The Physics optional paper consists of two papers: Paper I and Paper II. Below is the detailed syllabus for both papers:
Paper I:
- Mechanics:
- Newton’s laws of motion.
- Conservation of linear and angular momentum.
- The equation of motion in a rotating frame.
- Centrifugal and Coriolis forces.
- Motion under a central force.
- Kepler’s laws.
- Collisions (elastic and inelastic).
- Rigid body dynamics.
- Waves and Optics:
- Simple harmonic motion.
- Damped and forced oscillations.
- Resonance.
- Wave equation.
- Speed of wave propagation.
- Reflection and Refraction.
- Interference and Diffraction.
- Polarization.
- Doppler effect.
- Fermat’s principle.
- Matrix methods in paraxial optics.
- Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics:
- Laws of thermodynamics.
- Thermodynamic processes.
- Entropy and its physical significance.
- Zeroth, First, and Second law of thermodynamics.
- Maxwell’s relations.
- Ideal and real gases.
- Kinetic theory of gases.
- Concept of ensembles.
- Micro and macrostates.
- Maxwell–Boltzmann, Fermi-Dirac, and Bose-Einstein statistics.
- Partition functions.
- Electricity and Magnetism:
- Coulomb’s law.
- Gauss’s law.
- Electric field and potential.
- Biot–Savart law.
- Ampere’s law.
- Faraday’s laws of electromagnetic induction.
- Maxwell’s equations.
- Poynting vector.
- Electric and magnetic fields in matter.
- Lorentz force.
- LCR circuits.
- Transformations of E and B.
Paper II:
- Quantum Mechanics:
- Wave-particle duality.
- Schrödinger equation and its solutions.
- Uncertainty principle.
- Operators and eigenvalue problems.
- Expectation values.
- Quantum mechanics of angular momentum.
- Spin and addition of angular momentum.
- Variational principle.
- Time-independent perturbation theory.
- Hydrogen atom.
- Atomic and Molecular Physics:
- Stern–Gerlach experiment.
- Electronic configuration of atoms.
- Spectroscopic terms.
- Pauli exclusion principle.
- Zeeman and Stark effects.
- Raman effect.
- Rotational and vibrational spectra of diatomic molecules.
- Electronic transition in diatomic molecules.
- Frank–Condon principle.
- Lasers.
- Nuclear Physics:
- Nuclear properties.
- Mass and binding energy.
- Nuclear models.
- Nuclear reactions.
- Fission and fusion.
- Radiation detectors.
- Detectors of charged particles.
- Interaction of radiation with matter.
- Mossbauer effect.
- Solid State Physics, Devices, and Electronics:
- Crystal structure.
- Bravais lattices.
- X-ray diffraction.
- Reciprocal lattice.
- Phonons.
- Free electron theory of metals.
- Band theory of solids.
- Dielectric and ferroelectric materials.
- Semiconductor devices.
- Junction transistors and integrated circuits.
- Operational amplifiers.
- Digital electronics.
Candidates are advised to go through the UPSC official website or the latest notification for any updates or changes in the syllabus.
