GRE Physics Test: Difference between revisions
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* [[Oscillation|oscillatory motion]] | * [[Oscillation|oscillatory motion]] | ||
* [[Rotation around a fixed axis|rotational motion about a fixed axis]] | * [[Rotation around a fixed axis|rotational motion about a fixed axis]] | ||
* [[ | * [[Oscillation#Coupled oscillations|dynamics of systems of particles]] | ||
* [[central force]]s and [[celestial mechanics]] | * [[central force]]s and [[celestial mechanics]] | ||
* [[ | * [[Collision|three-dimensional particle dynamics]] | ||
* [[Lagrangian mechanics|Lagrangian]] and [[Hamiltonian mechanics|Hamiltonian]] formalism | * [[Lagrangian mechanics|Lagrangian]] and [[Hamiltonian mechanics|Hamiltonian]] formalism | ||
* [[non-inertial reference frame]]s | * [[non-inertial reference frame]]s | ||
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===5. [[Quantum mechanics]] (13%)=== | ===5. [[Quantum mechanics]] (13%)=== | ||
* fundamental concepts | * [[Introduction to quantum mechanics|fundamental concepts]] | ||
* solutions of the [[Schrödinger equation]] | * solutions of the [[Schrödinger equation]] | ||
** [[Particle in a box|square wells]] | ** [[Particle in a box|square wells]] | ||
| Line 102: | Line 102: | ||
* [[Angular momentum operator|angular momentum]] | * [[Angular momentum operator|angular momentum]] | ||
* [[wave function]] [[Symmetry in quantum mechanics|symmetry]] | * [[wave function]] [[Symmetry in quantum mechanics|symmetry]] | ||
* elementary [[perturbation theory]] | * elementary [[Perturbation theory (quantum mechanics)|perturbation theory]] | ||
===6. [[Atomic physics]] (10%)=== | ===6. [[Atomic physics]] (10%)=== | ||
* properties of [[electron]]s | * properties of [[electron]]s | ||
* [[Bohr model]] | * [[Bohr model]] | ||
* [[ | * [[Atomic electron transition|energy quantization]] | ||
* [[Atom|atomic structure]] | * [[Atom|atomic structure]] | ||
* [[ | * [[Hydrogen spectral series|atomic spectra]] | ||
* [[selection rule]]s | * [[selection rule]]s | ||
* [[black-body radiation]] | * [[black-body radiation]] | ||
| Line 130: | Line 130: | ||
* [[Particle detector|radiation detection]] | * [[Particle detector|radiation detection]] | ||
* [[Count data|counting statistics]] | * [[Count data|counting statistics]] | ||
* [[ | * [[Ionizing radiation|interaction of charged particles with matter]] | ||
* [[laser]]s and [[Interferometry|optical interferometers]] | * [[laser]]s and [[Interferometry|optical interferometers]] | ||
* [[dimensional analysis]] | * [[dimensional analysis]] | ||
| Line 140: | Line 140: | ||
** [[radioactive decay]] | ** [[radioactive decay]] | ||
** [[Nuclear fission|fission]] and [[Nuclear fusion|fusion]] | ** [[Nuclear fission|fission]] and [[Nuclear fusion|fusion]] | ||
** [[ | ** [[Fundamental interaction|reactions]] | ||
** fundamental properties of [[elementary particle]]s | ** fundamental properties of [[elementary particle]]s | ||
* '''[[Condensed matter physics|Condensed matter]]''' | * '''[[Condensed matter physics|Condensed matter]]''' | ||
** [[crystal structure]] | ** [[crystal structure]] | ||
** [[x-ray diffraction]] | ** [[x-ray diffraction]] | ||
** [[ | ** [[Specific heat capacity|thermal properties]] | ||
** [[Free electron model|electron theory of metals]] | ** [[Free electron model|electron theory of metals]] | ||
** [[semiconductor]]s | ** [[semiconductor]]s | ||
Latest revision as of 05:42, 19 October 2025
Template:Short description Template:Infobox examination
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) physics test is an examination administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). The test attempts to determine the extent of the examinees' understanding of fundamental principles of physics and their ability to apply them to problem solving. Many graduate schools require applicants to take the exam and base admission decisions in part on the results.
The scope of the test is largely that of the first three years of a standard United States undergraduate physics curriculum, since many students who plan to continue to graduate school apply during the first half of the fourth year. It consists of 70 five-option multiple-choice questions covering subject areas including the first three years of undergraduate physics.
The International System of Units (SI Units) is used in the test. A table of information representing various physical constants and conversion factors is presented in the test book.
Major content topics
1. Classical mechanics (20%)
- kinematics
- Newton's laws
- work and energy
- oscillatory motion
- rotational motion about a fixed axis
- dynamics of systems of particles
- central forces and celestial mechanics
- three-dimensional particle dynamics
- Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formalism
- non-inertial reference frames
- elementary topics in fluid dynamics
2. Electromagnetism (18%)
- electrostatics
- currents and DC circuits
- magnetic fields in free space
- Lorentz force
- induction
- Maxwell's equations and their applications
- electromagnetic waves
- AC circuits
- magnetic and electric fields in matter
3. Optics and wave phenomena (8%)
- wave properties
- superposition
- interference
- diffraction
- geometrical optics
- polarization
- Doppler effect
4. Thermodynamics and statistical mechanics (10%)
- laws of thermodynamics
- thermodynamic processes
- equations of state
- ideal gases
- kinetic theory
- ensembles
- statistical concepts and calculation of thermodynamic quantities
- thermal expansion and heat transfer
5. Quantum mechanics (13%)
- fundamental concepts
- solutions of the Schrödinger equation
- spin
- angular momentum
- wave function symmetry
- elementary perturbation theory
6. Atomic physics (10%)
- properties of electrons
- Bohr model
- energy quantization
- atomic structure
- atomic spectra
- selection rules
- black-body radiation
- x-rays
- atoms in electric and magnetic fields
7. Special relativity (6%)
- introductory concepts
- time dilation
- length contraction
- simultaneity
- energy and momentum
- four-vectors and Lorentz transformation
- velocity addition
8. Laboratory methods (6%)
- data and error analysis
- electronics
- instrumentation
- radiation detection
- counting statistics
- interaction of charged particles with matter
- lasers and optical interferometers
- dimensional analysis
- fundamental applications of probability and statistics
9. Specialized topics (9%)
- Nuclear and particle physics
- nuclear properties
- radioactive decay
- fission and fusion
- reactions
- fundamental properties of elementary particles
- Condensed matter
- miscellaneous
See also
- Graduate Record Examination
- GRE Biochemistry Test
- GRE Biology Test
- GRE Chemistry Test
- GRE Literature in English Test
- GRE Mathematics Test
- GRE Psychology Test
- Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)
- Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE)
References
External links
- Official Description of the GRE Physics Test
- Detailed Solutions to ETS released tests - The Missing Solutions Manual, free online, and User Comments and discussions on individual problems
- More solutions to the released tests - Includes solutions to the recently released 2008 exam
- GRE Prep Course at Ohio State University - Preparation course, with links to all 4 publicly released Physics GRE tests, as well as links to other Physics GRE resources
- GR0877 Solutions - Solutions to 2008 exam
- [1] - Physics GRE Review at Troy University