GRE Subject Test: Physics : GRE Subject Test: Physics

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Subject Test: Physics

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All GRE Subject Test: Physics Resources

33 Practice Tests Question of the Day Flashcards Learn by Concept

Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Quantum Mechanics And Atomic Physics

What wavelength will result in the most accurate measurement of the momentum of an electron?

Possible Answers:

Gamma-ray

X-ray

Red light

Infrared

Radio

Correct answer:

Radio

Explanation:

The Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle states that:

 Since the uncertainty in the position is inversely proportional to the uncertainty in the momentum, we need to pick the longest wavelength. Of the options listed, radio has the longest wavelength.  

Example Question #31 : Gre Subject Test: Physics

If a ground state particle is in a one-dimension square well, where is the probability of finding the particle equal to zero?

Possible Answers:

At the boundary.

In the middle.

None of these

 the way in the box.

 the way in the box.

Correct answer:

At the boundary.

Explanation:

This is a fundamental concept question. For a ground state particle, the only place where the probability is equal to zero is at the boundary because the particle cannot be found there. He has to be in the box (not unlike a cat).

Example Question #1 : Quantum Mechanics And Atomic Physics

What is the energy of the photon emitted when a Hydrogen atom makes a transition from the  to the  atomic energy level?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

, where  refers to the final and initial energy levels, respectively.

However, since the question asked what is the energy of the photon, it is the absolute value of the energy calculated above because of conservation of energy. The photon carries away the energy lost by the atom. 

 

Example Question #1 : Quantum Mechanics And Atomic Physics

What color will be emitted in the  to  transition in the Hydrogen Balmer series?

Possible Answers:

Violet

Blue

Yellow

Green

Red

Correct answer:

Violet

Explanation:

.

Here,  is the wavelength,  is the Rydberg constant,  for the Balmer series, and  refers to the upper atomic level (this is  in this case). Now, we just need to plug everything in, and solve for wavelength.

By inverting,  This is in the violet regime of the visible spectrum. 

Example Question #1 : Mechanics

What relation must be true between the minimum potential energy and the total energy of the satellite for the shape of its orbit to be circular?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

For a gravitation potential, the total energy is:

, where

When the energy equals the minimum potential energy, the satellite has just enough energy to maintain a circular orbit around the planet. When the potential energy is larger than the total energy, the satellite spirals in toward the planet. When the total energy is greater than zero, the satellite is deflected out into space.

Example Question #1 : Electromagnetics, Waves, And Optics

A particle traveling through glass (index of refraction 1.33) emits Cherenkov radiation. Which of the following is a possible speed of the particle?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Cherenkov radiation is emitted by a particle traveling faster than the phase velocity of light in that medium. Because , the phase velocity of light in the glass is:

This is the minimum velocity of a particle to be emitting Cherenkov radiation in glass. This eliminates all answers except  and The latter is impossible because it is greater than the speed of light in a vacuum, therefore the answer is .

Example Question #1 : Electromagnetics, Waves, And Optics

A monochromatic beam of  light travels through a material with a phase velocity of . What is the refractive index of the material?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The phase velocity of light through a medium with refractive index  is given by:

Solving this for  and substituting our given value of :

Example Question #2 : Electromagnetics, Waves, And Optics

A double slit experiment is set up with the following parameters: two slits are a separated by a distance . A beam of light with wavelength  shines through the two slits, and is projected onto a screen a distance  from the slits. What is the distance on the screen between the central band and the next band on either side? (This distance is marked '' on the figure).

Slit

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The condition for constructive interference with double slit diffraction is given by:

Where  is 0, 1, 2, ...

Solving for the angle and using the small angle approximation, we get;

The distance  in the diagram can be related to the other quantities by simple geometry:

Again, with the help of the small angle approximation. Setting the two thetas equal to each other and solving for , we get:

For the central band, , so the  position is also zero. The next band, , yields a distance of:

Example Question #2 : Electromagnetics, Waves, And Optics

Two waves with frequencies:  are combined. What is the frequency of the resulting beat?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The beat from two combined sound waves is:

Example Question #32 : Gre Subject Test: Physics

A beam of light, with wavelength , is normally incident on a transmission diffraction grating. With respect to the incident beam, the first order diffraction maximum occurs at an angle of . What is the number of slits per centimeter on the grating?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The equation describing maxima of a diffraction grating is:

Where d is the separation of slits, which can also be expressed as:

Substituting d into the first equation and making the small angle approximation, one can solve for  (lines per length):

Note that the angle had to be converted from degrees to radians. Finally, the question asks for lines per centimeter, not meter, so the answer becomes .

All GRE Subject Test: Physics Resources

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