Questions for interview for MS Physics

[tayyaba786]

Please I need Help!

Hello everyone,
I am going to appear in interview for MS Physics. They asked to prepare Classical, Quantum and statistical mechanics and Mathematical methods for Physics. Please guide me what kind of questions should I prepare for interview and secondly please suggest me any site or book to prepare these sections.

Thanks in advance.

 

[lisab]

If you're just doing a review, I recommend going through Boas' "Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences". It's a great reference.

 

[tayyaba786]

Thank you for your advice lisab. I will go through it

 

[Lavabug]

Hello everyone,
I am going to appear in interview for MS Physics. They asked to prepare Classical, Quantum and statistical mechanics and Mathematical methods for Physics. Please guide me what kind of questions should I prepare for interview and secondly please suggest me any site or book to prepare these sections.

Thanks in advance.

I'm not sure how an "interview" on these subjects would go, will they quiz you on pen and paper or informally on a blackboard? I sure hope so or it would be extremely awkward.

Perhaps read a few chapters from Landau's mechanics (or the whole thing, it's pretty short) and review some practice problems from your past courses... If it's not actual problem solving you're being tested on, I don't know what they'd ask you. I can come up with some questions of my own:

What is wrong with deriving the power output of a black body using classical thermodynamic arguments? (ie: what's wrong with the Rayleigh-Jeans law and how the problem is solved). Similar for the specific heat of solids at low temperatures, non-linear dependence that comes from QM arguments.

What is the advantage of Lagrangian mechanics over Newtonian methods? Maybe solve the double or triple pendulum, or a point mass in a rotating cone/tube or something.

What's the difference between the classical and quantum HO and how do you recover the classical regime from the latter?

Work out the ideal gas law from first principles? Or Planck's law.

Describe the Stern-Gerlach experiment and what are its consequences?

 

[Matrix0]

Hello and congratulations on your interview for MS Physics! I would recommend preparing for a wide range of questions that may cover topics in classical, quantum, and statistical mechanics, as well as mathematical methods for physics. Here are some suggestions for specific areas to focus on:

1. Classical Mechanics: Be prepared to discuss topics such as Newton's laws of motion, conservation of energy and momentum, and simple harmonic motion. You may also be asked to solve problems involving forces, motion, and energy.

2. Quantum Mechanics: This is a crucial topic in modern physics, so it's important to have a solid understanding of the fundamentals. Be ready to discuss concepts such as wave-particle duality, uncertainty principle, and quantum states. You may also be asked to solve problems involving quantum systems and operators.

3. Statistical Mechanics: This branch of physics deals with the behavior of large ensembles of particles and is important in understanding thermodynamics and phase transitions. Be prepared to discuss concepts such as entropy, Boltzmann distribution, and thermodynamic potentials.

4. Mathematical Methods for Physics: This section may cover a variety of topics, including calculus, linear algebra, differential equations, and complex analysis. Make sure you are comfortable with these mathematical tools and can apply them to physics problems.

As for resources, I would recommend reviewing your textbooks and class notes, as well as practicing solving problems from previous exams or sample questions. You can also find helpful resources online, such as lecture notes and video tutorials, to supplement your studying.

Remember to also brush up on your critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as these are essential for success in physics. Good luck on your interview!