<p>A structured approach to investigating how altering the supply of air (and therefore oxygen) affects the time that a candle can burn for. This is a simple experiment, but it also encourages students to consider key aspects of scientific investigation such as independent and dependent a variables, calculating mean values and evaluation skills.</p>

<p>Tests and reinforces the principle of metal displacement by other metals (and carbon) on the first sheet. The second sheet then asks pupils to consider the practical significance of smelting and the fact that carbon (in the form of eg. charcoal) is a cheap and readily available resource that can be used to extract metals below it in reactivity series, whilst metals above it require the more energy intensive (and therefore expensive) method of electrolysis for their extraction.</p>

<p>What makes this resource stand out, apart from the very clear explanations and examples , is the structured way that students are regularly given tasks to check that they have understood and can apply the knowledge and concepts being covered. This work is created by an experienced teacher and examiner who has a strong grasp of the key points within each topic and the requirements of the examination.</p> <p>Should you like this resource, then the author has currently produced similar resources for the following topics:</p> <p>Atomic structure and the periodic table<br /> Bonding, structure and the properties of matter<br /> Chemical changes</p>

<p>This worksheet guides pupils through a simple and fun experiment to compare the strengths of different magnets.</p>

<p>This worksheet guides students through a simple but fun experiment to compare the friction generated between different surfaces.</p>

<p>Worksheet that enables pupils to work independently to fill in the missing information about a range of elements, using the idea that a specific element can be identified if any one of four pieces of information are given. It says GCSE on the worksheet title, but it can also be used at KS3.</p>

<p>This worksheet helps to give structure and organisation to a pH testing experiment. You may have small samples of liquid in test tubes or dropping tiles and add drops of indicator or pH paper. Try to get a range of pH values. I usually use these liquids:<br /> Strong acids from hydrochloric, sulphuric and nitric. Weak acids from vinegar, lemon juice, orange juice, red or white wine on the turn. Neutral or thereabouts is water and distilled water. Limewater, sodium bicarbonate solution, soap/detergent solution and possibly milk for weak alkali. Sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide for strong alkali, whilst ammonia solution is perhaps borderline weak strong alkali.</p>

<p>This worksheet accompanies the alkali metals reacting with water teacher demonstration. Under no circumstances is this a student practical (just covering myself there), and should only be carried out by teachers who are fully conversant with risk control measures required for the activity . I usually do this after the Calcium experiment (activity worksheet also available from me on TES) to build on and complete the sub-topic of metal reactivity. You don’t have to have a worksheet with this experiment, as it is an exciting and highly engaging activity, but it helps to ensure that the key learning objectives of how the alkali metals react with water are focused on .</p>

<p>This provides clear instructions and structured questions to get the pupils to think about their measurements and how they relate to the idea of insulation. A clear results table helps them to organise their data and calculate temperature changes, which will then provide the basis for their conclusions.</p>

<p>SEN or primary starter worksheet to get pupils to start to construct and understand basic food chains.</p>

<p>This cut and paste exercise gets pupils to evaluate the typical features of internal and external fertilisation.</p>

<p>This worksheet provides the structure for pupils to carry out a practical investigation of the relationship between mass and weight and asks them to consider how this might alter in other parts of the solar system.</p>

<p>This worksheet encourages students to research and review a range of biofuels, identifying their benefits and drawbacks.</p>

<p>This extended worksheet guides students through a fun investigation to see what affects the friction between their trainers (or shoes) and their chosen surface. It is open ended in that they can choose from three possible variables and they are encouraged to understand the concept that one factor should be varied to achieve a fair test, and also to evaluate the data obtained.</p>

<p>This worksheet guides students through the relevant observations in an experiment involving the heating of metals over a Bunsen burner. As stressed on the worksheet, this goes hand in hand with, and not as a replacement for, clear teacher guidance and supervision, as the risk assessment, particularly for the burning of magnesium, is significant issue . The concept that compounds are very different from the elements they are made from is the key focus (eg. a shiny, silvery metal reacts with an invisible gas to become a white powdery substance). The aim is for the students to have controlled, safe, fun finding this out.</p>

<p>A differentiated resource to help less confident students to learn about and review the basic properties of acids and alkalis.</p>

<p>Suitable for SEN and above, with level of support adjusted accordingly . This worksheet would be best utilised at the end of a sub-unit of work on the digestive system, as the answers are not given on the sheet. The pupils are, instead, encouraged to look in their notes, textbooks or online for the basic information required.</p>

<p>Fun experiment to compare the notes of different tuning forks, with the aim of getting them to see that, for each pair, the higher pitch is created by the smallest or shortest tuning fork.</p>

<p>What makes this resource stand out, apart from the very clear explanations and examples , is the structured way that students are regularly given tasks to check that they have understood and can apply the knowledge and concepts being covered. This work is created by an experienced teacher and examiner who has a strong grasp of the key points within each topic and the requirements of the examination.</p> <p>Should you like this resource, then the author has currently produced similar resources for the following topics:</p> <p>Atomic structure and the periodic table<br /> Bonding, structure and the properties of matter<br /> Quantitative chemistry<br /> Electricity (GCSE Physics)</p>

<p>This Calcium investigation begins by asking pupils to identify its symbol and position using the periodic table, before moving on to investigates its reaction with water and the products of that reaction. The clear step by step instructions allow a highly independent approach for more able and responsible pupils, and will enable most to be able to carry out the tasks with a limited level of further guidance. I usually do this lesson after the Magnesium investigation (also available from me on TES resources), and in the next lesson do the alkali metals demo. This gives progression from reactive metal that doesn’t react (to any significant extent) with cold water, to a metal that does react with cold water, to metals that react violently with cold water.</p>

<p>This worksheet provides a structured framework for pupils to review the task of obtaining pure salt (sodium chloride) from impure salt (rock salt). It could be used before the experiment to help them to plan out what they are going to do, but as this is aimed at less able pupils, I would tend to guide them through the practical step by step, and use this is a follow up.</p>