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🇮🇳 CBSE Class 12 Board Exam · subject
CBSE Class 12 Board Exam Physics Syllabus
The Physics syllabus for CBSE Class 12 Board Exam in full: 4 chapters, 13 topics and 45 sub-topics, every one listed below, plus 52 Physics flashcards with answers.
Physics syllabus: all 4 chapters
Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics.
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Electrostatics and Current Electricity
3 topics- Electric Charges and Fields
- Coulomb's law and superposition principle
- Electric field and field lines
- Electric dipole and dipole in a uniform field
- Gauss's law and its applications
- Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance
- Potential due to a point charge and dipole
- Equipotential surfaces
- Capacitors, dielectrics and combinations
- Energy stored in a capacitor
- Current Electricity
- Ohm's law, drift velocity and resistivity
- Temperature dependence of resistance
- Kirchhoff's rules and Wheatstone bridge
- Potentiometer and metre bridge
- Electric Charges and Fields
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Magnetism and Electromagnetic Induction
4 topics- Moving Charges and Magnetism
- Biot-Savart law and Ampere's circuital law
- Force on a moving charge and current carrying conductor
- Cyclotron and moving coil galvanometer
- Magnetism and Matter
- Bar magnet and magnetic dipole
- Magnetisation and magnetic intensity
- Dia, para and ferromagnetic substances
- Electromagnetic Induction
- Faraday's and Lenz's laws
- Self and mutual inductance
- Eddy currents and AC generator
- Alternating Current
- AC voltage applied to R, L and C
- LCR series circuit and resonance
- Power in AC circuits and transformers
- Moving Charges and Magnetism
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Electromagnetic Waves and Optics
3 topics- Electromagnetic Waves
- Displacement current
- Nature of electromagnetic waves
- Electromagnetic spectrum and uses
- Ray Optics and Optical Instruments
- Reflection and refraction at spherical surfaces
- Lens maker's formula and lens combinations
- Total internal reflection and prism
- Microscope and astronomical telescope
- Wave Optics
- Huygens principle
- Young's double slit interference
- Diffraction at a single slit
- Polarisation and Brewster's law
- Electromagnetic Waves
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Modern Physics and Electronic Devices
3 topics- Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter
- Photoelectric effect and Einstein's equation
- Particle nature of light and photons
- de Broglie wavelength and Davisson-Germer experiment
- Atoms and Nuclei
- Rutherford and Bohr models of the atom
- Hydrogen spectrum and energy levels
- Mass-energy relation and binding energy
- Radioactivity, nuclear fission and fusion
- Semiconductor Electronics
- Energy bands in conductors, semiconductors and insulators
- p-n junction diode and rectification
- Special purpose diodes (Zener, LED, photodiode, solar cell)
- Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter
CBSE Class 12 Board Exam Physics flashcards — 52 questions with answers
State Coulomb's law for the force between two point charges in vacuum.
F = (1/4πε₀)·(q₁q₂/r²), directed along the line joining the charges; like charges repel, unlike attract. 1/4πε₀ ≈ 9×10⁹ N·m²/C².
What is the SI value of the permittivity of free space ε₀, and the constant 1/4πε₀?
ε₀ = 8.85×10⁻¹² C²·N⁻¹·m⁻²; 1/4πε₀ = 9×10⁹ N·m²·C⁻².
Define electric field intensity and give its formula due to a point charge.
Electric field is force per unit positive test charge: E = F/q₀. Due to a point charge: E = (1/4πε₀)·q/r², directed radially (away for +q, toward for −q). SI unit: N/C or V/m.
State Gauss's law and write its mathematical form.
The net electric flux through a closed surface equals 1/ε₀ times the total charge enclosed: ∮E·dA = q_enclosed/ε₀.
Using Gauss's law, give the electric field due to an infinite uniformly charged plane sheet of charge density σ.
E = σ/(2ε₀), independent of distance from the sheet, directed perpendicular to the sheet.
What is the electric field just outside a charged conductor with surface charge density σ?
E = σ/ε₀, directed normal to the surface; the field inside the conductor is zero.
Define electric dipole moment and give the field of a dipole on its axial line.
Dipole moment p = q·2a, directed from −q to +q (SI unit C·m). Axial field: E = (1/4πε₀)·2p/r³ (for r ≫ a), parallel to p.
Give the torque on an electric dipole in a uniform field and its potential energy.
Torque τ = p×E (magnitude pE sinθ). Potential energy U = −p·E = −pE cosθ.
Define electric potential and give the potential due to a point charge.
Electric potential at a point is the work done per unit positive charge in bringing it from infinity to that point: V = W/q₀. Due to a point charge: V = (1/4πε₀)·q/r.
What is the relation between electric field and potential?
E = −dV/dr (field is the negative gradient of potential); the field points in the direction of decreasing potential.
Define capacitance and give the capacitance of a parallel-plate capacitor.
Capacitance C = Q/V (SI unit farad, F). Parallel-plate: C = ε₀A/d (vacuum), or C = Kε₀A/d with a dielectric of constant K.
Give the equivalent capacitance for capacitors in series and in parallel.
Series: 1/C = 1/C₁ + 1/C₂ + … Parallel: C = C₁ + C₂ + … (parallel gives larger capacitance).
What is the energy stored in a charged capacitor?
U = ½CV² = ½QV = Q²/2C. Energy density in the field = ½ε₀E².
State Ohm's law and give the relation for resistance in terms of resistivity.
V = IR (current ∝ voltage at constant temperature). R = ρL/A, where ρ is resistivity, L length, A cross-sectional area.
Define drift velocity and relate current to it.
Drift velocity v_d is the average velocity of electrons under an applied field. I = nAev_d, where n is electron density, A area, e electronic charge.
How does resistivity of a conductor vary with temperature?
ρ = ρ₀[1 + α(T−T₀)], where α is the temperature coefficient of resistivity (positive for metals, so resistivity increases with temperature).
Give the formula for equivalent resistance in series and in parallel.
Series: R = R₁ + R₂ + … Parallel: 1/R = 1/R₁ + 1/R₂ + … (parallel gives smaller resistance).
State Kirchhoff's two laws for electrical circuits.
Junction rule (KCL): the algebraic sum of currents at a junction is zero (charge conservation). Loop rule (KVL): the algebraic sum of potential changes around a closed loop is zero (energy conservation).
What is the relation between EMF, terminal voltage, and internal resistance?
V = ε − Ir, where ε is EMF, I current, r internal resistance. Terminal voltage is less than EMF when delivering current.
State the condition for a balanced Wheatstone bridge.
P/Q = R/S, i.e. the ratio of resistances in the two arms is equal; then no current flows through the galvanometer.
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State Biot–Savart law for the magnetic field of a current element.
dB = (μ₀/4π)·(I dl × r̂)/r². It gives the field due to a small current element I dl at distance r.
Give the magnetic field at the centre of a circular current loop of N turns.
B = μ₀NI/2R, directed along the axis perpendicular to the loop plane (R = radius).
State Ampère's circuital law and give the field inside a long solenoid.
∮B·dl = μ₀I_enclosed. Inside a long solenoid: B = μ₀nI, where n is turns per unit length.
Give the force on a current-carrying conductor and on a moving charge in a magnetic field.
On a conductor: F = I L×B (magnitude BIL sinθ). On a moving charge: F = q v×B (magnitude qvB sinθ).
What is the radius and time period of a charged particle moving in a magnetic field?
Radius r = mv/qB; time period T = 2πm/qB (independent of speed and radius).
How is a galvanometer converted into an ammeter and a voltmeter?
Ammeter: connect a low resistance (shunt) in parallel. Voltmeter: connect a high resistance in series.
Define magnetic dipole moment of a current loop and torque on it in a field.
m = NIA (SI unit A·m²), directed by right-hand rule. Torque τ = m×B (magnitude NIAB sinθ).
What is the value of the permeability of free space μ₀?
μ₀ = 4π×10⁻⁷ T·m/A (≈ 1.26×10⁻⁶ T·m/A).
Compare diamagnetic, paramagnetic, and ferromagnetic materials.
Diamagnetic: weakly repelled, χ small negative (e.g. bismuth). Paramagnetic: weakly attracted, χ small positive (e.g. aluminium). Ferromagnetic: strongly attracted, χ large positive, retain magnetism (e.g. iron).
State the relation between magnetic susceptibility χ and relative permeability μ_r.
μ_r = 1 + χ. Also B = μ₀(H + M) and M = χH, where M is magnetization and H is magnetic intensity.
How does susceptibility of paramagnetic materials depend on temperature (Curie's law)?
χ = C/T (Curie's law): susceptibility is inversely proportional to absolute temperature, where C is the Curie constant.
State Faraday's laws of electromagnetic induction.
An induced EMF is set up when magnetic flux through a circuit changes; its magnitude equals the rate of change of flux: ε = −dΦ/dt (for N turns, ε = −N dΦ/dt).
State Lenz's law and its significance.
The induced current opposes the change in magnetic flux that produces it. The negative sign in Faraday's law reflects this; it is a consequence of conservation of energy.
Give the motional EMF induced in a rod moving in a magnetic field.
ε = Bvl, where B is field, v is the rod's velocity perpendicular to it, and l is the rod's length.
Define self-inductance and give the EMF it produces.
Self-inductance L relates flux to current: Φ = LI. Induced EMF ε = −L(dI/dt). SI unit: henry (H).
Define mutual inductance between two coils.
Mutual inductance M relates flux in one coil to current in the other: Φ₂ = MI₁; induced EMF ε₂ = −M(dI₁/dt). SI unit: henry.
What is the energy stored in an inductor?
U = ½LI², where L is inductance and I is the current through it.
Define RMS value of AC and relate it to peak value for a sinusoidal current.
RMS (root-mean-square) value is the DC equivalent producing the same heating. I_rms = I₀/√2 ≈ 0.707 I₀; similarly V_rms = V₀/√2.
Give the inductive and capacitive reactances in an AC circuit.
Inductive reactance X_L = ωL = 2πfL. Capacitive reactance X_C = 1/ωC = 1/2πfC. Both have units of ohm.
Give the impedance of a series LCR circuit and the resonance condition.
Z = √[R² + (X_L − X_C)²]. Resonance when X_L = X_C, i.e. ω₀ = 1/√(LC); then Z = R is minimum and current is maximum.
What is power factor in an AC circuit, and average power?
Power factor = cosφ = R/Z. Average power P = V_rms·I_rms·cosφ. A pure inductor or capacitor consumes zero average power (wattless current).
Explain the working principle of a transformer and the turns-ratio relation.
It works on mutual induction, transferring AC power between coils. V_s/V_p = N_s/N_p = I_p/I_s (ideal). Step-up increases voltage; step-down decreases it.
What is displacement current, as introduced by Maxwell?
Displacement current I_D = ε₀(dΦ_E/dt), arising from a changing electric field (e.g. between capacitor plates). It makes Ampère's law consistent and completes Maxwell's equations.
List the properties of electromagnetic waves.
They are transverse; E and B are mutually perpendicular and perpendicular to propagation; they travel in vacuum at c = 3×10⁸ m/s; c = 1/√(μ₀ε₀); E₀/B₀ = c; they carry energy and momentum.
Arrange the electromagnetic spectrum in order of increasing frequency.
Radio waves < microwaves < infrared < visible light < ultraviolet < X-rays < gamma rays (frequency increases, wavelength decreases).
State the laws of reflection and the mirror formula.
Angle of incidence = angle of reflection; incident ray, reflected ray, and normal lie in one plane. Mirror formula: 1/f = 1/v + 1/u, with magnification m = −v/u.
State Snell's law and define refractive index.
n₁ sin i = n₂ sin r (Snell's law). Refractive index n = c/v = speed of light in vacuum / speed in the medium = sin i / sin r.
What is the condition for total internal reflection and the critical angle?
Light must travel from a denser to a rarer medium and the angle of incidence must exceed the critical angle C, where sin C = 1/n (n = denser/rarer).
Give the lens maker's formula and the lens formula.
Lens maker's: 1/f = (n−1)(1/R₁ − 1/R₂). Lens formula: 1/f = 1/v − 1/u; power P = 1/f (in dioptres, f in metres).
State the conditions and result for sustained interference (Young's double-slit).
Sources must be coherent (constant phase difference) and of nearly equal amplitude. Fringe width β = λD/d, where D is slit-to-screen distance and d is slit separation.
Give Einstein's photoelectric equation and define work function.
K_max = hν − φ₀, where φ₀ is the work function (minimum energy to eject an electron) and hν is the photon energy. Below the threshold frequency, no emission occurs. de Broglie wavelength: λ = h/p.
State Bohr's quantization condition and the energy of the nth orbit of hydrogen.
Angular momentum is quantized: L = mvr = nh/2π. Energy E_n = −13.6/n² eV; the ground state (n=1) is −13.6 eV. Mass defect Δm relates to binding energy by E = Δm·c².
CBSE Class 12 Board Exam Physics FAQ
What is in the CBSE Class 12 Board Exam Physics syllabus?
CBSE Class 12 Board Exam Physics is split into 4 chapters: Electrostatics and Current Electricity, Magnetism and Electromagnetic Induction, Electromagnetic Waves and Optics and Modern Physics and Electronic Devices. Together they contain 13 topics and 45 sub-topics.
How many chapters are in CBSE Class 12 Board Exam Physics?
4 chapters, containing 13 topics and 45 sub-topics. The largest chapter is Magnetism and Electromagnetic Induction, with 4 topics.
Are there flashcards for CBSE Class 12 Board Exam Physics?
Yes — a 52-card Physics deck, printed in full in the flashcards section of this page and available in the Examius app with spaced repetition. The free plan covers one exam of your choice, including its flashcards; Examius Pro, a one-time purchase, unlocks every other exam and deck.