Four Year Undergraduate Course in Physics

Semester - IV
Paper Name: Mathematical Physics
Paper Code: PHY040404
Total number of lectures= 45
Total credits = 4 (Theory 3 +Laboratory 1) (Total Marks 100: Internal-
40+External-60)

Course Outcome:

CO1: Recall and identify key concepts of partial differential equations, Fourier series, complex
analysis, tensor algebra, and probability distributions.
CO2: Explain the principles and methodologies used in solving partial differential equations,
expanding periodic functions into Fourier series, and analyzing complex variables.
CO3: Solve problems involving partial differential equations, Fourier series, and tensor algebra
in physical and mathematical contexts.
CO4: Analyze the behaviour of complex functions, their singularities, and the properties of
tensors and probability distributions in theoretical and applied scenarios.
CO5: Design and implement computational solutions to mathematical problems using
programming tools such as C/C++, Scilab, FORTRAN, Mathematica, Matlab, or Python.

Theory
Unit I: Partial Differential Equations (Lectures 10)
Solutions to partial differential equations, using separation of variables: Laplace’s Equation in
problems of rectangular, cylindrical and spherical symmetry. Wave equation and its solution for
vibrational modes of a stretched string, rectangular and circular membranes.

Unit II: Fourier Series (Lectures 07)

Periodic functions. Orthogonality of sine and cosine functions, Dirichlet Conditions (Statement
only). Expansion of periodic functions in a series of sine and cosine functions and determination
of Fourier coefficients. Complex representation of Fourier series. Application to square and
triangular waves.

Unit III: Complex Analysis (Lectures 17)

Functions of Complex Variables. Analyticity and Cauchy-Riemann Conditions. Examples of
analytic functions. Singular functions: poles and branch points, order of singularity. Integration
of functions with complex variable. Cauchy’s Integral theorem and Cauchy’s Integral formula.
Simply and multiply connected regions. Laurent and Taylor’s series expansions. Residue
Theorem with application.

Unit IV: Tensor Algebra (Lectures 06)

Introduction to tensor, Transformation of co-ordinates, Einsteins summation convention.
Contravariant, covariant and mixed tensors. Symmetric and antisymmetric tensors, Kronecker
delta, LeviCivita tensor. Quotient law of tensors. Rules of combination of tensors: addition,
subtraction, outer multiplication, contraction and inner multiplication.

Unit V: Introduction to Probability (Lectures 05)

Independent random variables: Probability distribution functions; binomial, Gaussian and
Poisson, with examples. Mean and variance.

Laboratory
(Use C/C++/Scilab/FORTRAN/Mathematica/ Matlab/ Python to solve the following problems.
)
1. Solve the differential equations
d y
d x
¿
with y
¿ for x
¿
0 0
ex
d y
d x
− x
+ ¿ e
y
¿
2
x
d 2 y
d x 2
+ ¿ 2
d y
d x
¿
−¿ y
2
d y
2
d x
− x
+ ¿ e
d y
d x
¿
−¿ y

2. Perform the multiplication of two 3

¿ matrices.
3

3. Compute the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the following matrices.

[ ][ ][ ]
4 3 7 1 −i 3+ 4 i 2 −i 2i
1 2 7 , i 2 4 , i 4 3
2 0 4 3− 4 i 4 3 −2i 3 5
4. Using random number compute the areas of circle, square, volume of sphere and value of
pi ( π .
¿
5. Evaluate trigonometric functions e.g. sin θ; cosθ; tanθ etc. using Interpolation by Newton
Gregory Forward and Backward difference formula.
6. Find the solution of Partial Differential Equations: (a) Wave equation (b) Heat equation.
7. Evaluate the integral I,where,
I
¿

√ 2 π σ
1
2 for σ
¿
1.0
,

0.1
and show that →
I
5
[ ]
,

( x −2 ) 2 0.0 1

∫ e x p
2 σ
2
( x +3 ) d x

8. Compute the nth roots of unity for n = 2, 3, and 4.

9. Find the two square roots of 5 + 12i.
References
1. Mathematical Physics; H K Dass and R Verma, S Chand and Company limited.
2. Mathematical methods for Physics and Engineering; K. F Riley, M. P Hobson, S.J Bence,
Cambridge University Press.
3. Graduate Mathematical Physics (With Mathematica Supplement); J J Kelly, Willey-VCH
Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA.
4. Mathematical Methods for Physicists; G. B. Arfken, H. J. Weber and F.E. Harris, Elsevier.
5. Ordinary and Partial Differential equations; M. D Raisinghania, S. Chand and Company Ltd.
6. Complex Variables; M R Spiegel,S Lipschutz, J J Schiller and D Spellman, Schaum’s Outline
Series, McGraw Hill Education.
7. Complex variables Demystified (A self teaching guide); D McMahan, McGraw Hill
Education.
8. A Student’s Guide to vectors and Tensors; D A Fleisch, Cambridge University Press.
9. Vector analysis and an introduction to Tensor analysis; S Lipschutz, D Spellman, M R
Spiegel, Schaum’s Outline Series, McGraw Hill Education.
10.Tensors and applications with Scilab Programs; N D Soni, I.K International Publishing
House Pvt. Limited.
11. Probability and Statistics; M R Spiegel, J J Schiller and R A Srinivasan, Schaum’s Outline
Series, McGraw Hill Education.