ICSE Class 10 Physics 2026: High Probability Question Paper with Solutions

ICSE 2026 Physics Probable Question Paper with Complete Solutions

Preparing for the ICSE 2026 Physics (Science Paper 1) board exam? We have prepared a high-probability question paper based on deep analysis of the CISCE 2026 specimen paper pattern, chapter-wise weightage, and past 10 years of board exam trends (2015-2025).

This paper follows the exact ICSE board exam format — Section A (40 marks, compulsory) and Section B (40 marks, attempt any 4 out of 6). Every question comes with a detailed step-by-step solution.

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SECTION A — 40 Marks (Attempt All Questions)

Question 1: Multiple Choice Questions [15 Marks]

(i) The centre of gravity of a uniform ring lies:

(a) on the ring itself (b) at the centre of the ring ✓ (c) at the point of suspension (d) anywhere inside the ring

Explanation: The centre of gravity of a uniform ring is at its geometric centre, which is not on the ring itself.

(ii) A boy lifts a bag of mass 5 kg to a table of height 1 m. Work done against gravity is: (g = 10 m/s²)

(a) 5 J (b) 50 J ✓ (c) 500 J (d) 0.5 J

Solution: W = mgh = 5 × 10 × 1 = 50 J

(iii) In a Class I lever, if effort arm > load arm, the MA is:

(a) equal to 1 (b) less than 1 (c) greater than 1 ✓ (d) zero

Explanation: MA = Effort arm / Load arm. If effort arm > load arm, MA > 1.

(iv) The velocity ratio of a single fixed pulley is:

(a) 0 (b) 1 ✓ (c) 2 (d) always greater than 1

Explanation: A single fixed pulley only changes the direction of effort. VR = 1.

(v) A ray of light passes from glass (μ = 1.5) to water (μ = 1.33). The ray will:

(a) bend towards the normal (b) bend away from the normal ✓ (c) not be refracted (d) be totally internally reflected

Explanation: Glass is denser than water. Light going from denser to rarer medium bends away from normal.

(vi) When white light passes through a prism, the colour that deviates the most is:

(a) red (b) yellow (c) green (d) violet ✓

Explanation: Violet has the shortest wavelength and hence the highest refractive index, causing maximum deviation.

(vii) An object placed at 2F of a convex lens produces an image that is:

(a) virtual, erect, magnified (b) real, inverted, same size ✓ (c) real, inverted, diminished (d) at infinity

(viii) Assertion: Speed of sound is greater in solids than in gases.
Reason: Solids have greater density than gases.

(b) Both true, but R is not the correct explanation ✓

Explanation: Speed of sound is greater in solids due to higher elasticity (not density). Higher density actually tends to decrease speed. The elasticity factor dominates.

(ix) Tuning fork frequency = 256 Hz, speed of sound = 340 m/s. Wavelength is:

(a) 0.75 m (b) 1.33 m ✓ (c) 2.56 m (d) 3.40 m

Solution: λ = v/f = 340/256 = 1.328 m ≈ 1.33 m. Answer: (b) 1.33 m ✓

(x) Three resistors of 2 Ω, 3 Ω, and 6 Ω in parallel. Equivalent resistance is:

(a) 11 Ω (b) 1 Ω ✓ (c) 0.5 Ω (d) 6 Ω

Solution: 1/R = 1/2 + 1/3 + 1/6 = (3+2+1)/6 = 1. R = 1 Ω

(xi) The fuse wire is always connected in:

(a) the neutral wire (b) the earth wire (c) the live wire ✓ (d) both live and neutral

(xii) Step-down transformer: 1000 primary turns, 100 secondary turns, 220V primary. Secondary voltage:

(a) 22 V ✓ (b) 2200 V (c) 2.2 V (d) 220 V

Solution: Vs/Vp = Ns/Np → Vs = 220 × 100/1000 = 22 V

(xiii) Specific latent heat of fusion of ice = 336 J/g means:

(d) Both (b) and (c) ✓ — 336 J melts 1g of ice at 0°C AND 336 J is released when 1g water freezes.

(xiv) During nuclear fission:

(a) A heavy nucleus splits into two lighter nuclei with release of energy ✓

(xv) A radioactive element emits a beta particle. The daughter nucleus has:

(a) Same mass number, atomic number increases by 1 ✓

Explanation: Beta emission: a neutron converts to a proton + electron. Mass number unchanged, atomic number +1.

Question 2 [10 Marks]

(i) Fill in the blanks: [6 marks]

(a) A wheelbarrow is an example of a Class II lever.

(b) Power of a lens is measured in dioptre.

(d) The green with yellow stripe coloured wire is the earth wire.

(e) Specific latent heat is measured in J kg⁻¹.

(f) The moderator used in a nuclear reactor is heavy water.

(ii) Match the following: [2 marks]

Column A	Column B
Hydraulic press	Pascal's Law
Electric motor	Fleming's Left-Hand Rule

(iii)(a) Infrared radiation is used in TV remote controls.
(iii)(b) Infrared radiation can travel in straight lines and can be detected by electronic sensors, making it ideal for line-of-sight communication with devices.

Question 3 [15 Marks]

(i)(a) Concave lens image characteristics: Always virtual, erect, and diminished — regardless of object position.

(i)(b) Focal length of concave lens is negative by sign convention.

(ii) Electric heater rated 1500 W, 250 V:

(a) Current = P/V = 1500/250 = 6 A

(b) Resistance = V/I = 250/6 = 41.67 Ω

(iii)(a) Condition of equilibrium: The resultant of all forces acting on the body should be zero (translational equilibrium) and the algebraic sum of moments about any point should be zero (rotational equilibrium).

(iii)(b) Metre rule balanced at 40 cm:

Weight of rule (100 gf) acts at 50 cm (CG). Weight 50 gf at 10 cm mark.

Taking moments about 40 cm:
Anticlockwise: 50 × (40-10) = 1500 gf·cm
Clockwise: 100 × (50-40) = 1000 gf·cm
Net anticlockwise = 500 gf·cm. The fulcrum (balance point) is already given as 40 cm mark.

(iv) Mixing water: 500g at 80°C + 200g at 20°C

Heat lost = Heat gained: 500 × (80 - T) = 200 × (T - 20)
40000 - 500T = 200T - 4000
44000 = 700T
T = 62.86°C ≈ 62.9°C

(v)(a) Magnetic field lines around a straight current-carrying conductor form concentric circles. Lines are closer near the conductor (stronger field).

(v)(b) Right-Hand Thumb Rule — if the thumb of right hand points in the direction of current, the curled fingers give the direction of magnetic field.

(vi)(a) Fission vs Fusion:

Nuclear Fission	Nuclear Fusion
Heavy nucleus splits into lighter nuclei	Light nuclei combine to form heavier nucleus
Uses slow neutrons as projectile	Requires extremely high temperature
Example: U-235 splitting	Example: H nuclei forming He
Used in nuclear reactors	Occurs in the Sun and stars

(vi)(b) Nuclear fission takes place in a nuclear reactor.

(vii) Echo calculation:

(a) Total distance = 2 × 100 = 200 m. Speed = 200/0.6 = 333.3 m/s

(b) Two conditions: (1) Minimum distance of 17 m between source and reflector. (2) Reflecting surface should be large and hard.

SECTION B — 40 Marks (Attempt Any 4 Questions)

Question 4: Light — Refraction & Spectrum [10 Marks]

(i)(a) The phenomenon is Total Internal Reflection (TIR).

(i)(b) Conditions: (1) Light must travel from denser to rarer medium. (2) Angle of incidence must exceed the critical angle.

(i)(c) Application: Optical fibres used in endoscopy and telecommunications.

(ii) Apparent depth calculation: Liquid μ = 1.4, real depth = 35 cm

(a) Apparent depth = Real depth / μ = 35/1.4 = 25 cm

(b) Apparent shift = 35 - 25 = 10 cm

(c) Higher refractive index → apparent depth decreases, because μ = Real depth / Apparent depth, so larger μ means smaller apparent depth.

(iii)(a) Dispersion is the splitting of white light into seven colours (VIBGYOR) by a prism. Demonstrated by Sir Isaac Newton.

(iii)(b) Increasing wavelength: Violet < Green < Orange < Red

(iii)(c) Pure spectrum: colours are distinct and don't overlap. Impure spectrum: colours overlap and merge.

(iii)(d) Ultraviolet (UV) radiation has frequency higher than violet light.

Question 5: Lenses [10 Marks]

(i) Convex lens: object 4 cm high, 30 cm from lens, f = 10 cm

Using lens formula: 1/v - 1/u = 1/f

u = -30 cm, f = +10 cm

1/v = 1/10 - 1/(-30) = 1/10 + 1/30 ... Actually: 1/v - 1/(-30) = 1/10 → 1/v + 1/30 = 1/10 → 1/v = 1/10 - 1/30 = 2/30

(a) v = +15 cm (real image, on other side)

(b) Magnification = v/u = 15/(-30) = -0.5. Image height = 0.5 × 4 = 2 cm

(ii)(a) Critical angle: The angle of incidence in the denser medium for which the angle of refraction in the rarer medium is 90°.

(ii)(b) μ = 1/sin C = 1/sin 42° = 1/0.6691 = 1.49 ≈ 1.5

(ii)(c) Diamond's critical angle is just 24°. Most light entering a diamond gets totally internally reflected multiple times before emerging, creating intense brilliance and sparkle.

(iii)(a) Ray diagram for object between F and 2F: Image formed beyond 2F on the other side. Two rays — parallel ray through F, centre ray straight through — converge beyond 2F.

(iii)(b) Image is real, inverted, and magnified.

(iii)(c) Power = -2.5 D. Focal length = 1/P = 1/(-2.5) = -0.4 m = -40 cm. It is a concave lens (negative power).

Question 6: Heat & Calorimetry [10 Marks]

(i)(a) Specific heat capacity: The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of unit mass of a substance by 1°C. SI unit: J kg⁻¹ °C⁻¹

(i)(b) Water has a very high specific heat capacity (4200 J kg⁻¹ °C⁻¹), so it can absorb a large amount of heat with a small rise in temperature — ideal for cooling.

(i)(c) 200g at 80°C + 300g at 10°C:

200 × 4.2 × (80 - T) = 300 × 4.2 × (T - 10)
200(80 - T) = 300(T - 10)
16000 - 200T = 300T - 3000
19000 = 500T → T = 38°C

(ii) Metal specific heat: 100g metal at 200°C into 400g water at 25°C. Final temp = 30°C.

Heat lost by metal = Heat gained by water
100 × c × (200 - 30) = 400 × 4.2 × (30 - 25)
100c × 170 = 400 × 4.2 × 5
17000c = 8400
c = 0.494 J g⁻¹ °C⁻¹

(iii) Heating curve:

(a) Temperature remains constant at portions BC (melting) and DE (boiling).

(b) Melting point = temperature at BC; Boiling point = temperature at DE.

(d) Temperature stays constant because all heat energy is used to change the state (latent heat), not to raise temperature.

Question 7: Force, Work & Machines [10 Marks]

(i)(a) Moment of force: The product of the force and the perpendicular distance of its line of action from the pivot point. SI unit: Newton-metre (Nm)

(i)(b) Rule balanced at 35 cm with 80 gf at 5 cm. CG at 50 cm.

Anticlockwise: 80 × (35 - 5) = 80 × 30 = 2400 gf·cm
Clockwise: W × (50 - 35) = W × 15
2400 = 15W → W = 160 gf

(ii) Ball thrown upwards: mass = 200g = 0.2 kg, v = 20 m/s

(a) Max height: v² = u² - 2gh → 0 = 400 - 2(10)h → h = 20 m

(b) KE = ½mv² = ½ × 0.2 × 400 = 40 J

(iii) Block and tackle with 5 pulleys: Load = 1000 N, height = 4 m, effort = 250 N

(b) VR = number of pulleys = 5

(d) Efficiency = (MA/VR) × 100 = (4/5) × 100 = 80%

Question 8: Sound [10 Marks]

(i)(a) Three characteristics of sound:

Characteristic	Depends On
Loudness	Amplitude of vibration
Pitch	Frequency of vibration
Quality (Timbre)	Waveform / harmonics

(i)(b) Quality (Timbre) — it depends on the waveform, which differs between instruments even at the same frequency and loudness.

(ii)(a) Distance = 680 m. Echo time = 2d/v → t = 2 × 680/340 = 4 seconds

(ii)(b) New distance = 680 - 170 = 510 m. t = 2 × 510/340 = 3 seconds

(ii)(c) Minimum distance = 17 metres. Because the human ear can distinguish two sounds only if they are separated by at least 0.1 seconds. Distance = v × t/2 = 340 × 0.1/2 = 17 m.

(iii)(a) Resonance: When the frequency of an applied force matches the natural frequency of a body, the body vibrates with maximum amplitude. Example: pushing a child on a swing at its natural frequency.

(iii)(b) Loudness vs Intensity: Intensity is a physical quantity (W/m²) — energy per unit area per second. Loudness is a physiological sensation perceived by the ear — it depends on intensity and ear sensitivity.

(iii)(c) λ = v/f = 340/300 = 1.133 m. Number of wavelengths in 680 m = 680/1.133 = 600 wavelengths

Question 9: Electricity & Electromagnetism [10 Marks]

(i)(a) Ohm's Law: At constant temperature, current through a conductor is directly proportional to the potential difference across it. V = IR.

(i)(b) I = V/R = 4/20 = 0.2 A

(ii)(a) Electrical Power: Rate of consumption of electrical energy. P = W/t = VI. SI unit: Watt (W)

(ii)(b) Electric iron rated 750 W, 220 V:

(1) Current = P/V = 750/220 = 3.41 A

(2) Energy = 0.75 kW × 20 h = 15 kWh. Cost = 15 × 5 = ₹75

(iii)(a) Fleming's Left-Hand Rule: Stretch thumb, forefinger, middle finger of left hand mutually perpendicular. Forefinger = magnetic field, middle finger = current direction, thumb = force/motion direction. Device: DC Electric Motor.

(iii)(b) Split ring commutator: Reverses the direction of current in the coil every half rotation, ensuring the coil continues to rotate in the same direction. Without it, the coil would oscillate back and forth.

(iii)(c) Transformer: Np = 500, Ns = 5000, Vp = 220 V, Ip = 5 A

(1) Vs = Vp × Ns/Np = 220 × 5000/500 = 2200 V

(2) VpIp = VsIs → 220 × 5 = 2200 × Is → Is = 0.5 A

Chapter-Wise Weightage for ICSE 2026 Physics

Chapter	Expected Marks
Force (Turning Effect)	8-10
Work, Energy and Power	8-10
Machines (Simple Machines)	6-8
Refraction of Light	8-10
Lenses	8-10
Spectrum	4-6
Sound	8-10
Current Electricity	8-10
Electrical Power & Household Circuits	6-8
Electromagnetism	6-8
Calorimetry	6-8
Radioactivity	4-6

Last-Minute Tips for ICSE Physics 2026

Formulae first: Revise all formulae with units before entering the exam hall.
Diagrams earn marks: Draw neat, labelled diagrams even when not explicitly asked — examiners award extra marks.
Show all steps in numericals: Write Given, Formula, Substitution, Answer with unit. Each step carries marks.
MCQs: Eliminate wrong options first. If unsure, go with the option that matches the formula.
Time management: Spend 15 minutes reading, 45 minutes on Section A, 50 minutes on Section B, 10 minutes revising.

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Disclaimer: This is a practice/probable paper for preparation purposes based on pattern analysis. The actual ICSE 2026 board paper may differ.