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fiziks

Institute for NET/JRF, GATE, IIT‐JAM, M.Sc. Entrance, JEST, TIFR and GRE in Physics 
 
GATE 2020
Section - GA (General Aptitude)
Q1 – Q5 carry one mark each.
Q1. He is known for his unscrupulous ways. He always sheds ___________ tears to deceive
people.
(a) fox’s (b) crocodile’s (c) crocodile (d) fox
Ans. : (c)
Solution: ‘To shed crocodile tear’s means ‘to pretend to be sad or to sympathize with someone
without really caring about them.
Q2. Jofra Archer, the England fast bowler, is __________ than accurate.
(a) more fast (b) faster (c) less fast (d) more faster
Ans. : (b)
Solution: The use ‘less fast’ and ‘more fast’ is incorrect because of using adjective. Similarly more
faster is incorrect because faster itself is in comparative degree. The only choice that
remains is ‘faster’. Hence correct option is (b).
Q3. Select the word that fits the analogy:
Build : Building :: Grow :
(a) Grown (b) Grew (c) Growth (d) Growed
Ans. : (c)
Solution: The verb ‘build’ finally results in ‘building’ similarly verb ‘grow’ finally result in noun
‘growth’
Q4. I do not think you know the case well enough to have opinions. Having said that, I agree
with your other point.
What does the phrase “having said that” mean in the given text?
(a) as opposed to what I have said (b) despite what I have said
(c) in addition to what I have said (d) contrary to what I have said
Ans. : (b)
Solution: ‘Having said that’ means ‘despite what has been mentioned earlier’ or ‘despite what has
been said earlier’. Option ( 1 ) and ( 2 ) convey the same meaning and they do not fit in the
context here.

H.No. 40-D, Ground Floor, Jia Sarai, Near IIT, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016
Phone: 011-26865455/+91-9871145498
Website: www.physicsbyfiziks.com | Email: fiziks.physics@gmail.com  

fiziks
Institute for NET/JRF, GATE, IIT‐JAM, M.Sc. Entrance, JEST, TIFR and GRE in Physics 
 
Q5. Define  x  as the greatest integer less than or equal to x , for each x   ,   . If y   x  ,

then area under y for x  1, 4 is

(a) 1 (b) 3 (c) 4 (d) 6


Ans. : (d)
Solution: The groups of y   x  in the interval 1, 4 is shown in the figure. The required area is
y   x
the sum of areas of all the rectangles.
Required area  1  2  3  6 4
3
2
1
x
0 1 2 3 4
Q6 – Q10 carry two marks each.
Q6. Crowd funding deals with mobilisation of funds for a project from a large number of
people, who would be willing to invest smaller amounts through web-based platforms in
the project.
Based on the above paragraph, which of the following is correct about crowd funding?
(a) Funds raised through unwilling contributions on web-based platforms
(b) Funds raised through large contributions on web-based platforms
(c) Funds raised through coerced contributions on web-based platforms
(d) Funds raised through voluntary contributions on web-based platforms
Ans. : (d)
Solution: The paragraph states that people are willing to invest through well-based platforms hence
correct option is (d)
Q7. P, Q, R and S are to be uniquely coded using  and  . If P is coded as  and Q as
 , then R and S , respectively, can be coded as
(a)  and  (b)  and  (c)  and  (d)  and 
Ans. : (d)
Solution: The code for P is  and the code for Q is  . Now there are only two codes left 
and  . Hence the codes of R and S will be  and  (not necessarily in that order).

H.No. 40-D, Ground Floor, Jia Sarai, Near IIT, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016
Phone: 011-26865455/+91-9871145498
Website: www.physicsbyfiziks.com | Email: fiziks.physics@gmail.com  

fiziks
Institute for NET/JRF, GATE, IIT‐JAM, M.Sc. Entrance, JEST, TIFR and GRE in Physics 
 
Q8. The sum of the first n terms in the sequence 8,88,888,8888,... is

(a)
80

81 n 9

10  1  n
8
(b)
80

81 n 9
10  1  n
8

(c)
80
81
 8
10 n  1  n
9
(d)
80
81
 8

10 n  1  n
9
Ans. : (d)
Solution: We have to find the sum of n term of
8,88,888,8888,....
Let S  8  88  888  8888   upto n term
 S  8 1  11  111  1111   upto n terms 

8
S  9  99  999  9999  upto n terms 
9
8
 S  10  1  100  1  1000  1   upto n terms 
9
8
 S  10  100  1000   upto n terms   n 
9
10 1  10n 
Now, 10  100  1000   upto n term 
1  10

9
10  1
10 n

8 10 10  1  80
n

 n   10n  1 
8n
Therefore: S  
9 9  81 9

H.No. 40-D, Ground Floor, Jia Sarai, Near IIT, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016
Phone: 011-26865455/+91-9871145498
Website: www.physicsbyfiziks.com | Email: fiziks.physics@gmail.com  

fiziks
Institute for NET/JRF, GATE, IIT‐JAM, M.Sc. Entrance, JEST, TIFR and GRE in Physics 
 
Q9. Select the graph that schematically represents BOTH y  x m and y  x1/ m properly in the
interval 0  x  1 , for integer values of m , where m  1
y y
(a) 1 (b)
1

x1/ m xm

xm
x x1/ m
0 x
1 0 1

y y

(c) (d) 1
1
x1/ m

xm xm

x1/ m x
x 0 1
0 1
Ans. : (a)
Solution: Since the schematic shape of the graph is independent of the value of m hence we can
take any value of m to find our answer.
If we take m  2 , then y  x 2 and y  x1/ 2  x are the two curves.

We know that x 2  x at x  0 and x  1 . Also x 2  x for all x in the interval  0,1 .

H.No. 40-D, Ground Floor, Jia Sarai, Near IIT, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016
Phone: 011-26865455/+91-9871145498
Website: www.physicsbyfiziks.com | Email: fiziks.physics@gmail.com  

fiziks
Institute for NET/JRF, GATE, IIT‐JAM, M.Sc. Entrance, JEST, TIFR and GRE in Physics 
 
Q10. The bar graph shows the data of the students who appeared and passed in an examination
for four schools P, Q, R and S . The average of success rates (in percentage) of these four
school is_________.
Performance of Schools P, Q, R and S
800
Appeared Passed
700
700
600 600
Number of students

500
500
455
400 400
330
300 280
240
200
100
0
School P School Q School R School S
(a) 58.5% (b) 58.8% (c) 59.0% (d) 59.3%
Ans. : (c)
280
Solution: Success rate of school P  100  56%
500
330
Success rate of school Q  100  55%
600
455
Success rate of school R   100  65%
700
240
Success rate of school S  100  60%
400
56  55  65  60
Average of success rate   59%
4

H.No. 40-D, Ground Floor, Jia Sarai, Near IIT, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016
Phone: 011-26865455/+91-9871145498
Website: www.physicsbyfiziks.com | Email: fiziks.physics@gmail.com  

fiziks
Institute for NET/JRF, GATE, IIT‐JAM, M.Sc. Entrance, JEST, TIFR and GRE in Physics 
 
Q1 – Q25 carry one marks each.
d 2u  x 
Q1. Which one of the following is a solution of 2
 k 2u  x  , for k real?
dx
(a) e  kx (b) sin kx (c) cos kx (d) sinh x
Ans. : (a)
Solution: m 2  k 2  0  m   k  u  c1ekx  c2 e kx

Q2. A real, invertible 3  3 matrix M has eigenvalues i ,  i  1, 2,3 and the corresponding

eigenvectors are ei ,  i  1, 2,3 respectively. Which one of the following is correct?

1
(a) M ei  ei , for i  1, 2,3
i
1
(b) M 1 ei  ei , for i  1, 2,3
i

(c) M 1 ei  i ei , for i  1, 2,3

(d) The eigenvalues of M and M 1 are not related


Ans. : (b)
Solution:
Q3. A quantum particle is subjected to the potential
 a
 , x
2

 a a
V  x    0,   x 
 2 2
 a
 , x
 2
The ground state wave function of the particle is proportional to
x  x  x x 
(a) sin   (b) sin   (c) cos   (d) cos  
 2a   a   2a   a 
Ans. : (d)
Solution: Ground state has even parity so

2 x
1  cos
a a a / 2 a/2
Option (d) is correct. a

H.No. 40-D, Ground Floor, Jia Sarai, Near IIT, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016
Phone: 011-26865455/+91-9871145498
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fiziks
Institute for NET/JRF, GATE, IIT‐JAM, M.Sc. Entrance, JEST, TIFR and GRE in Physics 
 

Q4. Let â and â , respectively denote the lowering and raising operators of a one-dimensional
simple harmonic oscillator. Let n be the energy eigenstate of the simple harmonic

oscillator. Given that n is also an eigen state of aˆ † aˆ † aa


ˆ ˆ , the corresponding eigenvalue is

(a) n  n  1 (b) n  n  1 (c)  n  1


2
(d) n 2

Ans. : (a)
Solution: aˆ † aˆ † aa
ˆˆ n  aˆ † aˆ † aˆ n n  1

 aˆ † aˆ † n n  1 n  2

 aˆ † n n  1 n  1 n  1  n n  1 n  1 n n  n  n  1 n

Q5. Which one of the following is a universal logic gate?


(a) AND (b) NOT (c) OR (d) NAND
Ans. : (d)
Solution:
Q6. Which one of the following is the correct binary equivalent of the hexadecimal F 6C ?
(a) 0110 1111 1100 (b) 1111 0110 1100
(c) 1100 0110 1111 (d) 0110 1100 0111
Ans. 6: (b)
Solution: F  15 10  1111 2 , 6   6 10   0110  2 and C  12 10  1100  2

Thus F 6C  1111 0110 1100  2

Q7. The total angular momentum j of the ground state of the 17


8 O nucleus is

1 3 5
(a) (b) 1 (c) (d)
2 2 2
Ans. 7: (d)
Solution: For 178O : z  8 and N  9

For N  9 : 1s1/ 2  1 p3/ 2  1 p1/ 2  1d5/ 2 


2 4 2 1

5
The angular momentum is I 
2
Thus the correct option is (d).

H.No. 40-D, Ground Floor, Jia Sarai, Near IIT, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016
Phone: 011-26865455/+91-9871145498
Website: www.physicsbyfiziks.com | Email: fiziks.physics@gmail.com  

fiziks
Institute for NET/JRF, GATE, IIT‐JAM, M.Sc. Entrance, JEST, TIFR and GRE in Physics 
 
Q8. A particle X is produced in the process   p  K   X via the strong interaction. If the

quark content of the K  is us , the quark content of X is


(a) cs (b) uud (c) uus (d) ud
Ans. : (c)
Solution: Lets first identify the particle X
  p  K  X
q: 1  1 1 1
spin: 0 1/ 2 0 1/ 2
B: 0 1 0 1
I: 0 1/ 2 1 1/ 2
1 1
I3 : 1   1
2 2
S: 0 0 1 1

Thus the particle X is   . The quark content of   is uus . Thus the correct option (c)
Q9. A medium   r  1,  r  1,   0  is semi-transparent to an electromagnetic wave when

(a) Conduction current >> Displacement current


(b) Conduction current << Displacement current
(c) Conduction current = Displacement current
(d) Both Conduction current and Displacement current are zero
Ans. 9: (b)
Solution: Conduction current J c   E   E0 cos t

E
Displacement current J d    J d   E0 sin t
t
For semi-transparent medium i.e for poor conductor    .
 Jc  E0 
Let t      1  J c  J d
4 J d  E0 

H.No. 40-D, Ground Floor, Jia Sarai, Near IIT, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016
Phone: 011-26865455/+91-9871145498
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fiziks
Institute for NET/JRF, GATE, IIT‐JAM, M.Sc. Entrance, JEST, TIFR and GRE in Physics 
 
 k
Q10. A particle is moving in a central force field given by F   3 rˆ , where r̂ is the unit vector
r
pointing away from the center of the field. The potential energy of the particle is given by
k k k k
(a) (b) (c)  (d) 
r2 2r 2 r2 2r 2
Ans. : (d)
u k k kr 31
Solution:    3  u   3 dr  c
r r r 3  1
k
u  c
2r 2
Q11. Choose the correct statement related to the Fermi energy  E F  and the chemical potential

  of a metal

(a)   E F only at 0K

(b)   E F at finite temperature

(c)   E F at 0K

(d)   E F at finite temperature


Ans.: (a)
Solution: In metal the Fermi energy  EF  is also known as chemical potential    at absolute

zero.
Q12. Consider a diatomic molecule formed by identical atoms. If EV and EC represent the
energy of the vibrational nuclear motion and electronic motion respectively, then in terms
EV
of the electronic mass m and nuclear mass M , is proportional to
EC
1/ 2 3/ 2 2
m m m m
(a)   (b) (c)   (d)  
M  M M  M 
Ans. : (a)
Solution:

H.No. 40-D, Ground Floor, Jia Sarai, Near IIT, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016
Phone: 011-26865455/+91-9871145498
Website: www.physicsbyfiziks.com | Email: fiziks.physics@gmail.com  

fiziks
Institute for NET/JRF, GATE, IIT‐JAM, M.Sc. Entrance, JEST, TIFR and GRE in Physics 
 
Q13. Which one of the following relations determines the manner in which the electric field lines
are refracted across the interface between two dielectric media having dielectric constants
 1 and  2 (see figure)?

E2
1
1
2
 2 E
2

(a)  1 sin 1   2 sin  2 (b)  1 cos 1   2 cos  2

(c)  1 tan 1   2 tan  2 (d)  1 cot 1   2 cot  2


Ans. 13: (d)
tan 1 E1 E1 E2
Solution:    E2  E1
tan  2 E2 E2 E1

E2  1
 D1  D2   1 E1   2 E2  
E1  2

tan 1 E2  1 cot  2  1


        1 cot 1   2 cot  2
tan  2 E1  2 cot 1  2
   
Q14. If E and B are the electric and magnetic fields respectively, then E  B is
(a) odd under parity and even under time reversal
(b) even under parity and odd under time reversal
(c) odd under parity and odd under time reversal
(d) even under parity and even under time reversal
Ans. : (c)
Solution: The electric field E  V / r changes sign under P-operation as r changes its sign and
does not under T-operation as r does not
The magnetic field B  i  r does not changes its sign under P-operation as i  i and
r  r under P-operation but under T-operation changes its sign because i  i but
r r.
 
Thus E  B changes its sign under P-operation as well as under T-operation. Correct option
is (c)

H.No. 40-D, Ground Floor, Jia Sarai, Near IIT, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016
Phone: 011-26865455/+91-9871145498
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10 
fiziks
Institute for NET/JRF, GATE, IIT‐JAM, M.Sc. Entrance, JEST, TIFR and GRE in Physics 
 
Q15. A small disc is suspended by a fiber such that it is free to rotate about the fiber axis (see
figure). For small angular deflections, the Hamiltonian for the disc is given by
p2 1 2
H  
2I 2
where I is the moment of inertia and  is the restoring torque per unit deflection. The
disc is subjected to angular deflections   due to thermal collisions from the surrounding

gas at temperature T and p is the momentum conjugate to  . The average and the root-

mean-square angular deflection,  avg and  rms , respectively are


3/ 2
k T 
(a)  avg  0 and  rms  B 
  
1/ 2
k T 
(b)  avg  0 and  rms  B 
  
1/ 2
k T 
(c)  avg  0 and  rms  B 
  
3/ 2
k T 
(d)  avg  0 and  rms  B 
  
Ans. : (b)
Solution:
Q16. As shown in the figure, an ideal gas is confined to chamber A of an insulated container,
with vacuum in chamber B . When the plug in the wall separating the chambers A and B
is removed, the gas fills both the chambers. Which one of the following statements is true?
Plug

A B
(a) The temperature of the gas remains unchanged
(b) Internal energy of the gas decreases
(c) Temperature of the gas decreases as it expands to fill the space in chamber B
(d) Internal energy of the gas increases as its atoms have more space to move around
Ans. : (a)
Solution: Free expansion case, temperature remains unchanged.
H.No. 40-D, Ground Floor, Jia Sarai, Near IIT, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016
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11 
fiziks
Institute for NET/JRF, GATE, IIT‐JAM, M.Sc. Entrance, JEST, TIFR and GRE in Physics 
 
3
Q17. Particle A with angular momentum j  decays into two particles B and C with
2
3 3 1 1
angular momenta j1 and j2 , respectively. If ,   1,1 B  , , the value of 
2 2 A 2 2 C

is____________
Ans. : 1
Solution:
Q18. Far from the Earth, the Earth’s magnetic field can be approximated as due to a bar magnet
of magnetic pole strength 4 1014 Am . Assume this magnetic field is generated by a current
carrying loop encircling the magnetic equator. The current required to do so is about
4 10 n A , where n is an integer. The value of n is ______.

(Earth’s circumference: 4 107 m )


Ans. 18: 7
Solution: M  4 1014 Am and 2 R  4 10 7 m
M  2 4 1014  2
M  L  I   R  M  2R  I   R  I 
2 2
  4 10 7 A  n  7
R 2 10 7

Q19. The number of distinct ways the primitive unit cell can be constructed for the two
dimensional lattice as shown in the figure is_______.

a
Ans.: 5 1 2
Solution:
3

4 5

H.No. 40-D, Ground Floor, Jia Sarai, Near IIT, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016
Phone: 011-26865455/+91-9871145498
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12 
fiziks
Institute for NET/JRF, GATE, IIT‐JAM, M.Sc. Entrance, JEST, TIFR and GRE in Physics 
 
Q20. A hydrogenic atom is subjected to a strong magnetic field. In the absence of spin-orbit
coupling, the number of doubly degenerate states created out of the d -level is ________
Ans.: 3
Solution: Number of Zeeman levels in strong field can be found from
E   mL  2ms   B B

For d -level: L  2 and S  1/ 2


M L  2 2 1 1 0 0 1 1 2 2

M S  1/ 2 1/ 2 1/ 2 1/ 2 1/ 2 1/ 2 1/ 2 1/ 2 1/ 2 1/ 2

M L  2ms  3 1 2 0 1 1 0 2 1 3

 E  3 B B,  2 B B,  1 B B,  1 B B, 0, 0,  1 B B,  1 B B,  2 B B,  3 B B

The number of doubly degenerate states are   B B, 0,   B B only three. Thus correct
answer is 3.
Q21. A particle Y undergoes strong decay Y       . The isospin of Y is ________
Ans.: 2
Solution: Y    
I: 2 1 1
In strong interaction, isospin is conserved, thus the isospin of Y is 2 .
Q22. For a complex variable z and the contour c : z  1 taken in the counter clockwise

1  2 3
direction,
2 i   z  z  z
C
2 

dz  ________

Ans. : 2
Solution: b1  2

1
 2 i  2  2
2 i
Q23. Let p be the momentum conjugate to the generalized coordinate q . If the transformation

Q  2q m cos p

P  2q m sin p
is canonical, then m  ________
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Ans. : 0.5
Solution: Q  2q m cos p , P  2q m sin p
Q P Q P
   1
q p p q

 2mq m 1 cos p  2q m cos p    


2q m   sin p   2mq m 1 sin p  1

2mq 2 m 1  cos 2 p  sin 2 p   1

1
2mq 2 m 1  1  2m  1  0 or m   0.5
2
Q24. A conducting sphere of radius 1m is placed in air. The maximum number of electrons that

can be put on the sphere to avoid electrical breakdown is about 7  10 n , where n is an


integer. The value of n is ______.
Assume:

Breakdown electric field strength in air is E  3 10 6 V / m

Permittivity of free space  0  8.85 10 12 F / m

Electron charge e  1.60 10 19 C


Ans. 24: 14
1 Ne 1.6 10 19
Solution: E   3 10 6 V / m  9 109  N   3 106
4 0 r 1 m 
2 2

10 6
N  2 1015  20 1014  n  14
4.8
Q25. If a particle is moving along a sinusoidal curve, the number of degree of freedom of the
particle is ___________
Ans. : 1
Solution: equation of constrain is y  A sin x and z  0
DOF  3.N  k N  1, k  2
3 1  2  1 So one degree of freedom

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Q26 – Q55 carry two marks each.
0 0 1
 
Q26. The product of eigenvalues of  0 1 0  is
1 0 0
 
(a) 1 (b) 1 (c) 0 (d) 2
Ans. : (a)
0 1
Solution: 1  2  3  1   A  1
1 0
1 1 1
     
Q27. Let e1   0  , e2   1  , e3  1 . Let S   e1 , e2 , e3 . Let  3 denote the three
0 0 1
     
dimensional real vector space. Which one of the following is correct?
(a) S is an orthonormal set
(b) S is a linearly dependent set
(c) S is a basis for  3
1 0 0
 
3
(d) e i ei   0 1 0 
i 1 0 0 1
 
Ans. : (c)
Solution: e1 | e2  0 (i) is false

1  1  1
     
c1  0   c2  0   c3 1  0
0 0 1
     
c1  c2  c3  0

c3  0, c2  0, c1  0

c2  c3  0

c3  0

e2 , e5 is limits indeed so 2 |1 is correct.

Option (c) is correct.

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1 1 1
     
Q27. Let e1   0  , e2   1  , e3  1 . Let S   e1 , e2 , e3  . Let  3 denote the three
0 0 1
     
dimensional real vector space. Which one of the following is correct?
(a) S is an orthonormal set
(b) S is a linearly dependent set
(c) S is a basis for  3
1 0 0
 
3
(d) e i ei   0 1 0 
i 1 0 0 1
 
Ans. : (c)
Solution: e1 | e2  0 (i) is false

1  1  1
     
c1  0   c2  0   c3 1  0
0 0 1
     
c1  c2  c3  0

c3  0, c2  0, c1  0

c2  c3  0

c3  0 so they are linear independent so they form a basis  3


Option (c) is correct.

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 0 1
Q28. Sˆ x denotes the spin operator defined Sˆ x    . Which one of the following is correct?
2 1 0

1 0
(a) The eigenstates of spin operator Sˆ x are     and   
x
0 x
1
1 1 1  1
(b) The eigenstates of spin operator Sˆ x are     and    
x
2  1 x
2  1

1 1 
(c) In the spin state   , upon the measurement of Sˆ x , the probability for obtaining
2  3 

1
 is
x 4

1 1 
(d) In the spin state   , upon the measurement of Sˆ x , the probability for obtaining
2 3

2 3
 is
x 4
Ans. : (d)
 0 1
Solution: S x   
2 1 0
 
Eigen value of , and corresponds eigen state
2 2
1  1 1 1  1 1 
  1   ,   2    State   
x
2  1 x
2  1 2  3 
2
1 1 1 
1 1    2

1 |  
2 2 3

1
1 3  
1
2
 
1 1 
1 3  
2  3 
2 2

1  3 
2
1 3  2 3 4  2 3 2  3
   
8 8 8 4
Option (d) is correct.

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Q29. The input voltage Vin  to the circuit shown in the figure is 2 cos 100t  V . The output

 
voltage Vout  is 2 cos 100t   V . If R  1 k  , the value of C (in  F )is
 2
R

R 12V

Vin Vout

R 12V
C

(a) 0.1 (b) 1 (c) 10 (d) 100


Ans. 29: (c)

R  R  XC   1/ jC 
Solution: Vout   Vin  1     Vin  Vout  Vin  2   Vin
R  R  R  XC   R  1/ jC 

Vout  1   1  jCR 
  1  2   
Vin  jCR  1   1  jCR 
   j
Vout  1  CR 
2

   e  e  j 2 where   tan 1  RC 
Vin  1  CR  2  e j
 

Thus   2  2 tan 1  RC   
2

 2 tan 1 100 1 103  C 
  1
 105  C  tan 1    C  5 F  10  F
4 10

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Q30. Consider a 4 -bit counter constructed out of four flip-flops. It is formed by connecting the
J and K inputs to logic high and feeding the Q output to the clock input of the following
flip-flop (see the figure). The input signal to the counter is a series of square pulses and the
change of state is triggered by the falling edge. At time t  t 0 the outputs are in logic low

state  Q0  Q1  Q2  Q3  0  . Then at t  t1 , the logic state of the outputs is


Q0 Q1 Q2 Q3

J Q J Q J Q J Q
Input ck ck ck ck

K Q K Q K Q K Q

1
(logic high) 4-bit ripple counter

t0 t0 t1
Input signal
(a) Q0  1, Q1  0, Q2  0 and Q3  0

(b) Q0  0, Q1  0, Q2  0 and Q3  1

(c) Q0  1, Q1  0, Q2  1 and Q3  0

(d) Q0  0, Q1  1, Q2  1 and Q3  1
Ans. 30: (b)
Solution:

0
Q0

Q1 0

Q2 0

1
Q3

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2 2
 dx   dy 
Q31. Consider the Lagrangian L  a    b    cxy , where a, b and c are constants. If
 dt   dt 
p x and p y are the momenta conjugate to the coordinates x and y respectively, then the

Hamiltonian is
2 2
p x2 p y p x2 p y
(a)   cxy (b)   cxy
4a 4b 2a 2b
2 2
p x2 p y p x2 p y
(c)   cxy (d)   cxy
2a 2b a b
Ans. : (a)
Solution: L  ax 2  by 2  cxy

L p L py
 px  2ax  x  x and  p y  2ay  y 
x 2a y 2a

H  px x  p y y  L  H  2ax 2  2by 2   ax 2  by 2  cxy 


2
px2 p y
 H  ax 2  by 2  cxy    cxy
4a 4b
Q32. Which one of the following matrices does NOT represent a proper rotation in a plane?
  sin  cos    cos  sin  
(a)   (b)  
  cos   sin     sin  cos  

 sin  cos     sin  cos  


(c)   (d)  
  cos  sin     cos  sin  
Ans. : (d)
Solution: Rotational matrix is orthogonal matrix
(1) sin 2     cos 2    1

(2) sin 2    cos 2    1

(3)  sin 2     cos 2    cos 2   sin 2   cos 2 

(4) cos 2     sin 2    1

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Q33. A uniform magnetic field B  B0 yˆ exists in an internal frame K . A perfect conducting

sphere moves with a constant velocity v  v0 xˆ with respect to this inertial frame. The rest
frame of the sphere is K  (see figure). The electric and magnetic fields in K and K  are
related as
     
E  E 
E   E  v  B  
       ,   1
 v 
B  B B    B  2  E   1 v / c
2

 c 
The induced surface charge density on the sphere (to the lowest order in v / c ) in the frame
K  is y y
K K

x x

z z

(a) maximum along z (b) maximum along y


(c) maximum along x (d) uniform over the sphere
Ans. : (a)
Solution:

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Q34. A charge q moving with uniform speed enters a cylindrical region in free space at t  0
and exits the region at t   (see figure). Which one of the following options best describes
the time dependence of the total electric flux   t  , through the entire surface of the

cylinder?
q

(a)  t  (b)  t 

t  0 t  t t  0 t  t

 t   t 
(c) (d)

t  0 t  t t  0 t  t
Ans. 34: (d)
Qenc
Solution: Flux through the closed surface  =constant when charge is inside otherwise zero.
0
Q35. Consider a one-dimensional non-magnetic crystal with one atom per unit cell. Assume that
the valence electrons (i) do not interact with each other and (ii) interact weakly with the
ions. If n is the number of valence electrons per unit cell, then at 0 K ,
(a) the crystal is metallic for any value of n
(b) the crystal is non-metallic for any value of n
(c) the crystal is metallic for even values of n
(d) the crystal is metallic for odd values of n
Ans.: (d)
Solution: The conduction band is partially filled for odd value of n and hence behaves as a metal.
The band is totally filled for even value of n and known as non-metallic.
Thus correct option is (d)

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Q36. According to the Fermi gas model of nucleus, the nucleons move in a spherical volume of
1
radius R (  R0 A 3 , where A is the mass number and R0 is an empirical constant with the

dimensions of length). The Fermi energy of the nucleus E F is proportional to

1 1 1
(a) R02 (b) (c) (d)
R0 R02 R03
Ans.: (c)
2/3
2  2 N 
Solution: Fermi energy EF   3 
2m  V 
4 3 4 4 3
 R0 A1/ 3  
3
V R  R0 A
3 3 3
2/3
 
  3 2 N 
2/3
2
 2  9 N 1  1
 EF         EF 
2m  4 R 3 A  2m  4 A R03  R02
 
 3 
0

Thus correct option is (c)


Q37. Consider a two dimensional crystal with 3 atoms in the basis. The number of allowed
optical branches  n  and acoustic branches  m  due to the lattice vibrations are

(a)  n, m    2, 4  (b)  n, m    3,3

(c)  n, m    4, 2  (d)  n, m   1,5 

Ans. : (c)
Solution: For p -atoms per basis
Total degree of freedom  2 p

Number of acoustical branches  n   2

Number of optical branches  n   2 p  2

For p  3
m  2 and n  2  3  2  4
  n, m    4, 2 

Thus correct option is (c)

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Q38. The internal energy U of a system is given by U  S , V   V 2 / 3 S 2 , where  is a constant

of appropriate dimensions; V and S denote the volume and entropy, respectively. Which
one of the following gives the correct equation of state of the system?
PV 1/ 3 PV P PV 2 / 3
(a)  constant (b) 1/ 3  constant (c)  constant (d)  constant
T 2
T V 1/ 3T T
Ans. : (a)
Solution: dU  TdS  PdV
 U   U 
   T,    P
 S V  V  S
2
2V 2 / 3 S  T and  V 5 / 3 S 2   P
3
PV PV
  constant   constant
TS 
T TV 2 / 3 
PV 1/ 3
  constant
T2
Q39. The potential energy of a particle of mass m is given by

 
U  x   a sin k 2 x   / 2 , a  0, k 2  0

The angular frequency of small oscillations of the particle about x  0 is

2a a a a
(a) k 2 (b) k 2 (c) k 2 (d) 2k 2
m m 2m m
Ans. : (b)

 
Solution: U  x   a sin k 2 x   / 2 , a  0, k 2  0

 k 4 x2 
 U  x    a cos 2 k 2 x   a 1   
 2 

U ak 4 a
F    ak 4 x   2     k2
x m m

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fiziks
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Q40. The radial wave function of a particle in a central potential is give by
r  r 
R  r   A exp    , where A is the normalization constant and a is positive constant
a  2a 
of suitable dimensions. If  a is the most probable distance of the particle from the force
center, the value of  is ___________
Ans. : 4
r  r 
Solution: R  r   A exp   
a  2a 
r4
Radial probability derivative p  r   r R  2 exp   r / a 
2 2

a
dp
For must portable distance 0
dr
4r 3  r / a r 4  r / a 1
e  2e 0
a2 a a
r 3e  r / a0  r
a2  4  a   0  r  4a   a    4

Q41. A free particle of mass M is located in a three-dimensional cubic potential well with
impenetrable walls. The degeneracy of the fifth excited state of the particle is _________
Ans. : 6
 2 2
Solution: Energy eigen value for particle in cubical   nx2  ny2  nz2  E0 where E0  .
2ma 2
Ground state E1,1,1  3E0

First E2,1,1  E1,2,1  E1,1,2  6 E0

Second Excited state E2,2,1  E2,1,2  E1,2,2  9 E0

Third Excited state E3,1,1  E1,3,1  E1,1,3  11E0

Fourth Excited state E2,2,2  12 E0 non-degenerate

Fifth Excited state E1,2,3  E1,3,2  E2,1,3  E2,3,1  E3,1,2  E3,2,1  14 E0

So fifth excited state has 6 fold degeneracy.

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fiziks
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Q42. Consider the circuit given in the figure. Let the forward voltage drop across each diode be
0.7 V . The current I (in mA ) through the resistor is ___________.
10.1V

1k 

Ans. 42: 8
10.1V  3  0.7 V
Solution: Current I   8 mA
1k

Q43. Let u  denote the 4 -velocity of a relativistic particle whose square u  u   1 . If   is

the Levi-Civita tensor then the value of   u  u u  u  is ________.

Ans. : 0
Solution:
Q44. Consider a simple cubic monoatomic Bravais lattice which has a basis with vectors
  a
r1  0, r2   xˆ  yˆ  zˆ  , a is the lattice parameter. The Bragg reflection is observed due to
4
the change in the wave vector between the incident and the scattered beam as given by
      
K  n1G1  n2G2  n3G3 , where G1 , G2 and G3 are primitive reciprocal lattice vectors. For

n1  3, n2  3 and n3  2 , the geometrical structure factor is _________


Ans. : 2
3 3 2
2 2 i    
Solution: Geometric structure factor S   e
2 i  n1 xN  n2 y N  n3 zn 
 1 e 4 4 4

N 1
8
2 i  
 1 e 4
 1  e 4 i  1  1  2
S 2
Q45. A plane electromagnetic wave of wavelength  is incident on a circular loop of conducting
wire. The loop radius is a  a    . The angle (in degrees), made by the Poynting vector

with the normal to the plane of the loop to generate a maximum induced electrical signal, is
__________
Ans. : 270 or 90 or 90 or 270

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fiziks
Institute for NET/JRF, GATE, IIT‐JAM, M.Sc. Entrance, JEST, TIFR and GRE in Physics 
 
Q46. An electron in a hydrogen atom is in the state n  3, l  2, m  2 . Let Lˆ y denote the

 
2
y -component of the orbital angular momentum operator. If Lˆ y    2 , the value of 

is____________
Ans. : 1

Solution:  Ly  
2
L2y  Ly

Ly  0

2
L2y 
2
 l  l  1  m2  l  2 m  2
2 2

2
 2  3  4   2  2
2

 L      L 
2
y
2
y  1. 2   1

Q47. A sinusoidal voltage of the form V  t   V0 cos  t  is applied across a parallel plate

capacitor placed in vacuum. Ignoring the edge effects, the induced emf within the region
between the capacitor plates can be expressed as a power series in  . The lowest non-
vanishing exponent in  is ___________
Ans. 47: 2
d AdB
Solution: Induced e.m.f    
dt dt

E
 B.d l   I
0 enc   0 0 
S
t
.d a

Consider an amperian loop of radius r r  R  , then I enc  0 and since

V (t ) V0 cos t
E (t )  
d d
  V  sin t  
Thus B  2 r  0 0    0    r  B   sin t
2

 d 

dB   2t 2 
    2 cos t   2  1   ... 
dt  2 
The lowest non-vanishing exponent in  is n  2 .

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fiziks
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Q48. If x  a
k 1
k sin kx , for   x   , the value of a2 is_______

Ans. : 1
Solution: x sin kx  ak sin 2 kx
   k
2 2 k
 x sin kxdx  ak  sin kxdx  2ak 0 sin kxdx  k ak 0 sin  d  k ak 2  ak
2 2 2


1 1
a2 
  x sin 2 xdx   ( )  1

 1
0, x
2n

 1 1
Q49. Let f n  x   n,  x
 2n 2n
 1
0, x
 2n

The value of lim


n  f n  x  sin xdx is________.


Ans. : 0

 1 
1/ m
1
Solution: lim
n  
1/ m
x sin x dx  n cos  cos   0
 m m

Q50. Consider the Hamiltonian Hˆ  Hˆ 0  Hˆ  where

E 0 0
 
Hˆ 0   0 E 0  and Ĥ  is the time independent perturbation given by
0 E 
 0

0 k 0
 
Hˆ    k 0 k  , where k  0 . If, the maximum energy eigenvalues of Ĥ is 3 eV
0 k 0
 
corresponding to E  2eV , the value of k (rounded off to three decimal places) in eV
is______________ check the question

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Ans. : 1
E 0 0 0 k 0
 
Solution: H 0   0 E 
0 H  k 0 k 
 0 E  0 k 0
0  
Eigen value of H 
  k 0 
 
 k  k   0     2  k 2   k   k   0     2  k 2    k 2  0
 0  
 x

 3   k 2   k 2  0   3  2 k 2  0     2  k 2   0   0   k ,   k

E1  E  k , E2  E  0 , E3  E  k where E  2eV and E3  3eV

E3  E  k  k  3eV  2eV  1eV



Q51. A hydrogen atom is in an orbital angular momentum state l , m  l . If L lies on a cone

which makes a half angle 30 0 with respect to the z -axis, the value of l is __________
Ans. : 3
m z
Solution: cos 30  ml
l  l  1

2
3

l
l  l  1
 3  
l  l  1  2l 30

3  l 2  l   4l 2  3l  l 2  l  3

Q52. In the center of mass frame, two protons each having energy 7000 GeV , collide to produce
protons and anti-protons. The maximum number of anti-protons produced is___________
(Assume the proton mass to be 1GeV / c 2 )
Ans. : 6999
Solution: Assuming that protons and anti-protons are produced at rest with mass 1GeV / c 2
p  p  p  p  n -number of protons  n -number of anti protons
E :7000  7000  1  1  6999 6999

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fiziks
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Q53. Consider a gas of hydrogen atoms in the atmosphere of the Sun where the temperature is
5800 K . If a sample from this atmosphere contains 6.023 10 23 of hydrogen atoms in the
ground state, the number of hydrogen atoms in the first excited state is
approximately 8  10 n , where n is an integer. The value of n is __________.
(Boltzmann constant: 8.617 10 5 eV / K )
Ans. : 14
N1
Solution:  e E / kT
N0

 13  6 13  6 
E    2  ev  13  6  3  4   10  2eV
 12 2 
E 10.2eV
   20.41
kT 8.617 105 ev / k  5800k
N1
Thus  e 2041  N1  6  023  1023 1  37 109
N0
n  14
Q54. For a gas of non-interacting particles, the probability that a particle has a speed v in the
internal v to v  dv is given by
3/ 2
 m 
f  v  dv  4 v dv  e  mv
2
2 / 2 k BT

 2 k BT 
If E is the energy of a particle, then the maximum in the corresponding energy distribution
in units of E / k BT occurs at _________ (rounded off to one decimal place).
Ans. : 0.5
1
k BT
1 2
Solution: EP  k BT   0.5
2 k BT

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 3
Q55. The Planck’s energy density distribution is given by u    2 3  / k T . At long
 c e B 1  
wavelengths, the energy density of photons in thermal equilibrium with a cavity at
temperature T varies as T  , where  is ___________
Ans. : 1
 3
Solution: u   
  
 2c 3 1   ...  1
 k BT 
kc
1

2 c


u    T 1

 long higher term neglected.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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