24PHP202 Engineering Physics Questions

1. A guitar string's vibrations are damped by the musician's fingers. Obtain the
differential equation and solution for the oscillating string. How
does damping affect the string's oscillation amplitude and frequency?

2. An automobile suspension system uses a mechanical oscillator to absorb shocks.

Derive the differential equation and solution for the oscillating system. Consider a
mass of 5g and having a force constant of 10 N/m undergoing a forced oscillation.
The external force is given by 10sin 40t (in SI units) and the damping factor of the
system is 2s-1. Calculate the resonant frequency of the system.

3. A car's shock absorber is modelled as an underdamped harmonic oscillator. Obtain

the equation of motion for a damped oscillator and further discuss about the
underdamped case and derive its solution. If the damping constant is too low, what
would happen to the ride quality of the car? Calculate the resonant frequency of a
system whose natural frequency is 200 Hz and has a damping factor of 10 s-1.

4.
A mechanical system consists of a mass, spring and damper. Write the differential
equation and its solution for the oscillator. Discuss about the underdamped case in
detail and derive its solution. Consider a system with mass 90g undergoing a forced
oscillation. The external force is given by F = 100sin500t (in SI units) and the
damping factor is 5 s-1. The force constant of the system is 0.001 N/m. Calculate
the resonant frequency and maximum amplitude of the system.

5. A guitar string is vibrating under the influence of a periodic force. Derive the
differential equation for the oscillation of the string and write its solution. What are
the differences between damped oscillations and forced oscillations. Q factor of an
undamped harmonic oscillator of frequency 200 Hz is 3000. Calculate the time in
which its energy reduces to 1/e of its initial energy.

6. Explain resonance and derive the condition for amplitude resonance. How to
mitigate the risks of resonance which causes damage to industrial machine or an
engine? The amplitude of an underdamped harmonic oscillator reduces to 1/20 th of
its initial value after 20 oscillations. If the time period is 2 s, calculate its damping
constant and relaxation time.

7. Obtain the differential equation and write the solution for a forced harmonic
oscillator. Derive the condition for amplitude resonance. An oscillator has a mass of
49 g and its force constant is 25 N/m and damping coefficient is 10-1 Ns/m .
Calculate the Q factor.

8. An excited tuning fork is placed in contact with a guitar string such that it is forced
to vibrate. Deduce the differential equation for vibration of the guitar string and
 write its solution. List any four practical cases of damping. Define Q factor and
relaxation time.

9. Obtain the differential equation of a forced harmonic oscillator. What is resonance

and how to mitigate the risks of resonance effects in design of a bridge to prevent
structural failure? Calculate the time in which the energy of a damped harmonic
oscillator with damping constant 1 s-1 reduces to 1/e of its undamped value.

10. Considering the transverse vibrations of a stretched string, derive an expression for
frequency of fundamental mode of vibration. Distinguish between transverse and
longitudinal waves.
Consider an LC circuit in which L=500mH and C=0.100μF. (a) What is the
resonance frequency ω0?(b) If a resistance of 1.00kΩ is introduced into this circuit,
what is the frequency of the damped oscillations? (c) By what percentage does the
frequency of the damped oscillations differ from the resonance frequency?

11. An LCR circuit is used in a radio receiver for selecting a particular frequency from
a spectrum of radio waves. Derive the voltage equation in differential form and
obtain an expression for the frequency of the LCR oscillator. Write any six
comparisons between Electrical and Mechanical oscillatory [Link] the
fundamental frequency of a string of length 36cm weighing 9 g kept stretched by a
load of 800 g.

12. In Melde’s apparatus, the string has a mass of 55 g and is 1.75 m long. Derive an
expression for velocity of transverse vibrations on such a string and hence obtain
the velocity of a wave in the above string stretched under a tension of 50 N.

13. Compare Electrical and Mechanical oscillatory systems. Derive an expression for
frequency of an LCR oscillator with help of a circuit diagram. A string when
stretched by a weight of 400g gives a note of frequency 300 Hz. How much weight
is required to produce thrice this frequency.

14.
Draw the circuit diagram of an LCR oscillator and derive the voltage equation in
differential form. What are the conditions for aperiodic, critical and oscillating
discharge. Draw their [Link] equation of a transverse wave on a stretched
string is given by y=0.05 sin 2π(t/0.002−x/0.1 + π/3 ),find the
wavelength,amplitude, velocity, frequency,direction of propogation and initial
phase of the wave.

15.
In a digital circuit, an LCR component is used to generate oscillations at specific
frequency. Derive the voltage equation for the oscillator in differential form.
Compare Electrical and Mechanical oscillatory systems. By tuning the values of
inductance L= 1mH and capacitance C=10µF, at what frequency will the circuit
 resonate?

16. Obtain the differential equation for LCR oscillation with the help of circuit
diagram. Give any four comparisons between Electrical and Mechanical oscillatory
systems . Calculate the velocity of wave in a string of length 80 cm and mass 10g ,
stretched by a weight of 15kg.

17. The string in a piano vibrates transversely when struck by a hammer, producing
waves. Obtain an expression for frequency of fundamental mode of vibration.
Define frequency, wavelength ,phase and velocity of a wave motion.

18. Obtain the one dimensional wave equation using stretched string as a model.
Further deduce velocity from this expression.
The equation of a transverse wave on a stretched string is given
by y=10sin0.6π(t/0.03−x/0.9) in SI units, calculate the amplitude and wave
velocity.

19.
A guitar string when plucked vibrates transversely. Derive an expression for
frequency of fundamental mode of vibration for the string. Distinguish between
transverse and longitudinal waves. In an LC circuit, the inductance is 2µH and
capacitance is 6mF. Calculate its resonant frequency.

20. A soap bubble when viewed in white light shows colours. Derive the necessary
theory and explain the conditions for coloured films. An air wedge is formed using
two glass plates of length 80 mm, separated at one end by a wire of diameter 0.042
mm. What will be the bandwidth of fringes, if the wedge is viewed in sodium light?

21. Using theory of thin films, deduce the expression for path difference for darkness in
a reflected system. What are antireflection coatings? Explain its working and obtain
an expression for its thickness. A glass microscope lens (refractive index 1.5) is
coated with magnesium fluoride of refractive index 1.38 to increase the
transmission of normally incident light of wavelength 580 nm. What minimum film
thickness should be deposited on the lens?

22. Oil slick on water forms a thin film. Discuss the theory of formation of interference
bands with the film under reflected system. An air film is enclosed between two
glass plates touching at one edge and separated by a wire of 0.06 mm diameter at a
distance of 0.15 m from the edge. Calculate the fringe width if a light of
wavelength 600 nm is allowed to fall normally on the film.

23. On a rainy day, thin film of oil on wet road shows vibrant colours. Derive the
necessary conditions to explain the colour of thin films. A soap film of 500 nm
thickness is viewed at an angle of 35 degrees to the normal. Find the wavelengths
which will be absent for first three orders from the reflected system. Given the
 refractive index of the film is 1.33.

24. Due to oil spill from a petroleum tanker ship, the ocean surface appears coloured.
Derive the necessary theory and explain the rainbow-like patterns seen on ocean
surface. An air wedge is formed using two glass plates of length 70mm separated at
one end by a wire of diameter 0.035 mm. What will be the bandwidth of the fringes
if the wedge is viewed in sodium light?

25. What is an air wedge? Describe the method of finding the diameter of a wire using
air wedge arrangement and derive expressions for diameter as well as bandwidth.
A parallel beam of sodium light of wavelength 589 nm strikes a film of oil floating
on water. When viewed at an angle of 30 degrees from the normal, 8th dark band is
seen. Determine the thickness of the film if refractive index of oil is 1.46.

26. In a high-precision laboratory, you are tasked with measuring the diameter of a very
fine wire used in optical sensors. The air wedge method is chosen for this
measurement. Derive the theory behind the air wedge phenomenon and outline the
procedure for determining the diameter of the wire using this technique with
appropriate figures. Include the steps for setting up the apparatus, how to interpret
the interference fringes, and the formula used to calculate the wire's diameter.
Discuss the advantages of using the air wedge method in this context compared to
other measurement techniques.

27. A strand of hair is placed between two glass plates at one end their other ends are in
contact with each other. Explain the experimental set up and obtain the necessary
theory required to find the diameter of the hair using interference.
A parallel beam of light strikes an oil film (refractive index 1.4) floating on a
surface of water. When viewed at an angle of 30 degrees from the normal, 6th dark
fringe is seen. Find the thickness of the film. (Given the wavelength of the light
used is 589 nm)

28. With necessary diagrams and theory, explain the experimental determination of
wavelength of a monochromatic light using air wedge. Write down the conditions
for darkness and brightness due to interference in thin films.
A soap film of 500 nm thickness is viewed at an angle of 35 degrees to the normal.
Find the wavelengths which will be absent for first three orders from the reflected
system. Given the refractive index of the film is 1.33.

29. A strand of hair is placed between two glass plates at one end and their other ends
are in contact with each other 10 cm away from the hair. Explain the experimental
setup and obtain the necessary theory required to find the diameter of the hair using
interference. What is the diameter of the hair if there are 20 fringes in 1 cm of
interference pattern when illuminated with a light of wavelength 540 nm.

30. What is a transmission grating? Give the theory of plane transmission grating. How
can it be used to find the wavelength of a monochromatic light? How will the
 diffraction pattern changes with increasing number of lines on a grating?
Differentiate between Fresnel and Fraunhoffer classes of diffraction.

31. A diffraction grating is used in a spectrometer to analyze the spectral composition

of light. Explain the construction and working of a grating and derive Grating
equation.
Calculate the minimum number of lines in a grating to resolve two lines 0.02 nm
apart near 580 nm in the second order. Also calculate the grating element if the
grating is 2cm long.

32. Derive the Grating Equation with necessary theory. Describe an experiment to find
the unknown wavelength of a source using grating. A diffraction grating used at
normal incidence and is found that the image at 30 degrees consist of an orange line
of wavelength 630 nm of nth order spectrum superimposed on a green line of
wavelength 540 nm of the order (n+1). Find the grating element.

33. Define grating element? Obtain the grating equation with necessary theory. What is
the effect of increasing the number of lines on the grating?
A plane transmission grating is having 5000 lines/cm. Find the angular separation
between two wavelengths 540 nm and 546 nm in the third order.

34. Discuss the theory of plane transmission grating and obtain grating equation. How
will the diffraction pattern changes with wavelength of the incident wave? A plane
transmission grating just resolves 2 lines in the second order near 600 nm.
Calculate the grating element if the difference in wavelengths is 0.2 nm and width
of the grating is 3 cm.

35. In a spectrometer, a diffraction grating is used to analyze the spectral composition

of light. What is spectral resolution? State and explain Rayleigh's criterion for
spectral resolution. How will the grating's resolving power affect the measurement
of closely spaced spectral lines?
Calculate the minimum number of lines in a grating to resolve two lines 0.02 nm
apart near 580 nm in the second order. Also calculate the grating element if the
grating is 2 cm long.

36. What is Resolving power? Write Rayleigh’s criterion for spectral resolution.
Differentiate between interference and diffraction. A diffraction grating is used at
normal incidence and found that the image at 30 degrees consist of an orange line
of wavelength 630 nm of nth order spectrum superimposed on a green line of
wavelength 540 nm of the order (n+1). Calculate the grating element?

37. Sodium doublet lines at 589 nm and 589.6 nm are used to test the resolving power
of a grating. Define Resolving power of a grating. If a grating with resolving power
6000 is used, can it resolve the sodium doublet lines? What is Rayleigh’s criterion
for spectral resolution? How do line intensity or grating size affect resolving
 power? Differentiate between Fresnel and Fraunhoffer classes of diffraction.

38. Explain the Rayleigh’s criterion for spectral resolution. What is Resolving power of
a grating? Differentiate between interference and diffraction.
A plane transmission grating is having 5000 lines/cm. Find the angular separation
between two wavelengths 540 nm and 546 nm in the third order.

39. State and explain Rayleigh’s criterion for spectral resolution and Resolving power
of an optical instrument. How interference differs from the diffraction of light?
A plane transmission grating just resolves 2 lines in the second order. Calculate the
grating element if the difference in wavelengths is 0.2 nm, wavelength is 600nm
and width of the grating is 3 cm.

40. A quantum system is described by a time- dependent wave function.

Derive Schrödinger's equation and show how it predicts the evolution of the system
over [Link] the physical singnificance of wave function. What will be the de
Broglie wavelength of an electron moving with a velocity of 1.2×105m/s?

41. Starting from a plane wave equation, use de Broglie’s formula and Einstein’s
relation for photon energy to obtain Schrodinger’s time dependent equation. Give
the admissibility conditions of wave function. Calculate the de Broglie wavelength
associated with an alpha particle accelerated by a potential-difference of 100KeV.
Mass of alpha particle is 6.68×10-27kg.

42. A quantum harmonic oscillator is described by time dependent wave function.

Show how Schrodinger's time dependent equation predict the oscillator's behaviour
over time? Discuss de- Broglie hypothesis. Calculate the de Broglie wavelength
associated with a proton moving with velocity equal to 1/20th of the velocity of
light. (Mass of proton is 1.67×10-27kg.)

43. Derive Schrödinger's time independent equation from the time dependent one.
Explain the admissibility conditions of wave functions.
De Broglie wavelength associated with an electron is 0.1Aº. Find potential
difference by which the electron is accelerated.

44. Derive Schrödinger's time dependent and time independent equations. For what
class of problems we apply Schrodinger’s time independent equation?

45. Deduce the time independent Schrodinger equation from the time dependent one.
What is the probability interpretation of wave functions?
Find out the ratio of de Broglie wavelengths of neutrons with kinetic energy of 1eV
and 510 eV.

46. Show how Schrödinger’s time dependent equation describes the evolution of a
 quantum system's wave function over time?. Obtain the expression for de Broglie
wavelength of an electron. Calculate the de Broglie wavelengths associated with an
electron when kinetic energy is i) 1500 eV and ii) 2000 eV.

47. Deduce Schrödinger equation for a particle in a one dimensional box and find their
energies and normalized wave functions for the first three energy levels. Find the
value of energy of an electron in a one dimensional box of length 1Aº for n=1 and
n=2 energy states.

48. Considering an electron as a particle confined to move in a hydrogen atom, use

Schrodinger's time independent equation to determine the allowed energy levels
and wave functions for the electron.

49. Deduce the Schrodinger equation for a particle in a one dimensional infinite square
well potential and obtain the equation for wave function of the particle. Write the
first three values of energy and normalized wave functions of particle in the one
dimensional box.
Calculate the energy difference between the ground state and first excited state of
an electron in a one dimensional rigid box of length 10-8cm.(mass of electron is 9.1
×10-31Kg, h=6.626×10-34Js)

50. A proton in a nucleus can roughly be regarded as a particle in a box, the boundaries
of nucleus plays the role of the wall of the box and proton moves more or less
freely between these walls. Obtain the expressions for wave function and energy
eigen value for the proton. What is the energy released when the proton makes a
transition from the first excited state to the ground state of a box of nuclear size, ie
1.0 x 10-14 m. ( Mass of proton is 1.67 ×10-27 kg and h=6.626×10-34Js )

51. Derive the expression for normalized wave functions and energy values for ground
and first excited states of particle in one dimensional box. The width of box is L.
An electron is bound by a potential which is closley approaches an infinite sqaure
well of width = 2.5×[Link] the first lower permissible energy for the
electron.

52. Describe the concept of quantum confinement and based on this explain quantum-
well, quantum-wires and quantum-dots. Mention two industrial applications of
nanotechnology.

53. Define quantum confinement. Distinguish between nano-sheets, quantum-wires and

quantum-dots based on quantum confinement. Write two medical applications of
nanotechnology.

54. Define quantum confinement. Explain zero, one and two dimensional nano
structures using quantum confinement. Mention any four applications of
 nanomaterials.

55. Describe quantum confinement in different dimensions and the structures formed as
a result of such confinements. Write two applications of nanotechnology in
industry.

56. Write a note on quantum confinement of nanomaterials and explain quantum-well,

quantum-wire and quantum-dot. Why do nanomaterials exhibit higher strength but
reduced ductility compared to bulk materials?

57. Describe the mechanical, electrical and optical properties of nanomaterials. Explain
the significance of larger surface area to volume ratio of nanoparticles.

58. Explain the changes in electrical, mechanical and optical properties of materials
when their size is reduced to nano-scale. Describe the effect of increased surface
area to volume ratio in nanomaterials.

59. Write a note on electrical, mechanical and optical properties of nanomaterials.

Discuss the significance of surface plasmon resonance in metallic nanoparticles.

60. What are the mechanical, electrical and optical properties of nanomaterials? Why
do the physical properties of nanomaterials vary as size decreases?

61. How does the electrical, mechanical and optical properties of materials change
when they are confined to nano-scale? What is the significance of surface area to
volume ratio in nanoparticles?

62. Derive Maxwell's equations from the basic laws of electricity and magnetism. State
whether the following is true or false: "A field with zero curl is necessarily
irrotational." Explain.

63. Derive all four Maxwell’s equations in differential form in free space. Clearly state
the assumptions made (e.g., ρ = 0, J = 0). Explain the physical interpretation of
each.

64. Expain the mathematical definition and physical significance of gradient and
curl .What does it mean if the divergence of a vector field is zero? If r = xi+yj+zk,
find curl r.

65. Define gradient of a scalar function,divergence and curl of a vector function.

Evaluate the divergence and curl of the vector field F = 2xz î+3yz2 ĵ+4xy k̂ at the
point (1, 2, 0).
66. Explain the failure of Ampere's law in the case of a charging capacitor. Considering
the correction for Ampere's law, derive Maxwell's four differential equations.

67. Define divergence and [Link] their physical [Link] the constant 'a' ,

physical interpretation of ∇⋅E = 0 in free space?

if the vector A = (x+3y) i+(2y+3z) j+(x+az) k is a solenoidal [Link] is the

68. Write notes on gradient of a scalar function, divergence of a vector function and
curl of a vector function. State Gauss's divergence theorem and Stoke's
theorem. Using Faraday’s law of electromagnetic induction, derive the Maxwell
equation involving the curl of the electric field.

69. Derive Maxwell's equations in differential form starting from the fundamental laws

that ∇⋅(∇×F) = 0 for any vector field F.

of electricity and [Link] the curl of F=y î +z ĵ + x k̂ . Show

70. From the basic laws of electricity and magnetism,deduce Maxwell's four equations
in free space. Calculate the divergence of the vector A = xy î +yz ĵ +zx k̂

71. Consider an electromagnetic wave propagating through free space. Using

Maxwell's equations in free space, derive the wave equations for electric and
magnetic fields. What does the continuity equation imply for a steady-state current?

72. Obtain the equation of continuity for time varying electric [Link] is the
physical meaning of the equation of continuity? State and explain the Poynting's
theorem for the flow of energy in an electromagnetic wave. Calculate the value of
poynting's vector for a 60 W bulb at a distance of 0.5 m from it.

imply if ∇⋅J = 0?Give the mathematical statement of Poynting's theorem and

73. Derive the equation of continuity for time varying electric fields. What does it

explain the theorem. Calculate the value of poynting's vector at the surface of sun if
the power radiated by the sun is 3.8x1026 W and its radius is 7x108 m.

74. Maxwell’s equations govern the behaviour of electric and magnetic fields in
various media. In free space, derive the differential equations for electric and
magnetic fields of an electromagnetic wave traveling in the z-direction. Hence
obtain an expression for the velocity of electromagnetic wave in vacuum.

75. What is Poynting's vector ? State Poynting's Theorem. Derive the equation of
continuity for time varying electric field. Interpret the result and explain how it
ensures conservation of electric [Link] does the continuity equation imply for
a steady-state current?

76. In the absence of charges and currents, write the Maxwell's equations in free space
and show that the velocity of the electro magnetic wave is 3x108m/s. State and
 explain Poynting's Theorem.

77. Starting from the Maxwell's equations in free space derive the differential equations
of electric and magnetic fields of an electromagnetic wave and hence find the
velocity of electromagnetic waves in free space . State Poynting's Theorem.

78. Consider an electromagnetic wave propagating through free space. Derive the
electromagnetic wave equations from the Maxwell's equations in free space and
hence show that light is electromagnetic in nature.

79. Derive the electromagnetic wave equations in free space. Prove that the

physical meaning of the equation of continuity? What does it imply if ∇⋅J = 0?

electromagnetic wave propagate with speed of light in free [Link] is the

80. Write down the Maxwell's equations in free [Link] how Maxwell showed
that light is electromagnetic in nature. Describe how the equation of continuity
ensures conservation of electric charge. What does the continuity equation imply
for a steady-state current?