ICSE Practical Chemistry Manual for Class 10

PRACTICAL Chemistry has been specially written for the students of Class 10 preparing for the ICSE Examination conducted by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations, New Delhi. It is a complete book in itself as it gives the ‘Basic Background Knowledge’ for each group of experiments ‘then and there’. The book aims at familiarising the students with the basic techniques and preparing them for serious laboratory work.

Chemistry is an experimental science, and the facts and theories that are its foundation have come from many years of experimentation. The study of Chemistry practical not only trains the students in handling complicated instruments but also disciplines them in the scientific method. It inculcates in them a scientific attitude. With this objective in mind, the present book has been written in such a manner that the students can perform experiments themselves with confidence and become familiar with the logical path that should be followed in confirming a theoretical statement.

It is hoped that the teachers will find this book extremely useful in planning and conducting the Chemistry practicals. It should form an integral part of the students’ kit before, during and after their practical classes.

Salient features of the book are:
• An elaborate article on ‘Laboratory Discipline’ covers all preparatory steps for performing experiments, precautions to be taken and detailed steps of First Aid in case of laboratory accidents.
• The theoretical aspects involved in various experiments have been fully explained in simple language with clear understanding of the underlying principles, so that the students develop the ability to carry out the experiments methodically and make correct observations and logical deductions.
• The description of the experiments is preceded by introductory articles explaining the ‘background information’ necessary for successful performance of the experiments.
• Each relevant concept and experimental set-up has been clearly explained through detailed instructions, tables and a large number of illustrative diagrams. The students are advised to follow them strictly for a systematic and scientific approach in their practicals.
• To help the student face the ‘viva voce’ with confidence, viva questions are given
topic-wise.
• Towards the end of the book, five appendices have been given as a ready reckoner to assist the students and teachers, and a sixth one describes making chemical exhibits of interest.