Class 12 physics syllabus | Topics, marks distribution & more!

Class 12 physics syllabus | An overview

Statistics published by the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) have revealed that science is the second most popular stream for the 11th and 12th grades. There are approximately 47.13 lakh students across India admitted to the science stream, as per AISHE. As a part of this stream, students develop thorough scientific knowledge and an understanding of the different physical and natural phenomena of the world. Additionally, there are several unique opportunities for research and exploration that can be considered with an 11th and 12th-grade foundation in Science. Physics is arguably one of the most difficult subjects covered in the science stream. Similar to other national-level exams like the MPSC exam, preparation depends on the right knowledge of the paper and syllabus. Keep reading to discover everything you need to know about the topics covered in the class 12 Physics syllabus and unit-wise marks distribution!

Class 12 physics syllabus | Units, chapters, and important topics

The Physics syllabus for class 12 is divided into units, chapters, and sectional topics. Each unit deals with a specific concept and is explained thoroughly in chapters. 

Unit I – Electrostatics 

This unit is divided into 2 chapters, which are as follows:

Chapter 1 – Electric Charges & Fields 

The important topics covered within this chapter include: 

• Electric charges 
• Conservation of charge 
• Coulomb’s Law 
• The force between multiple charges 
• Continuous charge distribution 
• Electric dipole

Chapter 2 – Electrostatic Potential & Capacitance 

The important topics covered within this chapter include: 

• Electric potential 
• Conductors & insulators 
• Potential difference 
• Free charges & bound charges 
• Equipotential surfaces 
• Dielectrics & electric polarization 

Unit II – Current Electricity 

This unit consists of 1 chapter, which is as follows:

Chapter 3 – Current Electricity 

The important topics covered within this chapter include:

• Electric current 
• Drift velocity 
• Electric resistivity & conductivity 
• Temperature dependence on resistance 
• Wheatstone bridge 
• Kirchhoff’s laws 

Unit III – Magnetic Effects of Current & Magnetism 

This unit is divided into 2 chapters, which are as follows: 

Chapter 4 – Moving Charges & Magnetism 

The important topics covered within this chapter include: 

• Oersted’s experiment 
• Biot-Savart Law and application to a current-carrying circular loop 
• Cyclotron 
• Torque on a current loop placed in a uniform magnetic field 
• Moving coil galvanometer 
• Force on a current-carrying conductor present in a uniform magnetic field

Chapter 5 – Magnetism & Matter

The important topics covered within this chapter include: 

• Magnetic dipole moment 
• The magnetic dipole & dipole moment of a revolving electron 
• Magnetic field intensity 
• Torque on a magnetic dipole (example – bar magnet)
• Bar magnet and equivalence to a solenoid 
• The Earth’s magnetic field

Unit IV – Electromagnetic Induction & Alternating Currents 

This unit is divided into 2 chapters, which are as follows: 

Chapter 6 – Electromagnetic Induction 

The important topics covered within this chapter include: 

• Self & mutual induction 
• Lenz’s Law 
• Eddy currents 
• Faraday’s Laws

Chapter 7 – Alternating Current 

The important topics covered within this chapter include: 

• Peak and RMS value of alternating current & voltage 
• Reactance & impedance 
• LCR series circuit
• Power factor 
• Wattless current

Unit V – Electromagnetic Waves 

This unit consists of only 1 chapter, which is:

Chapter 8 – Electromagnetic Waves 

The important topics covered within this chapter include: 

• Displacement current 
• Electromagnetic waves and characteristics 
• Electromagnetic spectrum 

Unit VI – Optics 

This unit is divided into 2 chapters, which are:

Chapter 9 – Ray Optics & Optical Instruments 

The important topics covered within this chapter include: 

• Reflection of light 
• Spherical mirrors 
• Refraction at spherical surfaces 
• Scattering of light 
• Optical instruments – microscopes & astronomical telescopes 

Chapter 10 – Wave Optics 

The important topics covered within this chapter include: 

• Wavefront and Huygens Principle 
• Young’s double-slit experiment 
• Interference of light 
• Diffraction due to a single slit 
• Brewster’s law 
• Polaroids

Unit VII – Dual Nature of Radiation & Matter 

This unit consists of 1 chapter, which is:

Chapter 11 – Dual Nature of Radiation & Matter 

The important topics covered within this chapter include: 

• Photoelectric effect 
• Lenard’s and Hertz’s observations
• Einstein’s equation
• Wave nature of particles 
• de-Broglie relation

Unit VIII – Atoms & Nuclei 

This unit is divided into 2 chapters, which are as follows: 

Chapter 12 – Atoms

The important topics covered within this chapter include: 

• Alpha particle scattering experiment 
• Rutherford’s model of the atom 
• Bohr’s model of the atom 
• Hydrogen spectrum 

Chapter 13 – Nuclei 

The important topics covered within this chapter include: 

• Composition & size of a nucleus 
• Alpha, beta, and gamma particles & rays 
• Radioactive decay law 
• Mass-energy relation 
• Mass defect 
• Nuclear fission & nuclear fusion

Unit IX – Electronic Devices 

The final unit of the Class 12 Physics syllabus consists of a single chapter which is:

Chapter 14 – Semiconductor Electronics: Devices, Materials & Simple Circuits 

The important topics covered within this chapter include: 

• Energy bands in conductors
• Semiconductors & insulators 
• I-V characteristics in forward & reverse bias 
• Diode functions as a rectifier

Unit-Wise Marks Distribution in Final Exam 

The marks distribution for the Physics final exam is as follows: 

Units – Electromagnetic Waves, Optics 

Total marks – 17 

Units – Dual Nature of Radiation & Matter, Atoms & Nuclei 

Total marks – 11 

Units – Electronic Devices 

Total marks – 7 

Units – Electric Charges & Fields, Current Electricity 

Total marks – 17 

Units – Magnetic Effects of Current & Magnetism, Electromagnetic Induction & Alternating Current 

Total marks – 18 

The total marks of the physics theory Paper – 70

Total marks for the physics practical exam – 30

The aggregate marks of your final physics exam – 100 

Key takeaways 

• The science stream is among the most popular streams considered by students seeking a subject specialization in the 11th and 12th grades. 
• Each component of the syllabus is designed to provide a theoretical foundation for different physical phenomena.
• As a part of the course syllabus, students learn significant scientific skills required for careers in the field.
• Understanding the syllabus and unit-wise marks distribution of the final Physics paper can help candidates prepare better for the final exam. 

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FAQs 

Q1. What are the types of questions asked in the Physics final exam? 

Answer – The types of questions asked are – Very Short Answer Questions (1 mark each), Short Answer Questions (2 marks each), Long Answer Questions (3 marks each), and Very Long Answer Questions (5 marks each). 

Q2. How do I prepare for the Physics final exam? 

Answer – Creating a strict study & revision schedule and attempting question papers from previous years is a great way to prepare for the Physics final exam. 

Q3. Which are the best textbooks to study Physics for the 12th class? 

Answer – Physics, Class XII, Part – I, and Part – II (published by NCERT) are the recommended textbooks for class 12.