Explain This... GCSE Science

BBC Teach > Secondary Resources > GCSE Biology / GCSE Chemistry / GCSE Physics / GCSE Science

This series of short explainer films comprises three clips each for GCSE biology, chemistry and physics. Each film focuses on a GCSE required practical included in AQA, Edexcel and OCR specifications. The following topics are covered:

Investigate osmosis in plant tissue
Investigate the effect of pH on enzyme activity
Investigate the effect of light intensity on the rate of photosynthesis
Investigate electrolysis of aqueous solutions using inert electrodes
Prepare a pure, dry sample of a soluble salt from an insoluble oxide
Investigate the separation of substances using paper chromatography
Investigate I–V characteristics of circuit elements such as filament lamp, diode and resistor at constant temperature
Investigate the effect of varying the force or mass on the acceleration of an object
Measure the frequency, wavelength and speed of waves in a ripple tank

These short films are suitable for teaching biology, chemistry, physics and combined science at Key Stage 4 and GCSE in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and at National 4 and 5 in Scotland.

Biology

Investigate osmosis in plant tissue

A demonstration of the key points of the required practical to investigate osmosis in plant tissue for GCSE biology and combined science.

Investigate the effect of pH on enzyme activity

A demonstration of the key points of the required practical to investigate the effect of pH on enzyme activity for GCSE biology and combined science.

Investigate the effect of light intensity on the rate of photosynthesis

A demonstration of the key points of the required practical to investigate the effect of light intensity on the rate of photosynthesis for GCSE biology and combined science.

Chemistry

Investigate electrolysis of aqueous solutions using inert electrodes

A demonstration of the key points of the required practical to investigate electrolysis of aqueous solutions using inert electrodes for GCSE chemistry and combined science.

Prepare a pure, dry sample of a soluble salt from an insoluble oxide

A demonstration of the key points of the required practical to prepare a pure, dry sample of a soluble salt from an insoluble oxide for GCSE chemistry and combined science.

Investigate the separation of substances using paper chromatography

A demonstration of the key points of the required practical to investigate the separation of substances using paper chromatography for GCSE chemistry and combined science.

Physics

Investigate the I–V characteristics of circuit elements such as a filament lamp, diode and resistor at constant temperature

A demonstration of the key points of the required practical to investigate the I-V characteristics of circuit elements such as a filament lamp, diode and resistor at constant temperature.

Investigate the effect of varying force or mass on the acceleration of an object

A demonstration of key points of the required practical to investigate the effect of varying force or mass on the acceleration of an object for GCSE physics and combined science.

Measure the frequency, wavelength and speed of waves in a ripple tank

A demonstration of the key points of the required practical to measure the frequency, wavelength and speed of waves in a ripple tank for GCSE physics and combined science.