Updated CBSE Class 11 Physics Syllabus for 2025-26 – Get the latest chapter-wise syllabus, marking scheme, and study tips. Download the official PDF at the end!
Overview of CBSE Class 11 Physics Syllabus 2025-26
The Class 11 CBSE syllabus for Physics plays a crucial role in board exams and competitive exams like JEE, NEET, CUET, etc. This year, CBSE has introduced competency-based questions and a revised weightage system to encourage conceptual learning over rote memorization.
| Board | CBSE |
| Class | 11 |
| Session | 2025-26 |
| Subject | Physics |
| Content-Type | Syllabus/Curriculum |
| Official Website | https://cbseacademic.nic.in |
PHYSICS (Code No. 042)
Course Structure – Class XI (2025-26) – Theory
Time: 3 Hours | Max Marks: 70
| Unit | Chapters | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Unit-I: Physical World & Measurement | Chapter–1: Units and Measurements | 23 |
| Unit-II: Kinematics | Chapter–2: Motion in a Straight Line | |
| Chapter–3: Motion in a Plane | ||
| Unit-III: Laws of Motion | Chapter–4: Laws of Motion | |
| Unit-IV: Work, Energy & Power | Chapter–5: Work, Energy and Power | 17 |
| Unit-V: Motion of System of Particles & Rigid Body | Chapter–6: System of Particles and Rotational Motion | |
| Unit-VI: Gravitation | Chapter–7: Gravitation | |
| Unit-VII: Properties of Bulk Matter | Chapter–8: Mechanical Properties of Solids | 20 |
| Chapter–9: Mechanical Properties of Fluids | ||
| Chapter–10: Thermal Properties of Matter | ||
| Unit-VIII: Thermodynamics | Chapter–11: Thermodynamics | |
| Unit-IX: Behaviour of Perfect Gases & Kinetic Theory | Chapter–12: Kinetic Theory | |
| Unit-X: Oscillations & Waves | Chapter–13: Oscillations | 10 |
| Chapter–14: Waves | ||
| Total | 70 |
Unit I: Physical World and Measurement
Chapter 1: Units and Measurements
- Need for measurement
- Units of measurement: Systems of units, SI units
- Fundamental and derived units
- Significant figures
- Uncertainty in measurement and calculations
- Dimensional analysis:
- Dimensions of physical quantities
- Applications (checking equation consistency, deriving relations)
Unit II: Kinematics
Chapter 2: Motion in a Straight Line
- Frame of reference
- Motion in a straight line:
- Uniform & non-uniform motion
- Average speed, average velocity, instantaneous velocity
- Uniformly accelerated motion
- Graphical analysis:
- Position-time & velocity-time graphs
- Mathematical treatment:
- Elementary calculus (differentiation & integration for motion)
- Equations of motion (graphical & calculus-based derivation)
Chapter 3: Motion in a Plane
- Scalar & vector quantities
- Vectors:
- Position & displacement vectors
- Addition, subtraction, multiplication by scalars
- Unit vectors & resolution into components
- Scalar (dot) & vector (cross) products
- Motion in a plane:
- Uniform velocity & acceleration
- Projectile motion
- Uniform circular motion
Unit III: Laws of Motion
Chapter 4: Laws of Motion
- Force & inertia (Newton’s First Law)
- Momentum & Newton’s Second Law
- Impulse
- Newton’s Third Law (action-reaction pairs)
- Conservation of linear momentum (applications)
- Friction:
- Static & kinetic friction
- Laws of friction
- Rolling friction & lubrication
- Circular motion dynamics:
- Centripetal force
- Examples:
- Vehicle on a level circular road
- Banking of roads
Unit IV: Work, Energy, and Power
Chapter 5: Work, Energy, and Power
- Work:
- Work done by a constant force and variable force
- Energy:
- Kinetic energy & work-energy theorem
- Potential energy:
- Concept & examples (spring PE: U=12kx2U=21kx2)
- Conservative vs. non-conservative forces
- Power: Definition & calculation
- Motion in a vertical circle
- Collisions:
- Elastic and inelastic collisions (1D & 2D)
Unit V: Motion of System of Particles & Rigid Body
Chapter 6: System of Particles & Rotational Motion
- Centre of Mass (COM):
- COM for a two-particle system
- COM of a rigid body & uniform rod
- Rotational Dynamics:
- Torque, angular momentum, and conservation laws
- Equilibrium of rigid bodies
- Rotational Kinematics:
- Equations of rotational motion
- Comparison with linear motion
- Moment of Inertia (I):
- Definition & radius of gyration
- Values for simple shapes (no derivations)
Unit VI: Gravitation
Chapter 7: Gravitation
- Kepler’s Laws of planetary motion
- Newton’s Law of Gravitation:
- Universal gravitation constant (GG)
- Acceleration due to gravity (gg):
- Variation with altitude & depth
- Gravitational Potential Energy & Potential
- Satellites:
- Orbital velocity, escape speed, and energy
Unit VII: Properties of Bulk Matter
Chapter 8: Mechanical Properties of Solids
- Elasticity:
- Stress-strain curve & Hooke’s Law
- Elastic Moduli:
- Young’s modulus (Y), Bulk modulus (K), Shear modulus (η)
- Poisson’s ratio (qualitative)
- Elastic Potential Energy
- Applications of elastic behavior (qualitative)
Unit VII: Properties of Bulk Matter (Continued)
Chapter 9: Mechanical Properties of Fluids
- Pressure in Fluids:
- Pressure due to fluid column
- Pascal’s Law: Applications (hydraulic lift, brakes)
- Effect of gravity on fluid pressure
- Fluid Dynamics:
- Viscosity, Stokes’ Law, terminal velocity
- Streamline vs. turbulent flow, critical velocity
- Bernoulli’s Theorem: Applications (Torricelli’s law, dynamic lift)
- Surface Phenomena:
- Surface energy, surface tension, angle of contact
- Excess pressure in curved surfaces (drops, bubbles)
- Capillary action
Chapter 10: Thermal Properties of Matter
- Heat & Temperature:
- Thermal expansion (solids, liquids, gases)
- Anomalous expansion of water
- Specific Heat Capacity:
- CpCp, CvCv, calorimetry
- Latent heat (phase changes)
- Heat Transfer:
- Conduction, convection, radiation
- Thermal conductivity
- Blackbody radiation: Wein’s Law, Stefan’s Law
Unit VIII: Thermodynamics
Chapter 11: Thermodynamics
- Basic Concepts:
- Thermal equilibrium, Zeroth Law
- Internal energy, heat, work
- Laws of Thermodynamics:
- First Law: ΔU=Q−WΔU=Q−W
- Second Law: Entropy & irreversibility
- Thermodynamic Processes:
- Isothermal, adiabatic, reversible, irreversible, cyclic
- Equation of state for gases
Unit IX: Behavior of Perfect Gases & Kinetic Theory
Chapter 12: Kinetic Theory of Gases
- Perfect Gas Equation: PV=nRTPV=nRT
- Kinetic Theory Assumptions
- Pressure & Temperature:
- Kinetic interpretation, RMS speed
- Energy Distribution:
- Degrees of freedom, equipartition theorem
- Specific heats of gases (CpCp, CvCv)
- Mean Free Path & Avogadro’s Number
Unit X: Oscillations & Waves
Chapter 13: Oscillations
- Periodic Motion:
- Time period, frequency, displacement-time relations
- Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM):
- Equations, phase, energy (KE & PE)
- Spring-mass system & simple pendulum (derivation of TT)
Chapter 14: Waves
- Wave Types: Transverse & longitudinal
- Wave Characteristics:
- Wave speed, displacement relation
- Superposition principle, reflection
- Standing Waves:
- Strings & organ pipes (harmonics)
- Beats: Formation & applications
Practical Examination Scheme
1. Practical Submission Requirements
Students must submit the following records during the annual examination:
- Experiments: Minimum 8 experiments (at least 4 from each section).
- Activities: Minimum 6 activities (at least 3 from each section).
- Project Report: A detailed report of the investigatory project.
2. Evaluation Scheme (Total: 30 Marks)
| Component | Marks |
|---|---|
| Two experiments (one from each section) | 7 + 7 = 14 |
| Practical Record (Experiments + Activities) | 5 |
| One activity (any section) | 3 |
| Investigatory Project | 3 |
| Viva Voce (on experiments, activities, project) | 5 |
| Total | 30 |
3. Prescribed Books
- NCERT Textbooks:
- Physics Part-I (Class XI)
- Physics Part-II (Class XI)
- Lab Manual:
- Laboratory Manual of Physics (Class XI) – NCERT
- Additional Resources:
- Other NCERT-published books/manuals (including multimedia materials).
Excluded Content: Topics marked as "excluded" in NCERT textbooks (2025-26 edition) will not be tested.
Best Study Tips for CBSE Class 11 Physics
- Master NCERT First
- 90% of exam questions come directly from NCERT textbooks. Focus on:
- In-text examples & back exercises.
- Derivations (e.g., SHM, projectile motion).
- Definitions (e.g., inertia, conservative forces).
- 90% of exam questions come directly from NCERT textbooks. Focus on:
- Practice Numericals Daily
- Units like Kinematics, Laws of Motion, Work-Energy are calculation-heavy.
- Solve 5-10 numericals/day from NCERT + reference books (e.g., HC Verma).
- Use Diagrams & Flowcharts
- Visualize concepts like:
- Bernoulli’s Theorem (draw fluid flow diagrams).
- Thermodynamic Processes (PV graphs).
- Waveforms (standing waves, beats).
- Visualize concepts like:
- Revise with Previous Years’ Papers
- Identify repeated questions (e.g., Kepler’s laws, Stokes’ law).
- Time yourself to improve speed (3-hour paper = ~2.5 mins/mark).
Download CBSE Class 11 Physics Syllabus 2025-26 PDF
Click the button below to download the official CBSE syllabus PDF for 2025-26.
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CBSE Class 11 Syllabus – All Subjects
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Class 11 Physics tougher than Class 10? How to cope?
Yes, due to advanced math (calculus, vectors) and conceptual depth. Survival tips:
Start with easier units (e.g., Kinematics) before Rotational Motion.
2. Which chapters have the highest weightage in exams?
Unit-I (23 marks): Units & Measurements + Kinematics.
Unit-VII (20 marks): Solids, Fluids, Thermodynamics.
Unit-X (10 marks): Oscillations & Waves (SHM is frequent).
3. Are derivations important? How many to learn?
Critical derivations:
Work-Energy Theorem (Unit-IV).
Time period of Simple Pendulum (Unit-X).
Bernoulli’s Equation (Unit-VII).
NCERT lists ~15 key derivations—prioritize these.
4. Best reference books after NCERT?
Theory: HC Verma (Concepts + Numericals).
Numericals: DC Pandey / Pradeep’s.
Practicals: NCERT Lab Manual (strictly follow procedures).