The Indian Forest Service (IFS) Physics optional syllabus for the UPSC exam is divided into two papers: Paper I and Paper II. Each paper is designed to test a candidate’s understanding and knowledge of physics concepts at an advanced level. Here’s the detailed syllabus:
Paper I
1. Mechanics and General Properties of Matter
- Newton’s laws of motion.
- Motion of a particle in one and two dimensions.
- Laws of conservation of energy, momentum, and angular momentum.
- Dynamics of rigid bodies.
- Elasticity.
- Fluid dynamics.
- Surface tension.
- Viscosity.
2. Oscillations, Waves, and Acoustics
- Simple harmonic motion.
- Damped and forced oscillations.
- Coupled oscillators.
- Wave equation.
- Superposition principle.
- Interference and diffraction.
- Doppler effect.
- Acoustics of buildings.
3. Heat and Thermodynamics
- Laws of thermodynamics.
- Kinetic theory of gases.
- Heat engines.
- Entropy.
- Statistical mechanics.
- Thermodynamic potentials.
- Maxwell’s relations.
4. Electrodynamics
- Electrostatics.
- Gauss’s law.
- Electric potential.
- Poisson and Laplace equations.
- Capacitance and dielectrics.
- Magnetostatics.
- Biot-Savart law.
- Ampere’s law.
- Electromagnetic induction.
- Maxwell’s equations.
- Electromagnetic waves.
- Poynting vector.
5. Optics
- Geometrical optics.
- Wave optics.
- Interference and diffraction.
- Polarization.
- Lasers.
- Fiber optics.
Paper II
1. Quantum Mechanics
- Wave-particle duality.
- Schrödinger equation.
- Uncertainty principle.
- Operators and eigenvalues.
- Quantum states and wave functions.
- Hydrogen atom.
- Spin and angular momentum.
- Perturbation theory.
2. Atomic and Molecular Physics
- Bohr’s theory.
- Quantum numbers.
- Electronic configuration.
- Spectra of hydrogen, helium, and alkali atoms.
- Zeeman effect.
- Raman effect.
- Molecular bonds.
- Rotational and vibrational spectra.
3. Nuclear Physics
- Nuclear structure.
- Radioactivity.
- Nuclear reactions.
- Nuclear fission and fusion.
- Particle accelerators.
- Elementary particles.
4. Solid State Physics and Electronics
- Crystal structure.
- X-ray diffraction.
- Band theory.
- Semiconductors.
- Superconductivity.
- p-n junction.
- Transistors.
- Digital electronics.
- Logic gates.
- Amplifiers.
- Oscillators.
5. Electromagnetic Theory and Modern Optics
- Maxwell’s equations.
- Propagation of electromagnetic waves.
- Waveguides.
- Optical fibers.
- Lasers and their applications.
- Holography.
6. Statistical Mechanics and Solid State Physics
- Statistical ensembles.
- Partition function.
- Specific heat of solids.
- Black body radiation.
- Planck’s radiation law.
- Einstein and Debye theories of specific heat.
This syllabus is designed to cover the fundamental principles and applications of physics. It is essential for candidates to have a strong grasp of undergraduate-level physics concepts to perform well in this optional subject.
