ICSE Class 12 Physics is a subject that students opting for JEE and NEET must take very seriously. It forms the very basis of career fields like engineering and medicine. Foundation building for the same has to start a bit early, and in Class 12, the utmost care has to be taken to get into colleges of choice. But, of course, the correct planning and some guidance can lead to desired results. A complete step-by-step plan is provided below. So, just go ahead and work on it consistently till success is yours.
- First and foremost is required a timetable that is realistic and can be followed regularly.
- The timetable must-have study hours are distributed so that it doesn’t burden you, and there is space to relax too.
- Once a substantial portion of the syllabus has been covered, mock test papers must be solved. Solving previous years’ papers gives you a definite edge over other students.
- Be confident of yourself after sufficient practice and revision so that the idea of cheating in exams does not even cross your mind!
- Finally, a big NO to social media during this final, crucial year.
The ISC Class 12 Physics paper is divided into two parts:
Theory Paper of Class 12 Physics
It consists of 70 marks. Students are allotted a time duration of 3 hours to complete the paper.
Practical paper of Class 12 Physics
These are conducted in 3 hours of time duration and include the following:
- Practical work – 15 Marks
- Project work – 10 Marks
- Practical files – 5 Marks
Given below is a topic-wise weightage for the Physics syllabus:
| Unit | Topic | Marks |
| 1 | Electrostatics | 14 |
| 2 | Current Electricity | |
| 3 | Magnetic Effect of Current and Magnetism | 16 |
| 4 | Electromagnetic induction and Alternating Current | |
| 5 | Electromagnetic Waves | |
| 6 | Optics | 20 |
| 7 | Dual nature of Matter and Radiations | 13 |
| 8 | Atoms and Nuclei | |
| 9 | Electronic Devices | 7 |
| Total | 70 |
In the practical exam for ICSE Class 12 Physics, two broad questions with sub-questions are asked:
Q1 needs to be completed in 1 ½ hrs. Teachers ask short answer-type questions from a given list of required experiments. Teachers are free to add more to the list, keeping in mind the general pattern of the final paper. Questions are typically set from each experiment to test the students’ understanding of the theory and logic of the steps involved. (9 marks)
Students are required to complete all experiments from the given list (excluding the demonstration experiments):
1. To find the focal length of a convex lens by using the u-v method (no parallax method) Making use of a convex lens, an optical bench, meter scales, and two pins, obtain the positions of
images for various positions of an object:
f<u<2f, u~2f, and u>2f.
Draw the following set of graphs using data from the experiments –
(i) Q against u. It will be a curve. While drawing the best fit line, all experimental points must be kept on the line or symmetrically placed on the left and right sides of the line. The line should be
continuous, thin, uniform, and extended beyond the extreme plots.
(ii)(ii) Magnification (m= v/u) against v which is a straight line and to find focal length by intercept.
(iii) y = (100/v) against x = (100/u), which is a straight line, and find f by intercepts.
2. To find f of a convex lens by the displacement method.
3. Using a meter bridge, determine the resistance of about 100 cm of a (constantan) wire. Measure its length and radius, and hence calculate the specific resistance of the material.
4. Verify Ohm’s law for a given unknown resistance (a 60-cm-long constantan wire), plotting a
graph of potential difference versus current. Also, calculate the resistance per cm of the wire
from the slope of the graph and the length of the wire.
Q2. Students are expected to complete Q2 within 1 ½ hr. ( 6 marks)
Demonstration Experiments (The following experiments may be demonstrated by the teacher):
1. To convert a given galvanometer into (a) an ammeter of range, say 2 A, and (b) a voltmeter
of range 4 V.
2. To study the I-V characteristics of a semi- conductor diode in forwarding and reverse biases.
3. To study characteristics of a Zener diode and to determine its reverse breakdown voltage.
4. To determine the refractive index of a glass slab using a traveling microscope.
5. To observe the polarization of light using two polaroids.
6. Identification of diode, LED, transistor, IC, resistor, and capacitor from a mixed collection of
such items.
7. Use of a multimeter to (i) identify the base of transistor, (ii) distinguish between NPN- and PNP- type transistors, (iii) see the unidirectional flow of current in the case of a diode and an LED,(iv) check whether a given electronic component (e.g., diode, transistors, and IC) is in
working order.
8. Charging and discharging of a capacitor.
A project report of 10-15 pages that the student has completed has to be presented to the examiner, and it carries 10 marks.
Five marks are allotted to the practical file.
PROJECT WORK AND PRACTICAL FILE –15 marks Project Work – 10 marks
The Project work is to be assessed by a Visiting Examiner appointed locally and approved by the
Council. All candidates will be required to do one project involving some physics-related topic/s under the guidance and regular supervision of the Physics teacher.
Candidates are to prepare a formal written technical report, including title, abstract, theoretical discussion, experimental setup, observations with tables of data collected, graph/chart (if any), analysis and discussion of results, deductions, and conclusion, etc. The teacher
should approve the draft before it is finalized. The report should be kept simple, neat, and elegant. No extra credit shall be given for typewritten material/decorative cover, etc. Teachers may assign, or students may choose any one project of their choice.
Candidates should undertake any one of the following types of projects:
Theoretical project- Suggested evaluation criteria for theory-based projects:
Title of the project
Introduction
Contents
Analysis/ material aid (graph, data, structure, pie charts, histograms, diagrams, etc.)
The originality of work (the work should be the candidates’ original work)
Conclusion/comments
The project report should be of approximately 15-20 pages.
Working Model– Suggested evaluation criteria for model-based projects:
Title of the project
Model construction
Concise project report
The project report should be of approximately 5-10 pages
Investigatory project (by performing an experiment under the supervision of a teacher)-Title of the project
Theory/principle involved
Experimental setup
Observations calculations/deduction and graph work
Result/ Conclusions
The Project Report should be of approximately 5-10 pages
Practical file – 5 marks
The Visiting Examiner will assess the candidates based on the Physics practical file maintained by them during the academic year.
1. The concepts of significant figures and errors in the analysis must be reinforced during practical work.
2. Topics, especially some mathematical parts of differentiation and integration can be taken up as supplements as and when required
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS OF ICSE CLASS 12 PHYSICS
Q1. Can MH Board students appear for JEE by studying the Class 12 Physics syllabus?
Ans: Yes, MH Board students can appear for JEE by being thorough with the Physics syllabus of MH Class 12. Few sample papers must be practiced for more clarity.
Q2. What is the break up of marks for the final exam
Ans: For Class 12 Boards Theory paper is for 70 Marks, and Practical is for 30 Marks
Q3. What are the criteria for allotting 5 marks to the practical file?
Ans: Criteria for assessing the file is the way the file is maintained throughout the year, with all experiments neatly written down with minimum or no error. The topics must be as per the syllabus though the internal may include some other topics related to the portion as supplements while teaching.