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Paper pattern

Part I · all 12 · 1 mark each · multiple choice12

Part II · answer 7 of 10 · 2 marks each · short answers, one question compulsory14

Part III · answer 7 of 10 · 4 marks each · answers of about 100 words, one question compulsory28

Part IV · answer 3 of 6 · 7 marks each · long answers, either-or choice21

Board paper total75

Tamil Nadu SSLC Science theory paper: 75 marks, 3 hours. Pass needs at least 20 of 75 in theory and 15 of 25 in practicals. Check your school's model papers for the latest blueprint.

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2 marks · short answer

Define inertia. Name its three types.Unit I Define 1 newton. How many dyne make 1 newton?Unit I Why does a gun recoil when a bullet is fired from it?Unit I What is a couple? Give two examples from daily life.Unit I State Newton's law of gravitation and write its formula.Unit I Why do astronauts in an orbiting spacecraft feel weightless?Unit I State Snell's law of refraction.Unit II Why does the sky appear blue in colour?Unit II Where should an object be placed in front of a convex lens to get a virtual, erect and magnified image?Unit II Define the power of a lens. Give its SI unit.Unit II What is presbyopia? How is it corrected?Unit II Give two advantages and two disadvantages of a telescope.Unit II What is thermal equilibrium?Unit III Define the coefficient of linear expansion and give its SI unit.Unit III Distinguish between the real expansion and the apparent expansion of a liquid.Unit III State Boyle's law.Unit III What is an ideal gas? When does a real gas behave like an ideal gas?Unit III Define electric current and state its SI unit.Unit IV State Ohm's law.Unit IV Why are household appliances connected in parallel and not in series?Unit IV Why is tungsten used as the filament in electric bulbs?Unit IV Give two advantages of LED bulbs over filament bulbs.Unit IV Why can sound not travel through a vacuum?Unit V Why does sound travel faster on a humid day than on a dry day?Unit V State the laws of reflection of sound.Unit V What is SONAR? Why does it use ultrasonic waves?Unit V Define the Doppler effect.Unit V What is artificial radioactivity? Who discovered it?Unit VI State Soddy and Fajans' displacement law for beta decay.Unit VI What is critical mass?Unit VI What is the function of the control rods in a nuclear reactor? Name the material used.Unit VI Name the radioisotopes used in the treatment of cancer and in carbon dating.Unit VI What is relative atomic mass? Why is it written without a unit?Unit VII What are isotones? Give one example.Unit VII Calculate the relative molecular mass of calcium carbonate, CaCO₃ (Ca = 40, C = 12, O = 16).Unit VII Define mole. What is the value of the Avogadro number?Unit VII State Avogadro's hypothesis.Unit VII Calculate the number of moles in 72 g of water.Unit VII State the modern periodic law.Unit VIII Define electronegativity. Name the most electronegative element.Unit VIII Differentiate between a mineral and an ore.Unit VIII What is the role of cryolite in the extraction of aluminium?Unit VIII What is an amalgam? Give one use.Unit VIII What is galvanisation?Unit VIII A solution has only one solute and one solvent. What is it called? Give one example.Unit IX What is solubility? Write the formula used to calculate it.Unit IX How does pressure affect the solubility of a gas in a liquid? Give an example.Unit IX Calculate the mass percentage of a solution made by dissolving 10 g of salt in 90 g of water.Unit IX What is water of crystallisation? Give one example.Unit IX Common salt becomes wet during the rainy season. Give the reason.Unit IX What is a double displacement reaction? Give one example.Unit X What are endothermic reactions? Give two examples.Unit X Why is chemical equilibrium called a dynamic equilibrium?Unit X Define the rate of a reaction and give its unit.Unit X Define pH. What is the pH of pure water at 25 °C?Unit X Calculate the pH of 1 × 10⁻⁶ M nitric acid.Unit X What is catenation? Give one example.Unit XI Write the general formula of alkenes and name the first member.Unit XI Give the IUPAC names of CH₃CHO and CH₃COCH₃.Unit XI What is absolute alcohol? How is it obtained from rectified spirit?Unit XI Why is pure ethanoic acid called glacial acetic acid?Unit XI Why does soap not lather well in hard water?Unit XI What are Casparian strips? Where are they found?Unit XII Why is the endodermis of a dicot stem called the starch sheath?Unit XII Why is a dicot leaf called dorsiventral?Unit XII What is photolysis of water? Where does it take place?Unit XII Define respiratory quotient. What is the RQ of glucose?Unit XII What is glycolysis? Where does it occur in the cell?Unit XII Name the six regions of the body of a leech.Unit XIII What is hirudin? How does it help the leech?Unit XIII How does a leech breathe without gills or lungs?Unit XIII Write the dental formula of the rabbit and find the total number of teeth.Unit XIII What is the role of the diaphragm in the rabbit?Unit XIII Name the three meninges that cover the brain of the rabbit.Unit XIII What is plasmolysis?Unit XIV What is guttation? What causes it?Unit XIV Why is transpiration called a necessary evil?Unit XIV Why is a person with blood group O called a universal donor?Unit XIV Why is the SA node called the pacemaker of the heart?Unit XIV What is lymph? Give two of its functions.Unit XIV What is a synapse? Name one neurotransmitter.Unit XV Name the three meninges that cover the brain, from outside to inside.Unit XV Write any two functions of the hypothalamus.Unit XV Why are spinal nerves called mixed nerves?Unit XV Define reflex action. Give one example.Unit XV What are Nissl's granules? Where are they found?Unit XV What is apical dominance?Unit XVI Name the gaseous plant hormone and give one of its effects.Unit XVI What is bolting? Which hormone induces it?Unit XVI Why is the pituitary called the master gland?Unit XVI Why is adrenaline called the emergency hormone?Unit XVI Distinguish between diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus.Unit XVI What is grafting? Name the two parts joined in grafting.Unit XVII What is double fertilisation?Unit XVII Why are the testes placed in the scrotum, outside the abdomen?Unit XVII What is the role of the acrosome in a sperm?Unit XVII Define menarche and menopause.Unit XVII What is implantation?Unit XVII Distinguish between somatic and germinal variations.Unit XVIII State the law of segregation.Unit XVIII State the law of independent assortment.Unit XVIII What are autosomes and allosomes?Unit XVIII Name the four nitrogen bases of DNA and say which pairs with which.Unit XVIII What is Down syndrome?Unit XVIII What is abiogenesis? Who disproved it?Unit XIX Distinguish between homologous and analogous organs with an example each.Unit XIX Why is Archaeopteryx considered a connecting link?Unit XIX What are acquired characters? Give an example.Unit XIX Define speciation.Unit XIX What is ethnobotany? Who coined the term?Unit XIX What is emasculation? Why is it done in hybridisation?Unit XX What is biofortification? Give an example.Unit XX Distinguish between inbreeding and outbreeding.Unit XX Why are restriction enzymes called molecular scissors?Unit XX What is gene therapy?Unit XX Write any two applications of DNA fingerprinting.Unit XX Define health according to WHO.Unit XXI What is passive smoking? Why is it harmful?Unit XXI Write any two symptoms of diabetes mellitus.Unit XXI Distinguish between benign and malignant tumours.Unit XXI Expand AIDS. Name the test used to diagnose HIV infection.Unit XXI List any four habits of personal hygiene.Unit XXI Distinguish between renewable and non-renewable resources with one example each.Unit XXII What is the Chipko movement?Unit XXII What is rainwater harvesting? Mention two of its advantages.Unit XXII What is biogas? Write its uses.Unit XXII What is e-waste? Why is it harmful?Unit XXII Define sustainable development.Unit XXII

4 marks · answer

Explain the three types of inertia with one example each.Unit I State Newton's second law of motion. Derive F = ma and define 1 newton.Unit I State the principle of moments. A 30 N load is 0.4 m from the pivot of a lever. Find the effort needed at 0.6 m on the other side.Unit I Derive the relation g = GM/R². Use it to calculate the mass of the Earth.Unit I What is dispersion of light? With a diagram, explain why violet light deviates the most.Unit II Explain Rayleigh, Mie and Tyndall scattering with one example each.Unit II An object is placed 40 cm from a convex lens of focal length 20 cm. Find the position and nature of the image.Unit II Explain the construction and working of a compound microscope.Unit II Distinguish between heat and temperature. Convert 57 °C into kelvin.Unit III Explain linear, superficial and cubical expansion of solids with their formulas.Unit III State Charles's law. A gas occupies 300 cm³ at 27 °C. Find its volume at 127 °C when the pressure is kept constant.Unit III Write the ideal gas equation and explain each term. Why is R called the universal gas constant?Unit III A wire of length 4 m and area of cross-section 2 × 10⁻⁷ m² has a resistance of 20 Ω. Calculate its resistivity and conductivity.Unit IV Resistors of 4 Ω, 6 Ω and 12 Ω are connected in parallel across a 12 V supply. Find the equivalent resistance and the total current.Unit IV State Joule's law of heating. Explain how an electric fuse works.Unit IV A household uses a 1 kW iron box for 1 hour and a 100 W TV for 5 hours every day. Find the units used in 30 days and the cost at an example rate of ₹ 7 per unit.Unit IV Explain the factors that affect the speed of sound in a gas.Unit V State the conditions for hearing an echo. Find the minimum distance needed for an echo when the speed of sound is 340 m/s.Unit V Explain how a stethoscope, a megaphone and a sound board work on the reflection of sound.Unit V A source of frequency 600 Hz moves away from a stationary listener at 40 m/s. Find the apparent frequency (v = 340 m/s).Unit V Compare alpha, beta and gamma radiation in terms of charge, ionising power and penetrating power.Unit VI ₉₂U²³⁸ decays to ₈₂Pb²⁰⁶. Find the number of alpha and beta particles emitted.Unit VI Distinguish between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion.Unit VI What are the hazards of nuclear radiation? Write the safety measures to be followed.Unit VI Chlorine has two isotopes, Cl-35 (75.77%) and Cl-37 (24.23%). Calculate the average atomic mass of chlorine.Unit VII Distinguish between isotopes, isobars and isotones with one example each.Unit VII Using Avogadro's hypothesis, show that the relative molecular mass of a gas is twice its vapour density.Unit VII Calculate the percentage composition of glucose, C₆H₁₂O₆ (C = 12, H = 1, O = 16).Unit VII How does ionisation energy vary across a period and down a group? Give reasons.Unit VIII Explain froth flotation with a labelled diagram. Which ores are concentrated by it?Unit VIII Give the composition and one use each of brass, bronze, duralumin and stainless steel.Unit VIII Describe an activity to show that both air and water are needed for rusting.Unit VIII Distinguish between unsaturated, saturated and supersaturated solutions, with an example of each.Unit IX How do the nature of the substances, temperature and pressure change solubility? Give one example for each.Unit IX Define volume percentage. A solution contains 30 mL of alcohol in 150 mL of solution. Calculate its volume percentage.Unit IX What happens when blue vitriol crystals are heated? Write the equation, and say what happens when water is added to the product.Unit IX How is a hygroscopic substance different from a deliquescent one? Name two examples of each.Unit IX Explain the three types of decomposition reactions with one example each.Unit X Give four differences between reversible and irreversible reactions, with one example of each.Unit X Choose any four factors that change how fast a reaction goes. Explain each with an example.Unit X What is the ionic product of water? Show that pH + pOH = 14.Unit X The pH of a solution is 9. Find [H⁺], pOH and [OH⁻], and say whether it is acidic or basic.Unit X Explain catenation, tetravalency and isomerism with one example each.Unit XI Write the characteristics of a homologous series.Unit XI Explain the IUPAC rules for naming an organic compound, with two examples.Unit XI Write any four chemical properties of ethanoic acid with balanced equations.Unit XI Give four differences between dicot and monocot roots.Unit XII Describe the internal structure of a dicot leaf.Unit XII Distinguish between the light reaction and the dark reaction of photosynthesis.Unit XII Write four differences between aerobic and anaerobic respiration.Unit XII Write any four parasitic adaptations of the leech.Unit XIII Describe the reproductive system of the leech.Unit XIII Describe the structure of the heart of the rabbit.Unit XIII Describe the excretory system of the rabbit with a labelled diagram.Unit XIII Differentiate between the apoplast and symplast pathways of water.Unit XIV Explain the transpiration pull theory of ascent of sap.Unit XIV Explain the ABO blood groups. Which groups can safely give blood to a person of group A?Unit XIV Give four differences between arteries and veins.Unit XIV Distinguish between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems (any four points).Unit XV Describe the structure and functions of the spinal cord.Unit XV Explain how a nerve impulse passes from one neuron to the next across a synapse.Unit XV Name the parts of the hindbrain and give the function of each.Unit XV Write the physiological effects of auxins.Unit XVI List the hormones of the anterior pituitary and give one function of each.Unit XVI How do insulin and glucagon keep blood sugar normal?Unit XVI What is goitre? Distinguish between simple goitre and exophthalmic goitre.Unit XVI Explain the artificial methods of vegetative propagation with examples.Unit XVII Write the differences between self-pollination and cross-pollination.Unit XVII Differentiate between spermatogenesis and oogenesis.Unit XVII Describe the phases of the menstrual cycle.Unit XVII Write the functions of the placenta.Unit XVII Explain how sex is determined in human beings.Unit XVIII Describe the structure of a chromosome with a labelled diagram.Unit XVIII Explain the types of chromosomal mutation with examples.Unit XVIII Why is DNA replication called semi-conservative? Explain the steps.Unit XVIII Explain any four theories of the origin of life.Unit XIX Explain Lamarck's theory with an example. Why was it rejected?Unit XIX How are fossils formed? How is the age of a fossil determined?Unit XIX Write the importance of ethnobotany. Add a note on astrobiology.Unit XIX Explain mutation breeding and polyploidy breeding with one example each.Unit XX What is the green revolution? Write its merits and demerits.Unit XX Explain crossbreeding and interspecific hybridisation with examples.Unit XX What are stem cells? Write their types and uses.Unit XX Explain the harmful effects of tobacco and alcohol.Unit XXI Distinguish between type 1 and type 2 diabetes.Unit XXI What is obesity? Write its causes, effects and prevention.Unit XXI How does HIV spread? Write the measures to prevent AIDS.Unit XXI What are the causes of deforestation? Write four ways to conserve forests.Unit XXII Explain rooftop rainwater harvesting with a labelled diagram.Unit XXII Distinguish between renewable and non-renewable sources of energy, with two examples each.Unit XXII Explain the methods of solid waste management.Unit XXII

7 marks · long answer

State and prove the law of conservation of linear momentum. Explain how a rocket is propelled.Unit I What is apparent weight? Explain the apparent weight of a person in a lift that is (i) at rest (ii) moving up with acceleration a (iii) moving down with acceleration a (iv) falling freely.Unit I Draw ray diagrams to show the image formed by a convex lens when the object is placed (i) at 2F (ii) between F and 2F (iii) between F and O. State the position and nature of the image in each case.Unit II Explain myopia and hypermetropia with their causes and correction. Draw ray diagrams for each defect and its correction.Unit II Explain the real and apparent expansion of a liquid with an experiment and a neat diagram. Define the coefficients of real and apparent expansion.Unit III State Boyle's, Charles's and Avogadro's laws. Derive the ideal gas equation from them, and find the volume of 1 mole of a gas at 273 K and 1.013 × 10⁵ Pa.Unit III Derive the expression for the equivalent resistance of resistors connected (i) in series and (ii) in parallel.Unit IV Explain a domestic electric circuit with a neat diagram. How do the fuse, MCB and earthing protect us?Unit IV What is an echo? State its conditions, derive the minimum distance for an echo, and explain how echoes are used to find the depth of the sea.Unit V Explain the Doppler effect, the situations in which it occurs, the cases where it is not observed, and its applications.Unit V What is nuclear fission? Explain the chain reaction with a diagram. How does an atom bomb work?Unit VI Draw a labelled diagram of a nuclear reactor and explain the function of each part.Unit VI (a) State Avogadro's hypothesis and give its applications. (b) Using the hypothesis, show that hydrogen is diatomic.Unit VII (a) Define mole, molar mass and molar volume. (b) For 22 g of CO₂, find the number of moles, the number of molecules and the volume at STP.Unit VII Explain the extraction of iron from haematite, with a labelled diagram of the blast furnace.Unit VIII (a) Explain the main features of the modern periodic table. (b) How does atomic radius vary across a period? Give a reason.Unit VIII What is corrosion? Explain any four methods of preventing corrosion.Unit VIII Explain the types of solutions based on physical state, the solvent and the amount of solute, with examples.Unit IX (a) Define solubility and explain the effect of temperature and pressure on it. (b) The solubility of NaCl at 25 °C is 36 g. How much NaCl will dissolve in 250 g of water at 25 °C?Unit IX Identify the type of each reaction and explain it: (i) 2Mg + O₂ → 2MgO (ii) CaCO₃ → CaO + CO₂ (iii) Zn + CuSO₄ → ZnSO₄ + Cu (iv) AgNO₃ + NaCl → AgCl + NaNO₃Unit X Define the rate of a reaction and give its unit. How do concentration, temperature, a catalyst and surface area change it? Give an example for each.Unit X (a) Calculate the pH of 0.01 M NaOH solution. (b) Explain how pH matters in our body, in farming and in the environment.Unit X (a) How is ethanol manufactured from molasses? (b) Write any two chemical properties of ethanol with equations.Unit XI (a) Explain the cleansing action of soap with a labelled diagram. (b) Give three differences between soaps and detergents.Unit XI (a) Describe the internal structure of a dicot stem with a labelled diagram. (b) Give two differences between dicot and monocot stems.Unit XII (a) Explain the stages of aerobic respiration with a flow chart. (b) Why is the RQ of fat less than one?Unit XII (a) Describe the digestive system of the leech with a labelled diagram. (b) How is the leech adapted to its blood-sucking life?Unit XIII (a) Describe the digestive system of the rabbit with a labelled diagram. (b) Write the dental formula of the rabbit and explain the diastema.Unit XIII (a) What is transpiration? Explain its types. (b) Write any three factors that affect transpiration.Unit XIV (a) Describe the structure of the human heart with a labelled diagram. (b) What is double circulation?Unit XIV Draw a neat labelled diagram of a neuron and explain its parts. Add a note on the types of neurons.Unit XV What is a reflex arc? With a labelled diagram, explain the reflex action that takes place when you touch a hot object.Unit XV Draw the L.S. of the human brain and describe the functions of its parts.Unit XV Describe the experiments of Darwin and Went that led to the discovery of auxins.Unit XVI Explain the hormones of the pancreas and the adrenal glands and their functions.Unit XVI Explain the process of double fertilisation in flowering plants with a labelled diagram of the ovule.Unit XVII Draw a labelled diagram of the female reproductive system and give the function of each part.Unit XVII Explain Mendel's dihybrid cross with a checkerboard. Which law does it prove?Unit XVIII Describe the Watson and Crick model of DNA with a neat diagram.Unit XVIII Explain Mendel's monohybrid cross with a checkerboard and state the laws it shows.Unit XVIII Explain Darwin's theory of natural selection. Write any two objections to it.Unit XIX Describe the evidences of evolution with examples. Draw a labelled diagram of Archaeopteryx.Unit XIX Explain the steps of recombinant DNA technology with a neat labelled diagram.Unit XX What is cloning? Describe the cloning of Dolly with a flow chart. Write its merits and demerits.Unit XX What is cancer? Explain its types, causes and methods of treatment.Unit XXI What is drug abuse? Explain the effects of drugs, tobacco and alcohol, and the steps of de-addiction.Unit XXI Explain the importance of forests and wildlife and the methods used to conserve them.Unit XXII Explain any three renewable sources of energy. Write the ways to conserve energy at home.Unit XXII

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