CBSE Class 11 Physics Syllabus 2026-27 With Units, Chapters and Marks

PHYSICS

Class XI-XII (Code No.42) (2022-23)

Senior Secondary stage of school education is a stage of transition from general education to discipline-based focus on curriculum. The present updated syllabus keeps in view the rigor and depth of disciplinary approach as well as the comprehension level of learners. Due care has also been taken that the syllabus is comparable to the international standards. Salient features of the syllabus include:

Emphasis on basic conceptual understanding of the content.

Emphasis on use of SI units, symbols, nomenclature of physical quantities and formulations as per international standards.

Providing logical sequencing of units of the subject matter and proper placement of concepts with their linkage for better learning.

Reducing the curriculum load by eliminating overlapping of concepts/content within the discipline and other disciplines.

Promotion of process-skills, problem-solving abilities and applications of Physics concepts.

Besides, the syllabus also attempts to

Strengthen the concepts developed at the secondary stage to provide firm foundation for further learning in the subject.

Expose the learners to different processes used in Physics-related industrial and technological applications.

Develop process-skills and experimental, observational, manipulative, decision making and investigatory skills in the learners.

Promote problem solving abilities and creative thinking in learners.

Develop conceptual competence in the learners and make them realize and appreciate the interface of Physics with other disciplines.

PHYSICS (Code No. 042) COURSE STRUCTURE

Class XI – 2022-23 (Theory)

Time: 3 hrs. Max Marks: 70

Unit I: Physical World and Measurement 08 Periods Chapter–2: Units and Measurements

Need for measurement: Units of measurement; systems of units; SI units, fundamental and derived units. significant figures. Dimensions of physical quantities, dimensional analysis and its applications.

Unit II: Kinematics 24 Periods

Chapter–3: Motion in a Straight Line

Frame of reference, Motion in a straight line, Elementary concepts of differentiation and integration for describing motion, uniform and non- uniform motion, and instantaneous velocity, uniformly accelerated motion, velocity – time and position-time graphs. Relations for uniformly accelerated motion (graphical treatment).

Chapter–4: Motion in a Plane

Scalar and vector quantities; position and displacement vectors, general vectors and their notations; equality of vectors, multiplication of vectors by a real number; addition and subtraction of vectors, Unit vector; resolution of a vector in a plane, rectangular components, Scalar and Vector product of vectors.

Motion in a plane, cases of uniform velocity and uniform acceleration- projectile motion, uniform circular motion.

Unit III: Laws of Motion 14 Periods

Chapter–5: Laws of Motion

Intuitive concept of force, Inertia, Newton’s first law of motion; momentum and Newton’s second law of motion; impulse; Newton’s third law of motion.

Law of conservation of linear momentum and its applications.

Equilibrium of concurrent forces, Static and kinetic friction, laws of friction, rolling friction, lubrication.

Dynamics of uniform circular motion: Centripetal force, examples of circular motion (vehicle on a level circular road, vehicle on a banked road).

Unit IV: Work, Energy and Power 14 Periods

Chapter–6: Work, Energy and Power

Work done by a constant force and a variable force; kinetic energy, work- energy theorem, power.

Notion of potential energy, potential energy of a spring, conservative forces: non- conservative forces, motion in a vertical circle; elastic and inelastic collisions in one and two dimensions.

Unit V: Motion of System of Particles and Rigid Body 18Periods Chapter–7: System of Particles and Rotational Motion

Centre of mass of a two-particle system, momentum conservation and Centre of mass motion. Centre of mass of a rigid body; centre of mass of a uniform rod.

Moment of a force, torque, angular momentum, law of conservation of angular momentum and its applications.

Equilibrium of rigid bodies, rigid body rotation and equations of rotational motion, comparison of linear and rotational motions.

Moment of inertia, radius of gyration, values of moments of inertia for simple geometrical objects (no derivation).

Unit VI: Gravitation 12 Periods

Chapter–8: Gravitation

Kepler’s laws of planetary motion, universal law of gravitation. Acceleration due to gravity and its variation with altitude and depth.

Gravitational potential energy and gravitational potential, escape velocity,

orbital velocity of a satellite.

Unit VII: Properties of Bulk Matter 24 Periods Chapter–9: Mechanical Properties of Solids

Elasticity, Stress-strain relationship, Hooke’s law, Young’s modulus, bulk modulus, shear modulus of rigidity (qualitative idea only), Poisson’s ratio; elastic energy.

Chapter–10: Mechanical Properties of Fluids

Pressure due to a fluid column; Pascal’s law and its applications (hydraulic lift and hydraulic brakes), effect of gravity on fluid pressure.

Viscosity, Stokes’ law, terminal velocity, streamline and turbulent flow, critical velocity, Bernoulli’s theorem and its simple applications.

Surface energy and surface tension, angle of contact, excess of pressure across a curved surface, application of surface tension ideas to drops, bubbles and capillary rise.

Chapter–11: Thermal Properties of Matter

Heat, temperature, thermal expansion; thermal expansion of solids, liquids and gases, anomalous expansion of water; specific heat capacity; Cp, Cv – calorimetry; change of state – latent heat capacity.

Heat transfer-conduction, convection and radiation, thermal conductivity, qualitative ideas of Blackbody radiation, Wein’s displacement Law, Stefan’s law .

Unit VIII: Thermodynamics 12 Periods

Chapter–12: Thermodynamics

Thermal equilibrium and definition of temperature zeroth law of thermodynamics, heat, work and internal energy. First law of thermodynamics,

Second law of thermodynamics: gaseous state of matter, change of condition

of gaseous state -isothermal, adiabatic, reversible, irreversible, and cyclic processes.

Unit IX:Behavior of Perfect Gases and Kinetic Theory of Gases 08Periods Chapter–13: Kinetic Theory

Equation of state of a perfect gas, work done in compressing a gas.

Kinetic theory of gases – assumptions, concept of pressure. Kinetic interpretation of temperature; rms speed of gas molecules; degrees of freedom, law of equi-partition of energy (statement only) and application to specific heat capacities of gases; concept of mean free path, Avogadro’s number.

Unit X: Oscillations and Waves 26 Periods

Chapter–14: Oscillations

Periodic motion – time period, frequency, displacement as a function of time, periodic functions and their application.

Simple harmonic motion (S.H.M) and its equations of motion; phase; oscillations of a loaded spring- restoring force and force constant; energy in

S.H.M. Kinetic and potential energies; simple pendulum derivation of expression for its time period.

Chapter–15: Waves

Wave motion: Transverse and longitudinal waves, speed of travelling wave, displacement relation for a progressive wave, principle of superposition of waves, reflection of waves, standing waves in strings and organ pipes, fundamental mode and harmonics, Beats.

PRACTICALS

Total Periods: 60

The record, to be submitted by the students, at the time of their annual examination, has to include:

• Record of at least 8 Experiments [with 4 from each section], to be performed by the
• Record of at least 6 Activities [with 3 each from section A and section B], to be performed by the
• Report of the project carried out by the

EVALUATION SCHEME

Time 3 hours Max. Marks: 30

SECTION–A

Experiments

7. To measure diameter of a small spherical/cylindrical body and to measure internal diameter and depth of a given beaker/calorimeter using Vernier Callipers and hence find its
8. To measure diameter of a given wire and thickness of a given sheet using screw
9. To determine volume of an irregular lamina using screw
10. To determine radius of curvature of a given spherical surface by a
11. To determine the mass of two different objects using a beam
12. To find the weight of a given body using parallelogram law of
13. Using a simple pendulum, plot its L-T2 graph and use it to find the effective length of second’s
14. To study variation of time period of a simple pendulum of a given length by taking bobs of same size but different masses and interpret the
15. To study the relationship between force of limiting friction and normal reaction and to find the co- efficient of friction between a block and a horizontal
16. To find the downward force, along an inclined plane, acting on a roller due to gravitational pull of the earth and study its relationship with the angle of inclination θ by plotting graph between force and Sinθ.

Activities

6. To make a paper scale of given least count, g., 0.2cm, 0.5 cm.
7. To determine mass of a given body using a metre scale by principle of
8. To plot a graph for a given set of data, with proper choice of scales and error
9. To measure the force of limiting friction for rolling of a roller on a horizontal
10. To study the variation in range of a projectile with angle of
11. To study the conservation of energy of a ball rolling down on an inclined plane (using a double inclined plane).
12. To study dissipation of energy of a simple pendulum by plotting a graph between square of amplitude and

SECTION–B

Experiments

8. To determine Young’s modulus of elasticity of the material of a given
9. To find the force constant of a helical spring by plotting a graph between load and
10. To study the variation in volume with pressure for a sample of air at constant temperature by plotting graphs between P and V, and between P and 1/V.
11. To determine the surface tension of water by capillary rise
12. To determine the coefficient of viscosity of a given viscous liquid by measuring terminal velocity of a given spherical
13. To study the relationship between the temperature of a hot body and time by plotting a cooling
14. To determine specific heat capacity of a given solid by method of
15. To study the relation between frequency and length of a given wire under constant tension using
16. To study the relation between the length of a given wire and tension for constant frequency using
17. To find the speed of sound in air at room temperature using a resonance tube by two resonance positions.

Activities

7. To observe change of state and plot a cooling curve for molten
8. To observe and explain the effect of heating on a bi-metallic
9. To note the change in level of liquid in a container on heating and interpret the
10. To study the effect of detergent on surface tension of water by observing capillary
11. To study the factors affecting the rate of loss of heat of a
12. To study the effect of load on depression of a suitably clamped metre scale loaded at (i) its end (ii) in the
13. To observe the decrease in pressure with increase in velocity of a

Practical Examination for Visually Impaired Students Class XI

Note: Same Evaluation scheme and general guidelines for visually impaired students as given for Class XII may be followed.

A. Items for Identification/Familiarity of the apparatus for assessment in practical’s (All experiments)

Spherical ball, Cylindrical objects, vernier calipers, beaker, calorimeter, Screw gauge, wire, Beam balance, spring balance, weight box, gram and milligram weights, forceps, Parallelogram law of vectors apparatus, pulleys and pans used in the same ‘weights’ used, Bob and string used in a simple pendulum, meter scale, split cork, suspension arrangement, stop clock/stop watch, Helical spring, suspension arrangement used, weights, arrangement used for measuring extension, Sonometer, Wedges, pan and pulley used in it, ‘weights’ Tuning Fork, Meter scale, Beam balance, Weight box, gram and milligram weights, forceps, Resonance Tube, Tuning Fork, Meter scale, Flask/Beaker used for adding water.

B. List of Practicals

1. To measure diameter of a small spherical/cylindrical body using vernier
2. To measure the internal diameter and depth of a given beaker/calorimeter using vernier calipers and hence find its
3. To measure diameter of given wire using screw
4. To measure thickness of a given sheet using screw
5. To determine the mass of a given object using a beam
6. To find the weight of given body using the parallelogram law of
7. Using a simple pendulum plot L-T and L-T2 Hence find the effective length of second’s pendulum using appropriate length values.
8. To find the force constant of given helical spring by plotting a graph between load and
9. (i) To study the relation between frequency and length of a given wire under constant tension using a

(ii) To study the relation between the length of a given wire and tension, for constant frequency, using a sonometer.

10. To find the speed of sound in air, at room temperature, using a resonance tube, by observing the two resonance

Note: The above practicals may be carried out in an experiential manner rather than recording observations.

Prescribed Books:

1. Physics Part-I, Textbook for Class XI, Published by NCERT
2. Physics Part-II, Textbook for Class XI, Published by NCERT
3. Laboratory Manual of Physics, Class XI Published by NCERT
4. The list of other related books and manuals brought out by NCERT (consider multimedia also).

Note:

The content indicated in NCERT textbooks as excluded for the year 2022-23 is not to be tested by schools.

CLASS XII (2022-23) PHYSICS (THEORY)

Time: 3 hrs. Max Marks: 70

Unit I: Electrostatics 26 Periods

Chapter–1: Electric Charges and Fields

Electric charges, Conservation of charge, Coulomb’s law-force between two- point charges, forces between multiple charges; superposition principle and continuous charge distribution.

Electric field, electric field due to a point charge, electric field lines, electric dipole, electric field due to a dipole, torque on a dipole in uniform electric field.

Electric flux, statement of Gauss’s theorem and its applications to find field due to infinitely long straight wire, uniformly charged infinite plane sheet and uniformly charged thin spherical shell (field inside and outside).

Chapter–2: Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance

Electric potential, potential difference, electric potential due to a point charge, a dipole and system of charges; equipotential surfaces, electrical potential energy of a system of two-point charges and of electric dipole in an electrostatic field.

Conductors and insulators, free charges and bound charges inside a conductor. Dielectrics and electric polarization, capacitors and capacitance, combination of capacitors in series and in parallel, capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor with and without dielectric medium between the plates, energy stored in a capacitor (no derivation, formulae only).

Unit II: Current Electricity 18 Periods

Chapter–3: Current Electricity

Electric current, flow of electric charges in a metallic conductor, drift velocity, mobility and their relation with electric current; Ohm’s law, V-I characteristics (linear and non-linear), electrical energy and power, electrical resistivity and conductivity, temperature dependence of resistance, Internal resistance of a cell, potential difference and emf of a cell, combination of cells in series and in parallel, Kirchhoff’s rules, Wheatstone bridge.

Unit III: Magnetic Effects of Current and Magnetism 25 Periods

Chapter–4: Moving Charges and Magnetism

Concept of magnetic field, Oersted’s experiment.

Biot – Savart law and its application to current carrying circular loop.

Ampere’s law and its applications to infinitely long straight wire. Straight solenoid (only qualitative treatment), force on a moving charge in uniform magnetic and electric fields.

Force on a current-carrying conductor in a uniform magnetic field, force between two parallel current-carrying conductors-definition of ampere, torque experienced by a current loop in uniform magnetic field; Current loop as a magnetic dipole and its magnetic dipole moment, moving coil galvanometer- its current sensitivity and conversion to ammeter and voltmeter.

Chapter–5: Magnetism and Matter

Bar magnet, bar magnet as an equivalent solenoid (qualitative treatment only), magnetic field intensity due to a magnetic dipole (bar magnet) along its axis and perpendicular to its axis (qualitative treatment only), torque on a magnetic dipole (bar magnet) in a uniform magnetic field (qualitative treatment only), magnetic field lines.

Magnetic properties of materials- Para-, dia- and ferro – magnetic substances with examples, Magnetization of materials, effect of temperature on magnetic properties.

Unit IV: Electromagnetic Induction and Alternating Currents 24 Periods Chapter–6: Electromagnetic Induction

Electromagnetic induction; Faraday’s laws, induced EMF and current; Lenz’s Law, Self and mutual induction.

Chapter–7: Alternating Current

Alternating currents, peak and RMS value of alternating current/voltage; reactance and impedance; LCR series circuit (phasors only), resonance, power in AC circuits, power factor, wattless current.

AC generator, Transformer.

Unit V: Electromagnetic waves 04 Periods Chapter–8: Electromagnetic Waves

Basic idea of displacement current, Electromagnetic waves, their characteristics, their transverse nature (qualitative idea only).

Electromagnetic spectrum (radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible, ultraviolet, X-rays, gamma rays) including elementary facts about their uses.

Unit VI: Optics 30 Periods

Chapter–9: Ray Optics and Optical Instruments

Ray Optics: Reflection of light, spherical mirrors, mirror formula, refraction of light, total internal reflection and optical fibers, refraction at spherical surfaces, lenses, thin lens formula, lens maker’s formula, magnification, power of a lens, combination of thin lenses in contact, refraction of light through a prism.

Optical instruments: Microscopes and astronomical telescopes (reflecting and refracting) and their magnifying powers.

Chapter–10: Wave Optics

Wave optics: Wave front and Huygen’s principle, reflection and refraction of plane wave at a plane surface using wave fronts. Proof of laws of reflection and refraction using Huygen’s principle. Interference, Young’s double slit experiment and expression for fringe width (No derivation final expression only), coherent sources and sustained interference of light, diffraction due to a single slit, width of central maxima (qualitative treatment only).

Unit VII: Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter 08 Periods

Chapter–11: Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter

Dual nature of radiation, Photoelectric effect, Hertz and Lenard’s observations; Einstein’s photoelectric equation-particle nature of light.

Experimental study of photoelectric effect

Matter waves-wave nature of particles, de-Broglie relation.

Unit VIII: Atoms and Nuclei 15 Periods

Chapter–12: Atoms

Alpha-particle scattering experiment; Rutherford’s model of atom; Bohr model of hydrogen atom, Expression for radius of nth possible orbit, velocity and energy of electron in his orbit, of hydrogen line spectra (qualitative treatment only).

Chapter–13: Nuclei

Composition and size of nucleus, nuclear force

Mass-energy relation, mass defect; binding energy per nucleon and its variation with mass number; nuclear fission, nuclear fusion.

Unit IX: Electronic Devices 10 Periods

Chapter–14: Semiconductor Electronics: Materials, Devices and Simple Circuits

Energy bands in conductors, semiconductors and insulators (qualitative ideas only) Intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors- p and n type, p-n junction

Semiconductor diode – I-V characteristics in forward and reverse bias, application of junction diode -diode as a rectifier.

PRACTICALS

Total Periods 60

The record to be submitted by the students at the time of their annual examination has to include:

Record of at least 8 Experiments [with 4 from each section], to be performed by the students.

Record of at least 6 Activities [with 3 each from section A and section B], to be performed by the students.

The Report of the project carried out by the students.

Evaluation Scheme

Max. Marks: 30

Time 3 hours

Experiments SECTION–A

3. To determine resistivity of two / three wires by plotting a graph for potential difference versus current.
4. To find resistance of a given wire / standard resistor using metre
5. To verify the laws of combination (series) of resistances using a metre

OR

To verify the laws of combination (parallel) of resistances using a metre bridge.

4. To determine resistance of a galvanometer by half-deflection method and to find its figure of
5. To convert the given galvanometer (of known resistance and figure of merit) into a voltmeter of desired range and to verify the

OR

To convert the given galvanometer (of known resistance and figure of merit) into an ammeter of desired range and to verify the same.

6. To find the frequency of AC mains with a

Activities

6. To measure the resistance and impedance of an inductor with or without iron
7. To measure resistance, voltage (AC/DC), current (AC) and check continuity of a given circuit using
8. To assemble a household circuit comprising three bulbs, three (on/off) switches, a fuse and a power source.
9. To assemble the components of a given electrical
10. To study the variation in potential drop with length of a wire for a steady
11. To draw the diagram of a given open circuit comprising at least a battery, resistor/rheostat, key, ammeter and voltmeter. Mark the components that are not connected in proper order and correct the circuit and also the circuit

SECTION-B

Experiments

1. To find the value of v for different values of u in case of a concave mirror and to find the focal
2. To find the focal length of a convex mirror, using a convex
3. To find the focal length of a convex lens by plotting graphs between u and v or between 1/u and 1/v.
4. To find the focal length of a concave lens, using a convex
5. To determine angle of minimum deviation for a given prism by plotting a graph

between angle of incidence and angle of deviation.

6. To determine refractive index of a glass slab using a travelling

7. To find the refractive index of a liquid using convex lens and plane

8. To find the refractive index of a liquid using a concave mirror and a plane

9. To draw the I-V characteristic curve for a p-n junction diode in forward and reverse

Activities

1. To identify a diode, an LED, a resistor and a capacitor from a mixed collection of such items.
2. Use of multimeter to see the unidirectional flow of current in case of a diode and an LED and check whether a given electronic component (e.g., diode) is in working
3. To study effect of intensity of light (by varying distance of the source) on an
4. To observe refraction and lateral deviation of a beam of light incident obliquely on a glass
5. To observe diffraction of light due to a thin
6. To study the nature and size of the image formed by a (i) convex lens, or (ii) concave mirror, on a screen by using a candle and a screen (for different distances of the candle from the lens/mirror).
7. To obtain a lens combination with the specified focal length by using two lenses from the given set of

Suggested Investigatory Projects

1. To study various factors on which the internal resistance/EMF of a cell

2. To study the variations in current flowing in a circuit containing an LDR because of a variation in
   • the power of the incandescent lamp, used to ‘illuminate’ the LDR (keeping all the lamps at a fixed distance).

• the distance of a incandescent lamp (of fixed power) used to ‘illuminate’ the

3. To find the refractive indices of (a) water (b) oil (transparent) using a plane mirror, an equiconvex lens (made from a glass of known refractive index) and an adjustable object

4. To investigate the relation between the ratio of (i) output and input voltage and (ii) number of turns in the secondary coil and primary coil of a self-designed

5. To investigate the dependence of the angle of deviation on the angle of incidence using a hollow prism filled one by one, with different transparent

8. To estimate the charge induced on each one of the two identical Styrofoam (or pith) balls suspended in a vertical plane by making use of Coulomb’s
9. To study the factor on which the self-inductance of a coil depends by observing the effect of this coil, when put in series with a resistor/(bulb) in a circuit fed up by an C. source of adjustable frequency.
10. To study the earth’s magnetic field using a compass needle -bar magnet by plotting magnetic field lines and tangent

Practical Examination for Visually Impaired Students of Classes XI and XII Evaluation Scheme

Time 2 hours Max. Marks: 30

General Guidelines

The practical examination will be of two-hour duration. A separate list of ten experiments is included here.

The written examination in practicals for these students will be conducted at the time of practical examination of all other students.

The written test will be of 30 minutes duration.

The question paper given to the students should be legibly typed. It should contain a total of 15 practical skill based very short answer type questions. A student would be required to answer any 10 questions.

A writer may be allowed to such students as per CBSE examination rules.

All questions included in the question papers should be related to the listed practicals. Every question should require about two minutes to be answered.

These students are also required to maintain a practical file. A student is expected to record at least five of the listed experiments as per the specific instructions for each subject. These practicals should be duly checked and signed by the internal examiner.

The format of writing any experiment in the practical file should include aim, apparatus required, simple theory, procedure, related practical skills, precautions etc.

Questions may be generated jointly by the external/internal examiners and used for assessment.

The viva questions may include questions based on basic theory/principle/concept, apparatus/ materials/chemicals required, procedure, precautions, sources of error etc.

Class XII

1. Items for Identification/ familiarity with the apparatus for assessment in practicals (All experiments)

Meter scale, general shape of the voltmeter/ammeter, battery/power supply, connecting wires, standard resistances, connecting wires, voltmeter/ammeter, meter bridge, screw gauge, jockey Galvanometer, Resistance Box, standard Resistance, connecting wires, Potentiometer, jockey, Galvanometer, Lechlanche cell, Daniell cell [simple distinction between the two vis-à-vis their outer (glass and copper) containers], rheostat connecting wires, Galvanometer, resistance box, Plug-in and tapping keys, connecting wires battery/power supply, Diode, Resistor (Wire-wound or carbon ones with two wires connected to two ends), capacitors (one or two types), Inductors, Simple electric/electronic bell, battery/power supply, Plug- in and tapping keys, Convex lens, concave lens, convex mirror, concave mirror, Core/hollow wooden cylinder, insulated wire, ferromagnetic rod, Transformer core, insulated wire.

B. List of Practicals

1. To determine the resistance per cm of a given wire by plotting a graph between voltage and
2. To verify the laws of combination (series/parallel combination) of resistances by Ohm’s
3. To find the resistance of a given wire / standard resistor using a meter
4. To determine the resistance of a galvanometer by half deflection
5. To identify a resistor, capacitor, inductor and diode from a mixed collection of such items.
6. To observe the difference between
   • a convex lens and a concave lens
   • a convex mirror and a concave mirror and to estimate the likely difference between the power of two given convex /concave
7. To design an inductor coil and to know the effect of
   • change in the number of turns

• Introduction of ferromagnetic material as its core material on the inductance of the

8. To design a (i) step up (ii) step down transformer on a given core and know the relation between its input and output

Note: The above practicals may be carried out in an experiential manner rather than recording observations.

Prescribed Books:

1. Physics, Class XI, Part -I and II, Published by

2. Physics, Class XII, Part -I and II, Published by

3. Laboratory Manual of Physics for class XII Published by

4. The list of other related books and manuals brought out by NCERT (consider multimedia also).

Note:

The content indicated in NCERT textbooks as excluded for the year 2022-23 is not to be tested by schools and will not be assessed in the Board examinations 2022-23.

QUESTION PAPER DESIGN

Theory (Class: XI/XII)

Maximum Marks: 70 Duration: 3 hrs.

Note:

The above template is only a sample. Suitable internal variations may be made for generating similar templates keeping the overall weightage to different form of questions and typology of questions same.

For more details kindly refer to Sample Question Paper of class XII for the year 2022- 23 to be published by CBSE at its website.