ICSE Class 10 Question Paper 2026 Physics

ICSE | Class 10

Physics
Question Paper 2026

Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE)

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PHYSICS

(SCIENCE PAPER – 1)

Maximum Marks: 80

Time allowed: Two hours

1. Answers to this Paper must be written on the paper provided separately.

2. You will not be allowed to write during first 15 minutes.

3. This time is to be spent in reading the question paper.

4. The time given at the head of this Paper is the time allowed for writing the answers.

5. Section A is compulsory. Attempt any four questions from Section B.

6. The intended marks for questions or parts of questions are given in brackets [ ].

Instruction for the Supervising Examiner

Kindly read aloud the Instructions given above to all the candidates present in the
Examination Hall.

This Paper consists of 19 printed pages and 1 blank page.
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ICSE Class 10 · Question Paper 2026 · Physics Page 1 of 19

SECTION A (40 Marks)

(Attempt all questions from this Section.)

Question 1

Choose the correct answers to the questions from the given options. [15]

(Do not copy the questions, write the correct answers only.)

(i) For a body to be in dynamic equilibrium, its:

(a) momentum should be zero

(b) acceleration should be zero

(c) kinetic energy should be zero

(d) velocity should be zero

(ii) The energy transformation taking place during photosynthesis in plants is:

(a) heat to chemical

(b) chemical to light

(c) light to chemical

(d) chemical to heat

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(iii) The Velocity Ratio (VR) of a block and tackle system of two pulleys with the
effort in the upward direction is:

(a) 1

(b) 2

(c) 3

(d) 4

(iv) From the figure given below, the refractive index of medium B with respect to
medium A (A𝜇𝜇B) is:

𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆45°
(a)
𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆30°
𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆30°
(b)
𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆45°
𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆45°
(c)
𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆60°
𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆60°
(d)
𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆45°

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(v) When a blackened bulb thermometer is moved beyond the red region of the
visible spectrum, there is a rapid rise in the temperature. This is due to the
presence of:

(a) Infrared radiations

(b) Ultraviolet radiations

(c) X-rays

(d) Radio waves

(vi) A fast-moving cyclist stops pedalling on reaching a hilly track. If he continues
to move with the acquired energy, then assuming no loss of energy:

(a) his kinetic energy remains constant at all times.

(b) his potential energy remains constant at all times.

(c) his total mechanical energy continuously increases.

(d) his total mechanical energy remains constant.

(vii) The distance (V) of a virtual image formed by a lens of focal length 15 cm never
exceeds a certain finite value, then this value will be:

(a) less than 15 cm

(b) between 15 cm to 30 cm

(c) less than or equal to 30 cm

(d) less than or equal to 15 cm

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(viii) Assertion (A): Tiny air molecules scatter blue light more than red light.

Reason (R): The refractive index of a medium is greater for blue light than
red light.

(a) (A) is true but (R) is false.

(b) (A) is false but (R) is true.

(c) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

(d) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).

(ix) In the circuit given below, identify the lamp (L1, L2, L3 or L4) whose failure
would not interrupt the power supply to the other lamps.

(a) L1

(b) L2

(c) L3

(d) L4

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(x) Equal volumes of water are added to three cylindrical jars A, B and C of same
height and radii rA, rB and rC respectively with rB < rA < rC. If you blow air into
the mouth of these jars, which tube will produce the shrillest note?

(a) A

(b) B

(c) C

(d) All will produce the notes of same shrillness

(xi) A metallic wire is stretched in such a way that its new length becomes twice the
original length. How does its specific heat capacity change?

(a) becomes double

(b) becomes 4 times

(c) becomes ¼

(d) remains the same

(xii) The correct formula to calculate the equivalent resistance of two resistors
𝑅𝑅1 and 𝑅𝑅2 when connected in parallel, is:

𝑅𝑅1 + 𝑅𝑅2
(a)
𝑅𝑅1 𝑅𝑅2

𝑅𝑅1 𝑅𝑅2
(b)
𝑅𝑅1 + 𝑅𝑅2

𝑅𝑅1 − 𝑅𝑅2
(c)
𝑅𝑅1 𝑅𝑅2

𝑅𝑅1 𝑅𝑅2
(d)
𝑅𝑅1 − 𝑅𝑅2

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(xiii) The diagram below shows the top view of the Wire A shown by a cross ( ),
carrying current into the plane of the paper. Which of the compasses is
correctly aligned with the magnetic field, produced by the current carrying
wire?

(a) Only 1 is aligned

(b) Only 2 is aligned

(c) Both 1 and 2 are aligned

(d) Both 1 and 2 are not aligned

(xiv) Three substances A, B and C of same mass are present at their respective
melting points. On heating, if they melt completely in 5 minutes, 7 minutes and
3 minutes respectively, then which substance has the highest specific latent
heat?
(Assume heat is absorbed at the same rate)

(a) Substance A

(b) Substance B

(c) Substance C

(d) All the substances have same specific latent heat

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(xv) An atom of lithium contains 3 electrons, 3 protons and 4 neutrons.
Its mass number is:

(a) 3

(b) 4

(c) 7

(d) 10

Question 2
(i) Complete the following by choosing the correct answers from the bracket: [6]

(a) A car is moving in uniform circular motion. The direction of friction
between the tyres and the path is ___________ [towards the centre /
tangential to the path].

(b) When a ray of light passes from a denser to a rarer medium, its
wavelength ___________ [decreases / increases].

(c) The lid of a calorimeter minimises heat loss by __________ [convection /
radiation].

(d) Quality of sound depends on its ___________ [amplitude / waveform].

(e) A substance whose resistance becomes almost negligible at a temperature
near absolute zero is called a ___________ [semiconductor /
superconductor].

(f) ___________ radiation deviates minimum in a magnetic field. [Alpha /
Beta].

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(ii) State two factors on which the position of Center of Gravity of a body depends. [2]

(iii) Case 1: Lata cuts a potato into two halves, using a cutter which belongs to a [2]
Class II lever. She needed effort E1.

Case 2: Then she cuts one half of this potato again, but this time she needed
effort E2. If E1 > E2 then:

(a) In which case (1st or 2nd) was the potato closer to her hand applying the
effort? (Assume normal reaction of the surface of the potato is same in
both cases)

(b) Give a reason for your answer in (a) above.

Question 3

(i) The graph below shows the variation of image distance (v) with the object [2]
distance (u) when an object is kept in front of a lens.

(a) Identify the type of lens used.

(b) What would be the magnification (more than 1 / less than 1 / equal to 1)
if the object is placed between F and 2F of the above lens?

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(ii) A resistance R is connected across a cell with a switch and a rheostat in series. [2]
A voltmeter is connected parallel across the cell. Current in the circuit is
increased using the rheostat.

(a) How will the voltmeter reading change? (increase / decrease / remain the
same)

(b) Justify your answer stated in (a) above.

(iii) (a) Define natural vibrations. [2]

(b) How is this vibration different from damped vibrations in terms of their
amplitudes?

(iv) A metal piece of thermal capacity 40 JK-1, absorbs 800 J of heat. [2]
Calculate the rise in the temperature of this metal piece.

(v) In an AC generator, name the part which has the following functions: [2]

(a) intensifies the magnetic field.

(b) maintains electrical contact between the rotating parts and the external
circuit.

(vi) Give two differences between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion. [2]

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(vii) A monochromatic ray strikes the surface of identical prisms (A, B and C) at [3]
different angles of incidence. The diagram below shows their refracted rays.
Study the path of these refracted rays and identify in which of the diagrams:

(a) the angle of incidence is maximum.

(b) the angle of incidence is minimum.

(c) the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of emergence.

SECTION B (40 Marks)

(Attempt any four questions from this Section.)

Question 4
(i) A ray of light enters a glass block from air and comes out from the opposite [3]
surface. If the angle of refraction at the first surface is not the same as the angle
of incidence at the second surface, then:
𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠
(a) What is the product of the ratio at the first surface and at the second
𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠

surface?

(b) State whether the opposite surfaces are parallel or not parallel.

(c) How did you reach the conclusion in (b) above?

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(ii) A type of glass block has a refractive index of 1.8. [3]

(a) Calculate the speed of light in this glass.
(Given speed of light in air 3 × 108 ms-1)

(b) If the width of this block is doubled, then what will be the speed of light
in the block?

(iii) (a) Name the electromagnetic radiation used to detect fake currency. [4]

(b) Redraw the diagram given below and complete the path of the light ray AB
through the glass prism till it emerges out of the prism. Critical angle of
the glass is 42o.

Question 5

(i) An object placed in front of a convex lens, forms an image of same size on a [3]
screen. Moving the object 12 cm closer to the lens results in the formation of a
real image which is three times the size of the object.

Calculate the focal length of the lens.

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(ii) (a) Atmospheric temperature after a hailstorm is greater than the temperature [3]
during the hailstorm. State True or False.

(b) Which thermal physical quantity of a frying pan changes by making its
base heavier?

(c) State the principle of Calorimetry.

(iii) The given graph represents the cooling curve of a liquid. [4]

(a) State the freezing temperature of the liquid.

(b) Name the phase change happening at the region QR.

(c) In which state (solid / liquid) does the above substance liberate heat at a
faster rate? Justify.

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Question 6

(i) The diagram shows a wheel with a handle. Two forces, F1 and F2 of equal [3]
magnitudes are acting on the handle as shown in the diagram.

(a) Which force produces negative moment?

(b) Is the wheel in equilibrium? (Yes or No)

(c) Justify your answer stated in (b).

(ii) (a) Name the unit of work done, used in subatomic scale. [3]

(b) To which class of lever does a pair of scissors belong?

(c) A stone is tied to a string and displaced from A to B by application of
constant force F in three different ways as shown in the diagram below.
Arrange the three cases in ascending order of the work done by the force.
(Given AJB is a semi-circle, θ < 90o and AB = 20 m)

Case 1 Case 2 Case 3

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(iii) A ball of mass 20 g falls from a height of 45 m. It rebounds from the ground to [4]
a height of 40 m. Calculate:

(a) the initial potential energy of the ball.

(b) the speed of the ball at which it hits the ground.

(c) the loss in kinetic energy on striking the ground.

[g = 10 m/s2]

Question 7
(i) To lift a load of 30 kgf, Suhas uses a single fixed pulley, while Radha uses a [3]
single movable pulley. The displacement of efforts in both the cases are equal.
In an ideal situation calculate the ratio of:

(a) the efforts in the two cases.

(b) the potential energy gained by the loads in the two cases.

(c) the efficiencies in the two cases.

(ii) (a) One end of a plastic foot ruler is held tightly at the edge of a table and the [3]
other end is plucked. Name the vibrations produced in the ruler.

(b) Now the ruler is pushed inside partially and plucked again from its free
end. State with a reason whether the frequency of vibration increases or
decreases.

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(iii) Two persons A and B are standing in front of a cliff in the same line 170 m apart [4]
as shown in the diagram. Person B fires the gun and hears the echo in 3 s. Then
the person A standing in front of the person B fires the gun.
(The speed of sound in air is 340 m/s.)

Cliff

(a) Calculate:
1. the distance of the person B from the cliff.

2. the minimum time in which B hears the gunshot fired by A.

(b) Fill in the blank. The echo is softer (less loud) than the original sound due
to the decrease in __________ of the wave. (amplitude / frequency)

Question 8
(i) Bulb A rated 160 W, 40 V and Bulb B rated 40 W, 40 V are connected as shown [3]
in the diagram.

(a) Calculate the ratio V1 : V2.

(b) If the bulb A fuses, the current in the circuit remains the same.
State True or False.

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(ii) The reverse side of a three-pin plug with incorrect connection of wires is shown [3]
in the diagram below.

(a) Identify the fault in the above connection.

(b) Mention a risk factor involved, if the user operates the appliance without
correcting it.

(c) Will the appliance function in the present situation? (Yes or No)

(iii) In the combinations of resistors shown below, calculate: [4]

(a) the resistance across AB when the switch S is open.

(b) the resistance across AB when the switch S is closed.

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Question 9

(i) An electric iron rated 1100 W, 220 V is operated for 5 hours. [3]

Calculate:

(a) the minimum rating of the fuse required.

(b) the energy consumed in kWh.

(c) the cost of the energy consumed, if the rate is ₹ 10 per unit.

(ii) When the magnet as shown in the diagram, is moved towards the coil at a speed [3]
of 5 ms-1, the galvanometer shows a certain deflection to the right.

Movement
of magnet

Left Right

How will the direction and magnitude of deflection change when the coil also
moves with a speed of 5 ms-1:

(a) in the direction of the motion of the magnet?

(b) in the opposite direction of the motion of the magnet?

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(iii) (a) 1. Which element is used in the lining of the special aprons worn by [4]
workers in nuclear power plants?

2. Why is this element preferred?

11𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 emits a nuclear radiation which does not alter the mass number but
24
(b)
is deflected by a magnetic field.

1. Name the type of nuclear radiation emitted by 24
11𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 .

2. Write the equation for this radioactive decay.

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