Paper V

Unit-I
CLASSICAL MECHANICS II (25 Marks) LECTURES 25 + 5 Tutorial

1. Central force problem

Motion under central force; Nature of orbits in an attractive inverse square field; Kepler's laws of planetary
motion. Rutherford scattering as an example of repulsive potential. (7)
2. Mechanics of Ideal Fluids
Streamlines and flowlines; Equation of continuity; Euler's equation of motion; Streamline motion -
Bernoulli's equation and its applications. Definition of Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids. (6)
3. Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulation of Classical Mechanics
Generalised coordinates, constraints and degrees of freedom; D’Alembart’s principle; Lagrange’s equation
for conservative systems (from D'Alembert's principle; variational principle not required) and its application
to simple cases; Generalised momentum; Idea of cyclic coordinates, its relation with conservation principles;
Definition of Hamiltonian, Hamilton’s equation (derivation by Legendre transformation) and its application
to simple cases. (12)

SPECIAL THEORY OF RELATIVITY (25 Marks) LECTURES 25 + 5 Tutorial

1. Introduction
Galilean transformation and invariance of Newton's laws of motion, non-invariance of Maxwell's
equations. Michelson-Morley experiment and explanation of the null result. (4)
2. Special Theory of Relativity

Concept of inertial frame. Postulates of special theory; simultaneity; Lorentz transformation along one of
the axes – length contraction, time dilatation and velocity addition theorem, Fizeau’s experiment. Four
vectors. Relativistic dynamics : variation of mass with velocity; energy momentum relationship. (10)

3. Vectors and Tensors

Covariant and contravariant vectors. Contraction. Covariant, contravariant, and mixed tensors of rank-2,
transformation properties. The metric tensor (flat space-time only). Raising and lowering of indices with
metric tensors. (Consistent use of any one convention --- diag(-1,1,1,1) or diag(1,-1,-1,-1).) Example of
common four-vectors: position, momentum, derivative, current density, four-velocity. (6)

4. Invariant intervals
Concept of space-time: Euclidean and Minkowski. Invariant intervals in 1+1 and 3+1 dimensions (use
Minkowski space-time). Space like, time-like and light like four vectors. Light cone. Causality and
simultaneity in different frames. (5)

Unit-II
QUANTUM MECHANICS II (25 Marks) LECTURES 25 + 5 Tutorial

1. Time dependent and time independent Schrodinger equation

Eigenstates, normalization and orthonormality.

(4)

2. Simple applications of Quantum Mechanics

9
 One dimensional potential well and barrier, boundary conditions, bound and unbound states.
Reflection and transmission coefficients for a rectangular barrier in one dimension – explanation
of alpha decay. Free particle in one dimensional box, box normalization, momentum
eigenfunctions of a free particle. Linear harmonic oscillator, energy eigenvalues from Hermite
differential equation, wave function for ground state, parity of wave function.
(11)

3. Schrodinger equation in spherical polar coordinates

Angular momentum operators and their commutation relations; eigenvalues and eigenfunctions
of L2 and Lz; theorem of addition of angular momenta [statement with examples]. The hydrogen
atom problem – stationary state wavefunctions as simultaneous eigenfunctions of H, L 2, and Lz;
radial Schrodinger equation and energy eigenvalues [Laguerre polynomial solutions to be
assumed]; degeneracy of the energy eigenvalues. (10)

ATOMIC PHYSICS (25 Marks) LECTURES 25 + 5 Tutorial

1. Atomic Spectrum

Good quantum numbers, and selection rules. Stern-Gerlach experiment and spin as an intrinsic quantum
number. Incompatibility of spin with classical ideas. Bohr-Sommerfeld model. Fine structure. Study of
fine structure by Michelson interferometer. (11)

2. Vector atom model

Magnetic moment of the electron, Lande g factor. Vector model – space quantization. Zeeman
effect. Explanation from vector atom model.
(4)

3. Many electron model

Pauli exclusion principle, shell structure. Hund’s rule, spectroscopic terms of many electron atoms in the
ground state.
(2)

4. Molecular spectroscopy
Diatomic molecules – rotational and vibrational energy levels. Basic ideas about molecular
spectra. Raman effect and its application to molecular spectroscopy (qualitative discussion
only). (3)

5. Laser Physics
Population inversion, Einstein's A and B coefficients; feedback of energy on a resonator; 3-level and 4-level
systems. (5)

Paper VI
Unit-I
NUCLEAR & PARTICLE PHYSICS I (25 Marks) LECTURES 25 + 5 Tutorial
1.Bulk properties of nuclei
Nuclear mass, charge, size, binding energy, spin and magnetic moment. Isobars, isotopes and isotones;
mass spectrometer (Bainbridge). (5)
2. Nuclear structure

Nature of forces between nucleons, nuclear stability and nuclear binding, the liquid drop model

10
 (descriptive) and the Bethe-Weizsacker mass formula, application to stability considerations, extreme
single particle shell model (qualitative discussion with emphasis on phenomenology with examples). (9)

3. Unstable nuclei

(a) Alpha decay : alpha particle spectra – velocity and energy of alpha particles. Geiger-Nuttal law. (3)

(b) Beta decay : nature of beta ray spectra, the neutrino, energy levels and decay schemes, positron
emission and electron capture, selection rules, beta absorption and range of beta particles, Kurie plot. (4)
(c)Gamma decay : gamma ray spectra and nuclear energy levels, isomeric states. Gamma absorption in
matter – photoelectric process, Compton scattering, pair production (qualitative).
(4)

NUCLEAR & PARTICLE PHYSICS II (25 Marks) LECTURES 25 + 5 Tutorial

1. Nuclear reactions

Conservation principles in nuclear reactions. Q-values and thresholds, nuclear reaction cross-sections,
examples of different types of reactions and their characteristics. Bohr’s postulate of compound nuclear
reaction, Ghoshal’s experiment. (4)

2. Nuclear fission and fusion

Discovery and characteristics, explanation in terms of liquid drop model, fission products and energy
release, spontaneous and induced fission, transuranic elements. Chain reaction and basic principle of
nuclear reactors. Nuclear fusion: energetics in terms of liquid drop model. (5)

3. Elementary particles

(a) Four basic interactions in nature and their relative strengths, examples of different types of
interactions. Quantum numbers – mass, charge, spin, isotopic spin, intrinsic parity, hypercharge. Charge
conjugation. Conservation laws. (3)

(b) Classifications of elementary particles – hadrons and leptons, baryons and mesons, elementary ideas
about quark structure of hadrons – octet and decuplet families. (4)

4. Particle Accelerator and Detector

Cyclotron – basic theory, synchrotron, GM counter (3)

5. Nuclear Astrophysics
Primordial nucleosynthesis, energy production in stars, pp chain, CNO cycle. Production of elements
(qualitative discussion) (6)

Unit-II

SOLID STATE PHYSICS I (25 Marks) LECTURES 25 + 5 Tutorial

1. Crystal Structure
Crystalline and amorphous solids, translational symmetry. Elementary ideas about crystal structure, lattice
and bases, unit cell, reciprocal lattice, fundamental types of lattices, Miller indices, lattice planes, simple
cubic, f.c.c. and b.c.c. lattices. Laue and Bragg equations. Determination of crystal structure with X-rays.
(10)
2. Structure of solids
Different types of bonding- ionic, covalent, metallic, van der Waals and hydrogen. Band theory of solids,
Periodic potential and Bloch theorem, Kronig-Penny model, energy band structure. Band structure in
conductors, direct and indirect semiconductors and insulators (qualitative discussions); free electron
theory of metals, effective mass, drift current, mobility and conductivity, Wiedemann-Franz law. Hall
effect in metals : Phenomenology and implication. (15)

11
 SOLID STATE PHYSICS II (25 Marks) LECTURES 25 + 5 Tutorial

1. Dielectric properties of materials

Electronic, ionic and dipolar polarizability, local fields, induced and oriented polarization – molecular
field in a dielectric; Clausius-Mosotti relation. (4)

2. Magnetic properties of materials

Dia, para and ferro-magnetic properties of solids. Langevin’s theory of diamagnetism and
paramagnetism. Quantum theory of paramagnetism, Curie’s law. Ferromagnetism : spontaneous
magnetization and domain structure; temperature dependence of spontaneous magnetisation; Curie-Weiss
law, explanation of hysteresis. (11)

3 Lattice vibrations
Elastic and atomic force constants; Dynamics of a chain of similar atoms and chain of two types of
atoms; optical and acoustic modes; interaction of light with ionic crystals. Einstein's and Debye's theories
of specific heats of solids. (5)
4. Superconductivity
Introduction (Kamerlingh-Onnes experiment), effect of magnetic field, Type-I and type-II
superconductors, Isotope effect. Meissner effect. Heat capacity. Energy gap. Ideas about High-Tc
superconductors. (5)

Paper VIIA
Unit-I (5)
STATISTICAL MECHANICS (25 Marks) LECTURES 25 + 5 Tutorial

1.Microstates and macrostates

Classical description in terms of phase space and quantum description in terms of wave functions.
Hypothesis of equal a priori probability for microstates of an isolated system in equilibrium. Interactions
between two systems – thermal, mechanical and diffusive. Statistical definition of temperature, pressure,
entropy and chemical potential. Partition function of a system in thermal equilibrium with a heat bath. (6)
2. Classical statistical mechanics
Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution law. Calculation of thermodynamic quantities for ideal monoatomic
gases. (2)

3. Motivations for quantum statistics

Gibbs’ paradox. Identical particle and symmetry requirement. Derivation of MB, FD and BE statistics as
the most probable distributions (micro-canonical ensemble). Classical limit of quantum statistics. (5)

4. Quantum statistical mechanics

Bose-Einstein statistics: Application to radiation – Planck’s law. Rayleigh Jeans and Wien laws as limiting
cases, Stefan’s law. Fermi-Dirac statistics: Fermi distribution at zero and non-zero temperatures. Fermi
energy and its expression in terms of particle density. Degenerate and non-degenerate Fermi gas. Electron
specific heat of metals at low temperature. Saha equation for thermal ionization and its application to
astrophysics. (12)

12
 ELECTROMAGNETIC THEORY (25 Marks) LECTURES 25 + 5 Tutorial
1. Generalization of Ampere’s Law
Displacement Current, Maxwell’s Field Equations, Wave equation for electromagnetic (EM) field and its
solution – plane wave and spherical wave solutions, transverse nature of field, relation between E and B;
energy density of field, Poynting vector and Poynting’s theorem, boundary conditions. (8)

2. EM Waves in an isotropic dielectric

Wave equation, reflection and refraction at plane boundary, reflection and transmission coefficients,
Fresnel’s formula, change of phase on reflection, polarization on reflection and Brewster’s law, total
internal reflection. (6)

3. EM waves in conducting medium

Wave equation in conducting medium, reflection and transmission at metallic surface – skin effect and skin
depth, propagation of E-M waves between parallel and conducting plates – wave guides (rectangular only).
(5)

4. Dispersion
Equation of motion of an electron in a radiation field : Lorentz theory of dispersion – normal and
anomalous; Sellmeier’s and Cauchy’s formulae, absorptive and dispersive mode, half power frequency,
band width. (3)

5. Scattering
Scattering of radiation by a bound charge, Rayleigh’s scattering (qualitative ideas), blue of the sky,
absorption. (3)

13