Percy Julian: Black Chemist – GCSE Reading Task

Subject: Chemistry – Chemical Analysis / Purity and Formulations
Age range: 14–16 (GCSE Combined Science or Chemistry Paper 1)
Resource type: Literacy Worksheet / Applied Science Reading

Show your students how the chemistry of purity shaped modern medicine.
This engaging literacy worksheet links directly to AQA GCSE Chemistry (C3: Chemical Analysis: Purity and Formulations) while highlighting the real scientific contributions of Percy Julian, a pioneering Black chemist.

Students read, reflect, and apply key ideas about purity, formulations, and separation, perfect for retrieval, homework, or revision tasks that bring science to life.

What’s Included
-3-Page Reading Text: Explains purity, formulations, and chromatography through Julian’s cortisone discovery.
-Exam-Linked Comprehension + Full Answer Sheet: AO1–AO2–AO3-style questions with clear teacher mark scheme.
-Glossary Support: Accessible definitions for formulation, precursor, and synthesis.
-Challenge Extension: “Explain how Julian’s methods model industrial purification today.”

Why Teachers Love It
Fast, printable literacy boost that fits your scheme
Sharpens retrieval and extended-response skills
Perfect for homework, independent learning or Science Week
AQA Topic Link: C3 – Chemical Analysis / Purity and Formulations (+ Chromatography)

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