CBSE Class 12 Physics Syllabus 2022-23

CBSE Class 12 Physics Syllabus 2022-23 includes Electric Charges and Fields, Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance, Current Electricity, Moving Charges and Magnetism, Electromagnetic Induction etc for the session 2022 – 2023. Here is the detailed syllabus. To download class 12 Physics CBSE latest sample question papers for the 2023 exams, please install the myCBSEguide App which is the best mobile app for CBSE students. The myCBSEguide app not only provides you the CBSE class 12 Physics model question papers but it also provides class 12 Physics chapter-wise test papers, class 12 Physics best revision notes and other study material for class 12 Physics students.

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CBSE Class – 12
Physics (Code No. 042)
Syllabus (2022-23)

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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, 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

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 Allowed: 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.

8. 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 equi convex 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
Class 12 Evaluation Scheme.

Time Allowed: 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

General Guidelines

• The practical examination will be of two hour duration.
• A separate list of ten experiments is included here.
• The written examination in practicals for these students will be conducted at the time of practical examination of all other students.
• The written test will be of 30 minutes duration.
• The question paper given to the students should be legibly typed. It should contain a total of 15 practical skill based very short answer type questions. A student would be required to answer any 10 questions.
• A writer may be allowed to such students as per CBSE examination rules.
• All questions included in the question papers should be related to the listed practicals. Every question should require about two minutes to be answered.
• These students are also required to maintain a practical file. A student is expected to record at least five of the listed experiments as per the specific instructions for each subject. These practicals should be duly checked and signed by the internal examiner.
• The format of writing any experiment in the practical file should include aim, apparatus required, simple theory, procedure, related practical skills, precautions etc.
• Questions may be generated jointly by the external/internal examiners and used for assessment.
• The viva questions may include questions based on basic theory/principle/concept, apparatus/ materials/chemicals required, procedure, precautions, sources of error etc.

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.Note:

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 2022-23 is not to be tested by schools and will not be assessed in the Board examinations 2022-23.

QUESTION PAPER DESIGN
Theory (Class: 12)

Maximum Marks: 70
Duration: 3 hrs

S	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.