Physics is a popular subject among students, the 48 optional subjects listed by UPSC for the IAS Exam. Physics for UPSC is a highly specialized subject, ideal for candidates who have studied physics at the graduate level. The Physics syllabus for the UPSC mains examination covers topics such as Thermodynamics, Magnetism, Relativity, Electricity, Quantum Theory, Electromagnetic Waves, Diffraction, and more.
Considered one of the top 10 most challenging subjects in the UPSC exam, many students choose Physics because the syllabus is known to be scoring. The UPSC Physics syllabus includes two papers, Optional Paper I and Paper II, as part of the Mains stage of the IAS Exam, which consists of a total of 9 papers. Below, we discuss the detailed Physics optional syllabus for the Mains exam.
Given the specialized nature of Physics, candidates should adopt a strategic approach while preparing for the UPSC Physics Syllabus 2024 Optional Paper. Aspirants can access the UPSC Physics Syllabus PDF through the provided link for easy reference and preparation.
The Physics optional in UPSC consists of two papers, Paper I and Paper II, each carrying 250 marks, making a total of 500 marks. Below is the detailed syllabus for Physics.
Aspect | Details |
Total Papers | 2 Papers |
Marks per Paper | 250 Marks (each paper) |
Total Marks | 500 Marks |
Impact on Overall Score | A strong performance in Physics can significantly boost the overall score in the UPSC Mains exam |
Opting for Physics as an optional subject in the UPSC Mains exam is most suitable for candidates who possess exceptional proficiency and a genuine passion for the subject. The IAS Physics Optional Subject in UPSC Mains consists of two papers, namely Paper I and Paper II. Candidates can check out the following Paper I and Paper II.
Candidates can check out the Topic-wise UPSC Physics Syllabus for Mains Optional paper I.
1. (a) Mechanics of Particles: Laws of motion; conservation of energy and momentum, applications to rotating frames, centripetal and Coriolis accelerations; Motion under a central force; Conservation of angular momentum, Kepler’s laws; Fields and potentials; Gravitational field and potential due to spherical bodies, Gauss and Poisson equations, gravitational self-energy; Two-body problem; Reduced mass; Rutherford scattering; Centre of mass a laboratory reference frames.
(b) Mechanics of Rigid Bodies: System of particles; Centre of mass, angular momentum, equations of motion; Conservation theorems for energy, momentum and angular momentum; Elastic and inelastic collisions; Rigid body; Degrees of freedom, Euler’s theorem, angular velocity, angular momentum, moments of inertia, theorems of parallel and perpendicular axes, equation of motion for rotation; Molecular rotations (as rigid bodies); Di and tri-atomic molecules; Processional motion; top, gyroscope.
(c) Mechanics of Continuous Media: Elasticity, Hooke’s law and elastic constants of isotropic solids and their inter-relation; Streamline (Laminar) flow, viscosity, Poiseuille’s equation, Bernoulli’s equation, Stokes’ law and applications.
(d) Special Relativity: Michelson-Morley experiment and its implications; Lorentz transformations-length contraction, time dilation, the addition of relativistic velocities, aberration and Doppler effect, mass-energy relation, simple applications to a decay process; Four-dimensional momentum vector; Covariance of equations of physics.
2. Waves and Optics:
3. Electricity and Magnetism:
4. Electromagnetic Waves and Blackbody Radiation: Displacement current and Maxwell’s equations; Wave equations in vacuum, Pointing theorem; Vector and scalar potentials; Electromagnetic field tensor, covariance of Maxwell’s equations; Wave equations in isotropic dielectrics, reflection and refraction at the boundary of two dielectrics; Fresnel’s relations; Total internal reflection; Normal and anomalous dispersion; Rayleigh scattering; Black body radiation and Planck’s radiation law, Stefan – Boltzmann law, Wien’s displacement law and Rayleigh-Jeans’ law.
5. Thermal and Statistical Physics:
Candidates can check out the Topic-wise UPSC Physics Syllabus for Mains Optional paper II. The Physics Optional Paper II includes Quantum Mechanics, Atomic and Molecular Physics, Nuclear and Particle Physics, Solid State Physics, Devices and Electronics.
1. Quantum Mechanics: Wave-particle duality; Schroedinger equation and expectation values; Uncertainty principle; Solutions of the one-dimensional Schroedinger 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.
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.
3. Nuclear and Particle Physics: Basic nuclear properties, 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.
4. Solid State Physics, Devices and Electronics: The crystalline and amorphous structure of matter; Different crystal systems, space groups; Methods of determination of crystal structure; X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microcopies; Band theory of solids – conductors, insulators and semiconductors; Thermal properties of solids, specific heat, Debye theory; Magnetism: para and ferromagnetism; Elements of superconductivity, Meissner effect, Josephson junctions and applications; Elementary ideas about high-temperature superconductivity.
Intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors; pn-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; Thermostats, solar cells; Fundamentals of microprocessors and digital computers.
Candidates who are appearing in the UPSC Physics mains Exam can download the UPSC Physics Syllabus PDF Here. Click on the link below to Download the UPSC Physics Syllabus 2024.
Download PDF: UPSC Physics Optional Syllabus 2024 PDF
Candidates can enhance their preparation by utilizing various resources such as books and newspapers. Online platforms and web portals also offer valuable materials. Additionally, solving previous years question Papers can help build a strong understanding of the topics.
Note that consistency, discipline, and a thorough understanding of concepts are key to success in the UPSC Mains Physics examination. Good luck with your preparation.
Like all the other science optional subjects, UPSC Physics Syllabus includes the topics of bachelor's degree level and is divided into paper 1 and paper 2, each carrying a total of 250 marks.
If you have a solid base in this subject, you must definitely go for this optional as you can score good marks in the two optional papers and up your final tally in the UPSC exam.
Answers are not open to interpretation and hence the possibility of scoring well is high.
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