JKPSC Prelims 2021
General Studies (Paper 1)
Answer & Explanation
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Correct Answer:
Option B —
Solid State Physics
Understanding Bragg's LawBragg's Law is a fundamental principle used to study the internal structure of crystals. It explains how X-rays are reflected (or "diffracted") by the atoms arranged in a crystal lattice.
How it works: When X-rays hit a crystal, they penetrate the surface and are reflected by the different layers of atoms. If the waves reflected from these layers align perfectly, they create a strong signal. Scientists use this signal to calculate the exact distance between the atoms.
Significance: This discovery was a massive breakthrough for Solid State Physics and Crystallography because it allowed us to "see" the atomic arrangement of solids for the first time. It is the reason we know the structures of diamonds, metals, and even complex biological molecules like DNA.
Why it doesn't fit the other fields:
A) Thermodynamics: This field deals with heat, energy, and work. While solids are studied here, the law of reflection and diffraction is a matter of wave physics and structural arrangement rather than heat transfer.
C) Biotechnology: While Biotech uses techniques based on Bragg’s Law (like X-ray crystallography to study proteins), the law itself is a core principle of physics rather than a biological process.
D) Astrophysics: This field studies celestial bodies and the universe. While X-ray telescopes are used in space, Bragg's Law specifically describes the interaction between waves and the organized atomic layers found in solid matter.
Answer verified by Quintessence Classes faculty — Karan Nagar, Srinagar.
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