Physics IIT JAM Syllabus and Preparation

IIT JAM Physics Syllabus

Vector Algebra: Scalar and vector products, gradient, divergence, curl, and their physical significance.
Differential Calculus: Partial derivatives, Taylor expansion, maxima and minima.
Integral Calculus: Multiple integrals, change of variables, surface and volume integrals.
Differential Equations: First-order and second-order linear differential equations with constant coefficients.
Linear Algebra: Matrix algebra, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, systems of linear equations.
Fourier Series and Transforms: Basics of Fourier series and Fourier transforms.
Complex Analysis: Complex numbers, analyticity, Cauchy-Riemann conditions, contour integration.

Recommended Books: "Mathematical Methods for Physicists" by Arfken and Weber, "Mathematical Physics" by H.K. Dass.

Newtonian Mechanics: Laws of motion, inertial and non-inertial frames. Dynamics of systems of particles, conservation laws (momentum, energy, and angular momentum).
Central Force Motion: Kepler's laws, satellite motion.
Rigid Body Dynamics: Rotational motion, moment of inertia, torque.
Elasticity: Stress, strain, Hooke's law, Young's modulus, bulk modulus, and shear modulus.
Fluid Mechanics: Equation of continuity, Bernoulli’s theorem, viscosity, Poiseuille’s equation.

Recommended Books: "Introduction to Mechanics" by Kleppner and Kolenkow, "Mechanics" by D.S. Mathur.

Oscillations: Simple harmonic motion (SHM), damped and forced oscillations, resonance.
Waves: Wave equation, reflection and transmission, superposition of waves, standing waves.
Optics: Interference, Young’s double-slit experiment, thin films. Diffraction, single-slit and double-slit diffraction, resolving power of optical instruments. Polarization: Brewster's law, Malus' law.

Recommended Books: "The Physics of Vibrations and Waves" by H.J. Pain, "Optics" by Ajoy Ghatak.

Electrostatics: Coulomb’s law, electric field, potential, dipole moment. Gauss’s law and applications.
Current Electricity: Kirchhoff’s laws, network theorems, AC circuits (LCR circuits).
Magnetism: Magnetic field, Biot-Savart law, Ampere’s law. Magnetic dipole, torque on a magnetic dipole in a uniform magnetic field.
Electromagnetic Induction: Faraday’s laws, Lenz’s law, self and mutual inductance.
Maxwell’s Equations: Basics of electromagnetic waves, Poynting vector.

Recommended Books: "Introduction to Electrodynamics" by David J. Griffiths, "Electricity and Magnetism" by K.K. Tewari.

Thermodynamics: Laws of thermodynamics, Carnot engine, entropy. Thermodynamic potentials, Maxwell’s relations.
Kinetic Theory of Gases: Ideal gas laws, mean free path, equipartition of energy.
Statistical Mechanics: Microcanonical, canonical, and grand canonical ensembles. Partition function, Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Einstein statistics.

Recommended Books: "Heat and Thermodynamics" by M.W. Zemansky, "Statistical Physics" by F. Reif.

Relativity: Special theory of relativity, Lorentz transformations, time dilation, length contraction.
Quantum Mechanics: Planck’s hypothesis, photoelectric effect, Bohr model. Wave-particle duality, uncertainty principle, Schrödinger equation.
Atomic Physics: Hydrogen spectrum, spin and orbital angular momentum, Zeeman effect.
Nuclear Physics: Radioactivity, binding energy, nuclear reactions.
Solid State Physics: Crystal structure, X-ray diffraction, Bragg’s law, free electron theory.
Semiconductors: Band theory, p-n junction, diodes, and transistors.

Recommended Books: "Concepts of Modern Physics" by Arthur Beiser, "Quantum Mechanics" by David J. Griffiths.

Solid State Physics: Crystal lattices, basis, Miller indices, types of crystal structures. Band theory of solids, conductors, semiconductors, and insulators.
Electronics: Diodes, transistors, operational amplifiers, Boolean algebra. Basic digital electronics: logic gates, flip-flops, counters.

Recommended Books: "Solid State Physics" by S.O. Pillai, "Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory" by Robert L. Boylestad.

Error Analysis: Types of errors, propagation of errors, least square fitting.
Instruments: Vernier calipers, screw gauge, optical instruments (microscope, telescope).
Electrical Measurements: Multimeter, potentiometer, Wheatstone bridge, galvanometer.

Recommended Books: "An Introduction to Error Analysis" by John R. Taylor, "Practical Physics" by G.L. Squires.