Chemistry and physics, explained

Bonding, the periodic table, forces and circuits are the topics pupils most often say they cannot picture. These relatables turn them into school discos, seating plans, supermarket trolleys and roads, and each is clear about where its comparison stops working. Useful for KS3 and GCSE science.

1. Ionic and covalent bonding in terms of a school disco Ionic bonding is just a Year 9 school disco where one desperate metal lad hands his entire wallet to a non-metal girl, ensuring they remain magnetically attached by mutual debt and desperation.
2. The periodic table in terms of a school seating plan The periodic table is just a massive Year 9 seating plan where the chemistry teacher has finally lost all patience with the troublemakers.
3. Newton's laws of motion in terms of a supermarket trolley Newton's laws of motion are essentially the physics of pushing a wonky supermarket trolley through a crowded aisle at Tesco on a Bank Holiday Monday.
4. Series and parallel circuits in terms of roads and roundabouts A series circuit is essentially a single-track country lane with a broken gate, while a parallel circuit is the M25 on a Bank Holiday weekend.
5. Electricity in terms of a water park Electricity is basically just a giant, invisible water park where the electrons are the bored teenagers trying to reach the exit of the slide.
6. Gravity in terms of a trampoline park Gravity is just a trampoline park where the bouncers are invisible, the floor is everywhere, and you are never allowed to leave.

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