and the

forces acting on it.

Work, Energy and Power: Work done by a force, kinetic and potential energy, conservation of mechanical

energy, and power as the rate of work.

Gravitation: Newtons law of gravitation, gravitational field, potential energy, and motion of planets using

Keplers laws.

Equilibrium of Particles: Conditions for equilibrium, free-body diagrams, and types of equilibrium (stable,

unstable, neutral).

Linear and Angular Momentum: Conservation laws, collisions (elastic and inelastic), torque, and angular

impulse.

Rotational Motion: Kinematics and dynamics of rotational motion about a fixed axis. Moment of inertia and its

calculation for different geometries.

Systems of Particles: Center of mass, motion of center of mass, and conservation of momentum in systems.

Three-Dimensional Dynamics: Motion in space using vector calculus, central force motion.

Lagrangian Formalism: Principle of least action, Lagranges equations and their application in mechanics.

Hamiltonian Formalism: Hamiltons equations and energy-based analysis of systems.

Non-Inertial Frames: Pseudo forces in rotating frames, Coriolis and centrifugal forces.

2. Quantum Mechanics

Fundamental Concepts: Dual nature of matter and radiation, wave-particle duality, Heisenberg uncertainty
principle.

Blackbody Radiation: Explanation using Plancks law, energy quantization.

Pauli Exclusion Principle: No two identical fermions can occupy the same quantum state simultaneously.

Schrdinger Equation: Time-dependent and time-independent forms. Applications:

- Infinite Square Well: Quantized energy levels and wave functions.

- Finite Square Well: Penetration of wavefunctions into barriers.

- Harmonic Oscillator: Energy levels and use of ladder operators.

- Hydrogen Atom: Solution in spherical coordinates, quantum numbers (n, l, m), radial and angular parts.

Spin and Angular Momentum: Intrinsic angular momentum, spin- systems, spin matrices.

Wavefunction Symmetry: Symmetric and antisymmetric wavefunctions, applications to multi-electron atoms.

Elementary Perturbation Theory: First-order corrections to energy levels and wavefunctions.

Stark Effect: Splitting of spectral lines in an electric field (linear and quadratic Stark effect).

3. Waves & Oscillations

Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM): Motion where restoring force is proportional to displacement. Equation: x(t)

= A cos(t + ).

Forced Oscillations: Oscillations under the influence of an external periodic force. Resonance occurs when

driving frequency matches natural frequency.

Damped Oscillations: Oscillations with a decreasing amplitude due to dissipative forces. Described by the

damping coefficient.

Longitudinal and Transverse Waves: In longitudinal waves, particle displacement is parallel to wave direction

(e.g., sound); in transverse waves, it's perpendicular (e.g., light).

Wave Equation: Describes the propagation of waves: y/t = vy/x, where v is wave velocity.

Superposition Principle: When two or more waves overlap, the resulting displacement is the algebraic sum of

their displacements.

Standing Waves: Formed by the superposition of two traveling waves with the same frequency and amplitude

in opposite directions.

Sound Waves: Longitudinal mechanical waves in a medium. Key properties include speed, frequency,
wavelength, and intensity.

4. Thermodynamics & Statistical Mechanics

First Law of Thermodynamics: Energy conservation law, dQ = dU + dW. Applies to adiabatic, isothermal,

cyclic, and free expansion.

Second Law of Thermodynamics: Entropy of an isolated system never decreases. Defines direction of

thermodynamic processes.

Carnot Theorem and Engines: Maximum efficiency = 1 - T_c/T_h for engines operating between two

temperatures.

Reversible vs Irreversible Processes: Reversible processes can be reversed without net change; irreversible

ones cannot.

Entropy (S): Measure of disorder or randomness. For reversible process: dS = dQ_rev / T.

Thermodynamic Functions: Internal energy (U), Enthalpy (H), Gibbs free energy (G), Helmholtz free energy

(F).

Statistical Mechanics: Microscopic interpretation of thermodynamic quantities using statistical distributions.

Maxwell-Boltzmann Distribution: Describes the distribution of speeds among particles in a gas.

Brownian Motion: Random motion of particles suspended in fluid due to collisions with fast atoms or

molecules.

Partition Function: Z = e^(-Ei/kT), central to deriving thermodynamic quantities from statistical mechanics.

5. Electromagnetic Theory

Gausss Law: Describes the electric flux through a closed surface. EdA = Q_enclosed/.

Biot-Savart Law: Gives magnetic field due to a small current element. B = (/4) * (Idl r)/r.

Faradays Law: A changing magnetic field induces an electromotive force (emf). emf = -d_B/dt.

Amperes Circuital Law: Bdl = I_enclosed. Modified in Maxwell's equations with displacement current.

Poissons and Laplace Equations: Electrostatic potential V satisfies V = -/ (Poisson) or V = 0 (Laplace in

charge-free regions).

Maxwells Equations: Four equations combining Gauss's laws, Faraday's law, and Ampere's law with

displacement current.
Poynting Vector: S = E H; represents the power per unit area carried by an electromagnetic wave.

Reflection and Refraction: Laws governing light behavior at boundaries, including Snells law.

Fresnels Equations: Describe reflection and transmission coefficients for light at interfaces.

Total Internal Reflection: Occurs when light passes from a denser to a rarer medium beyond critical angle.

Wave Propagation: Plane electromagnetic waves, their speed in vacuum c = 1/(), and polarization.

Waveguides: Structures that guide electromagnetic waves. Used in microwave and optical communications.

6. Electronics

Diodes: Semiconductor device allowing current in one direction. Applications include rectification and voltage

regulation.

Diode Models: Ideal and practical models used in circuit design.

Transistors: Bipolar Junction Transistor (BJT) and Field Effect Transistor (FET) used as switches and

amplifiers.

Amplifiers: Circuits that increase signal strength. Parameters include gain, bandwidth, input/output resistance.

Power Amplifiers: Deliver large amounts of power to load. Used in speakers and RF transmission.

Frequency Response: Variation of amplifier gain with frequency.

Oscillators: Circuits producing periodic waveforms (sine, square, triangle) without input. Include RC, LC, and

crystal oscillators.

Multivibrators: Circuits producing waveforms such as square waves. Types: astable, monostable, bistable.

7. Mathematical Methods of Physics

Complex Variables: Functions of complex variables, analytic functions, Cauchy-Riemann equations.

Differential Equations: Ordinary differential equations (ODEs) and partial differential equations (PDEs) used

in physical systems.

Special Functions: Legendre polynomials, Bessel functions, Hermite and Laguerre polynomials.

Greens Functions: Method for solving inhomogeneous differential equations in physics.

Fourier Series and Transforms: Decomposing periodic/non-periodic functions into sine and cosine

components.

Laplace Transforms: Useful for solving ODEs in systems with initial conditions.
Vector Spaces and Matrices: Linear algebra used in quantum mechanics and other areas.

8. Nuclear & Astrophysics

Nuclear Properties: Size, mass, binding energy, nuclear radius (R = RA^(1/3)), and nuclear density.

Radioactivity: Spontaneous decay of unstable nuclei. Types: alpha (), beta (), and gamma () decay.

Alpha Decay: Emission of helium nuclei; characterized by high ionization, low penetration.

Beta Decay: Conversion of a neutron to a proton () or proton to a neutron (); involves neutrinos.

Gamma Decay: Emission of high-energy photons from an excited nucleus.

Binding Energy: Energy needed to break nucleus into individual nucleons. Binding energy per nucleon

indicates stability.

Nuclear Fission: Splitting of heavy nuclei into lighter nuclei, releasing energy. Used in nuclear reactors.

Nuclear Fusion: Combining of light nuclei to form heavier nucleus, releases more energy than fission.

Nuclear Reactions: Reactions between nuclei involving conservation of mass-energy and charge.

Solar System: Planets, moons, asteroids, and the Sun. Governed by gravitational forces and Kepler's laws.

Physics of Stars: Nuclear fusion, energy transport (radiative/conductive), and life cycle of stars.

Stellar Atmospheres: Temperature, pressure, and ionization states. Described by Saha ionization equation.

Interstellar Gases: Composition includes hydrogen, helium, and dust. Birthplace of stars.

Galaxies: Massive systems of stars, gas, and dark matter. Types include spiral, elliptical, and irregular.

9. Computational Physics

Computing Systems: Hardware and software basics, input/output devices, memory and storage.

Communication & Connectivity: Networks, protocols, and internet communication relevant to data transfer.

Programming Languages: Basics of C, C++, Python, and scripting languages used in simulations.

Program Design: Flowcharts, pseudocode, algorithm design for solving physics problems.

Code Writing: Implementation of numerical methods in code (loops, functions, conditions).

Program Testing: Debugging and validating code with test cases.

Efficiency and Productivity: Optimizing code speed, readability, and modular structure.

Generations of Programming: From machine language (1st gen) to modern AI-based languages (5th gen).

Practical Applications: Solving differential equations, numerical integration, root finding in physics.
Data Analysis & Software: Use of Excel, MATLAB, Python libraries (NumPy, SciPy) for plotting and data

analysis.

10. Solid State Physics

Crystal Structure: Unit cell, lattice parameters, Bravais lattices. Examples: SC, BCC, FCC.

X-ray Diffraction: Used to determine crystal structure using Braggs law: n = 2d sin.

Reciprocal Lattice: Mathematical construct to understand diffraction and wave vectors.

Interatomic Forces: Ionic, covalent, metallic, van der Waals bonding.

Lattice Vibrations: Phonons, acoustic and optical branches. Contribution to thermal conductivity.

Thermal Properties: Heat capacity (Dulong-Petit, Einstein, and Debye models).

Free Electron Theory: Electrons in a metal treated as free particles, explains electrical conductivity.

Band Theory: Formation of conduction and valence bands. Difference between insulators, semiconductors,

and conductors.

Fermi Surfaces: Surface in k-space separating occupied and unoccupied electron states at T=0.

Dielectrics: Materials that polarize in electric field. Concepts of permittivity and dielectric constant.

Magnetism: Diamagnetism (repels field), Paramagnetism (weakly attracts), Ferromagnetism (strong

alignment).

11. Digital Electronics

Number Systems: Binary, decimal, octal, hexadecimal systems and conversions among them.

Digital Codes: BCD, Gray code, ASCII, and error detecting codes (parity bits).

Combinational Logic Circuits: Use of logic gates (AND, OR, NOT, NAND, NOR, XOR, XNOR) in circuits.

Decoders and Encoders: Convert binary data from one form to another. Used in data routing and selection.

Multiplexers: Select one input from many and forward to output. Demultiplexers perform reverse.

Parity Generators/Checkers: Used for error detection in communication systems.

Sequential Logic: Circuits with memory (flip-flops, counters, registers). Depend on input and previous state.

Memory Devices: RAM, ROM, EEPROM, and basics of data storage in digital form.

Microprocessors: Basics of architecture, instruction sets, and applications in control systems.

12. Atomic & Molecular Physics

Sommerfeld Model: Introduced elliptical orbits and relativistic corrections to Bohr's model.

Frank-Hertz Experiment: Experimental proof of quantized energy levels in atoms.

Stern-Gerlach Experiment: Demonstrates quantization of angular momentum (spin).

Quantum Numbers: n, l, m_l, m_s; describe atomic orbitals and electron configurations.

Radiative Transitions: Transitions between energy levels with photon emission/absorption.

Selection Rules: Govern allowed transitions. l = 1, m = 0, 1.

Zeeman Effect: Splitting of spectral lines in a magnetic field.

Many-Electron Atoms: Electron-electron interaction, shielding, and effective nuclear charge.

Spin-Orbit Coupling: Interaction between electron spin and orbital motion.

X-Ray Spectra: Characteristic X-rays from inner shell transitions.

Molecular Spectra: Rotational, vibrational, and electronic spectra of diatomic molecules.

Laser Physics: Stimulated emission, population inversion, laser pumping schemes, and resonators.

13. Medical Physics

X-rays: Production using electron acceleration and collision with target material. Used in diagnostics.

CT (Computed Tomography): Combines X-ray images from different angles to create cross-sectional views.

Ultrasound: Uses high-frequency sound waves for internal imaging. Doppler ultrasound measures blood flow.

Radionuclide Imaging: Uses radioactive substances (tracers) for functional imaging.

PET (Positron Emission Tomography): Detects pairs of gamma rays from positron emission.

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): Uses magnetic fields and radio waves for soft tissue imaging.

Radiation Dosimetry: Measurement of radiation dose. Units: Gray (Gy), Sievert (Sv).

Dosimeters: Devices like ionization chambers, TLD, photographic plates used to measure radiation.

Radiation Protection: Principles of minimizing exposuretime, distance, and shielding.

Permissible Dose: Maximum allowable radiation dose to prevent harm. ALARA principle (As Low As

Reasonably Achievable).

14. Semiconductor Physics

Semiconductors: Materials with conductivity between conductors and insulators. Examples: Silicon,
Germanium.

Energy Bands: Valence and conduction bands. Bandgap determines electrical properties.

Carrier Concentration: Number of electrons and holes in thermal equilibrium. Depends on doping and

temperature.

Carrier Transport: Drift and diffusion of carriers under electric field and concentration gradients.

Optical Properties: Absorption and emission of light in semiconductors. Used in LEDs and lasers.

Thermal Properties: Temperature dependence of conductivity.

High-Field Effects: Carrier velocity saturation and breakdown.

Device Technology: Diodes, transistors, solar cells, LEDs, and integrated circuits (ICs).

Crystal Growth: Techniques like Czochralski and epitaxial growth for semiconductor fabrication.