PAPER 4 FOUNDATION TIER REVISION (Edexcel GCSE Combined Science)

This is a fully-resourced lesson which uses exam-style questions, engaging quiz competitions, quick tasks and discussion points to challenge students on their understanding of topics C1 & C6 - C8, that will assessed on PAPER 4. It has been specifically designed for students on the Edexcel GCSE Combined Science course who will be taking the FOUNDATION TIER examinations but is also suitable for students taking the higher tier who need to ensure that the key ideas are known and understood.

The lesson has been written to cover as many specification points as possible but the following sub-topics have been given particular attention:

• Hydrocarbons
• The homologous series of alkanes
• Empirical formula
• Covalent dot and cross diagrams
• Fractional distillation of crude oil
• The properties of the different fractions
• The complete combustion of a hydrocarbon
• Changes in the carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere
• Deforestation
• Changes in the Earth’s atmosphere
• Polluting gases
• The formation of acid rain
• Detecting oxygen and chlorine
• The properties of the halogens
• Metals vs non-metals
• The reaction of alkali metals with water
• Explaining the pattern of reactivity of the alkali metals
• The collision theory
• Endothermic and exothermic reactions

In order to maintain challenge whilst ensuring that all abilities can access the questions, the majority of the tasks have been differentiated and students can ask for extra support when they are unable to begin a question. Step-by-step guides have also been written into the lesson to walk students through some of the more difficult concepts such as the changes in the Earth’s atmosphere and explaining the reactivity of the alkali metals in terms of electronic configurations.

Due to the extensiveness of this revision lesson, it is estimated that it will take in excess of 3 teaching hours to complete the tasks and therefore this can be used at different points throughout the duration of the course as well as acting as a final revision before the PAPER 4 exam.