Additional Science

Alkali Metals and Transition Metals

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

This title covers the two groups of metals you need to know about in detail for your GCSEs. These are the alkali metals and the transition metals. We will first describe the general properties of the alkali metals, then discuss in more detail how these metals react with water, before moving on to discuss the properties of the transition metals. This leads on to looking at the wide-ranging uses of these metals. To finish, we will compare the two groups to highlight the similarities and differences between them.

Atomic and Nuclear Structure and Radioactivity

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

In this title, you will learn about atomic structure, which is what lies beneath the surface of everything you see and touch. You will learn about protons, neutrons and electrons, and how they combine to make up the Universe. You will hear about isotopes and what they mean for radioactive decay. We will also look at the three different types of radioactive decay, and how this radioactivity appears in nature. You will discover how radioactive particles and waves can be detected, and how they can be useful and dangerous. We will then be discussing nuclear fission and nuclear fusion. This title also covers how electricity is generated at nuclear power stations, as well as what happens in nuclear reactions. Finally, you'll learn about the history of the atom, and how our knowledge of the Universe's composition has developed over time.

Atomic Structure

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

This title will start by considering the small pieces which all matter is made from. These are called 'particles'. We will identify everyday events that can only be explained by matter being made up of particles. Secondly, the title will move on to look at atoms and what they are made of. It considers protons, neutrons and electrons as the building blocks of atoms. The terms 'atomic number' and 'mass number' are then explained. We will use these concepts to understand what isotopes are. After this, we will introduce the term 'relative atomic mass', before going on to consider the arrangement of the electrons in shells around the nucleus and how this can affect the chemical properties of the elements. Finally, the title looks at the terms 'element', 'mixture' and 'compound' and what they mean to scientists.

Bonding

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

The electrons in the outside shells of atoms are responsible for bonding. Therefore, it is important to know how many electrons there are in the outside shell of each atom. There are three types of chemical bond: metal atoms join to non-metal atoms by ionic bonding, non-metal atoms join to other non-metal atoms by covalent bonding, and metal atoms join by metallic bonding. By understanding how atoms join together on an individual basis, we can build up a picture of how millions of atoms join together, and relate this to the physical properties of the material.

Breathing and Respiration

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

In this title, you'll learn how organisms can convert energy stored in sugar into ATP, which is the energy currency of living things. You'll hear about two alternative ways of liberating energy. One involves the presence of oxygen, and is called aerobic respiration. The other enables energy to be released without oxygen, and is called anaerobic respiration. Some micro-organisms that can respire anaerobically produce alcohol and carbon dioxide. Prolonged intense exercise in animals can result in a build-up of lactic acid in the muscles. This leads to a condition known as oxygen debt. This title also looks at the structure and functions of the respiratory system, including the structure of the lungs. We'll examine the mechanics of getting air into the lungs, so that oxygen in the air can get into our blood, and to the cells that need it.

Cell Activity in Plants

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Plants are living organisms that perform the chemical process of photosynthesis. This means that they produce their own food, and do not need to eat like animals. Like all living organisms, plants are made up of cells. They range from the single-celled algae to the multi-cellular, or many-celled, plants such as ferns, flowering plants and trees. Plants must have the ability to perform important reactions like making proteins and respiration to make energy, as well as be able to photosynthesise. Therefore, their cells must have the ability to perform these processes. Plants, like animals, have different organs, which have different functions within the plant. Plant organs include the leaf, stem and root. The cells that make up these organs have specialised structures to enable them to perform their role efficiently. We say that these cells are adapted.

Chemicals From Salt

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Sodium chloride, the chemical name for salt, is a highly valuable compound. In fact, it has been such a valuable product throughout history that it has been used in place of money! In this title, we will look at the different chemicals produced from the electrolysis of sodium chloride in different forms, the processes of electron transfer involved in electrolysis and the uses of the products that are formed.

Digestion and Nutrition in Humans

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Humans consume a wide variety of food and drink. This title explains how the digestive system is organised, the roles of the different parts, and how they help the process of digestion. We'll look at how the particles of digested food pass from the intestine into the blood. Chemical reactions involving enzymes break the different foods down into molecules that can be absorbed. We'll find out how the enzymes work, the conditions they need in order to function, and which food groups they act upon. Some enzymes break molecules down, and others build them up. We'll discuss how they do this. Understanding how the digestive system works also means understanding how the breakdown products that aren't needed are dealt with. We'll explain the excretory system, including the urinary system.

Effects and Uses of Forces

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

In this title, you will learn about the effects of force in different situations. A force is needed to make something happen, like speeding up a moving object. We will discuss weight, a force that always acts downwards and from an object's centre of gravity. We will study circular motion and show that centripetal force is needed to make something move in a circle. Mass is a quantity known as a scalar, and force is a vector. We will discuss what these mean and the difference between the two. All moving objects have momentum, and this title examines how it is conserved in collisions and explosions. We will also consider Newton's second law of motion, and how pressure can be used to convert a small force into a larger one. Moments of force and their application will finally be discussed.

Electric Charge and Electromagnetism

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

In this title, we will be looking at electric charge and how it can be produced by friction, when two different materials are rubbed against each other. We will discuss the reason why some materials, called conductors, allow electric charge to pass through them and why others, called insulators, do not. Static electricity is charge that is not moving. It can be very useful or it can be very dangerous, and we will look at the reasons for this. We will also discuss the forces that exist between like and unlike electrostatic charges. Positive and negative electrostatic charge will be considered, as well as how a force is produced when a current flows through a conductor in a magnetic field. We will then see how this can be developed to make an electric motor.

Electricity

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

In this title, we will consider electricity and its use as a provider of energy. We will look at the difference between direct current, which is supplied by cells and batteries, and alternating current, which is used in mains supply. We will consider the heating effect of a current flowing through a conductor and how electrical energy is transformed to useful energy. The title will also study safety aspects and how insulation, earthing, fuses and circuit breakers can be used to protect appliances, and help minimise the risk of electric shock to the user. The wiring of a domestic plug will be described, and we will discuss how to calculate energy transformed and power. We will consider the National Grid and the high voltages at which electricity is transmitted. Finally, we will discuss the units of measurement used in electricity.

Energy and Potential Difference in Circuits

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

In this title, we will look at electricity in circuits. We start by studying current in detail, and see how it is derived from the flow of electric charge. Next, we will look at potential difference, more commonly known as voltage, which provides the driving force behind the current. Resistance is something that opposes the current, and it increases in longer wires and wires with a smaller cross sectional area. This title also discusses how current flows through metals and liquid solutions called electrolytes. You will see that in controlled conditions resistance can be very useful, if not essential, when it is necessary to control the current in a circuit. We will look at components that provide resistance, such as fixed and variable resistors. Lastly, we look at circuits and discuss the difference between series and parallel circuits.

Energy Transfer

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

In this title you will learn about energy, which is one of the most important concepts in the whole of physics. You will learn about the conservation of energy, a principle that can be applied from the birth of the universe until right this second. You will learn about the different types of energy, including both the stored potential energy of chemical bonds, the inside of the nucleus, stretched elastic bands and objects raised up high. The title will also consider the different types of energy in use, such as thermal, electrical, light, sound and kinetic, or movement, energy.

Energy Transfer with Reactions

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Everyone knows that a ball runs downhill until it reaches a big enough obstacle to stop it, or a pencil can rest on a tabletop but could lose energy by falling to the floor. These observations are obvious in everyday life, but harder to explain in terms of chemistry. First, we need to understand about endothermic and exothermic changes. Endothermic changes have heat supplied to the chemicals in a reaction, whereas exothermic ones have heat released from the chemicals. Calorimetry is the science of measuring the heat transfer in a chemical reaction. We will look at combustion as a source of heat energy, and find out why some burning reactions cause explosions and why some just glow gently. Flammability can be useful but also dangerous, so we will conclude this title with a consideration of hazard symbols.

Environments and Ecosystems

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Living organisms co-exist harmoniously in ecosystems. This is where natural cycles enable each organism to get the nutrients and energy it needs in order to survive. In this title we'll look first at terminology used to describe an ecosystem, such as 'habitat' and 'community'. We'll then go on to study how energy is passed from one organism to another in food chains and webs, and how pyramids of biomass can be constructed. For farmers to make a profit, it is very important that energy is transferred efficiently. Therefore, they use some of the intensive farming techniques explained in this title. In order for a community to sustain itself, elements such as carbon and nitrogen must be recycled and reused. The final chapters will focus on these cycles.

Please note - Chapter 7 'The Nitrogen Cycle' is not relevant to AQA

Extraction and Uses of Metals

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Metals are an important part of the history of humankind. The first stage in using a metal is to remove it from its ore, a metal-bearing mineral or rock. Most ores are oxides, so we need to find ways to remove oxygen from the metal oxide. This is called reduction. The most reactive metals are the hardest to extract, so sometimes a metal might be expensive, even though it is not particularly rare. Aluminium and iron are two important metals. We will learn about how they are extracted from their ores. Almost all iron is converted into steel. We will consider how various metals, metal alloys and metal compounds are useful to us. The title will also look at how metal extraction can cause environmental problems and how the recycling of metals can help to reduce this.

Forces and Movement

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

In this title, we will look at potential energy stored as elastic energy: when something is forced to change its shape and tries to revert back to its original shape. This provides kinetic energy in things like catapults and clockwork toys. We will also consider equal and opposite forces in relation to Newton's third law of motion. Friction is a force that opposes movement, and this can be an advantage or disadvantage. This title also discusses stopping distances of cars, and what might make the distances increase. Terminal velocity and the reasons why vehicles need to have a top speed are considered. We examine the earth's gravitational field, and how it affects satellites and space rockets. Finally, we look at the theories of Galileo and Newton and see how they have contributed to our modern understanding of the solar system.

Forces and Shape

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

In the first part of this title, we look at the extension of springs and rubber bands. We will consider that extension occurs when a force is applied and that work has to be done when this happens. When work is done, energy is used. This energy is stored as elastic potential energy. Moving gas particles can exert a force on the inside wall of a container, and this is caused by their change in momentum. We will discuss what factors cause change in momentum. In nature, moving air particles, or winds, can exert a massive force, which can be extremely dangerous or harnessed to our advantage. This title also looks at pressure and volume in a fixed mass of gas. We will discuss how pressure is increased when volume is decreased, and how temperature affects both pressure and volume.

Genetics and Variation

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

In this title, you will learn what your genetic material is made from and how a slight change in a small part of this material can have devastating effects. You will learn about the processes that make you look a bit like your parents or even your grandparents, and you will be able to explain why some plants of the same species look different from each other because of the environment they are grown in. This title explains that some disorders people suffer from, like cystic fibrosis, are caused by a single gene on a pair of chromosomes which codes for a faulty protein. You will also be able to explain why X rays used in medical applications have to be treated with caution.

Inheritance

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

In this title, you will learn about how we inherit our looks and gender from our parents, and how to show the outcomes of a simple genetic cross. We will explain why some people suffer from inherited genetic disorders, even when their parents do not appear to have the disease, and how to work out the chances of passing on such problems. This title covers how and why people may selectively breed animals or plants, and what the advantages and disadvantages of this are. It discusses cloning and the different methods by which it is performed, as well as the human genome project, where scientists have been able to map out our DNA to find the locations of different genes. Finally, you will listen to examples of genetic modification and how it is used today to produce insulin.

Maintaining the Internal Environment

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

This title covers the ways in which we try to keep our bodies in a constant state. The scientific word for this constant state is homeostasis. By the end of this title, you will know how your body controls the removal of carbon dioxide, regulates your urine and checks you have enough sugar. It will also consider how the body looks after your temperature and makes sure no microbes infect you. Most of the mechanisms that this title describes occur by negative feedback. This means that if something the body is trying to control increases, it manages it by decreasing it. The process works the other way around as well. If levels are too low, the body will ensure that they increase again. This title also explains how both the nerves and hormones help with these processes.

Manufacture of Ammonia and Fertilisers

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Worldwide food production depends on the use of chemical fertilisers. Almost all of these contain nitrogen compounds, because although there is a huge amount of nitrogen in the air, it is not in a form that is suitable for most plants to use. At the beginning of the twentieth century, Fritz Haber and Carl Bosch perfected the Haber-Bosch process for the conversion of nitrogen and hydrogen into ammonia. This ammonia could be used to make nitric acid, and therefore chemical fertiliser. The Haber-Bosch process is based on a reversible reaction, so in this title we will learn about reversible reactions in general, and the principles of equilibria. Although chemical fertilisers have many advantages, there are some problems associated with them. In particular, excessive use of fertilisers can lead to eutrophication, which is where rivers become starved of oxygen.

Mixtures

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Solid, liquid and gas are the three states of matter, and mixtures of them can be formed in a variety of ways. The simplest kind of mixture is a solution. The solid disappears because it is broken up into particles that are too small to be seen. We can measure how much solid dissolves in a certain mass of liquid. This is called the solubility. In a suspension, the particles are small enough so that they don't settle out as sediment but are just large enough to be seen. A suspension is one kind of colloid. Colloids are substances that have mixtures of states. A jelly has some properties like a solid and some like a liquid. Some very useful materials are mixtures. These include emulsions, solutions and alloys. We will consider the various types of mixtures in this title.

Non-Metals, Noble Gases and Halogens

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

This title is concerned with the non-metallic elements, found on the right-hand side of the periodic table. Throughout this title, we will explore the diverse range of properties of these elements and describe some of the variety of applications they can be used for. In the later chapters, we will focus on two specific groups of non-metals, the halogens and the noble gases. For each group, we will consider the properties that the elements within the group share, and describe any changes in properties you may see between the elements of the group.

Nutrition and Energy in Plants

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Just like animals, plants need a constant supply of food in order to survive. However, unlike animals, plants don't have to eat their food. Their food is a sugar called glucose, which they make in a process called photosynthesis. Photosynthesis takes place mainly in the leaves. The raw materials that a plant needs are carbon dioxide, water and mineral salts. Without these, the plant would die. Why are each of these things essential, and where do plants get them from? Photosynthesis produces glucose and oxygen. Plants have many uses for glucose. We know that plants grow more quickly in the long, warm, sunny days of summer. Photosynthesis must happen more quickly under these conditions, so what factors can affect the rate of photosynthesis, and are there any limits to how fast plants can grow?

Rates of Reaction

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Chemical reactions are occurring inside us and around us all the time, but the rate or speed at which they occur varies massively. It can take a tenth of a second for a firework to explode in the sky, take hours for an apple to turn brown or for your body to digest a piece of meat, but take years for a piece of iron to rust completely. In the chemical industry it is crucial for scientists to understand reaction rates when useful chemicals are being produced on a large scale. The company needs reactions to happen quickly to make the process economical, but also at a rate that is safe: explosions are exceptionally fast chemical reactions! This title looks at why reaction rates vary so much and the conditions needed to control reaction rates.

Representing Reactions

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

We start this title by looking at how we can make a word equation describe a chemical change. Next we'll look at how to get the chemical formula correct for the substances in the word equation, as we make it into a balanced chemical equation. We will consider the mystery of large numbers and subscripts. Another problem to learn about is 'diatomic gases', and why sometimes an element needs a small two in the equation. Once we can write chemical equations, we can start to use them. We can predict how much material is made by a reaction using the concept of the mole' and relative formula masses. Then we will look at two more complicated ideas - percentage yield and percentage atom economy. Finally, we will look at the periodic table and the patterns within its groups and periods.

The Periodic Table, Elements and Compounds

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

The world of chemistry can seem very confusing, with so many different types of substance, all reacting in so many different ways. A few rules can help remove this confusion, and the periodic table is a very useful resource to help us do this. In this title, we will explore the nature of different elements and explain why there is so much variety in the compounds that can be made. We will also discuss the history and organisation of the periodic table, as well as exploring the trends and patterns that can be found within it.

The Skin

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

The skin is our largest organ and is essential for keeping us protected from invasion by harmful bacteria and controlling our body temperature. We judge whether people are scared or are in love by changes in blood flow through their skin. We see people getting old by the wrinkles in their skin. Some people, unfortunately, get skin cancer, often as a result of too much exposure to ultra-violet light from the sun. In this title, we will investigate what skin is, how it grows and how it protects us. Keeping warm is vital for the human body. The skin plays an important role in achieving a constant body temperature through sweating and regulating the blood vessels under the skin's surface. The reason for temperature regulation is to ensure that enzymes work properly. This title will also review that enzyme action.

Water Relations and Transport

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Plants must have a constant supply of water, nutrients such as amino acids and sucrose, and mineral ions in order to grow healthily. Just as we have a circulatory system consisting of the heart, blood vessels and blood to move around the vital materials that we need, plants also have their own way of moving the things they need around. A plant's transport system consists of special tube-like tissues called phloem and xylem. The processes of diffusion, osmosis and active transport are used by plants to load up the xylem with water and mineral ions from the soil, and to pump sucrose and amino acids into the phloem tubes.

Work and Power

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

In this title, you will learn about some of the different types of energy: gravitational potential, elastic potential and kinetic energy. Gravitational potential energy is the energy that an object has because of its position in a gravitational field. Elastic potential energy is the energy stored in a stretched elastic object, such as a rubber band or a spring, and kinetic energy is the energy of an object that is moving. You will also learn about how forces transfer energy to heat, and the role this plays in creating waste energy. This prevents processes from being 100% efficient. The title will explore work done', how it relates to energy transfers, and how it is calculated from the exertion of a force over a distance. Finally, you will learn about the rate of doing work, and how power is calculated.

Alkali Metals and Transition Metals

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Atomic and Nuclear Structure and Radioactivity

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Atomic Structure

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Bonding

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Breathing and Respiration

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Cell Activity in Plants

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Chemicals From Salt

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Circulation

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

We need a circulatory system to transfer heat around the body to keep our temperature constant; to provide pressure; and to transport substances to and from our tissues. This perfectly formed, intricate system makes sure our blood is sent to the right places, at the right time, in the right direction! In this title you'll learn what our circulatory system is made up of, why we need one, and the features that make it effective at carrying our blood around the body. We'll describe the structure and function of the heart, together with the effects of coronary heart disease, and how to lower your risk of suffering from it. You'll learn about blood: what it's made of, how it helps us fight disease, how it clots, and what happens when this doesn't take place properly.

Control of Growth

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

This title will focus on how plants grow, and how growers can manipulate the growth to their advantage. This is important, as growing crops is a business. The faster crops grow, and the greater the yield, the more profit is made. The first chapter will cover the changes in plants that take place when they grow. As plants are made up of cells, in order for the whole organism to get bigger cells have to multiply and then enlarge. Chemicals called hormones control these changes in the cells, and the way that a group of plant hormones called auxins influence a plant's growth will be discussed. The next two chapters will look at how growers can control the growth of plants. Firstly, how greenhouses can be used to speed up plant growth, and then how hormones can be used commercially.

Digestion and Nutrition in Humans

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Effects and Uses of Forces

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Electric Charge and Electromagnetism

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Energy Resources and Electricity Generation

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Electrical devices have become important features in all our lives - just take a look around you. How many electrical devices can you see? All these devices, with many different uses and purposes, can be powered with one form of energy - electricity. Electrical energy is very useful to us because it can be easily transferred from one form to another; it is very versatile. Because energy cannot be created or destroyed, this electrical energy must be transferred from other resources. These resources are one of the things that you will learn about in this title. The energy from these resources must be converted into electrical energy at a power station. You will also learn about how these different power stations work, and the various advantages and disadvantages of them.

Energy Transfer

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Energy Transfer with Reactions

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Environments and Ecosystems

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Please note - Chapter 7 'The Nitrogen Cycle' is not relevant to AQA

Evolution and Extinction

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

In this title, you will listen to theories of how organisms that we know about today may well have evolved over millions of years from single cells. You will also learn about different theories of evolution proposed by scientists from as long ago as the 1700s. Because organisms compete for resources, the ones that are the best adapted survive and this may eventually change the look of a species after many generations. This title explains why dinosaurs are not still roaming around the Earth, and why some people are still interested in their footprints. Finally, you will learn how organisms are preserved over millions of years and how some humans have been preserved in peat bogs.

Extraction and Uses of Metals

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Foods, Medicines and Emulsions

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Chemistry can help us to understand some of the issues concerning food and medicine. For example, fermentation is a chemical process that uses the enzymes from yeast. Sugars are converted to alcohol and carbon dioxide. This reaction is used to make alcoholic drinks and bread rise. Through history, humankind has found remedies for illnesses. Willow is useful for relieving pain. Originally, this was used in the form of a soup. Later, other painkilling drugs were discovered. Science has also helped us to understand traditional methods of making foods such as cheese and yoghurt. There is a huge industry associated with making food attractive to eat, and this title will consider this. We will also learn that preservatives can give food a longer shelf-life. The special food needs of babies and slimmers can also be addressed by chemistry.

Forces and Movement

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Genetics and Variation

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Humans and the Environment: Negative Impacts

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

We humans are just one of the many different organisms that live on our planet. Unfortunately, our success and rapid population growth have had many negative impacts on the environment. This title starts off by looking at how living organisms are able to interact to live successfully alongside one another in their habitats, and it finishes by looking at how humans have upset this delicate balance. We'll discuss the way organisms compete for resources, and why it's important for them to adapt for survival. Then we'll look at the important relationships between organisms, such as that between predators and their prey. This title also explains how scientists study populations of plants and animals, and discusses the problems associated with the rise of human populations, such as pollution and the exhaustion of resources.

Humans and the Environment: Positive Impacts

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

This title looks at how humans can have a positive impact on the environment. Farmers have a choice. They can farm intensively, or they can opt for the more environmentally friendly approach of organic farming. The first chapter in this title will focus on what organic farming means, on the different methods that organic farmers use, and on how they affect the surrounding environment less than the conventional methods used by intensive farmers. The second chapter will look at what we mean by sustainability. Many choices affect the planet - whether they are made at a local, a national or a global level. We must make sure that these choices do not impact negatively on the environment, so that future generations can continue to enjoy the resources and the huge biodiversity of life that the Earth provides.

Inheritance

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Manufacture of Ammonia and Fertilisers

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Movement and Position

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

This title considers motion. We will look at speed, and how it can be calculated using the speed equation. Measuring the distance of a journey and dividing this by the time it takes gives us the average speed. We will compare this with the 'instantaneous' speed reading as given by a car's speedometer. A journey can be represented by plotting a graph of distance against time. We will look at this, describing the different parts of it in detail. Acceleration is a vector defined as the rate of change in velocity, although in everyday life we think of acceleration as speeding up'. We will look at this more closely and try a few calculations. A graph of speed against time represents a journey in terms of acceleration. This graph will be examined and compared with graphs of distance against time.

Non-Metals, Noble Gases and Halogens

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Nutrition and Energy in Plants

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Products from Crude Oil

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

The substances in crude oil are called 'fossil fuels', but they can also lead to a range of chemicals based on the ability of carbon to form long chains. Crude oil is mostly a mixture of alkanes, which we will learn more about in this title. These are all hydrocarbons, which only have single bonds. Hydrocarbon molecules have only carbon and hydrogen atoms in them. Chapter two will outline how crude oil is sorted out by fractional distillation into components, according to their boiling point range. A process called 'Cracking' converts alkane hydrocarbons into smaller alkanes and alkenes. Alkenes are also hydrocarbons, but they have a carbon-to-carbon double bond. Alkenes can undergo polymerisation to form polymers. We will consider that combustion of fossil fuels can cause pollution problems, but that we can try to minimise the damage it causes.

Rates of Reaction

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Representing Reactions

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

The Earth and its Atmosphere

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

The Earth is believed to be about 4,500 million years old. Since its formation, there have been great changes both to the land the atmosphere. The early cooling caused the oceans to form and then, as life developed, the atmosphere of ammonia, carbon dioxide and methane became polluted by oxygen. The ozone layer developed and life became more complex. Eventually the atmosphere gained its current composition of around 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, 1% argon and small amounts of other gases such as carbon dioxide. On the land, the continents spread out from the original Pangaea super-continent. The three main rock types that exist on Earth are sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous. As life developed, carbon-chain compounds were created. Although originally associated with living things, 'organic' chemistry is now concerned with the whole range of compounds that contain chains of carbon atoms.

The Electromagnetic Spectrum

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

There is more to light than just the rainbow of colour that we see around us. All of the colours and images we see are just a small part of one continuous series of waves called the electromagnetic spectrum. We owe our use of the word spectrum', which means appearance' in Latin, and our earliest knowledge about it to Isaac Newton, who published a well-known book called 'Optiks' in 1671. We will hear more about Newton when we look at the visible part of the spectrum later. Since Newton's day, we have expanded our knowledge and understanding of the spectrum to include everything from gamma radiation to radio waves, and so have split this title up accordingly.

The Periodic Table, Elements and Compounds

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Water Relations and Transport

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Work and Power

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Alkali Metals and Transition Metals

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Atomic Structure

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Bonding

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Cell Activity in Plants

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Communications

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

The history of communication dates back to the earliest signs of life. Communication can range from very subtle processes of exchange, to full-blown conversations and, especially in our current time, mass communication. Human communication was revolutionised by speech about 200,000 years ago. Symbols were developed about 30,000 years ago, and writing about 7,000 years ago. On a much shorter scale, there have been major developments in the field of telecommunications in the past few centuries. Most of these developments have revolved around the discovery of electricity. From postal services to telegrams to telephones, most of this revolution was powered by the analogue signal. There has been another revolution in recent years as digital communications have become widely used. In this title, we'll examine what makes these signals what they are and the impact they have on us.

Control of Growth

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Effects and Uses of Forces

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Electric Charge and Electromagnetism

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Electricity

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Electromagnetic Induction

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

In this title, we will look at the parts of electromagnetic induction that you may encounter in your GCSE studies. Transformers are often the subject of exam questions. We will consider input and output voltages and their relationship with the turns ratio of input and output coils. We will discuss the difference between step-up and step-down transformers and where each is likely to be used. Next we examine the theory of electromagnetic induction, including the actions needed to induce a current in a conductor such as potential difference. This title also covers generators, and how a coil rotating in a magnetic field can produce an alternating current. Instead of a coil rotating in a magnetic field, some generators, or dynamos, have a magnet rotating inside a coil.

Energy and Potential Difference in Circuits

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Energy Transfer

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Energy Transfer with Reactions

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Extraction and Uses of Metals

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Foods, Medicines and Emulsions

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Forces and Movement

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Genetics and Variation

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Light and Sound

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

In light and sound, we have our two most prominent senses - two of our most vital tools for communicating with the outside world. They are so fundamental to us that the very concepts invade our everyday language. For example, 'listen', 'look', 'see' all have many more meanings in common use than just their scientific ones, which isn't the case with some of the other terms we'll meet. For example, the word 'transparent' is fairly clear in meaning. So, in this title, you'll learn about the science behind sound and the theory of vision.

Maintaining the Internal Environment

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Mixtures

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Movement and Position

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Non-Metals, Noble Gases and Halogens

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Nutrition and Energy in Plants

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Rates of Reaction

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Representing Reactions

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

The Earth and its Atmosphere

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

The Electromagnetic Spectrum

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

The Kidneys

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

It is important for the body to maintain a constant internal environment, called homeostasis. Water homeostasis, or osmoregulation, is the way the body makes sure that the right level of water is in the body. In this title, we will see how the brain and the kidneys keep water levels balanced. The kidney is the organ responsible for filtering our blood and making sure that the right amounts of salts stay in the body, or are excreted. We will look at the structure of the kidney and understand how filtration takes place, before moving on to seeing how the urinary system works. If the kidneys stop working then urea affects the skin, making it turn yellow. There are two solutions to this: undergoing a kidney transplant or kidney dialysis. We will look at the risks and benefits of each.

The Nervous System

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

The nervous system is a network of specialised cells that work together to coordinate the actions of the body. With the human nervous system we can receive information from the outside environment, and make sense of it. Once we've processed this information, we can build up a complicated internal model of what the world is like. In this title we'll learn about the different parts of the nervous system, and how messages are sent around the body. We'll also look at how signals are sent down neurones and learn about the action potential, and the chemical ions that enable the message to be sent.

The Periodic Table, Elements and Compounds

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

The Skin

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Units and Properties of Waves

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Welcome to the title on the properties and definitions of waves. As with many areas of science, it is the units and definitions that are extremely important. For the most part, in this title we'll be discussing the basic properties that apply to all of the things that we loosely clump under the word 'waves'. In the strictest sense, mechanical waves - like water waves and sound waves - are not the same as electromagnetic waves such as light waves. However, most of the mathematics and reasoning of mechanical waves applies to light waves and vice versa.

Water Relations and Transport

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Work and Power

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Alkali Metals and Transition Metals

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Atomic and Nuclear Structure and Radioactivity

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Atomic Structure

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Bonding

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Breathing and Respiration

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Cell Activity in Plants

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Chemicals From Salt

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Circulation

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Control of Growth

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Digestion and Nutrition in Humans

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Effects and Uses of Forces

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Electric Charge and Electromagnetism

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Electricity

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Energy and Potential Difference in Circuits

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Energy Resources and Electricity Generation

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Energy Transfer

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Environments and Ecosystems

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Please note - Chapter 7 'The Nitrogen Cycle' is not relevant to AQA

Extraction and Uses of Metals

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Forces and Movement

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Forces and Shape

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Genetics and Variation

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Humans and the Environment: Negative Impacts

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Humans and the Environment: Positive Impacts

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Infectious Diseases

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

In this title, you will learn about pathogens, microorganisms that are harmful to humans, and how scientists try to combat them. We will consider the different types of pathogens and some of the diseases they cause. You will discover what toxins are, and what your body does if it is infected by a pathogen that produces one. You will also find out more about the vaccines that you might have at school, and why you need injections to go on some holidays. The title will give you an understanding of the hospital superbug MRSA. Finally, you will learn about what happens to our bodies when we take paracetamol or aspirin.

Inheritance

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Light and Sound

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Manufacture of Ammonia and Fertilisers

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Mixtures

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Movement and Position

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Non-Metals, Noble Gases and Halogens

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Nutrition and Energy in Plants

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Products from Crude Oil

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Rates of Reaction

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Representing Reactions

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Reproduction in Humans

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Every organism on the planet has resulted from the process of reproduction. Understanding the mechanics of the male and female human body means that we can understand sexual reproduction and pregnancy. What happens once the sperm fertilises the egg? This title examines the stages in development of the zygote through to embryo and foetus until the baby is born. We'll look at the stages of pregnancy, called trimesters, and hear about the changes taking place in the mother-to-be's body. Giving birth to a baby consists of three distinct stages. We'll identify what happens in each stage, and explain what's going on in the mother's body. Sexual intercourse is the means for reproducing the human race. However, there is also the risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections. We'll look at the top four infections, and see how they affect the body.

The Earth and its Atmosphere

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

The Electromagnetic Spectrum

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

The Periodic Table, Elements and Compounds

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

The Skin

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Units and Properties of Waves

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Water Relations and Transport

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Work and Power

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100