CBSE Class 12 Chemistry Syllabus, Exam Pattern, Sample Papers

The CBSE Class 12 Chemistry board exam is a significant milestone that can greatly impact a student's academic journey and future career. Known for its extensive syllabus and complex topics, the exam necessitates a strategic approach to achieve high scores. Chemistry is a critical subject in the CBSE board exams, with the syllabus meticulously designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of fundamental principles and their real-world applications. This subject is crucial for success in various competitive examinations and for pursuing further studies in science. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has released the updated marking scheme and exam pattern for the 2024-2025 academic session. These resources are essential for students and teachers to effectively prepare for the exams and ensure their preparation is precise and well-directed. This article offers a detailed analysis of the CBSE Class 12 Chemistry Syllabus, Exam Pattern, and Sample Papers.

Class XII Chemistry Syllabus: An Overview

CBSE Class 12 Chemistry is a crucial subject that equips students with the essential knowledge and skills to understand chemistry and its practical applications. It lays a strong academic foundation and opens doors to various career opportunities in science and technology. The practical component of the CBSE 12 Class Chemistry syllabus includes experiments and exercises designed to help students understand how chemical principles apply in real-world scenarios and to improve their laboratory skills. This hands-on experience is integral to the Class 12 Chem Syllabus, emphasising real-world applications and laboratory competence. The evaluation for CBSE Class 12 Chemistry includes both theoretical and practical assessments. The theoretical assessment typically features a mix of objective and subjective questions that test students' understanding of concepts and problem-solving abilities. The practical assessment, in contrast, measures students' skills in conducting experiments, recording observations, and drawing conclusions, as outlined in the class 12 Chem Syllabus.

CBSE Class 12 Chemistry Paper Design 2024

This paper design aims to clarify the objectives of the examination question paper for students. The CBSE Class 12 Chemistry question paper will assess students based on the criteria outlined in the table below. CBSE board exams are structured to gauge students' academic progress and understanding, as well as to evaluate their soft skills.

CBSE Class 12 Chemistry Exam Pattern with Marking Scheme

Understanding the exam pattern and marking scheme before taking the exam is crucial for students. It provides insight into the testing criteria, the difficulty level of the exam, and effective preparation strategies.

CBSE Chemistry Class 12 Syllabus for 2024-25

The CBSE Board has released the updated CBSE Chemistry Class 12 Syllabus for the 2024-25 academic year, specifically for science stream students. Class 12 students preparing for their annual board exams should review this syllabus as it provides valuable information on the types of questions likely to appear in the exam. The 12 Class Chemistry syllabus offers a detailed breakdown of units, topics, and their respective mark distribution. To assist students, we have outlined the CBSE Chemistry Class 12 Syllabus or 2024-25 chapter by chapter. This syllabus is a crucial resource for planning study strategies and identifying key topics to focus on for achieving higher marks.

Unit II: Solutions (10 Periods)

This unit covers different types of solutions and how to represent their concentration, including solid solutions in liquids and gas solubility in liquids. Key topics include Raoult's law, colligative properties (such as vapor pressure reduction, boiling point elevation, freezing point depression, and osmotic pressure), calculating molecular masses from colligative properties, unusual molecular mass situations, and the Van't Hoff factor.

Unit III: Electrochemistry (12 Periods)

This unit explores redox reactions, cell electromotive force (EMF), standard electrode potential, and the Nernst equation and its applications. It also covers the relationship between Gibbs energy changes and cell EMF, conductance in electrolytic solutions, specific and molar conductivity, variations in conductivity with concentration, Kohlrausch's Law, electrolysis principles, dry cells, electrolytic cells, galvanic cells, lead-acid batteries, fuel cells, and corrosion.

Unit IV: Chemical Kinetics (10 Periods)

Topics in this section include reaction rates (average and instantaneous), factors affecting reaction rates like concentration, temperature, and catalysts, and concepts such as reaction order and molecularity. It also covers rate laws, specific rate constants, integrated rate equations, half-life (for zero and first-order reactions), basic collision theory, activation energy, and the Arrhenius equation.

Unit VIII: d and f Block Elements (12 Periods)

This unit provides an overview of d and f block elements, their electronic configurations, occurrences, and properties. It includes general trends like metallic character, ionisation enthalpy, oxidation states, ionic radii, colour, catalytic and magnetic properties, interstitial compounds, alloy formation, and the characteristics of K2Cr2O7 and KMnO4. It also covers lanthanides (electronic configurations, oxidation states, chemical reactivity, lanthanoid contraction) and compares actinides with lanthanides.

Unit IX: Coordination Compounds (12 Periods)

This unit introduces coordination compounds, covering ligands, coordination numbers, colour, magnetic properties, shapes, and IUPAC nomenclature for mononuclear coordination compounds. It includes bonding theories like Werner's theory, VBT, and CFT, as well as structure, stereoisomerism, and the role of coordination compounds in qualitative analysis, metal extraction, and biological systems.

Unit X: Haloalkanes and Haloarenes (10 Periods)

This section discusses haloalkanes and haloarenes, including their nomenclature, C–X bond nature, physical and chemical properties, optical rotation, and substitution mechanisms. It also covers the directive influence of halogens, their uses, and environmental effects, focusing on compounds like dichloromethane, trichloromethane, tetrachloromethane, iodoform, freons, and DDT.

Unit XI: Alcohols, Phenols, and Ethers (10 Periods)

This unit covers alcohols, phenols, and ethers, including their nomenclature, preparation methods, and properties. It focuses on primary alcohols, identification of primary, secondary, and tertiary alcohols, and mechanisms of dehydration. It also discusses phenols (nomenclature, preparation, properties, acidity, electrophilic substitution reactions, and uses) and ethers (nomenclature, preparation, properties, and applications).

Unit XII: Aldehydes, Ketones, and Carboxylic Acids (10 Periods)

Topics in this unit include aldehydes, ketones, and carboxylic acids, with a focus on their nomenclature, carbonyl group characteristics, preparation methods, physical and chemical properties, nucleophilic addition mechanisms, and alpha hydrogen reactivity in aldehydes. It also explores carboxylic acids' nomenclature, acidic properties, preparation methods, physical and chemical characteristics, and applications.

Unit XIII: Amines (10 Periods)

This section covers amines, including their nomenclature, classification, structure, preparation methods, properties, and practical uses. It also distinguishes between primary, secondary, and tertiary amines and discusses diazonium salts, including their preparation, reactions, and importance in synthetic organic chemistry.

Unit XIV: Biomolecules (12 Periods)

This unit focuses on biomolecules, starting with carbohydrates. It includes their classification (aldoses, ketoses), monosaccharides (e.g., glucose, fructose), D-L configurations, oligosaccharides (e.g., sucrose, lactose), polysaccharides (e.g., starch, cellulose, glycogen), and their significance. It then covers proteins (amino acids, peptide bonds, polypeptides, protein structures, denaturation, and enzymes), hormones (briefly), vitamins (classification and functions), and nucleic acids (DNA and RNA).

CBSE Chemistry Class 12 Syllabus for Practical Exams

Let us look at 12 Class Chemistry Syllabus for practical examinations:

Surface Chemistry

• Creation of Sols:
  1. Lyophilic Sols: Examples include starch, egg albumin, and gum.
  2. Lyophobic Sols: Examples include aluminium hydroxide, ferric hydroxide, and arsenic sulfide.
• Dialysis: Perform dialysis on the sols created.
• Emulsifying Agents: Investigate how emulsifying agents help stabilise oil emulsions.

Chemical Kinetics

• Reaction Rate Investigation: Study how concentration and temperature affect the reaction rate between Sodium Thiosulfate and Hydrochloric Acid.
• Rate Assessment: Choose one of the following to assess reaction rates:
  1. Iodide ion reaction with Hydrogen Peroxide at room temperature, varying Iodide ion concentrations.
  2. Reaction between Potassium Iodate (KIO₃) and Sodium Sulphite (Na₂SO₃) using starch solution as an indicator (clock reaction).

Thermochemistry

• Experiment Selection: Choose one experiment to perform:
  1. Determine the enthalpy of dissolution for Copper Sulphate or Potassium Nitrate.
  2. Determine the enthalpy of neutralisation between Hydrochloric Acid (HCl) and Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH).
  3. Determine the enthalpy change during the interaction between Acetone and Chloroform (hydrogen bond formation).

Electrochemistry

• Cell Potential Variation: Explore how the cell potential of Zn/Zn²⁺|| Cu²⁺/Cu changes with variations in electrolyte concentration (CuSO₄ or ZnSO₄) at room temperature.

Chromatography

• Pigment Separation: Use paper chromatography to separate pigments from leaf and flower extracts and calculate Rf values.
• Inorganic Mixture Separation: Separate constituents in an inorganic mixture containing two cations with significant differences in Rf values.

Preparation of Inorganic Compounds

• Double Salt Preparation: Prepare Ferrous Ammonium Sulphate or Potash Alum.
• Other Preparations: Prepare Potassium Ferric Oxalate.

Preparation of Organic Compounds

• Compound Preparation: Choose one to prepare:
  1. Acetanilide
  2. Di-benzalacetone
  3. p-Nitroacetanilide
  4. Aniline yellow
  5. 2-Naphthol Aniline dye
• Functional Group Testing: Test for functional groups in organic compounds, including unsaturation, alcoholic, phenolic, aldehydic, ketonic, carboxylic, and primary amino groups.
• Tests for Carbohydrates, Fats, and Proteins: Perform characteristic tests for these substances in pure samples and detect them in provided food items.

Determination of Concentration/Molarity

• KMnO4 Solution Concentration: Determine the concentration/molarity of KMnO4 solution by titrating it against a standard solution of:
  1. Oxalic Acid
  2. Ferrous Ammonium Sulphate

Qualitative Analysis

• Cation and Anion Identification: Identify one cation and one anion in a given salt.
  1. Cations: Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺, As³⁺, Al³⁺, Fe³⁺, Mn²⁺, Zn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, Ba²⁺, Mg²⁺, NH₄⁺
  2. Anions: (CO₃)²⁻, S²⁻, (SO₃)²⁻, (NO₂)⁻, (SO₄)²⁻, Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻, (PO₄)³⁻, (C₂O₄)²⁻, CH₃COO⁻, NO₃⁻

CBSE Chemistry Class 12 Syllabus for Project Work

The CBSE 12 Class Chemistry Syllabus for project work includes several practical investigations. Students will explore the presence of oxalate ions in guava fruit at different ripening stages, assess the casein content in various milk samples, and prepare soyabean milk to compare its curd formation and temperature impact with natural milk. Additionally, the effectiveness of Potassium Bisulfate as a food preservative will be studied under varying conditions such as temperature, concentration, and time. Other projects include investigating starch digestion by salivary amylase and examining the effects of pH and temperature on this process. Students will also perform a comparative analysis of fermentation rates using materials like wheat flour, gram flour, potato juice, and carrot juice. The extraction of essential oils from aniseed, carom, and cardamom will be undertaken, along with studying common food adulterants in items such as fats, oils, butter, sugar, turmeric powder, chilli powder, and pepper.

List of Deleted Class XII Chemistry Syllabus

The CBSE board has released the latest syllabus for senior secondary Chemistry and other Science stream subjects on their official academic website. Following the pandemic, the syllabus has been updated to return to the traditional annual board examination format. Below, we have outlined the revised CBSE Chemistry Class 12 Syllabus for the 2024-25 academic year:

CBSE Class 12 Chemistry Sample Papers

Students can access the CBSE Class 12 Chemistry Sample Paper for the 2024-25 academic year, which is based on the latest exam pattern and revised syllabus, by clicking the link provided below.

• CBSE Class 12 Chemistry Sample Paper 2023-24
• CBSE Class 12 Chemistry Sample Paper 2022-23
• CBSE Class 12 Chemistry Sample Paper 2022 Term 2 PDF
• CBSE Sample Paper 2023-24 Chemistry
• CBSE Sample Paper 2024-24

Wrapping Up

The CBSE Class 12 Chemistry board exam is a crucial milestone that significantly influences a student's academic trajectory and career prospects. The syllabus not only covers theoretical aspects but also emphasises practical skills through various experiments and assessments, which are integral to the learning process. Understanding the paper design, including the distribution of marks across different domains, is essential for targeted preparation. Students should utilise available resources, such as sample papers and marking schemes, to align their study strategies with the latest examination standards. By leveraging these resources and focusing on both theoretical and practical aspects of the subject, students can approach their Chemistry board exam with confidence and readiness.