CBSE Board Class 12 Physics Syllabus

CLASS XII
(THEORY)

Time: 3 hrs. Max Marks: 70

No. of Periods Marks

Unit–I Electrostatics

Chapter–1: Electric Charges and Fields 22

Chapter–2: Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance 15

Unit-II Current Electricity

20
Chapter–3: Current Electricity

Unit-III Magnetic Effects of Current and Magnetism

Chapter–4: Moving Charges and Magnetism 22

Chapter–5: Magnetism and Matter 16

Unit-IV Electromagnetic Induction and Alternating Currents

Chapter–6: Electromagnetic Induction 20

Chapter–7: Alternating Current

Unit–V Electromagnetic Waves

04
Chapter–8: Electromagnetic Waves

Unit–VI Optics 17
Chapter–9: Ray Optics and Optical Instruments 25

Chapter–10: Wave Optics

Unit–VII Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter

08
Chapter–11: Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter

Unit–VIII Atoms and Nuclei 10

Chapter–12: Atoms 14

Chapter–13: Nuclei

Unit–IX Electronic Devices

Chapter–14: Semiconductor Electronics: Materials, 15

Devices and Simple Circuits 12
Unit–X Communication Systems
10
Chapter–15: Communication Systems

Total 160 70

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Unit I: Electrostatics 22 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 polarisation, 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.

Unit II: Current Electricity 20 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, electrical resistance, V-I characteristics (linear
and non-linear), electrical energy and power, electrical resistivity and conductivity, Carbon
resistors, colour code for carbon resistors; series and parallel combinations of resistors;
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 laws and simple applications, Wheatstone bridge, metre
bridge.
Potentiometer - principle and its applications to measure potential difference and for
comparing EMF of two cells; measurement of internal resistance of a cell.

Unit III: Magnetic Effects of Current and Magnetism 22 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 and toroidal solenoids
(only qualitative treatment), force on a moving charge in uniform magnetic and electric fields,
Cyclotron.
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; moving coil galvanometer-its current sensitivity and conversion to
ammeter and voltmeter.

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 Chapter–5: Magnetism and Matter
Current loop as a magnetic dipole and its magnetic dipole moment, magnetic dipole moment of
a revolving electron, magnetic field intensity due to a magnetic dipole (bar magnet) along its
axis and perpendicular to its axis, torque on a magnetic dipole (bar magnet) in a uniform
magnetic field; bar magnet as an equivalent solenoid, magnetic field lines; earth's magnetic
field and magnetic elements.
Para-, dia- and ferro - magnetic substances, with examples. Electromagnets and factors
affecting their strengths, permanent magnets.

Unit IV: Electromagnetic Induction and Alternating Currents 20 Periods

Chapter–6: Electromagnetic Induction
Electromagnetic induction; Faraday's laws, induced EMF and current; Lenz's Law, Eddy currents.
Self and mutual induction.
Chapter–7: Alternating Current
Alternating currents, peak and RMS value of alternating current/voltage; reactance and
impedance; LC oscillations (qualitative treatment only), LCR series circuit, resonance; power in
AC circuits, power factor, wattless current.
AC generator and transformer.

Unit V: Electromagnetic waves 04 Periods

Chapter–8: Electromagnetic Waves
Basic idea of displacement current, Electromagnetic waves, their characteristics, their
Transverse nature (qualitative ideas only).
Electromagnetic spectrum (radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible, ultraviolet, X-rays,
gamma rays) including elementary facts about their uses.

Unit VI: Optics 25 Periods

Chapter–9: Ray Optics and Optical Instruments
Ray Optics: Reflection of light, spherical mirrors, mirror formula, refraction of light, total
internal reflection and its applications, optical fibres, refraction at spherical surfaces, lenses,
thin lens formula, lensmaker's formula, magnification, power of a lens, combination of thin
lenses in contact, refraction and dispersion of light through a prism.
Scattering of light - blue colour of sky and reddish apprearance of the sun at sunrise and sunset.
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,
coherent sources and sustained interference of light, diffraction due to a single slit, width of
central maximum, resolving power of microscope and astronomical telescope, polarisation,
plane polarised light, Brewster's law, uses of plane polarised light and Polaroids.

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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.
Matter waves-wave nature of particles, de-Broglie relation, Davisson-Germer experiment
(experimental details should be omitted; only conclusion should be explained).

Unit VIII: Atoms and Nuclei 14 Periods

Chapter–12: Atoms
Alpha-particle scattering experiment; Rutherford's model of atom; Bohr model, energy levels,
hydrogen spectrum.
Chapter–13: Nuclei
Composition and size of nucleus, Radioactivity, alpha, beta and gamma particles/rays and their
properties; radioactive decay law.
Mass-energy relation, mass defect; binding energy per nucleon and its variation with mass
number; nuclear fission, nuclear fusion.

Unit IX: Electronic Devices 15 Periods

Chapter–14: Semiconductor Electronics: Materials, Devices and Simple Circuits
Energy bands in conductors, semiconductors and insulators (qualitative ideas only)
Semiconductor diode - I-V characteristics in forward and reverse bias, diode as a rectifier;
Special purpose p-n junction diodes: LED, photodiode, solar cell and Zener diode and their
characteristics, zener diode as a voltage regulator.
Junction transistor, transistor action, characteristics of a transistor and transistor as an
amplifier (common emitter configuration), basic idea of analog and digital signals, Logic gates
(OR, AND, NOT, NAND and NOR).

Unit X: Communication Systems 10 Periods

Chapter–15: Communication Systems
Elements of a communication system (block diagram only); bandwidth of signals (speech, TV and
digital data); bandwidth of transmission medium. Propagation of electromagnetic waves in the
atmosphere, sky and space wave propagation, satellite communication. Need for modulation,
amplitude modulation.

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 15 Experiments [with a minimum of 6 from each section], to be performed by the students.
Record of at least 5 Activities [with a minimum of 2 each from section A and section B], to be demonstrated by the
teachers.
The Report of the project to be carried out by the students.

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 Evaluation Scheme
Time Allowed: Three hours Max. Marks: 30

Two experiments one from each section 8+8 Marks

Practical record [experiments and activities] 6 Marks
Investigatory Project 3 Marks
Viva on experiments, activities and project 5 Marks
Total 30 marks

SECTION–A
Experiments

1. To determine resistance per cm of a given wire by plotting a graph for potential difference versus current.
2. To find resistance of a given wire using metre bridge and hence determine the resistivity (specific resistance) of its
material.
3. To verify the laws of combination (series) of resistances using a metre bridge.
4. To verify the laws of combination (parallel) of resistances using a metre bridge.
5. To compare the EMF of two given primary cells using potentiometer.
6. To determine the internal resistance of given primary cell using potentiometer.
7. To determine resistance of a galvanometer by half-deflection method and to find its figure of merit.
8. To convert the given galvanometer (of known resistance and figure of merit) into a voltmeter of desired range and
to verify the same.
9. To convert the given galvanometer (of known resistance and figure of merit) into an ammeter of desired range and
to verify the same.
10. To find the frequency of AC mains with a sonometer.

Activities
(For the purpose of demonstration only)

1. To measure the resistance and impedance of an inductor with or without iron core.
2. To measure resistance, voltage (AC/DC), current (AC) and check continuity of a given circuit using multimeter.
3. To assemble a household circuit comprising three bulbs, three (on/off) switches, a fuse and a power source.
4. To assemble the components of a given electrical circuit.
5. To study the variation in potential drop with length of a wire for a steady current.
6. 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
diagram.

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 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 focallength.

2. To find the focal length of a convex mirror, using a convex lens.

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 lens.
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 microscope.
7. To find refractive index of a liquid by using convex lens and plane mirror.
8. To draw the I-V characteristic curve for a p-n junction in forward bias and reverse bias.
9. To draw the characteristic curve of a zener diode and to determine its reverse break down voltage.
10. To study the characteristic of a common - emitter npn or pnp transistor and to find out the values of current and
voltage gains.

Activities

(For the purpose of demonstration only)

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

Suggested Investigatory Projects

1. To study various factors on which the internal resistance/EMF of a cell depends.
2. To study the variations in current flowing in a circuit containing an LDR because of a variation in
(a) the power of the incandescent lamp, used to 'illuminate' the LDR (keeping all the lamps at a fixed distance).
(b) the distance of a incandescent lamp (of fixed power) used to 'illuminate' the LDR.
3. To find the refractive indices of (a) water (b) oil (transparent) using a plane mirror, an equi convex lens (made from a
glass of known refractive index) and an adjustable object needle.
4. To design an appropriate logic gate combination for a given truth table.

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5. 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 transformer.
6. 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 fluids.
7. 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 law.
8. To set up a common base transistor circuit and to study its input and output characteristic and to calculate its
current gain.
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 A.C. source of adjustable frequency.
10. To construct a switch using a transistor and to draw the graph between the input and output voltage and mark the
cut-off, saturation and active regions.
11. To study the earth's magnetic field using a tangent galvanometer.
 PHYSICS (Code No. 042)
QUESTION PAPER DESIGN
CLASS - XII (2018-19)
Time 3 Hours Max. Marks: 70

S. Typology of Very Short Short Short Long Total %

No. Questions Answer Answer-I Answer –II Answer Marks Weightage
(VSA) (SA-I) (SA-II) (3 (LA)
(1 mark) (2 marks) marks) (5 marks)
1. Remembering - (Knowledge
based Simple recall
questions, to know
specific facts, terms, 2 1 1 – 7 10%
concepts, principles, or
theories, Identify, define,
or recite, information)
2 Understanding -
(Comprehension -to be
familiar with meaning and
to understand conceptually, – 2 4 1 21 30%
interpret, compare,
contrast, explain,
paraphrase information)
3 Application - (Use abstract
information in concrete
situation, to apply
knowledge to new
situations, Use given – 2 4 1 21 30%
content to interpret a
situation, provide an
example, or solve a
problem)
4 High Order Thinking Skills -
(Analysis & Synthesis-
Classify, compare, contrast,
or differentiate between
different pieces of 2 – 1 1 10 14%
information, Organize
and/or integrate unique
pieces of information from a
variety of sources)
5 Evaluation - (Appraise,
judge, and/or justify the
value or worth of a decision 1 2 2 – 11 16%
or outcome, or to predict
outcomes based on values)
TOTAL 5x1=5 7x2=14 12x3=36 3x5=15 70(27) 100%

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 QUESTION WISE BREAK UP

Type of Question Mark per Question Total No. of Questions Total Marks

VSA 1 5 05

SA-I 2 7 14

SA-II 3 12 36

LA 5 3 15

Total 27 70

1. Internal Choice: There is no overall choice in the paper. However, there is an internal choice in one question of 2
marks weightage, one question of 3 marks weightage and all the three questions of 5 marks weightage.

2. 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.

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