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A clear guide to tackling the ‘scientific article analysis’ question If you’re preparing for the Unit 7: Contemporary Issues in Science external exam, you’ll know that Question 3 is one of the most difficult questions on the paper . It tests your ability to interpret, analyse, and evaluate scientific information. 🧠 What is Question 3 about? Question 3 is worth 12 marks and is built around a scientific article presented in the exam paper. You are expected to consider how

When atoms combine, they form chemical bonds that hold them together. The two main types of bonding you’ll study in Unit 1 are ionic and covalent bonds. Understanding the difference helps explain why substances have different properties — from the salt on your chips to the water in your glass. Ionic Bonding An ionic bond forms when electrons are transferred from one atom to another. This usually happens between a metal and a non-metal. Metals lose electrons, forming positive

Have you ever seen a question like this in your chemistry paper? “Discuss the atomic radius and ionic radius data in the table” It’s a classic exam favourite — and one that can easily earn you full marks if you know what the examiner is looking for. Let’s break it down step by step. 🧪 Step 1: Understand What the Question Is Really Asking This type of question wants you to: Describe the data in the table (what happens to the numbers). Explain the trends using your understandi

Unit 5 Physics - engines

Spirometry trace What Is Spirometry? Spirometry is a common method used to measure how well a person’s lungs are working. It records the volume of air breathed in and out and the speed of breathing. The results are shown on a graph called a spirometer trace, which helps scientists and healthcare professionals assess lung function and detect respiratory problems such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In Unit 5, you learn how to interpret these traces a

BTEC Applied Science – Unit 7: Contemporary Issues in Science Understanding the Question Question 2 on the Unit 7 paper typically asks: “Identify the different organisations/individuals mentioned in the articles and suggest how they may have an influence on the scientific issue.” (6 marks) This question assesses Learning Aim A2, which focuses on understanding how various groups and individuals impact scientific progress, research, and public opinion. What You Need to Do: Iden

BTEC Applied Science – Unit 2, Learning Aim C Paper chromatography Chromatography is one of the most important analytical techniques in science. In Unit 2, Learning Aim C, you’ll explore how chromatographic methods such as paper chromatography and thin-layer chromatography (TLC) can separate and identify substances in a mixture. These techniques are widely used in forensic science, food testing, and pharmaceutical analysis — so understanding how they work is essential for you

When atoms gain or lose electrons, they become charged particles called ions. The energy needed to remove those electrons is known as ionisation energy — a key idea in atomic structure and periodicity. Definition Ionisation energy is the energy required to remove one mole of electrons from one mole of gaseous atoms to form one mole of gaseous positive ions. For example: First ionisation energy for aluminium This process requires energy because the electron is attracted to the

Aluminium airplane Aluminium is one of the most widely used metals in the world. It is strong, lightweight, and corrosion-resistant, which makes it useful for aircraft, drink cans, window frames and electrical cables. But extracting aluminium from its ore is not simple — because aluminium is too reactive to be extracted by reduction with carbon. Instead, we use electrolysis. The process used to extract aluminium is called the Hall–Héroult process, and it involves the electrol