Tamil Nadu SSLC Science study guide
Tamil Nadu SSLC Science · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Tamil Nadu SSLC Science examination is the science component of the Secondary School Leaving Certificate, the Class X public examination taken by students completing secondary schooling in Tamil Nadu. Most candidates sit it at the end of a two-year Class IX–X science course in a recognised school, following the Tamil Nadu Board syllabus; private and repeat candidates also write it. The Tamil Nadu SSLC Science study guide has 13 sections and about 3,950 words.
01Laws of Motion
This domain tests how forces change motion: inertia, Newton’s three laws, momentum, impulse, friction and simple applications. Questions often ask you to identify the force pair or calculate net force rather than recite definitions.
315 words, about 2 min02Optics
This domain covers reflection at plane and spherical mirrors, refraction through lenses and glass, image formation, refractive index, total internal reflection and simple dispersion. The exam favours ray-diagram reasoning expressed in words and formula-based numericals.
330 words, about 2 min03Electricity and Magnetism
This domain tests current, potential difference, resistance, series and parallel circuits, electrical power and heating, plus magnetic fields, force on a current-carrying conductor, electromagnetic induction and domestic safety. Ohm’s law: V = IR at constant temperature.
342 words, about 2 min04Periodic Classification
This domain tests the modern periodic table: periodicity, groups and periods, blocks, valency, and trends in atomic size, metallic character, ionisation energy and electronegativity. Modern periodic law: properties of elements are periodic functions of their atomic numbers.
313 words, about 2 min05Chemical Bonding
This domain tests why atoms combine, how ionic, covalent, coordinate and metallic bonds form, and how bonding explains melting point, solubility and electrical conduction. Atoms gain, lose or share electrons to attain a stable noble-gas configuration.
315 words, about 2 min06Acids, Bases and Salts
This domain tests acid–base definitions, indicators, pH, neutralisation, salt formation, water of crystallisation and everyday applications. Acids produce H⁺ (or H₃O⁺) in water; bases produce OH⁻; alkalis are soluble bases.
297 words, about 1 min07Carbon Compounds
This domain tests the unique bonding of carbon, hydrocarbons, homologous series, functional groups, isomerism and the chemistry of ethanol and ethanoic acid. Carbon is tetravalent and forms four covalent bonds; catenation lets carbon atoms link into chains, branches and rings.
289 words, about 1 min08Cell Biology
This domain tests cell theory, prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, plant and animal cell structures, organelles, membrane transport and cell division. Cell theory: all living organisms are made of cells; the cell is the basic unit of life; new cells arise from pre-existing cells.
300 words, about 2 min09Plant and Animal Physiology
This domain tests how plants and animals carry out life processes: photosynthesis, respiration, transpiration and transport in plants; digestion, circulation, respiration and excretion in animals. Photosynthesis: 6CO₂ + 6H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ in chlorophyll using light; light reactions make ATP and NADPH, the Calvin cycle fixes carbon.
293 words, about 1 min10Genetics and Evolution
This domain tests inheritance, Mendel’s laws, chromosomes and sex determination, variation, natural selection and evidence for evolution. Genes are segments of DNA on chromosomes; alleles are alternative forms of a gene.
268 words, about 1 min11Environmental Science
This domain tests ecosystems, food chains and webs, energy flow, biogeochemical cycles, natural resources, pollution, biodiversity and conservation. An ecosystem includes biotic communities and abiotic factors interacting in a defined area.
282 words, about 1 min12Health and Hygiene
This domain tests communicable and non-communicable diseases, pathogens, vectors, immunity, vaccination, personal and community hygiene, and the effects of tobacco and alcohol. Communicable diseases spread by pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, protozoa and fungi; non-communicable diseases are not transmitted, e.g.
283 words, about 1 min13Applied Science, Scientific Method, Measurement and Experimental Skills
This domain tests how scientific questions are investigated and how observations are measured reliably: hypothesis, variables, SI units, instruments, least count, errors and safe laboratory practice. Scientific method: observation → question → hypothesis → controlled experiment → data analysis → conclusion.
323 words, about 2 min