Question Bank - MMP303

1. State the Fourier transform of the Dirac delta function δ(x) centered at x = 0.

2. State the relationship between Γ(n + 1) and the factorial of n.

3. In the power-series solution of the Legendre equation, identify which coefficients

are connected to one another by the recurrence relation.
Γ(m)Γ(n)
4. Provide the missing denominator in the relation B(m, n) = ...
.
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5. If a particle satisfies the equation ddt2x = 0 and has a nonzero initial velocity, describe
the behavior of its velocity over time.

6. Specify the required sign or nature of the separation constant to ensure oscillatory
solutions when using the method of separation of variables.

7. Determine the value of the n-th degree Legendre polynomial Pn (x) when evaluated
at the point x = 1.

8. Describe how the velocity of a freely falling body varies with time when air resistance
is neglected.

9. Explain what it means for a square membrane to have ”degenerate modes” in terms
of frequency and mode shapes.

10. Under what condition does a power-series solution of the Legendre equation termi-
nate to become a polynomial?

11. Describe the general mathematical requirement or property a function must have
to be eligible for the Fourier transform.

12. Write the expression for the Laplacian operator ∇2 in two-dimensional plane polar
coordinates (r, θ).

13. State what types of numerical values or domains the Gamma function extends the
factorial function to cover.

14. Explain why the frequencies of harmonics on a stretched string are discrete rather
than continuous.

15. Define the ”indicial equation” in the context of the Frobenius method applied
around a regular singular point.

16. Calculate the wavelength of the third harmonic for a vibrating string of length L
fixed at both ends.

17. Name the specific differential equation that results from the angular part of Laplace’s
equation when solved via separation of variables in spherical coordinates.

18. Describe the nature (real/imaginary and even/odd) of the Fourier transform g(α)
if the original function f (x) is real-valued and purely odd.

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19. Provide the physical reason or formula that explains why wave speed on a string
increases when tension increases.

20. State the Fourier transform of the constant function f (x) = 1.

21. State the requirement for the constant m in the function Φ(ϕ) = exp(imϕ) to ensure
physical validity.

22. Define a nodal line in a vibrating membrane and explain how it differs from a single
node.

23. Explain the long-term behavior of a falling body’s velocity when a resistive force
proportional to velocity is added to the equation of motion.

24. Describe the mathematical nature and angular dependence of the spherical har-
monics Ylm (θ, ϕ) when the magnetic quantum number m = 0.

25. State the correct trigonometric integral representation of the Beta function B(m, n)
for m > 0 and n > 0.

26. For a body falling freely under gravity with an initial upward velocity, describe the
characteristics of its velocity-time graph.

27. Describe the mathematical form typically assumed for the solution u(x, y, t) when
applying the method of separation of variables.

28. If the tension in a rectangular membrane is increased by a factor of four, how does
the frequency of vibration change?

29. Describe the mathematical status or value of the Gamma function Γ(z) at z ∈
{0, −1, −2, −3, . . . }.
R π/2 √
30. Evaluate the definite integral J = 0 tan θ dθ and express the result in terms of
Gamma functions.

31. Identify the specific type of number the degree parameter must be for the Legendre
power-series to form a polynomial.

32. Explain why the recurrence relation is essential when solving the Legendre equation
by the power-series method.

33. Describe the resulting motion of a falling body if the resistance coefficient in the
equation of motion gradually approaches zero.

34. Determine how the wave speed on a string changes if the tension is quadrupled
while the linear density remains unchanged.

35. Identify the specific differential equation that determines the Θ-dependent part of
the solution to Laplace’s equation when m = 0 and the separation constant is
l(l + 1).

36. State the mathematical expression for the Fourier transform of the shifted Dirac
delta function δ(x − a).

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37. Identify the standard normalization condition satisfied by the n-th degree Legendre
polynomial Pn (x) at the point x = 1.

38. Explain the physical condition and net force balance that leads to a falling body
reaching terminal velocity in a resistive medium.

39. Calculate the exact numerical value of Γ(5).

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40. In the equation for simple harmonic motion ddt2x = −a, explain what the negative
sign indicates regarding the direction of acceleration.

41. Describe the physical significance of harmonics on a vibrating string in terms of

standing-wave patterns.

42. Identify the specific type of special functions involved in the radial part of the
solution for a vibrating circular membrane.

43. Define a nodal line on a vibrating membrane and describe the displacement behavior
of the membrane in that specific region.

44. State what physical function the Fourier transform of a constant function is pro-
portional to.

45. For a string of length L fixed at both ends, determine the wavelength of the funda-
mental mode (the first harmonic).
√
46. Given that Γ( 12 ) = π, evaluate the exact value of the Gamma function at Γ(− 52 ).

47. Explain why the final solution of a vibrating string or membrane problem typically
involves the superposition of many normal modes.

48. In the two-dimensional wave equation for a membrane, identify what the physical
quantity ρ represents.

49. Specify the standard interval of integration used to evaluate the Beta function
integral.

50. For a system with complete azimuthal symmetry, state the general form of the
solution to Laplace’s equation in spherical coordinates.
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51. If a particle obeys the equation ddt2x = a (where a is a constant), describe how its
velocity varies with respect to time.

52. State the functional form of the Fourier transform for the Gaussian function f (x) =
x2
exp(− 2σ 2 ).

53. Explain how degenerate modes in a square membrane demonstrate that different
geometrical patterns can share the same frequency.

54. Identify the property of the spherical harmonics Ylm (θ, ϕ) that ensures the physical
solution Φ is periodic with respect to the azimuthal angle ϕ.
d2 y
55. Explain why the equation dt2
= −g for a freely falling body contains a negative
sign.

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 R π/2
56. Evaluate the exact value of the integral I = √dθ by expressing it in terms of
0 sin θ
the Beta function.

57. Describe how the method of separation of variables simplifies complex partial dif-
ferential equations (PDEs) into a different class of equations.

58. Explain why sine functions are specifically chosen for the spatial solutions of a
vibrating string with fixed ends.

59. Explain the physical reason why membrane vibrations require two independent
mode numbers (m, n).

60. State the requirement for displacement at the physical boundaries of a vibrating
string that is fixed at both ends.

61. State the value of Γ(1).

62. Identify which physical model (with or without resistance) is more realistic for
long-duration falling-body motion in air.

63. Describe how tension acts within a two-dimensional membrane compared to a one-
dimensional string.

64. Describe the general trend of vibration frequencies as the mode numbers of a rect-
angular membrane increase.

65. Specify the mathematical requirement for the parameter p in the integral represen-
tation of the Gamma function.