MPH-016
ASSIGNMENT BOOKLET
M.Sc. (Physics) Programme
(MSCPH)
ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS
Valid from 1st January, 2025 to 31st December, 2025
School of Sciences
Indira Gandhi National Open University
Maidan Garhi, New Delhi-110068
(2025)
Dear Student,
Please read the section on assignments in the Programme Guide for M.Sc. (Physics). A
weightage of 30 per cent, as you are aware, has been earmarked for continuous evaluation,
which would consist of one tutor-marked assignment for this course. The assignment is in
this booklet. The total marks for this assignment is 100, of which 40 marks are needed to pass
it.
Instructions for Formatting Your Assignments
Before attempting the assignment please read the following instructions carefully:
1) On top of the first page of your answer sheet, please write the details exactly in the following
format:
ENROLMENT NO.: ….…………………………………………
NAME: …………………………………………………
ADDRESS: ……………………………………………
COURSE CODE:………………………….
COURSE TITLE: …………………………
ASSIGNMENT CODE: …………………..
STUDY CENTRE: ……………………….. DATE: ………………………………………….
PLEASE FOLLOW THE ABOVE FORMAT STRICTLY TO FACILITATE EVALUATION
AND TO AVOID DELAY.
2) Use only foolscap size writing paper (but not of very thin variety) for writing your answers.
3) Leave 4 cm margin on the left, top and bottom of your answer sheet.
4) Your answers should be precise.
5) Submit the assignment answer sheets within the due date.
6) The assignment answer sheets are to be submitted to your Study Centre as per the
schedule. Answer sheets received after the due date shall not be accepted. We
strongly suggest that you retain a copy of your answer sheets.
7) This assignment is valid from 1st January, 2025 to 31st December, 2025. If you have failed
in this assignment or fail to submit it by December 31, 2025, then you need to get the
assignment for the year 2026, and submit it as per the instructions given in the Programme
Guide.
8) You cannot fill the examination form for this course until you have submitted the
assignment. For any queries, please contact: [email protected]; [email protected]
We wish you good luck!
2
Tutor Marked Assignment
ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS
Course Code: MPH-016
Assignment Code: MPH-016/TMA/2025
Max. Marks: 100
Note: Attempt all questions. The marks for each question are indicated against it.
PART A
1. a) Consider a wavefunction given by:
1 i p x x Et
x , t 2 2
e p x , t dp x
If the wavefunction ( x, t ) is normalised, show that ( p x , t ) is also normalised. (10)
b) For a non-degenerate time indepedent perturbation, show that the first-order
energy shift is equal to the expectation value of the perturbing Hamiltonian in the
unperturbed energy eigenstate. (10)
c) Determine the shift in energy caused by the ‘relativistic correction to kinetic energy’
E1 , the spin-orbit term E 2 , and Darwin term E 3 for n 2 level of He . (15)
1
d) Prove that the spin function (1, 2) (1)(2) (2)(1) is symmetric with
2
respect to the exchange of the two electrons. (5)
e) A Li 2 ion is placed in an electric field of magnitude 1 10 8 Vm 1 along the Z-
direction. Determine the energy shift for levels with n 1 and n 2 in presence of
this field. (5)
f) A Hydrogen atom is in a region of strong magnetic field. How many energy levels
will be there corresponding to the unperturbed 2p level of this atom? (5)
PART B
2. a) Determine the term symbols associated with a two electron configuration ns n p,
where n 2, n 3. Write the term symbols in order of increasing energy using
Hund’s rules. (10)
b) Determine the equilibrium dissociation energy of CO and F2 , if the ground-
vibrational state dissociation energy is 11.09 eV and 1.60 eV for CO and F2
molecule, respectively. The fundamental vibrational frequency is 2170 cm1 for
CO and 917 cm 1 for F2 . (10)
c) Establish the molecular Hamiltonian for C 2 molecules. (5)
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d) Explain the Linear Combination of Atomic Orbitals (LCAO) method for constructing
the molecular orbital of the H 2 ion. Derive the expression for the ground state
molecular orbital and discuss how the overlap integral affects the bonding. (10)
e) Write the electronic configuration of HF, HCl, and LiF molecules, hence obtain the
bond orders. Draw the schematics of the molecular orbitals and atomic orbitals for
each molecule. (15)
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