CBSE Class 12 Physics Set 1 - (55/2/1) Question Paper 2026 is available for download here. CBSE conducted Class 12 Physics exam on February 20, 2026 from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM. The Physics theory paper is of 70 marks, and the internal assessment is of 30 marks.

Also Check: CBSE Class 12 Question Paper 2026 (All Subjects)

The Physics question paper includes the following types of questions:

  • MCQs: 1 mark each
  • Short-answer type questions: 2 & 3 marks each
  • Case-study based questions: 4 marks each
  • Long-answer type questions: 5 marks each
  • Total: 70 marks

CBSE Class 12 Physics Set 1 - (55/2/1) Question Paper 2026 with Solution PDF

CBSE Class 12 Physics 2026 Set 1 (55/2/1) Questions with Solutions

Question 1:

Three point charges \(2q\), \(-2q\) and \(q\) are kept at the vertices of an equilateral triangle of side \(l\). The potential energy of the system is

  • (A) zero
  • (B) \(\frac{-2q^{2}}{\pi\epsilon_{0}l}\)
  • (C) \(\frac{q^{2}}{2\pi\epsilon_{0}l}\)
  • (D) \(\frac{-q^{2}}{\pi\epsilon_{0}l}\)

Question 2:

Two metal spheres of radii \(r_1\) and \(r_2\) (\(> r_1\)) having charges \(q_1\) and \(q_2\) respectively kept in air, are brought in contact. Which of the following statements is not correct ?

  • (A) The total charge of the two spheres is conserved.
  • (B) Both spheres attain the same potential.
  • (C) The final potential of the system equals \(\frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0} \frac{(q_1 + q_2)}{(r_1 + r_2)}\)
  • (D) The final potential of the system equals \(\frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0} \frac{(q_1 + q_2) (r_1 + r_2)}{r_1 r_2}\)

Question 3:

The maximum kinetic energy of photoelectrons depends on

  • (A) work function only
  • (B) frequency only
  • (C) intensity only
  • (D) both work function and frequency

Question 4:

In Bohr model, for large \(n\), spacing between consecutive orbits is proportional to

  • (A) \(\sqrt{n}\)
  • (B) \(n\)
  • (C) \(n^2\)
  • (D) \(n^3\)

Question 5:

A straight long wire lying along \(y\)-axis, carries a current of \(1\ \text{A}\) along \(-y\) direction. The magnetic field due to the conductor at a point \((50\ \text{cm},\,0,\,0)\) will point along:

  • (A) \(z\)-axis
  • (B) \(-z\)-axis
  • (C) \(x\)-axis
  • (D) \(-x\)-axis

Question 6:

Which of the following materials has positive and small value of magnetic susceptibility?

  • (A) Cu
  • (B) Al
  • (C) Bi
  • (D) Ni

Question 7:

A galvanometer of resistance \(27 \Omega\) is converted into an ammeter of range (0 – 10 mA) using a resistance of \(3 \Omega\). The galvanometer will show full scale deflection for a current of about –

  • (A) 10 mA
  • (B) 100 mA
  • (C) 1 mA
  • (D) 3 mA

Question 8:

The magnetic flux \(\phi\) (in Wb) linked with a coil is related to time t (in s) as
\(\phi = 5 At^2 + Bt - 2C\)
The SI units of A and B are respectively

  • (A) Wbs\(^2\), Wbs
  • (B) Wb s\(^{-1}\), Wb
  • (C) Wbs\(^{-2}\), Wbs\(^{-1}\)
  • (D) Wbs\(^{-1}\), Wbs\(^{-2}\)

Question 9:

The figure shows the variation of capacitive reactance (\(X_C\)) of two ideal capacitors of capacitances \(C_1\) & \(C_2\) with the reciprocal of angular frequency (\(1/\omega\)) of ac source. The value of \(C_1/C_2\) is

  • (A) \(\frac{1}{2}\)
  • (B) \(2\)
  • (C) \(\sqrt{3}\)
  • (D) \(\frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}\)

Question 10:

A magnet held vertically, with its north pole down, is dropped along the axis of a closed solenoid placed vertically on a table. If the observer looks down from the top,

  • (A) the induced current will flow in the anticlockwise direction.
  • (B) the induced current will flow in the clockwise direction.
  • (C) no induced current will flow in the solenoid.
  • (D) the magnet will fall with a constant velocity.

Question 11:

An electromagnetic wave is propagating along x-axis. At any instant, the phase difference between the electric field (\(\vec{E}\)) and magnetic field (\(\vec{B}\)) is

  • (A) zero
  • (B) \(\frac{\pi}{4}\)
  • (C) \(\frac{\pi}{2}\)
  • (D) \(\pi\)

Question 12:

In Bohr model of hydrogen atom, the electron makes a transition from \(n=5\) to \(n=1\) state. As a result, a photon of wavelength \(\lambda\) is emitted in the process. The wavelength of the photon emitted when an electron makes a transition from energy level \(n=5\) to \(n=2\) will be:

  • (A) \(\dfrac{8}{7}\lambda\)
  • (B) \(\dfrac{24}{7}\lambda\)
  • (C) \(\dfrac{16}{7}\lambda\)
  • (D) \(\dfrac{32}{7}\lambda\)

Question 13:

Assertion (A) : On increasing the intensity of incident light of frequency \(\nu\) (\(> \nu_0\)) on a photosensitive surface, the photocurrent increases.
Reason (R) : The stopping potential for a photosensitive surface increases with increase of frequency \(\nu\) (\(> \nu_0\)) of incident light.

  • (A) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
  • (B) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
  • (C) Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
  • (D) Assertion (A) is false and Reason (R) is also false.

Question 14:

Assertion (A) : On forward biasing a p-n junction diode, the height of the barrier potential increases.
Reason (R) : In forward biasing of a p-n junction diode, the direction of the applied voltage is in the same direction as the built-in potential.

  • (A) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
  • (B) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
  • (C) Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
  • (D) Assertion (A) is false and Reason (R) is also false.

Question 15:

Assertion (A) : Light added to light can produce darkness.
Reason (R) : When two coherent light waves interfere, there is darkness at position of destructive interference.

  • (A) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
  • (B) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
  • (C) Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
  • (D) Assertion (A) is false and Reason (R) is also false.

Question 16:

Assertion (A) : Two electric heaters of power \(P_1\) and \(P_2\) (\(> P_1\)) are joined in series across a dc source of voltage V. The power consumed by the combination will be less than that consumed by \(P_1\) when connected across the same source.
Reason (R) : The power consumed by a electric device when connected to a dc source of voltage V is proportional to its resistance.

  • (A) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
  • (B) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
  • (C) Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
  • (D) Assertion (A) is false and Reason (R) is also false.

Question 17:

Write two points of difference between intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors.


Question 18:

Find ratio \( \left(\frac{\lambda_a}{\lambda_p}\right) \) of the de Broglie wavelength \( \lambda_a \) and \( \lambda_p \) associated respectively with an alpha particle and a proton,
(i) if they are moving with the same kinetic energy.
(ii) just after they are accelerated through the same potential difference.


Question 19:

A ray of light in air is incident at angle \(i\) on a face of an equilateral glass prism and is refracted through the prism. As \(i\) is varied, it is observed that the ray undergoes minimum deviation, when the \(i\) is three-fourth of the angle of the prism. Calculate the speed of light in the prism.


Question 20:

A heating element using nichrome is connected to a 220 V supply. Initially it draws a current of 2.9 A. After some time, the current attains a steady value of 2.5 A. Find the steady temperature of the heating element if the room temperature is 27 \(^{\circ}\)C. The temperature coefficient of resistance of nichrome is \(1.7 \times 10^{-4}\ ^{\circ}\text{C}^{-1}\).


Question 21:

A 5 cm long pencil is placed along the principal axis of a concave mirror of focal length 20 cm such that its nearest end is at a distance of 25 cm from the mirror. Calculate the length of the image of the pencil.


Question 22:

In a Young’s double-slit experiment, a beam of light consisting of two wavelengths 500 nm and 600 nm is used. The interference fringes are observed at a screen placed 1.8 m away from the plane of slits (slit separation 0.3 mm). Calculate the least distance from the central maximum where the bright fringes due to both the wavelengths coincide.


Question 23:

(a) Consider the following nuclides: \({}^{12}_{6}\text{C}\), \({}^{198}_{80}\text{Hg}\), \({}^{14}_{6}\text{C}\), \({}^{197}_{79}\text{Au}\). Group them into isotopes and isotones.

(b) How does the size of a nucleus depend on its mass number \(A\)? Hence prove that the density of nucleus is a constant, independent of \(A\), for all nuclei.


Question 24:

(a) An electric field \(\vec{E} = E_{0}\hat{i}\) exists in a region of space. Draw three equipotential surfaces in the region.

(b) Two point charges \(-q\) and \(+q\) are located at points \((-a, 0, 0)\) and \((a, 0, 0)\) respectively. Find the electrostatic potential at point \((x, 0, 0)\) where \(x \gg a\).


Question 25:

Name the electromagnetic waves which are used for (i) detection of fractures in bones
(ii) physiotherapy
(iii) radar systems
Also write their wavelength range.


Question 26:

(i) Define mutual inductance of a pair of coils. Write its SI unit.

(ii) A long solenoid of radius \(R\) and length \(L\) has \(n\) turns per unit length. A circular loop of radius \(r\;(<R)\) is placed inside at the centre of the solenoid such that its axis coincides with the axis of the solenoid. Obtain the mutual inductance of the solenoid and the loop.


Question 27:

Two long straight parallel conductors A and B carrying steady currents \(I_a\) and \(I_b\) in the same direction are separated by a distance d. Deduce the expressions for the force acting on length L of conductor B due to conductor A and show it in figure. Write the expression for the force acting on length L of conductor A due to conductor B and show that it follows Newton's third law.


Question 28:

State Bohr’s second postulate and mention its significance.


Question 29:

Prove that, in Bohr model of hydrogen atom as principal quantum number \(n\) becomes large, the energy levels get closer and closer.


Question 30:

Explain the statement : “Current is a scalar although we represent current with an arrow”.


Question 31:

Use Kirchhoff’s rules to find the current through \(3 \Omega\) resistor in the circuit shown in the figure :


Question 32:

Derive an expression for the magnetic field \(\vec{B}\), due to a circular coil of N turns, each of radius r carrying current I, at a distance ‘x’ from the centre along its axis.


Comprehension:

A p-type or n-type semiconductor can be converted into a p-n junction by doping it with suitable impurity. The motion of majority charge carriers causes diffusion current across the junction while the barrier electric field causes motion of minority carriers

Read More for drift current. In case of unbiased diode, the diffusion and drift currents are equal. This equilibrium is disturbed by the biasing batteries. Diodes, therefore, allow currents in one direction. This property of diode is used in making rectifiers. 

Question 33:

Silicon is doped with which of the following to obtain p-type semiconductor?


Question 34:

A semiconductor has an electron concentration of \(5\times 10^{22}\ \text{m}^{-3}\). The concentration of holes is (given \(n_{i} = 1{\cdot}5\times 10^{16}\ \text{m}^{-3}\)):


Question 35:

During forward biasing of a p-n junction diode, the:


Question 36:

The threshold voltage for silicon diode is about:


Question 37:

When we dope Ge with a pentavalent element, four of its electrons bond with four germanium neighbours but fifth electron remains weakly bound. The ionisation energy for this electron is about:


Comprehension:

In an experiment with convex lens of focal length f, the screen is fixed at a distance D from the object. A student slowly moves the lens away from the object towards the

Read More screen and finds that she is able to form sharp image of the object for two positions of the lens. The distance between these two positions of the lens is d. 

Question 38:

The value of \(d\) is:


Question 39:

Compared to the size of the object, the images formed in the two positions of the lens are respectively:


Question 40:

If the distance between object and screen is \(80{\cdot}00\ \text{cm}\) and the lens forms sharp images at two positions separated by \(20{\cdot}00\ \text{cm}\), the focal length of convex lens is:


Question 41:

Consider a convex lens of focal length \(15\ \text{cm}\). For which of the following values of object-screen distance, two positions of the object can be found to obtain sharp image on the screen?


Question 42:

A thin convex lens of focal length \(10\ \text{cm}\) and another thin lens of focal length \(f\) are placed coaxially in contact. If the power of their combination is \(2\ \text{D}\), the value of \(f\) is:


Question 43:

What are coherent sources ? Why they are necessary for observing stable interference pattern ? Draw a graph showing the variation of intensity of light with the position on the screen in Young's double-slit experiment.


Question 44:

Find the intensity of light at a point on the screen when two interfering waves of the same intensity (\(I_0\)) have a path difference of (i) \(\frac{\lambda}{4}\) and (ii) \(\frac{\lambda}{3}\).


Question 45:

Draw a labelled ray diagram of a refracting telescope when it forms image of a distant object at infinity. Derive the expression for its magnifying power.


Question 46:

In a telescope the objective has much larger aperture than the eyepiece. Why?


Question 47:

Write two advantages of reflecting telescope over refracting telescope.


Question 48:

Two air-filled capacitors of capacitances \(C_1\) and \(C_2\) are connected in parallel with a dc battery. After the capacitors are fully charged, a slab of dielectric constant K is inserted between the plates of each capacitor. How will the (i) charge on each capacitor and (ii) energy stored in the capacitor affected after the slab is introduced.


Question 49:

Derive an expression for the capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor of plate area A and plate separation d with air present between the plates.


Question 50:

(a) An electric field \(\vec{E}\) is established across the ends of a cylindrical conductor of length \(L\) and area of cross-section \(A\). Discuss how electrons attain an average velocity, independent of time. Hence, obtain a relation between current in the conductor and this ‘average velocity’ of electrons.

(b) (i) This ‘average velocity’ is found to be a few \(\text{mm}\,\text{s}^{-1}\) for currents in range of a few amperes. How then is current established almost the instant a circuit is closed?

(ii) Two copper wires having their radii in the ratio of \(3:2\) are connected in series across a battery. Find the ratio of the drift velocities of the electrons in the wires.


Question 51:

A series combination of \(L\), \(C\) and \(R\) is connected to an a.c. source. Using a phasor diagram, derive an expression for the impedance of the circuit and phase difference between \(V\) and \(I\).


Question 52:

Under what conditions the (i) impedance of the circuit is minimum ? (ii) Wattless current flows in the circuit ?


Question 53:

(i) With the help of a labelled diagram, explain the principle, construction and working of an a.c. generator.

(ii) Deduce an expression for the induced emf in the coil of the generator.

(iii) If \(T\) is the time period of the rotation of the coil, at what values of \(T\) in a cycle, the emf generated is maximum?

CBSE Class 12 Physics Question Paper Pattern and Marking Scheme

The CBSE Class 12 Physics 2026 question paper is of 70 marks and has 33 questions in five sections, A to E, all compulsory. The tables below give the section-wise paper pattern and the marking rules from the official CBSE marking scheme.

CBSE Class 12 Physics Question Paper Pattern 2026

Section Questions Question Type Marks per Question Marks
A Q1 - Q16 Multiple choice questions 1 16
B Q17 - Q21 Very short answer questions 2 10
C Q22 - Q28 Short answer questions 3 21
D Q29 - Q30 Case study-based questions 4 8
E Q31 - Q33 Long answer questions 5 15
Total 33 questions 70

CBSE Class 12 Physics Marking Scheme 2026

Marking point How it is applied
Value-point marking Marks are awarded against the value points (steps) given in the official marking scheme; the marks of an answer are split across its steps.
Own expression The marking scheme carries suggested value points only. A correct answer in the student's own words is awarded due marks.
Competency-based questions If a competency-based answer is not from the marking scheme but shows the correct competency, due marks are awarded.
Errors An error is penalised only once; no marks are deducted for its cumulative effect.
Incorrect answer A totally incorrect answer is awarded zero (0) marks.
Choice (OR) questions If both options of a question with internal choice are attempted, marks are awarded for both and the higher score is taken; if only one option is attempted, the other is marked NA (not attempted).
Scale of marks The full scale of 0 to 70 marks is used and full marks are awarded whenever the answer deserves them.

CBSE Class 12 Physics Unit-Wise Topics with Marks Distribution

Unit No. Unit Name Chapters Allotted Marks
Unit 1 Electrostatics Electric Charges and Fields 16
Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance
Unit 2 Current Electricity Current Electricity
Unit 3 Magnetic Effects of Current and Magnetism Moving Charges and Magnetism 17
Magnetism and Matter
Unit 4 Electromagnetic Induction and Alternating Current Electromagnetic Induction
Alternating Current
Unit 5 Electromagnetic Waves Electromagnetic Waves 18
Unit 6 Optics Ray Optics and Optical Instruments
Wave Optics
Unit 7 Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter 12
Unit 8 Atoms and Nuclei Atoms
Nuclei
Unit 9 Electronic Devices Semiconductor Electronics: Materials, Devices, and Simple Circuits 07
Total 70

CBSE Class 12 Physics Paper Analysis 2026