CBSE Class 11 Physics Syllabus 2025-26: The CBSE Class 11 Physics syllabus for the academic year 2025–26 is designed to provide students with a strong conceptual foundation in the subject. It covers fundamental laws, principles, and applications of Physics that are essential for higher studies in science and engineering. For CBSE students, Class 11 Physics is a significant subject to ace. It builds a solid foundation in core scientific principles and strengthens analytical thinking and logical reasoning.
The Class 11 Physics syllabus lays the groundwork for Class 12 and entrance exams like JEE or NEET and introduces students to the scope and complexity of the physical world. Covering all key Class 11 Physics chapters, this updated article helps you focus on essential topics, avoid outdated content, and build a strong foundation for higher studies. This breakdown is for you if you’re searching for the latest CBSE board class 11 physics syllabus.
CBSE Class 11 Physics 2026 Blueprint: Chapter-Wise Marks Distribution
Understanding the unit-wise marks distribution for Class 11 Physics is essential for strategic preparation. The theory exam carries 80 marks, while the internal assessment accounts for 20 marks. Here’s the chapter-wise weightage for Class 11.
Theory Marks Distribution:
Unit No. | CBSE Class 11 Physics Unit Name | CBSE Class 11 Physics Chapters | CBSE Class 11 Physics Chapter-wise Marks |
I | Physical World and Measurement | Chapter 1: Units and Measurements | 23 |
II | Kinematics | Chapter 2: Motion in a Straight Line Chapter 3: Motion in a Plane | |
III | Laws of Motion | Chapter 4: Laws of Motion | 17 |
IV | Work, Energy, and Power | Chapter 5: Work, Energy, and Power | |
V | Motion of a System of Particles and a Rigid Body | Chapter 6: System of Particles and Rotational Motion | |
VI | Gravitation | Chapter 7: Gravitation | |
VII | Properties of Bulk Matter | Chapter 8: Mechanical Properties of Solids Chapter 9: Mechanical Properties of Fluids Chapter 10: Thermal Properties of Matter | 20 |
VIII | Thermodynamics | Chapter 11: Thermodynamics | |
IX | Behaviour of Perfect Gases and Kinetic Theory | Chapter 12: Kinetic Theory | |
X | Oscillations and Waves | Chapter 13: Oscillations Chapter 14: Waves | 10 |
Total (Theory) | 70 |
CBSE Class 11 Physics Practical Marks Distribution
CBSE Class 11 Physics Practical | Marks |
Two experiments – one from each section | 7 + 7 |
Practical record (experiment and activities) | 5 |
One activity from any section | 3 |
Investigatory Project | 3 |
Viva on experiments, activities, and projects | 5 |
Total | 30 |
CBSE Class 11 Physics Syllabus 2025-26: Unit-Wise Breakdown
Check the below mentioned CBSE Class 11 Physics syllabus and the unit-wise breakdown to understand the syllabus better and ace the examination.
CBSE Class 11 Physics Unit I: Physical World and Measurements
CBSE Class 11 Physics Chapter 1: Units and Measurements
- Importance of measurement, SI Units (fundamental & derived)
- Significant figures, uncertainty
- Dimensional analysis and applications
CBSE Class 11 Physics Unit II: Kinematics
CBSE Class 11 Physics Chapter 2: Motion in a Straight Line
- Frame of reference, differentiation/integration in motion
- Average/instantaneous velocity, uniformly accelerated motion
- Position-time, velocity-time graphs, motion equations
CBSE Class 11 Physics Chapter 3: Motion in a Plane
- Scalars & vectors, vector operations
- Projectile motion, uniform circular motion
CBSE Class 11 Physics Unit III: Laws of Motion
CBSE Class 11 Physics Chapter 4: Laws of Motion
- Newton’s laws, inertia, impulse
- Law of conservation of momentum
- Friction (static, kinetic, rolling), lubrication
- Circular motion: Centripetal force, vehicle on circular/banked roads
CBSE Class 11 Physics Unit IV: Work, Energy, and Power
CBSE Class 11 Physics Chapter 5: Work, Energy, and Power
- Work (constant & variable force), power
- Kinetic & potential energy, work-energy theorem
- Conservative & non-conservative forces
- Collisions (elastic/inelastic), motion in vertical circle
CBSE Class 11 Physics Unit V: Motion of System of Particles and Rigid Body
CBSE Class 11 Physics Chapter 6: System of Particles and Rotational Motion
- Centre of mass (2-particle system, rod)
- Torque, angular momentum, rotational dynamics
- Rigid body equilibrium, comparison: linear vs rotational motion
- Moment of inertia, radius of gyration (values only)
CBSE Class 11 Physics Unit VI: Gravitation
CBSE Class 11 Physics Chapter 7: Gravitation
- Kepler’s laws, Universal law of gravitation
- Acceleration due to gravity (variation with altitude/depth)
- Gravitational potential energy, escape speed, orbital velocity
CBSE Class 11 Physics Unit VII: Properties of Bulk Matter
CBSE Class 11 Physics Chapter 8: Mechanical Properties of Solids
- Stress-strain, Hooke’s law, modulus (Young’s, bulk, shear), Poisson’s ratio
- Elastic potential energy, applications of elasticity
CBSE Class 11 Physics Chapter 9: Mechanical Properties of Fluids
- Pressure, Pascal’s law, hydraulic devices
- Viscosity, terminal velocity, and Bernoulli’s theorem
- Surface tension, capillarity, drops/bubbles
CBSE Class 11 Physics Chapter 10: Thermal Properties of Matter
- Heat, temperature, expansion of matter, specific heat
- Calorimetry, latent heat, heat transfer (conduction, convection, radiation)
- Blackbody radiation, Wein’s and Stefan’s laws
CBSE Class 11 Physics Unit VIII: Thermodynamics
CBSE Class 11 Physics Chapter 11: Thermodynamics
- Thermal equilibrium, the zeroth law
- First and second laws of thermodynamics
- State variables, equations of state
- Isothermal, adiabatic, reversible, irreversible, cyclic processes
CBSE Class 11 Physics Unit IX: Behaviour of Gases and Kinetic Theory
CBSE Class 11 Physics Chapter 12: Kinetic Theory
- Perfect gas laws, gas compression work
- Kinetic theory: pressure, temperature, rms speed
- Degrees of freedom, equipartition of energy (statement), mean free path, Avogadro’s number
CBSE Class 11 Physics Unit X: Oscillations and Waves
CBSE Class 11 Physics Chapter 13: Oscillations
- Periodic motion, SHM, phase
- Spring oscillations, energy in SHM
- Simple pendulum (time period derivation)
CBSE Class 11 Physics Chapter 14: Waves
- Transverse & longitudinal waves, wave speed
- Superposition, reflection, standing waves (strings, pipes)
- Harmonics, beats
CBSE Class 11 Physics Practical Syllabus 2025-26
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.
- Report of the project carried out by the students.
CBSE Class 11 Physics Practical Section – A
CBSE Class 11 Physics Practical Experiments
- To measure the diameter of a small spherical/cylindrical body and the internal diameter and depth of a beaker/calorimeter using Vernier Callipers, calculate the volume.
- To measure the diameter of a wire and the thickness of a sheet using a screw gauge.
- To determine the volume of an irregular lamina using a screw gauge.
- To determine the radius of curvature of a spherical surface using a spherometer.
- To determine the mass of two different objects using a beam balance.
- To find the weight of a body using the parallelogram law of vectors.
- Using a simple pendulum, plot period vs. √length graph and determine the effective length of a second’s pendulum.
- To study the variation in the period of a simple pendulum with bobs of the same size but different masses.
- To study the relationship between limiting friction and normal reaction, find the coefficient of friction.
- To find the downward force on a roller along an inclined plane and its relationship with the angle of inclination (θ) by plotting force vs. sinθ.
CBSE Class 11 Physics Practical Activities
- To make a paper scale of a given least count (e.g., 0.2 cm or 0.5 cm).
- To determine the mass of a body using a metre scale and the principle of moments.
- To plot a graph for a given data set with proper scale and error bars.
- To measure the limiting friction for the rolling of a roller on a horizontal plane.
- To study how the range of a projectile varies with the angle of projection.
- To study the conservation of energy of a ball rolling down an inclined plane.
- To study energy dissipation in a simple pendulum by plotting amplitude² vs. time.
CBSE Class 11 Physics Practical Section – B
CBSE Class 11 Physics Practical Experiments
- To determine Young’s modulus of the material of a wire.
- To find the force constant of a helical spring by plotting the load vs. extension graph.
- To study variation in volume with pressure for air at constant temperature (P vs. V and P vs. 1/V graphs).
- To determine the surface tension of water using the capillary rise method.
- To find the coefficient of viscosity of a viscous liquid by measuring the terminal velocity of a sphere.
- To study the cooling curve of a hot body (temperature vs. time).
- To determine the specific heat capacity of a solid by the method of mixtures.
- To study the frequency vs. length relationship of a wire under constant tension using a sonometer.
- To study the length vs. tension relationship of a wire at constant frequency using a sonometer.
- To determine the speed of sound in air using a resonance tube and two resonance positions.
CBSE Class 11 Physics Practical Activities
- To observe the change of state and plot the cooling curve for molten wax.
- To observe and explain the heating effect on a bimetallic strip.
- To note the change in liquid level on heating and interpret observations.
- To study the effect of detergent on surface tension via capillary rise.
- To study factors affecting the heat loss rate in a liquid.
- To study the depression of a clamped metre scale due to load at (i) the end, (ii) the middle.
- To observe the pressure decrease with an increase in the velocity of a fluid.
Study Plan Based on Class 11 Physics Syllabus 2025-26
Phase 1: Concept Building – Basics and Foundations (Month 1)
- Units & Measurements, Physical World
- Build mathematical and physical intuition, understand measurements and accuracy.
Phase 2: Core Mechanics – Kinematics, Laws, and Energy (Months 2 – 3)
- Motion, Newton’s Laws, Work-Energy, Circular Motion
- Graph-based practice, daily numericals, derivations.
Phase 3: Thermodynamics and Matter – Fluids, Heat, and Gases (Months 4 – 5)
- Bulk Properties, Thermodynamics, Kinetic Theory
- Link theory to real-life examples, and solve past exam problems.
Phase 4: Oscillations and Waves – Final Core Concepts (Month 6)
- SHM, Resonance, Sound Waves
- Conceptual clarity, waveform graphs, formula drills.
Final 2 Months: Full Syllabus Revision + Sample Papers
- Practice full-length mock tests
- Solve CBSE sample papers
- Focus on the previous year questions and time management
FAQs On CBSE Class 11 Physics Syllabus 2025-26
Q1. Has CBSE released the new Class 11 Physics syllabus for 2025-26?
Yes, CBSE has officially released the updated Physics syllabus for the academic session 2025–26.
Q2. What changes have been made to the CBSE Physics syllabus this year?
The structure and topics remain aligned with NCERT guidelines, but internal assessments, practical weightage, and learning outcomes have been clarified.
Q3. Is the Class 11 Physics syllabus reduced for 2025-26?
No significant reductions are announced for 2025 – 26. However, some refinements in practical components and internal assessments are included.
Q4. Can I complete the Physics Class 11 syllabus in 6 months?
Yes, with a structured study plan, consistent practice, and focused revision, the syllabus is manageable within 6 months.
Q5. Where can I download the latest syllabus PDF for Class 11 Physics?
You can download it directly from cbseacademic.nic.in under the 2025 – 26 curriculum section.
The CBSE Class 11 Physics syllabus 2025 – 26 builds a strong foundation for competitive exams like JEE and NEET. It covers key topics such as Kinematics, Laws of Motion, Thermodynamics, and Oscillations, along with practical experiments and activities. Students can prepare effectively with clear chapter-wise weightage, unit-wise breakdown, and a focused study plan. Stay updated with the official syllabus, revise regularly, and practice experiments to strengthen your understanding.
Stay tuned with iScholar for more expert tips, CBSE Class 12, and study strategies to help you succeed in your learning journey!