Latest Update 2024

Exams for Class 12 will be administered between February 12 to April 03, 2024. The Physics Exam Will be held on March 4, 2024 Monday from 02:00 PM to 05:00 PM. For Detailed Time Table 2024, students are advised to check the ISC CLASS XII 2024, Time Table on its official website.

Official Syllabus

There will be two papers in the subject:

Paper I: Theory - 3 hours...70 marks

Paper II: Practical -3 hours ...15 marks

Project Work ...10 marks

Practical File...5 marks

PAPER I - THEORY: 70 Marks

There will be no overall choice in the paper. Candidates will be required to answer all questions. Internal choice will be available in two questions of 2 marks each, two questions of 3 marks each and all the three questions of 5 marks each.

PAPER I - THEORY - 70 Marks

Note : (i) Unless otherwise specified, only S. I.Units are to be used while teaching and learning, as well as for answering questions.

(ii) All physical quantities to be defined as and when they are introduced along with their units and dimensions.

(iii) Numerical problems are included from all topics except where they are specifically excluded or where only qualitative treatment is required.

1. Electrostatics

(i) Electric Charges and Fields

Electric charges; conservation and quantisation of charge, Coulomb's law; 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, Gauss’s theorem in Electrostatics and its applications to find field due to infinitely long straight wire, uniformly charged infinite plane sheet.

(a) Coulomb's law, S.I unit of charge; permittivity of free space and of dielectric medium. Frictional electricity, electric charges (two types); repulsion and attraction; simple atomic structure - electron and ions; conductors and insulators; quantization and conservation and electric charge; Coulomb's law in vector form; (position coordinates r₁, r₂ not necessary). Comparison with Newton’s law of gravitation; Superposition principle.

(b) Concept of electric field and its intensity; examples of different fields; gravitational, electric and magnetic; Electric field due to a point charge E Fq = / o  (q0 is a test charge); E  for a group of charges (superposition principle); a point charge q in an electric field.

(c) Electric lines of force: A convenient way to visualize the electric field; properties of lines of force; examples of the lines of force due to (i) an isolated point charge (+ve and - ve); (ii) dipole, (iii) two similar charges at a small distance;(iv) uniform field between two oppositely charged parallel plates.

(ii) Electrost

Latest Update 2024

Exams for Class 12 will be administered between February 12 to April 03, 2024. The Physics Exam Will be held on March 4, 2024 Monday from 02:00 PM to 05:00 PM. For Detailed Time Table 2024, students are advised to check the ISC CLASS XII 2024, Time Table on its official website.

Official Syllabus

There will be two papers in the subject:

Paper I: Theory - 3 hours...70 marks

Paper II: Practical -3 hours ...15 marks

Project Work ...10 marks

Practical File...5 marks

PAPER I - THEORY: 70 Marks

There will be no overall choice in the paper. Candidates will be required to answer all questions. Internal choice will be available in two questions of 2 marks each, two questions of 3 marks each and all the three questions of 5 marks each.

PAPER I - THEORY - 70 Marks

Note : (i) Unless otherwise specified, only S. I.Units are to be used while teaching and learning, as well as for answering questions.

(ii) All physical quantities to be defined as and when they are introduced along with their units and dimensions.

(iii) Numerical problems are included from all topics except where they are specifically excluded or where only qualitative treatment is required.

1. Electrostatics

(i) Electric Charges and Fields

Electric charges; conservation and quantisation of charge, Coulomb's law; 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, Gauss’s theorem in Electrostatics and its applications to find field due to infinitely long straight wire, uniformly charged infinite plane sheet.

(a) Coulomb's law, S.I unit of charge; permittivity of free space and of dielectric medium. Frictional electricity, electric charges (two types); repulsion and attraction; simple atomic structure - electron and ions; conductors and insulators; quantization and conservation and electric charge; Coulomb's law in vector form; (position coordinates r₁, r₂ not necessary). Comparison with Newton’s law of gravitation; Superposition principle.

(b) Concept of electric field and its intensity; examples of different fields; gravitational, electric and magnetic; Electric field due to a point charge E Fq = / o  (q0 is a test charge); E  for a group of charges (superposition principle); a point charge q in an electric field.

(c) Electric lines of force: A convenient way to visualize the electric field; properties of lines of force; examples of the lines of force due to (i) an isolated point charge (+ve and - ve); (ii) dipole, (iii) two similar charges at a small distance;(iv) uniform field between two oppositely charged parallel plates.

(ii) Electrostatic Potential, Potential Energy 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, energy stored in a capacitor.

2. Current Electricity

Mechanism of flow of current in conductors. Mobility, drift velocity and its relation with electric current; Ohm's law and its proof, resistance and resistivity and their relation to drift velocity of electrons; V-I characteristics (linear and non-linear), electrical energy and power, electrical resistivity and conductivity; temperature dependence of resistance and resistivity.

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, to compare emf of two cells; to measure internal resistance of a cell. 

3. Magnetic Effects of Current and Magnetism

(i) Moving charges and magnetism:

Concept of magnetic field, Oersted's experiment. Biot - Savart law and its application. Ampere's Circuital 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, 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 sensitivity. Conversion of galvanometer into an ammeter and a voltmeter.

(ii) Magnetism and Matter:

A current loop as a magnetic dipole, its magnetic dipole moment, magnetic dipole moment of a revolving electron, bar magnet as an equivalent solenoid, magnetic field lines.

(a) Only historical introduction through Oersted’s experiment. [Ampere’s swimming rule not included]. Biot-Savart law and its vector form; application; derive the expression for B (i) at the centre of a circular loop carrying current; (ii) at any point on its axis. Current carrying loop as a magnetic dipole. Ampere’s Circuital law: statement and brief explanation. Apply it to obtain vector B near a long wire carrying current and for a solenoid (straight as well as toroidal). Only formula of center B due to a finitely long conductor.

(b) Force on a moving charged particle in magnetic field special cases, modify this equation substituting for the force acting on a current carrying conductor placed in a magnetic field. Derive the expression for force between two long and parallel wires carrying current, hence, define ampere (the base SI unit of current) and hence, coulomb; from Q = It. Lorentz force.

(c) Derive the expression for torque on a current carrying loop placed in a uniform vector B.

A current carrying loop is a magnetic dipole; directions of current and vector B and vector m using right hand rule only; no other rule necessary. Mention orbital magnetic moment of an electron in Bohr model of H atom. Concept of radial magnetic field. Moving coil galvanometer; construction, principle, working, theory I = k? , current and voltage sensitivity. Shunt. Conversion of galvanometer into ammeter and voltmeter of given range.

Magnetic field represented by the symbol (baar) B is not to be defined in terms of force acting on a unit pole, etc.; note the distinction of vector B from vector E is that vector B forms closed loops as there are no magnetic monopoles, whereas vector E lines start from +ve charge and end on -ve charge.

4. Electromagnetic Induction and Alternating Currents

(i) Electromagnetic Induction

Faraday's laws, induced emf and current; Lenz's Law, eddy currents. Self-induction and mutual induction. Transformer.

(ii) Alternating Current

Peak value, mean value and RMS value of alternating current/voltage; their relation in sinusoidal case; reactance and impedance; LC oscillations (qualitative treatment only), LCR series circuit, resonance; AC generator.

5. Electromagnetic Waves

Electromagnetic waves, their characteristics, their transverse nature (qualitative ideas only). Complete electromagnetic spectrum starting from radio waves to gamma rays: elementary facts of electromagnetic waves and their uses.

Qualitative descriptions only of electromagnetic spectrum; common features of all regions of em spectrum including transverse nature ( Vector E and vector B perpendicular to vector c ); special features of the common classification (gamma rays, X rays, UV rays, visible light, IR, microwaves, radio and TV waves) in their production (source), detection and other properties; uses; approximate range of lambda or for at least proper order of increasing f or lambda

6. Optics

(i) Ray Optics and optical instruments

Ray Optics: Refraction at spherical surfaces, lenses, thin lens formula, lens maker's formula, magnification, power of a lens, combination of thin lenses in contact, combination of a lens and a mirror, refraction and dispersion of light through a prism.

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

(ii) Wave Optics

Wave front and Huygen's principle. Proof of laws of reflection and refraction using Huygen's principle. Interference, Young's double slit experiment and expression for fringe width(beta), coherent sources and sustained interference of light, Fraunhofer diffraction due to a single slit, width of central maximum.

(a) Huygen’s principle: wavefronts - different types/shapes of wavefronts; proof of laws of reflection and refraction using Huygen’s theory. [Refraction through a prism and lens on the basis of Huygen’s theory not required].

(b) Interference of light, interference of monochromatic light by double slit. Phase of wave motion; superposition of identical waves at a point, path difference and phase difference; coherent and incoherent sources; interference: constructive and destructive, conditions for sustained interference of light waves [mathematical deduction of interference from the equations of two progressive waves with a phase difference is not required]. Young's double slit experiment: set up, diagram, geometrical deduction of path difference delta x = d sin theta, between waves from the two slits; using delta x = n lambda for bright fringe and delta x = (n+½) lambda for dark fringe and sin theta = tan theta = y_n /D as y and theta are small, obtain y_n = (D/d)n theta and fringe width Beta = (D/d) lambda. Graph of distribution of intensity with angular distance.

(c) Single slit Fraunhofer diffraction (elementary explanation only). Diffraction at a single slit: experimental setup, diagram, diffraction pattern, obtain expression for position of minima, a sin theta_n = n lambda, where n = 1,2,3… and conditions for secondary maxima, a sin theta_n =(n+½) lambda.; distribution of intensity with angular distance; angular width of central bright fringe.

7. Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter

Wave particle duality; photoelectric effect, Hertz and Lenard's observations; Einstein's photoelectric equation - particle nature of light. Matter waves - wave nature of particles, de-Broglie relation. Photo electric effect, quantization of radiation; Einstein's equation E_max = h Nu - W₀; threshold frequency; work function; experimental facts of Hertz and Lenard and their conclusions; Einstein used Planck’s ideas and extended it to apply for radiation (light); photoelectric effect can be explained only assuming quantum (particle) nature of radiation. Determination of Planck’s constant (from the graph of stopping potential V_s versus frequency f of the incident light). Momentum of photon p = E/c = h Nu/c = h/ lambda.

De Broglie hypothesis, phenomenon of electron diffraction (qualitative only). Wave nature of radiation is exhibited in interference, diffraction and polarisation; particle nature is exhibited in photoelectric effect. Dual nature of matter: particle nature common in that it possesses momentum p and kinetic energy KE. The wave nature of matter was proposed by Louis de Broglie, lambda = h/p = h/m Nu.

8. Atoms and Nuclei

(i) Atoms

Alpha-particle scattering experiment; Rutherford's atomic model; Bohr’s atomic model, energy levels, hydrogen spectrum.

Rutherford’s nuclear model of atom (mathematical theory of scattering excluded), based on Geiger - Marsden experiment on ?-scattering; nuclear radius r in terms of closest approach of? particle to the nucleus, obtained by equating Delta K = ½ mv² of the alpha particle to the change in electrostatic potential energy Delta U of the system. atomic structure; only general qualitative ideas, including atomic number Z, Neutron number N and mass number A. A brief account of historical background leading to Bohr’s theory of hydrogen spectrum; formulae for wavelength in Lyman, Balmer, Paschen, Brackett and Pfund series. Rydberg constant. Bohr’s model of H atom, postulates (Z=1); expressions for orbital velocity, kinetic energy, potential energy, radius of orbit and total energy of electron. Energy level diagram, calculation of Delta E, frequency and wavelength of different lines of emission spectra; agreement with experimentally observed values. [Use nm and not Å for unit of lambda].

(ii) Nuclei

Composition and size of nucleus, Mass-energy relation, mass defect; Nuclear reactions, nuclear fission and nuclear fusion.

(a) Atomic masses and nuclear density; Isotopes, Isobars and Isotones – definitions with examples of each. Unified atomic mass unit, symbol u, 1u=1/12 of the mass of ¹²C atom = 1.66x10^-27kg). Composition of nucleus; mass defect and binding energy, BE= ( delta m) c² . Graph of BE/nucleon versus mass number A, special features - less BE/nucleon for light as well as heavy elements. Middle order more stable [see fission and fusion] Einstein’s equation E = mc². Calculations related to this equation; mass defect/binding energy, mutual annihilation, and pair production as examples.

(b) Nuclear reactions, examples of a few nuclear reactions with conservation of mass number and charge, concept of a neutrino.

(c) Nuclear Energy

Theoretical (qualitative) prediction of exothermic (with release of energy) nuclear reaction, in fusing together two light nuclei to form a heavier nucleus and in splitting heavy nucleus to form middle order (lower mass number) nuclei. Also calculate the disintegration energy Q for a heavy nucleus (A = 240) with BE/A (tilde operator) 7.6 MeV per nucleon split into two equal halves with A =120 each and BE/A (tilde operator) 8.5 MeV/nucleon; Q (tilde operator) 200 MeV. Nuclear fission: Any one equation of fission reaction. Chain reaction-controlled and uncontrolled; nuclear reactor and nuclear bomb. Main parts of a nuclear reactor including their functions - fuel elements, moderator, control rods, coolant, casing; criticality; utilization of energy output - all qualitative only. Fusion, simple example of 4 ¹H (Rightwards arrow) ⁴He and its nuclear reaction equation; requires very high temperature (tilde operator) 10⁶ degrees; difficult to achieve; hydrogen bomb; thermonuclear energy production in the sun and stars. [Details of chain reaction not required]

9. Electronic Devices

(i) Semiconductor Electronics: Materials, Devices and SimpleCircuits. Energy bands in conductors, semiconductors and insulators (qualitative ideas only). Intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors.

(ii) Semiconductor diode: I-V characteristics in forward and reverse bias, diode as a rectifier; Special types of junction diodes: LED, photodiode, solar cell.

(a) Energy bands in solids; energy band diagrams for distinction between conductors, insulators, and semi - conductors - intrinsic and extrinsic; electrons and holes in semiconductors. Elementary ideas about electrical conduction in metals [crystal structure not included]. Energy levels (as for hydrogen atom), 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, etc. of an isolated atom such as that of copper; these split, eventually forming ‘bands’ of energy levels, as we consider solid copper made up of a large number of isolated atoms, brought together to form a lattice; definition of energy bands - groups of closely spaced energy levels separated by band gaps called forbidden bands. An idealized representation of the energy bands for a conductor, insulator and semiconductor; characteristics, differences; distinction between conductors, insulators and semiconductors on the basis of energy bands, with examples; qualitative discussion only; energy gaps (eV) in typical substances (carbon, Ge, Si); some electrical properties of semiconductors. Majority and minority charge carriers - electrons and holes; intrinsic and extrinsic, doping, p-type, n-type; donor and acceptor impurities.

(b) Junction diode and its symbol; depletion region and potential barrier; forward and reverse biasing, V-I characteristics and numerical; half wave and a full wave rectifier. Simple circuit diagrams and graphs, function of each component in the electric circuits, qualitative only. [Bridge rectifier of 4 diodes not included]; elementary ideas on solar cell, photodiode and light emitting diode (LED) as semi conducting diodes. Importance of LED’s as they save energy without causing atmospheric pollution and global warming.

10. Communication Systems

Elements of a communication system (block diagram only); bandwidth of signals (speech, TV and digital data); bandwidth of transmission medium. Modes of propagation of electromagnetic waves in the atmosphere through sky and space waves, satellite communication. Modulation, types (frequency and amplitude), n eed for modulation and demodulation, advantages of frequency modulation over amplitude modulation. Elementary ideas about internet, mobile network and global positioning system (GPS).

Self-explanatory- qualitative only.

PAPER II PRACTICAL WORK - 15 Marks

The experiments for laboratory work and practical examinations are mostly from two groups:

(i) experiments based on ray optics and

(ii) experiments based on current electricity. The main skill required in group (i) is to remove parallax between a needle and the real image of another needle. In group (ii), understanding circuit diagram and making connections strictly following the given diagram is very important. Polarity of cells and meters, their range, zero error, least count, etc. should be taken care of.

A graph is a convenient and effective way of representing results of measurement. It is an important part of the experiment.

There will be one graph in the Practical question paper. Candidates are advised to read the question paper carefully and do the work according to the instructions given in the question paper. Generally, they are not expected to write the procedure of the experiment, formulae, precautions, or draw the figures, circuit diagrams, etc. Observations should be recorded in a tabular form.

Record of observations

• All observations recorded should be consistent with the least count of the instrument used (e.g. focal length of the lens is 10.0 cm or 15.1cm but 10 cm is a wrong record.)

• All observations should be recorded with correct units.

Graph work 

Students should learn to draw graphs correctly noting all important steps such as:

(a) Title

(b) Selection of origin (should be marked by two coordinates, example 0,0 or 5,0, or 0,10 or 30,5; Kink is not accepted).

(i) The axes should be labelled according to the question

(ii) Uniform and convenient scale should be taken and the units given along each axis (one small division = 0.33, 0.67, 0.66, etc. should not to be taken)

(iii) Maximum area of graph paper (at least 60% of the graph paper along both the axes) should be used.

(iv) Points should be plotted with great care, marking the points plotted with (should be a circle with a dot) is a misplot.

(v) The best fit straight line should be drawn. The best fit line does not necessarily have to pass through all the plotted points and the origin. While drawing the best fit line, all experimental points must be kept on the line or symmetrically placed on the left and right side of the line. The line should be continuous, thin, uniform and extended beyond the extreme plots. 

(vi) The intercepts must be read carefully. Y intercept i.e. y0 is that value of y when x = 0. Similarly, X intercept i.e. x0 is that value of x when y=0. When x0 and y0 are to be read, origin should be at (0, 0).

NOTE : The concepts of significant figures and error analysis must be reinforced during Practical Work.

PROJECT WORK AND PRACTICAL FILE – 15 marks

Project Work – 10 marks

The Project work is to be assessed by a Visiting Examiner appointed locally and approved by the Council.

All candidates will be required to do one project involving some physics-related topic/s under the guidance and regular supervision of the Physics teacher.

Candidates should undertake any one of the following types of projects:

• Theoretical project

• Working Model

• Investigatory project (by performing an experiment under supervision of a teacher)

Candidates are to prepare a technical report formally written including title, abstract, some theoretical discussion, experimental setup, observations with tables of data collected, graph/chart (if any), analysis and discussion of results, deductions, conclusion, etc. The teacher should approve the draft, before it is finalised. The report should be kept simple, but neat and elegant. No extra credit shall be given for the typewritten material/decorative cover, etc. Teachers may assign or students may choose any one project of their choice.

Suggested Evaluation Criteria for Theory-Based Projects:

-Title of the Project

- Introduction

- Contents

- Analysis/ material aid (graph, data, structure, pie charts, histograms, diagrams, etc.)

- Originality of work (the work should be the candidates’ original work,)

- Conclusion/comments

Suggested Evaluation Criteria for Model-Based Projects:

- Title of the Project

- Model construction

- Concise Project report

Suggested Evaluation Criteria for Investigative Projects:

- Title of the Project

- Theory/principle involved

- Experimental setup

- Observations calculations/deduction and graph work

- Result/ Conclusions

Practical File – 5 marks The Visiting Examiner is required to assess the candidates on the basis of the Physics practical file maintained by them during the academic year.

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