Exam Questions AQA

Trilogy
ENERGY

Q1-6 Foundation Tier

Q3-9 Higher Tier

Markscheme at the end of all questions.

Page 1 of 28
Q1.
Different energy sources are used to generate electricity.

(a) Use words from the box to match the correct energy source to each of the
descriptions given in the table.

biofuel coal geothermal nuclear waves

Description Energy
source

Energy from the Earth’s core is used to heat water.

Fission of uranium nuclei is used to heat water.

Gases from rotting plant material are burned to heat water.

(3)

(b) Energy can be stored in a pumped storage power station.

The figure shows a pumped storage power station.

When electricity is needed, the water in the high level reservoir is allowed to flow to
the low level reservoir. The flowing water generates electricity.

Use the correct answer from the box to complete each sentence.

electrical gravitational potential kinetic nuclear sound

The water in the high level reservoir stores ____________ energy.

The flowing water has ____________ energy.

The water turns the turbine which is connected to the generator.

The generator produces some ____________, this is wasted energy.

Page 2 of 28
 (3)

(c) The total power input to a pumped storage power station is 600 MW.

The useful power output is 540 MW.

(i) Calculate the efficiency of this pumped storage power station.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Efficiency = _______________
(2)

(ii) Calculate how much power is wasted by the pumped storage power station.

______________________________________________________________

Power = ______________ MW
(1)

(iii) How is the temperature of the surroundings affected by the energy wasted by
the pumped storage power station?

______________________________________________________________
(1)
(Total 10 marks)

Q2.
A heater uses energy from a laptop computer to keep a drink hot.

The image shows a metal mug on the heater.

(a) The laptop computer is operating on battery power.

How would connecting the heater affect the amount of time the laptop computer
would operate for, before needing to be recharged?

Tick (✔) one box.

Tick (✔)

Page 3 of 28
 it would decrease the time

it would not affect the time

it would increase the time

(1)

(b) The power output from the heater is 12 W.

Calculate the energy transferred to the metal mug in 60 seconds.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Energy = ________ joules

(2)

(c) The table lists changes that may affect the energy transfer per second from the
heater to the liquid.

Tick (✔) one box to show the effect of each change.

Energy transfer per second to the liquid

Change does not
increases decreases
change

use a mug with a smaller base

use a lower power heater

use a plastic mug instead of a

metal mug
(3)
(Total 6 marks)

Q3.
A student investigated the change in temperature when oils of different specific heat
capacities were heated.

She set up the apparatus shown in the figure below.

Page 4 of 28
This is the method used.

1. Put 25 g of oil into a boiling tube.

2. Pour 100 ml of water into a beaker and heat it with a Bunsen burner.
3. When the water is boiling, put the boiling tube into the beaker.
4. When the temperature of the oil reaches 30 °C, heat for a further 30 seconds and
record the rise in temperature.
5. Repeat with different oils.
6. Repeat the whole investigation.

(a) Name two pieces of apparatus the student used that are not shown in the figure
above.

1. _________________________________________________________________

2. _________________________________________________________________
(2)

(b) What are the independent and dependent variables in the student’s investigation?

Independent ________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Dependent _________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(c) Give two safety precautions the student should have taken.

1. _________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

2. _________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

Page 5 of 28
(d) Suggest one improvement to the student’s method.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(e) The table below shows the student’s results.

Temperature rise in °C

Type of oil 1 2 3 Mean

Castor oil 20 19 21 20

Linseed oil 19 18 19 19

Mineral oil 21 21 21 21

Olive oil 17 17 18

Sesame oil 23 23 20 22

Calculate the mean temperature rise for olive oil.

Give your answer to two significant figures.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Mean temperature rise = __________________ °C

(2)

(f) The mean change in temperature of the castor oil is 20 °C

The specific heat capacity of castor oil is 1 800 J / kg °C

The mass of oil used is 0.025 kg

Calculate the change in thermal energy of the castor oil the student used.

Use the correct equation from the Physics Equations Sheet.

Select the correct unit from the box.

joule newton volt

Page 6 of 28
 ___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Change in thermal energy = ____________________

Unit = ____________________
(3)
(Total 13 marks)

Q4.
Figure 1 shows a student making potato soup.

Figure 1

(a) The student places 0.5 kg of potato into a pan of water.

During cooking, the temperature of the potato increases from 20 °C to 100 °C

The specific heat capacity of the potato is 3400 J/kg °C

Calculate the change in thermal energy of the potato.

Use the equation:

change in thermal energy = mass × specific heat capacity × temperature change

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Page 7 of 28
 ___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Change in thermal energy = ____________________ J

(3)

(b) Why is the energy supplied by the cooker greater than that calculated in part (a)?

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(c) Suggest one way that the student could reduce the time to heat the potato to 100 °C

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

Figure 2 shows a food processor.

Figure 2

(d) The student places the cooked potato into the jug of the food processor.

The food processor contains a motor that spins blades to chop the potato.

The total power input to the motor is 500 W

The useful power output from the motor is 300 W

Calculate the efficiency of the motor in the food processor.

Use the equation:

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Efficiency = ____________________
(2)

Page 8 of 28
 (e) The jug is made of plastic with a low thermal conductivity.

Explain why this is an advantage.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 9 marks)

Q5.
(a) Iceland is a country that generates nearly all of its electricity from renewable
sources.

In 2013, about 80% of Iceland’s electricity was generated using hydroelectric power
stations (HEP).

Describe how electricity is generated in a hydroelectric power station. Include the

useful energy transfers taking place.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(4)

(b) The UK produces most of its electricity from fossil fuels.

Many people in the UK leave their televisions in ‘stand by’ mode when not in use,
instead of switching them off.

It is better for the environment if people switch off their televisions, instead of leaving
them in ‘stand by’ mode.

Page 9 of 28
 Explain why.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)

(c) A scientist wrote in a newspaper:

‘Appliances that do not automatically switch off when they are not being used should
be banned.’

Suggest why scientists alone cannot make the decision to ban these appliances.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(1)
(Total 8 marks)

Q6.
The diagram shows the flow of water through a hydroelectric power station.

The falling water turns the turbines.

The movement of the turbines causes the electrical generators to generate electricity.

(a) Write the equation which links kinetic energy, mass and speed.

Page 10 of 28
 ___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(b) In 1 minute, a mass of 9 000 kg of water flows through the turbines.

The speed of the water is 30 m/s

Calculate the total kinetic energy of the water passing through the turbines in 1
minute.

Give your answer in kilojoules (kJ).

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Kinetic energy = ____________________ kJ

(3)

(c) Write the equation which links efficiency, total input energy transfer and useful
output energy transfer.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(d) The efficiency of the turbines and generators is 80%

Calculate the useful output energy transfer from the hydroelectric power station in 1
minute.

Use your answer to part (b).

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Useful output energy transfer = ____________________ kJ

(3)

(e) A small group of people live in an area in the mountains.

The people plan to buy an electricity generating system that uses either the wind or
the flowing water in a nearby river.

Page 11 of 28
 • The wind turbine costs £50 000 to buy and install.
• The hydroelectric generator costs £20 000 to buy and install.
• The average power output from the wind turbine is 10 kW
• The hydroelectric generator will produce a constant power output of 8 kW

Compare the advantages and disadvantages of the two methods of generating

electricity.

Use your knowledge of energy resources and information given.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(4)
(Total 12 marks)

Q7.
(a) Figure 1 shows the forces acting on a model air-powered rocket just after it has
been launched vertically upwards.

Page 12 of 28
 (i) How does the velocity of the rocket change as the rocket moves upwards?

______________________________________________________________

Give a reason for your answer.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(2)

(ii) The velocity of the rocket is not the same as the speed of the rocket.

What is the difference between the velocity of an object and the speed of an
object?

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(b) The speed of the rocket just after being launched is 12 m / s.

The mass of the rocket is 0.05 kg.

(i) Calculate the kinetic energy of the rocket just after being launched.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Kinetic energy = _____________________ J

(2)

Page 13 of 28
 (ii) As the rocket moves upwards, it gains gravitational potential energy.

State the maximum gravitational potential energy gained by the rocket.

Ignore the effect of air resistance.

Maximum gravitational potential energy = _____________________ J

(1)

(iii) Calculate the maximum height the rocket will reach.

Ignore the effect of air resistance.

Gravitational field strength = 10 N/kg.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Maximum height = _____________________ m

(2)

(iv) Figure 2 shows four velocity−time graphs.

Taking air resistance into account, which graph, A, B, C or D, shows how the
velocity of the rocket changes as it falls from the maximum height it reached
until it just hits the ground?

Write the correct answer in the box.

(1)

(c) The rocket can be launched at different angles to the horizontal.

The horizontal distance the rocket travels is called the range.

Figure 3 shows the paths taken by the rocket when launched at different angles.
Air resistance has been ignored.

Page 14 of 28
 What pattern links the angle at which the rocket is launched and the range of the
rocket?

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 11 marks)

Q8.
All European Union countries are expected to generate 20% of their electricity using
renewable energy sources by 2020.

The estimated cost of generating electricity in the year 2020 using different energy
sources is shown in Table 1.

Table 1

Energy source Estimated cost (in the year

2020) in pence per kWh

Nuclear 7.8

Solar 25.3

Tidal 18.8

Page 15 of 28
 Wind 10.0

France generated 542 billion kWh of electricity using nuclear power stations in 2011.
France used 478 billion kWh of electricity and sold the rest of the electricity to other
countries in 2011.

(a) France may continue generating large amounts of electricity using nuclear power
stations instead of using renewable energy resources.

Suggest two reasons why.

1. _________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

2. _________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(b) Give two disadvantages of generating electricity using nuclear power stations.

1. _________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

2. _________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(c) A panel of solar cells has an efficiency of 0.15.

The total power input to the panel of solar cells is 3.2 kW.

Calculate the useful power output of this panel of solar cells in kW.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Useful power output = _______________ kW

(2)

(d) Table 2 shows the manufacturing cost and efficiency of different types of panels of
solar cells.

Table 2

Page 16 of 28
 Type of Solar Panel Cost to manufacture a
Efficiency in %
1 m2 solar panel in £

A 40.00 20

B 22.50 15

C 5.00 10

Some scientists think that having a low manufacturing cost is more important than
improving the efficiency of solar cells.

Use information from Table 2 to suggest why.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 8 marks)

Q9.
On 7th June 2017 more than 50% of the electricity generated in the UK was from
renewable sources.

(a) Suggest two environmental conditions in the UK on 7th June 2017.

1. _________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

2. _________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(b) At midday 35.4 GW of electricity was generated.

20.8% of this was provided by gas-fired power plants.

Calculate the energy per second that was provided by gas-fired power stations.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Page 17 of 28
 Energy per second = ____________________ J
(3)

(c) Some of the electricity generated was from low-carbon sources.

Low-carbon sources emit very little carbon dioxide.

Name one non-renewable resource that is a low-carbon source.

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(d) In the UK, electricity is delivered to consumers by the National Grid.

Explain the main features of the National Grid.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(6)

(e) The National Grid supplied a house with 18 000 000 J of energy in 1 hour.

What was the average current supplied to the house during that hour?

Write any equations that you use.

___________________________________________________________________

Page 18 of 28
___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Current = ____________________ A
(5)
(Total 17 marks)

Page 19 of 28
Mark schemes

Q1.
(a) geothermal
1

nuclear
1

biofuel
1

(b) gravitational (potential)

1

kinetic
1

sound
1

(c) (i) 90% or 0.9(0)

an answer of 0.9(0) with a unit gains 1 mark
2

(ii) 60 (MW)
allow 10%
1

(iii) increased
1
[10]

Q2.
(a) it would decrease the time
1

(b) 720 (J)

allow 1 mark for correct substitution ie 12 × 60 provided no
subsequent step
2

(c) decreases
1

decreases
1

decreases
1
more than one tick in any row negates the mark
[6]

Q3.
 (a) thermometer
1

stopclock / stopwatch
accept measuring cylinder
accept top pan balance
1

(b) independent: type of oil

1

dependent: temperature rise in °C

1

(c) wear safety goggles

1

oil not heated directly

accept any reasonable comment about not handling hot
apparatus.
1

(d) repeat the experiment

1

and calculate the mean temperature rise

OR

heat the oil for a longer period of time (1)

to get a wider range of temperatures (1)

1

(e) (17 + 17 + 18) / 3 (= 17.33)

1

temperature rise = 17 (°C)

1
accept 17 (°C) with no working shown for 2 marks
allow 17.33 with no working shown for 1 mark

(f) E = 0.025 × 1800 × 20 (J)

1

E = 900 (J)
1
allow 900 without working shown for the 2 calculation marks

Joule
1
[13]

Q4.
(a) 80 °C
1
 ΔE = 0.5 × 3400 × 80
1

ΔE = 136 000 (J)

an answer of 136 000 (J) scores 3 marks
1

(b) energy is dissipated into the surroundings

allow any correct description of wasted energy
1

(c) put a lid on the pan

allow any sensible practical suggestion
eg add salt to the water
1

(d) efficiency = 300/500

1

efficiency = 0.6
an answer of 0.6 or 60% scores 2 marks
allow efficiency = 60%
an answer of 0.6 with a unit scores 1 mark
an answer of 60 without a unit scores 1 mark
1

(e) lower rate of energy transfer

1

(so) potato soup will remain at a higher temperature

1
[9]

Q5.
(a) water moves (from a higher level to a lower level)
1

transferring GPE to KE
1

rotating a turbine to turn a generator

accept driving or turning or spinning for rotating
moving is insufficient
1

transferring KE to electrical energy

transferring GPE to electrical energy gains 1 mark of the 2
marks available for energy transfers
1

(b) (TVs in stand-by) use electricity

accept power / energy
1
 generating electricity (from fossil fuels) produces CO2
accept greenhouse gas
accept sulfur dioxide
1

(CO2) contributes to global warming

accept climate change for global warming
accept greenhouse effect if CO2 given
accept acid rain if linked to sulfur dioxide
1

(c) a factor other than scientific is given, eg economic, political or legal

personal choice is insufficient
1
[8]

Q6.
(a) kinetic energy = 0.5 × mass × (speed)2

allow
1

(b) 0.5 × 9000 × 302

1

4 050 000
1

4050 (kJ)
an answer of 4050 (kJ) scores 3 marks
an answer of 4 050 000 scores 2 marks
1

(c) efficiency =

(d)
allow ecf from (b)
1

(useful output energy transfer =) 0.80 × 4 050

1

= 3240 (kJ)
an answer of 3240 (kJ) scores 3 marks
1

(e)
Level 2: Scientifically relevant features are identified; the 3-4
way(s) in which they are similar/different is made clear
 and (where appropriate) the magnitude of the
similarity/difference is noted.

Level 1: Relevant features are identified and differences

1-2
noted.

No relevant content 0

Indicative content
advantages of both methods:
•   both renewable sources of energy
•   both have no fuel (cost)
•   no carbon dioxide produced
advantages of wind
•   higher average power output
advantages of hydroelectric
•   constant / reliable power (output)
•   lower (installation) cost
disadvantages of wind
•   higher (installation) cost
•   variable / unreliable power output
disadvantages of hydroelectric
•   lower power output
disadvantages of both methods
•   (may be) noisy
•   visual pollution
4
[12]

Q7.
(a) (i) decreases (to zero)
1

resultant force acts in opposite direction to motion

accept air resistance and weight for resultant force
accept resultant force acts downwards
do not accept air resistance increases
1

(ii) velocity includes direction

or
velocity is a vector (quantity)
1

(b) (i) 3.6

allow 1 mark for correct substitution i.e.
½ × 0.05 × 122 provided no subsequent step
2
 (ii) 3.6 or their (i)
1

(iii) 7.2
or
their (ii) ÷ 0.5 correctly calculated
allow 1 mark for correct substitution i.e.
3.6 or their (ii) = 0.05 × 10 × h
2

(iv) B
1

(c) range increases up to 45°

1

range decreases from 45°

the range is a maximum at 45° gains both marks
for any two angles that add up
to 90° the range is the same gains both marks
the range increases then decreases gains 1 mark
1
[11]

Q8.
(a) any two from:

• cost per kWh is lower (than all other energy resources)

allow it is cheaper
ignore fuel cost
ignore energy released per kg of nuclear fuel

• infrastructure for nuclear power already exists

accept cost of setting up renewable energy resources is high
accept many renewable power stations would be needed to
replace one nuclear power station
accept (France in 2011 already had a) surplus of nuclear
energy, so less need to develop more renewable capacity for
increased demand in the future
accept France benefits economically from selling electricity

• more reliable (than renewable energy resources)

accept (nuclear) fuel is readily available
ignore destruction of habitats for renewables
2

(b) any two from:

• non-renewable
allow nuclear fuel is running out

• high decommissioning costs

 accept high commissioning costs

• produces radioactive / nuclear waste

allow waste has a long half-life

• long start-up time

• nuclear accidents have widespread implications

allow for nuclear accident a named nuclear accident
eg Fukushima, Chernobyl
ignore visual pollution
2

(c) 0.48 (kW)

allow 1 mark for correct substitution
ie 0.15 = P / 3.2
an answer of 480 W gains 2 marks
an answer of 48 or 480 scores 1 mark
2

(d) the higher the efficiency, the higher the cost (per m2 to manufacture)
accept a specific numerical example
1

more electricity could be generated for the same (manufacturing) cost using lower
efficiency solar panels
or
(reducing the cost) allows more solar panels to be bought
accept a specific numerical example
1
[8]

Q9.
(a) very little cloud cover
allow high intensity sunlight
1

favourable wind speed

allow high wind speed
1

(b) 35.4 × 109

allow 35 400 000 000
1

E = 35.4 × 109 × (20.8 / 100)

1

E = 7.4 × 109(J)
an answer of 7.4 × 109(J) or 7 400 000 000 scores 3 marks
allow 7 400 000 000
1
(c) nuclear
1

(d)
Level 3: Relevant points (reasons/causes) are identified,
given in detail and logically linked to form a clear 4-6
account.

Level 2: Relevant points (reasons/causes) are identified,

and there are attempts at logically linking. The resulting 3-4
account is not fully clear

Level 1: Points are identified and stated simply, but their

relevance is not clear and there is no attempt at logical 1-2
linking.

No relevant content 0

Indicative content
step up transformer
•   increases the potential difference
•   decreases the current
•   reduces heating of transmission cables
•   less wasted energy
•   more efficient energy transfer
transmission cables
•   low resistance
•   reduces heating
•   reduces wasted energy
step down transformer
•   increases the current
•   decreases the potential difference
•   to a safe level
•   the level is suitable for domestic appliances
6

(e) P=E/t

P = 18 000 000 / 3 600

1

P = 5 000
1

P =I V

I=P/V
1

I = 5 000 / 230
1
I = 22 (A)
allow an answer that rounds to 22 (A)
an answer of 22 (A) scores 5 marks
1
[17]