GATE Exam Syllabus 2022 for Physics

Physics (PH)

GATE Physics Syllabus: The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE), an all India level examination administered and conducted in eight zones across the country by the GATE Committee. Here we bring you the Gate 2022 Exam Syllabus for Physics subject. Check out the GATE Syllabus for Physics and other important aspects of the GATE Exam Physics Syllabus.

Section 1:  Mathematical Physics

Linear vector space: basis, orthogonality and completeness; matrices; vector calculus; linear differential equations; elements of complex analysis: Cauchy- Riemann conditions, Cauchy’s theorems, singularities, residue theorem and applications; Laplace transforms, Fourier analysis; elementary ideas about tensors: covariant and contravariant tensor, Levi-Civita and Christoffel symbols.

Section 2:  Classical Mechanics

D’Alembert’s principle, cyclic coordinates, variational principle, Lagrange’s equation of motion, central force and scattering problems, rigid  body  motion; small oscillations, Hamilton’s formalisms; Poisson bracket; special  theory  of relativity: Lorentz transformations, relativistic kinematics, massenergy equivalence.

Section 3: Electromagnetic Theory

Solutions of electrostatic and magnetostatic problems including boundary value problems; dielectrics and conductors; Maxwell’s equations; scalar and vector potentials; Coulomb and Lorentz gauges; Electromagnetic waves and their reflection, refraction, interference, diffraction and polarization; Poynting vector, Poynting theorem, energy and momentum of electromagnetic waves; radiation from a moving charge.

Section 4: Quantum Mechanics

Postulates of quantum mechanics; uncertainty principle; Schrodinger equation; one-, two- and three-dimensional potential problems; particle in a box, transmission through one dimensional potential barriers, harmonic oscillator, hydrogen atom; linear vectors and operators in Hilbert space; angular momentum and spin;  addition of angular momenta; time independent perturbation theory; elementary scattering theory.

Section 5: Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics

Laws of thermodynamics; macrostates and microstates; phase space; ensembles; partition function, free energy, calculation of thermodynamic quantities; classical and quantum statistics; degenerate Fermi gas; black body radiation and Planck’s distribution law; BoseEinstein condensation; first and second order phase  transitions, phase equilibria, critical point.

Section 6: Atomic and Molecular Physics

Spectra of oneand manyelectron atoms; LS and jj coupling; hyperfine structure; Zeeman and Stark effects; electric dipole transitions and selection rules; rotational and vibrational spectra of diatomic molecules; electronic transition in diatomic molecules, FranckCondon principle; Raman effect;  NMR,  ESR,  X-ray  spectra; lasers: Einstein coefficients, population inversion, two and three level systems.

Section 7: Solid State Physics &  Electronics

Elements of crystallography; diffraction methods for structure determination; bonding in solids; lattice vibrations and thermal properties of solids; free electron theory; band theory of solids: nearly free electron and tight binding models; metals, semiconductors   and insulators;  conductivity, mobility and effective mass;  optical, dielectric and magnetic properties of solids; elements of superconductivity: Type-I and Type II superconductors, Meissner effect, London equation.

Semiconductor devices: diodes, Bipolar Junction Transistors, Field Effect Transistors; operational amplifiers: negative feedback circuits, active filters and oscillators; regulated power supplies; basic digital logic circuits, sequential circuits, flip‐flops, counters, registers, A/D and D/A conversion.

Section 8:  Nuclear and Particle Physics

Nuclear radii and charge distributions, nuclear binding energy, Electric and magnetic moments; nuclear models, liquid drop model: semiempirical mass formula, Fermi gas model of nucleus, nuclear shell model; nuclear force and two nucleon problem; alpha decay, betadecay, electromagnetic transitions in nuclei; Rutherford scattering, nuclear reactions, conservation laws; fission and fusion; particle accelerators and detectors; elementary particles, photons,  baryons, mesons and leptons; quark model.