Revision notesClass 10
CBSE Class 10 Science Key Points
The definitions, equations and examples that score in CBSE Class 10 Science, taken chapter by chapter from the NCERT textbook.
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01Chemical reactions
- Types combination, decomposition (thermal, electrolytic, photolytic), displacement, double displacement, redox
- Oxidation gain of oxygen or loss of hydrogen; reduction is the reverse
- Balancing follows the law of conservation of mass
- Corrosion and rancidity rusting needs air and water; antioxidants and nitrogen flushing slow rancidity
02Acids, bases and salts
- Indicators litmus red in acid, blue in base; phenolphthalein colourless in acid, pink in base; methyl orange red in acid, yellow in base
- pH 0 to 14, 7 is neutral; tooth decay starts below pH 5.5
- Reactions acid + base → salt + water; acid + metal → salt + H2; acid + carbonate → salt + CO2 + H2O
- Common salts baking soda NaHCO3; washing soda Na2CO3·10H2O; bleaching powder CaOCl2; plaster of Paris CaSO4·½H2O
03Metals and non-metals
- Reactivity series K > Na > Ca > Mg > Al > Zn > Fe > Pb > H > Cu > Hg > Ag > Au
- Amphoteric oxides Al2O3 and ZnO react with both acids and bases
- Extraction very reactive metals by electrolysis; middle metals by roasting (sulphides) or calcination (carbonates), then reduction
- Thermite reaction Fe2O3 + 2Al → 2Fe + Al2O3
- Ionic compounds high melting points; conduct when molten or dissolved
04Carbon compounds
- Homologous series members differ by –CH2–
- Functional groups –OH alcohol; –CHO aldehyde; >C=O ketone; –COOH carboxylic acid
- Esterification ethanoic acid + ethanol (conc. H2SO4) → ethyl ethanoate, sweet-smelling
- Saponification ester + NaOH → soap; detergents still work in hard water
- Hydrogenation vegetable oils + H2 (nickel catalyst) → fats
05Life processes
- Photosynthesis 6CO2 + 12H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2 + 6H2O (chlorophyll, sunlight)
- Respiration glucose → pyruvate in the cytoplasm; aerobic in mitochondria → CO2 + H2O + energy; yeast → ethanol + CO2; muscles → lactic acid
- Transport double circulation in a four-chambered heart; xylem carries water, phloem carries food
- Excretion the nephron is the working unit of the kidney
06Control, reproduction, heredity
- Reflex arc receptor → sensory neuron → spinal cord → motor neuron → effector
- Brain cerebrum (thinking), cerebellum (balance), medulla (involuntary actions)
- Hormones insulin, thyroxine (needs iodine; lack causes goitre), adrenaline, growth hormone
- Asexual reproduction fission, fragmentation, regeneration, budding, vegetative propagation, spores
- Heredity Mendel's monohybrid ratio 3:1, dihybrid 9:3:3:1; a child's sex is set by the father's X or Y
07Light
- Mirror formula 1/v + 1/u = 1/f, f = R/2, m = −v/u
- Lens formula 1/v − 1/u = 1/f, m = v/u
- Power of a lens P = 1/f with f in metres, unit dioptre
- Refractive index n = c/v; Snell's law sin i/sin r = constant
- Defects of vision myopia, concave lens; hypermetropia, convex lens; presbyopia, bifocal lens
- In the sky scattering makes the sky blue and sunsets red; atmospheric refraction makes stars twinkle
08Electricity and magnetism
- Basics I = Q/t, V = W/Q, Ohm's law V = IR, R = ρl/A
- Combinations series R = R1 + R2 + …; parallel 1/R = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + …
- Heating and power H = I2Rt; P = VI = I2R = V2/R; 1 kWh = 3.6 × 106 J
- Magnetic field right-hand thumb rule for a straight wire; a solenoid acts like a bar magnet
- Force on a conductor Fleming's left-hand rule
- Safety earthing and fuses protect against overloading and short circuits
09Our environment
- Food chains only about 10% of energy passes to the next level
- Biological magnification harmful chemicals concentrate up the food chain
- Ozone depleted by CFCs; it shields Earth from ultraviolet radiation
How to use these notes
- Write balanced equations with state symbols where you can; examiners notice.
- Learn one labelled diagram per chapter: heart, nephron, eye, flower, electric circuit.
- For numericals, write the formula, substitute with units, then box the answer.
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