Education

CSIR NET-JRF, GATE, IIT-JAM, JEST, TIFR and GRE for Physics

Previous Year’s Solution

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.N. 28 A/1, Jia Sarai, Near IIT-Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016
#: +91-89207-59559
Website: www.pravegaaeducation.com | Email: [email protected]
1
 Education
CSIR NET-JRF, GATE, IIT-JAM, JEST, TIFR and GRE for 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 the sum
y   x
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.N. 28 A/1, Jia Sarai, Near IIT-Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016
#: +91-89207-59559
Website: www.pravegaaeducation.com | Email: [email protected]
2
 Education
CSIR NET-JRF, GATE, IIT-JAM, JEST, TIFR and GRE for Physics
Q8. The sum of the first n terms in the sequence 8,88,888,8888,... is

(a)
80

81 n
10  1  n
9
8
(b)
80

81 n
10  1  n
9
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  10 n
Now, 10  100  1000   upto n term   10  1
1  10 9
8 10 10  1  80
n

 n   10n  1 
8n
Therefore: S  
9 9  81 9

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) 1 (d) 1
x1/ m

xm xm

x1/ m x x
0 0 1
1

H.N. 28 A/1, Jia Sarai, Near IIT-Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016
#: +91-89207-59559
Website: www.pravegaaeducation.com | Email: [email protected]
3
 Education
CSIR NET-JRF, GATE, IIT-JAM, JEST, TIFR and GRE for Physics
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 .

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.N. 28 A/1, Jia Sarai, Near IIT-Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016
#: +91-89207-59559
Website: www.pravegaaeducation.com | Email: [email protected]
4
 Education
CSIR NET-JRF, GATE, IIT-JAM, JEST, TIFR and GRE for Physics
SECTION - PHYSICS
Q1 – Q25 carry one mark each.
d 2u  x 
Q1. Which one of the following is a solution of  k 2u  x  , for k real?
dx 2
(a) e  kx (b) sin kx (c) cos kx (d) sinh x
Topic: Mathematical Physics
Sub Topic: Differential Equation
Ans. : (a)
Solution: m 2  k 2  0  m   k  u  c1e kx  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

Topic: Mathematical Physics
Sub Topic: Matrix
Ans. : (b)
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 
Topic: Quantum Mechanics
Sub Topic: Particle in box

H.N. 28 A/1, Jia Sarai, Near IIT-Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016
#: +91-89207-59559
Website: www.pravegaaeducation.com | Email: [email protected]
5
 Education
CSIR NET-JRF, GATE, IIT-JAM, JEST, TIFR and GRE for Physics
Ans.: (d)
Solution: Ground state has even parity so

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

2

Topic: Quantum Mechanics

Sub Topic: Harmonic Oscillator
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
Topic: Electronics
Sub Topic: Digital Electronics
Ans. : A universal gate is a gate which can implement any Boolean function without need to use
any other gate type. The NAND and NOR gates are universal gates. So option (d) is
correct.
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

Topic: Electronics
Sub Topic: Digital Electronics
Ans. : (b)
Solution: Hexadecimal Number System is one the type of Number Representation techniques, in which
there value of base is 16. That means there are only 16 symbols or possible digit values, there
are 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, A, B, C, D, E, F. Where A, B, C, D, E and F are single bit
representations of decimal value 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 respectively.
H.N. 28 A/1, Jia Sarai, Near IIT-Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016
#: +91-89207-59559
Website: www.pravegaaeducation.com | Email: [email protected]
6
 Education
CSIR NET-JRF, GATE, IIT-JAM, JEST, TIFR and GRE for Physics
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
Topic: Nuclear Physics
Sub Topic: Shell Model
Ans. : (d)
Solution: For 178O : number of proton is Z  8 and number of neutron is N  9

For N  9 : the configuration is given as 1s1/ 2  1 p3/ 2  1 p1/ 2  1d5 / 2 

2 4 2 1

5
The angular momentum is j 
2
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
Topic: Particle Physics
Sub Topic: Quark content
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
1
Thus the particle X is strange particle with isospin identified as   .
2
The quark content of   is uus .

H.N. 28 A/1, Jia Sarai, Near IIT-Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016
#: +91-89207-59559
Website: www.pravegaaeducation.com | Email: [email protected]
7
 Education
CSIR NET-JRF, GATE, IIT-JAM, JEST, TIFR and GRE for Physics
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
Topic: Electromagnetic Theory
Sub Topic: EM Waves
Ans. : (b)
Solution: Conduction current J c   E   E0 cos t

E
Displacement current J d     E0 sin t
t
For semi-transparent medium (poor conductor)    .
 J  E0 
Let t   c    1  J c  J d
4 J d  E0 

Also, t  , J c  0 , J d   E0  J c  J d
2
 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
Topic: Nuclear Physics
Sub Topic: Potential Energy
Ans. : (d)

u k k kr 31 k
Solution:    3  u   3 dr  c u  2 c
r r r 3  1 2r
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

Topic: Solid State Physics

Sub Topic: Fermi Energy

H.N. 28 A/1, Jia Sarai, Near IIT-Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016
#: +91-89207-59559
Website: www.pravegaaeducation.com | Email: [email protected]
8
 Education
CSIR NET-JRF, GATE, IIT-JAM, JEST, TIFR and GRE for Physics
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 of the
EV
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 
Topic: Molecular Physics
Sub Topic: Vibrational Energy
Ans. : (a)

k
Solution: EV    EV 
M
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 
E2

(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

Topic: Electromagnetic Theory

Sub Topic: Boundary Condition
Ans. 13: (d)
tan 1 E1 E1 E2
Solution: Applying the boundary conditions,    E2  E1
tan  2 E2 E2 E1

  E2  1
 
 D  D  1E   2 E   
E1  2
1 2 1 2

H.N. 28 A/1, Jia Sarai, Near IIT-Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016
#: +91-89207-59559
Website: www.pravegaaeducation.com | Email: [email protected]
9
 Education
CSIR NET-JRF, GATE, IIT-JAM, JEST, TIFR and GRE for Physics
tan 1 E2  1 cot  2  1
Now,    , So,    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
Topic: Electromagnetic Theory
Sub Topic: Charge, Parity and Time Conservation
Ans. : (c)
Solution: Under time reversal  : E   E and B   B
Under parity E    E and B  B
 
So E.B is odd under parity and time reversal
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 
  
Topic: Classical Mechanics
Sub Topic: Hamiltonian
Ans. : (b)

H.N. 28 A/1, Jia Sarai, Near IIT-Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016
#: +91-89207-59559
Website: www.pravegaaeducation.com | Email: [email protected]
10
 Education
CSIR NET-JRF, GATE, IIT-JAM, JEST, TIFR and GRE for Physics
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
Topic: Statistical Mechanics
Sub Topic: Ideal Gas
Ans. : (a)
Solution: Free expansion case, temperature remains unchanged.
3
Q17. Particle A with angular momentum j  decays into two particles B and C with angular
2
3 3 1 1
momenta j1 and j2 , respectively. If ,   1,1 B  , , the value of 
2 2 A 2 2 C

is____________
Topic: Nuclear Physics
Sub Topic: Shell Model
Ans. : 1
3 3 1 1 3 3
Solution: ,   1,1 B  , hence , is normalised then
2 2 A 2 2 C 2 2

3 3 3 3 1 1 1 1
, 1  1,1 1,1  ,   2 1  1
2
, ,
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
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 10 7 m )
Topic: Electromagnetic Theory
Sub Topic: Magnetic Pole

H.N. 28 A/1, Jia Sarai, Near IIT-Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016
#: +91-89207-59559
Website: www.pravegaaeducation.com | Email: [email protected]
11
 Education
CSIR NET-JRF, GATE, IIT-JAM, JEST, TIFR and GRE for Physics
Ans. 18: 7
Solution: M  4  1014 Am and 2 R  4  10 7 m

M  2 4  1014  2
M  L  I   R 2  M  2R  I   R 2  I    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
Topic: Solid State Physics
Sub Topic: Crystallography
Ans.: 5
Solution:
1 2

4 5

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 ________
Topic: Atomic Physics
Sub Topic: Paschen back Effect
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

H.N. 28 A/1, Jia Sarai, Near IIT-Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016
#: +91-89207-59559
Website: www.pravegaaeducation.com | Email: [email protected]
12
 Education
CSIR NET-JRF, GATE, IIT-JAM, JEST, TIFR and GRE for Physics
 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 ________
Topic: Particle Physics
Sub Topic: Interaction
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 direction,

1  2 3
2 i   z  z  z
C
2 

dz  ________

Topic: Mathematical Physics

Sub Topic: Complex Analysis
Ans. : 2
1
Solution: b1  2   2 i  2  2
2
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  ________
Topic: classical Mechanics
Sub Topic: Canonical Transformation
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

H.N. 28 A/1, Jia Sarai, Near IIT-Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016
#: +91-89207-59559
Website: www.pravegaaeducation.com | Email: [email protected]
13
 Education
CSIR NET-JRF, GATE, IIT-JAM, JEST, TIFR and GRE for Physics
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

Topic: electromagnetic Theory
Sub Topic: Coulomb’s Law
Ans.: 14

1 Ne 1.6 10 19

Solution: Using Coulomb’s law, E   3  10 6
V / m  9  10 9
 N   3  10 6
4 0 r 2 12

10 6
So, 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 ___________ Topic: Classical Mechanics
Sub Topic: Degree of freedom
Ans. : 1
Solution: y  A sin x

z0
y  A sin x
3 1 2  1 So, one degree of freedom

H.N. 28 A/1, Jia Sarai, Near IIT-Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016
#: +91-89207-59559
Website: www.pravegaaeducation.com | Email: [email protected]
14
 Education
CSIR NET-JRF, GATE, IIT-JAM, JEST, TIFR and GRE for Physics
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
Topic: Mathematical Physics
Sub Topic: Matrices
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
1 0 0
 
3
(c) S is a basis for  3 (d) ei ei   0 1 0 
i 1 0 0 1
 
Topic: Mathematical Physics
Sub Topic: Matrices
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.

H.N. 28 A/1, Jia Sarai, Near IIT-Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016
#: +91-89207-59559
Website: www.pravegaaeducation.com | Email: [email protected]
15
 Education
CSIR NET-JRF, GATE, IIT-JAM, JEST, TIFR and GRE for Physics
 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   
x
2  1 2  1
1 1 
(c) In the spin state   , upon the measurement of Sˆ x , the probability for obtaining  is
2 3 x

1
4
1 1 
(d) In the spin state   , upon the measurement of Sˆ x , the probability for obtaining  is
2 3 x

2 3
4
Topic: Quantum Mechanics
Sub Topic: Postulates
Ans. : (d)
 0 1
Solution: S x   
2 1 0

 
Eigen value of , and corresponds eigen state
2 2
1 1 1 1 
  Q1     Q2   
n
2 1 
2  1

1 1 
(1) 1  
2  3 
2
1 1 1 
1 1    2

Q1 |  
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.

H.N. 28 A/1, Jia Sarai, Near IIT-Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016
#: +91-89207-59559
Website: www.pravegaaeducation.com | Email: [email protected]
16
 Education
CSIR NET-JRF, GATE, IIT-JAM, JEST, TIFR and GRE for Physics
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

Topic: Electronics
Sub Topic: Operational amplifier
Ans. : (c)
R  R
Solution: Vout   Vin  1   (Voltage across C)
R  R

R  R  XC 
Vout   Vin  1     Vin
R  R  R  XC 
 1/ jC 
 Vout  Vin  2   Vin
 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 10 3  C 
  1
 105  C  tan 1    C  5 F  10  F
4 10

H.N. 28 A/1, Jia Sarai, Near IIT-Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016
#: +91-89207-59559
Website: www.pravegaaeducation.com | Email: [email protected]
17
 Education
CSIR NET-JRF, GATE, IIT-JAM, JEST, TIFR and GRE for Physics
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  t0 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

Topic: Electronics
Sub Topic: Flip-Flop
Ans. : (b)
Solution:

0
Q0

Q1 0

Q2 0

1
Q3

H.N. 28 A/1, Jia Sarai, Near IIT-Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016
#: +91-89207-59559
Website: www.pravegaaeducation.com | Email: [email protected]
18
 Education
CSIR NET-JRF, GATE, IIT-JAM, JEST, TIFR and GRE for Physics
2 2
 dx   dy 
Q31. Consider the Lagrangian L  a    b    cxy , where a, b and c are constants. If p x
 dt   dt 
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
Topic: Classical Mechanics
Sub Topic: Hamiltonian
Ans. : (a)
Solution: L  ax 2  by 2  cxy

L p L p
 px  2ax  x  x and  p y  2ay  y  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  

Topic: Mathematical Physics

Sub Topic: Rotational Matrix
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

H.N. 28 A/1, Jia Sarai, Near IIT-Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016
#: +91-89207-59559
Website: www.pravegaaeducation.com | Email: [email protected]
19
 Education
CSIR NET-JRF, GATE, IIT-JAM, JEST, TIFR and GRE for Physics

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

(a) maximum along z  K K

(b) maximum along y
x x
(c) maximum along x
(d) uniform over the sphere
z z
Topic: Classical Mechanics
Sub Topic: STR
Ans. : (a)
Q34. A charge q moving with uniform speed enters a
cylindrical region in free space at t  0 and exits the
q
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?

(a)  t  (b)  t 

t  0 t  t t  0 t  t

 t   t 
(c) (d)

t  0 t  t t  0 t  t
Topic: Electromagnetic Theory
Sub Topic: Gauss Law

H.N. 28 A/1, Jia Sarai, Near IIT-Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016
#: +91-89207-59559
Website: www.pravegaaeducation.com | Email: [email protected]
20
 Education
CSIR NET-JRF, GATE, IIT-JAM, JEST, TIFR and GRE for Physics
Ans. 34: (d)
Qenc
Solution: Flux through the closed surface  = constant when charge is inside otherwise zero when
0
it will leave the cylindrical region.
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
Topic: Solid Sate Physics
Sub Topic: Free electron Theory
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)
Q36. According to the Fermi gas model of nucleus, the nucleons move in a spherical volume of radius
1
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
Topic: Nuclear Physics
Sub Topic: Fermi Energy
Ans. : (c)
2/3
2  2 N 
Solution: Fermi energy EF   3 
2m  V 
2/3
 
 2  3 2 N 
2/3
4 3 4 4 3  2  9 N 1 
 R0 A1/ 3 
1
3
V R   R0 A  EF         EF 
3 3 3 2m  4 R 3 A  2m  4 A R03  R02
 
 3 
0

Thus correct option is (c)

H.N. 28 A/1, Jia Sarai, Near IIT-Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016
#: +91-89207-59559
Website: www.pravegaaeducation.com | Email: [email protected]
21
 Education
CSIR NET-JRF, GATE, IIT-JAM, JEST, TIFR and GRE for Physics
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 

Topic: Solid state physics

Sub Topic: Diatomic Lattice
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)

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
(a)  constant (b)  constant
T2 T 1/ 3
P PV 2 / 3
(c)  constant (d)  constant
V 1/ 3T T
Topic: Thermodynamics
Sub Topic: Ideal Gas
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

H.N. 28 A/1, Jia Sarai, Near IIT-Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016
#: +91-89207-59559
Website: www.pravegaaeducation.com | Email: [email protected]
22
 Education
CSIR NET-JRF, GATE, IIT-JAM, JEST, TIFR and GRE for Physics
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
Topic: Classical Mechanics
Sub Topic: Small Oscillations
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  
 L 

U ak 4 a
F    ak 4 x   2     k2
x m m
r  r 
Q40. The radial wave function of a particle in a central potential is give by R  r   A exp    ,
a  2a 
where A is the normalization constant and a is positive constant of suitable dimensions. If  a
is the most probable distance of the particle from the force center, the value of  is
___________
Topic: Quantum Mechanics
Sub Topic: Radial Wave Function
Ans. : 4
r  r 
Solution: R  r   A exp   
a  2a 
r4 
Radial probability derivative p  r   r 2 R  e r / a
2

a2
dp
For must portable distance 0
dr

H.N. 28 A/1, Jia Sarai, Near IIT-Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016
#: +91-89207-59559
Website: www.pravegaaeducation.com | Email: [email protected]
23
 Education
CSIR NET-JRF, GATE, IIT-JAM, JEST, TIFR and GRE for Physics
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 _________
Topic: Quantum mechanics
Sub Topic: Infinite potential well
Ans. : 6
 2 2
Solution: Energy eigen value for particle in cubical   nx2  n y2  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-conducting

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 total diagram.

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

1k

Topic: Electronics
Sub Topic: diode
Ans. : 8
Solution: Appying KVL in given circuit

H.N. 28 A/1, Jia Sarai, Near IIT-Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016
#: +91-89207-59559
Website: www.pravegaaeducation.com | Email: [email protected]
24
 Education
CSIR NET-JRF, GATE, IIT-JAM, JEST, TIFR and GRE for Physics

10.1V  3  0.7 V
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 ________.

Topic: Mathematical Physics

Sub Topic: Tensor
Ans. : 0
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 the
4
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 _________

Topic: Solid state physics

Sub Topic: Atomic structure factor
Ans. : 2
1 1 1
Solution: The value of  X N , YN , Z N    , ,  n1  3, n2  3 and n3  2
4 4 4

3 3 2 8
2 2 i     2 i  
S  e
2 i  n1 xN  n2 y N  n3 zn 
Geometric structure factor  1 e 4 4 4
 1 e 4
 1  e 4 i  1  1  2
N 1

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 __________
Topic: Electromagnetic theory
Sub Topic: Poynting vector
Ans. : 270 or 90 or 90 or 270

H.N. 28 A/1, Jia Sarai, Near IIT-Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016
#: +91-89207-59559
Website: www.pravegaaeducation.com | Email: [email protected]
25
 Education
CSIR NET-JRF, GATE, IIT-JAM, JEST, TIFR and GRE for Physics
Q46. An electron in a hydrogen atom is in the state n  3, l  2, m  2 . Let Lˆ y denote the y-

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

is____________
Topic: Quantum mechanics
Sub Topic: Angular momentum
Ans. : 1

Solution:  Ly    L , L   zilz

2
L2y  Ly

Ly  0

2
L   l , l  1  m2  l  2 m  2
2
y
2
2 2
  2  3  4   z  1 2
2 2

 L     L 
2
y y  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 ___________
Topic: Electromagnetic theory
Sub Topic: Ampere’s law
Ans. : 2

E
Solution: Using Ampere’s law,  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

Only displacement current component is present.

V (t ) V0 cos t
E (t )   For uniform potential w.r.t. position
d d
 V  sin t 
Thus B  2 r  0 0    0    r  B   sin t
2

 d 

dB   2t 2 
Induced e.m.f.     2 cos t   2 1   ...  (using cosine series)
dt  2 

H.N. 28 A/1, Jia Sarai, Near IIT-Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016
#: +91-89207-59559
Website: www.pravegaaeducation.com | Email: [email protected]
26
 Education
CSIR NET-JRF, GATE, IIT-JAM, JEST, TIFR and GRE for Physics
The lowest non-vanishing exponent in  is n  2 .

Q48. If x  a
k 1
k sin kx , for   x   , the value of a2 is_______

Topic: Mathematical Physics

Sub Topic: Fourier series
Ans. : 1
Solution: x sin kx  ak sin 2 kx
  
1  cos 2kx  
 x sin kxdx  2ak  h k x dx  a  2   ak 2  2
2 2
k


2    cos kx    sin kx   4 
ak   x    1   1
k
 
  k   k
2
0  k
4
 1  1
2
a2  
2

 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______.


Topic: Mathematical Physics

Sub Topic: Fourier series
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

H.N. 28 A/1, Jia Sarai, Near IIT-Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016
#: +91-89207-59559
Website: www.pravegaaeducation.com | Email: [email protected]
27
 Education
CSIR NET-JRF, GATE, IIT-JAM, JEST, TIFR and GRE for Physics
0 k 0
 
H    k 0 k  , where k  0 . If, the maximum energy eigenvalues of Ĥ is 3eV
ˆ
0 k 0
 
corresponding to E  2eV , the value of k (rounded off to three decimal places) in eV
is______________
Topic: Quantum mechanics
Sub Topic: Perturbation
Ans. : 0.706 to 0.708

E 0 0
Solution: H 0   0 E 0 
 0 0 E 

0 k 0
 
H   x 0 x
0 x 0
 
Eigen value of H 

  k 0 
 
 k  k 0
 0  
 x

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

 3   k 2   k 2  0   3  2 k 2  0

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

E1  E  k

E2  E  k where E  2ev

E3  E  k

E3  E  k E3  3ev 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 __________

Topic: Quantum mechanics

Sub Topic: Hydrogen Atom

H.N. 28 A/1, Jia Sarai, Near IIT-Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016
#: +91-89207-59559
Website: www.pravegaaeducation.com | Email: [email protected]
28
 Education
CSIR NET-JRF, GATE, IIT-JAM, JEST, TIFR and GRE for Physics
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 )
Topic: Nuclear Physics
Sub Topic:
Ans. : 6999
Solution: Assuming that protons and anti-protons are produced at rest with mass 1GeV / c 2
For the balance of equation there is   2 number of proton and there is  number of
antiproton must be there p  p  p  p   p   n
From the conservation of energy
7000GeV  7000GeV  1GeV   2   1GeV   2  2  1400GeV

13998
So    6999
2
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 )
Topic: Atomic Physics
Sub Topic: Population
Ans. : 14
N1
Solution:  e E / kT
N0

H.N. 28 A/1, Jia Sarai, Near IIT-Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016
#: +91-89207-59559
Website: www.pravegaaeducation.com | Email: [email protected]
29
 Education
CSIR NET-JRF, GATE, IIT-JAM, JEST, TIFR and GRE for Physics
 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).

Topic: Statistical Mechanics

Sub Topic: Distribution Function
Ans. : 0.5
1
k BT
1
Solution: EP  k BT  2  0.5
2 k BT
 3
Q55. The Planck’s energy density distribution is given by u    . At long
 
 2 c 3 e  / k B T  1

wavelengths, the energy density of photons in thermal equilibrium with a cavity at temperature
T varies as T  , where  is ___________
Topic: Statistical Mechanics
Sub Topic: Planck’s Law
Ans. : 1
 3
Solution: u   
  
 2c 3 1   ...  1
 k BT 
kc
1

2 c


u    T 

 long higher term neglected.

H.N. 28 A/1, Jia Sarai, Near IIT-Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016
#: +91-89207-59559
Website: www.pravegaaeducation.com | Email: [email protected]
30