High School · Grade XII
ChemistrySyllabus Of Grade XII - CHEMISTRY (THEORY - CH1205, PRACTICAL - PCH1205) The Grade XII Chemistry syllabus is divided into two compulsory parts - Chemistry (Theory) - CH1205 and Chemistry (Practical) - PCH1205 . Separate marks are given for each unit, with 70 marks for theory and 30 marks for practical .
Focus areas: physical chemistry (solid state, solutions, electrochemistry, kinetics and surface chemistry), general principles and processes of isolation of elements, p-, d- and f-block elements, coordination chemistry and a wide range of organic topics including halo-compounds, oxygen and nitrogen containing organics, biomolecules, polymers and everyday chemistry - supported by structured practical work.
Theory: 70 Marks Practical: 30 Marks Total: 100 Marks
Instructions: The syllabus is organised into 16 units for theory and 4 units for practical . All units are compulsory . The summary table below gives an overview of units and marks, followed by detailed unit-wise content.
Summary of Theory and Practical Units Part / Unit Area Covered Marks Read More Unit 1
Chemistry (Theory)
Solid State 4 Read more Unit 2
Chemistry (Theory)
Solutions 5 Read more Unit 3
Chemistry (Theory)
Electrochemistry 5 Read more Unit 4
Chemistry (Theory)
Chemical Kinetics 5 Read more Unit 5
Chemistry (Theory)
Surface Chemistry 4 Read more Unit 6
Chemistry (Theory)
General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements 3 Read more Unit 7
Chemistry (Theory)
p-Block Elements 8 Read more Unit 8
Chemistry (Theory)
d- and f-Block Elements 5 Read more Unit 9
Chemistry (Theory)
Coordination Compounds 3 Read more Unit 10
Chemistry (Theory)
Haloalkanes and Haloarenes 4 Read more Unit 11
Chemistry (Theory)
Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers 4 Read more Unit 12
Chemistry (Theory)
Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids 6 Read more Unit 13
Chemistry (Theory)
Organic Compounds containing Nitrogen 4 Read more Unit 14
Chemistry (Theory)
Biomolecules 4 Read more Unit 15
Chemistry (Theory)
Polymers 3 Read more Unit 16
Chemistry (Theory)
Chemistry in Everyday Life 3 Read more Unit 1
Chemistry (Practical)
Surface Chemistry Experiments 10 Read more Unit 2
Chemistry (Practical)
Chemical Kinetics Experiments 8 Read more Unit 3
Chemistry (Practical)
Thermochemistry Experiments 6 Read more Unit 4
Chemistry (Practical)
Project Work and Viva 6 Read more Time (Theory): 3 Hours · Time (Practical): As per exam plan Total Marks 100
Chemistry (Theory) - CH1205 Classification of solids by type of bonding - molecular, ionic, covalent and metallic. Difference between amorphous and crystalline solids at basic level. Unit cell in 2D and 3D lattices; simple ideas of packing efficiency and voids. Number of atoms per unit cell in different cubic lattices. Point defects in ionic and non-ionic solids; elementary idea of electronic defects. Electrical and magnetic behaviour of solids; conductors, semiconductors and insulators. Basic band theory; concept of n-type and p-type semiconductors. Types of solutions and common ways of expressing concentration (mass %, molarity etc.). Solubility of solids and gases in liquids; factors affecting solubility. Raoult’s law and vapour pressure of ideal solutions; idea of non-ideal behaviour. Colligative properties - relative lowering of vapour pressure, elevation of boiling point. Depression of freezing point and osmotic pressure; use of these to determine molar mass. Abnormal molar masses and concept of van’t Hoff factor for association/dissociation. Redox reactions as fundamental basis of electrochemistry. Conductance of electrolytic solutions - specific and molar conductivity and their variation with concentration. Kohlrausch’s law and its applications (qualitative idea). Electrolysis and basic laws; simple examples of electrolytic cells and dry cell. Galvanic cell, lead accumulator; EMF of a cell and standard electrode potential. Nernst equation for a cell and relation between cell EMF and ΔG. Fuel cells and elementary idea of corrosion as an electrochemical process. Rate of a reaction - average and instantaneous; factors influencing rate. Order and molecularity of a reaction and basic distinction between them. Rate law, rate constant and simple integrated rate expressions (zero and first order). Half-life for zero and first order reactions. Collision theory at elementary level; activation energy concept. Arrhenius equation and qualitative interpretation of temperature effect on rate. Adsorption - physisorption vs chemisorption and factors affecting extent of adsorption. Catalysis - homogeneous and heterogeneous; selectivity and activity of catalysts. Enzyme catalysis - characteristic features and simple examples. Colloidal state; comparison of true solutions, colloids and suspensions. Lyophilic and lyophobic sols, multimolecular and macromolecular colloids. Important colloidal properties - Tyndall effect, Brownian movement, electrophoresis, coagulation. Emulsions - types and basic features. Elementary principles of metallurgy - concentration of ore, basic oxidation and reduction steps. Electrolytic methods and refining concepts. Illustrative occurrence and extraction principles for aluminium, copper, zinc and iron. General introduction and trends for Groups 15, 16, 17 and 18 - configuration, oxidation states, basic physical and chemical trends. Nitrogen - occurrence and important properties; brief coverage of key nitrogen compounds such as ammonia and nitric acid. Oxides of nitrogen - only structural awareness. Phosphorus - common allotropes; overview of phosphine and phosphorus halides (PCl₃, PCl₅). Simple idea of oxoacids of phosphorus and sulphur (structures where needed only). Group 16 - dioxygen, classification of oxides, ozone and sulphur allotropes. Sulphur dioxide and sulphuric acid - outline of manufacture, main properties and uses. Group 17 - halogens; chlorine, HCl, interhalogen compounds and oxoacids of halogens (structural awareness). Group 18 - noble gases; basic trends and uses. Transition elements - general features such as metallic character, ionisation enthalpy and variable oxidation states. Trends in colour, magnetic behaviour, catalytic properties, alloy formation and interstitial compounds. Brief study of preparation and important properties of potassium dichromate and potassium permanganate. Lanthanoids - configuration, oxidation states, reactivity and idea of lanthanoid contraction. Actinoids - configuration and oxidation states; brief comparison with lanthanoids. Introduction to coordination compounds - ligands, coordination number and coordination sphere. Colour, magnetic behaviour and shapes in simple mononuclear complexes. IUPAC nomenclature of coordination compounds. Basic bonding ideas - Werner’s theory and qualitative outline of VBT and CFT. Elementary idea of stereoisomerism and role of coordination compounds in analysis, metallurgy and biological systems. Haloalkanes - nomenclature, nature of C-X bond and physical properties. Mechanism of nucleophilic substitution reactions; brief idea of optical isomerism at chiral carbon. Haloarenes - nature of aryl C-X bond and characteristic substitution reactions. Directive influence of halogen in monosubstituted benzene derivatives (elementary level). Uses and environmental concerns of selected halogenated organics (e.g., chloroform, CCl₄, iodoform, freons, DDT). Alcohols - nomenclature, principal preparation methods, main physical and chemical properties. Identification of primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols; mechanism of dehydration. Uses of methanol and ethanol at awareness level. Phenols - nomenclature, typical preparation methods and key reactions. Acidic nature of phenol and common electrophilic substitution reactions; important uses. Ethers - nomenclature, general preparation routes, physical and chemical behaviour and simple applications. Carbonyl compounds - nomenclature, nature of the carbonyl group and common preparations. Main physical properties and important chemical reactions of aldehydes and ketones. Mechanism of nucleophilic addition to the carbonyl group (core idea only). Concept of reactivity of α-hydrogen and related reactions. Carboxylic acids - nomenclature, acidic behaviour and principal preparation methods. Key physical and chemical properties of carboxylic acids and everyday uses. Amines - classification, nomenclature and basic structure. Important preparation methods and general physical and chemical properties. Basicity and simple tests to distinguish primary, secondary and tertiary amines. Cyanides and isocyanides - only mentioned in context where needed. Diazonium salts - preparation, key reactions and their role in synthetic organic chemistry. Carbohydrates - aldoses vs ketoses; basic idea of monosaccharides, oligosaccharides and polysaccharides. Glucose and fructose at simple descriptive level; examples of sucrose, lactose and maltose. Polysaccharides such as starch, cellulose and glycogen and their importance. Proteins - amino acids, peptide bond, concepts of primary to quaternary structure and denaturation. Enzymes - elementary idea; hormones and vitamins - simple classification and role. Nucleic acids - DNA and RNA as genetic material at basic descriptive level. Definition and need for polymers; natural vs synthetic classification. Addition and condensation polymerisation; idea of copolymers. Examples of important polymers such as polythene, nylon, polyesters, Bakelite and rubber. Difference between biodegradable and non-biodegradable polymers with examples. Medicinal chemistry - simple idea of analgesics, tranquilizers, antiseptics, disinfectants and antimicrobials. Awareness of antifertility drugs, antibiotics, antacids and antihistamines. Role of chemicals in food - preservatives, artificial sweeteners and antioxidants. Cleansing agents - soaps and detergents and basic idea of their cleansing action. Chemistry (Practical) - PCH1205 Preparation of one lyophilic sol (e.g., starch, egg albumin or gum). Preparation of one lyophobic sol (e.g., aluminium hydroxide, ferric hydroxide or arsenic sulphide). Dialysis of a colloidal solution prepared in the lab. Study of how different emulsifying agents stabilise emulsions of oils and water. Study effect of concentration and temperature on rate of reaction between sodium thiosulphate and hydrochloric acid. Investigate rate of reaction between iodide ion and hydrogen peroxide at room temperature for different iodide concentrations. Or perform a clock reaction using potassium iodate and sodium sulphite with starch indicator and analyse rate behaviour. Determine enthalpy of dissolution of a salt such as copper sulphate or potassium nitrate. Determine enthalpy of neutralisation for a strong acid-strong base pair (e.g., HCl and NaOH). Measure enthalpy change during interaction between acetone and chloroform (hydrogen bond formation). Simple qualitative analysis of common cations and anions may be introduced as per school plan. Undertake one small scientific investigation in Chemistry using lab work and secondary information. Prepare a short written report or file documenting aim, procedure, observation and conclusion. Face viva voce based on the project work and overall practical experiences of the year. Chemistry - 1, Class XII, NCERT Chemistry - 2, Class XII, NCERT Exemplar Explorer (English) Chemistry Laboratory Manual (English) Grade XII · Chemistry · Theory & Practical Back to top SERI empowers schools with global standards, accreditation support, and quality evaluation frameworks — enabling educational excellence across India.
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