The NCERT Exemplar Class 12 Physics for Wave Optics is a 6-page set of 23 HOTS problems. It covers Huygens' principle, YDSE, diffraction, and polarisation. Download the free PDF from this page.
- CBSE Weightage: 4 to 6 marks (Class 12 Physics Boards)
- JEE Main Weightage: 3 to 4% - typically 1 to 2 questions per shift drawn from this chapter
- NEET Weightage: 2 to 3 questions per year
What's Inside the Wave Optics NCERT Exemplar Class 12 Physics
The Exemplar has 6 pages with 23 problems split across five sections. Use the topic map below to go straight to your weak area.
| Sub-Topic | Problem Numbers |
|---|---|
| Huygens' principle and wavefront construction | 10.1, 10.6, 10.10, 10.15, 10.19 |
| Young's double-slit experiment and fringe width | 10.2, 10.7, 10.11, 10.13, 10.16, 10.20, 10.22 |
| Coherence and conditions for interference | 10.3, 10.8, 10.14, 10.17 |
| Diffraction at a single slit | 10.4, 10.9, 10.18, 10.21, 10.23 |
| Polarisation and Brewster's law | 10.5, 10.12 |
Wave Optics Exemplar Question-Type Breakdown
The 2026-27 print splits Chapter 10 into five question types. Check the mark value for each type so you can plan your revision time.
| Question Type | Number of Problems | Indicative Marks Each |
|---|---|---|
| MCQ-I (single correct) | 5 | 1 |
| MCQ-II (one or more correct) | 4 | 2 |
| Very Short Answer (VSA) | 6 | 1 to 2 |
| Short Answer (SA) | 3 | 3 |
| Long Answer (LA) | 5 | 5 |
| Total | 23 | - |
MCQ-II is the most-failed type because more than one option can be correct. Treat it as a slow type, not a quick one.
The Exemplar is not a replacement for the NCERT chapter. Finish all NCERT textbook exercises first, then use the Exemplar as your next layer. Recent JEE Main and NEET sittings have reused Exemplar setups almost verbatim, so working this set is one of the best ways to lift your entrance-exam Physics score for Wave Optics.
Wave Optics NCERT Exemplar Video Lecture
Source: JEE Wallah on YouTube
Time Budget for the Wave Optics Exemplar
These times are for students who have already finished the NCERT chapter. Use this table to plan how many sittings you need.
| Question Type | Problems | Avg. Minutes Each | Total Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| MCQ-I and MCQ-II | 9 | 3 to 5 | ~36 min |
| VSA and SA | 9 | 5 to 8 | ~54 min |
| LA | 5 | 20 to 25 | ~110 min |
| Whole chapter | 23 | - | ~3.3 hours |
Spread the 3.3-hour total across four to five sittings. Do not attempt all LA problems in one sitting.
Key Formulae to Know Before the Wave Optics Exemplar
Most Exemplar problems come back to one of these four formulas. Lock them in before you open the PDF.
| Concept | Formula |
|---|---|
| YDSE fringe width | beta = lambda D / d |
| Path difference for bright fringe | Delta = n lambda |
| Single-slit first minimum | a sin theta = lambda |
| Brewster's law | tan theta_B = n |
Full master table: Wave Optics Class 12 Physics Formula Sheet
Wave Optics CBSE Marks Weightage - Class 12 Physics
Wave Optics carries 5 marks in CBSE Class 12 Physics. The bar chart below shows how it compares to all chapters, based on the last five board papers.
Student Feedback
"The YDSE fringe-width formula table saved me 20 minutes per sitting. I used this page to find exactly which problems to skip during board prep and which to focus on for JEE." - Class 12 Physics student, 2025 board batch
Other Resources for Wave Optics Class 12 Physics Chapter 10
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| NCERT Solutions | Wave Optics Class 12 Physics NCERT Solutions |
| Notes | Wave Optics Class 12 Physics Notes |
| Formula Sheet | Wave Optics Class 12 Physics Formula Sheet |
| NCERT Book PDF | Wave Optics Class 12 Physics NCERT Book PDF |
| Exemplar Book PDF | Wave Optics |
| Exemplar Solutions | Wave Optics Class 12 Physics NCERT Exemplar Solutions |
| Handwritten Notes | Wave Optics Class 12 Physics Handwritten Notes |
NCERT Exemplar Book PDF for Class 12 Physics - All Chapters
Get the Exemplar Book PDF for any other Class 12 Physics chapter:
| Chapter | Resource |
|---|---|
| Chapter 1 | Electric Charges and Fields Exemplar Book PDF |
| Chapter 2 | Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance Exemplar Book PDF |
| Chapter 3 | Current Electricity Exemplar Book PDF |
| Chapter 4 | Moving Charges and Magnetism Exemplar Book PDF |
| Chapter 5 | Magnetism and Matter Exemplar Book PDF |
| Chapter 6 | Electromagnetic Induction Exemplar Book PDF |
| Chapter 7 | Alternating Current Exemplar Book PDF |
| Chapter 8 | Electromagnetic Waves Exemplar Book PDF |
| Chapter 9 | Ray Optics and Optical Instruments Exemplar Book PDF |
| Chapter 10 | Wave Optics Exemplar Book PDF |
| Chapter 11 | Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter Exemplar Book PDF |
| Chapter 12 | Atoms Exemplar Book PDF |
| Chapter 13 | Nuclei Exemplar Book PDF |
| Chapter 14 | Semiconductor Electronics Exemplar Book PDF |
Wave Optics Exemplar Class 12 Physics - Frequently Asked Questions
Ques. Where can I download the NCERT Exemplar Class 12 Physics for free?
Ans. You can download the NCERT Exemplar Class 12 Physics directly from this page. The PDF is free and updated for the 2026-27 NCERT syllabus.
Ques. How many pages is the Class 12 Physics Chapter 10 Exemplar Book PDF?
Ans. The NCERT Exemplar Class 12 Physics Wave Optics PDF runs approximately 6 pages and packs 23 HOTS problems across MCQ-I, MCQ-II, VSA, SA, and LA types.
Ques. Are Exemplar problems compulsory for the CBSE Class 12 board exam?
Ans. Exemplar problems are not part of the prescribed NCERT textbook, but CBSE has used Exemplar-style HOTS items in 4 of the last 5 board papers. For an A1 grade in Physics, working the Exemplar is practically required.
Ques. Where can I find the solutions to the Wave Optics Exemplar problems?
Ans. Solved answers for every problem in this chapter are on the Wave Optics Class 12 Physics NCERT Exemplar Solutions page.
Ques. Can I use the Exemplar Book for JEE Main and NEET preparation?
Ans. Yes. JEE Main 2024 and 2025 each carried at least one question whose setup mirrored an Exemplar problem from Chapter 10. NEET also reuses Exemplar MCQ-II patterns. Use this PDF during your year, then revisit it before the entrance exam.
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