CBSE Class 11 · Physics

CBSE Class 11 Physics Exam Preparation

Mechanics, thermodynamics, waves — the backbone of Class 12 Physics

Complete chapter-wise preparation guide for CBSE Class 11 Physics. Laws of motion, work and energy, rotational motion, thermal properties, and oscillations — with marks distribution and exam strategy.

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Theory Marks

Practical Marks

3 hours

Exam Duration

Total Chapters

Chapter-Wise Marks Breakdown

80 theory marks

Chapter	Marks	Difficulty	Key Topics
Units and Measurements	3	Easy	SI Units · Dimensional Analysis · Significant Figures
Motion in a Straight Line	4	Easy	Position-Time & Velocity-Time Graphs · Equations of Motion · Relative Velocity in 1D
Motion in a Plane	6	Medium	Vectors — Addition, Subtraction, Resolution · Projectile Motion · Circular Motion
Laws of Motion	8	Hard	Newton's 3 Laws · Friction — Static & Kinetic · Circular Motion Dynamics
Work, Energy and Power	6	Medium	Work-Energy Theorem · Conservative Forces · Elastic & Inelastic Collision
System of Particles and Rotational Motion	8	Hard	Centre of Mass · Torque · Moment of Inertia
Gravitation	6	Medium	Universal Law of Gravitation · Orbital Velocity · Escape Velocity
Mechanical Properties of Solids	3	Medium	Stress & Strain · Hooke's Law · Elastic Moduli (Y, B, η)
Mechanical Properties of Fluids	3	Medium	Pressure & Pascal's Law · Bernoulli's Theorem · Viscosity & Stokes' Law
Thermal Properties of Matter	6	Easy	Thermal Expansion · Specific Heat & Calorimetry · Newton's Law of Cooling
Thermodynamics	8	Hard	Zeroth, First, Second Laws · Isothermal & Adiabatic Processes · Heat Engines & Refrigerators
Kinetic Theory	5	Medium	Ideal Gas Equation · Pressure & Kinetic Energy Relation · Degrees of Freedom
Oscillations	7	Medium	SHM — Displacement, Velocity, Acceleration · Time Period of Spring & Pendulum · Energy in SHM
Waves	7	Hard	Wave Equation · Speed of Sound · Principle of Superposition

Exam Resources

📄Previous Year Papers →

Topics That Appear Every Year

01Newton's laws — FBD problems, tension, friction on incline

02Projectile motion — range, height, time equations (Motion in a Plane)

03Rotational motion — moment of inertia of different bodies, rolling without slipping

04Thermodynamics — first law applications, Carnot efficiency, PV diagrams

05SHM — all 3 equations and energy graphs

06Waves — stationary waves, beats, Doppler effect

07Bernoulli's theorem — derivation and applications (Fluids)

08Escape velocity and orbital velocity — derivations (Gravitation)

Study Strategy for 90+

Mechanics (Units 1–6: Chapters 1–7) carries 35+ marks — master Laws of Motion and Rotational Motion

Motion in a Plane is heavier than Straight Line — projectile motion appears every year

For every numerical: draw a diagram first, then apply Newton's laws with correct FBD

Thermodynamics: understand PV diagrams for all 4 processes (isothermal, adiabatic, isochoric, isobaric)

Waves chapter is the hardest in Class 11 — spend 2 full weeks on it

Practicals carry 30 marks — treat lab experiments and viva with equal seriousness

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