"What's the difference between…"
The science pairs students most often mix up, side by side — with the exam trap for each.
Written & reviewed by James Millett — Biology (Imperial College London), PGCE Science (University of Cambridge).
Physics
- Irradiation vs Contamination (GCSE)
- Speed vs Velocity (GCSE)
- Distance vs Displacement (GCSE)
- Mass vs Weight (GCSE)
- Longitudinal waves vs Transverse waves (GCSE)
- Series circuit vs Parallel circuit (GCSE)
- Renewable vs Non-renewable (GCSE)
Biology
- Transcription vs Translation (A-Level)
- Mitosis vs Meiosis (GCSE)
- Aerobic respiration vs Anaerobic respiration (GCSE)
- Artery vs Vein vs Capillary (GCSE)
- Starch vs Cellulose (A-Level)
- DNA vs RNA (A-Level)
- Diffusion vs Active transport (GCSE)
Chemistry
- SN1 vs SN2 (A-Level)
- Ionic bonding vs Covalent bonding (GCSE)
- Element vs Compound vs Mixture (GCSE)
- Sigma (σ) bond vs Pi (π) bond (A-Level)
- Exothermic vs Endothermic (GCSE)