10th Science Quarterly Exam Question Paper & Answer Key 2026 | Virudhunagar District (EM)
Step up your academic preparation with the official 10th Standard Science Quarterly Exam 2026 Question Paper and Answer Key released for Virudhunagar District (English Medium). This comprehensive study asset features the actual regional exam paper paired with clear, verified solutions for Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. Practising with this authentic district paper helps English medium students identify high-priority question trends, master time management, and build strong confidence for the upcoming board exams.
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Quarterly Exam, September - 2026
1. Impulse is equal to:
a) rate of change of momentum b) rate of force and time
c) change of momentum d) rate of change of mass
Explanation: Impulse J = F × Δt = Δp (change in linear momentum).
2. In a myopic eye, the image of the object is formed:
a) behind the retina b) on the retina c) in front of retina d) on the blind spot
3. The unit of electrical resistivity is:
a) ohm meter b) ohm c) mho d) mho m
4. 1 mole of any substance contains _______ molecules.
a) 6.023 × 1023 b) 6.023 × 10−23 c) 3.0115 × 1023 d) 12.046 × 1023
5. The chief ore of iron is:
a) Magnetite b) Bauxite c) Cuprite d) Haematite
6. Deliquescence is due to:
a) strong affinity to water b) less affinity to water c) strong hatred to water d) inertness to water
7. Kreb's cycle takes place in:
a) chloroplast b) mitochondrial matrix c) stomata d) inner mitochondrial membrane
8. 'Heart of heart' is called:
a) SA node b) AV node c) Purkinje fibres d) Bundle of His
9. _______ controls respiration and sleep cycle.
a) Medulla oblongata b) Thalamus c) Hypothalamus d) Pons
10. Identify the exocrine gland:
a) Pituitary gland b) Adrenal gland c) Salivary gland d) Thyroid gland
11. A single highly coiled tube where sperms are stored, get concentrated and mature is known as:
a) Epididymis b) Vasa efferentia c) Vas deferens d) Seminiferous tubules
12. Okazaki fragments are joined together by:
a) Helicase b) DNA polymerase c) DNA primer d) DNA ligase
13. Define inertia. Give its classification.
Inertia: The inherent property of a body to resist any change in its state of rest or the state of uniform motion unless it is influenced upon by an external unbalanced force.
Classification:
1. Inertia of rest
2. Inertia of motion
3. Inertia of direction
14. State Rayleigh's law of scattering.
Rayleigh's scattering law states that the amount of scattering of light (S) is inversely proportional to the fourth power of its wavelength (λ).
Formula: S ∝ 1 / λ4
15. A is a silvery white metal. A combines with O2 to form B at 800°C, the alloy of A is used in making the aircraft. Find A and B.
• Silvery white metal A = Aluminium (Al)
• Compound B = Aluminium oxide (Al2O3)
Reaction: 4Al + 3O2 → 2Al2O3 (at 800°C)
16. Define Volume percentage.
Volume percentage is defined as the percentage by volume of solute (in ml) present in the total volume of the solution.
Formula: Volume percentage = (Volume of solute / Volume of solution) × 100
17. List out the parasitic adaptations in leech.
1. Anterior and posterior suckers help the leech attach to the host's body and suck blood.
2. Three jaws in the buccal cavity produce a painless Y-shaped triradiate incision on the host's skin.
3. Salivary glands secrete hirudin, an anticoagulant that prevents blood clotting.
4. Crop stores large volumes of ingested blood for several months without digestion.
18. What is the importance of valves in the heart?
Valves are muscular flaps that regulate the flow of blood in a single direction and prevent the backward flow (regurgitation) of blood in the heart.
19. Match the following:
• Insulin — Diabetes mellitus
• Parathormone — Tetany
• Growth hormone — Acromegaly
20. How can menstrual hygiene be maintained during menstrual days?
1. Sanitary pads should be changed regularly (every 4 to 6 hours) to prevent bacterial infections.
2. Clean the genital area with warm water and mild soap after using the restroom.
3. Dispose of used sanitary pads hygienically by wrapping them in paper before discarding; avoid flushing them.
4. Wear clean, loose cotton undergarments to allow aeration and prevent chafing.
21. What are allosomes?
Allosomes are the sex chromosomes that are responsible for determining the sex of an individual. In humans, they are designated as X and Y chromosomes (23rd pair).
22. [Compulsory] A container whose capacity is 70 ml is filled with a liquid up to 50 ml. Then, the liquid in the container is heated. Initially, the level of the liquid falls from 50 ml to 48.5 ml. Then we heat more, the level of the liquid rises to 51.2 ml. Find the apparent and real expansion.
Initial level L1 = 50 ml
Level after container expands L2 = 48.5 ml
Final level after heating liquid L3 = 51.2 ml
• Apparent expansion = L3 − L1 = 51.2 − 50 = 1.2 ml
• Real expansion = L3 − L2 = 51.2 − 48.5 = 2.7 ml
23. a) Define one calorie. b) State Boyle's law.
a) One Calorie: The amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water through 1°C.
b) Boyle's Law: At constant temperature, the volume of a fixed mass of gas is inversely proportional to its pressure. (P ∝ 1/V or PV = Constant).
24. a) What is meant by electric current? b) List the merits of LED bulb.
a) Electric current: The rate of flow of electric charges across a given cross-section of a conductor (I = Q / t).
b) Merits of LED bulb:
1. Highly energy-efficient and consumes very little electrical power.
2. Long operational life span (over 50,000 hours).
3. Environment friendly as it contains no toxic mercury.
4. Emits negligible heat and lights up instantly without flickering.
25. List out the applications of Avogadro's law.
1. Explains Gay-Lussac's law of combining volumes.
2. Helps in determining the atomicity of gases.
3. Used to derive the relationship between Molecular Mass and Vapour Density (Molecular Mass = 2 × Vapour Density).
4. Helps in determining the molar volume of gases at STP (22.4 litres).
26. Write notes on various factors affecting solubility.
1. Nature of solute and solvent: Polar solutes dissolve in polar solvents (e.g., NaCl in water), and non-polar solutes dissolve in non-polar solvents ("Like dissolves like").
2. Temperature:
• In endothermic dissolution, solubility increases with increase in temperature.
• In exothermic dissolution, solubility decreases with increase in temperature.
• Solubility of gases in liquids decreases with increase in temperature.
3. Pressure: An increase in pressure increases the solubility of gases in liquids (Henry's Law). Pressure has no significant effect on the solubility of solids in liquids.
27. Describe and name the three stages of cellular respiration that aerobic organisms use to obtain energy from glucose.
1. Glycolysis: Occurs in the cytoplasm. One molecule of glucose (6-carbon) is broken down into two molecules of pyruvic acid (3-carbon) without utilizing oxygen.
2. Krebs Cycle (Citric Acid Cycle): Occurs in the mitochondrial matrix. Pyruvic acid enters the matrix, undergoes oxidation, and produces ATP, NADH2, FADH2, releasing CO2.
3. Electron Transport Chain (Oxidative Phosphorylation): Occurs on the inner mitochondrial membrane. High energy electrons from NADH2 and FADH2 are passed along carrier complexes to synthesize large amounts of ATP; oxygen acts as the terminal electron acceptor, forming water.
28. How are arteries and veins structurally different from one another?
| Arteries | Veins |
|---|---|
| Thick, elastic, and muscular walls. | Thin and less muscular walls. |
| Lumen is narrow. | Lumen is wide. |
| Internal valves are absent. | Semilunar valves are present to prevent backflow. |
| Carry blood under high pressure away from heart. | Carry blood under low pressure towards the heart. |
29. Where are estrogens produced? What is the role of estrogens in the human body?
Site of Production: Estrogens are secreted by the maturing Graafian follicles of the ovaries.
Role in Human Body:
1. Promotes the development of female secondary sexual characters at puberty (breast development, high-pitched voice, widening of pelvis).
2. Stimulates the maturation of ova (oogenesis).
3. Promotes the proliferation and repair of the uterine endometrium during the menstrual cycle.
30. Illustrate the structure and functions of brain.
The human brain is protected inside the cranium and surrounded by three meninges (Dura mater, Arachnoid membrane, Pia mater). It is divided into three parts:
1. Forebrain (Prosencephalon):
• Cerebrum: Largest part, seat of intelligence, memory, speech, voluntary activities, and consciousness.
• Thalamus: Major relay centre for sensory and motor signals.
• Hypothalamus: Controls homeostatic functions like body temperature, hunger, thirst, and endocrine regulation.
2. Midbrain (Mesencephalon): Controls visual and auditory reflex movements.
3. Hindbrain (Rhombencephalon):
• Cerebellum: Coordinates voluntary muscular movements and maintains body balance and posture.
• Pons: Relays signals between cerebellum and cerebrum; pneumotaxic centre for respiration.
• Medulla oblongata: Controls autonomic vital reflexes like heartbeat, blood pressure, respiration, swallowing, and vomiting.
31. a) Name the secondary sex organs in male. b) What is colostrum?
a) Male secondary sex organs: Epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicles, prostate gland, Cowper's (bulbourethral) gland, and penis.
b) Colostrum: The first yellowish milk secreted by the mammary glands for a few days after childbirth. It is rich in proteins, minerals, and maternal antibodies (particularly IgA) that provide passive immunity to the newborn.
32. [Compulsory] Calculate the % of each element in calcium carbonate (CaCO3). (C = 12, O = 16, Ca = 40).
Molar mass of CaCO3 = 40 + 12 + 3(16) = 40 + 12 + 48 = 100 g/mol
• % of Calcium (Ca) = (40 / 100) × 100 = 40%
• % of Carbon (C) = (12 / 100) × 100 = 12%
• % of Oxygen (O) = (48 / 100) × 100 = 48%
i) Derivation of F = ma:
Let a body of mass m be moving with an initial velocity u. When a force F acts on it for time t, its velocity changes to v.
Initial momentum pi = mu; Final momentum pf = mv
Change in momentum Δp = mv − mu = m(v − u)
According to Newton's second law: F ∝ Δp / t ⇒ F ∝ m(v − u) / t
Since acceleration a = (v − u) / t, we get F ∝ ma ⇒ F = k ma
In SI units, choosing k = 1: F = ma.
ii) Difference between Mass and Weight:
| Mass | Weight |
|---|---|
| Quantity of matter contained in a body. | Gravitational pull exerted on the body (W = mg). |
| Fundamental physical quantity. | Derived physical quantity. |
| Scalar quantity (magnitude only). | Vector quantity (directed towards centre of gravity). |
| SI unit is Kilogram (kg). | SI unit is Newton (N). |
• Principle: Uses two convex lenses to achieve higher optical magnification than a simple microscope.
• Construction:
1. Objective Lens: Lens placed close to the object; has a short focal length and small aperture.
2. Eyepiece Lens: Lens placed near the eye; has a comparatively longer focal length and larger aperture. Both lenses are mounted coaxially in a tube with an adjustable rack-and-pinion arrangement.
• Working:
1. The object is kept just beyond the focal length (u > fo) of the objective lens.
2. The objective forms a real, inverted, and magnified intermediate image A'B' inside the focal length of the eyepiece.
3. The eyepiece acts as a simple magnifier, viewing A'B' as an object to produce a highly magnified, virtual, and inverted final image A''B'' at the least distance of distinct vision.
i) Methods of preventing corrosion:
1. Galvanization: Coating zinc over iron objects to protect them from exposure to air and water.
2. Electroplating: Depositing a thin layer of a corrosion-resistant metal (e.g., chromium, nickel) using electrolysis.
3. Alloying: Mixing with other metals or non-metals to form stainless alloys (e.g., Stainless steel: Fe + Cr + Ni).
4. Sacrificial protection: Connecting more reactive metals (like magnesium or zinc) to the iron body.
5. Barrier protection: Applying paint, oil, or grease coatings.
ii) Conditions necessary for rusting of iron:
1. Presence of oxygen (air).
2. Presence of water (moisture).
i) Binary solution: A solution consisting of only two components — one solute and one solvent (e.g., Salt dissolved in water).
ii) Heating of Epsom salt: When hydrated magnesium sulphate (MgSO4·7H2O) is heated, it loses its water of crystallization and turns into anhydrous magnesium sulphate:
MgSO4·7H2O ↔ MgSO4 + 7H2O (Heating / Cooling)
iii) Solubility: The number of grams of solute that can dissolve in 100 g of solvent to form a saturated solution at a specified temperature and pressure.
i) Male reproductive system of rabbit:
• Testes: A pair of ovoid bodies located in scrotal sacs outside the abdominal cavity.
• Epididymis: Highly coiled tubule attached to each testis where sperms mature and are stored.
• Vas deferens: Tubes that conduct sperms from epididymis to the urethra.
• Accessory glands: Seminal vesicles, prostate gland, and Cowper's glands secrete seminal fluid to nourish sperms.
• Penis: The copulatory organ for sperm transfer.
ii) Four functions of blood:
1. Transports oxygen from lungs to tissues and carbon dioxide from tissues to lungs.
2. Transports digested nutrients, hormones, and vitamins throughout the body.
3. Maintains water, electrolyte, and body temperature equilibrium.
4. Defends against pathogens via WBC phagocytosis and antibody production.
i) Personality hormone: Thyroid hormones (Thyroxine) are essential for physical growth, mental development, and basal metabolic rate, thus directly influencing an individual's personality.
ii) Bolting: The sudden rapid elongation of internodes followed by flowering in rosette plants, triggered by treatment with gibberellins.
iii) Chemical messengers: Hormones are organic chemical substances secreted by endocrine glands directly into the blood to act as chemical messengers that coordinate bodily functions.
iv) Emergency hormone: Adrenaline (Epinephrine) (and Noradrenaline), secreted by the adrenal medulla.
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