YEAR 11 EXAM STUDY GUIDE

CHEMISTRY

Atomic Structure

• Atom = smallest unit of an element
• Nucleus contains protons (+) and neutrons (0)
• Electrons (-) move in shells around the nucleus
• Atomic number = number of protons
• Mass number = protons + neutrons

Isotopes

• Same element with different numbers of neutrons
• Same atomic number but different mass number
• Some isotopes are radioactive

Example
Carbon-12 vs Carbon-14

Radioactivity

Radioactivity = spontaneous emission of radiation from unstable nuclei

Occurs because the nucleus is unstable and tries to become stable.

Types of Radiation

Alpha (α)

• 2 protons + 2 neutrons
• Positive charge
• Very low penetration
• Stopped by paper or skin

Beta (β)

• Fast electron
• Negative charge
• Medium penetration
• Stopped by aluminium

Gamma (γ)

• High-energy electromagnetic wave
• No mass or charge
• Very high penetration
• Stopped by thick lead or concrete

Half-Life

Half-life = time for half of a radioactive substance to decay

Example
100 g → 50 g → 25 g → 12.5 g

Key formula idea
Amount halves every half-life period.

Nuclear Decay Equations

Must conserve:

• mass number
• atomic number

Example

U → Th + α

Uses of Radioisotopes

Medical

• Cancer treatment (radiotherapy)
• Medical tracers
• Sterilising equipment

Industrial

• Thickness control in manufacturing
• Leak detection in pipes

Archaeology

• Carbon dating for fossils

Radiation Risks

• Damages cells and DNA
• Can cause mutations or cancer
• Safety precautions needed

Protection methods:

• minimise exposure time
• increase distance
• shielding

BUSINESS STUDIES

Business Definition

Business = an organisation that produces goods or services to satisfy needs and wants.

Goal = make a profit

Needs vs Wants

Needs
• essential for survival
• food, water, shelter

Wants
• things people desire
• phones, entertainment

Goods vs Services

Goods
• physical products
• e.g., shoes, food

Services
• intangible
• e.g, haircuts, transport

Types of Businesses

Sole Trader

• owned by one person
• simple to start
• unlimited liability

Partnership

• 2–20 owners
• shared responsibility

Company

• separate legal entity
• limited liability

Types:
• private company
• public company

Business Objectives

Common goals:

• profit
• growth
• market share
• survival
• customer satisfaction

Stakeholders

People affected by a business.

Examples:

• owners
• employees
• customers
• suppliers
• government
• community

Internal Influences

Factors inside the business.

Examples:

• management
• business culture
• resources
• products

External Influences

Factors outside the business.

Examples:

• economic conditions
• legal regulations
• technology
• competition
• social trends

Marketing Mix (4Ps)

Product
• design, features, branding

Price
• cost to customers

Place
• distribution channels

Promotion
• advertising and communication

Business Growth

Ways businesses grow:

• increasing sales
• expanding locations
• launching new products

ENGLISH ADVANCED

Key Skills

• reading comprehension
• text analysis
• essay writing
• creative writing

Literary Techniques

Common techniques to recognise:

Imagery
• descriptive language creating mental pictures

Metaphor
• comparison without “like” or “as.”

Simile
• comparison using “like” or “as.”

Symbolism
• object representing a deeper idea

Tone
• author’s attitude

Contrast
• highlighting differences

Themes

Themes = main ideas in texts

Examples:

• identity
• belonging
• conflict
• human experience
• power

Essay Structure

Introduction

• answer the question
• introduce main ideas
• mention text

Body Paragraph

Structure:

Point
Evidence
Explain
Link

Example format:

Point → main argument
Evidence → quote from text.
Explain → analysis
Link → connect to the question.

Conclusion

• summarise arguments
• reinforce thesis
• final insight

Creative Writing

Key techniques:

• strong imagery
• character voice
• sensory details
• clear narrative structure

Structure:

Beginning
Conflict
Resolution

Reflection Writing

Explain:

• choices you made
• techniques used
• how meaning was created

PHYSICS

Scalars vs Vectors

Scalar
• magnitude only
• examples: speed, distance, time

Vector
• magnitude + direction
• examples: velocity, force, displacement

Motion

Distance
• total path travelled

Displacement
• straight-line change in position

Speed
Speed = distance ÷ time

Velocity
Velocity = displacement ÷ time

Acceleration

Acceleration = change in velocity ÷ time

Units = m/s²

SUVAT Equations

v = u + at
s = ut + ½at²
v² = u² + 2as

Where:

u = initial velocity
v = final velocity
a = acceleration
t = time
s = displacement

Graphs

Displacement–Time

Slope = velocity

Velocity–Time

Slope = acceleration
Area = displacement

Forces

Force = push or pull

Measured in Newtons (N)

Newton's Laws

First Law

An object stays at rest or in constant velocity unless acted on by a force.

Second Law

F = ma

Third Law

Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.

Free-Body Diagrams

Show forces acting on objects.

Examples:

• gravity
• normal force
• friction
• applied force

MATHEMATICS ADVANCED

Algebra

Expand expressions
Example
(x + 3)(x + 2)

Factorise expressions
Example
x² + 5x + 6

Indices Laws

aᵐ × aⁿ = aᵐ⁺ⁿ

aᵐ ÷ aⁿ = aᵐ⁻ⁿ

(aᵐ)ⁿ = aᵐⁿ

a⁰ = 1

Surds

Simplify square roots.

Example
√18 = 3√2

Rationalising the denominator removes the surd from the bottom of the fraction.

Functions

Function = relationship between inputs and outputs.

Example
f(x) = 2x + 3

Key concepts:

• domain
• range
• graphing

Exponentials

Example
y = aᵡ

Characteristics:

• rapid growth or decay
• asymptote at the x-axis

Logarithms

Inverse of exponentials.

logₐ(b) = c means
aᶜ = b

Key laws:

log(ab) = log a + log b

log(a/b) = log a − log b

Statistics

Mean = average
Median = middle value
Standard deviation = spread of data

Probability

Probability = favourable outcomes ÷ total outcomes

Range:

0 ≤ P ≤ 1

ENTERPRISE COMPUTING

UX (User Experience)

UX focuses on:

• usability
• accessibility
• efficiency

Good UX design:

• simple navigation
• clear layout
• minimal confusion

Wireframes

Wireframes = basic layout sketches of apps or websites

Show:

• buttons
• screens
• navigation

Tools:

• paper sketches
• Figma

User Testing

Steps:

1. Give users a prototype

2. observe interactions

3. collect feedback

4. improve design

Cybersecurity

Protect systems from attacks.

Examples:

• encryption
• strong passwords
• secure authentication

Privacy

Protect user data.

Important concepts:

• data protection
• ethical use of information
• secure storage