ICSE Class 9 Syllabus 2028 Physics

ICSE
INDIAN CERTIFICATE OF
SECONDARY EDUCATION
EXAMINATION
YEAR 2028

SCIENCE
PHYSICS
(52)

Developed by:
Research, Development and Curriculum Division (RDCD)
CISCE

January 2026
____________________________________________________________________________________________

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SCIENCE (52)
PHYSICS

SCIENCE Paper - 1
Aims:
1. To acquire knowledge and understanding of the terms, facts, concepts, definitions, laws, principles and
processes of Physics.
2. To develop skills in practical aspects of handling apparatus, recording observations and in drawing diagrams,
graphs, etc.
3. To develop instrumental, communication, deductive and problem-solving skills.
4. To discover that there is a living and growing physics relevant to the modern age in which we live.

CLASS IX
There will be one paper of two hours duration carrying 80 marks and Internal Assessment of practical work
carrying 20 marks.
Note: Unless otherwise specified, only SI Units are to be used while teaching and learning, as well as for
answering questions.

1. Measurements and Experimentation
(i) International System of Units, the required SI units with correct symbols are given at the end of this
syllabus. Other commonly used system of units - fps and cgs.
(ii) Concept of least count of common instruments, Measurements using common instruments, Vernier
callipers and micro-metre screw gauge for length, and simple pendulum for time.
Measurement of length using, Vernier callipers and micro-metre screw gauge. Decreasing least-count
leads to an increase in accuracy; least-count (LC) of Vernier callipers and screw gauge), zero error
(basic idea), Focus more on screw gauge with pitch 1mm and least count 0.01 mm. Only pictorial
numerical of Vernier callipers and screw gauge are included, simple pendulum; time period, frequency,
graph of length l versus T2 only; slope of the graph. Formula T=2.π. l g [no derivation]. Only simple
numerical problems.

2. Motion in One Dimension
Scalar and vector quantities, distance, speed, velocity, acceleration; graphs of distance-time and speed-time;
equations of uniformly accelerated motion with derivations.
Examples of Scalar and vector quantities only, rest and motion in one dimension including motion under
gravity; distance and displacement; speed and velocity; acceleration and retardation; distance-time and
velocity-time graphs; information that can be derived from these graphs, [non-uniform acceleration
excluded].
Equations to be derived graphically: v = u + at.
S = ut + ½at2; S = ½(u+v) t; v2 = u2 + 2aS.
Simple numerical problems.

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3. Laws of Motion
(i) Contact and non-contact forces; cgs & SI units.
Examples of contact forces (frictional force, normal reaction force, tension force as applied through
strings and non-contact forces (gravitational, electric and magnetic). General properties of non-contact
forces. Inverse square relation, cgs and SI units of force and their relation with Gravitational units.
(ii) Newton’s First Law of Motion (qualitative discussion) introduction of the idea of inertia, mass and force.
Newton's first law; statement and qualitative discussion; definitions of inertia and force from first law,
Static and dynamic inertia, examples of inertia as illustration of first law. (Inertial mass not included).
(iii)Newton’s Second Law of Motion (including F=ma); weight and mass.
Detailed study of the second law. Linear momentum, p = mv; change in momentum ∆p = ∆(mv) = m∆v
for mass remaining constant, rate of change of momentum;
p -p mv - mu m ( v - u )
∆ p/∆ t = m∆v /∆t = ma or { 2 1 = = = ma } ;
t t t
Simple numerical problems combining
F = ∆p /∆t = ma and equations of motion. Units of force - only cgs and SI. Applications of the law.
(iv) Newton’s Third Law of Motion (qualitative discussion only); simple examples.
Statement with qualitative discussion; examples of action - reaction pairs, (F BA and F AB ); action and
reaction always act on different bodies.
(v) Gravitation.
Universal Law of Gravitation- Statement, equation and its importance, applications of the law. Gravity,
acceleration due to gravity, free fall. Weight and mass, Weight as force of gravity comparison of mass
and weight; gravitational units of force, (Simple numerical problems), (problems on variation of gravity
excluded).

4. Fluids
(i) Change of pressure with depth (including the formula p=hρg); Transmission of pressure in liquids;
Thrust and Pressure and their units; pressure exerted by a liquid column p = hρg; simple daily life
examples; Factors affecting the pressure in stationary fluid (i) broadness of the base of a dam, (ii) Diver’s
suit etc. some consequences of p = hρg; transmission of pressure in liquids; Pascal's law (Concept and
simple numerical problems); examples; [working of hydraulic machines not included]
(ii) Buoyancy, Archimedes’ Principle; floatation; relationship with density; relative density; determination of
relative density of a solid.
Buoyancy, upthrust (F B ); definition, characteristic properties of upthrust; Archimedes’ principle;
explanation of cases where bodies with different densities as compared with the densities of liquid in
which it is immersed; different cases:
Case I: F B < weight W of the body, 𝑑𝑑𝐵𝐵 > 𝑑𝑑𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 , Apparent weight, Relative Density (RD) and
Archimedes’ principle. Experimental determination of RD of a solid denser than water and R.D. of liquid.
Applications.
Case II: F B = weight W of the body, 𝑑𝑑𝐵𝐵 = 𝑑𝑑𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 , Apparent weight.
Case III: F B > weight W of the body, 𝑑𝑑𝐵𝐵 = 𝑑𝑑𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 , Apparent weight.
Modification of Archimedes’ principle for case II and case III (floatation); relation between the density
of a floating body, density of the liquid in which it is floating and the fraction of the volume of the body
𝜌𝜌 𝑉𝑉
immersed; ( 1 = 2); apparent weight of floating objects; application to ship, submarine, iceberg,
2𝜌𝜌 1𝑉𝑉
balloons, etc. Simple numerical problems involving Archimedes’ principle in all the three cases above.

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5. Heat and Energy
(i) Concepts of heat and temperature.
Heat as energy, SI unit – joule.
1 cal = 4.186 J exactly.
(ii) Anomalous expansion of water; graphs showing variation of volume and density of water with
temperature in the 0 to 10 0C range. Hope’s experiment and consequences of Anomalous expansion.
(iii) Global warming and Green House effect.
Meaning, causes and impact on the life on earth.
Energy degradation – meaning and examples.

6. Light
(i) Reflection of light; images formed by a pair of parallel and plane mirrors.
Laws of reflection; experimental verification; characteristics of images formed in a pair of mirrors, uses
of plane mirrors. Formation of multiple images when two plane mirrors are placed parallel to each other.
(ii) Spherical mirrors; characteristics of image formed by these mirrors. Uses of concave and convex mirrors.
(Only simple direct ray diagrams are required).
Brief introduction to spherical mirrors - concave and convex mirrors, centre and radius of curvature,
pole and principal axis, focus and focal length; path of specific rays [rays parallel to the principal axis,
rays passing through the focus, rays through centre of curvature, rays parallel to each other, rays through
a single point on the focal plane]; location of images from ray diagram for various positions of a small
linear object on the principal axis of concave and convex mirrors; characteristics of images.
f = R/2 (without proof); Cartesian sign convention and direct numerical problems using the mirror
formulae are included. (Derivation of formulae not required)
Uses of spherical mirrors.
Scale drawing or graphical representation of ray diagrams not required.

7. Sound
(i) Introduction to wave motion. Types of mechanical waves, transverse and longitudinal waves, their
comparison, Nature of Sound waves. Requirement of a medium for sound waves to travel; propagation
and speed in different media; comparison with speed of light.
Sound propagation, terms – frequency (f), wavelength (λ), velocity (V), time period(T), relation V = fλ.
(Simple numerical problems) effect of different factors on the speed of sound; comparison of speed of
sound with speed of light; consequences of the large difference in these speeds in air; thunder and
lightning.
(ii) Infrasonic, sonic, ultrasonic frequencies and their applications.
Elementary ideas and simple applications only. Difference between ultrasonic, and supersonic; and
infrasonic and subsonic.

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8. Electricity and Magnetism
(i) Free electrons, Simple electric circuit using an electric cell and a bulb to introduce the idea of current
(including its relationship to charge); electric charge, potential difference; insulators and conductors;
closed and open circuits; direction of current (electron flow and conventional); Resistance.
Current Electricity: Concept of free electrons, types of conductors (good conductors, bad conductors,
semi-conductors and superconductors), electric charge(Q) and its SI unit, quantum nature of the charge,
direction of flow of charge, electric current as the rate of flow of electric charge (direction of current
conventional and electronic), elementary idea about work done in transferring charge through a
conductor wire; potential difference V = W/q. (No derivation of formula), SI unit, concept of resistance
(R), SI unit, symbols used in circuit diagrams. Detection of current by Galvanometer or ammeter
(functioning of the meters not to be introduced). Idea of electric circuit by using cell, key, resistance
wire/resistance box/rheostat, qualitatively, brief introduction of sources of direct current - cells,
accumulators (construction, working and equations excluded); Ohm’s Law, 𝑉𝑉 = 𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼. Simple numerical
problems.
(ii) Induced magnetism, Magnetic field of earth. Neutral points in magnetic fields.
Magnetism: magnetism induced by bar magnets on magnetic materials; induction precedes attraction;
lines of magnetic field and their properties; evidences of existence of earth’s magnetic field, magnetic
compass. Uniform magnetic field of earth and non-uniform field of a bar magnet placed along magnetic
north-south; neutral point; properties of magnetic field lines.

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INTERNAL ASSESSMENT OF PRACTICAL WORK
Candidates will be asked to carry out experiments for which instructions are given. The experiments may be
based on topics that are not included in the syllabus, but theoretical knowledge will not be required. A candidate
will be expected to be able to follow simple instructions, to take suitable readings and to present these readings in
a systematic form. He/she may be required to exhibit his/her data graphically. Candidates will be expected to
appreciate and use the concepts of least count, significant figures and elementary error handling.
A set of 6 to 10 experiments may be designed as given below or as found most suitable by the teacher. Students
should be encouraged to record their observations systematically in a neat tabular form - in columns with column
heads including units or in numbered rows as necessary. The final result or conclusion may be recorded for each
experiment. Some of the experiments may be demonstrated (with the help of students) if these cannot be given to
each student as lab experiments.
1. Determine the least count of the Vernier callipers and measure the length and diameter of a small cylinder
(average of three sets) - may be a metal rod of length 2 to 3 cm and diameter 1 to 2 cm.
2. Determine the pitch and least count of the given screw gauge and measure the mean radius of the given wire,
taking three sets of readings in perpendicular directions.
3. Measure the length, breadth and thickness of a glass block using a metre rule (each reading corrects to a mm),
taking the mean of three readings in each case. Calculate the volume of the block in cm3 and m3. Determine
the mass (not weight) of the block using any convenient balance in g and kg. Calculate the density of glass
in cgs and SI units using mass and volume in the respective units. Obtain the relation between the two density
units.
4. Measure the volume of a metal bob (the one used in simple pendulum experiments) from the readings of water
level in a measuring cylinder using displacement method. Also calculate the same volume from the radius
measured using Vernier callipers. Comment on the accuracies.
5. Obtain five sets of readings of the time taken for 20 oscillations of a simple pendulum of lengths about 70,
80, 90, 100 and 110 cm; calculate the time periods (T) and their squares (T2) for each length (l). Plot a graph
of l vs. T2. Draw the best - fit straight - line graph. Also, obtain its slope. Calculate the value of g in the
laboratory. It is 4π2 x slope.
6. Take a beaker of water. Place it on the wire gauze on a tripod stand. Suspend two thermometers - one with
Celsius and the other with Fahrenheit scale. Record the thermometer readings at 5 to 7 different temperatures.
You may start with ice-cold water, then allow it to warm up and then heat it slowly taking temperature (at
regular intervals) as high as possible. Plot a graph of T F vs. T C . Obtain the slope. Compare with the
theoretical value. Read the intercept on T F axis for T C = 0.
7. Using a plane mirror strip mounted vertically on a board, obtain the reflected rays for three rays incident at
different angles. Measure the angles of incidence and angles of reflection. See if these angles are equal.
8. Place three object pins at different distances on a line perpendicular to a plane mirror fixed vertically on a
board. Obtain two reflected rays (for each pin) fixing two pins in line with the image. Obtain the positions
of the images in each case by extending backwards (using dashed lines), the lines representing reflected rays.
Measure the object distances and image distances in the three cases. Tabulate. Are they equal? Generalize
the result.
9. Obtain the focal length of a concave mirror (a) by distant object method, focusing its real image on a screen
or wall and (b) by one needle method removing parallax or focusing the image of the illuminated wire gauze
attached to a ray box. One could also improvise with a candle and a screen. Enter your observations in
numbered rows.

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10. Connect a suitable dc source (two dry cells or an acid cell), a key and a bulb (may be a small one used in
torches) in series. Close the circuit by inserting the plug in the key. Observe the bulb as it lights up. Now
open the circuit, connect another identical bulb in between the first bulb and the cell so that the two bulbs are
in series. Close the key. Observe the lighted bulbs. How does the light from any one bulb compare with that
in the first case when you had only one bulb? Disconnect the second bulb. Reconnect the circuit as in the
first experiment. Now connect the second bulb across the first bulb. The two bulbs are connected in parallel.
Observe the brightness of any one bulb. Compare with previous results. Draw your own conclusions
regarding the current and resistance in the three cases.
11. Plot the magnetic field lines of earth (without any magnet nearby) using a small compass needle. On another
sheet of paper, place a bar magnet with its axis parallel to the magnetic lines of the earth, i.e. along the
magnetic meridian or magnetic north south. Plot the magnetic field in the region around the magnet. Identify
the regions where the combined magnetic field of the magnet and the earth is (a) strongest, (b) very weak but
not zero, and (c) zero. Why is neutral point, so called?
12. Using a spring balance obtain the weight (in N) of a metal ball in air and then completely immersed in water
in a measuring cylinder. Note the volume of the ball from the volume of the water displaced. Calculate the
upthrust from the first two weights. Also calculate the mass and then weight of the water displaced by the bob
M=V.ρ, W=mg). Use the above result to verify Archimedes principle.

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