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GATE Physics 2026

  • Paper code: PH
  • Language: English
  • 40 pages
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Physics (PH)



General Aptitude (GA)
Q.1 – Q.5 Carry ONE mark Each

 Q.1         “He often _____ the numbers. False claims are not going to help. Honesty _____
             trust”, said the manager.

             Choose the option with the correct order of words to fill the blanks.




 (A)         exaggerates; engenders


 (B)         excels; encourages


 (C)         aggravates; alleviates


 (D)         diminishes; eliminates




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 Q.2         In the sequence of tiles shown below, the missing tile indicated by the question
             mark should be




 (A)




 (B)




 (C)




 (D)




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 Q.3         A school has 100 students distributed among 1st to 10th standards.

             Based on this, which one of the following statements is always correct?




 (A)         There are at least 10 students who belong to the same standard.


 (B)         There is at least one student in each standard.


 (C)         There are at most 10 students in 10th standard.


 (D)         The total number of students from 1st to 5th standards is at least 50.




 Q.4         How many 3-digit numbers can be formed using three distinct single digit prime
             numbers?




 (A)         64


 (B)         24


 (C)         12


 (D)         4




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 Q.5         In a group of students, 10 students like Mathematics, 12 students like English,
             4 students like both Mathematics and English, and 6 students like neither
             Mathematics nor English. The number of students in the group is ____




 (A)         18


 (B)         20


 (C)         24


 (D)         32




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Q.6 – Q.10 Carry TWO marks Each

 Q.6         Charity : P :: Retaliation : Q

             Choose the appropriate pair of words P and Q that fit the analogy.




 (A)         P = Parsimonious; Q = Vengeful


 (B)         P = Altruistic; Q = Amicable


 (C)         P = Resentful; Q = Spiteful


 (D)         P = Magnanimous; Q = Vindictive




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 Q.7         A paper shown in Panel I is folded along the dashed lines (- - -) to construct a
             cube. The shaded regions shown in Panel I appear on the outer surface of the cube.
             Referring to cubes shown in Panel II, which one of the options is correct?




 (A)         Only (i) can correspond to the unfolded cube in Panel I.


 (B)         Only (ii) can correspond to the unfolded cube in Panel I.


 (C)         Both (i) and (ii) can correspond to the unfolded cube in Panel I.


 (D)         Neither (i) nor (ii) can correspond to the unfolded cube in Panel I.




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 Q.8         Consider the cube shown below with its 8 corners labelled a, b, c, d, e, f, g,
             and h. The figure is representative. All corners are to be colored such that any two
             corners that are connected by an edge must be of different colors. The minimum
             number of colors required to achieve this is ________




 (A)         8


 (B)         4


 (C)         3


 (D)         2




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 Q.9         Four hills H1, H2, H3, and H4 are present in an area. The following observations
             are made about them:

                 i.     Neither H2 nor H3 is the easternmost hill.
                ii.     Neither H2 nor H3 is the westernmost hill.
               iii.     Neither the easternmost hill nor the westernmost hill is the southernmost
                        hill.
               iv.      Two hills are located to the west of H2.
                v.      The southernmost hill has at least two hills to its east.


             The southernmost hill is ________.




 (A)         H1


 (B)         H2


 (C)         H3


 (D)         H4




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 Q.10        As shown in the figure, circle C1 with center O1 and radius r1 touches the square
             VWXY at points P and Q while circle C2 with center O2 and radius r2 touches the
             square VWXY at points R and S. The two circles touch each other at T.

             Given r1 = 1 cm and ̅̅̅̅ ̅̅̅̅̅ = 4 cm, r2 = _____ cm.
                                 VY = VW




 (A)         4 − 3√2


 (B)         1 + 2√2


 (C)         7 − 4√2


 (D)         5 + 3√2




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Q.11 – Q.35 Carry ONE mark Each

             In free space, an electromagnetic wave is travelling whose wavevector is
 Q.11
             k⃗ = 10(x̂ + √3ŷ) m−1 . The electric field component of this electromagnetic wave is
             given by E⃗ (r, t) = ẑ 600 cos(k⃗ ⋅ r − ωt) V.m−1 . The speed of light in free space is
             c = 3.0 × 108 m.s −1. The corresponding magnetic field B⃗ (r, t) is




 (A)         ⃗ (r, t) = 2 × 10−6 (√3x̂ − ŷ) cos(k⃗ ⋅ r − ωt) V.m−2 .s
             B


 (B)         ⃗ (r, t) = 10−6 (√3x̂ − ŷ) cos(k⃗ ⋅ r − ωt) V.m−2 .s
             B


 (C)         ⃗ (r, t) = 2 × 10−5 (−√3x̂ + ŷ) cos(k⃗ ⋅ r − ωt) V.m−2 .s
             B


 (D)         ⃗ (r, t) = 10−5 (√3x̂ − ŷ) cos(k⃗ ⋅ r − ωt) V.m−2 .s
             B




             An infinitely large non-conducting thin sheet in the xy plane (z=0) carries a uniform
 Q.12
             surface charge density σ = 17.70 × 10−12 C.m−2. The electric field in the region z < 0
             is E⃗2 = x̂ + 2ŷ + 3ẑ . Then, the electric field E⃗1 in the region z > 0 will be

              (ε0 = 8.85 × 10−12 C 2 . N −1 . m−2)




 (A)         E⃗1 = x̂ + 2ŷ + 5ẑ


 (B)         E⃗1 = x̂ + 2ŷ + 4ẑ


 (C)         E⃗1 = x̂ + 2ŷ + 3ẑ


 (D)         E⃗1 = x̂ + 4ŷ + ẑ




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 Q.13        Consider an operator  which is not Hermitian. Find the possible values of c and d such
             that the operator (c  – d † ) is Hermitian.




 (A)         c = i and d = i


 (B)         c = 1 and d = 1


 (C)         c = −1 and d = i


 (D)         c = i and d = −i




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 Q.14                                                         ⃗ × (A ψ) is equivalent to the expression
             For a scalar field ψ(r) and a vector field A(r), ∇




 (A)           ⃗ × A) − A × (∇
             ψ(∇             ⃗ ψ)


 (B)           ⃗ × A) + A × (∇
             ψ(∇             ⃗ ψ)


 (C)         Null vector


 (D)              ⃗ ψ) − ψ(∇
             A × (∇        ⃗ × A)




             Which of the following options is correct for transformation of electric field E⃗ and
 Q.15
                            ⃗ under time reversal, i.e., t → −t ?
             magnetic field B




   (A)       E⃗ → E⃗ and B
                         ⃗ →B
                            ⃗


    (B)      E⃗ → −E⃗ and B
                          ⃗ →B
                             ⃗


    (C)      E⃗ → E⃗ and B
                         ⃗ → −B
                              ⃗


   (D)       E⃗ → −E⃗ and B
                          ⃗ → −B
                               ⃗




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 Q.16        On a horizontal plane, a projectile of mass m is launched from the ground with speed v0
             at an angle θ0 with the horizontal. In addition to the gravitational force (mg), it also
             experiences a drag force Fdrag = −γv , where v is its velocity and γ is a constant. It hits
             the ground at a distance R from the point of launch with its velocity making an angle
             θ with the horizontal, as shown schematically in the figure. Then which of the following
             options is correct?




 (A)               v02 sin2θ
             R=                      θ < θ0
                        g


 (B)               v02 sin2θ0
             R<                      θ < θ0
                        g

 (C)               v02 sin2θ0
             R<                      θ > θ0
                        g

 (D)            v02 sin2θ
             R=                      θ > θ0
                     g




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             Consider the Otto cycle for an ideal gas engine consisting of two quasistatic adiabatic and
 Q.17
             two quasistatic isochoric processes. The correct temperature-entropy (T-S) phase diagram
             for the cycle is




 (A)




 (B)




 (C)




 (D)




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             The formula for energy E of a photon gas at temperature T in a two-dimensional box at
 Q.18
             equilibrium with g2d (ν) denoting the density of states of photons is given below where
             symbols ν, ℎ and kB have their standard meaning. The specific heat (CV ) of this photon
             gas obeys
                                                  ∞
                                                                        ℎν
                                         E = ∫ dν g2d (ν)
                                                 0
                                                                        ℎν
                                                                  exp (     )−1
                                                                       kB T




 (A)         CV ∝ T


 (B)         CV ∝ T 2


 (C)         CV ∝ T 3


 (D)         CV ∝ T 4




 Q.19        For the electric field of an electromagnetic wave given below, which of the following
             statements is correct?
                                                                             π
                                        E⃗ = x̂ E0 cos(ωt) + ŷ 2E0 cos (ωt + )
                                                                             2




 (A)         The electric field is linearly polarised with slope 2.


 (B)         The electric field is circularly polarised with radius E0 .


 (C)         The electric field is elliptically polarised with a ratio of major to minor axis being 2.


 (D)         The electric field is unpolarised with the two components being phase shifted by π/2.




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             A gas of non-interacting 4He atoms (of mass m) is in a three-dimensional trap whose
 Q.20
             energy levels can be approximated by those of a harmonic oscillator potential
                          1
             V(x, y, z) = 2 mω2 (x 2 + y 2 + z 2 ). The chemical potential of the gas at T=0 K is




   (A)       0

             1
    (B)        ℏω
             2


    (C)      3
               ℏω
             2


   (D)       3ℏω




                               1  1              1  1
 Q.21        Given |v1 ⟩ =       ( ) and |v2 ⟩ =   ( ), the tensor product |v1 ⟩ ⊗ |v2 ⟩ is
                               √2 i              √2 −i




                1
   (A)       1 −i
               ( )
             2  i
                1
                1
             1
    (B)        (i )
             2 −i
                1
             1 1        i
    (C)       (           )
             2 i       −1
             1 1        i
   (D)        (           )
             2 −i       1




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             Sketch of a two-dimensional vector field V  ⃗ is shown below. Here, length and arrow head
 Q.22
             of the arrows denote magnitude and direction of the vector field, respectively. Which of
             the following statements is correct for ⃗∇ × V⃗ ?




                                                  O




 (A)         It is zero everywhere in the two-dimensional space.


 (B)         Its magnitude is non-zero and its direction is out of the two-dimensional plane.


 (C)         Its magnitude is non-zero and its direction is into the two-dimensional plane.


 (D)         It points in opposite directions above and below the x-axis.




 Q.23        Which one of the following is an allowed process?




 (A)         π− + p → π0 + n


 (B)         π0 → γ + γ + γ


 (C)         p + p̅ → Λ0 + Λ0


 (D)         p + p̅ → γ




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 Q.24        Given Q is the electromagnetic charge and S is the strangeness quantum number,

             identify the particle(s) for which (Q − S) = 0 is satisfied.




 (A)         Σ∗ −


 (B)         K+


 (C)         Ω−


 (D)         Δ++




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             Schematic variation of the specific heat Cp of an ideal gas of diatomic molecules with
 Q.25
             temperature T is shown in the figure below. For rotational energy ER and vibrational
             energy Ev of the molecule, which of the following options is/are correct? Here kB is the
             Boltzmann constant.




   (A)       ER ≅ kB T1


    (B)      ER ≅ kB T2


    (C)      Ev ≅ kB T1


   (D)       Ev ≅ kB T2




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 Q.26        If the perturbation V = λx 3 is added to the Hamiltonian of a one-dimensional harmonic
             oscillator, the matrix element ⟨m|V|0⟩ is/are non-zero for which of the following states?
             Here, the eigenstates of the harmonic oscillator are denoted by |n⟩.




 (A)         |m = 3⟩


 (B)         |m = 1⟩


 (C)         |m = 2⟩


 (D)         |m = 5⟩




 Q.27        For which of the following functions does the Laplacian vanish?




   (A)       xe y − ye x


    (B)      x cos(y) − y cos(x)


    (C)      e x+iy


   (D)                y3
             yx 2 −      − xy
                      3




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             A projectile of mass m is launched from the ground with the initial speed v0 at an angle
 Q.28
             30° from the horizontal. Take the ground to be horizontal. Ignoring the drag, the
             magnitude of Hamilton’s action ∫ Ldt for the particle from the beginning till it hits the
                                 mv 3
             ground is f × ( g 0 ). The value of f (rounded off to two decimal places) is _____

             Consider an electron in the energy eigenstate ψ211 (r) of the hydrogen atom. Given that
 Q.29
             the radial probability distribution of the electron in such a state takes its maximum value
             at r = n0 a, where a is the Bohr radius, and n0 is an integer. The value of n0 (in integer)
             is _____
                                                                                     1
             The radial part of the wavefunction ψ211 (r) is given by R21 (r) =           re −r/2a .
                                                                                  √24a5


 Q.30        A dielectric sphere carries a uniform polarization P = 26 μC. cm−2. The magnitude of the
             electric field at the center of the sphere is E × 109 N. C −1 . The value of E (rounded off to
             one decimal place) is _____
             (ε0 = 8.85 × 10−12 C 2 . N −1 . m−2 )

             Consider a metal-superconductor junction connected to a dc voltage V. At T < Tc , where
 Q.31
             Tc is the superconductor’s transition temperature, the current I versus V behavior of this
             junction is shown schematically in the figure below. If the superconducting energy gap is
             D meV. The value of D (rounded off to one decimal place) is _____




             For the energy dispersion of an electron in a one-dimensional solid
 Q.32
             E(k) = E0 − 2γ cos(ka), the ratio of the effective mass of the electron in the solid to the
             free electron mass (me ) at k = 0 is R0 . Taking γ = 0.5 eV and a = 0.5 nm, the value of R0
             (rounded off to two decimal place) is _____
             (ℏ = 1.054 × 10−34 J. s, me = 9.1 × 10−31 kg, electron charge = 1.6 × 10−19 C)




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             The specific heat Cp (T) of one mole of a material as a function of temperature T is given
 Q.33
             as Cp (T) = AT + BT 3, where A = 0.695 mJ. mol−1 . K −2 and B = 0.045 mJ. mol−1 . K −4.
             When T is changed from 1 K to 10 K at constant pressure, then the change in entropy
             ΔS in mJ. mol−1 . K −1 (rounded off to one decimal place) is _____

             Raman spectrum of a molecule was recorded using a source of wavelength 5000 Å. The
 Q.34
             first Stokes line is observed at 5100 Å. The first anti-Stokes line will appear at a
             wavelength L (in Å). The value of L (rounded off to nearest integer) is _____

 Q.35        A rocket of length 18.0 m is moving at speed 0.9c (where c is the speed of light) parallel
             to its own length, relative to the earth. The length of the rocket measured in meters by an
             observer on earth (rounded off to two decimal places) is _____




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Q.36 – Q.65 Carry TWO marks Each


 Q.36        The function f(z) of complex variable z given below,

                                                              z 2 − 5z + 4
                                                  f(z) =
                                                           z 3 + 4z − z 2 − 4

             has singular points at z =




   (A)       1 and (2 − i)


    (B)      2i and −2i


    (C)      1 and (2 + i)


   (D)       (2 + i) only




                                               0         1           0    −i           1 0
 Q.37        Consider the Pauli matrices σx = (            ) , σy = (        ) , σz = (     ).
                                               1         0            i   0            0 −1

             The value of Tr(σz [ σx , σy ]) is




 (A)         2i


 (B)         i


 (C)         4i

             i
 (D)         2




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 Q.38        Which one of the following statements is true?




 (A)         In the decay μ + → e + + νe + ν̅μ , CPT is violated.


 (B)         The decay Λ → p+ + π − is allowed and strangeness is violated.


 (C)         The decay p+ → e + + γ is allowed.


 (D)         The decay Ω− → Ξ 0 + K − is allowed.




             The Hamiltonian for a quantum particle of mass m is given below, where ω < Ω. The
 Q.39
             Schrö dinger equation for this system can be solved exactly using the orthogonal
                                   x −x             x +x
             transformations: x = 1 2 2 and y = 1 2 2 .
                                        √               √

                                            ℏ2 ∂ 2 ∂2    1
                                     H= −     [ 2 + 2 ] + mΩ2 (x 2 + y 2 ) + mω2 xy
                                            2m ∂x  ∂y    2

             The ground state energy of this system is




 (A)         ℏ
               [√Ω2 − ω 2 + √Ω2 + ω 2 ]
             2

 (B)         ℏ [√Ω2 − ω 2 + √Ω2 + ω 2 ]


             ℏ
 (C)           [√Ω2 + Ωω + √Ω2 − Ωω ]
             2

 (D)         ℏ [√Ω2 + Ωω − √Ω2 − Ωω ]




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             Consider two particles with angular momenta j1 = 2ℏ and j2 = ℏ/2. If the expression
 Q.40
                                               c |j = 2, m1 = 1⟩|j2 = 1/2, m2 = 1/2⟩ +
                       |j = 5/2,m = 3/2⟩ = { 1 1
                                                c2 |j1 = 2, m1 = 2⟩|j2 = 1/2, m2 = −1/2⟩
             gives an eigenstate of the total angular momentum of the two particles, using standard
             notation. Which of the following is true?
             (Hint: Ĵ± |j, m⟩ = √j(j + 1) − m (m ± 1) |j, m ± 1⟩)




                     2                   1
 (A)         c1 =        ,       c2 =
                    √5                  √5

                     1                   2
 (B)         c1 =            ,   c2 =
                    √5                   √5
                     1                       1
 (C)         c1 =            ,    c2 =
                    √2                    √2

 (D)         c1 = 0,             c2 = 1




             The energy E and degeneracy d of the second excited state of a three-dimensional,
 Q.41
             isotropic quantum harmonic oscillator with angular frequency ω are




 (A)                7
             E=       ℏω,        d=6
                    2


 (B)                7
             E=       ℏω,        d=3
                    2


 (C)                5
             E=       ℏω,        d=3
                    2

 (D)                5
             E=       ℏω,        d=6
                    2




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 Q.42        Two identical particles with a fixed total energy E = 2ℏω are in thermal equilibrium in a
                                                             1
             one-dimensional harmonic oscillator potential mω2 x 2 . Let the entropy of the particles
                                                                      2
                                                                          1             ℏ
             be denoted by SF if they are fermions with spin
                                                                          2
                                                                              (sz = ± 2 ) and SB if they are
             bosons with spin 0. Then, which of the following options is correct?
             (kB is the Boltzmann constant)




 (A)         SF = kB ln 2,           SB = kB ln 2


 (B)         SF = 2kB ln 2,          SB = 0


 (C)         SF = 4kB ln 2,          SB = 0


 (D)         SF = 2kB ln 2,            SB = kB ln 2




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 Q.43        In the circuit shown, V(t) = 2 sin(2000πt) Volts, where t is in seconds, which of the
             following options is correct?

             (take the opamp to be ideal)




 (A)         Vout (t) is square wave with peak-to-peak voltage = 30 V and time period is 1 ms.


 (B)         Vout (t) is a sine wave with peak-to-peak voltage = 4 V and time period is 1 ms.


 (C)         Vout (t) is sine wave with peak-to-peak voltage = 30 V and time period of 1 ms.


 (D)         Vout (t) is square wave with peak-to-peak voltage = 4 V and time period is 1 ms.




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 Q.44        Considering the circuit and the associated signals measured at different pins (numbered as
             1, 2, 3, 4, 5) shown in the figure, the correct option is




 (A)         NOT gate between pins 1 and 2 is faulty.


 (B)         NOR gate is faulty.


 (C)         NOT gate between pins 4 and 5 is faulty.


 (D)         The NOR and output NOT gates, are both faulty.




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             A gas of N classical particles that can occupy energy levels, ε1 and ε2 = ε1 + Δ is in
 Q.45
             equilibrium with a reservoir at temperature T. From the schematics shown below, choose
             the correct dependence of the internal energy U on T .




 (A)




 (B)




 (C)




 (D)




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             The Lagrangian
 Q.46                                                 1       1
                                                  L0 = mq̇ 2 − mω2 q2
                                                      2       2
                                                                              df(q)
             with the generalized coordinate q is transformed to L = L0 + α    dt
                                                                                   . Consider the
             following statements:
             (i) Expression for the canonical momentum does not change.
             (ii) The equation of the motion does not change.
             Which of the following options is correct for the above statements?




 (A)         Both (i) and (ii) are correct.


 (B)         Both (i) and (ii) are not correct.


 (C)         (i) is correct and (ii) is not correct.


 (D)         (i) is not correct and (ii) is correct.




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 Q.47
             An infinitely large thin sheet in the xy-plane carries uniform positive charge density and
             is moving with constant velocity v in the +x direction (see figure below). The direction
             of the corresponding Poynting vector is




 (A)         +x for both z < 0 and z > 0


 (B)         +x for z < 0 and −x for z > 0


 (C)         −x for z < 0 and +x for z > 0


 (D)         −x for both z < 0 and z > 0




             A positive point charge is fixed at the origin. At some distance from it on the x axis, a
 Q.48
             point dipole is kept pointing in the +y direction. The force on the dipole is




 (A)         0


 (B)         in the +y direction


 (C)         in the −y direction


 (D)         in the +x direction




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 Q.49        Two frames S (solid lines) and S′ (dashed lines) with common origin are shown in the
             figure below. Frame S is inertial while S′ is rotating about the common z-axis. There is a
             point mass fixed at P on the x-axis of the S frame. The magnitude of the centrifugal force
             and the Coriolis force experienced by the mass in the S′ frame is Fcen and Fcor ,
             respectively. Which of the following options is correct for these forces?




 (A)         Fcen = 0 and Fcor = 0

                                               F
 (B)         Fcen ≠ 0 and Fcor ≠ 0 and Fcen = cor
                                                   2



 (C)         Fcen ≠ 0 and Fcor ≠ 0 and Fcen = 2Fcor


 (D)         Fcen ≠ 0 and Fcor ≠ 0 and Fcen = Fcor




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 Q.50        Which of the following operators is/are self-adjoint?




 (A)              d2        d
             x2      2
                       + 3x    + x2
                  dx        dx

 (B)                      d2        d
             (1 − x 2 )      2
                               − 2x    + 3x
                          dx        dx


 (C)                         d2                  d
             (3x − 4x 3 )       2
                                  + (3 − 12x 2 )    + 12
                             dx                  dx


 (D)          d2      d 5x
             x 2 + x2   +
              dx      dx 3




 Q.51        Consider two operators  and B̂ which are related as  = exp(iθB̂). If θ is a non-zero
             real number, which of the following statements is/are true?




 (A)         If B̂ is Hermitian, then  is unitary.


 (B)         If B̂ is anti-Hermitian, then  is unitary.


 (C)         If B̂ is Hermitian, then |Det(Â)| = 1.


 (D)         If B̂ is anti-Hermitian, then  is Hermitian.




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 Q.52        Consider operators Â, B̂, and Ĉ for three observables of a quantum system satisfying
             [Â, B̂] = 0, [B̂, Ĉ ] = 0, and [Â, Ĉ ] ≠ 0, with uncertainties ΔA, ΔB, ΔC, respectively. From
             the options given below, which is/are implied by the commutation relations among
             Â, B̂, and Ĉ ?




   (A)       ΔA ΔB > 0


    (B)      ΔA ΔC > 0


    (C)      Â, B̂ can be simultaneously diagonalized.


   (D)       Â, B̂, Ĉ can be simultaneously diagonalized.




 Q.53        Consider the distribution of outcomes generated by N (N ≫ 1) independent throws of
             (i) a coin or (ii) a six-sided dice. A coin (dice) is unbiased if both (all) its sides have equal
             probability to show up in a throw; it is biased otherwise. For the cases (i) and (ii) above,
             which of the following statements is/are true?




 (A)         The entropy of an unbiased coin is smaller than that of an unbiased dice.


 (B)         The entropy of an unbiased coin is greater than that of an unbiased dice.


 (C)         The entropy of a biased dice is smaller than that of an unbiased dice.


 (D)         The entropy of a biased coin is greater than that of an unbiased coin.




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 Q.54        The dispersion (E(k)) of the conduction band (CB) and valence band (VB) for a
             semiconductor are shown schematically in the figure. Considering the possibility of an
             electron making a transition from the bottom of the CB to the top of the VB, which of the
             following options is/are correct?




 (A)         The transition is forbidden.


 (B)         A photon can be emitted with an energy exactly equal to Eg .


 (C)         A photon can be emitted with an energy less than Eg .


 (D)         A phonon can be created with a crystal momentum ℏq.




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 Q.55        A symmetric rigid body has moment of inertia I1 , I2 , I3 about its principal axes 1, 2, and
             3, respectively, with I1 = I3 = I⊥ and I2 ≠ I⊥ . It is rotating in space with no torque on it
             so that its angular momentum L⃗ is constant. Let ω1 , ω2 , ω3 be the components of its
             angular velocity along the principal axes 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Which of the following
             quantities is/are constant during the motion of this rigid body?




 (A)         ω1 + ω3


 (B)         ω12 + ω32


 (C)         Angle between axis 2 and L⃗


 (D)         ω2




 Q.56        An α particle moves towards a fixed nucleus carrying charge Ze, with initial speed v0 and
             impact parameter b. Starting from a large distance from the nucleus, its distance of closest
             approach is rm and its speed there is vm . Then which of the following options is/are
             correct?
                     1                Ze 2
             (k =        and r0 = k        )
                   4πε0              mv02




 (A)         v0 b = vm rm


 (B)         v0 b = 2vm r0

                   b                  b2                                       b
 (C)         For r ≪ 1, rm = 4r0 + 2r ignoring higher order corrections in r
                   0                    0                                       0


                   b                  b2                                       b
 (D)         For r ≪ 1, rm = 4r0 + 8r ignoring higher order corrections in r
                   0                    0                                       0




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 Q.57        Consider a particle of mass m = 9.0 × 10−5 kg and charge q = 3.0 × 10−4 C in a
             uniform electromagnetic field E⃗ = 2 x̂ V. m−1 , B ⃗ = 3 ẑ V. m−2 . s. The particle is
             released from the coordinates (0, 5 m , 0) at time t = 0. Starting from initial speed zero, it
             comes back to the y-axis for the first time at time t. The value of t in seconds (rounded
             off to two decimal places) is _____

             An atom has two energy levels with energy difference 2.2 eV between them. A gas of
 Q.58
             these atoms is with 8 × 1020 atoms in the upper state and 5 × 1020 atoms in the lower
             state. Ignoring spontaneous emission, the maximum possible energy released by this gas
             of atoms by stimulated emission is E Joules. The value of E (rounded off to one decimal
             place) is _____
             (e = 1.6 × 10−19 C)
                                                                             A
 Q.59        The Hamiltonian of two interacting spin-1/2 particles is H = ℏ2 S1 ⋅ S2 , where S1 and S2
             are the spin angular momenta of particles 1 and 2, respectively. Here, A = 10.56 eV. The
             energy in eV required to induce an excitation from the ground state to the excited state
             (rounded off to two decimal places) is _____




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 Q.60        The output signal (current Id ) of a reversed biased (with a voltage Vb ) photodiode, on
             which light is incident, is fed to an amplifier (see figure). The output voltage is digitized
             by a 10 bit Analogue to Digital convertor (ADC) which has a reference voltage of 5 V.
             The smallest current Id which can be measured by the circuit in nano-Amperes (rounded
             off to one decimal place) is _____




 Q.61        A capacitor is made of two circular metal plates of radius 1 m separated by a distance of
              d = 1 mm. The space between them is filled by a dielectric with permittivity εr = 5. The
             capacitor is connected to a voltage V = 10 sin(2π × 106 × t) volts, where t is in seconds.
             The maximum value of the magnetic field in between the plates at a radial distance
              r = 0.5 m from the centre of the capacitor is B × 10−6 T. The value of B (rounded off to
             two decimal places) is _____

             (Speed of light in vacuum c = 3 × 108 m. s −1 )


 Q.62        Rotational spectrum of a diatomic molecule consists of lines of equal spacing with an
             interval of 20.0 cm−1 . Its moment of inertia is found to be I0 × 10−47 kg. m2, the value of
             I0 (rounded off to one decimal place) is _____

             (ℎ = 6.6 × 10−34 J. s, speed of light in vacuum c = 3 × 108 m. s −1 )


 Q.63        Copper has an electron number density of 8.3 × 1028 m−3 . Its Fermi energy in eV
             (rounded off to one decimal place) is _____

             (ℏ = 1.06 × 10−34 J. s, mass of electron me = 9.10 × 10−31 kg, charge of electron =
             1.60 × 10−19 C)




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 Q.64
             Two 1 kg blocks are connected to two massless springs of spring constants 8 N. m−1 and
             4 N. m−1 . The system is kept on a frictionless horizontal floor with one end of a spring
             attached to a wall (see figure below). They are performing oscillatory motion along the
                                                                                          ω
             x-axis with the normal mode frequencies ωH and ωL (ωH > ωL ). The ratio ωH (rounded
                                                                                           L
             off to two decimal places) is _____




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 Q.65        A 15 cm long scale is held horizontally with one of its ends on the edge of a 1 m high table
             and the other end resting on one’s index finger. As the finger is removed (see figure below),
             the scale starts rotating about its end on the table. After 0.1 s, during which it has rotated
             by a negligibly small angle but has gained a rotational speed as it leaves the table and falls
             vertically towards the ground. When its centre of mass has fallen by 0.5 m, it has rotated
             by an angle θ. The value of θ in degrees (rounded off to one decimal place) is _____
             (g = 9.8 m.s−2)




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Source: GATE. Question paper published by GATE.