jhCIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION (MAINS)2018

PHYSICS PAPER - I: MECHANICS

TUTORIAL SHEET: 1
Conservation laws

1. What is the recoil energy in electron - volts of mass 10-23 gm after emission of a γ ray of energy of 1
Mev? (1990)

2. Define differential scattering cross-section. Write down the dependence of Rutherford scattering cross-
section  (), on the scattering angle  and sketch this dependence graphically. In the present case the
total scattering cross section  = ∫ () d turns out to be infinite. Comment on this result. (1990)

3. A neutron of energy 1 MeV collides with a stationery helium nucleus and is scattered. Deduce the
momentum of the neutron and of the helium nucleus in their center of mass system. (1990)

4. Define differential scattering cross section for a scattering process. The differential scattering cross-
 
 B  Ki  Kf 
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section for neutrons scattered elastically from a solid is of the form    e Where A& B are
 
constants and Kiand Kf are respectively thewave vectors of the incident and scattered neutron.
 
Determine the total Scattering cross - sections, given Ki  Kf . (1991)

5. Prove that if E and E1 are respectively the neutron energies in the laboratory system, before and after
E1 1  A2  2A Mc
collision with a nucleus of mass number A, then  Where Mc is the cosine of
E 1  A 2
the scattering angle in the center of mass system. (1991)

6. What do you mean by centre of mass of a system of particles? Derive expressions for the instantaneous
position vector and velocity of the centre of mass of such a system of particles(1992)

7. Using Rutherford’s observation that the number of  - particles scattered at angle  and falling on unit
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   
area of the screen varied as cosec   , deduce an expression for the probability of scattering
  2 
between angles & + d . (1992)

8. A rocket of mass 1000 kg. is ready for a vertical take off. The exhaust velocity of its fuel is 4.5 km/s.
Deduce
(a) The minimum rate of fuel ejection so that the rocket weight be just balanced
(b) The velocity acquired in 8 seconds if the fuel ejection rate is 2.50kg/s. (You may neglect the
effect of changing mass of the rocket in the given conditions). (1993)

9. A radioactive nucleus of mass mo amu emits alpha particle with kinetic energy E. If the disintegration
occurs when the nucleus is free, deduce an expression for the energy evolved (ET) during the
disintegration. (1993)
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10. Find the fractional decrease of kinetic energy of a of mass m1 when a head on elastic collision takes
place with another particle of mass m2 initially at rest. In this context show why hydrogen would be best
to be used for slowing down. Actually D2O, not H2O is used. Why? (1993)

11. What is centre of mass? Show that there exists only one centre of mass in a system of particles. Discuss
the usefulness of centre of mass in studying motion of a system of particles.(1994)

12. The distance between the centres of Oxygen and Carbon atoms in a CO molecule is 1.2A0. Determine
the position of the centre of mass of the molecule relative to Carbon. (Assume atomic masses of Carbon
and Oxygen as 12 & 16 respectively). (1995)

13. A particle of mass m, moving with an initial velocity V0 is acted on by a central repulsive inverse square
k
force, F  . Show that the Scattering angle  depends on the impact parameter `b’as
r2
  mv 20
cot   b (1990)
 2 k

14. A particle of mass m1 moving with a velocity V1 undergoes an elastic collision with a particle of mass
m2 at rest, in laboratory - frame. After the collision the first particle moves at a certain angle to the
direction of its initial velocity, and this angle is  in laboratory-frame and  in centre of mass-frame. If
m sin 
the ratio of masses 2 is A, show that & are related as tan   (1996)
m1 cos   A1

15. In the NH3 molecule, the three hydrogen atoms forms an equilateral triangle. The distance between the
centre of this triangle from each hydrogen atom is 0.939 Ao. The nitrogen atom is at the apex of the
pyramid with the three hydrogen atoms forming the base. The distance between the hydrogen nd
nitrogen atoms is 1.014 Ao. Find the position of the centre of mass relative to the nitrogen atom. (1997)

16. How do we infer the law of conservation of linear momentum from Newton’s laws of motion?A
stationery bomb explodes and on explosion, it fragments into three parts. Two of these parts, which are
of equal masses, fly apart perpendicular to each other with a velocity of 60m/s each. The third part has a
mass four times the other two. Find the magnitude and the direction of the velocity of the third part
(1999)
17. Consider the motion of a rocket in a gravitational field and derive an expression for its final velocity
when the fuel burns at a constant rate till it is fully consumed. (1999)

18. The mass of the moon is about 0.13 times the mass of the earth. The distance from the center of the
moon to the center of the earth is 60 times the radius of the earth. Taking the earth‘s radius to be 6378
km, find out the distance of the center of mass of the earth-moon system from the center of the earth.
(2002)

19. Define scattering cross-section. A charged particle of mass m and charge Ze is scattered by another
charged particle of charge Ze at rest. Deduce the expression for the scattering cross-section.(2000)

20. Using the rocket equation and its integral, find the final velocity of a single stage rocket. Given that (a)
the velocity of the escaping gas is 2500 m/s (b) the rate of loss of mass is (m /200)/sec. (where m is the
initial mass and 0.27 m is the final mass . (2002)

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21. Derive the relationship between the impact parameter and the scattering angle for the scattering of an
alpha particle of charge + 2e by a nucleus of charge +Ze.
Calculate the impact parameter for an angle of deflection of 30 if the kinetic energy of the alpha particle
is 6х10-13 joules. (2002)

22. If a single stage rocket fired vertically from rest at the earth’s surface burns its fuel in a time of 30 sec
and their relative velocity νr=3km Sec-1, what must be the mass ratio mo/m for a final velocity is of
8Km/sec?(2004)

23. Considering the scattering of α-particles by the atomic nuclei, find out the Rutherford scattering cross-
section. Explain the physical significance of the final expression. (2005)

24. Derive an equation of motion for a variable mass system. Explain how it is applied in the motion of a
rocket. (2006)

25. Show that moment of mass about center of mass is zero. (2006)

26. A force field is given by


F   2 xy  z 3  iˆ  x 2 ˆj  3 xz 2 kˆ .
Is it a conservative field? If so, what is the scalar potential? (2008)

27. Define a conservative field. Determine if the field given below is conservative in nature:where c is a
constant. volts per meter, where c is a constant. (2012)

28. If the forces acting on a particle are conservative, show that the total energy of the particle which is the
sum of the kinetic and potential energies is conserved. (2013)
29. Prove that as a result of an elastic collision of two particles under non – relativistic regime with equal
masses, the scattering angle will be 90 0 . Illustrate your answer with a vector diagram. (2013)
30. Discuss the problem of scattering of charged particle by a coulomb field. Hence, obtain an expression for
Rutherford scattering cross-section. What is the importance of the above expression? (2014)
31. A charge particle is moving under the influence of a point nucleus. Show that the orbit of the particle is
an ellipse. Find out the time period of the motion. (2014)
32. Write down precisely the conservation theorems for energy, linear momentum and angular momentum
of a particle with their mathematical forms. (2015)
33. Draw a neat diagram to explain the scattering of n incident beam of particles by a centre of force.(2015)

s ds
   
34. Show that the differential scattering cross-section can be expressed as sin  d where s is the
impact parameter and  is the scattering angle. (2015)

35. (i) The distance between the centres of the carbon and oxygen atoms in the carbon monoxide (CO) gas
molecule is 1.130 x 10-10 m. Locate the centre of mass of the molecule relative to the carbon atom.
(ii) Find the centre of mass of a homogeneous semi circular plate of radius a. (2016)

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36. A diatomic molecule can be considered to be made up of two masses m1 and m2 separated by a fixed
distance r .Derive a formula for the distance of centre of mass, C ,from mass m1.Also show that the
moment of inertia about an axis through C and perpendicular to r is µr2, where µ= .(2017)

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 TUTORIAL SHEET : 2
Rotating Frames of Reference

1. Obtain the equation of motion of a particle moving relative to a rotating frame of reference Explain the
term representing Coriolis force in this expression. (2001)

2. For a freely falling body from the height ‘h’ on the surface of the earth in the northern hemisphere with a
latitude ‘θ’, show that the deviation of the body towards east at the final stage is given by 1/3 w
Cosθ(8h3/g)1/2, where w is the angular velocity of the earth and ‘g’ is the acceleration due to gravity.
(2004) 
   
3. Derive the relation V  V 0    r , where V is the velocity of a particle located at r in a fixed frame of
 
reference S and V that observed in frame S rotating with angular velocity  with respect to S but
having the common origin. (2007)

4. Show using the above relation that the equation of Motion of the particle in S gets modified in S giving
rise to various fictitious force. Identify the Coriolis force and describe its effect on the flow of rivers.
(2007)
5. A rigid body is spinning with an angular velocity of 4 radian/sec about an axis parallel to the
direction (4 j – 3k) passing through the point A with OA = (2i + 3j – k) where O is the origin of the
coordinate system. Find the magnitude and direction of the linear velocity of the body at point P with
OP = (4i – 2j +k) . (2012)

6. Suppose that as S’- frame is rotating with respect with respect to a fixed frame having the same origin.
Assume that the angular velocity ω of the S’- frame is given by .
Where t is time and the position vector r of a typical particle at time t as assumed in S’ – frame is given
by Calculate the Coriolis acceleration at t=1 second. (2013)

7. Calculate the horizontal component of the Coriolis force acting on a body of mass 0.1 kg moving north
ward with a horizontal velocity of 100 ms-1 at 30o N latitude on the earth. (2013)

8. Derive the expression for Coriolis force and show that this force is perpendicular to the velocity and to
the axis of rotation. What is the nature of this force? (2016)

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 TUTORIAL SHEET: 3
Gravitation and Central Force Motion

1. Two bodies of masses M 1 and M 2 are placed at a distance d apart. Show that at this position where the

gravitational field due to them is zero, the potential is given by V  

G
d
 
M 1  M 2  2 M 1M 2 (2009)
2. A planet resolves around the sun in an elliptic orbit of eccentricity e. If T is the time period of the planet,
find the time is spent by the planet between the ends of the minor axis close to the sun. (2010)

3. A particle is moving in a central force field

(i) Find the force law (ii) Find (iii) Find the total energy (2012)

4. A particle describes a circular orbit under the influence of an attractive central force directed towards a
point on the circle. Show that the force varies as the inverse fifth power of distance. (2013)

5. The density inside a solid sphere of radius a is given by , where ρo is the density at the surface
and r denotes the distance from the centre. Find the gravitational field due to this sphere at a distance 2a
from its centre. (2014)

6. Draw a neat diagram to explain the scattering of an incident beam of particles by a center of force.
(2015)
7. A body moving in an inverse square attractive field traverses on elliptical orbit with eccentricity e and
period γ. Find the time taken by the body to traverse the half of the orbit that is nearer the center of force.
Explain briefly why a comet spends only 18% of its time on the half its orbit that is nearer the sun.(2016)
8. Expess angular momentum in terms of kinetic , potential and total energy of a satellite of mass m in a
circular orbit of radius r . (2017)

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 TUTORIAL SHEET: 4
RIGID BODY DYNAMICS
1. Write the Euler’s equations for the rotational motion of a right body with one point fixed, under the
action of a torque N. Apply these equations to discuss the rotational motion of a symmetrical top on the
absence of any force other than the reaction at the fixed point.(2003)

2. What do you mean by the moments and products of inertia? Show that the angular momentum vector is
related to the angular velocity components by linear transformation relations? (2004)

3. Derive Euler’s equations of motion for a rigid body rotating about a fixed point under the action of a
torque. When a rigid body is not subjected to any net torque, write down Euler’s equations of motion of
the body with one point fixed. (2006)

4. The angular momentum M of a rigid body comprising of N particles and rotating with angular velocity
  N   
 
 is given by M   mk rk    rk where the origin coincides with the centre of mass. Express the
 k 1
components of M in terms of components of the inertia tensor. Hence, show that the most general free
rotation of a spherical top is a uniform rotation about an axis fixed in space. (2007)

5. Derive an expression for the moment of inertia of a rigid body about any axis. What is an “ellipsoid of
inertia”? Explain clearly what you mean by the terms “principal axes” and “principal moments of
inertia”?Find the moment of inertia of a thin rectangular lamina about an axis passing through the center
of the lamina and perpendicular to its plane. Hence determine the moments of inertia about axes
passing through the midpoints of its both sides and perpendicular to its plane. (2008)

6. Show that for any rigid body consisting of at least three particles not arranged in one straight line,
number of independent degrees of freedom is six.Define Euler’s angles  ,  and  to describe the
configuration of such a rigid body.Consider two frames of reference, one fixed to the body and the other
to the space defined as S   ( x, y , z ) and S = (x, y, z) respectively, Show that the angular momentum
 
  dL   dL    
( L ) of the rigid body in the two frames are related by         L Where  is the angular
 dt  S  dt S 
velocity of rotation. (2009)

7. A uniform solid sphere of radius R having moment of inertia I about its diameter is melted to from a
uniform moment of inertia of the disc about an axis passing through its edge and perpendicular to the
2R
plane is also equal to I. Show that the radius r of the disc is given by r  .(2010)
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8. Show that the kinetic energy and angular momentum of torque free motion of a rigid body is constant.
(2013)
9. If I1 and I be the moments of inertia of a body about an axis passing through an arbitrary origin and about
a parallel axis through the centre of mass respectively, show that I1= MR2+ I, where R is the position
vector of the centre of mass with respect to the arbitrary origin and M is the mass of the body. (2014)

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10. Consider a rigid body rotating about an axis passing through a fixed point in the body with an angular
velocity ω. Determine the kinetic energy of such a rotating body in a coordinate system of principal axis.
If the earth suddenly stops rotating, what will happen to the rotational kinetic energy? Comment in
detail. (2014)

11. A body turns a fixed point. Show that the angle between its angular velocity vector and its angular
momentum vector about a fixed point is always acute. (2014)

12. How does one obtain the angular velocity of the Earth about the North Pole with respect to a fixed star
as 7.292 105 sec1 ? Explain your method of calculating the above value.(2015)

13. Show that the moment of inertia of a circular disc of mass M and radius R about an axis passing
1
through its centre and perpendicular to its plane is MR 2
2 (2015)

14. Four solid spheres A,B,C, and D each of mass m and radius a, are placed with their centres on the four
corners of square of side b as shown in the figure below:

15. Calculate the moment of inertia of the system about one side of the square, Also calculate the moment of
inertia of the system about a diagonal of the square. (2016)
16. Define moment of inertia and explain its physical significance .Calculate the moment of inertia of an
annular ring about an axis passing through its centre and perpendicular to its plane. (2017)

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 TUTORIAL SHEET: 5
Mechanics of Continuous media

1. Show that the Bulk modulus K, Young’s modulus Y and Poisson’s ratio  are connected by the relation
Y
K (2008)
3(1  2 )

2. What do you understand by streamline motion and critical velocity of a viscous liquid through a
1 r r
capillary tube. Capillaries of lengths l , 2 l and are connected in series. Their radii are r, and
2 2 3
respectively. If the streamline flow is maintained and the pressure across the first capillary is P1 , deduce
the pressures across the second and the third capillaries. (2008)

3. Show that the total energy per unit mass of liquid flowing from one point to another without any friction
remains constant throughout the displacement.(2009)

4. When a sphere of radius r falls down a homogeneous viscous fluid of unlimited extent with the terminal
velocity v, the retarding viscous force acting on the sphere depends on the coefficient of viscosity η, the r
and its velocity v. Show how Stokes law was arrived at connecting these quantities from the dimensional
considerations. (2010)

5. Using Poiseuille’s formula, show that the volume of a liquid of viscosity coefficient  passing per
second through a series of two capillary tubes of lengths l1 .and l2 having radii r1 and r2 is obtained as
p
8
Q where p is the effective pressure difference across the series.(2015)
 l1 l2 
 r4  r4 
1 2 

6. Define coefficients of viscosity and kinematic viscosity of a fluid. What are Poise and Stokes? (2015)

7. Write down Poiseuille’s formula and mention its limitations in analyzing the flow of a liquid through a
capillary tube. (2015)

8. Show that the Young’s modulus Y, modulus of rigidity η and Poisson’s ratio σ are related by the
equationY=2η (1+ σ). (2016)

9. A horizontal pipe of non-uniform bore has water flowing through it such that the velocity of flow is 40
cm/s at a point where the pressure is 2 cm of mercury column. What is the pressure at a point where the
velocity of flow is 60 cm/s? (density of water = 1g /c.c.) (2016)
10. State and explain stokes' law . A drop of water of radius 0.01 m is falling through a medium whose
density is 1.21 kg/m3 and ƞ= 1.8x10-5 N-s/m2. find the terminal velocity of the drop of water.(2017)

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11. A ball moving with a speed of 9 m/s strikes an identical stationary ball such that after the collision the
direction of each ball makes an angle 30o with the original line of motion. Find the speed of the balls
after the collision.Is the kinetic energy conserved in this collision?(2017)

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 TUTORIAL SHEET: 6
Special Relativity
1. An observer A sees two events at the same space point (x=y=z=0) and separated by t=10-6s. Another
observer B sees them to be separated by t1=3x10-6s. What is the separation in space of the two events as
observed by B? What is the speed of B relative to A? (2002)

2. An observer S1 sees two bodies A and B having equal rest mass approach each other with equal but
opposite velocity of the body 4c/5. To a second observer S2, the body A is at rest. What is the velocity
of the body B as seen by observer S2? What are the kinetic energies of the body B in the frames of S1
and S2? (2003)

3. How does Doppler effects of light in relativistic physics qualitatively differ from its non-relativistic
analogue? Calculate the Doppler shift in the frequency of a photon traveling along y-axis, with respect
to an observer moving along the x-axis with a constant speed u. (2003)

4. A meson of rest mass π comes to rest and disintegrates to a muon of rest mass μ and a neutrino of zero
   
2
c2
rest mass. Show that the kinetic energy of motion of the muon is T  (2004)
2

5. Write down the expression for the relativistic mass of a particle moving with a velocity ν in terms of
itsrest mass. Establish from the above expression Einstein’s mass energy relation E=mc2. (2004)

6. Show that the length L of an object moving with a velocity v is given in the direction of motion by
L  L0 (1  v 2 / c 2 ) 1/2, Where L0 is the proper length and c is the velocity of light is free space.
What will be the shape of a spherical ball while moving under relativistic regime?

7. Prove that two successive Lorentz transformations are equivalent to another Lorentz transformation.
Hence write down the Einstein’s velocity addition relation. (2006)
8.
The source Ś moves along the x’-axis at a speed v and emits light at an angle θ’ to the x’-axis of its
own frame. In S-frame the emitting angle with the x-axis is θ. Hence x and x’-axis are coincident.
Show that the exact relativistic aberration formula. tan=sin √1 – v2/c2
cos + v/c
can be derived from the velocity transformation relations. (2006)

9. A body of rest mass m0 is moving in the positive y- direction at a velocity of 0. 6 C relative to the
laboratory frame. Calculate the components of the four dimensional momentum vector in the laboratory
frame and in the frame of an observer who is traveling in the positive x  direction at a speed of 0.8 C
relative to the laboratory frame. (2007)

10. State the postulates of the special theory of relativity and based on these obtain Lorentz as well as
inverse Lorentz transformations. Hence, obtain an expression to conclude that a moving clock runs more
slowly than a stationary clock. (2007)

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11. An unstable particle has a lifetime of 5  s in its own frame of reference and is moving towards the
earth at a speed of 0.8 C. What will be the lifetime of the particle to an observer on the earth ? (2007)

12. The length of a moving rod can be defined as the product of its velocity and the time interval between
the instants that both the end points of the rod pass a fixed mark in S system. Show that this definition
leads to the space contraction (2008)

13. A meson of rest mass  comes to rest and disintegrates into a muon of rest mass  and a neutrino of
   
2
c2
zero rest mass. Show that the kinetic energy of motion of the muon is T  (2008)
2

14. Show that a four-dimensional volume element dx dy dz dt is invariant to Lorentz transformation.(2009)

15. Obtain the relativistic equation for aberration of light using velocity transformation equations.(2009)

16. What is the significance of the null result of Michelson-Morley experiment? Does it disprove the
existence of ether? Justify. (2010)

17. A particle of rest mass M = 4 x 10-27kg, disintegrates into two particles of rest masses M1= 3 x 10-27kg
and M2 = 1 x 10-27kg. Show that the energies E1and E2of these two parts after disintegration satisfy the
condition E1= 3 E2while moving in opposite direction with equal linear momenta, Give necessary
mathematical derivation. (2013)

18. Show that the operator is invariant under Lorentz transformations.(2013)

19. Show that a particle of rest mass total energy E and linear momentumpsatisfies the relation

Where c is the velocity of light in free space. (2013)

20. Derive the relativistic length contraction using Lorentz transformation. (2013)

21. Prove mathematically that the addition of any velocity of a particle to the velocity of light in free space
merely reproduces the velocity of light in free space only.(2015)

22. Show that the rest mass energy of an electron is 0.51 MeV .(use the standard values of the physical
parameters).(2015)

23. Calculate the percentage contraction in the length of a rod in a frame of reference, moving with velocity
0.8c in a direction (i) parallel to its length and (ii) at an angle of 30owith its length. What is the
orientation of the rod in the moving frame of reference in case (ii)? (2016)

24. Given proton for which β = 0.995 measured in the laboratory. What are the corresponding relativistic
energy and momentum? Take, mp=1.67 x 10-24g. (2016)

25. Describe Michelson-Morley experiment and show how the negative results obtained from this
experiment were interpreted.(2017)

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26. Prove that χ2+ y2 +z2 = c2t2 is invariant under lorentz transformation.(2017)

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 WAVES & OPTICS

TUTORIAL SHEET: 7A
Damped and Forced Oscillations

1. Calculate the rate of energy dissipation by a damped harmonic oscillator, in the weak damping limit
With wo>1, so that 0. Symbols have their usual meanings. (1988)

2. Write down the differential equation for a damped simple harmonic oscillator. Solve it and discuss the
characteristics of dead - beat motion.(1990)

3. Give a mathematical analysis of forced vibration and hence explain the phenomenon of amplitude
resonance.(1992)

4. Show that for forced oscillations amplitude resonance and energy resonance do not occur at the same
frequency.(1995)

5. Write the equation of motion for an oscillator driven by a simple harmonically varying force. Obtain the
condition for maximum energy transfer to the oscillator.(1996)

6. The amplitude of a damped Oscillator of frequency 300 Hz reduces to one - tenth of its initial amplitude
after 3000 Oscillations. Calculate the damping constant and the time in which its energy will reduce to
one - tenth of its initial energy.(1997)

7. What are damped oscillations? Obtain the differential equation for damped oscillations and write its
possible solution. Explain, with corresponding sketches, when there can be very heavy damping, critical
damping and weak damping.(1999)

8. An ideal massless spring of force constant k has a mass m attached to one of its ends, the other end being
fixed to a rigid support. The spring is horizontal and the mass moves on a horizontal floor. Velocity v
acts on the mass. Assuming the damping to be light, obtain the frequency of oscillation.When m= 0.1 kg
and k=10 n/m, it is found that the frequency of oscillation is v1/2 times the frequency in the absence of
damping. Calculate the value of constant b. (2003)

9. Write down the equation of motion for a damped harmonic oscillator assuming the damping force
proportional to the velocity of the particle. Obtain the general solution for its displacement as a
functionof time. Discuss the cases of over damping, under damping and critical damping.(2004)

10. In the steady state forced vibration a point particle of mass ‘m’ moves underthe influence of an external
force (F sin pt) iˆ in addition to the restoring force – (kx) iˆ and damping force – (βx ) iˆ . Show that (i) the
amplitude is maximum when p = √ω2 – 2b2 , where k/m = ω2 and (ii) the value of the maximum amplitude.

What do you mean by the sharpness of resonance. (2006)

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 TUTORIAL SHEET: 7B
Beats, Stationary waves, Phase & Group velocity, Huygen ‘s Principle
1
 2 g  2
1. The phase velocity of surface waves of wave length  is Vp     where T is the surface
  2 
tension and  the density of the liquid and g is acceleration due to gravity. Find the group velocityand
express it in terms of the phase velocity. For which wavelength is the phase velocity a minimum?(1991)

2. Explain the laws of refraction of light on the basis of Huygens principle. (1991)

3. The refractive indices of a material of wavelengths 5090 Ao, 5340 Ao and 5890 Ao are equal to 1.647,
1.640 and 1.630 respectively. Estimate the phase and group velocities of light near  = 5340 A0.(1993)

4. Distinguish between phase velocity and group velocity. Calling group velocity Vg and phase
  dn 
velocity V p in a medium of refractive index n, establish the relation Vg  Vp 1   where  refers to
 n d 
the wavelength of the related light in vacuum. (1994)

5. Certain string has a linear mass density of 0.25 kg/m and stretched with a tension of 25 N. One end
isgiven a sinusoidal motion, its frequency 5 Hzand amplitude 0.01 metre. If at t-0, the end has zero
displacements and is moving along the positive y direction, derive the wave speed, the wave length and
the wave equation of the wave in the string. (2001)

6. The phase velocity in a material is √ g/k where k is the propogation constant. Prove that the group
velocity will be half of the phase velocity. (2001)

7. A wave is represented by Ψ1=10 cos (5x+25t). Find wave length λ, velocity ν, frequency ƒ and the
direction of propogation. If it interferes with another wave given by Ψ2 = 20 cos (5x+25t+π/3), find the
amplitude and the phase of the resultant wave (2002)

8. The phase velocity of the surface wave in a liquid of surface tension T and density ρ is given by λ
1
 2 g  2
is Vp     Find out the group velocity Vg of the surface wave. (2002)
  2 
9. Two transverse harmonic waves, each of amplitude 5mm, wave length 1 mand speed 3m/s are traveling
in oppositedirections along a stretched string fixed at both ends. Obtain an expression for the
standingwave produced. Locate the positions of nodes and antinodes.(2003)

10. A siren of frequency 900 Hz is going towards a wall away from an observer at a speed of 10 m/sec.
determine
i. Frequency of sound directly heard from the siron.
ii. Frequency of sound reflected from the wall.
iii. Number of beats per second heard by the observer. (velocity of sound = 330 m/sec).(2004)

11. For a transverse sinusoidal wave of wavelength λ propagating along negative x direction through a string
fixed at a point, show that the nodes are located at x =0, λ/2, λ, 3λ/2, … while the kinetic energy/unit
15
 length at the antinodes is given by E = 2ρA2 ω2 cos2 ωtWhere ρ, A and ω are the mass density/unit
length, amplitude of transverse displacement and angular frequency of the wave, respectively.(2005)

12. Establish the relationship between the phase velocity V p and the group velocity Vg of waves. Under
physical conditions Vg  V p , and Vg  V p can be possible? (2007)

13. For stationary waves on a string whose ends are fixed, show that the energy density is maximum at
antinodes and minimum at nodes. (2009)

14. In the propagation of longitudinal waves in a fluid contained in an infinitely long tube of cross-section
  
A, show that   0  1   Where ,  0 =equilibrium density  = density of the fluid in the disturbed
 x 
   
state = volume strain   1  (2010)
x  x 

15. The dispersion relation for deep water waves is given by = gk + a where g and are constants.
Obtain expressions for phase velocity and group velocity in terms of the wavelength and k represent
the angular frequency and wave number respectively. (2013)

16. Show that the group velocity is equal to particle velocity. Also prove that the group velocity of
thephotons is equal to c, the velocity of light.
(2014)

17. Find out the phase and group velocities of a radio wave of frequency   2 p in the ionosphere (as a
P2
dielectric medium) of refractive index n  1  2 Here, P is the ionospheric plasma frequency.(2015)


18. The equation of a progressive wave moving on a string is y = 5 Sin π (0.01 x-2t). In this equation y and
x are in centimetres and t is in seconds. Calculate amplitude, frequency and velocity of the wave. If two
particles at any instant are situated 200 cm apart, what will be the phase difference between these
particles? (2016)
19. Explain with proper example the interferences due to 'division of wavefront ' and 'division of
amplitude'.(2017)
20. Find the velocity of sound in a gas in which two waves of wavelengths 1.00m and 1.01m produce 10
beats in 3 seconds. (2017)

16
 TUTORIAL SHEET: 8
Geometrical Optics
1. A ray of light starts from point A and after reflection from the inner surface of sphere reaches to
diametrically opposite point B. Calculate the length of a hypothetical path APB and using Fermat’s
principal, find the actual path of length. Is the path minimum? (Ans. 2 times dia, No)

2. In figure, P is a point source of light. If the distance of P from the center O of the spherical reflecting
Surface is 0.8r and if the light ray starting from P and after being reflected at reaches at point Q, Show
by Fermat’s principle; Cosθ/2=3/4.

3. Consider a lens of thickness 1cm, made of a material of refractive index 1.5, placed in air
(refractiveindex of air=1). Let the radii of curvatures of the two surface be +4cm and –4cm (negative
signcorresponds to a concave surface). Obtain the system matrix and determine the focal length and
theposition of unit points and nodal points.

4. Consider a system of two thin lenses as shown in figure For a 1cm tall object at a distance of 40cm
from the convex lens, calculate the position and size of the image. Ans.: ν=-14.5cm, 1/2.2cm>

5. Consider a sphere of radius 20cm of μ=1.6. Find the position of paraxial focal point F.

6. An achromatic doublet of focal length 20cm is to be made by placing a convex lens of borosilicate
crown glass in contact with a diverging lens of dense flint glass. Assuming nr = 1.51462, nb= 1.52264,
nr1 =1.61216, nb1 =1.62901, calculate the focal length of each lens; here the unprimed and primed
quantities refer to crown and flint glass respectively.Ans. F=8.61cm, f1= -15.1cm

7. A lens with spherical surfaces and aperture of diameter 6cm shows spherical aberration of 1.8 cm. If
the central portion of diameter 2cm alone is used, deduce the aberration.(Ans.: 0.2cm).

8. The spherical aberration of a lens is given by x = h2/f Φ is a constant. Compare the aberration in the
following three cases:
(i)When central zone h=0 to 5 mm is used.
(ii)When peripheral zone h=10 mm to 12mm is used.
(iii)When the whole lens h=0 to 12mm is used. (Ans. 25:44:144)

9. State Fermat’s principle. Apply it to get the laws of reflection from a plane surface. (2002)

10. Two thin convex lenses of focal length 0.2m and 0.1m are located 0.1m apart on the axis of symmetry.
An object of height 0.01m is placed at a distance of 0.2m from the first lens. Find by the
matrixmethod, the position and the height of image. (2003)

11. Show that the ratio of the focal length of the two lenses in an achromatic doublet is given by f1/f2= -
w1/w2, where w1 and w2 are the dispersive powers of the lenses of focal length f1 and f2 respectively.

12. A thin converging lens and a thin diverging lens are placed coaxially at a distance of 5cm. If the focal
Length of each lens is 10cm, find for the combination (i) the focal length (ii) the power (iii) the
position of the principal point. (2004)

17
13. What do you understand by paraxial rays? Show that the effect of translation of a paraxial ray while
travelling along a homogeneous medium is represented by a 2 ×2 matrix if the ray is initially defined by
a 2×1 matrix.(2005)

14. Derive Snell’s law of refraction index related to the velocity of light? Light of wavelength 600
nanometer (invacuum) enters a glass slab of refractive index 1.5. What are the values of wavelength,
frequency and velocity of light in glass? [Velocity of light in vacuum = 3x108 ms-1] (2006)

15. Derive the condition for achromatism of two thin lenses separated by a finite distance and made up of
same material. (2009)

16. Show that two convex lenses of the same material kept separated by a distance α which is equal to the
1
average of two focal lengths, may be used as an achromat, that is,   ( f1  f 2 ). (2010)
2
17. Using matrix method, find out the equivalent focal length for a combination of two thin lenses of focal
lengths f and f separated by a distance a.(2015)

18. Obtain the system matrix for a thin lens placed in air and made of material of refractive index 1.5 having
radius of curvature 50 cm each . Also find its focal length.(2017)

18
 TUTORIAL SHEET: 9
Interference
1. A soap-film of refractive index 1.33 is illuminated with light of different wave lengths at an angle of 45o.
There is complete destructive interference for  = 5890 Ao. Find the thickness of the film. (1991)

2. An interference pattern is obtained by using two coherent sources of light, and the intensity variation is
observed to be  10% of the average intensity. Determine the relative intensities of the interfering
sources. (1993)

3. Show that the interference fringes in uncoated thin films are distinct when seen in reflection, but very
indistinct in transmission. (1994)

4. In a biprism experiments the fringe-width with light of wavelength  = 5900 Ao is 0.43 mm. On
introducing a mica sheet in the path of one of the interfering rays the central fringe shifts by 1.89mm. If
refractive index of mica is 1.59, calculate the thickness of the sheet. (1995)

5. Show that the interference obtained in young’s twoslit experiment are hyperbolic in shape. Under what
conditions these are expected to appear straight? (1996)

6. Why does a Soap film appear coloured when it is viewed by reflected white light? A thin film is
illuminated by sodium light of wavelength 5900 Ao. Its refractive index is 1.42. Calculate its minimum
thickness so that it appears dark in reflected light. (1997)

7. What are the essential conditions for observing the interference of light? Two Coherent sources with
intensity ratio 4:1 interfere. Find Imax/Imin. ? (1999)

8. Why an extended source is necessary to see colours in a Soap-film? Non-reflecting surfaces are made
by coating very thin films of a transparent material. Find the maximum thickness of such thin coatings
given that  = 5.5  10-5cm and  = 5/4. (1999)

9. Explain in detail how one can obtain fringes with the Michelson Interferometer using incandescent
lamps. (2000)

10. Monochromatic light from a distance source of wavelength λ falls on a double slit. A glass plate of
thickness t is inserted between one slit and the screen. Calculate the intensity at a central point as the
function of thickness t’. (2001)

11. In a experiment using a Michelson interferometer, explain with the help of suitable ray diagrams:
(i) Why do we need extended sources of light,
(ii) Why do we get circular fringes, and
(iii) Shifting of fringes inwards or outwards as we shift the movable mirror. (2002)

12. Two microscope slides of length 10cm each form a wedge. At one end they are in contact and at the
other end they are separated by a thin wire of diameter d. (see the diagram below). Interference fringes
are obtained when illuminated vertically by a monochromatic light of λ =500 nanometers. The fringe
spacing is found to be 1.25 mm. Estimate the diameter of the wire. (2004)

13. Explain the working of Michelson interferometer using appropriate optical diagram. Also draw paths of
the rays. (2006)
19
14. Obtain the relation to find radii of the rings and the wavelength of light in Newton’s circular ring.
Calculate the radius of curvature of the convex glass surface where diameter of 5th and 15th bright rings
formed by sodium yellow light are measured to be 2.303 mm and 4.134 mm. Given μ=1.5 and yellow
=5282A0 . (2006)

15. Describe the working of a Fabry – Perot interferometer. Determine the intensity of the fringes of the
transmitted light. Why the fringes obtained in the Fabry – Perot interferometer are comparatively sharper
than those obtained from the Michelson interferometer? (2007)

  
16. Let the two waves with parallel electric fields be given by E1  2Cos  k 1.  t   kV / m,
 3
  
E2  5Cos  k 2 .  t   kV / m .Find the intensity of each beam l1 , l2 and also the interference term l12 at a
 4
 l l 
point where their path difference is zero. Calculate the visibility V   max min  for the interference
 lmax  lmin 
pattern. 0  8.85  10 12 C 2 / Nm 2 ,  0  4  107 N / A2  (2008)

17. Let EA  E1 sin t and EB  E2 sin(t ) By using analytical method, obtain an expression to explain
interference. Also show that intensity varies along the screen in accordance with the law of cosine square
in interference pattern(2009)

18. Explain the phenomenon of interference in thin films. Why is the contrast better in brightness off fringes
obtained from the interference of reflected light rays compared to the transmitted light rays?(2009)

19. Describe Michelson interferometer for evaluation of coherence length of an optical beam. Calculate
coherence length of a light beam of wavelength 600 nm with spectral width of 0.01 nm.(2010)

20. Show that two light beams polarized in perpendicular directions will not interfere. (2010)

21. An optical beam of spectral width 7·5 GHz at wavelength λ=600 nm is incident normally on Fabry-Perot
etalon of thickness 100 mm. Taking refractive index unity find the number of axial modes which can be
supported by the etalon.(2010)

22. In a Young double slit experiment, the first bright maximum is displaced by y = 2 cm from the central
maximum. If the spacing between slits and distance from the screen are 0.1 mm and 1 m respectively,
find the wavelength of light. (2013)

23. Obtain the conditions for constructive interference and destructive interference in a thin film due to
reflected light. (2016)

24. In Michelson interferometer, 100 fringes cross the field of view when the movable mirror is displace
through 0.029 mm. Calculate the wavelength of the light source used. (2016)

25. What is multiple-beam interference? Discuss the advantages of multiple-beam interferometry over two-
beam interferometry . Explain the fringes formed by fabry - Perot interferometer.(2017)

20
26. A plane - polarized light passes through a double - refracting crystal of thickness 40µm and emerges out
as circularly polarized . If the birefringence of the crystal is 0.00004, then find the wavelength of the
incident light. (2017)

21
 TUTORIAL SHEET: 10
Diffraction
1. The diameter of the central zone of a zone-plate is 2.3 mm. If a point source of light( = 589.3
manometer) is placed at a distance of 6 metres from it, calculate the position of the first image. (1988)

2. In double - slit Fraunhofer diffraction; calculate the fringe spacing on a screen 50 cm away from the
slits. If they are illuminated with blue light  = 4800 Ao, slits separation d = 0.10 mm,and
slit - width a = 0.020mm. What is the linear distance from the central maximum of the first minimum of
the fringe - envelope? (1989)

3. A single slit of width 0.14mm is illuminated normally by monochromatic light and diffraction bands are
observed on a screen 2m away. If the centre of the second dark band is 1.6cm from the middle of the
central bright band, deduce the wavelength of light. (1990)

4. Show schematically the intensity distribution for a 2-slit Fraunhofer diffraction-interference, if slit-
widths are 2 each and centres of slits have separation 6. Assume incident light falling normally, and
limit the discussion to the central diffraction band range. (1990)

5. Distinguish between Fresnel and Fraunhofer classes of diffraction of light. Discuss the theory of plane
grating and hence find an expression for the angular dispersion of a plane-grating. (1992)

6. What is Fraunhofer diffraction? Under what conditions may it be observed? Find an expression for the
intensity distribution in double slit Fraunhofer diffraction, taking the result for diffraction at a single slit
as given. (1993)

7. Obtain the intensity pattern due to Fraunhofer diffraction at two parallel slits. Each slit has a width ‘a’
and the separation between the slits is ‘d’. How many interference fringes will appear in the central
diffraction maxima if d = 4a? (1995)

8. Give the concept of Fresnel’s half period zones. Describe the salient features of Fresnel’s diffraction
pattern due to a straight edge, showing the intensity distribution. How are these features explained?
(1997)
9. Differentiate between Fresnel and Faunhoffer diffractions. How can one explain the Fresnel diffraction
pattern due to a straight edge? (1999)

10. Discuss the Fresnel diffraction pattern formed by a straight edge using the Cornu’s spiral. (2002)

11. Obtain an expression for the intensity of light in the Fraunhofer diffraction pattern due to a circular
aperture. What is Airy pattern? Explain with a neat diagram. (2003)

12. A narrow slit illuminated by monochromatic light of λ=6400Å is placed at a distance of 3 metres from a
straight edge and the screen is 6 metres, Calculate the distance between the first and the fourth dark
bands. (2004)

13. What are the essential differences between interference and diffraction of light? How can you achieve
Fraunhofer diffraction in the laboratory? Usingthe concept of Fraunhofer diffraction at a single slit, find
out the intensity distribution produced by two slits of equal width. (2005)

22
14. The radius of the first zone in a zone plate is 2mm. What will be the position of the first image of a point
source of light of wavelength   500 nm placed at a distance of 5 m from the zone plate? (2007)

15. Obtain the expression for the primary focal length of Fresnel zone plate.(2010)

16. A parallel beam of light from a He – Ne laser (λ = 630 nm) is made to fall on a narrow slit of width
0.2 x 10-3 m. The Fraunhofer diffraction pattern is observed on a screen placed in the focal plane of a
convex lens of focal length 0.3m. Calculate the distance between the (i) First two minima and (ii) first
two maxima on the screen. (2013)

17. A convex lens of focal length 20 cm is placed after a slit of width 0.5 mm . If a plane wave of
0
wavelength 5000 A falls normally on the slit, calculate the separation between the second minima on
either side of the central maximum. (2015)
18. Show that the areas of all the half-period zones are nearly the same. Find the radius of 1st half-period
zone in a zone plate whose focal length is 50 cm and the wavelength of the incident light is 500 nm.
(2017)

23
 TUTORIAL SHEET :11
Resolving Power of Instruments
1. Derive the expression for resolving of power of a diffraction grating with N lines. Calculate the
minimum number of lines in the diffraction grating if it has to resolve the yellow lines of sodium (589
nm and 589.6 nm) in the first order. (2002)

2. Define resolving power and dispersive power of a grating. Two spectral lines of wavelengths 500 nm
and 500.5 nm are seen clearly resolved in second order spectrum of a grating. If the grating has 250 lines
per cm, what should be the minimum width of the grating? (2007)

3. Calculate the Fraunhoffer diffraction pattern from a grating of N slits with width e, separated by equal
opaque spaces d. Find the condition for principal maxima and the corresponding values of intensity. a
parallel beam of Na light is incident normally on a plane grating with 4250 lines per cm. The second
order spectral line is observed to be deviated through 300 . Calculate the wavelength of light.(2008)

4. (i) Distinguish between high dispersive power and high resolving power.
(iii) Obtain an expression for the resolving power of a plane transmission grating.
(iii) Deduce the missing orders for a double-slit Fraunhofer pattern, if the slit widths are 0.16 mm and
0.8 mm apart. (2009)

5. Explain the physical significance of resolving power of a grating with relevant mathematical expression.
(2013)
6. Considering a plane transmission diffraction grating, where d is the distance between two consecutive
ruled lines, m as the order number and 0 as the angle of diffraction for normal incidence, calculate the

angular dispersion for an incident light of wavelength λ. (2014)

7. Can D1 and D2 lines of sodium light be resolved in second-order

spectrum if the number of lines in the given grating is 450? Explain. (2016)

8. Obtain an expression for the resolving power of grating explaining the Rayleigh’s criterion of resolution.
(2016)

24
 TUTORIAL SHEET: 12
Polarization

1. Why does one get polarized light from Nicol’s prism? How should one adjust the polarizer
and analyser, so that an intensity of the incident light is reduced by a factor of 0.25.

2. How do you know that the light is a transverse wave? What is a quarter wave plate? How is
it constructed? (2002)

3. A quartz quarter wave plate is to be used with the sodium light (λ=5869 Å). What should
be its thickness. (2004)

4. Why does one see two image points for a single object point while viewed through a calcite
crystal? What is this property of the crystal known as? What is an optic axis of a crystal?
Explain the meaning of positive and negative crystals with one example for each kind.
(2005)
5. What is optical activity? Given reasons for the conclusion that optical rotation in liquids
has a molecular origin. What do you mean by ordinary and extraordinary rays? What are
positive and negative crystals? Give an example of each. Compute the minimum
thickness of a quarter-wave plate made from quartz for incident wavelength of 589.3
nanometer. Given μ0 =1.544 and μE= 1.553. (2006)

6. How would you produce plane polarized light by reflection ? What is Brewster’s law?
Calculate the angular position of the sun above the horizon so that light reflected from a
clam lake is completely polarized. The refractive index of water is 1.33. Circularly
polarized and un polarized light are passed in turn through a Nicol prism. The Nicol is
rotated about the direction of light as axis. What would you observe in each case? How
would you distinguish between them? (2006)

7. Consider superposition of two plane polarized electromagnetic waves:

 
E y  y a cos  kx  t  and Ez  z b cos  kx  t    Discuss the conditions for the resultant
wave to be left circularly and right circularly polarized adopting the convention as seen by an
observer traveling with the wave. (2007)

 d
8. (i) Show that the plane of polarization is rotated through      L   R  a plane-
2 
polarised light is incident perpendicularly on a quartz plate out with faces parallel to optic
axis. Find the which introduces phase difference of 600 between e- and o-rays.(2009)

9. Find out the angle between the reflected and refracted rays when a parallel beam of light is
incident on a dielectric surface at an angle equal to the Brewster’s angle. Explain how
doyou use this concept to produce linearly polarized light.(2014)

10. Explain the principle of producing polarized light by the method of reflection, refraction
and double refraction with the help of neat diagrams. (2016)

25
11. Sunlight is reflected from a calm lake. The reflected light is 100% polarized at a certain
instant. What is the angle between the sun and horizon? (2017)

26
 TUTORIAL SHEET: 13
LASERS
1. A Ruby laser produces a beam of light of wavelength 6943 Ao with a circular cross -
section of 1cm in diameter. Calculate the diametre of this beam at a distance of 1000
kilometers. (1992)

2. Explain the general principle of laser action. What do you mean by population inversion?
Discuss the involved in the ruby laser. A pulsed laser is rated at 10 m W. It generates 3 ns
wide pulses at frequency 500 HZ. Compute the instantaneous power in the pulse.(1993)

3. The light ( = 6000 Ao) from a laser of sectional diameter 1.0cm and power 0.20 watt is
focused by a lens of focal length 10cm.Determine the area of the image and intensity in it
in watt/cm2. (1994)

4. Discuss the working principle of He – Ne laser indicating the transitions involved in the
process. Determine the power output of a laser in which a 3.0 J pulse is delivered in 1.0 n
second. (1995)

5. Describe the working principle of a three level solid state laser giving the transitions
involved in the laser action. (1996)

6. Obtain an expression for the ratio of the probabilities of stimulated and spontaneous
emissions. What do you infer from this relation? How is population inversion interpreted
thermodynamically?(1996)

7. In a hydrogen atom for the 2p  1s transition the probability per unit is 6  108 s-1.
Calculate the angular frequency of the emitted photons and the order of Einstein’s
coefficient B21 (1997)

8. A 3 MW laser beam which has a diameter of 1cm is focused by a lens of focal length 5
cm. The wavelength of laser is 10,000 Ao. Calculate the intensity at the focal plane of the
lens.(1997)

9. What is population inversion? Mention the methods of achieving population inversion.

Explain the concept of negative temperature.(1997)

10. A short - focus lens is used to focus a laser beam of wavelength 6328 Ao. If the beam
width is comparable to the focal length of the lens, calculate the area of cross-section of the
region of focus. (1999)

11. Explain why a two - level system is not adequate for laser operation. Draw the essential
parts of a ruby laser and explain the working principle. (1999)

12. Explain how Einstein’s A and B coefficients are related to the phenomena of spontaneous
and stimulated emission of radiation, respectively. Derive the relation between A and B.
Establish that at very high frequency around X-ray wavelength regime, lasers cannot be
made as easily as at low frequencies e.g. far infra-red regime. (2006)

27
13. Consider an ensemble of two – level atoms in thermal equilibrium. Show that the ratio of
Einstein A and B coefficients is given by

A 8 hv3

B c3
Why is it not possible to achieve inversion of population in a two- level medium?
(2008)
13. What are the characteristics of Stimulated emission? Show that in the optical region
stimulated emission is negligible compared to spontaneous emission.(2009)
14. At what temperature are the rates of spontaneous and stimulated emission equal?
(Assume  = 500 nm) (2009)
(ii) What are the important properties of a hologram?
(iii) Optical power of 1 mW is launched into an optical fiber of length 100 m. If the power
emerging from the other end is 0.3 mW, calculate the fiber attenuation. (2009)

15. A laser beam of 1 micrometer wavelength with 3 megawatts power of beam diameter 10
mm is focused by a lens of focal length 50 mm. Evaluate the electric field associated with
the light beam at the focal point.(Dielectric permittivity of
freespace,  0  8  8542  10 12 C 2 / N  m 2 ) (2010)

16. What is the physical significance of Einstein’s A-coefficient? Explain why it is more
difficult to achieve Lasing action at X-ray wavelength than at infra-red wavelength. (2014)

17. Explain the working principle of a 3-level laser with a specific example. Comment on why
the third level is needed. (2014)

18. What is the role of an optical resonator in a laser? Why does one prefer curved mirrors
instead of plane mirrors in designing an optical resonator? (2015)
19. Using the concept of Einstein’s A and B coefficients for a two-level atomic system under
thermal equilibrium, determine the ratio of the number of atoms per wilt volume in the two
levels experiencing spontaneous and stimulated emission. How does the principle of
population inversion lead to the gain mechanism in. the active medium of the laser?(2015)
20. Explain the principle of (i) induced absorption (ii) spontaneous emission and (iii)
stimulated emission.
Show that the ratio of Einstein’s coefficients is given by(2016)

A 8 hv3

B c3 21. How is laser light Different from
ordinary light? Discuss the working principal of ruby laser. What role do chromium ions play
in this process?(2017)

28
 TUTORIAL SHEET: 14
Optical Fibres & Holography
1. Explain the phenomenon of pulse dispersion in step index fibre.(2003)

2. What is holography? Describe the experimental set up for Gabor’s on-line holographic
recording. What are the limitations of Gabor’s experiment? How were these overcome by
Leigh and Upatheiks? (2003)

3. Drawing a neat diagram, discuss how light travels through on optical fiber. Show that the
numerical aperture of a commercially available optical fiber is around 0.25. Explain its
physical significance. (2004)

4. Why does one get three-dimensional image in holography? Explain with appropriate
figures how can one construct and read a hologram. (2005)

5. What should be the refractive index of cladding of an optical fibre with numerical aperture
0.5 with refractive index of core as 1.5? (2010)

6. Explain why information carrying capacity of an optical fibre can be enhanced by reducing
the pulse dispersion. How does one minimize pulse dispersion using a graded index optical
fibre? (2013)

7. For a multimode step index optical fibre, the core refractive index is 1.5 and fractional
index difference is 0.001. Calculate the pulse broadening for 1 km length of the fibre. Over
a length of 2 km of the fibre, calculate the minimum pulse separation that can be
transmitted without overlap. (2014)

8. How does holography differ from conventional photography? What are the requirements
for the formation and reading of a hologram? (2014)

9. The refractive indices of core and cladding in a step index optical fiber are 1.52 and 1.48
respectively. The diameter of the core is 30 μm. If the operating wavelength is 1.3μm,
calculate the V parameter and the maximum number of modes supported by the fiber.
(2016)
10. Explain the principal of operation of optical fibre . What are the different losses that take
place in optical fibre? (2017)

29
 ELECTRICITY & MAGNETISM
TUTORIAL SHEET: 15
Electrostatics
1. Consider an infinite grounded conducting plane .If a point charge is held at a distance d
from the plane, compute by method of images the electric potential above the plane & the
induced charges on the conductor. (2003)

2. What is the volume density of the charge in a region of space, where the electrostatic
potential is given by V= a – b (x2+y2) –c ln (x2+y2) where a, b, c are constants. (2004)

3. A point charge q is held at a distance d in the front of an infinite grounded conducting

plane. What is the electric potential in front of the plane? (2004)

4. Derive approximate expressions for the potential and the radial as well as the azimuthal
components of the field due to an electric dipole at points far away from it. Also derive
expression and hence describe the effect of a uniform electric field on a dipole which can
rotate freely. (2005)

5. What is molecular polarizability? Derive Clausius - Mosotti equation relating the

molecular polarizability with the dielectric constant of a dielectric material. (2006)
  
6. Starting from Maxwell’s equation,   D   , where D is the electric displacement density
and ρ is the charge density, derive Poisson’s equation. Deduce Laplace’s equation for
charge-free region from Poisson’s equation. (2006)

7. A potential in cylindrical coordinates is a function of r and  but not of z. Obtain the

separated differential equations for R and Ф, where V= R(r) Ф (  ) and solve them.(2006)

8. Derive Poisson equation starting from the Coulomb’s law for a set of point charges. (2007)

9. Obtain the solution of the Laplace equation in cylindrical coordinates. (2007)

10. State Gauss’s Law of electrostatics both in integral form and differential forms. Two
charged spheres of radius R each, have their centers a distance d apart such that d < 2R.
One of the spheres has a uniform positive charge density  per unit volume while the
other has opposite charge density -  . Show that the electric field in the region of overlap
between two spheres is uniform. (2008)

11. A point charge +q is held above a grounded conducting plane located at z = 0. If the
position of the charge is (0, 0, d) obtain an expression for the induced charge density on the
plane as a function of coordinates x and y. (2008)

12. A thin dielectric cylindrical rod of cross-section A is situated along z-axis. The polarization

in the rod is along its length and it is given by P  (2 z 2  5) zˆ . Calculate bound volume
charge density at each end of the rod. (2009)

30
13. For an arbitrary localized charged distribution, obtain an expression of electrostatic
potential V in terms of multipole expansion.(2009)

14. Obtain Poisson’s equation in electro-statics from Gauss’ law. What from does it takes the
charge density is zero? (2010)

15. What is meant by a dielectric? Define polarization vector P and relate it with the average
molecular dipole moment. Obtain expression for the potential due to a polarized dielectric
in terms of the polarization vector.(2010)

16. Using Fundamentals concepts of electromagnetics in determine the electric field of an

electron dipole at a distance and its energy in field (2013)

17. ABCD is a rectangle in which charges +10-11c, C, and C are placed at B,

C, D respetived
D C
3cm

A 4cm B
Calculate the potential at the corner A and work done in carrying a charge of 2 coulomb to A
(2013)

 x
18. Under one-dimensional configuration, the charge density is given by   x   0 ; where
5

 0 is a constant charge density. If the electric field E  0 at x  0 and potential

V  0 at x  5 , determine V and E (2015)

19. A conducting sphere of radius 5 cm has a total charge of 12nC uniformly distributed on

its surface in free space. Determine the displacement vector D on its surface and outside at
a distance r from the center of the sphere. (2015)

20. With the help of a neat diagram, Show that the potential due to a dipole at a point is given
. ,
by where p is the dipole moment of the charge distribution, θ is the
angle between the line joining the center of the dipole to the point of interest and the axis of
the dipole. (2016)

31
 TUTORIAL SHEET: 16
Magnetostatics &Biot-Savart’s law

1. Find the magnetic field B at the point P due to a short straight length of wire carrying
current ‘i’. Length of the wire is l. Point P is at a distance r away from the center of the
wire. Angle between l and r is θ. (2006)

2. Write Ampere’s circuital law, and obtain a generalized form of this law, for non-stationary
case. (2006)

3. State Ampere’s law of magneto statics. Using this law, find the magnetic field at a point
due to an infinitely long filamentary current. (2007)

4. What is a magnetic shell? Define the strength of a magnetic shell.A 2 mm thick magnetic
shell weighing 100 gm has magnetic moment of 1000 units. The density of the shell
material is 10 gm/c.c. Calculate the intensity of magnetization and the strength of the shell,
(2007)
 
5. Show that the interaction energy of two magnetic dipoles m1 and m2 separated by a
  1             If two magnetic dipoles
displacement r is given by U  0 . 3  m 1 .m 2  3  m1 . r   m 2 . r 
4 r     
are held at a fixed distance apart, but allowed to rotate freely, what would be the
configuration for stable equilibrium? (2008)

6. Find the vector potential due to a line segment from x  a to x  b carrying a current I at a
point P which is at a distance d from the line segment. (2008)

7. State Biot-Savart law. Calculate the magnitude of axial magnetic induction due to a circular
loop of area A carrying current I. (2009)

32
 TUTORIAL SHEET: 17
EMI & Alternating Current Circuits

1. Set up the equation for the discharge of a capacitor C connected in series with a resistor R
L
and an inductor L. If R0 stands for 2 , discuss three cases (I) R<R0. (II) R  R0 (III)
C
R  R0 what will you observe if the discharge takes place at a low temperature when the
material of resistor has become super conducting? (1991)

1 q2
2. The total energy U in an oscillating L-C circuit is given by U = UB + UE= LI 2  ,
2 C
when the resistance of the circuit is zero. From this show that it is an oscillatory circuit and
find the time period. (1992)

3. If steady voltage is applied to an L-R circuit, show how voltage across the inductance and
the current in the circuit changes with time. Explain the term inductive time constant.
(1992)
4. A harmonic e.m.f is applied to a series circuit, containing resistance, inductance and
capacitance. Derive the expression for the current and condition for resonance.(1993)

5. A series circuit consisting of 4.10 ohms of resistance, 810  H of inductance and 225 F
of capacitance is excited by a constant voltage amplitude generator of variable frequency.
At what frequency is the maximum power delivered? (1993)

6. A harmonic e.m.f is applied to a parallel resonant circuit, containing resistance R,

inductance L and Capacitance C. Derive expressions for resonance, angular frequency w0
and the bandwidth w. (1995)

7. Calculate w0, w and quality factor Q for LCR parallel resonant circuit given the values:C
= 0.4F, L = 4 mH, and R = 1 K (1994)

q2
8. Show that the energy stored in a Capacitor is while the energy stored in the inductor is
2C
1 2
LI , where the symbols have their usual meanings. (1994)
2

9. An alternating voltage is applied to CR circuit connected in series. Under what conditions

it acts as an (i) integrator and (ii) a differentiator?(1995)

10. An alternating voltage of varying frequency is applied across a two-branch parallel circuit
of R1 and L in series and R2 and C in series as shown in Fig. Below:Find its resonant
frequency. If R1 and R2 are not zero, state the conditions when the resonant frequency is
1
given by f 0  (1995)
2  LC

33
11. Self-inductance of two coils, A and B, connected in series is 25 m H or 10mH depending
on the relative current directions in the coils. Self-Inductance of A is 10mH calculate
mutual inductance M of the pair of coils, coupling factor and leakage factor. If the current
in coils is changing at the rate of 1000 A/S, find the induced electromotive forces across
the coil A.(1996)

12. An alternating voltage is applied to the circuit shown in Figure. Show that it has two
 1 C
resonant frequencies fp and fg inter-related as f p  fs 1  ; Where r  b (1996)
 r Ca

13. The Self-inductance of primary and secondary coils of a R.F transformer is 10mH each.
When the coils are connected in series, self-resonating frequencies are 132.6 KHZ and
108.3 KHZ. Calculate the mutual inductance between the coils & the winding capacitance.
(1997)
14. Define quality factor for an A.C. circuit and discuss the meaning of electrical resonance in
a series LCR circuit. Explain the term sharpness of resonance (1998)

15. Two coils are connected in series and their total self-inductance is 4.40 mH. When current
is reversed then total self-inductance is 1.60 mH. All the flux due to the first coil links the
second coil, but only 40% of the flux due to the second coil links the first coil. Find the
self-inductance of each of the coils and their mutual inductance.(1998)

16. A potential difference with a frequency of 50 cycles per second is applied to a coil of
resistance 1 K ohms and inductance 2H. Calculate the power factor of the circuit. (1998)

17. An L – C – R circuit has a resistance of 100 ohms, a capacitance of 0.2 F and an

inductance of 5 H. An a.c. source E = 50 Sin 1000t Volt is connected in the circuit.
Calculate the average power dissipated. (1999)

18. In a series L – C – R circuit connected to an alternating constant voltage source the current
1
amplitude is   times the amplitude at resonance at frequency w1 and w2. Obtain an
n
expression for its quality factor at resonant frequency. (1999)

19. Two inductance coils having inductances L1 and L2 and negligible resistances are
connected in parallel. The coils have a mutual inductance M. Obtain an expression for the
effective inductance of the combination. (1999)

20. For an R-L-C series resonant circuit, show that f 0  f 1 f 2 , where f0 is the resonance
frequency and f1 and f2 are the half-power frequencies. Is this relation true for a parallel
resonance circuit in which R, L and C are connected in parallel to each other? Explain.
(2000)
21. A series R-L circuit has a constant d.c voltage V applied at the time t = 0 by closing a
switch
(a) Derive an expression for the current in the circuit
(b) Calculate the voltage drops across R and across L.
(c) At what time are these voltage drops equal?
(d) Find the power dissipated by R and power stored in L.

34
 (e) Show that the steady-state energy is stored in the magnetic field.

22. What value of inductance has to be used so that a lamp with rating of 200 volt & 10
amperes lights the same way with 250 V source at 50Hz. (2001)

23. An inductance is connected to a 6volt battery through a resistance R. What is the steady
state current in the circuit? After what time the battery would be delivering one half its
steady state current? (2001)

24. Explain the use of a parallel resonance circuit: 1) as a rejecter circuit 2) for current
amplification. (2001)

25. A series LCR circuit with L=2H, C=2 μF and R=20 is powered by a source of 100 volts
and variable frequency.
i. Find the resonance frequency fo
ii. The value of Q
iii. The width of resonance ∆ƒ and
iv. The maximum current at resonance. (2002)

26. A bridge network with resistance capacitance and inductance is given in the above figure.
Show that the conditions for balancing the bridge are independent of the frequency of
applied voltage. (2003)

27. State Faraday’s Law of induction in terms of emf and magnetic flux. Use Stoke’s theorem
to express the law in differential form. A uniform, time varying magnetic field
  
B  B 0 1   t  k fills a circular region of radius R lying in the x  y plane with the centre

at origin. Here B0 and  are appropriately dimensioned constants. Find the induced
electric field at a distance from the centre where r <R. (2008)

28. A long solenoid of radius R and n turns per unit length carries a sinusoidal current I  I 0
cos t . Determine the magnitude of induced electric field (E) outside the solenoid.(2009)

29. A series R-L-C circuit is connected across a voltage source V = 100 sin 300t. If R = 500,
L = 1 H and C = 2 F, calculate the average power delivered to the circuit.(2009)

30. Discuss the growth of current when an e.m.f. is suddenly applied to a circuit containing
resistance, inductance and capacitance in series. What is the time constant of the circuit?
(2010)
31. A series circuit has an inductance of 200 micro henries, a capacitance of 0·0005 microfarad
and a resistance of 10 ohms. Find the resonant frequency and quality factor of the circuit.
(2010)
32. A series LCR circuit has resonant frequency and a large quality factor Q. Write down
terms of R, and Q, its (i) impedance at resonance, (ii) impedance at half –power
points and (iii) the approximate forms of its impedance at low and high frequencies. (2013)

33. Consider the following coupled inductor – capacitor circuit:

35
 Calculate the ratio of the frequencies of the anti –symmetric and symmetric modes

Given (2013)

34. When connected in series L1 C1have the same resonant frequency as L2, C2 also connected
in series. Prove that if all these circuit elements are connected in series, then new circuit
will have the same resonant frequency as either of the circuits first mentioned. (2014)

35. For initial assent conditions I = Io, =0 at t=0, show that the time dependent current in the

critical damping case for an LCR circuit is I = Io e-rt/2

Where r = , ω= &tan δ = (2014)

36. A series RLC circuit has a resistance of 100  and an impedance of 210  . If this circuit
is connected to an a.c. source with an r.ms. Voltageof 220 V, how much is the average
power dissipated in the circuit? (2015)
37. A series RLC circuit has R  2  . The energy stored in the circuit decreases by 1% per
period of oscillation. Its natural undamped frequency is 2 kHz . Determine the values of
inductor L and the quality factor. (2015)

38. An alternative current varying sinusoidally with a frequency of 50 Hz has an r.m.s. value of
40 A. Find the instantaneous value of the current at 0 .00125 second after passing through
maximum positive value. (2016)

36
 TUTORIAL SHEET: 18
Electromagnetic Theory

1. A plane wave of frequency ω travels into two linear dielectric media. It has a normal
incidence at the interface of the media. Giving an appropriate boundary conditions, obtain
expressions for the intensities of reflected and transmitted rays.(2003)

2. What are the Vector and scalar potentials? Derive Maxwell’s equation in terms of these
potentials. (2004)
 
3. Show that the pointing Vector S= E × H represents the energy flow per unit time both in
magnitude and direction in case of a plane electromagnetic wave.(2004)

 
4. Show that the electric and magnetic field vectors, E and B ,of plane electromagnetic
waves are mutually perpendicular in a plane normal to the direction of propagation. How
 
are phases of E and B related to each other? (2005)

5. Write down the macroscopic from of the Maxwell’s equation in any isotropic (but
inhomogeneous) medium and define the symbols appearing therein. Convert these
equations in the integral forms to highlight the laws represented by these equations.(2005)

6. Describe physical significance of the displacement current considering the example of

current flow through a capacitor. (2005)

7. What do you mean by a gauge transformation? What is its importance? Show that the
Lorenz gauge condition is Lorentz invariant. Here A and ø are the vector and scalar
potentials. (2006)

8. Starting from Maxwell’s equations of electromagnetic field in vacuum obtain the classical
wave equations for the four field vectors E, D, B and H. Show that the field vectors can be
propagated as waves in free space with the velocity of propagation equal to 3 x 108 m/s,
where for free space we have the vacuum permittivity ε0 = 8.854 x 10-12 farad/m and
vacuum permeability μ0 = 1.257 x 10-6 Henry/m. (2006)

37
9. Write down the different components of the electromagnetic field tensors Fμν and further
prove that Maxwell’s equations of electrodynamics are invariant to Lorentz
transformations. (2006)

10. Explain the Raleigh Scattering of light. Show that the energy density of light scattered from
an isotropic homogenous medium of a gas is inversely proportional to the fourth power of
the wavelength of the incident light. (2007)

11. (a) A plane electromagnetic wave is traveling in vacuum along a direction which makes an
angle of 450 each with the positive x and z-axes. The electric field at time t is given by the

 

expression E  E0 2cos tjˆ  sin t (iˆ  kˆ) . Find out magnetic field and Poynting vector.

(b) Explain how Maxwell modified Ampere’s law of magnetostatics by introducing the
concept of displacement current. How does it resolve the paradox of a charging capacitor?
(c) A plane electromagnetic wave traveling in z-direction and polarized in x-direction is
incident normally from left on to an interface between two media at z = 0. The medium to the
left (z < 0) has a refractive index n1 , while that to the right is of refractive index n2 . The

magnetic penne abilities of both the media are equal and 1   2  0 . Obtain expressions for
reflection and transmission coefficients (R and T) and show that R + T =1. (2008)

12. Consider in the region 0  z  1 m an infinite slap made of a material with relative

 
permeability, r  3  5. If B  2 yiˆ  5 xjˆ 103Wb / m2 Within the slab, determine

magnetization M . (2009)

13. Consider the incidence of a plane- polarised electromagnetic wave at the interface of two
media having dielectric permittivity and magnetic permeability  1 , 1  and   2 ,  2 
  
respectively. The interface is chosen to be x = 0 plane. K1 , K 2 and K3 represent the
propagator vectors associated with the incident, refracted and reflected waves respectively.
Using the boundary conditions on them, establish the Snell’s laws of refraction. (2009)

38
 
14. In a non-charged current-free dielectric,   0 and J  0 . Show that in this medium,
 
electric ( E ) and magnetic ( H ) fields satisfy three-dimensional wave equations
 
 2E  2H
 E   2 and  H   2
2 2

t t
Using Poynting theorem of electromagnetic theory, describe the significance of the vector
   1    
P  ( E  H ) and the scalar u   B  H  D  E 
2 (2009)

15. A plane-polarised electromagnetic wave is incident on the interface of two dielectrics


having dielectric permittivity  1 and  2 . Assume that the electric vector E lies in the plane
of incidence. Using the boundary conditions at the interface obtain the expressions for the
amplitude reflection coefficient (r11 ) and the amplitude transmission constant (t11 ) .(2009)

16. A wire of length 2 m is perpendicular to X-Y plane. It is moved with a velocity

      
V  (2i  3 j  k ) ms 1 ) through a region of uniform induction B  (i  2 j )W m 2 . Compute
the potential difference between the ends of the wire.(2010)

17. Using Maxwell’s field equations for a homogeneous non-conducting medium derive the
wave equation for the electric field. Calculate the velocity of EM wave in free space.(2010)

18. Explain the term ‘Poynting vector’ and state the significance of Poynting theorem.(2010)

19. Calculate the skin depth for radio waves in free space of wavelength 3 m in copper, given
that electrical conductivity for copper is 6  10 7  1m 1 .(2010)

20. The electric field of a plane e.m. wave travelling along the z-axis is E= (Eoxi + Eoyj) sin (ωt
– kz + ϕ). Determine the magnetic field. (2013)

21. Considering an isotropic, linear, non-conducting, non-magnetic & inhomogeneous

dielectric medium with D=𝛜 E =𝛜on2 E. Show that EM wave equation for the field

E is E+ ( )-μo on2 = 0.

(ii) Write down scalar equation for from the above equation

39
 (iii) Interpret physically the situation if we move from homogeneous to in homogeneous
medium (2013)

22. Using Amperes law and continuity equation, Show that the divergence of the total assent
density is zero. (2014)

23. Show that the energy flow due to a plane EM Wave propagating in Ƶ direction in a

dielectric media is given by Z , where k and ω are the propagation

vector and angular frequency, Eois electric field amplitude, μ is the relative permeability of
the medium. (2014)
24. Starting from Maxwell’s equation, Obtain the wave equation for the electric field E in free
space and appropriate wave equation for the electric field E = . (2014)

25. Derive the equation that represents Poynting’s theorem. What is its physical significance?
(2015)
26. A radio station transmits electromagnetic waves isotropically with an average power of
200 kW . Determine the average magnitude of the maximum electric field at a distance of
5 km from it. (2015)

27. A plane electromagnetic wave propagating along  ẑ direction is incident normally on the
boundary at z  0 between medium A  z  0  and medium B  z  0  . Determine the

reflection coefficient and transmission coefficient for the wave. (2015)

28. What are the characteristic features of Rayleigh scattering? A very thin monochromatic
beam of light is incident on a particle. Suggest a simple experimental method to ascertain
whether the scattering by the particle is of Rayleightype.(2015)

29. In free space, the electric field of electromagnetic wave is given

as V/m. Find the average power crossing a circular area of
radius one meter in the yz-plane. (2016)

30. Write down Maxwell’s equations for linear dielectrics and deduce the equation of
continuity. (2016)
31. State and prove Poynting’s theorem. (2016)
32. Show that the displacement current between the plates of a parallel – plate capacitor is
equal to the conduction current across the conductor. (2016)

33. A Parallel – plate capacitor is connected to a 240 V AC supply having angular frequency of
300 rad/s. Find the r.m.s. value of the conduction current in the circuit. What is the
displacement current between the plates of the capacitor? Given, C = 200 pF. (2016)
40
 TUTORIAL SHEET: 19
Black Body Radiation

1. Earth receives 1.3 KW/m2 of radiant energy from the sun. Assuming sun to be a spherical
black body of radius 7х108m and Earth-Sun distance to be 1.5x1011m, Calculate the surface
temperature of Sun.[Stefan-Boltzmann constant σ=5.67x10-8 w m-2 k-4] (2003)

h2 
2. Use the Planck formula for the black body radiation u(,T)  with
 c exp(h)  1
2 3

1
 to derive Wien’s law, Rayleigh-Jeans law and Stefan-Boltzmann law.(2005)
k BT

8 h v 3 dv
3. Using Planck’s radiation formula U (v ) dv  , where the symbols have their usual
c 3 e hv / kT
meaning, find the wavelength of the region where energy density is the greatest. Also
calculate the total energy density over all the frequencies. (2006)

4. State Raleigh – Jeans law. Show that the intensity of emissions at a particular wave length
is proportional to the temperature T. Discuss the limitations of this law in describing the
intensity distribution of emission spectrum of a blackbody. (2007)

5. Using Planck’s radiation formula, deduce Wien’s displacement law.(2009)

6. State and explain Stefan - Boltzmann’s law show that log P = log K + 4 log R, where P is
the power emitted by blackbody and R is the resistance of the blackbody, K is Constant.
(2014)
7. In deriving radiation laws, we consider a cubical container of volume V containing a
photon gas in equilibrium. Calculate the differential number of allowed normal modes of
frequency W. (2014)

8. Using Planck’s radiation law, deduce Wien’s displacement law. How does this law enable
one to estimate the surface temperature of the Sun or a star? (2015)

9. Two spheres A and B having same temperature A are kept in the surrounding of
temperature T0 . Consider T > T0 . The sphere are made of same material but have different
radii rA and rB . Using Stefan – Boltzmann distribution, determine which of these will lose
heat by radiation faster. (2015)

10. The spectral energy curve of the moon shows maxima at 470 nm and 14µm. What
interference can you draw from this data? Also calculate the energy density and radiation
pressure in both cases. Given, Wien’s constant b = 2.892 × 10-3 m K, Stefan’s constant σ =
5.67 × 10-8 Jm-2 s-1 K-4 and speed of light c = 3×108 m s-1. (2016)

11. Briefly explain Planck’s law of blackbody radiation. Show that Planck’s law reduces to
Wien’s law and Rayleigh – Jeans law at lower and higher wavelength limits respectively.
(2016)

41
 PHYSICS PAPER - I: THERMAL PHYSICS
TUTORIAL SHEET: 20
Basic Concepts
1. One mole of an ideal gas is compressed at constant temperature T from a volume V1 to a
volume V2 . Find the work done and heat absorbed by the gas. The gas now expands
adiabatically to a volume 2V. Taking the gas to be diatomic, calculate the final temperature
of the gas. (2008)

2. Consider one mole of an ideal gas whose pressure changes with volume as P =αV, where α
is a constant. If it is expanded such that its volume increases , times, find the change in
internal energy, work done by the gas and heat capacity of the gas.(2010)

3. A thermally insulated ideal gas is compressed quasistatically from an imitial state with
volume Voand pressure Poto a final state volume Vʄand pressure Pʄ, show that the work
done on the gas in the process is given by W = (2013)

42
 TUTORIAL SHEET: 21
Carnot’s Cycle and Entropy

1. Describe Otto cycle and obtain an expression for its efficiency.Show that it is lower than
that of a Carnot cycle operating between the highest and lowest temperature of Otto cycle.
(2003)
2. A gas expands isothermally from the pressure P1 and Volume V1 to the pressure P2 and the
volume V2. Calculate:
(i) the change in internal energy
(ii) the change in entropy
(iii) the change in enthalpy
What will be corresponding quantities when gas expands adiabatically? (2004)

3. Show that the entropy of one gas mole of an ideal gas is given by S=Cp lv V + Cv ln P + So
(2004)
4. 1 kg of ice at 00 c floats on 10 kg of water at 300c, the whole system being thermally
isolated. What will be the change in entropy of the system when thermal equilibrium is
reached?[Specific heat of water = 4.2 kJ kg-1 K-1 and latent heat of fusion of ice = 336 kJ
kg-1] (2006)

5. Prove the law of increase of entropy. Show that for a system at fixed temperature and
pressure to be in equilibrium, its Gibbs free energy should be minimum. (2007)

6. A system at temperature T1 is brought in contact with a reservoir at temperature T2  T1.

When the system and the reservoir reach thermal equilibrium, calculate the change in
entropy of the universe assuming the heat capacity of C p of the system to be constant.
Discuss whether the considered change is positive or not. (2007)

7. State second law of thermodynamics. Prove that no engine operating between two given
temperatures is more efficient than a Carnot engine operating between same two
temperatures. (2008)

8. Define entropy. How is it related to disorder? Hence, derive the Boltzmann relation S = k
log , where  is the probability and k is the Boltzmann constant.Show that for any type
Q
of process, involving a closed system S  Where the equality sign applies for
T
internally reversible processes and the inequality forinternally irreversible processes.
(2009)
9. 1 kmol of an ideal gas is compressed isothermally at400 K from 100 k Pa to 1000 k Pa in a
piston and cylinder arrangement. Calculate the entropy change of the gas, of the
surroundings and the total entropy change resulting from the process if the process is
mechanically reversible and the surroundings consist of a heat reservoir at 400K.(2010)

10. Derive an expression for the thermal efficiency of a reversible heat engine operating on the
Diesel cycle with an ideal gas of constant heat capacity as the working medium.(2010)
43
11. The vapor pressure in mm of Hg of a substance in solid state is given by the relation in P =

23. 03 - . The vapor pressure in mm of Hg of the substance in liquid state is given by

lnP =19 . 49 - Calculate

ii. The coordinates of the triple point

iii. The talent heat of vaporization at the triple point (2013)

12. In Leh, the temperature of ice on cold winter night is measured as – 20oC. Calculate the
change in entropy when 1kg of ice is converted into steam at 100oC. Given specific heat
capacity of ice is 500 cal/kg/1 latent heat of ice is 3.36 × 105J/kg, latent heat of steam is
2.26 × 106J/kg. (2013)

13. One kg of water at 20oC is converted into ice at -10oC at constant pressure. Heat capacity
of water is 4200 J/kg/k and that of Ice is 2100 J/kg/k. Heat of fusion of Ice at 0oC in 335 x
103J/kg calculate the total change in entropy of the system. (2014)

14. m gram of water at temperature T1 is isobarically and adiabatically mixed with an equal
mass of water at temperature T2. Show that the change in entropy is given by

(2016)

44
 TUTORIAL SHEET : 22
Thermodynamic relationships
dp L
1. Obtain the clausius clapeyron equation  where the symbols have their
dT T V2  V1 
usual meanings. (2014,1994)
 p   V 
2. Establish the relation Cp  Cv  T    (1991)
 T  v  T  p
3. Write down the general expression for the Joule - Kelvin effect and define Joule- Kelvin
coefficient,. Show that for an ideal gas  = 0 (1991)
4. The density of steam at 100oC is nearly 0.60  10-3kg/litre and its latent heat is 2.3  106
J/kg. Calculate the change in the boiling point of water if air pressure changes from
76.0cmto70.0cm.ofHg. (1991)
5. Define the thermodynamic energy functions. Using these function establish the following
relations:
 T   P 
i       ii   P     
 V      v  T  V  V  T
 T   V      V 
 iii      iv      
 P    P  P  T  T  P
(1992)
6. Calculate the Joule - Thomson coefficient for Nitrogen gas at 293 K and 100 atm. pressure
taking
Cp = 8.21 cal deg-1 mole-1
a = 1.39 litre2 - atm - mole-2
b =3.92  10-2 litre mole-2 (1994)
7. Using Maxwell’s thermodynamic relations, show that the internal energy of an ideal gas at
a constant temperature is independent of its volume while for a real gas it is a function of
volume also.(1996)
8. Define Helmholtz free energy F and Gibb’s free energy G. What does decrease in G and F
 F 
signify? Show that the internal energy U at temperature T is given by U  F  T 
 T  V
(1997)
9. Using a Carnot cycle, Obtain the Clausius - Clapeyeron equation. At normal pressure the
ratio of densities of ice and water is 9 : 10. When 1 kilo - mole of ice is melted, the change
in entropy is 22.2  103 J/K. If the external pressure is increased by 105 N/m2, what will be
the change in the melting point of ice? (1997)

10. Prove the latent heat equation  

dL L
  Cs  Cp, Where Cs & Cp are specific
 dT  SV T
heats of saturated vapour and the liquid in contact with it respectively. Given the following
 L 
values referring to 1gm. Of water at 100oC, L = 539 Cal/gm.,   . Cal K-
 064
 T SV
1
gm1 Cp = 1.01 Cal K-1 gm-1 . Calculate Cs. Explain why the specific heat takes a
45
 negative value
(1998)
2
 V   P 
11. Consider the expression Cp  Cv  T     and give reasoning regarding the
 T  p  V T
value of T when Cp = Cv for water. Also, evaluate Cp –Cv for a Van der Waals gas
toelaborate that its value is larger for any real gas as compared to an ideal gas. (2005)
12. Using thermodynamic principles show that the Joule- Thomson coefficient μ can be
expressed as

 = 1 T ∂V - V
Cp ∂T p
Calculate the value of μ for an ideal gas and interpret your result physically. (2006)
  U    V 
13. Establish the relation C p  Cv   p      . Use it to find out an expression for
  V T   T  p
a
C p of one mole of a gas whose internal energy is given by U  cT  and which
V
 a 
satisfies the equation of state  P  2  V  b   RT . Here a, b and c are constants.(2007)
 V 
14. Calculate the change in pressure for a change in freezing point of water equal to -0·91 ˚C.
Given, the increase of specific volume when 1 gm of water freezes into ice is 0·091 cc/gm
and latent heat of fusion of ice is 80 cal/gm. (2010)

15. Establish the relation and then derive . Hence

show that the heat capacity of an ideal gas is independent of pressure P. (2012)

16. Show that the Helmholtz free energy of a system never increase in any isothermalisochoric
transformation. (2012)
17. Define Enthalpy and show that it remains constant in throttling process. (2014)
18. The vapor pressure of an organic substance is 50×103 Pa at 40o C. Its normal boiling point
is 80o C. If the substance in vapor phase can be treated like an ideal gas, Find the latent
heat of vaporization of the substance. (2015)
19. A Van der Waals gas undergoes Joule-Kelvin expansion with a pressure drop of 50 atm. If
its initial temperature is 3000 K , determine its final temperature. (Given Van der Waals
constant a  0.136 Pa m6 mol 1 , b  36.5  106 m3 mol 1 , C P  30 JK 1 mol 1 ,

R  8.3 JK 1 mol 1 ) (2015)

20. What do you understand by the term from phase transition? Using Clausis-Clapeyron
equation, Show that for first-order phase transitions, vapour pressure decrease
exponentially with temperature. You can assume that the vapour behaves like an ideal gas
and latent heat remains constant with temperature. (2016)

46
 TUTORIAL SHEET: 23
AdiabaticDemagnetisation/ Special topics
1. Define thermodynamic temperature of a magnetic system. Making use of Gibb’s
equation, derive an expression for cooling produced due to adiabatic demagnetisation
process. Why is the method used only after pre - cooling to a low temperature?(1993)

2. What is an adiabatic demagnetisation cycle? Discuss the cycle in terms of B-S indicator
diagram?(1994)

3. Define thermodynamic temperature of a magnetic system. Discuss how cooling takes

place due to adiabatic demagnetisation. Explain, why cooling due to adiabatic
demagnetisation is important at low temperatures.(1995)

4. Explain how very low temperature can be produced by adiabatic demagnetisation.(1999)

5. Obtain Vander Waal’s equation of state for real gases. What is the value of critical
Coefficient for an ideal gas?Show that the Value of the critical coefficient for Vander
Waal’s gas is independent of the type of the gas.(2001)

6. Show that the chemical potential of a system is an intensive quantity and is a function of
temperature and pressure only (2005)

7. Write down van der Waal’s equation of state for n moles of a gas and calculate the
temperature at which 5 moles of the gas at 5 atm pressure will occupy a volume of 20
litres. Given R= 8.31 x 107 erg mol-1K-1, a =1.34 x1012 dyne cm4mol-2 , b=31.2 cm3 mol-
1
and 1 atm = 1.013 x 106dyne cm-2. (2016)

47
 TUTORIAL SHEET: 24
Specific heat of solids
1. Discuss the differences in the assumptions underlying Einstein and Debye theories of specific hear
Cv. Give schematic plots of Cv versus reduced temperature for these theories and elucidate the
differences therein. Elaborate the meaning of the “law of correspondence states” for these plots.
(2005)
2. State Dulong and Petit’s law. How does it agree with experiments ? Discuss the limitations of the
classical theory and success of the quantum theory in explaining the specific heat of solids.(2006)

3. What are the limitations of Einstein’s theory of specific heat of solids when compared with
experiments at low temperature? Outline the assumptions made in Debye’s theory and show that
the specific heat at low temperature follows Cv = AT3 law. What is the significance of Debye’s
temperature, TD ? (2009)

4. The Einstein theory of specific heart of solids given the expression

Where
i. Mention Einstein’s assumptions in deriving it and obtain low and high
temperature limit expressions for it.

ii. Give schematic plot of Versus and comment on the validity of

expression in compassion with experiments(2012)
5. The coefficient of viscosity of helium at 27o C is 2 × 10-5kg/m/sec. Calculate
i. Average speed
ii. The diameter of a helium molecule, If it is assumed that the gas obeys
Maxwell – Boltzmann distribution man of the helium atom = 6.67 × 10-
27
kg. (2013)

6. Use equipartition theorem to establish Where all terms have their usual
meanings. (2014)

7. For a Van der Waals gas, write down the equation of state. Determine the coefficient of critical
expansion I (2015)

48
TUTORIAL SHEET : 25
Maxwell- Boltzmann’s Statistics

1. Derive an expression for the Maxwellian distribution of velocities for the molecules of an
ideal gas. (2001)

2. 100 particles at a temperature T are distributed among three energy levels, E0 =0,

E1  KT and E 2  2KT . What is total energy of the system? (2003)

3. State the law of equipartition of energy. Show how this law can be used to calculate
specific heat of gases and hence find the ratio   C p / Cv for diatomic and triatomic gases.
(2008)
4. N particle obeying classical statistics are distributed among three energy states
If the total equilibrium energy of the system is 1000 KT,
calculate the value of N.(2013)

5. Using Maxwell Boltzmann distribution law prove that there cannot be any negative
absolute temperature. (2014)

6. Consider a system of free gas particle having f degree of freedom. Use equipartition

theorem to establish the relation

Where Cp and Cv are molar specific heats at constant pressure and constant volume
respectively. Obtain the values of for diatomic and triatomic gases. (2014)
7. The molecules of a gas obey Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution. Calculate the fraction of
molecules of the gas within 1% of the most probable speed at STP. Interpret your result?
(2016)

8. Consider a system of N particles and a phase space consisting of only two states with
energies 0 and 𝛜 (> 0). Obtain the expressions for the partition function and the internal
energy of the system. If it obeys M-B statistics.(2016)

9. The molecules of a gas obeying Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution, move with an average

speed of 450 ms-1. If the coefficient of viscosity of the gas η is 16.6 x 10-6 Ns m-2, density
of the gas ρ is 1.25kg m-3and number density is 2.7 x 1025m-3. Calculate the mean free path
and diameter of the gas molecules. (2016)

10. The viscosity in a liquid arises due to friction between adjacent layers. What causes
viscosity in a gas? Explain. (2016)

49
 TUTORIAL SHEET: 26
F-D & B-E Statistics

1. Derive the Bose- Einstein’s distribution for an ideal gas. (2002)

2. Disuses the phenomenon of Bose –Einstein’s condensation. Obtain the expression for the
condensation temperature. Briefly comment on observation of Bose –Einstein’s
condensate. (2002)

3. Define Fermi energy. For an ideal Fermi gas of N particles at absolute zero temperature,
show that the total energy is 3/5 NEƒ where Eƒ is the Fermi energy.(2003)

4. Show that for a distribution of electrons, the number of electron Ni in the energy state Ei
are given byNi = gi /A exp (Ei /kt) + 1Where gi represents the number of quantum stales in
the energy level Ei. Further state under what condition this distribution law goes over to
Maxwell-Boltzmann ‘s statistics.Show by drawing curves how Fermi –Dirac distribution
function varies with the energy at T =0 and also at other finite temperatures. (2004)

5. Starting from the expression N    n k , where  n k  is the average number of

k
th
particles in the k quantum state, derive an expression for the average number of particles
in the ground state of an ideal Bose gas. (2005)

6. Utilize the above expression to elaborate the concept of the Bose –Einstein
condensation and discuss that the phenomenon explains qualitatively the properties in
the low –temperature phase of liquid 4He. (2005)

7. Derive the expression for the Fermi – Dirac distribution function. Represent it graphically
for T = 0 and T ≠ 0. (2006)

8. Derive a relation between the total number of Fermions in terms of Fermi momentum and
hence obtain te expression for the total energy E of the system at absolute zero Combine
2
this expression with the equation of state PV  E to show that the pressure of an ideal
3
5
Fermi gas at T = 0 is proportional to power of its number density. (2007)
3

9. Show that at T  0 , the Fermi distribution function has a value 1 for energies less than the
Fermi energy F and is zero above it. For a system of non-interacting electrons at T = 0,
3
show that the ground state energy of the system of N particles is NEF . (2008)
5

10. Energy distribution for ni particles in classical statistical mechanics is given by

ni  g i e    i Where  and  are constants. gi is the single particle states in the i th level.
Using equi partition theorem, show that correct thermodynamic interpretation is

50
 1    3 
 (Use. e  x x1/ 2 dx  and  e   x x3/ 2 dx  )
kT 0 2 0 4 5 / 2
(2009)
11. Calculate the number of different arrangements of 10 indistinguishable particles in 15 cells
of equal a priori probability, considering that one cell contains only one particle.(2010)

12. Consider the following statement:

“The Fermi energy of a given material is the energy of that quantum state which has the
1
probability equal to of being occupied by the conduction electrons.”
2
Is the above statement correct? Give reasons for your answer. (2010)

13. Show that both FD and BE distributions reduce under certain conditions in a from which

gives the total number of particles as , where A is a constant and

Further show that this expression is just the same as obtained from the Maxwellian
speed distribution (2012)

14. Show that both Fermi – Dirac and Bose – Einstein distribution functions at an energy E are

given by , Where is much smaller than unity, M and KBT are the
chemical potential and thermal energy of the atom. (2014)

51