BharatNotes Overview
Physics questions in UPSC Prelims test conceptual understanding of fundamental principles — Newton's laws, thermodynamics, optics, electricity, and nuclear physics. The focus is on everyday applications and recent technological developments rather than mathematical derivations.
Chapters
| # | Chapter | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mechanics, Motion & Gravitation | Newton's laws, friction, circular motion, gravity, satellites, Kepler's laws |
| 2 | Heat, Thermodynamics & Sound | Laws of thermodynamics, heat transfer, thermal expansion, sound waves, Doppler effect |
| 3 | Light, Optics & Electromagnetic Waves | Reflection, refraction, lenses, spectrum, electromagnetic spectrum, fibre optics, lasers |
| 4 | Electricity, Magnetism & Electronics | Ohm's law, circuits, electromagnetic induction, semiconductors, superconductors |
| 5 | Modern Physics, Nuclear Science & Radioactivity — Atomic Theory, Fission, Fusion, Radioactivity, Radiation Safety & Nuclear Energy | X-rays, photoelectric effect, relativity basics, particle physics, alpha/beta/gamma, C-14 half-life (5,730 yr), fission/fusion, nuclear reactors, India's 3-stage nuclear programme, PFBR Kalpakkam (Stage 2), thorium (25% world reserves), 8,880 MW installed (25 reactors), AERB, CLNDA 2010 |
| 6 | Scientific Instruments, Units & Inventions | SI units, scientific instruments, major inventions, Indian scientists, Nobel Prize discoveries |
| 7 | Fluid Mechanics & Surface Tension | Pressure, buoyancy, viscosity, Bernoulli's principle, surface tension, capillarity |
| 8 | Waves, Communication Technology & Fibre Optics | Radio waves, satellite communication, radar, telecom physics, fibre optics, signal propagation |
| 9 | Energy Sources & Conversion | Conventional, nuclear, solar, wind & hydrogen energy physics, energy conversion principles |
| 10 | Semiconductors, Diodes & Logic Gates | Intrinsic/extrinsic semiconductors, p-n junction, diode applications, transistors, logic gates, integrated circuits, India Semiconductor Mission |
