UPSC Physics Optional PYQs (CSE & IFoS)PYQs

Discuss the reflection and refraction of plane electromagnetic waves at plane dielectric boundaries for normal incidence and also find the reflection and transmission coefficients.

(i) Using Maxwell's equations, obtain the relation \frac{1}{c} \frac{\partial}{\partial t} \left( \frac{E^2 + B^2}{2} \right) + \vec{\nabla} \cdot (\vec{E} \times \vec{B}) = 0 (ii) What is Poynting vector ? Deduce Poynting theorem for the flow of energy in an electromagnetic field.

Write down the four Maxwell's equations and explain the contribution of Maxwell in the development of these equations.

Use the method of electric images to find the electric field on the surface of a grounded conducting sphere.

(i) State Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction and prove that it can be expressed in the following vector form : \mathrm{Curl}~\vec{E} = -\frac{\partial \vec{B}}{\partial t} with \vec{E} and \vec{B} being the electric and magnetic fields. (ii) A coil of 10 turns has dimension 9~\text{cm} \times 7~\text{cm}. It rotates at the rate of 15\pi~\text{rad/sec} in a uniform field whose flux density is 0\cdot 6~\text{weber/m}^2. What is the maximum e.m.f. induced in the coil ?

(i) Using the concept of spontaneous and stimulated emission of radiation, obtain the relation between Einstein's A and B coefficients. (ii) What is the physical significance of Einstein's A coefficient ? (iii) Justify why lasing action is much more difficult at X-ray frequency than in case of infrared frequency spectrum.

(i) Explain the reason for pulse broadening due to intermodal and material dispersion. Deduce the relation of pulse broadening for intermodal dispersion in optical fiber. (ii) A step index fiber in air has a numerical aperture of 0\cdot 16, a core refractive index of 1\cdot 45 and a core diameter of 60~\mu\text{m}. Determine the normalized frequency for the fiber when light at a wavelength of 0\cdot 8~\mu\text{m} is transmitted. Also estimate the number of guided modes propagating in the fiber.

Explain the principle of operation of optical fibre. What are the different losses that take place in optical fibre?

How is laser light different from ordinary light? Discuss the working principle of ruby laser. What role do chromium ions play in this process?

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?

A plane-polarized light passes through a double-refracting crystal of thickness 40\,\mu\mathrm{m} and emerges out as circularly polarized. If the birefringence of the crystal is 0.00004, then find the wavelength of the incident light.

Find the velocity of sound in a gas in which two waves of wavelengths 1.00\,\mathrm{m} and 1.01\,\mathrm{m} produce 10 beats in 3 seconds.

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\,\mathrm{cm} each. Also find its focal length.

Explain with proper example the interferences due to 'division of wavefront' and 'division of amplitude'.

What is multiple-beam interference? Discuss the advantages of multiple-beam interferometry over two-beam interferometry. Explain the fringes formed by Fabry-Perot interferometer.

Although the principle of operation of a basic LASER is based upon two energy levels, why does one need a 3-level or a 4-level scheme to achieve satisfactory lasing ? Explain your answer with special reference to a Ruby-laser.

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\ \mathrm{cm} and the wavelength of the incident light is 500\ \mathrm{nm}.

Discuss absorption loss in an optical fibre comparing and contrasting the intrinsic and extrinsic absorption mechanisms.

(i) What is Holography ? (ii) Show with simple diagrams, how a hologram is written and read using a laser. (iii) Mention some important applications of holography.

(i) In a Michelson's interferometer, 100 fringes cross the field of view when the movable mirror is displaced through 2\cdot 894 \times 10^{-3}~\text{cm}. Calculate the wavelength of the monochromatic source of light. (ii) A shift of 200 fringes is observed when the movable mirror of a Fabry-Pérot interferometer is shifted by 0\cdot 0298~\text{mm}. Calculate the wavelength of the incident radiation.