Syllabus - Fundamentals of Physics (CB105)

Oscillation

Periodic motion-simple harmonic motion-characteristics of simple harmonic motion-vibration of simple spring mass system. Resonance-definition., dampedharmonic oscillator – heavy, critical and light damping, energy decay in a damped harmonic oscillator, quality factor, forced mechanical and electrical oscillators.

Interference

principle of superposition-young’s experiment: Theory of interference interference-Fresnel’s prism-Newton’s rings, Diffraction-Two kinds of fringes-types of diffraction-Difference between interference and diffraction-Fresnel’s half period zone and zone plate-Fraunhofer diffraction at single slit-plane diffraction grating. Temporal and Spatial Coherence.

Polarization of light

Polarization - Concept of production of polarized beam of light from two SHM acting at right angle; plane, elliptical and circularly polarized light, Brewster’s law, double refraction.

Basic Idea of Electromagnetisms

Continuity equation for current densities, Maxwell’s equation in vacuum and non-conducting medium.

Quantum Mechanics

Introduction- Planck’s quantum theory- Matter waves, de- Broglie wavelength, Heisenberg’s Uncertainty principle, time independent and time dependent Schrödinger’s wave equation, Physical significance of wave function, Particle in a one dimensional potential box, Heisenberg Picture.

Crystallography

Basic terms-types of crystal systems, Bravais lattices, miller indices,d spacing,Atomic packing factor for SC, BCC, FCC and HCP structures.

Laser and Fiber optics

Einstein’s theory of matter radiation interaction and A and B coefficients; amplification of light by population inversion, different types of lasers: Ruby Laser, CO2 and Neodymium lasers; Properties of laser beams: mono-chromaticity, coherence, directionality and brightness, laser speckles, applications of lasers in engineering.Fiber optics and Applications, Types of optical fibers.

Thermodynamics

Zeroth law of thermodynamics, first law of thermodynamics, brief discussion on application of 1st law, second law of thermodynamics and concept of Engine, entropy, change in entropy in reversible and irreversible processes.