Strategy for Physics Paper-II

1. Quantum Mechanics:

Syllabus: Wave-particle duality; Schrödinger equation and expectation values; Uncertainty Principle; Solutions of the one-dimensional, Schrödinger equation for a free particle (Gaussian wave-packet), particle in a box, particle in a finite well, linear harmonic oscillator; Reflection and transmission by a step potential and by a rectangular barrier; Particle in a three dimensional box, density of states, free electron theory of metals; Angular momentum; Hydrogen atom; Spin half particles, properties of Pauli spin matrices.

Reference Books are:

1. Quantum Physics by H.C.Verma ( Latest Edition)

2. Quantum Mechanics: Concepts and Applications by Nouredine Zettili

3. Introduction to Quantum Mechanics (2^nd Edition) by David J. Griffiths

4. Schaum's Outline of Quantum Mechanics, Second Edition

5. Quantum Mechanics by Ghatak and Loganathan

6. Quantum Mechanics by Satya Prakash

7. Problems in General Physics: I.E.Irodov ( do chapter of Quantum Mechanics)

(First Three books are a must read for Quantum Mechanics)

v Do all the problems from the latest edition of Quantum Physics by H.C. Verma

v Do all the solved and unsolved questions from Zettili

v Do all the questions (both Solved and unsolved) from Griffiths…In 2008 mains exam, three 10 marker questions were from this book.

v Schrödinger equation for a free particle (Gaussian wave-packet) is a topic from where very few questions have been asked…so prepare it thoroughly….do the derivation from Quantum Mechanics by Griffiths

v Reflection and transmission by a step potential and by a rectangular barrier: Try and prepare it for 30 markers…

v Free Electron Theory of Metals: in this topic prepare the electrical Conductivity, Para magnetism of free electrons, Thermionic emission of electrons, also prepare the success and failures of Free Electron Theory

v Hydrogen Atom: do proper derivation and practice it at least 50 times otherwise u will not be able to reproduce it in the exam.

v Prepare the derivation of Spin Half Particles…In IAS2008 exam a 10 marks question was asked from this topic.

2. Atomic and Molecular Physics:

Stern-Gerlach experiment, electron spin, fine structure of hydrogen atom; L-S coupling, J-J coupling; Spectroscopic notation of atomic states; Zeeman effect; Frank- Condon principle and applications; Elementary theory of rotational, Vibrational and electronic spectra of diatomic molecules; Raman effect and molecular structure; Laser Raman spectroscopy; Importance of neutral hydrogen atom, molecular hydrogen and molecular hydrogen ion in astronomy; Fluorescence and Phosphorescence; Elementary theory and applications of NMR and EPR; Elementary ideas about Lamb shift and its significance.

Reference Books are:

1. Atomic and Molecular Physics : Raj Kumar (a must read)

2. Quantum Physics of Atoms, Molecules, Solids, Nuclei, and Particles : Resnick and Eisberg (a must read)

3. Fundamentals of Molecular Spectroscopy: Banwell (a must read)

4. Concepts of Modern Physics: Arthur Beiser

5. Problems in General Physics: I. E. Irodov

6. Schaum's Outline of Modern Physics

v Raj Kumar and Banwell both are good for Atomic and Molecular Physics and are must read.

v Do read the chapter of Atomic Physics from Resnick and Eisberg

v There is one good chapter on Atomic Physics in Beiser so read that….

v Do solve all the end of the chapter problems of Banwell…many of them were asked in previous examinations

v Prepare the Stern Gerlarch Experiment from Resnick and Eisberg

v Electron spin : Prepare a good write up from Resnick and Eisberg

v Laser Raman Spectroscopy: do not waste your time on searching this topic as hardly any material is available on internet.

v Prepare good derivation for fine structure of Hydrogen Atom, by combining the concepts of Eisberg and also from Quantum Mechanics’ Griffiths

v Prepare the experimental set up for Zeeman Effect

v Elementary theory and applications of NMR can be read from Nuclear Physics book by S.B.Patel

v Some good problems of Atomic Physics are mentioned in Irodov so do solve them

v Prepare the role of 21cm line in Astronomy…do not waste much time on finding the role of molecular hydrogen and molecular hydrogen ion in astronomy…hardly any material is available on internet also….

v Do solve some of the examples from Schaum's Outline of Modern Physics

v Do Solve previously asked questions of Molecular Physics as many of them are repeatedly asked. In fact it would be good if one prepare model answers of these questions. This helps a lot during the exam in compressing the answers in the given marks format.

3. Nuclear and Particle Physics:

Basic nuclear properties-size, binding energy, angular momentum, parity, magnetic moment; Semi-empirical mass formula and applications, mass parabolas; Ground state of deuteron, magnetic moment and non-central forces; Meson theory of nuclear forces; Salient features of nuclear forces; Shell model of the nucleus - successes and limitations; Violation of parity in beta decay; Gamma decay and internal conversion; Elementary ideas about Mossbauer spectroscopy; Q-value of nuclear reactions; Nuclear fission and fusion, energy production in stars; Nuclear reactors. Classification of elementary particles and their interactions; Conservation laws; Quark structure of hadrons; Field quanta of electroweak and strong interactions; Elementary ideas about unification of forces; Physics of neutrinos.

Reference Books: In nuclear physics no book covers the whole syllabus so one will have to refer all the books that I have mentioned….although I have tried to cover almost everything in my hand written notes…so u can read from there…

1. Nuclear Physics by S.B.Patel

2. Nuclear Physics by D.C.Tayal

3. Nuclear Physics by S.N.Ghoshal

4. Nuclear Physics by Pandya & Yadav

5. Concepts of Modern Physics: Arther Beiser

6. Quantum Physics of Atoms, Molecules, Solids, Nuclei, and Particles : Resnick and Eisberg

7. UGC Net Guide on Physics

Note: To start with read all the chapters related to Nuclear Physics from both Arthur Beiser and Resnick & Eisberg...S.N.Ghoshal is one of the best book for Nuclear Physics

v Nuclear Size: Prepare the concept of nuclear size and also the experiments to judge nuclear size. Do it from S.B.Patel, S.N.Ghoshal.

v Binding Energy: do it from all the books as it has a lot of concepts like binding fraction, properties of binding energy curve

v Parity : mainly the concept of parity is to be prepared

v Magnetic Moment : basically the concept of magnetic moment is to prepared from Resnick & Eisberg and also from D.C.Tayal & S.N.Ghoshal….also prepare the measurement of the magnetic moment of neutron from S.B.Patel

v Semi-empirical mass formula and applications, Mass Parabolas: Prepare the derivation of Semi-mass formula from Beiser and also from S.N.Ghoshal….Prepare the application of Semi-mass formula (like the use of Semi-mass formula for Alpha-decay, Mass Parabola,

β-disintegration of mirror nuclei) from D.C.Tayal and S.N.Ghoshal….

v Ground state of deuteron, magnetic moment and non-central forces: Prepare the properties of the deuteron from D.C.Tayal…and prepare the derivation that deuteron has one state, from S.N.Ghoshal and from S.B.Patel…see IAS 3003 & IFS 2007 question on this topic

v Meson Theory of Nuclear Forces: prepare it from S.B.Patel

v Nuclear Forces: prepare it from S.N.Ghoshal and from D.C.Tayal (prepare a 20 marker on this topic)

v Shell Model of the Nucleus: Prepare the Shell model theory from Resnick & Eisberg...for other topics please refer to S.H.Ghoshal, Pandya & Yadav and D.C.Tayal....Do solve IFS 2008 question asked on this topic....it is important that we should not leave any sub-topic in this topic list...

v Violation of parity in beta decay: Prepare IAS 2005 question on this topic....read the beta-decay from Resnick & Eisberg and also prepare it from D.C.Tayal and also from S.N.Ghoshal....properties of beta decay spectrum can be read from D.C.Tayal.... Selection Rules for beta decay from page-155 of Ghoshal....prepare Fermi theory of beta decay and also Kurie plot....A 20 marker may be asked on explaining the functioning of beta ray Spectrometer so prepare that....Riens & Kowans experiment to detect neutrino can be prepared from S.B.Patel

v Gamma decay and internal conversion: Prepare it from S.B.Patel, selection rules for Gamma decay, method to estimate energy of gamma decay, processes by which gamma ray loses its energy (CSE 2006 question) from Arthur Beiser…. Prepare internal conversion & experimental determination of internal conversion coefficient from S.B.Patel and D.C.Tayal….

v Mossbauer Spectroscopy: prepare it from S.N.Ghoshal, S.B.Patel, Resnick & Eisberg and D.C.Tayal….prepare theory of Mossbauer Spectroscopy and also its application in detail….all the previous year questions of CSE and IFS on this topic must be solved…..

v Prepare Q-value of Nuclear Reactions from S.B.Patel and Arthur Beiser…prepare problems on Q-value from all the books so that different kinds of problems are covered.

v Nuclear fission should be prepared from S.N.Ghoshal, D.C.Tayal and S.B.Patel…Prepare Bohr-Wheeler Theory of Nuclear Fission from Pandya and Yadav…Prepare the Quantum effects in nuclear fission from D.C.Tayal

v Energy production in stars: read it from Beiser and also from Resnick & Eisberg...

v Prepare Nuclear Reactors from Pandya and Yadav, D.C.Tayal and S.N.Ghoshal....Prepare IFS 2011 question on this topic....very few questions have been asked from this topic so it is still not clear what is the syllabus of this topic...so prepare what u think to be sufficient

v Classification of Elementary Particles: it is one the most frequently asked question from particle physics so prepare it from Beiser, Resnick & Eisberg and Pandya & Yadav

v For other topics of Particle physics refer Beiser, Resnick & Eisberg, D.C.Tayal, Pandya & Yadav etc....some of concepts regarding Grand Unified Theory is covered well in S.N.Ghoshal

v Do all the end of the Particle Physics chapter questions from D.C.Tayal, Pandya & Yadav, Beiser, Resnick & Eisberg, Modern Physics Schaum Series

v Do all the previously asked questions of IFS and IAS on Particle Physics...

v Prepare three generation of leptons and quarks and their importance from Beiser

v Physics of neutrinos: prepare it from S.B.Patel, S.N.Ghoshal, Resnick & Eisberg

4. Solid State Physics, Devices and Electronics:

Crystalline and amorphous structure of matter; Different crystal systems, space groups; Methods of determination of crystal structure; X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopes; Band theory of solids - conductors, insulators and semiconductors; Thermal properties of solids, specific heat, Debye theory; Magnetism: dia, para and ferromagnetism; Elements of superconductivity, Meissner effect, Josephson junctions and applications; Elementary ideas about high temperature superconductivity. Intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors; p-n-p and n-p-n transistors; Amplifiers and oscillators; Op-amps; FET, JFET and MOSFET; Digital electronics-Boolean identities,De Morgan’s laws, logic gates and truth tables; Simple logic circuits; Thermistors, solar cells; Fundamentals of microprocessors and digital computers.

Reference Books:

1. Solid State Physics: - A J Dekker

2. Solid State Physics: - S.O.Pillai

3. Introduction to Solid State Physics (8^th Ed): - Kittel Charles (main book)

4. Solid State Physics: - W Neil Ashcroft, David N. Mermin

5. Solid State Physics: - R K Puri and V K Babbar (main book)

6. Solid State Physics: - Satya Prakash

7. Concepts of Modern Physics: Arther Beiser

8. Quantum Physics of Atoms, Molecules, Solids, Nuclei, and Particles : Resnick and Eisberg

9. UGC Net Guide on Physics

v Crystalline and amorphous structure of matter; Different crystal systems, space groups; Methods of determination of crystal structure, X-ray diffraction: Prepare it from Puri and Babbar, Kittel and also from Ashcroft & Mermin

v Scanning and transmission electron microscopes: Prepare it from internet

v Band theory of solids - conductors, insulators and semiconductors: Prepare it from Puri & Babbar, Beiser, Kittel....Prepare one dimensional motion of electron from Resnick & Eisberg

v Thermal properties of solids, specific heat, Debye theory: Prepare it from Puri & Babbar, S.O.Pillai

v Magnetism: dia, para and ferromagnetism: Prepare it from Puri & Babbar and also from S.O.Pillai, Kittel

v Elements of superconductivity, Meissner effect, Josephson junctions and applications; Elementary ideas about high temperature superconductivity : Prepare it from Kittel, S.O.Pillai and also from Puri & Babbar...do prepare all the derivations of Josephson junction, Meissner Effect, SQUID etc from Kittel...Prepare answer to 2007 question of IFS on Cuprates & fullerenes....

v Electronics: i did not prepare much this portion except some digital electronics, intrinsic and Extrinsic Electronics...so it is ur choice to prepare it thoroughly.....