st

ICSE Class 10 1 Edition

2022

Physics Revision Notes

Formulae included!
Publishers
ICSE Class 10
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 SOUND

IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER

1. Sound: It is a form of energy produced by a vibrating body.
2. Echo: The repetition of sound heard after the original sound is reflected from a
distant, dense and rigid object is called echo.
3. Conditions of echo formation: a. The minimum distance between the source of the
sound and the reflector should be at least 17 metres.
b. The size of the reflector must be as compared to the wavelength of the incident
sound.
c. The intensity or loudness of the sound should be sufficient for the reflected sound
reaching the ear to be audible.
4. Reverberation: When a number of echoes of the sound are heard, each echo being
fainter than the preceding one such as in a closed room, are known as reverberation.
5. Example of echoes or application of echoes: a. Sonar b. Radar
6. Natural vibrations: When a body capable of oscillating is made to vibrate with its own
frequency, it is said to have natural or free vibrations.
7. Damped vibrations: The vibrations whose amplitude decreases gradually with time are
called damped vibrations.
8. Examples of damped vibrations: a. A simple pendulum oscillating in air b. Sound waves
in air c. Shock absorbers in automobiles
9. Forced vibrations: The vibrations produced in a body due to external periodic force
acting on it, the frequency of the force being different from the natural frequency of
the body, are called forced vibrations.
10. Examples of forced vibrations: a. When the stem of the vibrating tuning fork is gently
pressed against the top of the table, b. Vibration of string in musical instruments.
11. The amplitude of the forced vibrations depends on the difference between the natural
frequency of the body and the frequency of the applied force.
12. Resonance: When a body oscillates with its own natural frequency with the help of an
external periodic force whose frequency is equal to the natural frequency of the
vibrating body, the oscillations of such a vibrating body with a large amplitude is
known as resonance.
13. Characteristics of sound: Loudness, pitch and quality.
FORMULA
Distance (𝑑)
Velocity of sound (𝑣) =
Time taken (t)
 CURRENT ELECTRICTY

IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER

1. Ohm’s Law: The current flowing through a conductor is directly proportional to the
potential difference across its end provided the temperature and other physical
conditions of the conductor do not change.
V = IR
2. Electromotive force (emf): It is the energy supplied by the cell to drive a unit charge
around the complete circuit. Its SI unit is volt (V).
3. The emf of a cell depends on two factors: a. The material of the electrodes. b. The
electrolyte used in the cell.
4. Potential difference: The potential difference between two points in an electric field
is defined as the amount of work done in moving a unit positive charge from one point
to another point.
5. Resistances in series: Two or more resistors are said to be connected in series if they
are connected end to end consecutively in an electric circuit. Note: In series, current I
passing through each resistor is same; potential difference across its ends is different.
6. Resistors in parallel: Two resistors are said to be connected in parallel if one end of a
resistor is connected to one end of the other resistor and the second end of the first
resistor is connected to the second end of the other resistor such that the potential
difference across each resistor is the same. When the resistors in a circuit are
connected in parallel a. all the resistors have the same potential across them. b.
different amounts of current flow through each resistance.
7. Internal resistance: The resistance offered by the electrolyte of the cell to the flow of
current is called internal resistance. It is denoted by the letter ‘r’ and its unit is ‘ohm’.
8. Factors affecting the internal resistance of a cell: a. The surface area of the electrodes
in contact with the electrolyte, b. The distance between the electrodes, c. The nature
and concentration of the electrolyte, d. the temperature of the electrolyte.
FORMULAE
𝑊𝑜𝑟𝑘 𝑑𝑜𝑛𝑒 (𝑤)
1. 𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 (𝑉) =
𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒 (𝑞)

𝑃𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 (𝑉)

2. 𝑅𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 (𝑅) =
𝐶𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡 (𝐼)

𝑅 ×𝐴
3. 𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑜𝑟 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 (𝜌) =
𝐼

𝜀
4. 𝐼𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 (𝑟) = ( − 1) 𝑅
𝑣

𝜀
5. 𝐶𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡 (𝐼) =
𝑅+𝑟
 6. 𝐷𝑟𝑜𝑝 𝑖𝑛 𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑦: (𝜀 − 𝑣) = 𝐼𝑟

7. Equivalent resistance in series, 𝑅 = 𝑅1 + 𝑅2 + 𝑅3

1 1 1 1
8. Equivalent resistance in parallel, = + +
𝑅 𝑅1 𝑅2 𝑅3

SI UNITS
1. Charge: coulomb (C)
2. Current: ampere (A)
3. Potential difference: volt (V)
4. Resistance: ohm (Ω)
5. Electromotive force (emf): volt (V)

ELECTRICAL POWER AND HOUSEHOLD CIRCUITS

IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER

1. Electrical energy: The work done by a source to maintain a current in an electrical in
an electrical circuit is known as electrical energy. It is useful to us because it can be
transformed into many other forms.
2. Examples: a. Electric heater (Electrical energy to heat energy), b. Electric motor
(Electrical energy to mechanical energy), c. Electric lamp (Electrical energy to light
energy), d. Television (Electrical energy to light and sound energy).
3. Electric power: The rate at which electrical energy is dissipated or consumed in an
electric circuit is termed as electric power.
4. Measurement of electrical energy: W = QV = VIt from the definition of pd. Combining
with ohm’s law W = VIt = I2 Rt = (V2 /R)t and electrical power P = (W/t) = VI = I 2 R = V2
/R.
5. Power rating: The power rating of an electrical device is the value of electrical power
consumed by the device under standard condition. All electrical appliances are rated
in terms of voltage and electric power (wattage). a. Voltage: The voltage of an
electrical appliance is the potential difference that can be safely applied across its input
terminals. b. Electric power: The electric power of an electrical appliance is the rate at
which it consumes electrical energy under the rated voltage.
6. Calculation of total energy consumed by electrical appliances: 𝑊 = 𝑃𝑡 (𝑘𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑡 ×
ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟 = 𝑘𝑊 ℎ)
7. Switch: It is a device which is used to allow current to flow in a circuit or in an electrical
appliance and to cut it off when desired. There are two types of switches a. Single pole
switch b. Double pole switch.
8. Fuse: It is a safety device consisting of a piece of thin wire of material having low
melting point and high resistance, which melts and breaks the circuit if the current
 exceeds a safe value, hence preventing the electrical appliances in the circuit from
getting damaged.
9. Earthing: Connecting the metallic body of an electrical appliance to the earth by a
conducting wire to prevent electric shock is called earthing of electric appliance.
10. Three-pin plug: A plug is a fixture provided with three metallic cylindrical pins usually
made of brass embedded in ebonite casting.
11. Colour coding of wires: as per new convention live wire – brown, neutral wire – light
blue, earth wire – green or yellow.
12. Ring system: In this system, wires starting from the main fuse box run around all the
rooms in the house and brought back to the main fuse box. All electrical appliances are
connected directly to the ring with a separate fuse and a separate switch.
Formulae
1. Q = It
2. W = VQ
3. W = VI t
4. We know, from Ohm’s law, V = IR, therefore,
W = (IR)It or W = I2 Rt
𝑉
5. We know, from Ohm’s law, I = ,
𝑅
𝑉
W=V× × 𝑡 (Substituting the value of I, we get)
𝑅
𝑉 2𝑡
W=
𝑅
Other expressions for electric power are as follows.
6. P = I2 R
𝑉2
7. P = VI = I2R =
𝑅
𝑉2
8. P =
𝑅
𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 (𝑖𝑛 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑡) ×𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒 (𝑖𝑛 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟)
9. Electrical energy consumed (units) =
1000
Total cost (electricity bill) = Number of units consumed × Cost of 1 unit

ELECTROMAGNETISM

IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER

1. Magnetic effect of current: An electric current produces magnetic effect in the space
around the current-carrying conductor.
2. Rules for determining the direction of magnetic field: a. Right-hand thumb rule b.
Maxwell’s corkscrew rule c. Ampere’s swimming rule
3. Solenoid: A coil of insulated wire wound around a non-conducting hollow cylindrical
core. When current is passed through a solenoid, it behaves like a magnet and
develops a magnetic field around it.
 4. Electromagnet: An electromagnet is a solenoid with a soft iron core. It is usually made
in two shapes: a. I-shape b. U-shape.
5. Magnetic field of an electromagnet: It can be increased by a. increasing the number
of turns of the coil b. increasing the strength of the current through the coil.
6. Oersted’s observation: A current-carrying conductor when placed in a magnetic field
moves in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the current as well as
perpendicular to the direction of magnetic field.
7. Moving coil galvanometer: It is a device to detect current in the circuit. it is based on
principle that, whenever a loop carrying current is placed in a magnetic field, it
experiences a torque which tends to rotate it.
8. Power of electric motor: It can be increased in the following ways by increasing a. the
current flowing in the coil b. number of turns in the coil c. the area of cross-section of
the coil d. strength of radial magnetic field e. laminating soft iron coil.
9. Faraday’s observation: an electric current could be produced in a circuit by changing
magnetic field. This phenomenon is called electromagnetic induction. The current so
produced is called induced current.
10. Generator: A machine that produces electricity by converting mechanical energy into
electrical energy. It works on the principle of electromagnetic induction/
11. Transformer: it is a device used to convert low alternating voltage at higher current
into high alternating voltage at lower current and vice-versa. There are two types of
transformers: a. Step-up transformer, b. Step-down transformer.
12. Energy loss: the energy loss in a transformer takes place in the following ways: a.
Copper losses, b. Flux losses, c. Eddy current losses, d. Hysteresis losses, and e. Losses
due to vibration of core.

CALORIMETRY AND LATENT HEAT

IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER

1. Temperature: According to kinetic molecular theory, the temperature of a body is a
measure of the average kinetic energy of that body.
2. Calorimetry: An experimental technique for the quantitative measurement of heat
exchange is called calorimetry.
3. Calorie: One calorie of heat is the quantity of heat required to raise the temperature
of one gram of pure water from 14.5 degree Celsius to 15.5 degree Celsius.
4. Specific heat capacity of a substance: It is defined as the amount of heat required to
raise the temperature of unit mass of the substance through unit degree.
5. Heat capacity of a body: It is defined as the amount of heat required to raise the
temperature of the whole body through 1 degree C or 1 K.
6. Principle of calorimetry: When two bodies at different temperatures are brought in
contact, the quantity of heat lost by the hot body is equal to the heat gained by the
cold body provided there is no change of state or no heat is lost to/gained from the
surroundings.
 7. Heating curve: The graph between the temperature of a substance being heated at a
constant rate against time is called the heating curve of a substance.
8. Latent heat: The amount of heat needed to change the state of a given substance
without any change in temperature is called latent heat.
9. Specific latent heat of fusion: The quantity of heat required to convert one unit mass
of the substance from solid state to the liquid state at its melting point without any
change of temperature is called the specific heat of fusion.
10. Specific latent heat and vaporisation: The quantity of heat required to convert one
unit mass of the substance from liquid state to the vapour state at its boiling point
without any change of temperature is called specific latent heat of vaporisation.
11. Specific latent heat of condensation: The specific latent heat of vaporisation equals
the specific latent heat of condensation.
SI Units
1. Specific heat capacity: joule per kilogram per kelvin, J kg-1 K-1
2. Thermal capacity: joule per kelvin (J/K)
3. Heat: joule (J)
4. Specific latent heat: joule per kilogram (J/kg)
Formulae
1. 𝛥𝑄 = 𝐶𝑚𝛥𝑇
2. 𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝑐𝑎𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 (𝐶 ′ ) = 𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 (𝑚) × 𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝑐𝑎𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 (𝐶)
3. According to the principle of calorimetry,
Heat lost = Heat gained
Thus, 𝑚1 𝐶1 𝛥𝑇1 = 𝑚2 𝐶2 𝛥𝑇2
= 𝑚1 𝐶1 (𝑡1 − 𝑡) = 𝑚2 𝐶2 (𝑡 − 𝑡2 )
𝑄
4. L fusion =
𝑚

RADIOACTIVITY AND NUCLEAR ENERGY

1. Atomic number: The number of protons present in the nucleus of an atom is called the
atomic number (Z).
2. Mass number: The sum of the numbers of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of the
atom is called the mass number (A).
3. Isotopes: The atoms of an element having same atomic number (Z) but different mass
numbers (A) are called isotopes.
4. Isobars: The atoms of different elements having same mass number (A) but different
mass numbers (Z) are called isobars.
5. Radioactivity: The phenomenon of spontaneous emission of radiations by heavy
elements is called radioactivity.
6. Alpha decay: When an atom emits an α-particle, its nucleus loses four nucleons – two
protons and two neutrons. Therefore, its mass number (A) decreases by 4 and its
atomic number (Z) decreases by 2.
7. Beta decay: When an atom emits a β-particle, there is no change in the total number
of nucleons. Therefore, its mass number does not change but its atomic number (Z)
increases by 1.
8. Gamma decay: When an atom emits γ-rays, the mass number and atomic number
remain unchanged.
9. Use of radioactive isotopes: a. medical field b. in agriculture c. industries d. general
use.
10. Radiation hazards: It leads to disorders and diseases at the following two levels: a.
somatic level b. genetic level.
11. Background radiation: The radiation from all the sources whether they are a part of
earth’s radioactive substances or caused by man like in nuclear testing or use of
nuclear weapons to which the man is exposed all times is called background radiation.
12. Nuclear fission: The process of splitting of the nucleus of a heavy atom such as
235
92U into two or more lighter nuclei with the liberation of enormous amount of energy
is called nuclear fusion.
 Thank you

INDIAN CERTIFICATE OF
SECONDARY EDUCATION

First Edition Year 2022

Publishers: ICSE Class 10

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