GCSE Science · Physics · Biology · Chemistry

52 Weekly Science Problems

A year's worth of GCSE science challenge problems — one per week, spanning physics, biology, and chemistry. Designed to make you think, not just calculate.

These problems sit above standard GCSE difficulty but below A-level — they reward careful reading, estimation, and logical argument as much as correct formula use. Each has three or four parts, and most have a should you be worried? or what does this tell us? flavour that rewards genuine engagement.

Download the problem sheet for students and the solutions separately. Full working is shown for every part.

Student sheet · Word document

52 Problems

All 52 weekly problems with answer spaces. Suitable for printing or distributing digitally.

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Teacher sheet · Word document

Full Solutions

Worked solutions with full mark-scheme style answers for all 52 problems.

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All problems

52 problems

01
The Falling Ruler
Forces & Motion · reaction time, kinematics, g
Physics
02
How Many Breaths in a Lifetime?
Estimation · respiration, moles, Fermi estimation
Biology
03
Thunder and Lightning
Waves · speed of sound, speed of light, distance
Physics
04
The Disappearing Tablet
Rates of Reaction · temperature, doubling rule
Chemistry
05
The Bouncing Ball
Energy · GPE, energy transfer, geometric series
Physics
06
Genetics Problem
Genetics · inheritance, probability, Punnett squares
Biology
07
Electricity Problem
Electricity · circuits, resistance, power
Physics
08
Atomic Structure
Atomic Structure · electrons, isotopes, nuclear notation
Chemistry
09
Cells & Diffusion
Cells & Diffusion · surface area to volume ratio, osmosis
Biology
10
Pressure Problem
Pressure · fluid pressure, Pascal's principle
Physics
11
Bonding Problem
Bonding · ionic, covalent, intermolecular forces
Chemistry
12
Radioactivity Problem
Radioactivity · half-life, decay, radiation types
Physics
13
Enzymes Problem
Enzymes · active site, temperature, pH, inhibition
Biology
14
Moments Problem
Moments · torque, equilibrium, levers
Physics
15
Electrolysis Problem
Electrolysis · ions, electrodes, half equations
Chemistry
16
Transport Problem
Transport · blood, xylem, phloem, heart
Biology
17
Space Problem
Space · orbits, gravity, light years, scale
Physics
18
Moles Problem
Moles · Avogadro, molar mass, stoichiometry
Chemistry
19
Nervous System Problem
Nervous System · neurones, synapses, reflex arcs
Biology
20
Waves & Sound Problem
Waves & Sound · frequency, wavelength, Doppler effect
Physics
21
Earth Science Problem
Earth Science · carbon cycle, rock cycle, climate
Chemistry
22
Photosynthesis Problem
Photosynthesis · light intensity, limiting factors, chlorophyll
Biology
23
Magnets & Motors Problem
Magnets & Motors · electromagnetic force, Fleming's rule
Physics
24
Titration Problem
Titration · neutralisation, concentration, volumes
Chemistry
25
Ecosystems Problem
Ecosystems · food webs, energy transfer, biomass
Biology
26
Optics Problem
Optics · refraction, lenses, ray diagrams
Physics
27
Electrochemistry Problem
Electrochemistry · redox, electrode potentials, cells
Chemistry
28
Hormones Problem
Hormones · endocrine system, feedback, insulin
Biology
29
Nuclear Physics Problem
Nuclear Physics · fission, fusion, binding energy
Physics
30
Organic Chemistry Problem
Organic Chemistry · hydrocarbons, functional groups, reactions
Chemistry
31
Evolution Problem
Evolution · natural selection, adaptation, speciation
Biology
32
Heat Transfer Problem
Heat Transfer · conduction, convection, radiation, U-values
Physics
33
Polymers Problem
Polymers · addition, condensation, properties
Chemistry
34
Respiration Problem
Respiration · aerobic, anaerobic, ATP, RQ
Biology
35
Particle Physics Problem
Particle Physics · quarks, leptons, Standard Model
Physics
36
Acids & Bases Problem
Acids & Bases · pH, neutralisation, buffer solutions
Chemistry
37
Immunity Problem
Immunity · antibodies, vaccination, herd immunity
Biology
38
Electromagnetism Problem
Electromagnetism · induction, transformers, Faraday's law
Physics
39
Equilibrium Problem
Equilibrium · Le Chatelier, Kc, dynamic equilibrium
Chemistry
40
Homeostasis Problem
Homeostasis · thermoregulation, osmoregulation, kidneys
Biology
41
Momentum Problem
Momentum · conservation, impulse, collisions
Physics
42
Metals Problem
Metals · reactivity series, extraction, corrosion
Chemistry
43
Plant Biology Problem
Plant Biology · tropisms, hormones, transpiration
Biology
44
Astronomy Problem
Astronomy · stellar evolution, redshift, Hubble's law
Physics
45
Food & Chromatography Problem
Food & Chromatography · Rf values, food testing, analysis
Chemistry
46
DNA & Protein Synthesis Problem
DNA & Protein Synthesis · transcription, translation, codons
Biology
47
Circular Motion Problem
Circular Motion · centripetal force, angular velocity, orbits
Physics
48
Enthalpy Problem
Enthalpy · Hess's law, bond energies, calorimetry
Chemistry
49
Reproduction Problem
Reproduction · meiosis, fertilisation, development
Biology
50
Quantum & Photoelectric Problem
Quantum & Photoelectric · photons, work function, wave-particle
Physics
51
Spectroscopy Problem
Spectroscopy · emission spectra, atomic energy levels, identification
Chemistry
52
The Big Challenge
Biology + Physics + Chemistry · synoptic, cross-subject reasoning
Mixed
No problems match.

52 problems · Physics, Biology, Chemistry · one per week · GCSE level and above.