Grade 10 Science Unit Test Revision
Notes
Physics
Light – Reflection and Refraction
1. Reflection of Light:
- Laws of Reflection:
1. Angle of incidence = Angle of reflection.
2. Incident ray, reflected ray, and the normal all lie in the same plane.
- Mirrors:
- Concave Mirror: Converges light to a focal point. Used in torches, headlights.
- Convex Mirror: Diverges light. Used in rearview mirrors for a wider field of view.
- Mirror Formula:
1/f = 1/v + 1/u
f is focal length, v is image distance, u is object distance.
2. Refraction of Light:
- Snell’s Law:
sin i / sin r = n2 / n1
i is the angle of incidence, r is the angle of refraction, n1 and n2 are the refractive indices.
- Lens Formula:
1/f = 1/v - 1/u
Applies to both concave and convex lenses.
- Total Internal Reflection (TIR):
- Occurs when light travels from a denser to a rarer medium and the angle of incidence
exceeds the critical angle.
- Applications: Optical fibers, diamonds sparkle due to TIR.
3. Magnification:
- For mirrors:
m = h'/h = -v/u
m is magnification, h' is image height, h is object height.
Human Eye and the Colourful World
1. Structure of the Human Eye:
- Cornea: Transparent front part of the eye, refracts light.
- Lens: Focuses light onto the retina, adjustable focal length.
- Retina: Light-sensitive layer where the image is formed, connected to the optic nerve.
- Iris: Controls the size of the pupil and, thus, the amount of light entering the eye.
2. Defects of Vision:
- Myopia (Nearsightedness):
- Distant objects appear blurry. Corrected with a concave lens.
- Hypermetropia (Farsightedness):
- Near objects appear blurry. Corrected with a convex lens.
- Presbyopia:
- Age-related condition where both near and distant vision are affected. Bifocal lenses are
used.
3. Refraction through a Prism:
- Dispersion of Light:
- Splitting of white light into its constituent colors (VIBGYOR) when it passes through a
prism.
- Rainbow Formation:
- Caused by dispersion, refraction, and reflection of sunlight in water droplets.
4. Atmospheric Refraction:
- Twinkling of Stars:
- Due to atmospheric refraction, starlight bends as it passes through the Earth’s
atmosphere.
- Apparent Position of Stars:
- Stars appear higher than their actual position due to refraction.
5. Scattering of Light:
- Blue Color of Sky:
- Shorter wavelengths of light (blue) are scattered more by the atmosphere than longer
wavelengths (red).
- Red Sunsets and Sunrises:
- At sunrise and sunset, light has to pass through a larger thickness of the atmosphere,
scattering away the shorter wavelengths and leaving the red hues.
Chemistry
Chemical Reactions and Equations
1. Types of Reactions:
- Combination Reaction:
- Two or more substances combine to form a single product.
- Example: 2H2 + O2 → 2H2O.
- Decomposition Reaction:
- A single compound breaks down into two or more simpler substances.
- Example: 2H2O2 → 2H2O + O2.
- Displacement Reaction:
- A more reactive element displaces a less reactive one from its compound.
- Example: Zn + CuSO4 → ZnSO4 + Cu.
- Oxidation and Reduction:
- Oxidation: Gain of oxygen or loss of hydrogen.
- Reduction: Loss of oxygen or gain of hydrogen.
- Example: CuO + H2 → Cu + H2O.
2. Balancing Equations:
- Ensure mass and charge are balanced on both sides of the equation.
- Example: Balance the equation Fe + H2O → Fe3O4 + H2.
Acids, Bases, and Salts (Excluding Salts)
1. Acids and Bases:
- Acids: Sour taste, turn blue litmus red, pH < 7. Examples: HCl, H2SO4.
- Bases: Bitter taste, turn red litmus blue, pH > 7. Examples: NaOH, Ca(OH)2.
- Indicators: Substances that change color in acids and bases.
- Litmus: Red in acid, blue in base.
- Phenolphthalein: Colorless in acid, pink in base.
- Turmeric: Yellow in neutral/acid, red in base.
- Neutralization:
- Acid + Base → Salt + Water.
- Example: HCl + NaOH → NaCl + H2O.
2. Common Reactions:
- Reaction with Metals:
- Acid + Metal → Salt + Hydrogen gas.
- Example: 2HCl + Zn → ZnCl2 + H2.
- Reaction with Metal Oxides:
- Acid + Metal Oxide → Salt + Water.
- Example: H2SO4 + CuO → CuSO4 + H2O.
Biology
Life Processes
1. Nutrition:
- Autotrophic:
- Plants synthesize their food via photosynthesis.
- Equation: 6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2.
- Heterotrophic:
- Organisms depend on others for food.
- Human Digestive System: Mouth (salivary amylase) → Stomach (pepsin) → Small
intestine (trypsin, bile) → Absorption.
2. Respiration:
- Aerobic Respiration:
- Occurs in the presence of oxygen.
- Glucose is broken down into carbon dioxide and water.
- Equation: C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O + energy.
- Anaerobic Respiration:
- Occurs in the absence of oxygen.
- Produces less energy and lactic acid or alcohol.
3. Transportation:
- Circulatory System:
- Heart pumps blood through arteries, veins, and capillaries.
- Blood carries oxygen and nutrients to cells and removes waste products.
4. Excretion:
- Human Excretory System:
- Kidneys filter blood to form urine, which is stored in the bladder and excreted through
the urethra.
Important Questions
Physics
1. Explain the laws of reflection and refraction with diagrams.
2. What is total internal reflection? Mention its applications.
3. Describe the structure of the human eye and the functions of its parts.
4. Explain the phenomenon of dispersion of light through a prism.
5. Why do stars twinkle? What causes the red color of the sky at sunrise and sunset?
Chemistry
1. Write and balance the equation for the reaction between sodium and water. Explain the
reaction.
2. Compare the physical and chemical properties of acids and bases with examples.
3. Explain the process of neutralization with a chemical equation. Provide a daily life
example.
4. How do acids react with metals and metal oxides? Provide equations.
Biology
1. Explain the process of photosynthesis with the chemical equation.
2. Describe the human digestive system and the role of different enzymes.
3. Explain the process of aerobic and anaerobic respiration with equations.
4. How does the human excretory system work? Explain with a diagram.
