Specification points
Edexcel GCSE Combined Science 1SC0
527 points in 3 topics, with Edexcel's codes and titles.
Grade boundaries·Edexcel command words
Codes and titles are read by a script from Edexcel's published specification and have not been checked by a person. What each point covers is in the specification itself: Edexcel’s specification.
B Biology
- B1 Key concepts in biology
- B1.1 Sub-cellular structures and their functions
- B1.2 Specialised cells and their adaptations
- B1.3 Developments in microscope technology
- B1.4 Number, size, scale and estimation
- B1.5 Units for cell measurements
- B1.6 Core practical: using microscopes
- B1.7 Enzyme action, active site and specificity
- B1.8 Denaturation of enzymes
- B1.9 Temperature, substrate concentration and pH on enzymes
- B1.10 Core practical: pH and enzyme activity
- B1.11 Rate calculations for enzyme activity
- B1.12 Enzymes in synthesis and breakdown of molecules
- B1.15 Diffusion, osmosis and active transport
- B1.16 Core practical: osmosis in potatoes
- B1.17 Percentage change in mass in osmosis
- B2 Cells and control
- B2.1 Mitosis and the cell cycle
- B2.2 Importance of mitosis
- B2.3 Mitosis producing genetically identical cells
- B2.4 Cancer and uncontrolled cell division
- B2.5 Growth in animals and plants
- B2.6 Cell differentiation
- B2.7 Percentile growth charts
- B2.8 Stem cells and meristems
- B2.9 Benefits and risks of stem cells in medicine
- B2.13 Neurones, receptors and synapses
- B2.14 The reflex arc
- B3 Genetics
- B3.3 Meiosis and gametes
- B3.4 Structure of DNA
- B3.5 Genome and genes
- B3.6 Extracting DNA from fruit
- B3.12 Alleles and inherited differences
- B3.13 Genetic terms
- B3.14 Monohybrid inheritance
- B3.15 Sex determination
- B3.16 Outcomes of monohybrid crosses
- B3.19 Features controlled by multiple genes
- B3.20 Genetic and environmental variation
- B3.21 The Human Genome Project
- B3.22 Genetic variation from mutations
- B3.23 Effects of mutations on phenotype
- B4 Natural selection and genetic modification
- B4.2 Evolution by natural selection
- B4.3 Resistant organisms as evidence for evolution
- B4.4 Fossil evidence for human evolution
- B4.5 Stone tools as evidence for human evolution
- B4.7 Three domains of classification
- B4.8 Selective breeding
- B4.10 Genetic engineering
- B4.11 Stages of genetic engineering
- B4.14 Benefits and risks of genetic engineering and selective breeding
- B5 Health, disease and the development of medicines
- B5.1 Definition of health
- B5.2 Communicable and non-communicable diseases
- B5.3 One disease increasing susceptibility to others
- B5.4 Types of pathogen
- B5.5 Common infections
- B5.6 Spread and prevention of pathogens
- B5.8 Sexually transmitted infections
- B5.12 Physical and chemical defences of the human body
- B5.13 The specific immune system
- B5.14 Immunisation
- B5.16 Antibiotics treat only bacterial infections
- B5.20 Stages of developing new medicines
- B5.23 Multiple causes of non-communicable diseases
- B5.24 Lifestyle factors and non-communicable diseases
- B5.25 Treatments for cardiovascular disease
- B6 Plant structures and their functions
- B6.1 Photosynthetic organisms as producers
- B6.2 Photosynthesis as an endothermic reaction
- B6.3 Limiting factors of photosynthesis
- B6.4 Interaction of limiting factors
- B6.5 Core practical: light intensity and photosynthesis
- B6.6 Light intensity and the inverse square law
- B6.7 Root hair cells
- B6.8 Structure of xylem and phloem
- B6.9 Transpiration and stomata
- B6.10 Translocation of sucrose
- B6.12 Environmental factors and water uptake
- B6.13 Rate calculations for transpiration
- B7 Animal coordination, control and homeostasis
- B7.1 Endocrine glands and hormone transport
- B7.2 Adrenalin and fight or flight
- B7.3 Thyroxine and negative feedback
- B7.4 Stages of the menstrual cycle
- B7.5 Hormone interactions in the menstrual cycle
- B7.6 Hormonal contraception
- B7.7 Hormonal and barrier contraception compared
- B7.8 Hormones in assisted reproductive technology
- B7.9 Maintaining a constant internal environment
- B7.13 Insulin and blood glucose
- B7.14 Glucagon and blood glucose
- B7.15 Type 1 diabetes
- B7.16 Type 2 diabetes
- B7.17 Body mass and type 2 diabetes
- B8 Exchange and transport in animals
- B8.1 Substances transported into and out of organisms
- B8.2 Exchange surfaces and surface area to volume ratio
- B8.3 Alveoli and gas exchange
- B8.6 Structure and function of blood components
- B8.7 Structure and function of blood vessels
- B8.8 Structure and function of the heart and circulation
- B8.9 Cellular respiration
- B8.10 Aerobic and anaerobic respiration compared
- B8.11 Core practical: rate of respiration
- B8.12 Heart rate, stroke volume and cardiac output
- B9 Ecosystems and material cycles
- B9.1 Levels of organisation in ecosystems
- B9.2 Abiotic and biotic factors affecting communities
- B9.3 Interdependence in a community
- B9.4 Parasitism and mutualism
- B9.5 Core practical: fieldwork with quadrats and transects
- B9.6 Estimating population size from fieldwork data
- B9.9 Human interactions with ecosystems and biodiversity
- B9.10 Benefits of maintaining biodiversity
- B9.12 Cycling of materials in ecosystems
- B9.13 The carbon cycle
- B9.14 The water cycle and potable water
- B9.15 The nitrogen cycle and nitrates for plants
C Chemistry
- C0 Formulae, equations and hazards
- C0.1 Formulae of elements, compounds and ions
- C0.2 Word equations
- C0.3 Balanced equations with state symbols
- C0.4 Balanced ionic equations
- C0.5 Hazard symbols
- C0.6 Risks and precautions in practical work
- C1 Key concepts in chemistry
- C1.1 Development of the model of the atom
- C1.2 Structure of an atom
- C1.3 Relative charge and mass of subatomic particles
- C1.4 Equal numbers of protons and electrons
- C1.5 Size of the nucleus
- C1.6 Mass concentrated in the nucleus
- C1.7 Mass number
- C1.8 Proton number unique to each element
- C1.9 Isotopes
- C1.10 Numbers of protons, neutrons and electrons in atoms
- C1.11 Isotopes and non-integer relative atomic masses
- C1.12 Calculating relative atomic mass
- C1.13 Mendeleev's periodic table
- C1.14 Mendeleev's predictions of undiscovered elements
- C1.15 Mendeleev's ordering and relative atomic mass
- C1.16 Atomic number and position in the periodic table
- C1.17 Periods and groups in the periodic table
- C1.18 Metals and non-metals in the periodic table
- C1.19 Electronic configurations of the first 20 elements
- C1.20 Electronic configuration and periodic table position
- C1.21 Formation of ionic bonds
- C1.22 Definition of an ion
- C1.23 Protons, neutrons and electrons in simple ions
- C1.24 Formation of ions in ionic compounds
- C1.25 The endings -ide and -ate
- C1.26 Formulae of ionic compounds
- C1.27 Ionic lattice structures
- C1.28 Formation of covalent bonds
- C1.29 Covalent bonding forming molecules
- C1.30 Size of atoms and small molecules
- C1.31 Dot and cross diagrams of simple molecules
- C1.32 Classifying substances by structure and bonding
- C1.33 Properties of ionic compounds
- C1.34 Properties of simple molecular compounds
- C1.35 Graphite and diamond as giant covalent substances
- C1.36 Structures of graphite and diamond
- C1.37 Uses of graphite and diamond
- C1.38 Fullerenes and graphene
- C1.39 Simple polymers such as poly(ethene)
- C1.40 Properties of metals
- C1.41 Limitations of models and representations
- C1.42 Physical properties of metals and non-metals
- C1.43 Relative formula mass and percentage by mass
- C1.44 Empirical formulae from reacting masses
- C1.45 Empirical and molecular formulae
- C1.46 Experiment to find an empirical formula
- C1.47 Conservation of mass
- C1.48 Reacting masses from equations
- C1.49 Concentration in g dm⁻³
- C1.50 The mole and the Avogadro constant
- C1.51 Calculating moles and numbers of particles
- C1.52 Limiting reactants
- C1.53 Stoichiometry from reacting masses
- C2 States of matter and mixtures
- C2.1 Particles in the three states of matter
- C2.2 Changes of state
- C2.3 Particle changes during changes of state
- C2.4 Predicting physical state from data
- C2.5 Pure substances and mixtures
- C2.6 Melting point and purity
- C2.7 Separation techniques
- C2.8 Choosing a separation technique
- C2.9 Paper chromatography
- C2.10 Interpreting chromatograms
- C2.11 Core practical: composition of inks
- C2.12 Producing potable water
- C3 Chemical change
- C3.1 Acids and alkalis as sources of ions
- C3.2 The pH scale
- C3.3 Indicators
- C3.4 Ion concentration and pH
- C3.5 Tenfold changes in hydrogen ion concentration
- C3.6 Core practical: pH change in neutralisation
- C3.7 Dilute and concentrated solutions
- C3.8 Strong and weak acids
- C3.9 Bases
- C3.10 Alkalis as soluble bases
- C3.11 Reactions of acids forming salts
- C3.12 Tests for hydrogen and carbon dioxide
- C3.13 Neutralisation
- C3.14 Neutralisation in terms of ions
- C3.15 Soluble salts from insoluble reactants
- C3.16 Soluble salts by titration
- C3.17 Core practical: copper sulfate crystals
- C3.18 Acid-alkali titration to prepare a salt
- C3.19 Solubility rules
- C3.20 Predicting precipitates
- C3.21 Preparing an insoluble salt
- C3.22 Electrolytes
- C3.23 Electrolysis
- C3.24 Movement of ions in electrolysis
- C3.25 Products of electrolysis with inert electrodes
- C3.26 Electrolysis of molten binary compounds
- C3.27 Half equations in electrolysis
- C3.28 Oxidation and reduction as electron transfer
- C3.29 Oxidation and reduction at the electrodes
- C3.30 Electrolysis of copper sulfate and purifying copper
- C3.31 Core practical: electrolysis of copper sulfate
- C4 Extracting metals and equilibria
- C4.1 Relative reactivity of metals
- C4.2 Displacement reactions as redox
- C4.3 The reactivity series
- C4.4 Metal ores and native metals
- C4.5 Oxidation and reduction as oxygen gain and loss
- C4.6 Extraction of metals by reduction
- C4.7 Choosing a method of metal extraction
- C4.8 Biological methods of metal extraction
- C4.9 Resistance to oxidation and reactivity
- C4.10 Recycling metals
- C4.11 Life-cycle assessment
- C4.12 Evaluating life-cycle assessment data
- C4.13 Reversible reactions
- C4.14 Dynamic equilibrium
- C4.15 Formation of ammonia
- C4.16 Conditions for the Haber process
- C4.17 Effects of conditions on equilibrium position
- C6 Groups in the periodic table
- C6.1 Alkali metals, halogens and noble gases
- C6.2 Physical properties of alkali metals
- C6.3 Reactions of alkali metals with water
- C6.4 Reactivity pattern of alkali metals
- C6.5 Alkali metal reactivity and electronic configuration
- C6.6 Colours and states of the halogens
- C6.7 Physical properties of the halogens
- C6.8 Test for chlorine
- C6.9 Halogens reacting with metals
- C6.10 Hydrogen halides
- C6.11 Halogen displacement reactions
- C6.12 Halogen displacement as redox
- C6.13 Halogen reactivity and electronic configuration
- C6.14 Inertness of the noble gases
- C6.15 Uses of noble gases
- C6.16 Physical properties of the noble gases
- C7 Rates of reaction and energy changes
- C7.1 Core practical: conditions and rates of reaction
- C7.2 Methods for measuring rate of reaction
- C7.3 Collisions and rate of reaction
- C7.4 Factors affecting rate of reaction
- C7.5 Interpreting rate graphs
- C7.6 Catalysts
- C7.7 Catalysts and activation energy
- C7.8 Enzymes as catalysts in making alcoholic drinks
- C7.9 Heat energy changes in reactions
- C7.10 Exothermic changes
- C7.11 Endothermic changes
- C7.12 Bond breaking and bond making
- C7.13 Overall energy change from bond energies
- C7.14 Calculating energy change from bond energies
- C7.15 Activation energy
- C7.16 Reaction profiles
- C8 Fuels and Earth science
- C8.1 Hydrocarbons
- C8.2 Crude oil
- C8.3 Fractional distillation of crude oil
- C8.4 Crude oil fractions and their uses
- C8.5 How fractions differ
- C8.6 Homologous series
- C8.7 Complete combustion of hydrocarbons
- C8.8 Incomplete combustion
- C8.9 Toxicity of carbon monoxide
- C8.10 Problems of carbon monoxide and soot
- C8.11 Sulfur dioxide from fuel impurities
- C8.12 Acid rain
- C8.13 Oxides of nitrogen from engines
- C8.14 Hydrogen versus petrol as a car fuel
- C8.15 Non-renewable fossil fuels
- C8.16 Cracking
- C8.17 Why cracking is necessary
- C8.18 Volcanic origin of the early atmosphere
- C8.19 Composition of the early atmosphere
- C8.20 Formation of the oceans
- C8.21 Carbon dioxide dissolving in the oceans
- C8.22 Photosynthesis increasing atmospheric oxygen
- C8.23 Test for oxygen
- C8.24 The greenhouse effect
- C8.25 Evidence for human activity causing climate change
- C8.26 Today's atmosphere and effects of greenhouse gases
P Physics
- P1 Key concepts of physics
- P1.1 SI units
- P1.2 Multiples and sub-multiples of units
- P1.3 Converting between units
- P1.4 Significant figures and standard form
- P2 Motion and forces
- P2.1 Scalar quantities
- P2.2 Vector quantities
- P2.3 Vectors and scalars compared
- P2.4 Examples of vector and scalar quantities
- P2.5 Velocity as speed in a direction
- P2.6 Speed, distance and time
- P2.7 Distance-time graphs
- P2.8 Acceleration
- P2.9 Equation for uniform acceleration
- P2.10 Velocity-time graphs
- P2.11 Laboratory methods for measuring speed
- P2.12 Typical everyday speeds
- P2.13 Acceleration in free fall
- P2.14 Newton's first law
- P2.15 Newton's second law
- P2.16 Weight, mass and gravitational field strength
- P2.17 Measuring weight
- P2.18 Weight and gravitational field strength
- P2.19 Core practical: force, mass and acceleration
- P2.20 Changing velocity in circular motion
- P2.21 Centripetal force
- P2.22 Inertial mass
- P2.23 Newton's third law
- P2.24 Momentum
- P2.25 Momentum in collisions
- P2.26 Force as rate of change of momentum
- P2.27 Measuring reaction times
- P2.28 Thinking and braking distance
- P2.29 Factors affecting stopping distance
- P2.30 Factors affecting reaction time
- P2.31 Dangers of large decelerations
- P3 Conservation of energy
- P3.1 Change in gravitational potential energy
- P3.2 Kinetic energy
- P3.3 Energy transfer diagrams
- P3.4 Meaning of conservation of energy
- P3.5 Changes in energy stores
- P3.6 No net energy change in a closed system
- P3.7 Wasteful mechanical processes
- P3.8 Energy dissipation
- P3.9 Reducing unwanted energy transfers
- P3.10 Wall thickness, conductivity and cooling
- P3.11 Efficiency
- P3.12 Increasing efficiency
- P3.13 Energy resources
- P3.14 Patterns and trends in energy use
- P4 Waves
- P4.1 Waves transferring energy and information
- P4.2 Evidence that waves, not matter, travel
- P4.3 Frequency and wavelength
- P4.4 Amplitude, period, wave velocity and wavefront
- P4.5 Longitudinal and transverse waves
- P4.6 Wave speed equations
- P4.7 Measuring speed of sound and water ripples
- P4.10 Refraction at a boundary
- P4.11 Wavelength-dependent behaviour of materials
- P4.17 Core practical: measuring waves in a solid and a fluid
- P5 Light and the electromagnetic spectrum
- P5.7 Electromagnetic waves as transverse waves
- P5.8 Electromagnetic waves transferring energy
- P5.9 Core practical: refraction in glass blocks
- P5.10 Groups of the electromagnetic spectrum
- P5.11 The continuous electromagnetic spectrum
- P5.12 Limited range of the eye
- P5.13 Materials and electromagnetic waves
- P5.14 Different velocities in different substances
- P5.20 Danger increasing with frequency
- P5.21 Harmful effects of electromagnetic radiation
- P5.22 Uses of electromagnetic radiation
- P5.23 Radio waves and electrical oscillations
- P5.24 Changes in atoms and nuclei and radiation
- P6 Radioactivity
- P6.1 Structure of the atom
- P6.2 Size of atoms and small molecules
- P6.3 Nuclei of isotopes
- P6.4 Nuclear charge and isotopes
- P6.5 Relative masses and charges of particles
- P6.6 Neutral atoms
- P6.7 Electron orbits
- P6.8 Electrons changing orbit
- P6.9 Positive ions from losing electrons
- P6.10 Radiation from unstable nuclei
- P6.11 Ionising radiations
- P6.12 Background radiation
- P6.13 Sources of background radiation
- P6.14 Detecting radioactivity
- P6.15 Nature of alpha, beta and gamma radiation
- P6.16 Penetration and ionisation of alpha, beta and gamma
- P6.17 Development of the atomic model
- P6.18 Beta minus decay
- P6.19 Beta plus decay
- P6.20 Effects of decay on atomic and mass numbers
- P6.21 Gamma emission after decay
- P6.22 Balancing nuclear equations
- P6.23 Decrease in activity over time
- P6.24 The becquerel
- P6.25 Half-life
- P6.26 Random decay and predictable half-life
- P6.27 Half-life calculations
- P6.29 Dangers of ionising radiation
- P6.31 Radiation safety precautions
- P6.32 Contamination and irradiation
- P8 Energy – forces doing work
- P8.1 Changes in energy stores
- P8.2 Energy transfer diagrams
- P8.3 No net energy change in a closed system
- P8.4 Ways of changing a system's energy
- P8.5 Measuring work done
- P8.6 Work done equation
- P8.7 Energy changes from work done by forces
- P8.8 Change in gravitational potential energy
- P8.9 Kinetic energy
- P8.10 Energy dissipation
- P8.11 Wasteful mechanical processes
- P8.12 Power as rate of energy transfer
- P8.13 Power equation
- P8.14 The watt
- P8.15 Efficiency
- P9 Forces and their effects
- P9.1 Contact and non-contact forces
- P9.2 Vectors and scalars with examples
- P9.3 Vector diagrams of forces
- P9.4 Free body force diagrams
- P9.5 Resultant forces and equilibrium
- P9.10 Reducing energy transfer by lubrication
- P10 Electricity and circuits
- P10.1 Protons, neutrons and electrons
- P10.2 Circuit diagrams and symbols
- P10.3 Series and parallel circuits
- P10.4 Using a voltmeter
- P10.5 Potential difference as energy per charge
- P10.6 Energy, charge and potential difference
- P10.7 Using an ammeter
- P10.8 Current as rate of flow of charge
- P10.9 Charge, current and time
- P10.10 Current in a closed circuit
- P10.11 Current at junctions
- P10.12 Resistance and current; variable resistors
- P10.13 Potential difference, current and resistance
- P10.14 Resistors in series and parallel
- P10.15 Calculations in series circuits
- P10.16 Series circuits for testing and measuring
- P10.17 Core practical: current, potential difference and resistance
- P10.18 Current-potential difference graphs for devices
- P10.19 Light-dependent resistors
- P10.20 Thermistors
- P10.21 Circuits to explore resistance of devices
- P10.22 Heating effect in resistors
- P10.23 Electrical energy dissipated as thermal energy
- P10.24 Electron-ion collisions and heating
- P10.25 Low resistance wires reducing energy loss
- P10.26 Heating effect: advantages and disadvantages
- P10.27 Energy transferred by current
- P10.28 Power in watts
- P10.29 Power, energy and time
- P10.30 Power, potential difference and current
- P10.31 Electrical power equations
- P10.32 Energy transfers in domestic devices
- P10.33 Direct and alternating voltage
- P10.34 Direct current
- P10.35 Alternating current
- P10.36 UK domestic supply
- P10.37 Live and neutral wires
- P10.38 Earth wire, fuses and circuit breakers
- P10.39 Switches and fuses in the live wire
- P10.40 Potential differences of mains wires
- P10.41 Dangers of connecting live wire to earth
- P10.42 Power ratings of domestic appliances
- P12 Magnetism and the motor effect
- P12.1 Magnetic poles
- P12.2 Uses of magnetic materials
- P12.3 Permanent and induced magnets
- P12.4 Magnetic fields of bar magnets
- P12.5 Plotting compasses and magnetic fields
- P12.6 Evidence for the Earth's magnetic core
- P12.7 Magnetic field around a straight conductor
- P12.8 Strength of the field around a conductor
- P12.9 Magnetic field of a solenoid
- P12.10 Force on a current-carrying conductor near a magnet
- P12.11 Magnetic forces from interacting fields
- P12.12 Fleming's left-hand rule
- P12.13 Force on a conductor in a magnetic field
- P13 Electromagnetic induction
- P13.2 Factors affecting induced potential difference
- P13.5 Transformers inducing current
- P13.6 Transformers changing voltage
- P13.8 High-voltage transmission in the national grid
- P13.9 Step-up and step-down transformers
- P13.10 Transformer power equation
- P14 Particle model
- P14.1 Kinetic theory and states of matter
- P14.2 Density
- P14.3 Core practical: densities of solids and liquids
- P14.4 Density of different states of matter
- P14.5 Conservation of mass in changes of state
- P14.6 Heating, temperature and changes of state
- P14.7 Specific heat capacity and specific latent heat
- P14.8 Specific heat capacity equation
- P14.9 Specific latent heat equation
- P14.10 Reducing energy transfer by thermal insulation
- P14.11 Core practical: properties of water
- P14.12 Gas pressure and particle motion
- P14.13 Temperature and gas pressure
- P14.14 Absolute zero
- P14.15 Kelvin and Celsius scales
- P15 Forces and matter
- P15.1 Forces needed to deform objects
- P15.2 Elastic and inelastic distortion
- P15.3 Spring constant
- P15.4 Energy stored in a stretched spring
- P15.5 Linear and non-linear force-extension
- P15.6 Core practical: extension of a spring