The polytechnic physics question paper in BTEUP covers two subjects: Applied Physics-I in the first semester and Applied Physics-II in the second. Each has a 60-mark, 3-hour theory paper and a 40-mark practical exam. Moreover, both papers are common to every engineering branch, so the same plan works for all 1st year students.
For this reason, this guide explains both papers using the revised 2024-25 syllabus. You will find the marks split, unit weightage, key formulas, the practical list and practice questions.
Key Takeaways
- Two subjects: Applied Physics-I (Semester 1) and Applied Physics-II (Semester 2).
- Theory paper: 60 marks, 3 hours, plus 40 internal theory marks.
- Practical: 40 external and 60 internal marks, so each subject totals 200.
- Top unit in Physics-I: Properties of Matter, about 19% of the marks.
- Physics-II: six units at about 15% each and Modern Physics at 10%.
- Practicals: perform at least six experiments in each semester.
Polytechnic Physics Question Paper — Marks at a Glance
Applied Physics has 3 lecture, 1 tutorial and 2 practical periods every week. In addition, it carries 5 credits, the joint highest in the first year.
| Component | Applied Physics-I | Applied Physics-II |
|---|---|---|
| External theory paper | 60 marks, 3 hours | 60 marks, 3 hours |
| Internal theory | 40 | 40 |
| External practical | 40 marks, 3 hours | 40 marks, 3 hours |
| Internal practical | 60 | 60 |
| Total | 200 | 200 |
| Credits | 5 | 5 |
Because physics carries 200 marks per semester, it can lift or drag your first-year percentage more than most subjects.
Applied Physics-I Units and Weightage
The syllabus suggests a marks share for each unit. Accordingly, we converted it into approximate marks out of 60.
| Unit | Topic | Periods | Weight | Approx. marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Units and Dimensions | 8 | 15% | 9 |
| 2 | Force and Motion | 10 | 18% | 11 |
| 3 | Work, Power and Energy | 8 | 15% | 9 |
| 4 | Rotational Motion | 8 | 15% | 9 |
| 5 | Properties of Matter | 12 | 19% | 11 |
| 6 | Heat and Thermometry | 10 | 18% | 11 |
What Each Applied Physics-I Unit Covers
- Units and Dimensions: fundamental and derived units, FPS, CGS and SI systems, dimensional formulae, homogeneity, limits of dimensional analysis, errors and significant figures.
- Force and Motion: vectors, resolution (lawn roller, inclined plane), conservation of momentum and gun recoil, impulse, circular motion, centripetal force, banking of roads, Kepler’s laws and variation of g.
- Work, Power and Energy: positive, negative and zero work; laws of limiting friction; kinetic and potential energy; conservation of mechanical energy; and power.
- Rotational Motion: torque, angular momentum, moment of inertia, rotational kinetic energy and rolling.
- Properties of Matter: elasticity, pressure, surface tension, viscosity, streamline flow and Bernoulli’s principle.
- Heat and Thermometry: heat versus temperature, modes of heat transfer, temperature scales, thermal expansion and thermometers.
Applied Physics-II Units and Weightage
| Unit | Topic | Periods | Weight | Approx. marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wave Motion and Its Applications | 8 | 15% | 9 |
| 2 | Optics | 8 | 15% | 9 |
| 3 | Electrostatics | 8 | 15% | 9 |
| 4 | Current Electricity | 8 | 15% | 9 |
| 5 | Electromagnetism | 8 | 15% | 9 |
| 6 | Semiconductor Physics | 8 | 15% | 9 |
| 7 | Modern Physics | 8 | 10% | 6 |
What Each Applied Physics-II Unit Covers
- Wave Motion: wave properties, simple harmonic motion, resonance, acoustics of buildings and ultrasonics.
- Optics: reflection, refraction, lenses, total internal reflection and optical instruments.
- Electrostatics: Coulomb’s law, electric field, Gauss’s law, capacitors and dielectrics.
- Current Electricity: Ohm’s law, resistances in series and parallel, Kirchhoff’s laws, Wheatstone bridge, EMF and electric power.
- Electromagnetism: magnetic materials, magnetic field, electromagnetic induction, Lorentz force and conversion of a galvanometer.
- Semiconductor Physics: energy bands, p-n junction, rectifiers, transistors, Zener diodes and LEDs.
- Modern Physics: lasers, fibre optics, and nanoscience and nanotechnology.
Section Pattern of the Polytechnic Physics Question Paper
BTEUP’s evaluation strategy suggests three sections for end-term theory papers. However, the exact layout may vary slightly. Even so, this blueprint shows where marks usually sit.
| Section | Question type | Suggested share | Approx. marks | Choice |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | Objective — MCQ, matching, fill in the blanks | About 20% | 12 | None |
| II | Short answers and short numericals | About 40% | 24 | None |
| III | Two to three long answers or derivations | About 40% | 24 | Internal choice in about half |
Since Sections I and II have no choice, you cannot skip any unit in the polytechnic physics question paper. On the other hand, Section III lets you choose. Therefore, prepare two or three derivations per unit and pick the ones you know best.
Key Formulas for the Polytechnic Physics Question Paper
In practice, most numericals in the polytechnic physics question paper use the formulas below. Also, learn each one with its SI unit.
| Topic | Formula | SI unit |
|---|---|---|
| Momentum | p = mv | kg·m/s |
| Impulse | J = F × t = Δp | N·s |
| Centripetal force | F = mv²/r | N |
| Work | W = F s cos θ | J |
| Kinetic energy | KE = ½ mv² | J |
| Power | P = W/t | W |
| Torque | τ = r × F | N·m |
| Young’s modulus | Y = (F/A)/(ΔL/L) | N/m² |
| Ohm’s law | V = IR | V, A, Ω |
| Resistances in series / parallel | R = R₁ + R₂; 1/R = 1/R₁ + 1/R₂ | Ω |
| Coulomb’s law | F = k q₁q₂/r² | N |
| Lens formula | 1/f = 1/v − 1/u | m |
| Wave speed | v = fλ | m/s |
Applied Physics Practical List
Practical marks add up to 100 per semester. Therefore, do not treat the lab as an afterthought.
| Applied Physics-I (any 6 of 10) | Applied Physics-II (at least 6 of 12) |
|---|---|
| Volume of a cylinder using vernier callipers | Velocity of sound using a resonance tube |
| Diameter of a wire with a screw gauge | Time period of a cantilever |
| Radius of curvature with a spherometer | Laws of reflection |
| Parallelogram law of forces | Snell’s law using a glass slab |
| Coefficient of friction (wood and glass) | Focal length of a convex lens |
| Atmospheric pressure with a Fortin barometer | Resistances in series and parallel |
| Viscosity of glycerine by Stokes’ method | Ohm’s law by graph |
| Conservation of mechanical energy | Low and high resistance with a slide-wire bridge |
| Temperature scale conversion | Galvanometer to ammeter and voltmeter |
| Force constant of a spring (Hooke’s law) | Characteristics of a PN junction diode |
| — | Kirchhoff’s laws |
| — | Numerical aperture of an optical fibre |
Practice Questions for Applied Physics
To begin with, we wrote these practice questions from the official unit list. They are not copied from a board paper.
Applied Physics-I Practice Set
- Write the dimensional formula of force and of pressure.
- Check the correctness of v = u + at using dimensions.
- A gun of mass 5 kg fires a 50 g bullet at 400 m/s. Find the recoil velocity of the gun.
- Explain why roads are banked at curves.
- State the laws of limiting friction.
- Define surface tension and give two everyday examples.
- Convert 37 °C into the Fahrenheit and Kelvin scales.
Applied Physics-II Practice Set
- Distinguish between transverse and longitudinal waves.
- State Snell’s law and define refractive index.
- Two resistors of 4 Ω and 6 Ω are joined in parallel. Find the equivalent resistance.
- State Kirchhoff’s current and voltage laws.
- Explain how a galvanometer is converted into an ammeter.
- Draw and explain a full-wave rectifier circuit.
- Give two engineering uses of lasers.
Five-Week Revision Plan
| Week | Applied Physics-I focus | Applied Physics-II focus |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Units, dimensions and errors | Waves and optics |
| 2 | Force and motion numericals | Electrostatics |
| 3 | Work, energy and rotation | Current electricity numericals |
| 4 | Properties of matter and heat | Electromagnetism and semiconductors |
| 5 | Two full timed papers | Modern physics and two timed papers |
Additionally, update your practical file every week. Internal practical marks depend on neat records and your viva.
Common Mistakes in the Physics Paper
- Missing units: a numerical answer without its SI unit loses marks.
- Unlabelled diagrams: label every ray diagram, circuit and apparatus sketch.
- Mixing CGS and SI: convert all values to SI before you calculate.
- Learning derivations without the final result: always box the final formula.
- Leaving Section I blank: objective items take seconds and add up quickly.
Where to Find Previous Polytechnic Physics Papers
First, download the official revised first-year syllabus PDF from bteup.ac.in. Next, ask your institute library and physics faculty for recent papers. Our BTEUP previous year question papers guide lists more sources.
Similarly, Applied Chemistry has a similar 60 + 40 theory structure. However, it has fewer search-ready resources, so use your class notes and the board syllabus for it.
How Physics Fits Into Your First-Year Plan
In Semester 1, Applied Physics-I sits alongside the polytechnic maths question paper and the polytechnic English question paper. Later, in Semester 2, Applied Physics-II joins Engineering Mechanics, which uses the same force and motion ideas.
After the exam, check your result on the BTEUP 1st semester result page. You can then estimate your grade with the BTEUP marks to grade calculator.
Final Word on the Polytechnic Physics Question Paper
The polytechnic physics question paper rewards formula fluency, clean diagrams and steady numerical practice. Properties of Matter and Force and Motion carry the most weight in Semester 1. Meanwhile, Semester 2 spreads marks evenly across seven units.
So, above all, learn formulas with units, keep your practical file complete and solve full timed papers. For more help, browse BTEUP student help or visit the BTEUP.net homepage.
Source: BTEUP NEP-aligned first-year curriculum (2024-25), approved by the CDC on 3 September 2024. Always confirm the latest notices on bteup.ac.in.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many marks is the polytechnic physics question paper?
Applied Physics-I and Applied Physics-II each have a 60-mark external theory paper of 3 hours. Each subject also has 40 internal theory marks, a 40-mark external practical and 60 internal practical marks, so each subject totals 200 marks.
What are the chapters in Applied Physics-I for polytechnic 1st semester?
Applied Physics-I has six units: Units and Dimensions, Force and Motion, Work Power and Energy, Rotational Motion, Properties of Matter, and Heat and Thermometry. Properties of Matter carries the highest share at about 19%.
What are the chapters in Applied Physics-II for the 2nd semester?
Applied Physics-II covers Wave Motion, Optics, Electrostatics, Current Electricity, Electromagnetism, Semiconductor Physics and Modern Physics. The first six units carry about 15% each, while Modern Physics carries about 10%.
Is the polytechnic physics question paper the same for all branches?
Yes. Under the revised BTEUP curriculum from 2024-25, the first and second semesters are common to every engineering and technology branch. As a result, all branches write the same Applied Physics papers.
How many practicals are there in polytechnic Applied Physics?
Applied Physics-I lists ten experiments, and you must perform any six. Applied Physics-II lists twelve experiments, and you must perform at least six. Your lab file and viva also feed the internal practical marks.
Which book is best for the polytechnic physics question paper?
The official syllabus recommends the NCERT Class XI and XII physics textbooks and H.C. Verma’s Concepts of Physics for theory. For practicals, it suggests C.L. Arora’s practical physics and J.N. Jaiswal’s Comprehensive Practical Physics.
How do I score well in the polytechnic physics question paper?
Learn every formula with its SI unit and dimension. Then practise numericals from Force and Motion, Properties of Matter and Current Electricity daily. Finally, draw neat, labelled diagrams for optics, semiconductors and instruments.
