GCE O/L Science case studies
GCE O/L Science · Put your knowledge to work in context.
GCE Ordinary Level Science is a school-leaving science qualification taken in several countries and awarded by different examination boards, so the exact syllabus, paper structure and grading scale depend on which board you sit. It is designed for students around the mid-secondary stage and typically serves as a prerequisite for Advanced Level science study, technical training, or entry-level employment where basic scientific literacy is expected. The GCE O/L Science case studies are 5 cases and about 2,983 words.
1The 'No Added Sugar' Cranberry Drink
A student is asked to check the label claim on a bottle of 'no added sugar' cranberry drink. She sets up three test tubes: A contains 2 cm³ of fresh orange juice, B contains 2 cm³ of the cranberry drink, and C contains 2 cm³ of 1% glucose solution.
493 words, about 2 min2Pondweed, Lamp Distance and a Hidden Variable
A student investigates how light intensity affects the rate of photosynthesis. She places a shoot of pondweed in a test tube of 0.5% sodium hydrogencarbonate solution and positions a bench lamp 10 cm away.
598 words, about 3 min3Two Students, One Water Bottle
Two students of the same age and sex take part in a hydration study on a warm day. From 12:00, Student P drinks 1.5 dm³ of water over 20 minutes; Student Q drinks nothing extra and eats a large packet of salted crisps at lunch.
601 words, about 3 min4Copper Sulfate Crystals That Went Wrong
A student prepares copper(II) sulfate crystals. She measures 25 cm³ of 1.0 mol/dm³ sulfuric acid into a beaker, warms it gently, and adds 4.0 g of black copper(II) oxide a spatula at a time, stirring.
612 words, about 3 min5The Heater, the Extension Reel and the Warm Plug
A family uses a 3 kW electric fan heater in a garage workshop. The heater is plugged into a 4-way extension lead with 1.0 mm² cable, rated at 10 A and fitted with a 13 A fuse.
679 words, about 3 min