AQA GCSE Science Revision Guide

If you’re preparing for your AQA GCSE Science exams, this guide is here to make things crystal clear. Let’s break it down so you know exactly what to expect and how to revise effectively.

📑 How Many Papers Are There?

👉2 Biology papers

👉2 Chemistry papers

👉2 Physics papers

Exam Details at a Glance

The topics covered are identical for both exams, but Separate Science students have "extra" content within those topics and a longer exam.

Combined Science: Trilogy (8464)

1 hour 15 minutes

70 marks

16.7% of total GCSE

Separate Biology (8461)

1 hour 45 minutes

100 marks

50% of Biology GCSE

Paper 1 covers Topics 1–4. Below is a breakdown of what you need to know, with Separate (Triple) science-only content highlighted.

Topic 1: Cell Biology

• Cell Structure: Eukaryotes (plant/animal) vs. Prokaryotes (bacteria).

• Specialisation: How cells adapt for specific functions (e.g., sperm, nerve, root hair cells).

• Microscopy: Light vs. Electron microscopes; calculating magnification 

• Cell Division: Chromosomes, the cell cycle, and Mitosis.

• Transport: Diffusion, Osmosis, and Active Transport.

• Stem Cells: Therapeutic cloning and ethical issues.

• Separate Science Only:

• Culturing Microorganisms: Aseptic techniques, inhibition zones, and growing bacteria in agar

Topic 2: Organisation

• Principles of Organisation.

• The Digestive System: Enzymes (Amylase, Protease, Lipase), bile, and the "lock and key" mechanism.

• The Respiratory System: Structure of the lungs, gas exchange (alveoli).

• The Circulatory System: Heart structure (double pump), blood vessels (arteries, veins, capillaries), and blood components.

• Coronary Heart Disease: Stents, statins, valve replacements, and transplants.

• Plant Tissues: Xylem, phloem, transpiration stream, and translocation.

Topic 3: Infection and Response

• Communicable Diseases: Pathogens (Viruses, Bacteria, Fungi, Protists).

• Specific Diseases: Measles, HIV, TMV (Viral); Salmonella, Gonorrhoea (Bacterial); Rose Black Spot (Fungal); Malaria (Protist).

• Human Defence Systems: Skin, nose, trachea, stomach acid; White blood cells (phagocytosis, antibodies, antitoxins).

• Treatments: Vaccination (herd immunity), Antibiotics (and resistance), Painkillers.

• Drug Discovery: Preclinical and clinical trials (placebos, double-blind trials).

• Separate Science Only:

• Monoclonal Antibodies: Production (hybridoma cells), uses (pregnancy tests, treating cancer), and ethical issues.

• Plant Disease: Detection and identification (stunted growth, spots, pests like aphids), plant ion deficiencies (nitrate/magnesium).

• Plant Defence Responses: Physical (bark, cellulose), Chemical (poisons, antibacterial), Mechanical (thorns, mimicry).

Topic 4: Bioenergetics

• Photosynthesis: Equation and rate-limiting factors and the inverse square law.

• Uses of Glucose: Starch, cellulose, amino acids, respiration.

• Respiration: Aerobic (with oxygen) vs. Anaerobic (without oxygen) in animals and yeast (fermentation).

• Response to Exercise: Heart rate, breathing rate, oxygen debt, and lactic acid.

• Metabolism: Conversion of glucose to glycogen, lipid formation, protein synthesis, and breakdown of excess proteins (urea).

Required Practicals (Paper 1)

You must know the method, variables (independent/dependent/control), and risk assessments for these:

1. Microscopy: Use a light microscope to observe plant/animal cells and draw them.

2. Microbiology (Separate Science Only): Investigate the effect of antiseptics/antibiotics on bacterial growth (zones of inhibition).

3. Osmosis: Investigate the effect of sugar/salt solutions on plant tissue mass.

4. Food Tests: Use reagents to test for carbohydrates (starch/sugars), lipids, and proteins.

5. Enzymes: Investigate the effect of pH on the rate of reaction of amylase.

6. Photosynthesis: Investigate the effect of light intensity on the rate of photosynthesis (pondweed).

Key Differences Summary

• Combined students stop at general disease prevention. Separate students must go deeper into Monoclonal Antibodies and specific Plant Diseases.

• Combined students learn basic cell biology. Separate students must know how to culture microorganisms in a lab setting.

This paper covers Topics 5–7.

Topic 5: Homeostasis and Response

• Homeostasis: Maintaining internal conditions (temperature, water, glucose) for enzyme action.

• The Nervous System: Receptors, sensory/motor neurones, CNS, and the Reflex Arc (synapses, relay neurones).

• Hormonal Coordination: The Endocrine system (pituitary gland as "master gland").

• Control of Blood Glucose: Insulin, Glucagon, Glycogen; Type 1 vs. Type 2 Diabetes.

• Reproductive Hormones: Puberty, the Menstrual cycle (FSH, LH, Oestrogen, Progesterone), and Contraception (hormonal vs. barrier).

• Fertility Treatments: IVF and ethical issues.

• Feedback Systems: Adrenaline (fight or flight) and Thyroxine (metabolic rate).

• Separate Science Only:

• The Brain: Structure and function (Cerebral cortex, Cerebellum, Medulla).

• The Eye: Accommodation (near/distant focusing), defects (myopia/hyperopia), and correction.

• Thermoregulation: Vasodilation, vasoconstriction, shivering, and sweating.

• Kidney Function: Water balance, ADH, filtration, selective reabsorption, dialysis, and transplants.

• Plant Hormones: Auxins (phototropism/gravitropism), Gibberellins (germination), and Ethene (ripening).

Topic 6: Inheritance, Variation, and Evolution

• Reproduction: Sexual (gametes, fusion, variation) vs. Asexual (clones, mitosis).

• Meiosis: Formation of gametes (halving chromosome number).

• DNA and the Genome: Double helix structure, genes, chromosomes.

• Genetic Inheritance: Alleles (dominant/recessive), Genotype/Phenotype, Punnett squares, Polydactyly, Cystic Fibrosis.

• Sex Determination: XX vs. XY chromosomes.

• Variation: Genetic vs. Environmental causes; Mutations.

• Evolution: Natural Selection (survival of the fittest).

• Selective Breeding: Breeding plants/animals for desired traits (and risks like inbreeding).

• Genetic Engineering: Modifying genomes (e.g., insulin-producing bacteria, GM crops).

• Evidence for Evolution: Fossils (mineralisation, casts) and antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

• Classification: Linnaeus and the Three-domain system (Archaea, Bacteria, Eukaryota).

• Separate Science Only:

• DNA Structure: Nucleotides, sugar-phosphate backbone, bases (A, C, G, T), and Protein Synthesis (triplet codes).

• Cloning: Tissue culture, cuttings, embryo transplants, and adult cell cloning.

• History of Genetics: Gregor Mendel (pea plants) and the discovery of DNA.

• Theories of Evolution: Lamarck (acquired characteristics) vs. Darwin/Wallace (speciation).

• Speciation: Isolation and natural selection form new species (Wallace).

Topic 7: Ecology

• Communities: Ecosystems, Interdependence, Abiotic factors (light, temp) vs. Biotic factors (predators, pathogens).

• Adaptations: Structural, functional, and behavioural adaptations (extremophiles).

• Food Chains: Producers, primary/secondary consumers, predator-prey cycles.

• Cycling of Materials: The Carbon cycle and the Water cycle.

• Biodiversity: Waste management, Land use (peat bogs), Deforestation, and Global Warming.

• Separate Science Only:

• Decomposition: Factors affecting decay (temp, water, oxygen); Biogas generators.

• Trophic Levels: Level 1 (Producers) to Level 4 (Tertiary consumers); Decomposers.

• Pyramids of Biomass: Calculating efficiency of biomass transfer (approx 10% transfer).

• Food Security: Factors affecting food supply; Sustainable fishing (quotas/net size); Mycoprotein (Fusarium).

Required Practicals (Paper 2)

You must know the method, variables, and data analysis for these:

1. Reaction Time: Investigate the effect of a factor (e.g., caffeine, practice) on human reaction time using the ruler drop test.

2. Field Investigations: Measure the population size of a common species in a habitat.

   • Use Quadrats for random sampling to estimate population size.

   • Use Transects to investigate the effect of a factor (e.g., light intensity) on distribution.

3. Plant Responses (Separate Science Only): Investigate the effect of light or gravity on the growth of newly germinated seedlings.

4. Decay (Separate Science Only): Investigate the effect of temperature on the rate of decay of fresh milk by measuring pH change.

Key Differences Summary

• Anatomy: Combined students focus on the reflex arc. Separate students must also learn the detailed structures of the Brain, Eye, and Kidneys.

• Genetics: Combined students learn the simple DNA structure. Separate students dive into Protein Synthesis and the specific work of Mendel.

• Ecology: Separate students have distinct content regarding Farming, Food Security, and Decomposition rates.

Paper 1 covers Topics 1–5. Below is the breakdown, with Separate (Triple) science-only content highlighted.

Topic 1: Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table

• Mixtures: Separation techniques: Filtration, Crystallisation, Distillation (Simple & Fractional), and Chromatography.

• Atomic Model History: Plum pudding model (Thompson) vs. Nuclear model (Rutherford/Marsden alpha scattering) vs. Bohr’s orbits vs. Chadwick’s neutrons.

• Structure: Protons, Neutrons, Electrons; Atomic number vs. Mass number; Isotopes.

• The Periodic Table: History (Mendeleev leaving gaps), Metals vs. Non-metals.

• Groups:

  • Group 0 (Noble Gases): Unreactive, full outer shells.

  • Group 1 (Alkali Metals): Reactivity increases going down.

  • Group 7 (Halogens): Reactivity decreases going down; Displacement reactions.

• Separate Science Only:

• Transition Metals: Properties compared to Group 1 (higher melting points, harder, variable ions, coloured compounds, used as catalysts).

Topic 2: Bonding, Structure, and Properties of Matter

• Three Types of Bonding:

  • Ionic: Metal + Non-metal (electron transfer). Giant lattice, high MP/BP, conducts electricity when molten/dissolved.

  • Covalent: Non-metal + Non-metal (electron sharing). Simple molecules (low MP/BP) vs. Giant structures.

  • Metallic: Metal lattice + "sea of delocalised electrons" (conducts heat/electricity).

• States of Matter: Solid, Liquid, Gas (state symbols: s, l, g, aq).

• Carbon Structures: Diamond (hard, 4 bonds), Graphite (soft, 3 bonds, conducts), Graphene (single layer), Fullerenes (spheres/tubes for drug delivery).

• Nanoparticles: Size (1–100nm), high surface area to volume ratio (SA:V), uses (suncreams, electronics), and risks.

Topic 3: Quantitative Chemistry (The Maths Topic)

• Basics: Conservation of mass, Relative formula mass 

• The Mole (HT): Moles and Avogadro’s constant.

• Calculations (HT): Limiting reactants, Concentration.

• Separate Science Only:

• Yields: Percentage Yield (actual vs. theoretical) and Atom Economy (efficiency).

• Titration Maths: Calculating concentration using titration results.

• Gas Volumes.

Topic 4: Chemical Changes

• Reactivity of Metals: The Reactivity Series; Extraction using Carbon; Oxidation (gain of oxygen/loss of electrons) vs. Reduction (loss of oxygen/gain of electrons) -> OIL RIG.

• Acids and Bases:

  • Acids  + Alkalis (Neutralisation).

  • Making Soluble Salts (Copper Sulfate method).

• Electrolysis: Splitting ionic compounds using electricity.

  • Molten: e.g., Aluminium extraction (using cryolite).

  • Aqueous: Rules for what is produced at the anode (Halogen or Oxygen?) and cathode (Metal or Hydrogen?).

• Separate Science Only:

• Titrations: Performing a titration to find unknown concentrations (Phenolphthalein/Methyl Orange indicators).

• Strong vs. Weak Acids: Complete ionisation (HCl) vs. partial ionisation (Ethanoic acid) and the pH log scale (pH 3 is 10x stronger than pH 4).

Topic 5: Energy Changes

• Exothermic vs. Endothermic: Heat released (temp up) vs. Heat absorbed (temp down).

• Reaction Profiles: Activation energy, energy change arrows.

• Bond Energy Calculations (HT): Energy in (breaking) - Energy out (making).

• Separate Science Only:

• Cells and Batteries: Chemical cells, voltage differences, non-rechargeable vs. rechargeable.

• Fuel Cells: Hydrogen fuel cells; pros and cons vs. batteries.

Required Practicals (Paper 1)

You must know the method, equipment, and analysis for:

1. Making Salts: Creating pure, dry crystals of copper sulfate from copper oxide and sulfuric acid.

2. Electrolysis: Investigating what is produced at the electrodes for solutions like Copper Chloride and Sodium Chloride.

3. Temperature Changes: Measuring temperature change in an exothermic reaction (neutralisation) using a polystyrene cup (insulator) to determine the volume for max temp.

4. Titration (Separate Science Only): Using a burette and pipette to determine the reacting volumes of acid and alkali.

Key Differences Summary

• Quantitative Chemistry: This is the biggest separator. Separate students have significantly more math (Yield, Atom Economy, Gas Volumes, Titration calcs).

• Energy: Only Separate students study Fuel Cells and Batteries.

• Acids: Only Separate students look at the difference between Strong and Weak acids and the Titration practical.

Paper 2 covers Topics 6–10. Below is the breakdown, with Separate (Triple) science-only content highlighted.

Topic 6: The Rate and Extent of Chemical Change

• Rate of Reaction: Calculating rate (Quantity of reactant used / time).

• Collision Theory: Activation energy; Factors affecting rate: Temperature, Surface Area, Concentration/Pressure, and Catalysts.

• Reversible Reactions: Energy changes (if exothermic one way, it is endothermic the other).

• Equilibrium: Occurs in a closed system when forward and reverse rates are equal.

• Le Chatelier’s Principle: If a system at equilibrium is changed (temp, pressure, concentration), the system counteracts the change.

• Temperature: Increase favours endothermic; decrease favours exothermic.

• Pressure: an increase favours the side with fewer gas moles.

Topic 7: Organic Chemistry

• Crude Oil: Hydrocarbons, Plankton, Fractional Distillation (column gets cooler at top; short chains condense at top).

• Alkanes: Saturated, single bonds, Methane to Butane.

• Combustion: Complete  vs. Incomplete

• Cracking: Thermal decomposition (Steam or Catalytic) to produce shorter alkanes and alkenes.

• Alkenes (Basics): Unsaturated (double bond) react with bromine water, turning it from orange to colourless.

• Separate Science Only:

• Reactions of Alkenes: With Hydrogen (Hydrogenation), Water (Hydration), and Halogens.

• Alcohols: Functional group -OH; Fermentation vs. Hydration of ethene; Uses (solvents/fuels); Reaction with sodium and oxidation to acids.

• Carboxylic Acids: Functional group -COOH; Weak acids; React with alcohols to make Esters (e.g., Ethyl ethanoate).

• Addition Polymerisation: Formation of Poly(ethene) from ethene monomers.

• Condensation Polymerisation

• Natural Polymers: Amino acids (forming proteins), DNA (double helix), Starch, Cellulose.

Topic 8: Chemical Analysis

• Purity: Pure substances (specific MP/BP) vs. Mixtures.

• Formulations: Designed mixtures (fuels, paints, medicines).

• Chromatography: Mobile phase (solvent) vs. Stationary phase (paper); Calculating Rf

• Gas Tests:

  • Oxygen: Relights a glowing splint.

  • Hydrogen: Squeaky pop with a burning splint.

  • Chlorine: Bleaches damp litmus paper white.

  • Carbon Dioxide: Turns limewater cloudy.

• Separate Science Only (Ion Identification):

• Flame Tests (Cations): Lithium (Crimson), Sodium (Yellow), Potassium (Lilac), Calcium (Orange-red), Copper (Green).

• Precipitate Tests (with NaOH): Copper (Blue), Iron(II) (Green), Iron(III) (Brown). Aluminium/Calcium/Magnesium (White - but Al redissolves in excess).

• Anion Tests: Carbonates, Sulfates, Halides.

• Instrumental Analysis: Speed, accuracy, sensitivity; Flame Emission Spectroscopy.

Topic 9: Chemistry of the Atmosphere

• The Early Atmosphere: Volcanoes released carbon dioxide, water vapour (condensed to oceans), and nitrogen.

• Oxygen Increase: Algae and plants evolved (Photosynthesis).

• Carbon Dioxide Decrease: Dissolved in oceans (as carbonates), trapped in sedimentary rocks/fossil fuels, and sequestered through photosynthesis.

• Greenhouse Effect: Greenhouse gases absorb long-wavelength radiation.

• Pollutants: Carbon Monoxide (toxic/colourless), Sulfur Dioxide/Nitrogen Oxides (Acid rain), Particulates (Global dimming/health issues).

Topic 10: Using Resources

• Sustainable Development: Meeting needs without compromising future generations.

• Potable Water: Fresh water (filtration + sterilisation with chlorine/ozone/UV) vs. Desalination (distillation/reverse osmosis - high energy).

• Wastewater Treatment.

• Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs).

• Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Metals and glass.

• Bioleaching and Phytomining: Extracting copper from low-grade ores.

• Separate Science Only:

• Corrosion: Rusting (Iron + Water + Oxygen); Prevention (Greasing, Galvanising/Sacrificial protection).

• Alloys: Bronze, Brass, Gold (carats), Steels (High carbon vs. Stainless).

• Materials: Ceramics (Soda-lime vs. Borosilicate glass; Clay), Composites (Reinforcement + Matrix), Thermosoftening vs. Thermosetting polymers.

• The Haber Process: Making Ammonia; Iron catalyst, 450°C, 200 atm.

• NPK Fertilisers: Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium; Industrial production vs. Lab preparation.

Required Practicals (Paper 2)

You must know the method, variables, and data analysis for:

1. Rates of Reaction:

   • Method 1: Disappearing Cross (Sodium Thiosulfate + HCl) - Effect of concentration on turbidity.

   • Method 2: Volume of Gas (Mg + HCl) - Measuring gas production over time.

2. Chromatography: Separation of food colourings; Calculating Rf values.

3. Water Purification: Distilling salt water; Testing for purity (boiling point, pH, dissolved solids).

4. Ion Identification (Separate Science Only): Using chemical tests and flame tests to identify unknown ions in a solution.

Key Differences Summary

• Organic Chemistry: Combined students basically stop at "Cracking." Separate students must learn the reactions of Alkenes, Alcohols, Acids, and the mechanisms of Polymerisation.

• Analysis: Separate students must memorise the Flame Test colours and Precipitate colours for the Ion Identification practical.

• Industrial Processes: Only Separate students cover the Haber Process conditions and the chemistry of NPK fertiliser production.

Paper 1 covers Topics 1–4. Below is the breakdown, with Separate (Triple) science-only content highlighted.

Topic 1: Energy

• Energy Stores: Kinetic, Gravitational Potential, Elastic Potential, Thermal, Chemical, etc.

• Energy Transfer: Heating, Waves, Electric current, Forces.

• Specific Heat Capacity: Energy required to raise 1kg of a substance by 1°C.

• Power: Rate of energy transfer; 1 Watt = 1 Joule/second.

• Efficiency

• Energy Resources: Renewable (Wind, Solar, Hydro, Bio-fuel) vs. Non-renewable (Fossil fuels, Nuclear); Reliability and environmental impact.

Topic 2: Electricity

• Circuit Basics: Symbols, Series vs. Parallel circuits.

• Ohm’s Law: Potential Difference = Current × Resistance.

• IV Characteristics:

  • Resistor: Straight line (Ohmic conductor).

  • Filament Lamp: Curved line (resistance increases as it gets hot).

  • Diode: Current flows only one way.

• Components: LDRs (resistance drops in light) and Thermistors (resistance drops in heat).

• Mains Electricity: AC vs. DC; Live (Brown), Neutral (Blue), Earth (Green/Yellow) wires; Fuse function.

• Electrical Power.

• Energy Transfer:  (Charge flow).

• The National Grid: Step-up transformers (increase voltage to reduce energy loss) and Step-down transformers.

• Separate Science Only:

• Static Electricity: Friction transferring electrons; Polythene vs. Acetate rods.

• Electric Fields: Drawing field lines; Attraction/Repulsion; Spark generation.

Topic 3: Particle Model of Matter

• Density: Measuring the density of regular and irregular solids.

• States of Matter: Solid, Liquid, Gas; Changes of state (Melting, Freezing, Boiling, Condensing, Sublimating).

• Internal Energy: The sum of kinetic and potential energy of particles.

• Specific Latent Heat: Energy to change state without changing temperature; Fusion and Vaporisation.

• Particle Motion: Gas pressure caused by collisions with container walls; Effect of temperature on pressure.

• Separate Science Only:

• Pressure and Volume: Boyle’s Law constant; Calculating changes in pressure/volume.

• Work Done on a Gas: Compressing a gas increases internal energy (and temperature).

Topic 4: Atomic Structure

• The Atom: Protons, Neutrons, Electrons; Isotopes (same protons, different neutrons).

• History: Plum Pudding Model (Thompson), Alpha Scattering Experiment (Rutherford/Marsden), Nuclear Model (Bohr/Chadwick).

• Radioactive Decay: Random nature; Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Neutron radiation.

• Activity: Measured in Becquerels (Bq); Count rate.

• Nuclear Equations: Balancing mass and atomic numbers for Alpha and Beta decay.

• Half-Life: Time taken for the number of nuclei (or count rate) to halve.

• Safety: Irradiation (exposed to source) vs. Contamination (source on/in object).

• Separate Science Only:

• Hazards & Uses: Background radiation sources; Uses in medicine (Tracers, Radiotherapy); Perception of risk.

• Nuclear Fission: Splitting large nuclei (Uranium/Plutonium)  Chain reactions (Control rods).

• Nuclear Fusion: Joining light nuclei (Hydrogen) to Energy release (Stars).

Required Practicals (Paper 1)

You must know the method, data analysis, and sources of error for:

1. Specific Heat Capacity: Measure the SHC of a metal block using an immersion heater, thermometer, and voltmeter/ammeter.

2. Thermal Insulation: Investigate how different materials (or thicknesses) affect the rate of cooling of a beaker of hot water.

3. Resistance:

   • Wire Length: How length affects resistance.

   • Combinations: Resistors in Series (add up) vs. Parallel (decrease total R).

4. I-V Characteristics: Construct circuits to measure Current and Voltage for a Resistor, Lamp, and Diode; plot graphs.

5. Density: Measure mass and volume (using the Eureka can/displacement for irregular objects) to calculate density.

Key Differences Summary

• Electricity: Separate students need to understand Static Electricity and how to draw Electric Fields.

• Particles: Separate students must perform calculations involving Gas Pressure and Volume 

• Nuclear Physics: This is the biggest difference. Only Separate students study Fission, Fusion, and the detailed Uses/Dangers of Radiation.

Paper 2 covers Topics 5–8. Below is the breakdown, with Separate (Triple) science-only content highlighted.

Topic 5: Forces

• Scalar vs. Vector: Magnitude only (Speed, Distance) vs. Magnitude + Direction (Velocity, Displacement, Force).

• Contact vs. Non-Contact: Friction/Air Resistance vs. Gravity/Magnetism/Electrostatic.

• Gravity: Weight, Centre of mass.

• Resultant Forces: Adding vectors;

Shutterstock

Free body diagrams; Resolution of forces (splitting a diagonal force into horizontal/vertical components).

• Work Done & Energy: Work; Elastic deformation.

• Motion: Distance-time graphs (gradient = speed); Velocity-time graphs (gradient = acceleration, area under line = distance).

• Equations of Motion.

• Newton’s Laws:

  1. Zero resultant force = Constant velocity (Inertia).

  2. F = ma

  3. Action-reaction forces are equal and opposite.

• Stopping Distance: Thinking distance (reaction time, drugs, tiredness) + Braking distance (speed, road condition, tyres).

• Momentum: Conservation of momentum in collisions.

• Separate Science Only:

• Moments: Turning effect of a force; Levers and Gears.

• Pressure: In fluids, pressure is the force that acts on a surface due to the weight of the fluid above it, upthrust, and floating.

• Momentum Hazards: Force = Change in momentum / time; Safety features (seatbelts, airbags) increase time to reduce force.

Topic 6: Waves

• Wave Properties: Transverse (perpendicular oscillation, e.g., light) vs. Longitudinal (parallel oscillation, e.g., sound).

• The Wave Equation.

• EM Spectrum:

Getty Images

Radio, Micro, IR, Visible, UV, X-ray, Gamma. (Mnemonics help here!).

* Trends: Frequency increases and wavelength decreases from Radio to Gamma.

* Uses: Radio (TV), Micro (Cooking/Satellite), IR (Heaters/Cameras), Visible (Fibre optics), UV (Tanning), X-ray/Gamma (Medical imaging/treatment).

* Dangers: UV (Skin aging/cancer), X-ray/Gamma (Ionising radiation).

• Separate Science Only:

• Sound: Reflection (Echoes) and Refraction.

• Ultrasound: Frequencies > 20kHz; Uses in prenatal scanning and sonar.

• Seismic Waves: P-waves (Longitudinal, travel through liquids) vs. S-waves (Transverse, solids only); Evidence for the Earth's liquid outer core.

• Lenses: Convex (converging) vs. Concave (diverging); Ray diagrams; Magnification.

• Visible Light: Reflection (Specular vs. Diffuse); Colour filters.

• Black Body Radiation: Perfect emitters/absorbers; The Leslie Cube concept.

Topic 7: Magnetism and Electromagnetism

• Permanent vs. Induced: Permanent magnets produce their own field; Induced magnets become magnetic only in a field.

• Fields: North to South; Field strength decreases with distance.

• Electromagnetism: Right-hand grip rule (current in wire creates circular field); Solenoids (coils increase strength).

• The Motor Effect: A current-carrying wire in a magnetic field experiences a force.

• Fleming's Left Hand Rule:

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Determining the direction of force (Thumb = Motion, First finger = Field, Second finger = Current).

• Separate Science Only:

• The Generator Effect: Inducing potential difference by moving a wire in a field (or moving a magnet in a coil).

• Applications: Alternators (AC) vs. Dynamos (DC); Microphones (Motor effect reversed) and Loudspeakers (Motor effect).

• Transformers: Step-up vs. Step-down; Calculations.

Topic 8: Space Physics (Separate Science Only)

• The Solar System: Sun, Planets, Moons, Dwarf planets, Comets/Asteroids.

• Life Cycle of a Star:

• Orbital Motion: Gravity provides the centripetal force; Velocity changes (direction changes) even if speed is constant.

• The Big Bang: The universe is expanding from a hot, dense singularity.

• Red-Shift: Light from distant galaxies shifts to longer wavelengths (red end), proving they are moving away; Distant galaxies move away faster.

Required Practicals (Paper 2)

You must know method, variables, and analysis for:

1. Force and Extension: Investigating Hooke’s Law with a spring, weights, and a clamp stand.

2. Acceleration: Investigating Newton's 2nd Law using a trolley, light gates (or stopwatch), and varying masses/force.

3. Waves (Ripple Tank/String): Measuring frequency and wavelength to calculate wave speed.

4. Radiation: Investigating emission of IR radiation from different surfaces (Matte Black vs. Shiny Silver) using a Leslie Cube.

5. Light (Separate Science Only): Investigating Reflection (angle of incidence = angle of reflection) and Refraction (bending towards/away from normal) using a glass block and ray box.

Key Differences Summary

• Space: Separate students have a whole extra topic (Topic 8) on Stars and the Universe. Combined students do not study Space at all.

• Forces: Separate students must calculate Moments and Pressure 

• Waves: Separate students study Light (Lenses and Ray Diagrams) and Sound (Ultrasound/Seismic).

• Magnetism: Separate students learn about Transformers and Generators; Combined students stop at the Motor Effect.

✨Here are some top tips to make your revision more effective:

1. Know the Specification🔍

📍 Download the AQA specification and tick off topics as you revise - it helps you see the big picture and avoid missing anything important. 

2. Break It Down by Topic💡

Split your revision into topics (e.g., Cell Biology, Energy) and focus on one at a time. Using colour-coded notes or mind maps makes this easier to memorise! 🎨

3. Practise Past Papers🧪

Do as many past papers as you can (Foundation & Higher if possible). They help you understand:
✔ the question styles
✔ common phrasing
✔ how marks are awarded 🌟

Plus, practising under timed conditions builds confidence! ⏱️ (You will find the links to past papers on this page!)

4. Learn the Question Types🤔

Get used to:

• Multiple choice 👍

• Short structured answers ✔

• Longer written explanations ✍
  These appear on every paper and require slightly different approaches. 

5. Required Practicals Matter🔬 

Even though practicals aren’t separate papers, questions often test your understanding of experiments - how they work and why they’re done. Review all required practicals.

6. Practice Science Skills🧠 

Don’t just memorise facts - apply them. Many questions ask you to interpret data, explain patterns or analyse results. Practise thinking like a scientist! 🧪

7. Make a Revision Plan📅

Plan backwards from your exam dates. Spread topics across weeks and include slots for past papers and mock reviews.

🎯 Final Reminders

• Keep revision active: flashcards, practice tests, teaching a friend.

• Don’t cram - regular short sessions beat marathon sessions.

• Balance science with other subjects to avoid burnout. 💪

• And remember - revision is about practice and understanding, not just memorising! 🌟

Good luck - you’ve got this! 🚀