The Grade XI Physics syllabus is divided into two compulsory parts - Physics Theory (PH1104) and Physics Practical (PPH1104). Theory carries 70 marks and Practical carries 30 marks, together forming the prescribed assessment structure for the course.
Overall emphasis: conceptual understanding of physical principles, quantitative problem solving, experimental skills, graphical analysis and scientific reasoning across mechanics, properties of matter, heat, waves and kinetic theory.
Theory: 70 MarksPractical: 30 MarksAll theory units and both practical sections are compulsory.
Instructions: The syllabus is separated into 10 theory units (PH1104) and 2 practical sections (PPH1104). Each carries separate marks as shown in the summary tables below, followed by detailed unit-wise content and list of experiments and activities.
Physics Theory - PH1104 · 70 Marks · Time: 3 Hours
Unit 1 · Physical World and Measurement (10 Marks)
10 Marks
Need for measurement in physics; idea of physical quantities.
Different systems of units; emphasis on SI units.
Fundamental and derived quantities and their units.
Basic measurements of length, mass and time; devices, accuracy and precision.
Errors in measurements and the idea of significant figures.
Dimensions of physical quantities and dimensional formulae.
Use of dimensional analysis for checking equations and obtaining relations.
Grade XI · Physics (Theory) · Unit 2
Unit 2 · Kinematics (05 Marks)
5 Marks
Concept of frame of reference and describing motion with respect to it.
Basic tools of calculus (differentiation and integration) as used in motion.
Scalars and vectors; position and displacement vectors; notation and equality.
Operations on vectors - addition, subtraction, multiplication by a real number; unit vectors; resolving a vector into components; rectangular components.
Scalar (dot) and vector (cross) products of vectors in simple situations.
Motion in a straight line - displacement, speed, velocity; uniform and non-uniform motion.
Average and instantaneous speed and velocity; position-time and velocity-time graphs for uniform and uniformly accelerated motion.
Concept of acceleration; average and instantaneous acceleration; equations of uniformly accelerated motion (graphical and analytical treatment).
Relative velocity in one dimension and simple two-body situations.
Motion in a plane - cases of constant velocity and constant acceleration; basic idea of projectile motion and important quantities.
Uniform circular motion - qualitative discussion of speed, velocity and acceleration.
Grade XI · Physics (Theory) · Unit 3
Unit 3 · Laws of Motion (05 Marks)
5 Marks
Idea of force and inertia; intuitive understanding of both.
Newton’s three laws of motion and their physical meaning.
Momentum and its relation with force; impulse as change in momentum.
Law of conservation of linear momentum and applications in simple systems.
Equilibrium of concurrent forces in a plane; conditions for equilibrium.
Friction - static, kinetic and rolling; laws of friction and role of lubrication.
Understanding that forces always occur in action-reaction pairs acting on different bodies.
Internal forces in a system and their net effect on motion.
Everyday examples illustrating Newton’s laws and conservation of momentum.
Grade XI · Physics (Theory) · Unit 4
Unit 4 · Work, Energy and Power (10 Marks)
10 Marks
Work done by a constant force and by a variable force; graphical interpretation.
Kinetic energy and the work-energy theorem for constant and variable forces.
Potential energy of a system; examples including gravitational and spring systems.
Expression for potential energy of an ideal spring.
Different forms of energy, with emphasis on mechanical energy.
Conservative and non-conservative forces; conservation of mechanical energy in conservative fields.
Concept of power; average and instantaneous power.
Motion in a vertical circle; variation of speed and contact forces.
Statement and significance of the law of conservation of energy in physical processes.
Grade XI · Physics (Theory) · Unit 5
Unit 5 · Motion of System of Particles and Rigid Body (10 Marks)
10 Marks
Centre of mass (CM) of a two-particle system and generalisation to many particles.
Momentum of a system of particles; relation between total momentum and motion of CM.
Centre of mass of a rigid body; CM of simple bodies such as a uniform rod.
Translational, rotational and combined motion of a rigid body; basic ideas.
Angular displacement, angular velocity and angular acceleration.
Analogy between linear and rotational motion; corresponding variables and equations.
Kinematical equations for constant angular acceleration.
Equilibrium of a rigid body - meaning, conditions and examples.
Principle of moments and its applications.
Centre of gravity - concept, significance and simple illustrations.
Grade XI · Physics (Theory) · Unit 6
Unit 6 · Gravitation (05 Marks)
5 Marks
Kepler’s laws of planetary motion; brief statement and significance.
Newton’s law of universal gravitation.
Acceleration due to gravity g as gravitational field at the Earth’s surface.
Variation of g with altitude and depth (qualitative and simple relations).
Concept of gravitational field, gravitational potential and potential energy.
Escape velocity from Earth and simple calculation examples.
Orbital velocity of a satellite; idea of geostationary satellites and their uses.
Grade XI · Physics (Theory) · Unit 7
Unit 7 · Properties of Bulk Matter (05 Marks)
5 Marks
Elastic behaviour of solids; stress-strain relationship and Hooke’s law.
Elastic constants - Young’s modulus, bulk modulus and modulus of rigidity; Poisson’s ratio; elastic potential energy.
Pressure in a fluid; pressure due to a fluid column; effect of gravity on pressure.
Pascal’s law and applications such as hydraulic lift and brakes.
