NCERT Class 10 Science Lab Manual Experiment 1()

Aim
To perform and observe the following reactions and classify them into:
(a) Combination reaction (b) Decomposition reaction
(c) Displacement reaction (d) Double displacement reaction.

1. Action of water on quick lime.

2. Action of heat on ferrous sulphate crystals.
3. Iron nails kept in copper sulphate solution.
Materials Required
A beaker, four test tubes, test tube holder, tongs, test tube stand, a dropper, a piece of sand
paper and bunsen burner.

Chemicals required: A small piece of quick lime, ferrous sulphate crystals, iron nails (clean
and unrusted), copper sulphate solution, sodium sulphate solution, barium chloride solution
and distilled water.

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Precautions

1. Do not touch quick lime with hands, use tongs.

2. Mixing of quick lime and water releases large amount of heat, so add water drop
by drop and use borosil beaker.
3. For heating, use hard glass tubes.
4. Never inhale any gas, just waft the gas.
5. Do not touch any chemical with hands.
6. Keep the mouth of the test tube away from your face while heating.

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 7. The iron nails must be cleaned properly by using sand paper before dipping
them in copper sulphate solution.

Aim
To find the pH of the following samples by using pH paper/universal indicator.

(a) Dilute hydrochloric acid

(b) Dilute NaOH solution
(c) Dilute ethanoic acid solution
(d) Lemon juice
(e) Water
(f) Dilute sodium bicarbonate solution

Materials Required
Six test tubes, six droppers, white tile, pH paper (with coloured chart strip of pH scale) and
test tube stand.

Chemicals required: Dilute hydrochloric acid, dilute solution of sodium hydroxide, dilute
ethanoic acid, lemon juice, distilled water and dilute solution of sodium bicarbonate.
Procedure
1. Take six test tubes, wash them with distilled water and place them on test tube stand.
2. Mark these test tubes as A, B, C, D, E and F.
3. Take 2 mL each of the above chemicals and add them to the test tubes marked.
Test tube A – add 2 mL of dil. HCI acid Test tube B – add 2 mL of dil. NaOH solution
Test tube C – add 2 mL of dil-. ethanoic acid Test tube D – add 2 mL of lemon juice
Test tube E – add 2 mL of distilled water Test tube F – add 2 mL of dil. sodium bicarbonate
solution
4. Take a white tile and place small strips of pH paper on it, mark them as A to F.
5. Take clean droppers rinsed with distilled water.

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6. Use each dropper to suck the contents present in the test tubes A to F and pour a drop of
each content on marked pH paper respectively.
E.g., the contents of test tube A to be placed on the pH paper with label A.
7. Observe the colour change in the pH paper and match it with the colour pH chart given.
Record your observations.
Observations

Test tube Sample Colour of pH Paper Approximate pH Nature

A Dil. HCI Red colour 1 Strong acid

B Dil. NaOH Dark blue colour 14 Strong base

C Dil. CH,COOH Orange colour 3 Weak acid

D Lemon juice Pink colour 2 Weak acid

E Water Green colour 7 Neutral

F Dil. NaHCO3
Light blue colour 9 Weak base

Conclusion

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 Test tube Sample

A Hydrochloric acid

B Sodium hydroxide

C Ethanoic acid

D Lemon juice

E Water (distilled)

F Sodium bicarbonate

Precautions

1. The test sample solutions should be freshly prepared and the firuit juice samples
should also be fresh.
2. Use clean and rinsed droppers.
3. Use clean test tubes and mark them carefully.
4. Rinse the test tubes and droppers with distilled water only.
5. Use clean tile.

Sources of Error

1. Be careful while using the dropper, ensure that everytime you use a clean
dropper.

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 2. Do not use tap water for rinsing, the pH may go wrong.

Aim
(a) To study the properties of acids (HCl) by their reaction with

1. Litmus solution(Blue/Red)
2. Zinc metal(Zn)
3. Solid sodium carbonate(Na2COs).

Materials Required
Test tubes, test tube stand, test tube holder, cork, droppers, beaker, litmus (red and
blue), Zn metal granules, solid sodium carbonate, dil. HCl.

Procedure And Observation Table

Result

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 1. HCI turns blue litmus red.
2. It releases H2 gas on reaction with Zn metal.
3. It liberates C02 gas on reaction with Na2C03.

Precautions

1. HCI is corrosive, therefore, handle it with care.

2. Use small quantities of chemicals.
3. A fine jet should be taken for burning hydrogen.
4. Use clean zinc metal, otherwise the reaction will occur very slowly.
5. Wash your hands properly with soap after the experiment.

Aim

(b) To study the properties of bases(NaOH) by their reaction with

1. Litmus solution(Blue/Red)
2. Zinc metal(Zn)
3. Solid sodium carbonate(Na2CO3)

Materials Required
Dil. NaOH, test tubes, test tube holder, test tube stand, red and blue litmus solutions,
zinc metal, sodium carbonate and droppers.
Theory

1. NaOH is a base. Bases turn red litmus blue and do not affect blue litmus.
2. On reacting with zinc metal, NaOH forms sodium zincate and hydrogen gas is
liberated. The hydrogen gas burns with a pop sound.

3. NaOH does not react with solid or aqueous Na2CO3.

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Procedure And Observation Table

Result

1. NaOH turns red litmus blue.

2. On reaction with Zn metal, it releases H2
3. It does not react with Na2COg.

Precautions

1. Handle NaOH with care.

2. Use small quantities of chemicals.
3. A fine jet should be taken for burning hydrogen.
4. Zn granules should be clean.
5. Wash your hands properly after completing experiment.

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CBSE Class 10 Science Practical Skills – Reactivity
Series
AIM

1. To observe the action of Zn, Fe, Cu and Al metals on the following salt
solutions:
o ZnSO4(aq.)
o FeSO4(aq.)
o CuSO4(aq.)
o Al2(SO4)3(aq.)
2. Arrange Zn, Fe, Cu and A1 metals in the decreasing order of reactivity based on
the above result.

MATERIALS REQUIRED
Test tubes, test tube stand, metals-Zn granules, Fe filings, Cu turnings, Al foil and
aqueous solutions of zinc sulphate, ferrous sulphate, copper sulphate and aluminium
sulphate.

PROCEDURE

1. Take four test tubes and label them as ZnSO4, FeSO4, CuSO4 and Al2(SO4)3
2. Pour equal amount of their aqueous solutions into the respective test tubes.
3. Add a small strip of Al foil to each of the test tubes.
4. Observe the changes and record your observations.
5. Repeat similar procedure using:
o Cu turnings with ZnSO4, FeSO4, CuSO4 and Al2(SO4)3 solutions.
o Fe filings with ZnSO4, FeSO4, CuSO4 and Al2(SO4)3 solutions.
o Zn granules with ZnSO4, FeSO4, CuSO4 and Al2(SO4)3 solutions.

Record your observations in the following table:

OBSERVATION TABLE

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RESULT

1. Al is able to displace Fe, Cu and Zn from their salt solutions, therefore Al is most
reactive.
2. Cu is unable to displace any metal among Al, Fe and Zn from their salt
solutions, therefore Cu is least reactive.
3. Fe is unable to displace Zn from its salt solution, whereas Zn is able to displace
Fe from its salt solution, therefore Zn is more reactive than Fe.
4. The decreasing order of reactivity for these metals follow the order:
Al > Zn > Fe > Cu.

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PRECAUTIONS

1. Handle the chemicals carefully.

2. Clean each metal with sand paper.
3. Observe the changes carefully as few reactions may occur slowly.
4. Do not taste the chemicals.
5. Wash your hands properly after the experiment.

CBSE Class 10 Science Practical Skills – CO2 is

Released During Respiration
AIM
To show experimentally that carbon dioxide is given out during respiration,

MATERIALS REQUIRED
Conical flask, U-shaped delivery tube (tube bent twice at right angles), cotton wool or
moist blotting paper, water, thread, beaker, test tube, rubber cork with one hole, 20%
freshly prepared KOH solution, vaseline, soaked gram seeds.

PROCEDURE

1. Take about 25-30 seeds of gram and germinate these seeds by placing them on
moist cotton wool or moist blotting paper for 3-4 days.
2. Place the germinated seeds into a conical flask and sprinkle a little water in flask
to moist the seeds.
3. Take freshly prepared 20% KOH solution in a test tube and hang it in conical
flask with help of thread.
4. Close the mouth of conical flask by placing a rubber cork containing one hole. .
5. Through the hole of rubber cork, insert one end of the U-shaped glass delivery
tube in the conical flask and place the other end into a beaker filled with water.
6. Seal all the connections of the experimental set-up with vaseline so as to make
it air-tight.
7. Mark the initial level of water in the U-shaped delivery tube.
8. Keep the apparatus undisturbed for 1-2 hours and note the change in level of
water in the delivery tube.

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OBSERVATIONS
After sometime, the level of water in U-shaped delivery tube dipped in water of the
beaker rises.

RESULT
Germinated gram seeds in a conical flask release CO, during respiration. The C02
released is absorbed by KOH present in the hanging test tube in conical flask. This
creates a vacuum in conical flask which causes upward movement of water in the
delivery tube leading to change in level of water in the delivery tube.

PRECAUTIONS

1. Germinating seeds should be kept moist.

2. All connections of the set-up should be air-tight.
3. Freshly prepared KOH solution should be used.
4. Keep one end of U-shaped delivery tube in conical flask and the other end
immersed in water of the beaker.
5. The test tube containing KOH should be hung carefully.

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NCERT Class 10 Science Lab Manual Focal
Length of Concave Mirror and Convex Lens
Aim
To determine the focal length of (i) concave mirror (ii) convex lens by obtaining the image of a
distant object.

To Determine The Focal Length Of Concave Mirror Practical

(i) To determine focal length of a given concave mirror:

Materials Required
A concave mirror, a measuring scale, a screen a mirror holder and mirror stand.

Procedure

1. Select a distant object from the laboratory window (distance should be more
than 50 ft).
2. Fix the concave mirror on the mirror stand placed on the table, facing the distant
object.
3. Place the screen in front of the reflecting surface of the mirror. Move the screen
back and forth until a clear, sharp image of the distant object is obtained on the
screen.
4. Measure the distance between the concave mirror and the screen with a metre
scale. This distance is the focal length of the given concave mirror. Record the
focal length.

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 5. Repeat the above procedure twice and record the readings. Take three readings
and calculate the average focal length.

Observation Table

Position of concave mirror

S.No. Position of screen (S) Focal length/ = (M – S) cm
(M)

1. 60 cm 50 cm 10 cm

2. 60 cm 50 cm 10 cm

3. 60 cm 50 cm 10 cm

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Calculation
Mean value of focal length of concave mirror =

Result
The focal length of the given concave mirror = 10 cm

Precautions

1. The distant object must be well illuminated to produce a well illuminated and
distinct image.
2. Always place the concave mirror near an open window.
3. The polished surface of the concave mirror must face the distant object.
4. There should be no obstacle or hurdle in the path of rays of light from the distant
object, incident on the concave mirror.
5. The base of the stands of the concave mirror and screen should be parallel to
the measuring scale.
6. The mirror holder along with the mirror should be kept perpendicular to the
measuring scale for precise measurements.

Focal Length Of Convex Lens Experiment Class 10

(ii) To determine focal length of a given convex mirror:

Materials Required
Wooden bench, convex lens, a lens holder, a screen fixed to a stand, a measuring scale; etc.

Procedure

1. Arrange the wooden bench capable of holding the lens and screen horizontally
on a table, so that the lens and screen are not disturbed.
2. Keep the lens in a holder facing a distant object say tree branches.
3. Fix the screen on another holder and keep it on the bench.
4. Adjust the position of the screen in such a way that a sharp image of the given
distant object falls on it.
5. Note down the position of the lens in the table and the screen, and find the
differences and record the same. The difference will give the focal length of the
given convex lens.
6. Focus the lens towards various distant objects and repeat the experiment to find
the position of sharp image and thereby the focal length.

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 7. Add all the focal lengths found out and find the mean value of the focal length of
the convex lens.

Observation Table

S.No. Position of convex lens (L) Position of screen (S) Focal length/= (L – S) cm

1. 60 cm 50 cm f1 = 10 cm

2. 60 cm 50 cm f2 = 10 cm

3. 60 cm 50 cm f3 = 10 cm

Calculation
Mean value of focal length of convex lens =

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Result
The focal length of the given convex lens = 10 cm

Precautions

1. Convex lens should be placed vertically.

2. There should be no obstacle or hurdle in the path of rays of light from the distant
object incident on the common lens.
3. In order to get a well illuminated and distinct image, it must be ensured that the
distanct object is well illuminated.
4. The base of the stands of the convex lens and screen should be parallel to the
measuring scale.

NCERT Class 10 Science Lab Manual

Refraction Through Glass Slab
Aim
To trace the path of a ray of light passing through a rectangular glass slab for different angles of
incidence. Measure the angle of incidence, angle of refraction, angle of emergence and interpret
the result.

Materials Required
A drawing board, 4-6 all pins, white sheet of paper, rectangular glass slab, a protractor, a
scale, a pencil and thumb pins.

Procedure

1. Take a soft drawing board. Fix a white sheet on it with the help of thumb pins.
2. Place the rectangular glass slab in the centre of the white paper and draw its
outline boundary with pencil.
3. Mark this rectangular figure obtained as ABCD.
4. On one side of this figure, i.e., AB take one point E, draw a perpendicular EN
and label it as normal ray.
5. With the help of a protractor draw one angle of 30° with the EN. Fix two pins P
and Q on the ray of this angle, the distance between the pins should be more
than 4-5 cm.
6. Put the glass slab on the rectangular figure ABCD.
7. See through the glass slab from side CD and fix pin R and S such that when
seen through the glass slab all
the pins lie in straight line, [i.e., Pins P, Q, R and S should lie in straight line
when seen through the glass slab], ‘
8. Now, remove the pins P, Q, R and S one by one and draw small circles around
the pin points.
9. Remove the glass slab.

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 10. Join points R and S such that it meets CD at point F.
Draw perpendicular to CD at point F as N’M’.
11. Join points E and F with the pencil.
12. Measure the angles formed at AB and CD, i.e., the incident angle, refracted
angle and emergent angle.
13. Extend ray PQ with scale and pencil in dotted line. It will be parallel to ray FRS.
The distance between these two parallel rays is called lateral displacement (d).
14. Measure the lateral displacement.
15. Repeat the above procedure for angles 45° and 60°.
Diagram

ABCD = Glass slab

EN and FM’ = Normal rays
P, Q, R, S = All pins ∠PEN = ∠i = incident angle = 30°
∠MEF = ∠r = refracted angle
∠SFM’= ∠e = emergent angle = 30° ~ 31°
d = lateral displacement.

Glass Slab Experiment Class 10 Observations Table

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 Angle of incidence
Angle of refraction Angle of emergence ∠i – ∠e
S.No.
∠r = ∠MEF ∠e = ∠SFM’ ∠PEN – ∠SFM’
∠i = ∠PEN

1. 30° 28° 30° 0°

2. 45° 43° 44.8° 0.2°

3. 60° 56° 59.8° 0.2°

During performing this experiment, ∠i – ∠e may not be zero at times as shown above due to
human error.

Conclusion

1. The angle of incidence is nearly equal to the angle of emergence.

2. The angle of refraction is less than angle of incidence because light is travelling
from rarer to denser optical medium.
3. The lateral displacement remains the same for different angles of incidences.
4. When the light ray travels from optically rarer medium (air) to optically denser
medium (glass) the light bends towards the normal.

Precautions

1. The glass slab should be perfectly rectangular with all its faces smooth.
2. The drawing board should be soft so that pins can be easily fixed on it.
3. The angle of incidence should lie between 30° and 60°.
4. All pins base should lie in straight line.
5. While fixing the pins P and Q or the pins R and S, care should be taken to
maintain a distance of about 5 cm between the two pihs.
6. Draw thin lines using a sharp pencil.
7. Use a good quality protractor having clear markings.
8. Place the protractor correctly to measure the angles.
9. Perpendiculars should be drawn correctly.

Sources of Error

1. The glass slab should not have any air-bubbles.

2. All measurement of angles using protractor should be done accurately.

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NCERT Class 10 Science Lab Manual
Refraction Through Prism
Aim
To trace the path of the rays of light through a glass prism.

Theory

• A prism has a triangular base and three triangular lateral surfaces. These
surfaces are inclined to each other.
Refraction of light through a prism
• In the given figure, ABC represents the base of a glass prism. Let PE be the
incident ray of light on face AB of the prism. EF represents the bending of light
when it enters the prism and hence show the refraction of light.
• RS is the emergent ray at face AC of the prism.
The angle D shows the angle of deviation.
The ∠BAC of the prism is called the angle of the prism and it is denoted by ‘A’.

• In the figure, the relation between

• angle of incidence ∠i, i. e., ∠PQN
• angle of refraction ∠r, i.e., ∠FEN,
• angle of deviation ∠D, i.e., ∠HGF and
• angle of prism ∠A, i.e., ∠BAC. ∠A + ∠D = ∠i + ∠e

Materials Required
A white sheet, soft board, thumb pins, 4-6 all pins, prism, pencil, scale, protractor, drawing
board.

Procedure

1. Fix a white sheet on a drawing board using drawing pins.

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 2. Place a glass prism on it in such a way that it rests on its triangular base. Trace
the outline of the prism using a pencil.
3. Draw a thin line NEN normal (perpendicular) to face AB of the prism. Also draw
a straight line PE making an angle preferably between 30° and 60° as shown in
figure.
4. Fix two pins at a distance of 5 cm from each other on the line PE as shown in
the figure, later mark these points of pins as P and Q.
5. Look at the images of the pins, fixed at P and Q, through the other face of the
prism, i.e., AC.
6. Fix two more pins, at points R and S vertically such that the feet of pins at R and
S appear to be on the same straight line as the feet of the images of the pins P
and Q when viewed through the face AC of the prism.
7. Remove the pins and the glass prism.
8. Join and produce a line joining R and S, let this line meet the prism at point F.
9. Extend the direction of incident ray PQE till it meets the face AC. Also extend
(backwards) the emergent ray SRF so that these two lines meet at a point G.
10. Mark the angle of incidence ∠i, angle of refraction ∠r and the angle of
emergence ∠e and ∠D as shown in the figure.
11. Repeat the experiment for more angle of incidence preferably between 30° and
60°.

Glass Prism Experiment Class 10 Observations

The light ray enters the prism at surface AB, bends towards the normal on refraction.

1. At surface AC of the prism, this light ray bends away from the normal because it
travels from a glass to air.
2. The peculiar shape of the prism makes the emergent ray bend at an angle to the
direction of the incident ray. This angle is called the angle of deviation (∠D).

Conclusion

1. The light ray, i.e., the incident ray first bends towards the normal when it gets
refracted in the prism and while leaving the prism it bends away from the normal.
2. The angle of deviation first decreases with the increase in angle of incidence ∠i.
It attains a minimum value then increases with further increase in angle of
incidence.

Precautions

1. A sharp pencil should be used for drawing the boundary of the prism.
2. Use soft board and pointed pins.
3. The pins should be fixed at a distance of 5 cm or more.
4. The pins should be fixed vertically and immediately encircled after they are
removed.
5. While viewing the col-linearity of pins and images, the eye should be kept at a
distance from the pins so that all of them can be seen simultaneously. The col-

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 linearity of all the four pins can be confirmed by moving the head slightly to
either side while viewing them. They all appear to move together.
6. The angle of incidence should be between 30° and 60°.
7. Proper arrows should be drawn for the incident ray, refracted ray and emergent
ray.

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