Class 12 CBSE Physics – Key Definitions &
Formulas (Chapters 1,2,3,4,5,9,10,11)
Chapter 1: Electric Charges and Fields
Coulomb’s Law: Electrostatic force between two point charges is directly proportional to product of
charges and inversely proportional to square of distance. Formula: F = k q■q■ / r²
Electric Field: Force per unit positive charge placed at a point. Formula: E = F/q
Electric Flux: Number of electric field lines passing normally through a surface. Formula: Φ = E·A
cosθ
Gauss’s Law: Net electric flux through a closed surface = (1/ε■) × total charge enclosed.
Chapter 2: Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance
Electric Potential: Work done in bringing a unit positive charge from infinity to a point. Formula: V
= W/q
Potential Difference: Work done in moving unit charge between two points. ∆V = W/q
Capacitance: Ability of capacitor to store charge per unit potential. C = Q/V
Energy of Capacitor: U = ½ CV²
Chapter 3: Current Electricity
Current Density: Current per unit area. J = I/A
Drift Velocity: Average velocity of electrons under electric field. v■ = I / (nAe)
Ohm’s Law: V = IR
Resistivity: ρ = R A / l
Power: P = VI = I²R = V²/R
Chapter 4: Moving Charges and Magnetism
Lorentz Force: Force on a charge moving in E and B fields. F = q(E + v×B)
Biot-Savart Law: dB = (µ■/4π) (Idl × r■)/r²
Ampere’s Circuital Law: ■B·dl = µ■ I
Force on Current-Carrying Wire: F = BIL sinθ
Chapter 5: Magnetism and Matter
Magnetic Dipole Moment: M = m × 2l (pole strength × distance)
Magnetisation: M = Magnetic moment / Volume
Magnetic Susceptibility: χ = M/H
Relative Permeability: µr = 1 + χ
Chapter 9: Ray Optics and Optical Instruments
Refractive Index: n = c/v
Lens Formula: 1/f = 1/v – 1/u
Magnification (Lens): M = v/u or M = h■/h■
Power of Lens: P = 100/f (cm)
Chapter 10: Wave Optics
Principle of Superposition: Resultant displacement = vector sum of individual displacements.
Young’s Double Slit Experiment: Fringe width β = λD/d
Diffraction Condition: a sinθ = nλ
Polarisation: Restricting light vibrations to one plane.
Chapter 11: Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter
Photoelectric Effect: Emission of electrons when light falls on metal surface.
Einstein’s Equation: hν = W + ½mv²
Work Function: Minimum energy to liberate electron. W = hν■
De Broglie Wavelength: λ = h/p = h/(mv)
