UPSC Physics Optional PYQs (CSE & IFoS)PYQs

Write down Maxwell's equations in integral form. Explain the significance of each of these equations.

A 12.0 V battery is connected at t=0 to a series combination of a resistor R=10.0\Omega and an inductor L=5.0\mathrm{H}. At what rate is energy being stored in the inductor when the current in the circuit is 0.4 A?

A uniformly magnetized sphere of radius R has magnetization \vec{M}=M_0\hat{z}. If the scalar magnetic potentials inside and outside the sphere are given as under \phi_m=\frac{M_0}{3}z;\ r\leq R and \phi_m=\frac{M_0R^3}{3r^2}\cos\theta;\ r>R where, r,\theta are two spherical coordinates, find the magnetic field inside and outside the sphere.

A current carrying circular wire loop of radius 1.0 cm has a magnetic moment 2.0\,\mathrm{mJ/T}. Determine the magnetic field at an axial distance of 3.0 cm from the centre of the loop.

A parallel plate capacitor has plate area =4.0\ \mathrm{cm^2} and plate separation =2.0\ \mathrm{mm}. An a.c. voltage V=20\sin(5\times10^{3}t) volts is applied across the plates. If the dielectric constant of the medium between the plates is \varepsilon_r=2.0, calculate the displacement current.

Explain Planck's formula for black-body radiation. Use this formula to show that energy radiated per unit time per unit area in the range d\lambda of \lambda is e(\lambda, T) = \left( \frac{2\pi c^2 h}{\lambda^5} \right) (e^{\beta hc / \lambda} - 1)^{-1} d\lambda

A 0.5\,\mathrm{m} long cylindrical medium between two conducting plates has uniform charge density of 100\,\mathrm{nC/m^3}. The axis of the cylindrical medium is along z-axis. The left plate is at z=0 and has a potential of 10\,\mathrm{kV} and the right plate is grounded. Determine the electric field at axial distance z=0.2\,\mathrm{m}.

Using the set of four Maxwell's equations, obtain the Lorentz condition relation between the scalar potential \phi and vector potential A, i.e., \nabla \cdot A + \frac{1}{c^2} \frac{\partial \phi}{\partial t} = 0 and discuss the gauge transformations, Lorentz gauge and Coulomb gauge.

Two resistors of 600~\Omega and 800~\Omega are connected in series with a 7\text{ volts} battery. An ammeter of 10~\Omega resistance is used to measure current.

(i) What will be the reading in the ammeter?

(ii) Similarly if a voltmeter of 10000~\Omega resistance is used to measure the potential difference across the 600~\Omega resistor, what will be the reading in the voltmeter?

Obtain an expression for the electric potential and electric field strength at a point due to an electric dipole.

(i) The equation for an alternating current is I = 42\cdot 42 \sin (314t). Find the following : Maximum value of current, Frequency, RMS value and Average value

(ii) A condenser of capacity 1~\mu\text{F} is first charged and then discharged through a resistance of 1\text{ M}\Omega. Calculate the time in which the charge on the condenser will fall to 50\% of its initial value.

(iii) Consider the displacement vector \vec{D}, given by \vec{D} = (10xyz^2 + 4x)\hat{i} + (5x^2 z^2)\hat{j} + (10x^2 yz)\hat{k}\text{ nC/m}^2 Find the total charge enclosed in a cube of volume 10^{-9}\text{ m}^3 located at the point (1, 2, 3).

State and explain Biot-Savart law. Obtain an expression for the magnetic field at the center of a circular loop of radius r metres, carrying a current of I amperes.

There is a potential gradient of 100\text{ V/m} normal to the surface of the earth. Assuming the earth to be a charged sphere of radius 6370\text{ km}, find the total charge on the earth.

In free space, the electric field of electromagnetic wave is given by \vec{E}(x, t) = 100 \cos (\omega t - kx) \hat{y}\text{ volt/metre} Find the average power crossing a circular area of radius 2\text{ metres} in the yz-plane.

(i) Show that the electric and magnetic energy densities in a plane travelling wave are equal. Also prove that the total energy density = \varepsilon_0 E^2 = \mu_0 H^2.

(ii) Deduce the equation of continuity based on Maxwell's equations.

When a person carrying something metallic walks through the doorway of a metal detector, it emits a sound. Explain the reason behind it. A 200\Omega resistor and a 15\mu\mathrm{F} capacitor are connected in series to 220 V, 50 Hz a.c. supply. Calculate the current in the circuit and the r.m.s. voltage across the resistor and the capacitor. Is the algebraic sum of these voltages more than the supply voltage? If yes, resolve the paradox.

Write down the electromagnetic wave equations in non-conducting dielectric medium. Hence show that the velocity of wave propagation is given by v=\sqrt{\frac{1}{\varepsilon\mu}}, where the symbols have their usual meanings.

Write down the physical significance of Maxwell's equations and explain the concept of displacement current by using a proper example.

How large an inductance needs to be connected in series with a 120 V, 60 W lightbulb if it is to operate normally when the combination is connected across a 240 V, 60 Hz supply?

A current i(t)=(2e^{-t}-e^{-2t})\,\mu\mathrm{A} charges up a 120\,\mathrm{nF} capacitor for a period of 2 seconds. If the final voltage across the capacitor is 15\,\mathrm{V}, what was the initial voltage across it?