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ICSE Science Important Questions Class 10 2026 — Physics, Chemistry & Biology

ICSE Class 10 Science important questions 2026 — Physics, Chemistry, Biology topic-wise with application-based problems.

ICSE Class 10 Science has 2 papers: Paper 1 (Physics + Chemistry, 80 marks) and Paper 2 (Biology, 80 marks). Each paper has Section A (compulsory, 40 marks) and Section B (attempt 4 of 7, 40 marks). Below are the most expected questions from each subject.

Paper 1: Physics

Force, Work, Power & Energy

QuestionMarks
State the principle of moments. A uniform metre rule balances at the 40cm mark when a 50g mass is hung at the 10cm mark. Find the mass of the rule.4
Define: (a) mechanical advantage, (b) velocity ratio, (c) efficiency of a machine. Derive the relation between them.4
A pulley system has VR = 4. If effort = 50N lifts a load of 160N, find: (a) MA, (b) efficiency, (c) ideal effort.4
What is the principle of conservation of energy? Show that the total energy of a freely falling body is constant.4

Light

QuestionMarks
Draw ray diagrams for image formation by a convex lens when object is: (a) beyond 2F, (b) between F and 2F, (c) at F.5
A convex lens of focal length 15cm forms an image at 30cm from the lens. Find object distance and magnification.3
What is total internal reflection? State 2 conditions. Give 2 applications.3
Explain the working of a simple microscope. Where should the object be placed for maximum magnification?3
Explain dispersion of light through a prism. Draw a labelled diagram.4

Sound

QuestionMarks
What are the characteristics of sound? Explain how pitch and loudness depend on frequency and amplitude.3
Explain the working of the human ear with a labelled diagram.4
What is an echo? What are the conditions for hearing an echo? A person claps near a cliff and hears echo after 1.5s. Find distance (speed of sound = 340 m/s).4

Electricity

QuestionMarks
State Ohm's law. Draw V-I graph. Three resistors of 3Ω, 4Ω, 5Ω are connected in parallel to a 12V battery. Find: equivalent resistance, total current, current through each.5
Derive the formula for equivalent resistance in: (a) series, (b) parallel.4
An electric iron of 1000W is used for 2 hours daily. Calculate electricity consumed in 30 days and cost at ₹5/unit.3
Explain the working of a fuse. Why is it connected in series with the live wire?3
What is the difference between EMF and terminal voltage? A cell of EMF 2V and internal resistance 0.5Ω is connected to a 4.5Ω resistor. Find current and terminal voltage.4

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Paper 1: Chemistry

Acids, Bases & Salts

QuestionMarks
Define pH. What is the pH of: (a) pure water, (b) lemon juice, (c) NaOH solution? How does pH change when acid is added to water?3
Write balanced equations for: (a) action of dilute HCl on sodium carbonate, (b) action of conc. H₂SO₄ on sodium chloride, (c) neutralisation of NaOH with HCl.3
How is washing soda prepared from baking soda? Give the chemical equations. State 2 uses of each.4

Organic Chemistry

QuestionMarks
Write the IUPAC names of: (a) CH₃CH₂OH, (b) CH₃CHO, (c) CH₃COOH, (d) CH₃COCH₃, (e) CH₃CH₂CH₂Br.3
What is a homologous series? Give 3 characteristics. Write the general formula for alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes.4
Give the structural formula and one property of: (a) ethanol, (b) ethanoic acid. How do they react with sodium?4
What are isomers? Draw 2 isomers of C₄H₁₀ and name them.3
What is the difference between addition and substitution reactions? Give one example of each with equation.3

Metallurgy & Mole Concept

QuestionMarks
Describe the extraction of aluminium from bauxite (Hall-Héroult process) with equations.5
Calculate the number of moles and molecules in 11g of CO₂ (C=12, O=16).3
What volume of oxygen at STP is required for complete combustion of 2 litres of propane (C₃H₈)?3
What is an alloy? Give the composition and one use of: (a) brass, (b) stainless steel, (c) bronze.3

Analytical Chemistry

QuestionMarks
How would you identify using a single reagent: (a) dilute HCl and dilute H₂SO₄, (b) NaCl and NaNO₃, (c) MnO₂ and CuO?3
A gas turns lime water milky. On passing excess, the solution becomes clear. Identify the gas and write equations for both reactions.3
Write the action of NaOH on: (a) ammonium chloride (warm), (b) ferric chloride, (c) lead nitrate. Identify the precipitate/gas in each.3

Paper 2: Biology

Genetics & Evolution

QuestionMarks
Explain Mendel's monohybrid cross using tall and dwarf pea plants. Draw Punnett square and state F1 and F2 ratios.5
How is the sex of a child determined in humans? Explain with a diagram.3
Define: (a) genotype, (b) phenotype, (c) homozygous, (d) heterozygous, (e) allele.3
What are sex-linked diseases? Explain the inheritance of colour blindness with a cross.4

Human Physiology

QuestionMarks
Draw a labelled diagram of the human heart. Describe the double circulation of blood.5
Draw a labelled diagram of a nephron. Describe the process of urine formation (glomerular filtration, reabsorption, secretion).5
Draw a labelled diagram of the human eye. Explain accommodation. What causes: (a) myopia, (b) hypermetropia? How are they corrected?5
Draw a neuron. Label: (a) cell body, (b) dendrite, (c) axon, (d) myelin sheath, (e) nerve ending. What is a synapse?4
Differentiate between: (a) arteries and veins, (b) RBC and WBC, (c) voluntary and involuntary muscles.3

Plant Physiology & Reproduction

QuestionMarks
Describe the process of photosynthesis. Write the overall equation. What are the factors affecting photosynthesis?5
Draw a labelled diagram of the longitudinal section of a flower. Name the male and female reproductive parts.4
Explain the process of pollination. Differentiate between self-pollination and cross-pollination.3
What is transpiration? State 3 advantages and 2 disadvantages. What factors affect the rate of transpiration?4
Describe 3 types of asexual reproduction in plants with examples.3

Cell Biology & Environment

QuestionMarks
Draw a labelled diagram of an animal cell. What is the difference between plant cell and animal cell? (5 points)4
Describe the stages of mitosis with diagrams. What is the significance of mitosis?5
What is an ecosystem? Describe the components. Draw a food chain with 4 trophic levels.4
What is the greenhouse effect? Name 3 greenhouse gases. How does it lead to global warming?3

Must-Draw Diagrams (Both Papers)

PaperDiagrams
PhysicsCircuit diagrams, ray diagrams (mirror & lens), electric motor, human ear, prism dispersion
ChemistryElectrolysis setup, extraction of aluminium, laboratory preparation of gases
BiologyHuman heart, nephron, neuron, eye, ear, flower (L.S.), animal cell, plant cell, mitosis stages

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Questions based on CISCE ICSE specimen papers and previous year papers (2015–2025). ICSE papers have internal choice in Section B — use this to your advantage by preparing your strongest chapters thoroughly. Check cisce.org for latest specimen papers. Last updated: February 2026.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How is ICSE Science different from CBSE?

ICSE Science has 2 separate papers: Paper 1 (Physics + Chemistry, 80 marks, 2 hours) and Paper 2 (Biology, 80 marks, 2 hours). CBSE combines all three in one paper. ICSE goes deeper in each subject and has more application-based questions. Both have Section A (compulsory) and Section B (choice).

Physics: Electricity (most numericals), Light (ray diagrams), Force & Machines. Chemistry: Acids/Bases/Salts, Organic Chemistry (IUPAC naming), Mole Concept. Biology: Genetics (Mendel's cross), Human Physiology (heart, nephron diagrams), Reproduction. These chapters appear in almost every paper.

Extremely important — 15-20 marks across both papers come from diagrams. Must-draw: electric circuits, ray diagrams, human heart, nephron, neuron, eye, ear, flower, and cell division stages. ICSE expects neat, large, well-labelled diagrams. Use pencil for drawing, pen for labelling.

Strategy: (1) Master all diagrams — practise drawing from memory. (2) Solve 10+ previous year papers per paper (PYQs repeat styles). (3) For Chemistry: learn all equations with balancing and conditions. (4) For Physics: practise 20+ numericals per chapter. (5) For Biology: memorise definitions and differences in NCERT/textbook language.