Section D: Exam Style Questions

Answers
1.

a)

Energy is neither created nor destroyed [1] simply transferred from one form to another [1].

b) i)
ii)

Use Efficiency = (useful energy output total energy input) 100% [1]  useful energy
output 18 000 000 J (18 MJ) [1].
To thermal energy [1] and to sound [1].

Ratio of arrows 3:2 by eye. [1]

c)

Time = Energy available power (rate of transfer of energy) [1]

Therefore time = 18 000 000 J 250 W [1] (for correct substitution)  72 000 s [1] (20 hours).

2.

a)

Thermal conduction [1] is the transfer of heat [1] energy [1] through a substance without the
substance itself moving [1]. Heat energy is transferred in fluids by convection [1]; as the fluid is
heated it expands and becomes less dense [1] and the warmer fluid is displaced upwards [1] by
colder denser [1] fluid. Thermal radiation [1] is the transfer of energy in the form of
electromagnetic [1] waves [1]; this heat transfer mechanism does not require a material [1]
medium.

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iii)

b) In situations a) and b) two things have been changed: volume of water [1] and polystyrene for
plastic [1] so the effect of the change of material cannot be commented on [1]. In situations
b) and c) two things have been changed: volume of water and the use of a lid [1] so the effect of
the use of a lid cannot be commented on [1]. If all three situations had used the same volume of
water (and the same starting temperature) then conclusions about the effect of the change of
material and the use of a lid could have been drawn from this experiment [1].
3.

a)

Weight = mg  500 N. [1]

b) Work Done = Force distance [1]  WD = 500 N 0.75 m [1]  375 J [1].

4.

c)

Power = work done time taken [1]  Power = (375 15)/60 [1]  93.75 W [1].

a)

Electrical energy [1]  rotational energy of the pump [1]  kinetic energy of moving water
[1]  gravitational potential energy [1] of water due to its height above the pumping station.

b) Energy transferred = increase in GPE of water = m g h [1]  10 000 kg 10 N/kg 600 m

[1]  60 000 000 J [1] (60 MJ).
c)

Unwanted energy conversions occur at each stage in the transfer process: in the pump motor
electrical energy will be converted to heat and sound [1]; in the transfer of moving water up to
the reservoir some energy is expended in doing work against the fluid friction in the pipes [1]

(again converting energy to heat and sound); when the moving water reaches the reservoir its
KE will be dissipated as heat and sound [1].
d) It is difficult to store electrical energy [1], batteries are one way but the sheer size of batteries
needed to store significant amounts of energy makes this impractical. Since the facility for
storing energy as GPE is part of the set up for a hydroelectric power station this provides a
convenient way of storing energy which would otherwise be completely wasted [1].
5.

a)

Coal. [1]

b) Tidal power. [1]

c)

Wind power. [1]

d) Hydroelectricity. [1]

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6.

a)

High rainfall [1] and mountains [1] (where reservoirs can be built to store water).

b) Selling surplus electricity involves transmission of electrical energy over large distances [1].
This increases the amount of energy lost as heat in the transmission process [1] (due to the
resistance of the transmission cables).
c)

Concerns about the safety of nuclear power plants [1] meant that the first nuclear power station
was located in a remote area with a very small population [1].