UPSC Physics Optional PYQs (CSE & IFoS)PYQs

The electric field for a uniform plane wave in free space is given by \vec{E} = (\hat{x} + \hat{y})10 e^{j 10 z}. Determine the corresponding magnetic field vector.

Calculate, giving necessary steps, the radio frequency at which nuclear magnetic resonance occurs in water kept in a uniform magnetic field of 2.4\ \mathrm{T}. The magnetic moment of proton is 2.793\mu_N.

A wire of length 2 m is perpendicular to X-Y plane. It is moved with a velocity \vec{V}=(2\hat{i}+3\hat{j}+\hat{k})\,\mathrm{ms}^{-1} through a region of uniform induction \vec{B}=(\hat{i}+2\hat{j})\mathrm{Wm}^{-2}. Compute the potential difference between the ends of the wire.

Consider in the region 0 \le z \le 1\text{ m} an infinite slab made of a material with relative permeability, \mu_r = 3\cdot 5. If \vec{B} = (2y\hat{i} - 5x\hat{j}) \times 10^{-3}\text{ Wb/m}^2 within the slab, determine magnetisation \vec{M}.

A series R\text{-}L\text{-}C circuit is connected across a voltage source V = 100 \sin 300t. If R = 500\ \Omega, L = 1\text{ H} and C = 2\ \mu\text{F}, calculate the average power delivered to the circuit.

A cylindrical conductor is carrying a current along its axis which is assumed to be in z-direction. The current is uniformly distributed throughout its cross-section. Show that the vector potential \vec{A} associated with the magnetic induction due to the current-carrying cylindrical conductor is independent of z.

A thin dielectric cylindrical rod of cross-section A is situated along z-axis from z = 0 to z = L. The polarisation of the rod is along its length and it is given by \vec{P} = (2z^2 + 5)\hat{z}. Calculate bound volume charge density at each end of the rod.

Consider the incidence of a plane-polarised electromagnetic wave at the interface of two media having dielectric permittivity and magnetic permeability (\varepsilon_1, \mu_1) and (\varepsilon_2, \mu_2) respectively. The interface is chosen to be x = 0 plane. \vec{K}_1, \vec{K}_2 and \vec{K}_3 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.

A long solenoid of radius R and n turns per unit length carries a sinusoidal current I = I_0 \cos \omega t. Determine the magnitude of induced electric field (E) outside the solenoid.

For an arbitrary localised charged distribution, obtain an expression of electrostatic potential V in terms of multipole expansion.

In a non-charged current-free dielectric, \rho = 0 and \vec{J} = 0. Show that in this medium, electric (\vec{E}) and magnetic (\vec{H}) fields satisfy three-dimensional wave equations \nabla^2 \vec{E} = \varepsilon\mu \frac{\partial^2 \vec{E}}{\partial t^2} \quad \text{and} \quad \nabla^2 \vec{H} = \varepsilon\mu \frac{\partial^2 \vec{H}}{\partial t^2} Using Poynting theorem of electromagnetic theory, describe the significance of the vector \vec{P} = (\vec{E} \times \vec{H}) and the scalar u = \frac{1}{2} [\vec{B} \cdot \vec{H} + \vec{D} \cdot \vec{E}]

Using Planck's radiation formula, deduce Wien's displacement law.

A plane-polarised electromagnetic wave is incident on the interface of two dielectrics having dielectric permittivity \varepsilon_1 and \varepsilon_2. Assume that the electric vector \vec{E} lies in the plane of incidence. Using the boundary conditions at the interface, obtain the expressions for the amplitude reflection coefficient (r_{11}) and the amplitude transmission constant (t_{11}). Using the components of the Poynting vector \vec{E} \times \vec{H} associated with the reflected and transmitted waves, obtain the expressions for reflection and transmission coefficients R_{11} and T_{11} respectively. Under what condition, r_{11} = 0 and t_{11} = 1?

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

Consider a plane electromagnetic wave entering a rarer medium from a denser medium. Show that the Brewster angle is less than the total internal reflection angle.

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 ?

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 \bar{B} = \bar{B}_0(1 + \alpha t)\hat{k} fills a circular region of radius R lying in the x-y plane with the centre at origin. Here \bar{B}_0 and \alpha are appropriately dimensioned constants. Find the induced electric field at a distance r from the centre where r < R.

Show that the interaction energy of two magnetic dipoles \bar{m}_1 and \bar{m}_2 separated by a displacement \bar{r} is given by U = \frac{\mu_0}{4\pi} \cdot \frac{1}{r^3} \left[ \bar{m}_1 \cdot \bar{m}_2 - 3(\bar{m}_1 \cdot \hat{r})(\bar{m}_2 \cdot \hat{r}) \right]. If two magnetic dipoles are held at a fixed distance apart, but allowed to rotate freely, what would be the configuration for stable equilibrium ?

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.

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