GCSE Additional Science
This is a single award GCSE, separate from and taken after GCSE core Science. The content follows on from that of GCSE Science. However, the emphasis of this specification is somewhat different. Whereas core Science emphasises the implications of science for society, these specifications have a greater emphasis on explaining, theorising and modelling in science. Courses based on this specification form a firm basis for level 3 courses in the sciences such as AS and A Level Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
Biology 2
- What are animals and plants built from?
- How do dissolved substances get into and out of cells?
- How do plants obtain the food they need to live and grow?
- What happens to energy and biomass at each stage in a food chain?
- What happens to the waste material produced by plants and animals?
- What are enzymes and what are some of their functions?
- How do our bodies keep internal conditions constant?
- Which human characteristics show a simple pattern of inheritance?
Chemistry 2
- How do sub-atomic particles help us to understand the structure of substances?
- How do structures influence the properties and uses of substances?
- How much can we make and how much do we need to use?
- How can we control the rates of chemical reactions?
- Do chemical reactions always release energy?
- How can we use ions in solutions?
Physics 2
- How can we describe the way things move?
- How do we make things speed up or slow down?
- What happens to the movement energy when things speed up or slow down?
- What is momentum?
- What is static electricity, how can it be used and what is the connection between static electricity and electric currents?
- What does the current through an electrical current depend on?
- What is mains electricity and how can it be used safely?
- Why do we need to know the power of electrical appliances?
- What happens to radioactive substances when they decay?
- What are nuclear fission and nuclear fusion?
Assessment
There are three 45 minute written papers with structured questions, one paper for each of Biology 2, Chemistry 2 and Physics 2 These are available in January and June.