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CSS written syllabus
CSS Physics Syllabus
Physics is a 200-mark Group II optional subject in the CSS written exam, examined in two three-hour papers of 100 marks each. Below is FPSC's official syllabus, word for word: both papers, their sections, topics and suggested readings.
- Marks
- 200
- Papers
- 2
- Time
- 3 hours a paper
- Group
- Group II
- Subject code
- 16
PAPER—I
100 marks- I.Mechanics
- •Vectors: Dots, Cross and triple products, Gradient, divergence, curl and applications.
- •Newtonian laws of motion: calculus based approach to kinematics, forces and dynamics, conservation law of energy; conservation of linear and angular momentum; Dynamics of rigid body; spin and precession; gyroscope; Gravitation; planetary motion and satellites; Kepler's laws; centripetal forces
- •Special theory of relativity: Michelson-Morley experiment and Einstein’s postulates; Lorentz transformation; time dilation and length contraction; equivalence of mass and energy.
- II.Fluid Mechanics
- •Surface tension; Viscosity; Elasticity; fluid motion and Bernoulli’s theorem.
- III.Waves and Oscillations, Optics
- •
- Free oscillation with one and two degrees of freedom, forced and damped oscillations and phenomenon of resonance
- Simple harmonic motion
- Traveling waves and transmission of energy
- Phase and Group velocity, standing waves
- Basics of sound waves
- •Reflection, Refraction, Interference, Diffraction and Polarization of waves; interfero meter and Newton’s rings; Diffraction Gratings and their resolving power; spectro meters. Electromagnetic wave equation; normal and anamolous dispersion; coherence, lasers and applications.
- IV.Heat and Thermodynamics
- •
- Perfect gas, real gas and Van der Waals equation
- Three Laws of Thermodynamics, internal energy, temperature, entropy
- Thermal properties of simple systems, kinetic theory of gases
- Maxwellian distribution of molecular velocities
- Brownian motion
- Transport phenomena. Classical Maxwell-Boltzmann Statistics and its application
- Bose-Einstein and Fermi-Dirac Statistics
PAPER—II
100 marks- I.Electricity and Magnetism
- •
- Electric field due to point charges
- Gauss’ law
- Electric potential
- Poisson and Laplace’s equations
- Dielectric medium and Polarization
- Capacitance
- Moving charges and resulting magnetic field
- Ampere’s law
- Magnetic properties of matter
- Faraday’s law of electromagnetic induction
- Alternating current and RLC circuit
- Poynting theorem and Poynting Vector. Maxwell's equations in integral and differential form, scalar and vector potential
- II.Modern and Quantum Physics
- •Waves and particles and De Broglie’s Hypothesis; Operators and quantum states; observables; time dependent and independent Schrodinger equation; angular momentum; spin-1/2 particle in a magnetic field; wave mechanics; particle in a box; tunneling; one-dimensional harmonic oscillator; Heisenber's uncertainty relationship and indeterminacy based on commutation properties of operators; Bohr’s theory and quantum numbers including electron spin; Pauli’s exclusion principle; Spectra of simple systems with one or two valence electrons; photo electric effect; Compton scattering; pair production; Lande’s g factor and Zeeman effect. Raman effect;
- III.Solid State Physics
- •Crystal lattice and structure, Bravais lattice, free electron model, Band theory and electron in a periodic potential, Fermi energy and density of states, n and p type semiconductors, physics of the transistor and MOSFET, dielectric properties, magnetic properties and origin of magnetism.
- IV.Nuclear Physics
- •
- Structure of Nuclei
- Radioactivity
- α
- β and γ decay
- Methods of detection of nuclear radiation
- Mass Sepectrometer
- Accelerators
- Phenomenon of fission, reactor and nuclear power, nuclear fusion and its applications
- Elementary particles and their properties
Suggested readings
- 1Perspectives of Modern Physics.A. Beiser.
- 2Fundamentals of Physics.Halliday & Resnick
- 3Introduction to Electromagnetic Fields and Waves.D. Corson & P. Lorrain.
- 4Heat and Thermodynamics.D. Zemansky
- 5Introduction to Quantum MechanicsD. Griffiths
- 6Modern PhysicsSerway, Moses, Moyer.
- 7.Solid State PhysicsC. Kittel
Past papers
FPSC's Physics papers from 2016 to 2026, as text. Open a year, or see them all.