UPSC Physics Optional Syllabus
Paper I: Classical Physics
1. Mechanics & Special Relativity
(a) Mechanics of Particles
- Laws of motion
- Conservation of energy and momentum
- Motion under a central force, Keplers laws
- Gravitational field & potential (Gauss and Poisson equations)
- Two-body problem, Reduced mass
- Rutherford scattering
- Centre of mass and laboratory reference frames
(b) Mechanics of Rigid Bodies
- System of particles, centre of mass
- Angular momentum, equations of motion
- Elastic & inelastic collisions
- Rigid body motion, Eulers theorem, moments of inertia
- Degrees of freedom, precessional motion, gyroscope
(c) Mechanics of Continuous Media
- Elasticity, Hookes law, elastic constants
- Streamline flow, viscosity, Bernoullis equation
- Poiseuilles equation, Stokes' law
(d) Special Relativity
- Michelson-Morley experiment, Lorentz transformations
- Length contraction, time dilation, relativistic velocities
- Mass-energy relation, four-momentum vector
2. Waves and Optics
(a) Waves
- Simple harmonic motion, damped and forced oscillations
- Resonance, beats, stationary waves
- Pulses, wave packets, phase & group velocity
(b) Geometrical Optics
- Reflection & refraction (Fermats principle)
- Paraxial optics, lens formula, nodal planes
- Chromatic & spherical aberrations
3. Electricity and Magnetism
(a) Electrostatics & Magnetostatics
- Laplace & Poisson equations, multipole expansion
- Dipole moment, torque on a dipole
- Boundary value problems, dielectric properties
(b) Current Electricity
- Kirchhoffs laws, Biot-Savart law, Amperes law
- Faradays law, Lenzs law, self & mutual inductance
- AC circuits, resonance, transformers
4. Electromagnetic Waves and Blackbody Radiation
- Maxwells equations, displacement current
- Wave equations, Poynting theorem
- Reflection & refraction at dielectric boundaries
- Fresnel relations, total internal reflection
- Blackbody radiation, Plancks law, Stefan-Boltzmann law
5. Thermal and Statistical Physics
(a) Thermodynamics
- Laws of thermodynamics, entropy, Gibbs phase rule
- Isothermal, adiabatic, and other thermodynamic processes
- Van der Waals equation, Maxwell relations
Paper II: Modern Physics
1. Quantum Mechanics
- Wave-particle duality, Schrodinger equation
- Uncertainty principle, expectation values
- One-dimensional Schrodinger equation solutions
- Hydrogen atom, quantum angular momentum
- Pauli spin matrices
2. Atomic and Molecular Physics
- Stern-Gerlach experiment, electron spin
- Spectroscopic notation, Zeeman effect
- Raman effect, rotational & vibrational spectra
- Fluorescence, phosphorescence, NMR & EPR
3. Nuclear and Particle Physics
(a) Nuclear Physics
- Nuclear properties, binding energy, parity
- Semi-empirical mass formula, mass parabolas
- Nuclear fission & fusion, nuclear reactors
(b) Particle Physics
- Elementary particles & their interactions
- Conservation laws, quark model, neutrinos
4. Solid State Physics, Devices, and Electronics
(a) Solid State Physics
- Crystal structures, X-ray diffraction
- Band theory, superconductivity
(b) Devices & Electronics
- Semiconductors, transistors (p-n-p, n-p-n)
- Logic gates, Boolean algebra
- Microprocessors, digital computers
Conclusion
This structured breakdown provides a clear roadmap for preparation.
Let me know if you need book recommendations, study plans, or tips!
