13 Jun 2026

Atomic Physics Exam Quiz

Five standard atomic physics MCQs for physics entrance practice.

atomic-physics gate-2024 csir-net-2023 jest-2022

These are original exam-style practice questions based on common GATE, CSIR-NET and JEST atomic physics patterns.

Q: [GATE 2024 style] The ground state energy of hydrogen is approximately
A: $-13.6\,\mathrm{eV}$
B: $+13.6\,\mathrm{eV}$
C: $-1.6\,\mathrm{eV}$
D: $0\,\mathrm{eV}$
ANSWER: A
EXPLAIN: The Bohr energy levels are $E_n=-13.6\,\mathrm{eV}/n^2$.
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Q: [CSIR-NET 2023 style] Electric dipole transitions require
A: $\Delta l=0$
B: $\Delta l=\pm1$
C: $\Delta m=\pm2$ only
D: $\Delta n=0$ only
ANSWER: B
EXPLAIN: The electric dipole selection rule for orbital angular momentum is $\Delta l=\pm1$.
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Q: [JEST 2022 style] The total number of states in a shell with principal quantum number $n$, including spin, is
A: $n$
B: $n^2$
C: $2n^2$
D: $4n^2$
ANSWER: C
EXPLAIN: There are $n^2$ orbital states and two spin states, giving $2n^2$.
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Q: [GATE 2021 style] The Zeeman effect is splitting of spectral lines in
A: electric field
B: magnetic field
C: gravitational field
D: thermal field
ANSWER: B
EXPLAIN: Magnetic interaction with angular momentum splits atomic levels.
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Q: [CSIR-NET 2020 style] The spin quantum number of an electron is
A: $0$
B: $1/2$
C: $1$
D: $3/2$
ANSWER: B
EXPLAIN: The electron is a spin-half fermion.

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