ICSE Class 10 Chemistry Books – Chapters, Practice & PDFs

Looking for the ICSE Class 10 Chemistry books and what each chapter contains? This page lists 17 chapters from the Chemistry, Selina Concise and Rachna Sagar textbooks, with each listed chapter’s PDF on this page.

The directory below gets you to the PDFs fast. It also tells you, chapter by chapter, how many named sections, practice questions and printed pages each chapter runs to — all counted from the books. The chapters not yet covered here are named in Sources, and the other Class 10 subjects live on the Class 10 ICSE books hub.

Reference: CISCE-aligned ICSE textbook material.

ICSE Class 10 Chemistry Books: chapter PDF downloads

Chemistry

Rachna Sagar

Selina Concise

ICSE Class 10 Chemistry Books: what is inside each chapter

The directory’s three count columns are easy to read. A section is one of the book’s own main headings — sub-headings are not counted. A practice question is a numbered item under an exercise heading. Pages are the chapter’s pages in the PDF.

Chapter 2: Chemical Bonding (Chemistry)

Atoms in most substances stay joined through chemical bonds, and this chapter explains how. It covers the electrovalent, or ionic, bond first, then the covalent, or molecular, bond. It compares the properties of electrovalent and covalent compounds and looks at the effect of electricity on both. The coordinate bond gets its own treatment too.

• 2.2 Electrovalent (or Ionic) Bond
• 2.3 Covalent (Molecular) Bond
• 2.4 Properties and Comparison of Electrovalent and Covalent Compounds
• 2.5 Effect of Electricity on Electrovalent and Covalent Compounds
• 2.6 Coordinate Bond

The book sets 27 Intext Questions and an Exercise of 9.

Chapter 5: Mole Concept and Stoichimetry (Chemistry)

This chapter moves from gas laws to the mole. It opens with Gay-Lussac’s law of combining volumes and Avogadro’s law, then defines relative atomic mass and relative molecular mass. Gram atomic mass and gram molecular mass lead into the mole concept and the applications of Avogadro’s law. Later sections cover percentage composition, empirical and molecular formulas, and chemical equations.

• 5.2 Gay-Lussac’s Law of Combining Volumes
• 5.3 Avogadro’s Law
• 5.4 Relative Atomic Mass (Atomic Weight)
• 5.5 Relative Molecular Mass (Molecular Weight)
• 5.6 Gram Atomic Mass
• 5.7 Gram Molecular Mass
• and 7 more

Its exercises run from Exercise-5a to Exercise-5d, with a 53-question Miscellaneous Exercises set.

Chapter 8: Study of Compounds Hydrogen Chloride (Chemistry)

Hydrogen chloride is followed here from occurrence to tests. The chapter covers the general and laboratory preparation of the gas, then its physical and chemical properties. Hydrochloric acid, and the tests for hydrogen chloride and hydrochloric acid, are covered too.

• 8.1 Occurrence
• 8.2 General Preparation of Hydrogen Chloride Gas
• 8.3 Laboratory Preparation of Hydrogen Chloride Gas
• 8.4 Physical Properties of Hydrogen Chloride Gas
• 8.5 Chemical Properties of Hydrogen Chloride Gas
• 8.6 Hydrochloric Acid
• and 1 more

The chapter’s single Exercise sets 17 questions.

Chapter 9: Study of Compounds Ammonia (Chemistry)

Ammonia gets the full compound treatment, from occurrence to uses. The chapter covers the preparation of ammonia gas and aqueous ammonia, then the Haber’s process for manufacture and the gas’s physical and chemical properties. Tests for ammonia gas and the ammonium ion, the uses of ammonia, and the manufacture of nitric acid follow.

• 9.1 Occurrence
• 9.2 Preparation of Ammonia Gas
• 9.3 Preparation of Aqueous Ammonia
• 9.4 Manufacture of Ammonia (Haber’s Process)
• 9.5 Physical Properties of Ammonia
• 9.6 Chemical Properties of Ammonia
• and 3 more

Ten Intext Questions lead to an Exercise of 20.

Chapter 10: Study of Compounds Nitric Acid (Chemistry)

Nitric acid is traced here from discovery to tests. The chapter covers the discovery and occurrence of the acid, then its laboratory preparation. It sets out the acid’s properties and uses, and includes the tests for nitric acid and nitrates.

• 10.2 Discovery
• 10.3 Occurrence
• 10.4 Laboratory Preparation of Nitric Acid
• 10.5 Properties of Nitric Acid
• 10.6 Uses of Nitric Acid
• 10.7 Tests for Nitric Acid and Nitrates

Its practice runs to 11 Intext Questions and an Exercise of 14.

Chapter 11: Sulphuric Acid (Chemistry)

Sulphuric acid is surveyed here from occurrence to uses. The chapter treats the preparation of the acid, its manufacture by the Contact process, and its properties. The uses of sulphuric acid are covered as well.

• 11.2 Occurrence
• 11.3 Preparation of Sulphuric Acid
• 11.4 Manufacture of Sulphuric Acid (Contact Process)
• 11.5 Properties of Sulphuric Acid
• 11.6 Uses of Sulphuric Acid

The chapter pairs a 3-question Intext set with an Exercise of 17 questions.

Chapter 3: Study of Acids Bases and Salts (Rachna Sagar)

This edition organises acids, bases and salts as one working topic. Its named sections deal with the physical and chemical properties of bases and a solubility table of salts.

• The physical properties of bases are
• The chemical properties of bases are
• Solubility Table of Salts

Practice runs through 28 Important Questions, with an Answers set of 5.

Chapter 4: Analytical Chemistry (Rachna Sagar)

The chapter is built on observation tables. It covers the colours of salts and their solutions, the action of sodium hydroxide solution on certain metallic salt solutions, and the action of alkalis on certain metals.

• 4.1 Colours of the Salts and Their Solutions
• 4.2 Action of Sodium Hydroxide Solution on Certain Metallic Salt Solutions
• 4.4 Action of Alkalis on Certain Metals

Chapter 6: Electrolysis (Rachna Sagar)

The chapter explains what happens when compounds conduct electricity. It sets out important terms and the theory of electrolytic dissociation, then looks at conduction in compounds and the characteristics of electrolysis. The electrochemical series and the preferential discharge of ions at electrodes lead into examples of electrolysis, and applications of electrolysis get a section of their own.

• 6.2 Some Important Terms
• 6.3 Theory of Electrolytic Dissociation
• 6.4 Conduction in Compounds
• 6.5 Characteristics of Electrolysis
• 6.6 Electrochemical (EC) Series
• 6.7 Preferential or Selective Discharge of Ions at Electrodes
• and 2 more

Its Intext Questions total 14, its Exercise 13.

Chapter 7: Metallurgy (Rachna Sagar)

The chapter treats metals from their properties to their uses. It covers metals and non-metals, their position in the periodic table, and a comparison of their general properties. The activity series of metals and corrosion lead into the occurrence of metals and the steps involved in extraction. Common ores of aluminium, iron and zinc come next, then the sections on aluminium, iron and zinc themselves, their uses, and alloys.

• 7.2 Metals
• 7.3 Non-Metals
• 7.4 Categorisation of Metals
• 7.5 Position of Metals and Non-Metals in the Periodic Table
• 7.6 Comparison of Metals and Non-Metals (General Properties)
• 7.7 The Activity Series of Metals
• and 9 more

Practice runs in five exercises from Exercise-7a to Exercise-7e, with Exercise-7c at 18 questions.

Chapter 10: Nitric Acid (Rachna Sagar)

Nitric acid in this edition gets a compact compound treatment. Its named sections cover the acid itself and a flow chart for the manufacture of nitric acid by Ostwald’s process.

• Nitric Acid
• Flow Chart for the Manufacture of Nitric acid by Ostwald’s Process

Its practice draws on 31 Previous Years’ Questions, with 11 in the Answers set.

Chapter 12: Organic Chemistry (Rachna Sagar)

The chapter starts with organic compounds and the unique nature of carbon atoms. Types of organic compounds lead into hydrocarbons, the alkyl group and the functional group, then isomers and the homologous series. Nomenclature and writing structural formulas from IUPAC names come next. Later sections take up alkanes, methane and ethane, alkenes, alkynes, alcohols, ethanol, carboxylic acids and acetic acid.

• 12.2 Organic Compounds
• 12.3 Unique Nature of Carbon Atoms
• 12.4 Types of Organic Compounds
• 12.5 Hydrocarbons
• 12.6 Alkyl Group
• 12.7 Functional Group
• and 13 more

Practice runs through 22 Intext Questions and the 12b, 12c, 12d and 12f sets, with a Miscellaneous set of 9.

Chapter 3: Acids Bases and Salts (Selina Concise)

This chapter sweeps across acids, bases and salts in one sequence. It classifies acids, then covers their preparation, properties and general uses. Bases, alkalis and the classification of bases follow, along with the strength of acidic and basic solutions and salts. Later sections handle the laboratory preparation of normal and acid salts, water of crystallisation, efflorescence, hygroscopic and deliquescent substances, and drying and dehydrating agents.

• 3.2 Acids
• 3.3 Classification of Acids
• 3.4 Preparation of Acids
• 3.5 Properties of Acids
• 3.6 General Uses of Some Acids
• 3.7 Bases
• and 10 more

The Intext Questions set 65 questions, and a short set based on ICSE examinations adds 4.

Chapter 4: Analytical Chemistry (Selina Concise)

The Selina chapter builds a set of observation tables for salts. It lists the colours of salts and their solutions, the action of sodium hydroxide solution on certain metallic salt solutions, and the action of ammonium hydroxide on certain salt solutions. The action of alkalis on certain metals and on metal oxides is covered too.

• 4.1 Colours of the Salts and Their Solutions
• 4.2 Action of Sodium Hydroxide Solution on Certain Metallic Salt Solutions
• 4.3 Action of Ammonium Hydroxide on Certain Salt Solutions
• 4.4 Action of Alkalis on Certain Metals
• 4.5 Action of Alkalis on Metal Oxides

Its practice combines 7 Intext Questions with a 16-question Exercise.

Chapter 6: Electrolysis (Selina Concise)

Electrolysis is explained here from its terms to its applications. The chapter sets out the important terms and the theory of electrolytic dissociation, then considers conduction in compounds and the characteristics of electrolysis. The electrochemical series and the preferential discharge of ions at electrodes follow, with examples and applications of electrolysis covered. Acids, bases and salts as electrolytes are treated as well.

• 6.2 Some Important Terms
• 6.3 Theory of Electrolytic Dissociation
• 6.4 Conduction in Compounds
• 6.5 Characteristics of Electrolysis
• 6.6 Electrochemical (EC) Series
• 6.7 Preferential or Selective Discharge of Ions at Electrodes
• and 3 more

Both the Intext Questions and the Exercise set 14 questions.

Chapter 7: Metallurgy (Selina Concise)

Metallurgy in this edition runs from metals and non-metals to alloys. The chapter positions them in the periodic table, compares their general properties, and introduces the activity series of metals. Corrosion and the occurrence of metals lead into the steps involved in extraction, then the common ores of aluminium, iron and zinc. Aluminium, iron and zinc each get their own sections on forms and uses, and alloys are covered as well.

• 7.2 Metals
• 7.3 Non-Metals
• 7.4 Categorisation of Metals
• 7.5 Position of Metals and Non-Metals in the Periodic Table
• 7.6 Comparison of Metals and Non-Metals (General Properties)
• 7.7 The Activity Series of Metals
• and 9 more

Practice spans six sets from Exercise-7a to a Miscellaneous Exercise, with Exercise-7c at 18 questions.

Chapter 12: Organic Chemistry (Selina Concise)

Organic chemistry appears here as a full chapter on carbon compounds. It treats the unique nature of carbon atoms and the types of organic compounds before hydrocarbons, the alkyl group and the functional group. Isomers and the homologous series lead into nomenclature and writing structural formulas from IUPAC names. Alkanes, methane and ethane, alkenes, alkynes, alcohols, ethanol, carboxylic acids and acetic acid are the families the later sections study.

• 12.2 Organic Compounds
• 12.3 Unique Nature of Carbon Atoms
• 12.4 Types of Organic Compounds
• 12.5 Hydrocarbons
• 12.6 Alkyl Group
• 12.7 Functional Group
• and 13 more

The Intext Questions set 22 questions; the exercise sets 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d and 12f add the rest, with a Miscellaneous set of 9.

How to revise Class 10 Chemistry chapter by chapter

1. Start with Chemical Bonding (Chemistry, ch 2). Electrovalent and covalent bonds give you the ion idea that Electrolysis later builds on.
2. Do Acids Bases and Salts next (ch 3 in Selina Concise or Rachna Sagar). The acids, bases and salts here reappear in the compound chapters.
3. Tackle Mole Concept and Stoichimetry (Chemistry, ch 5) once atomic and molecular mass make sense. At 148 practice questions, it is the longest solve on this page.
4. Move to Electrolysis (ch 6 in Selina Concise or Rachna Sagar). It assumes you have met ions in bonding and in acids, bases and salts.
5. Do Metallurgy (ch 7) before the acid chapters. The activity series and extraction steps come in handy there.
6. Read the compound chapters in sequence: Hydrogen Chloride (ch 8), Ammonia (ch 9), Nitric Acid (ch 10), Sulphuric Acid (ch 11). The Ammonia chapter itself carries the manufacture of nitric acid.
7. Save Analytical Chemistry (ch 4) for the revision days. It is a short observation chapter of salt colours and reagent actions.
8. Take Organic Chemistry (ch 12) on its own. It is independent of the other chapters and runs to 36 pages in both editions.

The three books — Chemistry, Selina Concise and Rachna Sagar — cover overlapping chapters for the same syllabus. Follow the one your school chose, and treat another only as extra practice. Weight matters: Mole Concept and Stoichimetry carries 148 practice questions, Organic Chemistry runs 79 in Rachna Sagar and 92 in Selina Concise, and Analytical Chemistry is the light chapter.

Sources and data verification

The counts in the directory describe the three textbooks named in the table: Chemistry, Selina Concise and Rachna Sagar. Every count — named sections, exercise question counts and chapter page counts — was read from those books, and each can be checked against the chapter PDF in the directory.

This page covers 17 chapters. The chapters it does not yet cover are:

• Chemistry: chapter 1 (Periodic Table, listed also under the title Periodic Table Periodic Properties and Variations of Properties) and chapter 13 (Practical Work) are not on this page yet.
• Rachna Sagar: chapters 5 (Mole Concept and Stoichiometry), 8 (Hydrogen Chloride) and 9 (Ammonia, Sulphuric Acid) are not on this page yet.

CISCE sets the ICSE syllabus and conducts the examinations, so open the official CISCE website for the Class 10 Chemistry syllabus, specimen papers and exam updates. Textbooks are chosen by schools, and CISCE prescribes none of them.

Class 10 Chemistry books: frequently asked questions