CBSE Class 11 and 12 Physics: revision path with simulations

The CBSE Physics (042) syllabus for Classes 11 and 12 in NCERT chapter order: mechanics, heat and waves in Class 11, then electricity, magnetism, optics and modern physics in Class 12. Each topic links to simulations that show it working. Lab experiments and activities are marked, as are the topics in the theory exam.

117 topics · 100 simulations · 36 practicals

Class 11

SI units, significant figures and uncertainty in results Exam topicXI Ch 1 Units and Measurements
- Measurement error in repeated length readings
- Combining uncertainties – measuring density
Position–time and velocity–time graphs; instantaneous velocity (calculus) Exam topicXI Ch 2 Motion in a Straight Line
- Uniformly Accelerated Motion – Two Cars Meeting
- Motion on a line with calculus – position, velocity, acceleration and distance
Equations of uniformly accelerated motion; free fall Exam topicXI Ch 2 Motion in a Straight Line
- Uniformly Accelerated Motion – Two Cars Meeting
- Free fall and fall with air resistance
Vectors: addition, resolution, unit vectors, rectangular components Exam topicXI Ch 3 Motion in a Plane
- Vector addition – tip-to-tail and parallelogram rules
- Vectors – sum, difference, scalar multiple and dot product
Scalar and vector products Exam topicXI Ch 3 Motion in a Plane
- Vectors – sum, difference, scalar multiple and dot product
Projectile motion Exam topicXI Ch 3 Motion in a Plane
- Projectile motion – trajectory and air resistance
- Projectile Motion at an Angle
Uniform circular motion and centripetal acceleration Exam topicXI Ch 3 Motion in a Plane
- Centripetal force – uniform circular motion on a string
Newton's laws, momentum and impulse Exam topicXI Ch 4 Laws of Motion
- Newton's second law – pulling a block on a surface
- Air track collisions – conservation of momentum
Conservation of linear momentum and its applications Exam topicXI Ch 4 Laws of Motion
- Air track collisions – conservation of momentum
- Collision lab – momentum and kinetic energy in collisions
Static and kinetic friction, laws of friction, rolling friction Exam topicXI Ch 4 Laws of Motion
- Pulling an Object with a Force Meter – Weight, Friction and Spring Extension
- Measuring the coefficient of kinetic friction on an inclined plane
Work by constant and variable forces; work–energy theorem Exam topicXI Ch 5 Work, Energy and Power
- Hooke's law – springs
- Conservation of mechanical energy – object sliding on a curved track
Potential energy, spring PE, conservative and non-conservative forces; power Exam topicXI Ch 5 Work, Energy and Power
- Skate park – conservation of mechanical energy
- Masses and springs lab – oscillation and energy
- Lifting Machines on the Job – Work, Power, Efficiency
Elastic and inelastic collisions in one and two dimensions Exam topicXI Ch 5 Work, Energy and Power
- Collision lab – momentum and kinetic energy in collisions
- Air track collisions – conservation of momentum
Centre of mass of a two-particle system and a rigid body Exam topicXI Ch 6 System of Particles and Rotational Motion
- Centre of mass, centre of gravity and stability – plumb line and toppling
Torque, angular momentum and its conservation Exam topicXI Ch 6 System of Particles and Rotational Motion
- Rotational inertia and τ = Iα – turntable lab, angular momentum and rolling
- Moments – principle of moments and couples
Equilibrium of rigid bodies; principle of moments Exam topicXI Ch 6 System of Particles and Rotational Motion
- Moments – principle of moments and couples
- Centre of mass, centre of gravity and stability – plumb line and toppling
Moment of inertia, radius of gyration, rotational dynamics Exam topicXI Ch 6 System of Particles and Rotational Motion
- Rotational inertia and τ = Iα – turntable lab, angular momentum and rolling
Kepler's laws of planetary motion Exam topicXI Ch 7 Gravitation
- Kepler's Laws – Elliptical Orbits, Equal Areas and T²/a³
- Kepler's laws – building an orbit from position and velocity
Universal law of gravitation Exam topicXI Ch 7 Gravitation
- Gravitational force between two spheres
- Gravity and orbits
Variation of g with altitude and depth Exam topicXI Ch 7 Gravitation
- Gravitational field and satellite orbits
Gravitational potential energy, potential and escape speed Exam topicXI Ch 7 Gravitation
- Newton's Cannon 3D – Falling Back, Orbiting or Escaping the Earth
- Gravitational field and satellite orbits
Orbital velocity and energy of an orbiting satellite Exam topicXI Ch 7 Gravitation
- Gravitational field and satellite orbits
- Gravity and orbits
Stress–strain curve, Hooke's law and Young's modulus Exam topicXI Ch 8 Mechanical Properties of Solids
- Tensile test of mechanical materials – stress–strain graph, yield and tensile strength
- Hooke's law – springs
Pressure in a fluid column; Pascal's law, hydraulic lift and brakes Exam topicXI Ch 9 Mechanical Properties of Fluids
- Liquid pressure – tank and pressure gauge
- Hooke's law and liquid pressure
Streamline and turbulent flow; Bernoulli's theorem, Torricelli's law, dynamic lift Exam topicXI Ch 9 Mechanical Properties of Fluids
- Fluid flow – continuity, Bernoulli's principle and Torricelli's law
Thermal expansion of solids, liquids and gases; anomalous expansion of water Exam topicXI Ch 10 Thermal Properties of Matter
- Thermal expansion of solids – metal rods and a bimetallic strip
Specific heat capacity and calorimetry Exam topicXI Ch 10 Thermal Properties of Matter
- Specific heat capacity – heating different materials
- Thermal equilibrium – dropping a hot object into water
Change of state and latent heat Exam topicXI Ch 10 Thermal Properties of Matter
- Specific latent heat – measuring fusion and vaporization of water
- States of matter – solids, liquids, gases and phase changes
Conduction, convection, radiation and thermal conductivity Exam topicXI Ch 10 Thermal Properties of Matter
- Conduction and convection lab – metal rods, layered walls, convection currents
- Infrared radiation – which surfaces emit and absorb best
Blackbody radiation, Wien's displacement law and Stefan's law Exam topicXI Ch 10 Thermal Properties of Matter
- Blackbody radiation – Planck curve, Wien's law and colour
Thermal equilibrium, zeroth law, heat, work and internal energy Exam topicXI Ch 11 Thermodynamics
- Thermal equilibrium – dropping a hot object into water
- Ideal gas – pV = nRT in a cylinder
First law; isothermal, adiabatic, isobaric and isochoric processes Exam topicXI Ch 11 Thermodynamics
- Ideal gas – pV = nRT in a cylinder
Second law; reversible, irreversible and cyclic processes Exam topicXI Ch 11 Thermodynamics
- Ideal gas – pV = nRT in a cylinder
Equation of state of a perfect gas; work in compressing a gas Exam topicXI Ch 12 Kinetic Theory
- Ideal gas – pV = nRT in a cylinder
- Boyle's law – isothermal gas compression
Kinetic interpretation of pressure and temperature; rms speed Exam topicXI Ch 12 Kinetic Theory
- Gas properties – pressure, temperature, volume and diffusion
Degrees of freedom, equipartition, specific heats of gases; mean free path Exam topicXI Ch 12 Kinetic Theory
- Ideal gas – pV = nRT in a cylinder
Periodic motion, SHM, phase; SHM as projection of uniform circular motion Exam topicXI Ch 13 Oscillations
- Spring pendulum – simple harmonic motion
- Masses and springs lab – oscillation and energy
Loaded spring: restoring force, force constant and energy in SHM Exam topicXI Ch 13 Oscillations
- Masses and springs lab – oscillation and energy
- Spring pendulum – simple harmonic motion
Simple pendulum and its time period Exam topicXI Ch 13 Oscillations
- Simple pendulum – period, energy and measuring g
- Measuring g with a simple pendulum
Transverse and longitudinal waves; speed of a travelling wave Exam topicXI Ch 14 Waves
- Transverse and longitudinal waves – how the particles move
- Waves on a string – travelling waves, reflection and standing waves
Superposition, reflection, standing waves in strings and organ pipes, harmonics Exam topicXI Ch 14 Waves
- Standing waves on a string
- Air column resonance – measuring the speed of sound
- Waves on a string – travelling waves, reflection and standing waves
Beats Exam topicXI Ch 14 Waves
- Beats – two tones with close frequencies
Vernier callipers: diameter of a body, internal diameter and depth of a beaker PracticalExam topicXI Practical A1
- Reading a vernier caliper and a micrometer
Screw gauge: diameter of a wire and thickness of a sheet PracticalExam topicXI Practical A2
- Reading a vernier caliper and a micrometer
Volume of an irregular lamina using a screw gauge PracticalXI Practical A3
- Reading a vernier caliper and a micrometer
Simple pendulum: L–T² graph and the length of the seconds pendulum PracticalExam topicXI Practical A7
- Measuring g with a simple pendulum
- Simple pendulum – period, energy and measuring g
Period of a pendulum with bobs of different masses PracticalXI Practical A8
- Simple pendulum – period, energy and measuring g
Limiting friction against normal reaction; coefficient of friction PracticalXI Practical A9
- Pulling an Object with a Force Meter – Weight, Friction and Spring Extension
- Measuring the coefficient of kinetic friction on an inclined plane
Downward force along an inclined plane on a roller, and its relation with sin θ PracticalXI Practical A10
- Newton's second law – pulling a block on a surface
Mass of a body with a metre scale by the principle of moments PracticalExam topicXI Activity A2
- Moments – principle of moments and couples
- Levers and moment of force – equilibrium about a pivot
Plot a graph with a proper scale and error bars PracticalXI Activity A3
- Plotting Graphs from Data – scales, line of best fit, interpolation and extrapolation
- Measuring g with a simple pendulum
Range of a projectile against angle of projection PracticalXI Activity A5
- Projectile motion – trajectory and air resistance
- Projectile Motion at an Angle
Conservation of energy of a ball on a double inclined plane PracticalXI Activity A6
- Conservation of mechanical energy – object sliding on a curved track
- Conservation of mechanical energy – kinetic and potential energy on a track
Dissipation of energy of a simple pendulum: square of amplitude against time PracticalXI Activity A7
- Simple pendulum – period, energy and measuring g
Force constant of a helical spring from a load–extension graph PracticalExam topicXI Practical B2
- Hooke's law – springs
- Masses and springs – basics
Boyle's law: P against V and P against 1/V for air PracticalXI Practical B3
- Boyle's law – isothermal gas compression
Cooling curve: relation between the temperature of a hot body and time PracticalXI Practical B6
- Cooling curves – thermal insulation, Newton's law of cooling and freezing
Specific heat capacity of a solid by the method of mixtures PracticalExam topicXI Practical B7
- Thermal equilibrium – dropping a hot object into water
- Specific heat capacity – heating different materials
Sonometer: relation between frequency and length of a wire at constant tension PracticalXI Practical B8
- Standing waves on a string
Sonometer: relation between length and tension of a wire at constant frequency PracticalXI Practical B9
- Standing waves on a string
- Waves on a string – travelling waves, reflection and standing waves
Speed of sound in air with a resonance tube (two resonance positions) PracticalExam topicXI Practical B10
- Air column resonance – measuring the speed of sound
Change of state and cooling curve of molten wax PracticalXI Activity B1
- Cooling curves – thermal insulation, Newton's law of cooling and freezing
Effect of heating on a bimetallic strip PracticalXI Activity B2
- Thermal expansion of solids – metal rods and a bimetallic strip
Factors affecting the rate of heat loss of a liquid PracticalXI Activity B5
- Cooling curves – thermal insulation, Newton's law of cooling and freezing
Decrease in pressure with increase in fluid velocity PracticalXI Activity B7
- Fluid flow – continuity, Bernoulli's principle and Torricelli's law

Class 12

Electric charge, conservation, charging by friction and induction Exam topicXII Ch 1 Electric Charges and Fields
- Static Electricity – Charging by Rubbing, Attraction, Repulsion and the Electroscope
- Balloons and static electricity – charging by friction, attraction and repulsion
Coulomb's law and superposition of forces Exam topicXII Ch 1 Electric Charges and Fields
- Coulomb's law – force between two charges
- Electric field – two point charges
Electric field, field lines, dipole field and torque on a dipole Exam topicXII Ch 1 Electric Charges and Fields
- Charges and electric fields – field vectors, potential and equipotentials
- Electric field – two point charges
Potential due to point charges and dipoles; equipotentials; potential energy Exam topicXII Ch 2 Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance
- Charges and electric fields – field vectors, potential and equipotentials
Conductors, dielectrics and polarisation Exam topicXII Ch 2 Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance
- Capacitors – capacitance and capacitors in circuits
Parallel-plate capacitor with and without dielectric; stored energy Exam topicXII Ch 2 Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance
- Capacitors – capacitance and capacitors in circuits
Capacitors in series and in parallel Exam topicXII Ch 2 Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance
- AC circuit construction kit – build RLC circuits
Ohm's law; linear and non-linear V–I characteristics Exam topicXII Ch 3 Current Electricity
- I–V characteristics – resistor, filament lamp, diode and LED
Resistivity, conductivity and temperature dependence of resistance Exam topicXII Ch 3 Current Electricity
- Resistance of a wire – material, length and cross-sectional area
- I–V characteristics – resistor, filament lamp, diode and LED
EMF, internal resistance, terminal voltage; cells in series and parallel Exam topicXII Ch 3 Current Electricity
- Ohm's law for a complete circuit – internal resistance
- DC circuit construction kit – build circuits, measure current and voltage
Kirchhoff's rules Exam topicXII Ch 3 Current Electricity
- DC circuit construction kit – build circuits, measure current and voltage
Oersted, Biot–Savart (circular loop), Ampère's law (straight wire), solenoid Exam topicXII Ch 4 Moving Charges and Magnetism
- 3D Magnetic Field of a Current – Straight Wire, Circular Loop and Solenoid
Force on a moving charge in uniform magnetic and electric fields Exam topicXII Ch 4 Moving Charges and Magnetism
- Magnetic force on a current and on charged particles
- Charged particles in a uniform electric field – electron gun and deflection tube
Force on a conductor; force between parallel currents and the ampere Exam topicXII Ch 4 Moving Charges and Magnetism
- Magnetic force on a current and on charged particles
Torque on a current loop; magnetic dipole moment Exam topicXII Ch 4 Moving Charges and Magnetism
- DC motor – split-ring commutator, F = BIL, torque and back EMF
Bar magnet as an equivalent solenoid; field lines; dipole in a uniform field Exam topicXII Ch 5 Magnetism and Matter
- Magnet and compass – exploring magnetic fields
- Magnetic field of bar, U-shaped, and electromagnet magnets
Faraday's laws and Lenz's law Exam topicXII Ch 6 Electromagnetic Induction
- Electromagnetic Induction – Magnet, Coil and Galvanometer
- Coils and magnet: Faraday's law
- Electromagnetism lab – induction, transformer, generator
Self-inductance and mutual inductance Exam topicXII Ch 6 Electromagnetic Induction
- AC circuit construction kit – build RLC circuits
- Electromagnetism lab – induction, transformer, generator
Peak and rms values; reactance and impedance Exam topicXII Ch 7 Alternating Current
- AC circuits – phase difference and power factor (cos φ)
- Series RLC Circuit and Resonance
LCR series circuit, phasors and resonance Exam topicXII Ch 7 Alternating Current
- Series RLC Circuit and Resonance
- AC circuit construction kit – build RLC circuits
Power in AC circuits, power factor, wattless current Exam topicXII Ch 7 Alternating Current
- AC circuits – phase difference and power factor (cos φ)
AC generator and transformer Exam topicXII Ch 7 Alternating Current
- Electromagnetism lab – induction, transformer, generator
- Power transmission – transformers and losses ΔP = P²R/U²
Electromagnetic waves and their transverse nature Exam topicXII Ch 8 Electromagnetic Waves
- Electromagnetic waves from an aerial – E ⊥ B, c = 1/√(μ₀ε₀), c = fλ, polarisation
Electromagnetic spectrum and uses Exam topicXII Ch 8 Electromagnetic Waves
- Electromagnetic spectrum explorer – wavelength, frequency, photon energy, sources, uses and dangers
Reflection, spherical mirrors and the mirror formula Exam topicXII Ch 9 Ray Optics and Optical Instruments
- Lenses and curved mirrors – ray diagrams
Refraction, total internal reflection and optical fibres Exam topicXII Ch 9 Ray Optics and Optical Instruments
- Light rays – refraction, total internal reflection and prisms
- Refraction, total internal reflection and lenses
Refraction at spherical surfaces; thin lens and lens maker's formula; power Exam topicXII Ch 9 Ray Optics and Optical Instruments
- Lenses and curved mirrors – ray diagrams
- Refraction, total internal reflection and lenses
Refraction through a prism; angle of minimum deviation Exam topicXII Ch 9 Ray Optics and Optical Instruments
- Light rays – refraction, total internal reflection and prisms
Wavefronts and Huygens' principle; laws of reflection and refraction Exam topicXII Ch 10 Wave Optics
- Wave interference and diffraction
Interference, Young's double slit and fringe width; coherent sources Exam topicXII Ch 10 Wave Optics
- Wave interference and diffraction
Diffraction at a single slit; width of the central maximum Exam topicXII Ch 10 Wave Optics
- Wave interference and diffraction
Photoelectric effect and Einstein's equation; experimental study Exam topicXII Ch 11 Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter
- Photoelectric effect and light quanta
Matter waves and the de Broglie relation Exam topicXII Ch 11 Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter
- Electron diffraction and the de Broglie wavelength – diffraction tube, double slit, electron microscope
Alpha-particle scattering and Rutherford's model Exam topicXII Ch 12 Atoms
- Rutherford scattering – alpha particles, the nucleus and the Thomson model
Bohr model: radius, velocity and energy of the nth orbit; hydrogen spectrum Exam topicXII Ch 12 Atoms
- Models of the hydrogen atom – light and spectra
- Ionization energies and photoelectron spectra
Composition and size of the nucleus; nuclear force Exam topicXII Ch 13 Nuclei
- Build a nucleus – protons, neutrons, stability and decay
Mass defect, binding energy per nucleon, fission and fusion Exam topicXII Ch 13 Nuclei
- Binding energy per nucleon – the curve, fission and fusion
- Fission chain reaction and nuclear reactors
- The Sun's energy – nuclear fusion, hydrostatic equilibrium and energy output
p–n junction and diode I–V characteristics in forward and reverse bias Exam topicXII Ch 14 Semiconductor Electronics
- I–V characteristics – resistor, filament lamp, diode and LED
Diode as a rectifier Exam topicXII Ch 14 Semiconductor Electronics
- Diode Rectifier Circuit
Resistivity of two or three wires by plotting V–I graphs PracticalExam topicXII Practical A1
- I–V characteristics – resistor, filament lamp, diode and LED
- Resistance of a wire – material, length and cross-sectional area
Resistance and impedance of an inductor with and without an iron core PracticalExam topicXII Activity A1
- AC circuit construction kit – build RLC circuits
Multimeter: resistance, AC/DC voltage, current and continuity PracticalExam topicXII Activity A2
- DC circuit construction kit – build circuits, measure current and voltage
Household circuit with three bulbs, three switches and a fuse PracticalExam topicXII Activity A3
- DC circuit construction kit – build circuits, measure current and voltage
- Household electrical circuit – fuse, switch, socket and overload
Concave mirror: v for different u and the focal length PracticalExam topicXII Practical B1
- Lenses and curved mirrors – ray diagrams
Convex lens focal length from u–v or 1/u–1/v graphs PracticalExam topicXII Practical B3
- Lenses and curved mirrors – ray diagrams
- Refraction, total internal reflection and lenses
Angle of minimum deviation from an i–δ graph PracticalExam topicXII Practical B5
- Light rays – refraction, total internal reflection and prisms
I–V characteristic of a p–n junction diode in forward and reverse bias PracticalExam topicXII Practical B9
- I–V characteristics – resistor, filament lamp, diode and LED
Multimeter: one-way conduction of a diode and an LED PracticalExam topicXII Activity B2
- I–V characteristics – resistor, filament lamp, diode and LED
Effect of light intensity (distance of source) on an LDR PracticalExam topicXII Activity B3
- Sensor Circuits – Potential Divider with LDR and Thermistor
- Light meter bench – transparent, translucent and opaque materials, reflection and the inverse square law
Refraction and lateral deviation through a glass slab PracticalExam topicXII Activity B4
- Light rays – refraction, total internal reflection and prisms
Diffraction of light at a thin slit PracticalExam topicXII Activity B5
- Wave interference and diffraction
Nature and size of the image formed by a convex lens or concave mirror on a screen PracticalExam topicXII Activity B6
- Lenses and curved mirrors – ray diagrams

Topics follow the published curriculum; the mapping to simulations is by Simulic. Simulic is not affiliated with CBSE or NCERT.