CBSE Class 11 Physics Syllabus - Free PDF Download
CBSE Syllabus 2026-27 Class 11: The CBSE Class 11 Physics Syllabus for the examination year 2026-27 has been released by the Central Board of Secondary Education, CBSE. The board will hold the final examination at the end of the year following the annual assessment scheme, which has led to the release of the syllabus. The 2026-27 CBSE Class 11 Physics Board Exam will entirely be based on the most recent syllabus. Therefore, students must thoroughly understand the new CBSE syllabus to prepare for their annual exam properly.
The detailed CBSE Class 11 Physics Syllabus for 2026-27 is below.
Academic year:
CBSE Class 11 Physics Revised Syllabus
CBSE Class 11 Physics Course Structure 2026-27 With Marking Scheme
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Syllabus
1: Physical World and Measurement [Revision]
CBSE Class 11 Physics Syllabus
1 Physical World [Revision]
- What is Science?
- What is Science?
- Types of science : Natural and Social Science
- The Scientific Method
- What is Physics?
- What is Physics?
- Two thrusts in physics : Unification and Reductionism
- Branches of Physics
- Scope and Excitement of Physics
- Physics Related to Technology and Society
- Nature of Physical Laws
- How do physical laws come into existence?
- Conservation laws in physics
1. Law of conservation of energy
2. Law of conservation of linear momentum
3. Law of conservation of angular momentum
4. Law of conservation of charge
1 Units and Measurements [Revision]
- Properties of Matter and Their Measurement
- Measurement of Length
- Length and Its Measurement
- The Parallax Method
- Activity: Understanding Parallax Through Experience
- Measuring Stellar Distances
- Measuring the Size od Celestial Objects
- Measuring Very Small Distances
- Special Units for Large Distances
- Example
- Accuracy, Precision and Least Count of Measuring Instruments
- Errors in Measurements>Systematic Errors
- Definition: Errors in Measurements
- Definition: Systematic Errors
- Source: Systematic Errors
- Effects: Systematic Errors
- Significant Figures
- Dimensions of Physical Quantities
- Dimensional Formulae and Dimensional Equations
- Dimensional Analysis and Its Applications
- Need for Measurement
- Units of Measurement
- System of Units
- Derived Quantities and Units
- Definition: Derived units
- Formation of Derived Units
- Supplementary Units: The Special Cases
- Angle Conversions: Degrees ↔ Radians
- Key Examples of Derived Quantities
- Example
- Derived Quantities and Units
- Length, Mass and Time Measurements
- Introduction of Units and Measurements
2: Kinematics [Revision]
CBSE Class 11 Physics Syllabus
2 Motion in a Straight Line [Revision]
- Position, Path Length and Displacement
- Position - Frame of reference and Reference point
- Distance (Path length)
- Displacement
- Rectilinear Motion
- Average Velocity
- Introduction
- Definition: Average Velocity
- Calculation of Average Velocity
- Significance
- Formula
- Example
- Real-Life Examples
- Instantaneous Velocity
- Introduction
- Definition: Instantaneous Velocity
- Formula: Instantaneous Velocity
- Real-Life Example
- Instantaneous Speed
- Definition: Instantaneous Speed
- Formula: Instantaneous Speed
- Graphical Study of Motion
- Instantaneous Velocity in Non-Uniform Motion
- Acceleration in Linear Motion
- Introduction
- Definition: Acceleration
- Formula: Average Acceleration
- Formula: Instantaneous Acceleration
- Characteristics
- Graphical Interpretation
- Equations of Motion
- Significance
- Illustrative Example
- Example
- Real-Life Examples
- Average Velocity
- Kinematic Equations for Uniformly Accelerated Motion
- Elementary Concept of Differentiation and Integration for Describing Motion
- Concept of differentiation for describing motion
- Concept of integration
- Uniform and Non-uniform Motion
- Uniformly Accelerated Motion
- Position-time, Velocity-time and Acceleration-time Graphs
- Position - Time Graph
- Relations for Uniformly Accelerated Motion (Graphical Treatment)
- Introduction of Motion in One Dimension
- Physics
- Types of Physics: Kinematics and Dynamics
- Rest
- Point object
- Reference Systems
- Motion
- Types of Motion
- One Dimensional Motion
- Two Dimensional Motion
- Three Dimensional Motion
- Rest and motion are relative quantities
- Motion in a Straight Line
- One dimensional motion
- Distance
- Displacement
- Comparison between distance and displacement
3 Motion in a Plane [Revision]
- Vector Analysis
- Introduction
- Scalars and Vectors
- Scalar vs Vector
- Key Points to Remember
- Vector
- Definition: Vector
- Representation of vector
- Types of Vectors
- Examples of Vector Quantities
- Multiplication of Vectors by a Real Number or Scalar
- Vector Operations>Addition and Subtraction of Vectors
- Statement
- Vector Addition: Parallel Vectors
- Vector Subtraction: Anti-Parallel Vectors
- Real-Life Applications
- Resolution of Vectors
- Introduction
- Definition: Resolution of the Vector
- Definition: Rectangular Components
- Characteristics
- Vector Resolution in 2D
- 2D vs 3D Rectangular Components
- Example 1
- Example 2
- Vector Addition – Analytical Method
- Motion in a Plane
- Motion in Two Dimensions - Motion in a Plane
- Equations of Motion in a Plane with Constant Acceleration
- Introduction
- Vector Form Equations
- Example
- Real-Life Example
- Relative Velocity in Two Dimensions
- Introduction
- Formula: Velocity of A relative to B
- Formula: Velocity of B relative to A
- Characteristics
- Chaining Relative Velocities
- Significance
- Example
- Real-Life Example
- Equations of Motion in a Plane with Constant Acceleration
- Uniform Circular Motion (UCM)
- Definition: Uniform Circular Motion
- Rectilinear Motion
- Instantaneous Velocity
- Introduction
- Definition: Instantaneous Velocity
- Formula: Instantaneous Velocity
- Real-Life Example
- Acceleration in Linear Motion
- Introduction
- Definition: Acceleration
- Formula: Average Acceleration
- Formula: Instantaneous Acceleration
- Characteristics
- Graphical Interpretation
- Equations of Motion
- Significance
- Illustrative Example
- Example
- Real-Life Examples
- Instantaneous Velocity
- Rectangular Components
- Scalar (Dot) and Vector (Cross) Product of Vectors
- Cases of Uniform Velocity
- Cases of Uniform Acceleration Projectile Motion
- Angular Velocity
- Introduction of Motion in One Dimension
- Physics
- Types of Physics: Kinematics and Dynamics
- Rest
- Point object
- Reference Systems
- Motion
- Types of Motion
- One Dimensional Motion
- Two Dimensional Motion
- Three Dimensional Motion
- Rest and motion are relative quantities
3: Laws of Motion [Revision]
CBSE Class 11 Physics Syllabus
4 Laws of Motion [Revision]
- Aristotle’s Fallacy
- Introduction
- Origin
- Definition: Aristotle's Fallacy
- Aristotle Thought
- Galileo's Correction
- Real-Life Examples
- The Law of Inertia
- Newton’s Laws of Motion
- Newton's First Law of Motion
- Introduction
- Definition: Newton's First Law of Motion
- Balanced and Unbalanced Force
- Cause of Change in Motion
- Significance
- Formula: Newton's First Law of Motion
- Experiment
- Summary
- Newton's Third Law of Motion
- Introduction
- Definition: Newton's Third Law of Motion
- Characteristics
- Law's Concequesnces
- Significance
- Formula: Newton's Third Law of Motion
- Examples
- Newton's First Law of Motion
- Conservation of Momentum
- Equilibrium of a Particle
- Common Forces in Mechanics
- Circular Motion and Its Characteristics
- Solving Problems in Mechanics
- Types of Friction>Kinetic Friction
- Introduction
- Definition: Kinetic Friction
- Formula: Kinetic Friction
- Formula: Coefficient of Kinetic Friction
- Characteristics
- Laws of Kinetic Friction
- Coefficient of Kinetic Friction for Different Materials
- Mechanism of Kinetic Friction
- Significance
- Laws of Friction
- Inertia
- Inertia
- Inertia of motion
- Inertia of rest
- Inertia of direction
- Law of Inertia
- Concept of Force
- Dynamics of Uniform Circular Motion - Centripetal Force
- Examples of Circular Motion (Vehicle on a Level Circular Road, Vehicle on a Banked Road)
- Lubrication - (Laws of Motion)
- Law of Conservation of Linear Momentum and Its Applications
- Types of Friction>Rolling Friction
- Introduction
- Definition: Rolling Friction
- Characteristics
- Comparison of Friction Types
- Advantages of Friction
- Disadvantages of Friction
- Methods of Reducing Friction
- Real-Life Examples
- Introduction of Motion in One Dimension
- Physics
- Types of Physics: Kinematics and Dynamics
- Rest
- Point object
- Reference Systems
- Motion
- Types of Motion
- One Dimensional Motion
- Two Dimensional Motion
- Three Dimensional Motion
- Rest and motion are relative quantities
4: Work, Energy and Power [Revision]
CBSE Class 11 Physics Syllabus
5 Work, Energy and Power [Revision]
- Introduction of Work, Energy and Power
- Notions of Work and Kinetic Energy: the Work-energy Theorem
- Mechanical Energy > Kinetic Energy (K)
- Definition: Kinetic Energy
- Formula: Kinetic Energy
- Definition: Translational Motion
- Definition: Translational Kinetic Energy
- Definition: Rotational Motion
- Definition: Rotational Kinetic Motion
- Definition: Vibrational Motion
- Definition: Vibrational Kinetic Energy
- Types of Forces>Work Done by a Variable Force
- Work Done by Variable Forces: The Power of Integration
- Dividing and Conquering (Integration)
- The Graphical Method: Area Under the Curve
- Example
- Concept of Work
- Definition: Work
- Key Points: Units of Work
- Mechanical Energy > Potential Energy (U)
- Definition: Mechanical Energy
- Definition: Potential Energy
- Formula: Gravitational Potential Energy
- Key Points: Potential Energy
- Conservation of Mechanical Energy
- Potential Energy of a Spring
- Concept of Power
- Definition: Power
- Formula: Power
- Key Points: Power
- Collisions
- Introduction
- Definition: Collision
- Characteristics
- Real-Life Examples
- Types of Forces>Conservative and Non-Conservative Forces
- Introduction
- Definition: Conservative Forces
- Definition: Potential Energy
- Definition: Non-Conservative Force
- Understanding Conservating Forces
- Understanding Non-Conservatives Forces
- Significance
- Real-Life Examples
5: Motion of System of Particles and Rigid Body [Revision]
CBSE Class 11 Physics Syllabus
6 System of Particles and Rotational Motion [Revision]
- Motion - Rigid Body
- Centre of Mass>Mathematical Understanding of Centre of Mass
- Introduction
- Definition: Centre of Mass
- System of n Particles
- Continuous Mass Distribution
- Important Results for Symmetric Objects
- Significance
- Example 1
- Example 2
- Example 3
- Real-Life Examples
- Motion of Centre of Mass
- Linear Momentum of a System of Particles
- Angular Velocity and Its Relation with Linear Velocity
- Torque and Angular Momentum
- Moment of a Force (Motion of System of Particles and Rigid Body)
- Angular Momentum and Law of Conservation of Angular Momentum and Its Applications
- Moment of force (Torque)
- Angular momentum of a particle
- Torque and angular momentum for a system of particles
- conservation of angular momentum
- Equilibrium of Rigid Body
- Moment of Inertia
- Theorems of Perpendicular and Parallel Axes
- Kinematics of Rotational Motion About a Fixed Axis
- Dynamics of Rotational Motion About a Fixed Axis
- Angular Momentum in Case of Rotation About a Fixed Axis
- Rolling Motion
- Momentum Conservation and Centre of Mass Motion
- Centre of Mass of a Rigid Body
- Centre of Mass of a Uniform Rod
- Rigid Body Rotation
- Equations of Rotational Motion
- Comparison of Linear and Rotational Motions
- Values of Moments of Inertia for Simple Geometrical Objects (No Derivation)
6: Gravitation [Revision]
CBSE Class 11 Physics Syllabus
7 Gravitation [Revision]
- Kepler’s Laws
- Introduction
- History/Origin
- Formula: Kepler's Law
- Characteristics
- Significance
- Real-Life Examples
- Drawing an Ellipse
- Newton's Universal Law of Gravitation
- Introduction
- History/Origin
- Definition: Universal Law of Gravitation
- Formula: Universal Law of Gravitation
- Key Points: Newton's Universal Law of Gravitation
- Characteristics
- Relationship to the Acceleration of the Moon
- Generalisation to Force
- Force Due to the Collection of Masses
- Special Cases for Extended Objects
- Significance
- Example 1
- Example 2
- Real-Life Examples
- The Gravitational Constant
- Acceleration Due to Gravity of the Earth
- Acceleration Due to Gravity Below and Above the Earth's Surface
- Variation in the Acceleration>Variation in Gravity with Altitude
- Introduction
- Formula: Gravity with Altitude
- Characteristics
- Derivation
- Example
- Real-Life Examples
- Expression for Gravitational Potential Energy
- Introduction
- Formula
- Derivation
- Example
- Escape Speed
- Earth Satellites
- Introduction
- Definition: Satellite
- Types of Earth Satellites
- Communication Satellites (Geostationary Satellites)
- Polar Satellites
- Significance
- Binding Energy of an Orbiting Satellite
- Introduction
- Definition: Binding Energy of Satellite
- Formula: Binding Energy
- Characteristics
- Derivation
- Real-Life Examples
- Geostationary and Polar Satellites
- Weightlessness
- Gravitational Potential Energy
- Escape Velocity
- Introduction
- Definition: Escape Velocity
- Formula: Escape Velocity
- Derivation
- Escape Velocity
- Orbital Velocity of a Satellite
7: Properties of Bulk Matter [Revision]
CBSE Class 11 Physics Syllabus
8 Mechanical Properties of Solids [Revision]
- Elastic Behavior of Solids
- Definition: Elasticity
- Definition: Perfectly Elastic Body
- Definition: Plasticity
- Characteristics
- Stress and Strain
- Introduction
- Definition: Stress
- Definition: Strain
- Formula: Stress
- Formula: Strain
- Understanding Elasticity
- Hooke’s Law
- Introduction
- Origin
- Definition: Modulus of Elasticity
- Understanding Hooke's Law
- Significance
- Stress-strain Curve
- Introduction
- Definition: Stress-Strain Curve
- Characteristics
- Understanding Stress-Strain Curve
- Classification of Materials Based on Stress-Strain Behavior
- Elastic Hysteresis
- Elastic Wear and Tear in Rubber Bands
- Elastic Modulus>Young’s Modulus
- Definition
- Formula Derivation
- Table
- Example 1
- Example 2
- Elastic Modulus>Shear Modulus (Modulus of Rigidity)
- Definition
- Formula Derivation
- Table
- Example
- Elastic Modulus>Bulk Modulus
- Introduction
- Definition: Bulk Modulus
- Formula: Bulk Modulus
- Characteristics
- Understanding Volume Strain
- Example
- Application of Elastic Behaviour of Materials
- Elastic Energy
- Elastic Modulus>Poisson’s Ratio
9 Mechanical Properties of Fluids [Revision]
- Thrust and Pressure
- Pascal’s Law
- Streamline and Turbulent Flow
- Applications of Bernoulli’s Equation
- Viscous Force or Viscosity
- Reynold's Number
- Surface Tension
- Effect of Gravity on Fluid Pressure
- Terminal Velocity
- Critical Velocity
- Excess of Pressure Across a Curved Surface
- Introduction of Mechanical Properties of Fluids
- Archimedes' Principle
- Stoke's Law
- Continuous and Discontinuous Functions
- Torricelli's Law
10 Thermal Properties of Matter [Revision]
- Temperature and Heat
- Introduction
- Definition: Heat
- Definition: Temperature
- Formula: Average Kinetic Energy and Temperature
- Formula: Heat Exchange
- Characteristics
- How Heat Affects Matter
- Significance
- Real-Life Examples
- Summary
- Measurement of Temperature
- Definition: Adiabatic Wall
- Definition: Diathermic Wall
- Definition: Thermal Equilibrium
- Definition: Thermometry
- Law: Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics
- Temperature Scales
- Conversion Formulas
- Thermometers Use the Zeroth Law
- Thermometric Property
- Types of Thermometers
- Characteristics of a Good Thermometer
- Example 1
- Example 2
- Example 3
- Example 4
- Summary
- Absolute Zero and Absolute Temperature
- Introduction
- Definition: Absolute Zero
- Definition: Kelvin Scale
- Definition: Triple Point
- Definition: Ideal Gas
- Definition: Universal Gas Constant (R)
- Definition: Extrapolation
- Definition: Kelvin
- Conversion Formulas
- Gases Respond to Temperature
- The Discovery of Absolute Zero
- The Kelvin (Absolute) Temperature Scale
- Temperature Scales & Conversion
- The Ideal Gas Equation
- Example 1
- Example 2
- Key Points: Absolute Zero and Absolute Temperature
- Thermal Expansion
- Introduction
- Definition: Thermal Expansion
- Specific Heat Capacity
- Definition: Specific Heat Capacity
- Formula: Specific Heat Capacity
- Key Points: Specific Heat Capacity
- Calorimetry
- Introduction
- Definition: Calorimetry
- Definition: Calorimeter
- Calorimeter
- The Principle of Calorimetry
- Experiment: Method of Mixtures
- Derivation of the Calorimetry Equation
- Example
- Key Points: Calorimetry
- Latent Heat
- Introduction
- Definition: Latent Heat
- Definition: Latent Heat of Fusion
- Definition: Latent Heat of Vaporization
- Formula: Latent Heat
- Experiment
- Reference Data Table
- Example
- Key Points: Latent Heat
- Conduction
- Definition: Conduction
- Definition: Good Conductors of Heat
- Definition: Bad Conductors of Heat
- The Experiment
- Mechanism of Conduction
- Real-Life Example
- Key Points: Conduction
- Convection
- Introduction
- Definition: Convection
- Mechanism of Convection
- Experiment: Convection
- Key Points: Convection
- Environmental Issues
- Radiation
- Definition: Radiation
- Activity: Radiation from a Candle
- A Wonder of Science: Infrared Camera
- Experiment: The Relation Between Density and Convection
- Experiment: Black Surfaces and Heat Absorption
- Experiment: Good and Bad Conductors of Heat
- Key Points: Radiation
- Radiation
- Newton’s Law of Cooling
- Introduction
- Experiment
- Graphical Analysis
- Law: Newton's Law of Cooling
- Mathematical Formulation
- Example
- Key Points: Newton’s Law of Cooling
- Qualitative Ideas of Black Body Radiation
- Perfectly black body
- Ferry's black body
- Spectrum of black body radiation in terms of wavelength
- Wien's Displacement Law
- Stefan's Law
- Stefan's (Stefan - Boltzmann) law
- Anomalous Expansion of Water
- Anomalous expansion of water
- Importance of Anomalous expansion of water
- Liquids and Gases
- Thermal Expansion of Solids
- Green House Effect
8: Thermodynamics [Revision]
CBSE Class 11 Physics Syllabus
11 Thermodynamics [Revision]
- Thermal Equilibrium
- Measurement of Temperature
- Definition: Adiabatic Wall
- Definition: Diathermic Wall
- Definition: Thermal Equilibrium
- Definition: Thermometry
- Law: Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics
- Temperature Scales
- Conversion Formulas
- Thermometers Use the Zeroth Law
- Thermometric Property
- Types of Thermometers
- Characteristics of a Good Thermometer
- Example 1
- Example 2
- Example 3
- Example 4
- Summary
- Heat, Internal Energy and Work
- Chemical Thermodynamics and Energetic
- Specific Heat Capacity
- Definition: Specific Heat Capacity
- Formula: Specific Heat Capacity
- Key Points: Specific Heat Capacity
- Thermodynamic State Variables and Equation of State
- Thermodynamic Process
- Heat Engine
- Refrigerators and Heat Pumps
- Spontaneity
- Reversible and Irreversible Processes
- Carnot Engine
9: Behaviour of Perfect Gases and Kinetic Theory of Gases [Revision]
CBSE Class 11 Physics Syllabus
12 Kinetic Theory [Revision]
- Gases and Its Characteristics
- Equation of State of a Perfect Gas
- Work Done in Compressing a Gas
- Interpretation of Temperature in Kinetic Theory
- Law of Equipartition of Energy
- Specific Heat Capacities - Gases
- Mean Free Path
- Kinetic Theory of Gases - Concept of Pressure
- Assumptions of Kinetic Theory of Gases
- RMS Speed of Gas Molecules
- Speed of gaseous molecules
- Mean speed
- Mean square speed
- Root mean square speed
- Maxwell distribution function
- Degrees of Freedom
- Avogadro's Number
10: Oscillations and Waves [Revision]
CBSE Class 11 Physics Syllabus
13 Oscillations [Revision]
- Periodic and Oscillatory Motion
- Simple Harmonic Motion (S.H.M.)
- Simple Harmonic Motion and Uniform Circular Motion
- Velocity and Acceleration in Simple Harmonic Motion
- Force Law for Simple Harmonic Motion
- Energy in Simple Harmonic Motion
- Some Systems Executing Simple Harmonic Motion
- Damped Simple Harmonic Motion
- Forced Oscillations and Resonance
- Displacement as a Function of Time
- Periodic Functions
- Oscillations - Frequency
- Simple Pendulum
14 Waves [Revision]
- Reflection of Transverse and Longitudinal Waves
- Displacement Relation for a Progressive Wave
- The Speed of a Travelling Wave
- Principle of Superposition of Waves
- Reflection of Waves
- Introduction of Reflection of Waves
- Reflection of waves
- Reflection of a transverse waves from
- Reflection of a longitudinal wave from
- Echo
- Introduction of Reflection of Waves
- Beats
- Doppler Effect
- Wave Motion
- Speed of Wave Motion
- Terms involved in wave motion
- Velocity of transverse wave on string
- Velocity of longitudinal wave (Sound wave)
- Factors affecting velocity of sound in gaseous medium
1) Effect of pressure at constant temperature
2) Effect of temperature
3) Effect of density
4) Effect of humidity
