GATE Syllabus - Physics

Mathematical Physics

Linear vector space, matrices -- vector calculus -- linear differential equations -- elements of complex analysis -- Laplace transforms, Fourier analysis, Elementary ideas about Tensors.

Classical Mechanics

Conservation laws -- central forces -- collisions and scattering in laboratory and centre of mass reference frames -- mechanics of system of particles -- rigid body dynamics -- moment of inertia tensor -- noninertial frames and pseudo forces

-- variational principle -- Lagrange’s and Hamilton’s formalisms -- Equation of motion, cyclic coordinates, Poisson bracket -- periodic motion, small oscillations, normal modes -- wave equation and wave propagation -- special theory of relativity – Lorentz transformations, relativistic kinematics, mass-energy equivalence.

Electromagnetic Theory

Laplace and Poisson equations -- conductors and dielectrics -- boundary value problems -- Ampere’s and Biot-Savart’s laws -- Faraday’s law -- Maxwell’s equations -- scalar and vector potentials -- Coulomb and Lorentz gauges -- boundary conditions at interfaces -- electromagnetic waves -- interference, diffraction and polarization -- radiation from moving charges.

Quantum Mechanics

Physical basis of quantum mechanics -- uncertainty principle -- Schrodinger equation -- one and three dimensional potential problems -- Particle in a box, harmonic oscillator, hydrogen atom -- linear vectors and operators in Hilbert space -- angular momentum and spin -- addition of angular momentum -- time independent perturbation theory -- elementary scattering theory.

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 -- X-ray spectra -- rotational and vibrational spectra of diatomic molecules -- electronic transition in diatomic molecules, Franck-Condon principle -- Raman effect -- NMR and ESR -- lasers.

Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics

Laws of thermodynamics -- microstates, macrostates, phase space -- probability 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, critical point.

Solid State Physics

Elements of crystallography -- diffraction methods for structure determination -- bonding in solids -- elastic properties of solids -- defects in crystals -- lattice vibrations and thermal properties of solids -- free electron theory -- band theory of solids -- metals, semiconductors and insulators -- transport properties -- optical, dielectric and magnetic properties of solids -- elements of superconductivity.

Nuclear and Particle Physics

Rutheford scattering -- basic properties of nuclei -- radioactive decay -- nuclear forces -- two nucleon problem -- nuclear reactions -- conservation laws -- fission and fusion -- nuclear models -- particle accelerators, detectors -- elementary particles -- photons, baryons, mesons and leptons -- Quark model.

Electronics

Network analysis -- semiconductor devices -- bipolar transistors -- FETs -- power supplies, amplifier, oscillators -- operational amplifiers -- elements of digital electronics -- logic circuits.