ISC Class 12 Physics Syllabus

Physics syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Physics in ISC Class 12, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Electrostatics

   2 topics

   • Electric Charges and Fields
   • Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance
2. 2

   Current Electricity

   3 topics

   • Electric Current
   • Electric Circuits
   • Electrical Resistance and Ohm's Law
3. 3

   Magnetic Effects of Current and Magnetism

   2 topics

   • Magnetic Effects of Current
   • Magnetism and Matter
4. 4

   Electromagnetic Induction and Alternating Currents

   2 topics

   • Electromagnetic Induction
   • Alternating Currents
5. 5

   Electromagnetic Waves

   2 topics

   • Basic Concepts of Electromagnetic Waves
   • Electromagnetic Spectrum
6. 6

   Optics

   2 topics

   • Ray Optics and Optical Instruments
   • Wave Optics
7. 7

   Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter

   2 topics

   • Photoelectric Effect
   • Matter Waves
8. 8

   Atoms and Nuclei

   2 topics

   • Atoms
   • Nuclei
9. 9

   Electronic Devices

   2 topics

   • Semiconductors and Semiconductor Devices
   • Transistors

Physics flashcards for ISC Class 12

24 of 68 cards from the Physics deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. State Coulomb's law for the electrostatic force between two point charges, including the formula.

   The force between two point charges is directly proportional to the product of their charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them: F = (1/4πε₀)·(q₁q₂/r²), where ε₀ = 8.85×10⁻¹² C²N⁻¹m⁻² and 1/4πε₀ ≈ 9×10⁹ Nm²C⁻².

2. Define electric field intensity at a point and give its SI unit.

   Electric field intensity is the force experienced per unit positive test charge placed at that point: E = F/q₀. Its SI unit is newton per coulomb (N/C) or volt per metre (V/m).

3. State Gauss's law and write its mathematical form.

   The total electric flux through a closed surface equals 1/ε₀ times the net charge enclosed: ∮E·dA = q_enclosed/ε₀.

4. Using Gauss's law, give the electric field due to an infinitely long straight charged wire of linear charge density λ at distance r.

   E = λ/(2πε₀r), directed radially outward (for positive λ).

5. What is the electric field just outside the surface of a charged conductor with surface charge density σ?

   E = σ/ε₀, directed normal to the surface. (Inside the conductor E = 0.)

6. Define electric dipole moment and state its direction.

   Electric dipole moment p = q×2a, the product of the magnitude of either charge and the separation between them. It is a vector directed from the negative charge to the positive charge.

7. Give the torque on an electric dipole of moment p placed in a uniform field E.

   τ = pE sinθ (vectorially τ = p × E), where θ is the angle between p and E. Torque is maximum (pE) at θ = 90° and zero when p is parallel/antiparallel to E.

8. Define electric potential at a point and give its SI unit.

   Electric potential at a point is the work done per unit positive charge in bringing it from infinity to that point against the electric field: V = W/q₀. SI unit is the volt (V = J/C).

9. Write the expression for electric potential due to a point charge q at distance r.

   V = (1/4πε₀)·(q/r).

10. What is the relationship between electric field and potential?

    The electric field is the negative gradient of potential: E = −dV/dr. Field points in the direction of decreasing potential.

11. Define capacitance of a capacitor and state its SI unit.

    Capacitance is the ratio of charge stored to the potential difference across the conductor: C = Q/V. Its SI unit is the farad (F = C/V).

12. Give the capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor with and without a dielectric.

    Without dielectric: C = ε₀A/d. With a dielectric of constant K filling the gap: C = Kε₀A/d, where A is plate area and d the separation.

13. Write the formula for energy stored in a capacitor.

    U = ½QV = ½CV² = Q²/2C.

14. Give the effective capacitance for capacitors in series and in parallel.

    Series: 1/C = 1/C₁ + 1/C₂ + ... Parallel: C = C₁ + C₂ + ...

15. Define electric current and state its SI unit.

    Electric current is the rate of flow of charge: I = Q/t (or dQ/dt). Its SI unit is the ampere (A = C/s).

16. Define drift velocity and relate current to it.

    Drift velocity is the average velocity acquired by free electrons under an applied electric field. Current I = neAv_d, where n is electron density, e the electron charge, A the cross-sectional area, and v_d the drift velocity.

17. State Ohm's law and the condition under which it holds.

    At constant temperature, the current through a conductor is directly proportional to the potential difference across it: V = IR. It holds for ohmic conductors (metals) at constant physical conditions (temperature).

18. Define resistance and resistivity, giving the relation between them.

    Resistance R = V/I (unit ohm, Ω) opposes current flow. Resistivity ρ is a material property: R = ρL/A, where L is length and A cross-sectional area. Unit of ρ is ohm-metre (Ω·m).

19. How does the resistance of a metallic conductor vary with temperature?

    Resistance increases with temperature: R_T = R₀(1 + αΔT), where α is the temperature coefficient of resistance (positive for metals).

20. Give the equivalent resistance for resistors in series and in parallel.

    Series: R = R₁ + R₂ + ... Parallel: 1/R = 1/R₁ + 1/R₂ + ...

21. State Kirchhoff's two circuit laws.

    Junction rule (KCL): the algebraic sum of currents at any junction is zero (conservation of charge). Loop rule (KVL): the algebraic sum of potential differences around any closed loop is zero (conservation of energy).

22. Write the condition for balance of a Wheatstone bridge.

    The bridge is balanced (no galvanometer current) when P/Q = R/S, i.e., the ratio of resistances in the two arms is equal.

23. Distinguish between EMF and terminal potential difference of a cell.

    EMF (ε) is the maximum potential difference between the terminals when no current is drawn (open circuit). Terminal p.d. V = ε − Ir is the voltage across the terminals when current I flows through internal resistance r.

24. State the Biot–Savart law for the magnetic field due to a current element.

    dB = (μ₀/4π)·(I dl sinθ)/r², where the field is perpendicular to both the current element and the position vector; direction given by the right-hand rule. μ₀ = 4π×10⁻⁷ T·m/A.

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