CBSE Class 12 Physics Syllabus 2024-25

CBSE Class 12 Physics Syllabus 2024-25

The CBSE Class 12 Physics Syllabus 2024-25 covers essential topics such as Electric Charges and Fields, Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance, Current Electricity, Moving Charges and Magnetism, and Electromagnetic Induction, among others. This syllabus is crafted to help students develop a strong understanding of the fundamental concepts of Physics, enabling them to perform well in their exams. myCBSEGuide App is now providing the updated CBSE syllabus for students, ensuring they have access to the most current and accurate information for their exam preparations.

This page provides an in-depth look at the CBSE Class 12 syllabus across various subjects, offering students a structured approach to their exam preparation. By referring to the syllabus, students can clearly identify the chapters and topics they need to prioritize, allowing for focused and organized study sessions. This valuable resource helps students stay aligned with the curriculum and ensures that they cover all necessary areas of study.

To further enhance exam preparation, students can access Class 12 Physics sample question papers, model test papers, chapter-wise test papers, and revision notes to gain a deeper understanding of key concepts and practice for the 2025 exams. These resources are designed to support students in mastering the subject and achieving top scores in their CBSE Physics exam 2025.

Explore the CBSE Class 12 Physics syllabus now to plan your study schedule effectively and boost your preparation with myCBSEGuide Website. Stay organized and confident as you approach your exams with the best tools available.

Class 12 Physics Mobile App

CBSE Class 12
Physics (Code No. 042)
Syllabus (2024-25)

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Time: 3 hrs.
Max Marks: 70

		No. of Periods	Marks
Unit-I	Electrostatics	26	16
	Chapter-1: Electric Charges and Fields
	Chapter-2: Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance
Unit-II	Current Electricity	18
	Chapter-3: Current Electricity
Unit-III	Magnetic Effects of Current and Magnetism	25	17
	Chapter-4: Moving Charges and Magnetism
	Chapter-5: Magnetism and Matter
Unit-IV	Electromagnetic Induction and Alternating Currents	24
	Chapter-6: Electromagnetic Induction
	Chapter-7: Alternating Current
Unit-V	Electromagnetic Waves	04	18
	Chapter-8: Electromagnetic Waves
Unit-VI	Optics	30
	Chapter-9: Ray Optics and Optical Instruments
	Chapter-10: Wave Optics
Unit-VII	Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter	08	12
	Chapter-11: Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter
Unit-VIII	Atoms and Nuclei	15
	Chapter-12: Atoms
	Chapter-13: Nuclei
Unit-IX	Electronic Devices	10	7
	Chapter-14: Semiconductor Electronics: Materials, Devices and Simple Circuits
Total		160	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 fleld.
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, the 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 solenoids (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; 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 ideas 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

Time 3 hours
Max. Marks: 30

Two experiments one from each section	7 + 7 Marks
Practical record [experiments and activities]	5 Marks
One activity from any section	3 Marks
Investigatory Project	3 Marks
Viva on experiments, activities and project	5 Marks
Total	30 marks

SECTION-A

Experiments

1. To determine resistivity of two/three wires by plotting a graph for potential difference versus current.
2. To find resistance of a given wire/standard resistor using metre bridge.
3. To verify the laws of combination (series) of resistances using a metre bridge.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 merit.
5. To convert the given galvanometer (of known resistance and figure of merit) into a voltmeter of desired range and to verify the same.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 sonometer.

Activities

1. To measure the resistance and impedance of an inductor with or without iron core.
2. To measure the 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.

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 length.
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 find the refractive index of a liquid using a concave mirror and a plane mirror.
9. To draw the I-V characteristic curve for a p-n junction diode in forward bias and reverse bias.

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 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 diffraction of light due to a thin slit.
6. 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).
7. 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
   1. the power of the incandescent lamp, used to ‘illuminate’ the LDR (keeping all the lamps at a fixed distance).
   2. 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 equiconvex lens (made from a glass of known refractive index) and an adjustable object needle.
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 transformer.
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 fluids.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. To study the earth’s magnetic field using a compass needle -bar magnet by plotting magnetic field lines and tangent galvanometer.

Practical Examination for Visually Impaired Students of
Evaluation Scheme

Time 2 hours
Max. Marks: 30

Identification/Familiarity with the apparatus	5 marks
Written test (based on given/prescribed practicals)	10 marks
Practical Record	5 marks
Viva	10 marks
Total	30 marks

Class 12

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.
2. List of Practicals 
   1. To determine the resistance per cm of a given wire by plotting a graph between voltage and current.
   2. To verify the laws of combination (series/parallel combination) of resistances by Ohm’s law.
   3. To find the resistance of a given wire / standard resistor using a meter bridge
   4. To determine the resistance of a galvanometer by half deflection method.
   5. To identify a resistor, capacitor, inductor and diode from a mixed collection of such items.
   6. To observe the difference between
      1. a convex lens and a concave lens
      2. a convex mirror and a concave mirror and to estimate the likely difference between the power of two given convex /concave lenses.
   7. To design an inductor coil and to know the effect of
      1. change in the number of turns
      2. Introduction of ferromagnetic material as its core material on the inductance of the coil.
   8. To design a (i) step up (ii) step down transformer on a given core and know the relation between its input and output voltages.

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

Prescribed Books:

1. Physics, Class 12, Part -I and II, Published by NCERT.
2. Laboratory Manual of Physics for class 12 Published by NCERT.
3. 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 2024-25 is not to be tested by schools and will not be assessed in the Board examinations 2024-25.

QUESTION PAPER DESIGN
Theory

Maximum Marks: 70
Duration: 3 hrs.

S. No.	Typology of Questions	Total Marks	Approximate Percentage
	Remembering: Exhibit memory of previously learned material by recalling facts, terms, basic concepts, and answers. Understanding: Demonstrate understanding of facts and ideas by organizing, comparing, translating, interpreting, giving descriptions, and stating main ideas	27	38%
	Applying: Solve problems to new situations by applying acquired knowledge, facts, techniques and rules in a different way	22	32%
	Analysing: Examine and break information into parts by identifying motives or causes. Make inferences and find evidence to support generalizations Evaluating: Present and defend opinions by making judgments about information, validity of ideas, or quality of work based on a set of criteria. Creating: Compile information together in a different way by combining elements in a new pattern or proposing alternative solutions.	21	30%
	Total Marks	70	100
	Practical	30
	Gross Total	100

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 2024-25 to be published by CBSE at its website.

Students must refer to the CBSE Class 12 Physics Syllabus 2024-25 to understand the chapters they need to focus on for better exam preparation.

To download the CBSE Class 12 Physics Syllabus 2024-25 in PDF format, follow these simple steps:

1. Visit the official website of myCBSEGuide .
2. Navigate to the CBSE Class 12 Physics Syllabus section.
3. Select the 2024-25 CBSE Syllabus and click on the download button to get the PDF version.
4. Save the PDF to your device for easy reference and study planning.

This easy process allows you to access the complete CBSE Class 12 Physics syllabus and ensure that your exam preparation is aligned with the official curriculum. Stay organized, plan your studies efficiently, and cover all necessary topics for success in your exams.

By downloading the syllabus, you can start focused preparation and be well-equipped to tackle the Class 12 Physics Syllabus 2024-25 exam.

Frequently Asked Question:

When will the CBSE 2025 syllabus be released?

Yes, the CBSE 2025 syllabus has already been released by the board. To stay updated and access the most accurate and detailed syllabus and to keep track of the syllabus and boost your exam preparation with myCBSEGuide Website and myCBSEGuide App. The app provides the latest CBSE syllabus for all subjects, along with study materials, sample papers, chapter-wise test papers, and NCERT solutions. You can also find revision notes and other resources that will help you prepare effectively for the upcoming exams.  The Examin8 App and Examin8 Website offer a powerful solution for educators, enabling them to create customized mock tests and practice papers. With the ability to incorporate their personal branding, such as their name and logo, teachers can enhance the effectiveness of their teaching while providing students with tailored assessments. This personalized approach not only improves teaching efficiency but also helps students prepare more effectively for exams by focusing on key areas of study. By using the Examin8 App, educators can design assessments that meet their curriculum needs and improve student performance, making exam preparation more targeted and effective. Students can download the CBSE Class 12 Physics Syllabus 2024-25 in PDF format to access a detailed outline of all topics.