Syllabus
Unit 1
VECTOR CALCULUS
Learning Objectives
1. A deeper understanding of concept of vectors and its theorems in calculus and Cartesian tensors and its application in physically relevant systems.
2. Application of Cartesian tensors in problems involving vector algebra and calculus.
Coordinate transformations, Definition of vectors, Index notation, Cartesian Tensors, Kronecker delta, Levi-Civita tensor and its application in Vector algebra and calculus. The vector differential operators, Integrals of vectors, Integral forms of gradient, divergence and curl, Line, surface and volume integrals – Stoke’s, Gauss’s and Green’s theorem.
Unit 2
CURVILINEAR COORDINATES:
Learning Objectives
1. Good understanding of the properties of general curvilinear coordinates and vector calculus operators in them
2. Describing a system using suitable coordinates and solving the relevant problem
Cartesian, spherical and cylindrical coordinates. General curvilinear coordinates, Coordinate curves, Scale factors, Unit vectors in curvilinear systems, Arc length, area elements, volume elements. Gradient, diver-gence, curl and Laplacian. Special orthogonal coordinate systems: Parabolic and cylindrical coordinates, Pa-raboloidal coordinates, Elliptic cylindrical coordinates and applications.
Unit 3
TENSOR ANALYSIS
Learning Objectives
1. Familiarity with the concept and principles of tensor algebra and calculus
2. Application of tensor calculus in studying physical systems
Definition and basic properties of tensors. Covariant, contravariant and mixed tensors. The summation con-vention, Fundamental operations with tensors. The line element and metric tensor. Tensor algebra, Christof-fel symbols and their transformation laws, Covariant differentiation. Tensor form of gradient, divergence and curl. Geodesic equation, Curvature tensors.
Unit 4
DIRAC DELTA & GENERALISED FUNCTIONS, FOURIER SERIES & INTEGRAL TRANSFORMS
Learning Objectives
Study of generalised function- Dirac delta and its various properties and solving physically relevant problems modelled with Dirac delta function in different dimensions and coordinates
Study and application of Fourier Series and integral transforms
Introduction to Generalised functions, delta sequences. One dimensional Dirac delta function, properties and representations, higher dimensional Dirac delta function. Dirac Delta function in curvilinear coordinates. Heaviside unit step function. Applications and properties of Fourier series and its Complex form, Fourier representation of Dirac Delta. Integral transforms and properties, Parseval’s theorem, Convolution theorem, applications. Green’s function
Unit 5
SPECIAL FUNCTIONS
Learning Objectives
1. Familiarity with various special functions and its properties
2. Application of special functions in solving integrals and as solutions of relevant differential equations describing systems with various symmetries.
Gamma, Beta and Error functions – definitions, properties and applications. Orthogonal functions, Bessel’s equation, General solution for non-integer ν; general solution for integer ν; Bessel function of first kind and second, properties of Bessel functions, Integral representations. Recurrence Relation, Orthogonality, Ro-drigues Formula. Modified Bessel functions, Henkel functions. Equations transformed into Bessel’s equa-tion. Other special functions: Legendre, Hermite, Laugerre functions- Recurrence relations and generating functions-. Applications.
Objectives & Outcomes
Course Objectives: The purpose of the course is to introduce students to the methods of mathematical physics and to develop required mathematical skills to solve advanced problems in theoretical physics.
Course Outcomes
After completing the course, the student should be able to:
CO 1. Understand mathematical methods used in various advanced physics courses and apply the techniques in solving problems involved
CO 2. Understand the theory of vector calculus in orthogonal and general curvilinear coordinates and apply it to solve physically relevant problems
CO 3. Perform basic operations with tensors in algebra and calculus; formulate and express physical laws in terms of tensors, and simplify it by the use of coordinate transforms
CO4. Understand the properties of Dirac delta function, various special functions, Fourier series and integral transforms and application of the same in solving integrals and differential equations
Skills:
Problem solving skills using various mathematical methods. Mathematical outlook to physical problems.
Evaluation Pattern
CO-PO Mapping
| Assessment |
Internal |
External Semester |
| Periodical 1 (P1) |
15 |
|
| Periodical 2 (P2) |
15 |
|
| *Continuous Assessment (CA) |
20 |
|
| End Semester |
|
50 |
*CA – Can be Quizzes, Assignments, Projects, and Reports.
Justification for CO-PO Mapping
| CO-PO Mapping |
Justification |
Affinity level |
| CO1-PO1 |
CO1 is related to understanding and applying various mathematical techniques and applying them to solve physical problems. This improves student’s knowledge in Mathematics and Physical sciences as any physical situation can be described as a mathematical problem, and hence the affinity level is 3. |
3 |
| CO1-PO2 |
Since PO2 is related to problem analysis and analytical skills and CO1 is related to understanding and applying various mathematical techniques to study physical systems, to assist it; hence the affinity level is maximum ie, 3. |
3 |
| CO2-PO1 |
CO2 is related to study and application of vector calculus in rectilinear and general curvilinear coordinate systems and hence the affinity level 3. |
3 |
| CO2-PO2 |
CO2 deals with many analytical techniques of vector calculus and it enhances students analysis and analytic skills, so the affinity 3. |
3 |
| CO3-PO1 |
CO3, related with tensor calculus and coordinate transformations, enables students to understand mathematical formulation of physical laws and hence CO3 has maximum affinity 3 when mapped with PO1. |
3 |
| CO3-PO2 |
CO3 is related to understanding and applications of tensor calculus to physical problems, resulting in enhancement of students analysis and analytic skills; hence the affinity 3. |
3 |
| CO4-PO1 |
CO4 introduces many special functions, integral transforms, series expansion of functions etc, which are very essential to understand any physical system and thus CO4 has maximum affinity of 3 with PO1. |
3 |
| CO4-PO2 |
CO4 involves application of many special functions, integral transforms, series expansion of functions etc to solve physically relevant problems with many technical innovations and thus CO4 has maximum affinity of 3 with PO1. |
3 |
| CO1-PSO1 |
PSO1 is related to the proficiency in mathematical physics and other theoretical physics topics; which is the aim of this course, as shown by CO1 and hence the affinity is maximum (3). |
3 |
| CO1-PSO2 |
PSO2 involves imparting analytical skills and the CO matches with maximum affinity |
3 |
| CO2-PSO1 |
CO2 enhances knowledge of vector calculus and curvilinear coordinates and it has application in other theoretical courses; hence maximum affinity is seen with PSO1 |
3 |
| CO2-PSO2 |
PSO2 involves imparting analytical skills and the CO matches with maximum affinity |
3 |
| CO3-PSO1 |
CO3 aims at making student comfortable with tensor calculus, which is essential in understanding advanced physics courses; hence maximum affinity is seen with PSO1 |
3 |
| CO3-PSO2 |
PSO2 involves imparting analytical skills and the CO matches with maximum affinity |
3 |
| CO4-PSO1 |
CO4 deals with study of special functions, generalised functions, integral transforms etc and its application to physically relevant systems that one encounters in theoretical physics. Hence there is a maximum affinity with PSO1 |
3 |
| CO4-PSO2 |
PSO2 involves imparting analytical skills and the CO matches with maximum affinity |
3 |
