Q1. Rooms can be heated using under-floor heating.

The underfloor heating system has wires that use an electric current to heat elements under
the floor which then heat the floor and the room.

(a) Energy is transferred to the air particles in contact with the floor.

Explain how the air particles transfer energy throughout the room by convection.

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................
(4)

(b) Why are heaters the only appliances that can be 100 % efficient?

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 6 marks)

Page 1 of 35
##

(a) The table gives information about some ways of reducing the energy consumption in a
house.

Method of reducing energy Installation Annual saving on

consumption cost in energy bills in

Fit a new hot water boiler 1800 200

Fit a solar water heater 2400 100

Fit underfloor heating 600 50

Fit thermostatic radiator valves 75 20

Which way of reducing energy consumption is most cost effective over a 10-year period?

To obtain full marks you must support your answer with calculations.

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................
(3)

(b) Explain why using an energy-efficient light bulb instead of an ordinary light bulb reduces the
amount of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere.

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 5 marks)

Page 2 of 35
Q3. (a) The diagram shows how much heat is lost each second from different parts of an
uninsulated house.

(i) Each year, the house costs 760 to heat.

How much money is being wasted because of heat lost through the roof?

Show clearly how you work out your answer.

..........................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................
(2)

(ii) Insulating the loft would cut the heat lost through the roof by 50 %.

The loft insulation has a payback time of years.

How much did the loft insulation cost to buy?

..........................................................................................................................

Cost of loft insulation = .................................................

(1)

(b) What happens to the wasted energy?

....................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................
(1)
(Total 4 marks)

Page 3 of 35
Q4. The picture shows a food processor, which is used to grate, shred, liquidise and mix food.
The table gives some information about the food processor.

Energy input Electrical

Useful energy
Kinetic
output

Power rating 1200 watts

Efficiency 0.8

(a) The food processor is used for a total of 30 minutes a day.

Calculate the cost of the energy wasted by the food processor each day.

Electricity costs 15 p per kilowatt-hour.

Write down the equations you use, and then show clearly how you work out your answer.

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

Cost of waste energy = ...................................... p

(4)

(b) Explain what happens to the waste energy.

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 6 marks)

Page 4 of 35
Q5. The farmers in a village in India use solar powered water pumps to irrigate the fields.

On average, a one square metre panel of solar cells receives 5 kWh of energy from the Sun
each day.
The solar cells have an efficiency of 0.15

(a) (i) Use the following equation to calculate the electrical energy available from a one
square metre panel of solar cells.

Show clearly how you work out your answer.

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................

Electrical energy = ................................................... kWh

(2)

(ii) On average, each solar water pump uses 1.5 kWh of energy each day.

Calculate the area of solar cells required by one solar water pump.

Area = ......................................................... square metres

(1)

(b) Give one reason why the area of solar cells needed will probably be greater than the
answer to part (a)(ii).

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................
(1)
(Total 4 marks)

Page 5 of 35
Q6. (a) The diagram shows a solar powered device being used to recharge a mobile phone.

On average, the solar cells produce 0.6 joules of electrical energy each second.
The solar cells have an efficiency of 0.15.

(i) Use the following equation to calculate the average energy input each second to the
device.

Show clearly how you work out your answer.

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................

Average energy input each second = .................................... J/s

(2)

(ii) Draw a labelled Sankey diagram for the solar cells.

The diagram does not need to be drawn to scale.

(1)

Page 6 of 35
 (iii) Energy from the Sun is stored by a rechargeable battery inside the device.

Suggest one factor that would affect the time it takes to fully charge the battery.

Give a reason for your answer.

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................
(2)

(b) Scientists have developed a new type of solar cell with an efficiency of over 40 %.
The efficiency of the solar cell was confirmed independently by other scientists.

Suggest why it was important to confirm the efficiency independently.

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................
(1)

(c) The electricity used in homes in the UK is normally generated in a fossil fuel power station.

Outline some of the advantages of using solar cells to generate this electricity.

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 8 marks)

Page 7 of 35
Q7. The diagram shows a small-scale, micro-hydroelectricity generator which uses the energy
of falling river water to generate electricity. The water causes a device, called an Archimedean
screw, to rotate.
The Archimedean screw is linked to the generator by a gearbox.

(a) Each second, the micro-hydroelectricity generator transforms 80 000 joules of

gravitational potential energy into 60 000 joules of electrical energy.

(i) Fill in the missing word to complete the energy transformation diagram.

Gravitational potential ................................ energy Electrical energy

energy of the falling water of the Archimedean screw generated
(1)

(ii) Use the equation in the box to calculate the efficiency of the micro-hydroelectricity
generator.

Show clearly how you work out your answer.

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................

Efficiency = ............................................................
(2)

(b) The power output from a conventional large-scale hydroelectric power station is 100 000
times more than the power output from a micro-hydroelectric system.

Give one disadvantage of a conventional large-scale hydroelectric power station

compared to the micro-hydroelectric system.

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................
(1)

Page 8 of 35
 (c) The electricity generated by a micro-hydroelectric system is transferred via a transformer
directly to local homes. The electricity generated by a conventional large-scale
hydroelectric power station is transferred to the National Grid, which distributes the
electricity to homes anywhere in the country.

(i) What is the National Grid?

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................
(1)

(ii) Explain why transferring the electricity directly to local homes is more efficient than
using the National Grid to distribute the electricity.

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 7 marks)

Q8. A homeowner had a new gas boiler installed.

(a) The following information is an extract from the information booklet supplied with the boiler.

Fuel Natural Gas

Water temperature 60 C

Energy supplied to gas boiler 8.0 kJ/s (8.0 kW)

Efficiency 0.95

(i) Use the equation in the box to calculate the energy transferred each second by the
gas boiler to the water inside the boiler.

Show clearly how you work out your answer.

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................

Energy transferred by the gas boiler each second = ..................... kJ

(2)

Page 9 of 35
 (ii) The energy value of the gas used in a home is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh).

The homeowner has a pre-payment meter and pays 30 into his account. With a
pre-payment meter, gas costs 15p per kilowatt-hour.

Use the equations in the box to calculate the total number of hours that the gas boiler
would operate for 30.

energy transferred = power time

total cost = number of kilowatt-hours cost per kilowatt-hour

Show clearly how you work out your answer.

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................

Number of hours = ..................................................

(2)

(b) Although the gas boiler is very efficient, some energy is wasted.

Explain what happens to the waste energy.

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 6 marks)

Page 10 of 35
Q9. The table gives data about two types of low energy bulb.

Type of bulb Power input Efficiency Lifetime Cost of

in watts in hours one bulb

Compact Fluorescent 8 20% 10 000 3.10

Lamp (CFL)

Light Emitting Diode 5 50 000 29.85

(LED)

(a) Both types of bulb produce the same useful power output.

(i) Calculate the useful power output of the CFL.

Use the correct equation from the Physics Equations Sheet.

Show clearly how you work out your answer.

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

Useful power output = ................................................. W

(2)

(ii) Calculate the efficiency of the LED bulb.

Use the correct equation from the Physics Equations Sheet.

Show clearly how you work out your answer.

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

Efficiency = ......................................................
(1)

(b) Sketch and label a Sankey diagram for the CFL.

(2)

Page 11 of 35
 (c) LED bulbs are expensive. This is because of the large number of individual electronic
LED chips needed to produce sufficient light from each bulb.

(i) Use the data in the table to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of an LED bulb compared
to a CFL.

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................
(2)

(ii) Scientists are developing brighter and more efficient LED chips than those currently
used in LED bulbs.

Suggest one benefit of developing brighter and more efficient LED chips.

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................
(1)
(Total 8 marks)

Q10. (a) In the UK, over 70% of the electricity is generated in power stations that burn fossil
fuels.

(i) Explain one effect that burning fossil fuels has on the environment.

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................
(2)

(ii) Give one way the effect on the environment described in part (a)(i) could be reduced.

Assume the amount of fossil fuels burnt stays the same.

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................
(1)

Page 12 of 35
 (b) Electricity can also be generated in a pumped storage hydroelectric power station.

An advantage of pumped storage hydroelectric power stations is the short start-up time
they have.

(i) What is the importance of the short start-up time?

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................
(1)

(ii) Give one other advantage of a pumped storage hydroelectric power station.

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................
(1)

(c) Read the extract below from a newspaper article.

(i) In the UK, the proportion of electricity generated using wind turbines is due to
increase a lot. Some opponents of wind turbines think this increase will cause big
fluctuations in the electricity supply.

Suggest one reason why this may be true.

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................
(1)

(ii) Between 2002 and 2008 the amount of electricity used for lighting in homes in the UK
decreased.

Suggest one reason why.

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................
(1)
(Total 7 marks)

Q11. (a) Solar energy is a renewable energy source used to generate electricity.

(i) What is meant by an energy source being renewable?

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................
(1)

Page 13 of 35
 (ii) Name two other renewable energy sources used to generate electricity.

1 ...............................................................................................................

2 ...............................................................................................................
(1)

(b) A householder uses panels of solar cells to generate electricity for his home.
The solar cells are tilted to receive the maximum energy input from the Sun.

The data in the table gives the average energy input each second (in J/s), to a 1 m2 area of
solar cells for different angles of tilt and different months of the year.

Angle
of tilt
Month
20 30 40 50

February 460 500 480 440

April 600 620 610 600

June 710 720 680 640

August 640 660 640 580

October 480 520 500 460

December 400 440 420 410

(i) Use the data in the table to describe how the average energy input to the solar cells
depends on the angle of tilt.

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................
(2)

Page 14 of 35
 (ii) The total area of the solar cell panels used by the householder is 5 m2.

The efficiency of the solar cells is 0.18.

Use the equation in the box to calculate the average maximum electrical energy
available from the solar cell panels each second in June.

Show clearly how you work out your answer.

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................

Maximum energy = ............................................... joules/second

(3)

(c) The diagram shows part of the National Grid.

(i) Even though the householder uses solar cells to generate electricity for his home,
the home stays connected to the National Grid.

Give one reason why the householder should stay connected to the National Grid.

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................
(1)

(ii) The step-up transformer increases the efficiency of the National Grid.

Explain how.

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 10 marks)

Page 15 of 35
Q12. Table 1 shows information about different light bulbs.

The bulbs all have the same brightness.

Table 1

Input power in
Type of bulb Efficiency
watts

Halogen 40 0.15

Compact
14 0.42
fluorescent (CFL)

LED 7 0.85

(a) (i) Calculate the useful power output of the CFL bulb.

Use the correct equation from the Physics Equations Sheet.

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................

Useful power output = .............................. watts

(2)

(ii) Use your answer to part (i) to calculate the waste energy produced each second by a
CFL bulb.

...............................................................................................................

Waste energy per second = .............................. joules

(1)

Page 16 of 35
(b) (i) A growth cabinet is used to investigate the effect of light on the rate of growth of
plants.

The figure below shows a growth cabinet.

In the cabinet the factors that affect growth can be controlled.

A cooler unit is used to keep the temperature in the cabinet constant. The cooler unit
is programmed to operate when the temperature rises above 20 C.

The growth cabinet is lit using 50 halogen bulbs.

Changing from using halogen bulbs to LED bulbs would reduce the cost of running
the growth cabinet.

Explain why.

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................
(4)

(ii) A scientist measured the rate of growth of plants for different intensities of light.

What type of graph should be drawn to present the results?

............................................................

Give a reason for your answer.

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................
(1)

Page 17 of 35
(c) Table 2 gives further information about both a halogen bulb and a LED bulb.

Table 2

Type of Cost to Lifetime in Operating cost over the

bulb buy hours lifetime of one bulb

Halogen 1.50 2 000 16.00

LED 30.00 48 000 67.20

A householder needs to replace a broken halogen light bulb.

Compare the cost efficiency of buying and using halogen bulbs rather than a LED bulb
over a time span of 48 000 hours of use.

Your comparison must include calculations.

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................
(4)
(Total 12 marks)

Page 18 of 35
M1. (a) hot air expands

or

particles spread out

ignore / particles move more
not (air) particles expand
1

(so) density of the air decreases

not particles become less dense
1

(so) particles / hot air rises

not heat rises
1

(and) cooler / denser air falls

not denser particles / particles contract
allow less energetic particles fall
if no mark scored allow 1 mark for particles / air moves from
hotter / hot area to cooler / cool area
1

(b) most appliances waste energy by heating

allow heat for heating
1

in heaters, heating is a useful energy transfer

for 1 mark allow:
there is no wasted energy
for 2 marks allow:
there is no wasted energy qualified eg light / sound
or
transfer all energy as heat
or
only produce heat energy
1
[6]

Page 19 of 35
M2. (a) four calculations correctly shown
200 10 1800 = 200
100 10 2400 = 1400
50 10 600 = 100
20 10 75 = 125
accept four final answers only or obvious rejection of solar water
heater and underfloor heating, with other two calculations
completed any 1 complete calculation correctly
shown or showing each saving 10 of all four calculations = 1
mark answers in terms of savings as a percentage of installation
cost may score savings mark only
2

hot water boiler

correct answers only
1

(b) less electricity / energy to be generated / needed from power stations

accept less demand
1

reduction in (fossil) fuels being burnt

accept correctly named fuel
accept answer in terms of:
fewer light bulbs required because they last longer (1 mark)
less energy used / fuels burnt in production / transport etc. (1
mark)
ignore reference to CO2 or global warming
ignore reference to conservation of energy
1
[5]

M3. (a) (i) 190

nb mention idea of cost per J in will come to an approx figure full
credit given
allow 1 mark for showing that the energy loss through the roof is
of the total energy loss ie 150 / 600
2

(ii) 142.50
allow ecf 50 % of their (a)(i) 1.5 ie their (a)(i) 0.75
1

(b) transferred to surroundings / atmosphere

or becomes spread out

1
[4]

Page 20 of 35
M4. (a) 1.8 (p)
these 4 marks can be broken down as follows:
1 mark for correct transformation and substitution into efficiency
equation
ie 0.8 1200 useful power
PLUS
1 mark for useful power = 960 W / 0.96 kW
PLUS
1 mark for waste energy transferred = 0.24 0.5
or
waste energy transferred = 0.12 (kWh)
PLUS
1 mark for cost = 0.12 15
where a mathematical error has been made full credit should be
given for subsequent correct method
4

(b) the waste energy is transferred as heat and sound

1

to the surroundings where it spreads out / is shared by

surrounding particles
accept air for surroundings
1
[6]

M5. (a) (i) 0.75

allow 1 mark for correct transformation and substitution
ie 0.15 = 5
2

(ii) 2
accept 1.5 their (a)(i) correctly calculated
1

Page 21 of 35
 (b) any one from:

seasonal changes
accept specific changes in conditions
eg shorter hours of daylight in winter

cloud cover
accept idea of change
must be stated or unambiguously implied
eg demand for water will not (always) match supply of solar energy
do not accept figures are average on its own
do not accept solar panels are in the shade
1
[4]

M6. (a) (i) 4

allow 1 mark for correct transformation and substitution

ie

substitution only scores if no subsequent steps are shown

2

(ii) diagram showing two output arrows with one arrow wider
than the other with the narrower arrow labelled
electrical / electricity / useful
1

(iii) any one from:

time of day / year

position of solar cells

angle of solar cells (to the Sun)

latitude

cloud cover

solar cells covered in dust / dirt

accept charger for solar cells
accept any reasonable suggestion that would lead to a change in
intensity of sun(light)
the weather is insufficient
do not accept any physical changes to the charger eg area
1

causes a change in intensity of sun(light)

accept brightness for intensity
accept a description of the reduction of intensity
1

Page 22 of 35
 (b) any one from:

to check reliability / validity / accuracy

to avoid bias
1

(c) any two from:

produce no / less (air) pollution

accept named pollutant
accept produces no waste (gases)

energy is free
accept it is a free resource
do not accept it is free

(energy) is renewable

conserves fossil fuel stocks

can be used in remote areas

do not need to connect to the National Grid

2
[8]

M7. (a) (i) kinetic

accept KE
do not accept movement
1

(ii) 0.75

allow 1 mark for correct substitution ie

or
75 %
an answer 0.75 % or 0.75 with a unit gains 1 mark only
an answer 75 with or without a unit gains 1 mark only
2

(b) any one from:

large areas of land are flooded

uses large areas of land / takes up large areas of land is
insufficient

people's homes may be destroyed

habitat (of animals and plants) lost / damaged

construct is neutral
very noisy is neutral
1

Page 23 of 35
 (c) (i) system of cables and transformers
both required for the mark
accept power lines / wires for cables
ignore reference to pylons
inclusions of power stations / consumers negates answer
1

(ii) less energy loss / wasted (in the cables)

accept heat for energy
do not accept no energy loss
do not accept electricity for energy
1

as the cables are shorter

1
[7]

M8. (a) (i) 7.6

allow 1 mark for correct substitution and / or transformation

ie

95 8.0
2

(ii) 25 (hours)
allow 1 mark for obtaining number of kWh = 200
an answer of 26(.3) gains both marks
2

(b) any two from

transferred to the surroundings / air / atmosphere

becomes spread out

shared between (many) molecules

(wasted as) heat / sound

2
[6]

M9. (a) (i)

1.6 (W)

allow 1 mark for correct substitution ie

2

Page 24 of 35
 (ii)

32 (%) / 0.32
or
their (a)(i) 5 correctly calculated
ignore any units
1

(b) two output arrows

one arrow should be wider judged by eye
1

narrower arrow labelled light or useful (energy / output / power)

only scores if first mark awarded

and

wider arrow labelled waste (energy / output / power)

accept heat
ignore numerical values
1

(c) (i) any two from:

comparison over same period of time of relative numbers of bulbs

required eg over 50 000 hours 5 CFLs required to 1 LED
accept an LED lasts 5 times longer

link number of bulbs to cost eg 5 CFLs cheaper than 1 LED

an answer in terms of over a period of 50 000 hours CFLs cost
15.50 (to buy), LED costs 29.85 (to buy) so CFLs are cheaper
scores both marks
an answer in terms of the cost per hour (of lifetime) being cheaper
for CFL scores 1 mark if then correctly calculated scores both
marks

over the same period of time LEDs cost less to operate (than CFLs)
2

Page 25 of 35
 (ii) any one from:

price of LED bulbs will drop

do not accept they become cheaper

less electricity needs to be generated

accept we will use less electricity

less CO2 produced

fewer chips needed (for each LED bulb)

fewer bulbs required (for same brightness / light)

less energy wasted

do not accept electricity for energy
1
[8]

M10. (a) (i) produces carbon dioxide / nitrogen oxides

accept greenhouse gases
ignore pollutant gases
1

that (may) contribute to global warming

accept causes global warming
damages ozone layer negates this mark
accept alternative answers in terms of: sulfur dioxide / nitrogen
oxides causing acid rain
1

(ii) carbon capture / storage

answer must relate to part (a)(i)
collecting carbon dioxide is insufficient

or

plant more trees

or

remove sulfur (before burning fuel)

1

(b) (i) (power station can be used) to meet surges in demand

accept starts generating in a short time
can be switched on quickly is insufficient
1

(ii) can store energy for later use

accept renewable (energy resource)
accept does not produce CO2 / SO2 / pollutant gases
1

Page 26 of 35
 (c) (i) turbines do not generate at a constant rate
accept wind (speed) fluctuates
accept wind is (an) unreliable (energy source)
1

(ii) any one from:

energy efficient lighting (developed / used)

use less lighting is insufficient

increased energy cost (so people more likely to turn off)

accept electricity for energy

more people becoming environmentally aware

1
[7]

M11. (a) (i) replaced faster than it is used

accept replaced as quick as it is used
accept it will never run out
do not accept can be used again
1

(ii) any two from:

two sources required for the mark

wind

waves

tides
fall of water
do not accept water / oceans
accept hydroelectric

biofuel
accept a named biofuel eg wood

geothermal
1

(b) (i) any two from:

increases from 20 to 30

reaches maximum value at 30

then decreases from 30

same pattern for each month

accept peaks at 30 for both marks
accept goes up then down for 1 mark
ignore its always the lowest at 50
2

Page 27 of 35
 (ii) 648
an answer of 129.6 gains 2 marks
allow 1 mark for using 720 value only from table
allow 2 marks for answers 639, 612, 576, 618(.75)
allow 1 mark for answers 127.8, 122.4, 115.2, 123.75
3

(c) (i) (sometimes) electricity demand may be greater than supply (of electricity from
the system)
accept cloudy weather, night time affects supply

or

can sell (excess) electricity (to the National Grid)

1

(ii) decreases the current

accept increases the voltage
1

reducing energy loss (along cables)

accept less heat / thermal energy lost / produced
1
[10]

M12. (a) (i) 5.88 (watts)

an answer of 5.9 scores 2 marks
allow 1 mark for correct substitution ie

0.42 =
allow 1 mark for an answer of 0.0588 or 0.059
2

(ii) 8.12
allow 14 their (a)(i) correctly calculated
1

(b) (i) input power / energy would be (much) less (reducing cost of running)
accept the converse
electricity is insufficient
1

(also) produce less waste energy / power

accept heat for waste energy
1

(as the waste energy / power) increases temperature of the cabinet

1

so cooler on for less time

1

Page 28 of 35
 (ii) line graph
need to get both parts correct
accept scattergram or scatter graph

both variables are continuous

allow the data is continuous
1

(c) number of bulbs used-halogen=24 (LED=1)

1

total cost of LED = 30 + 67.20 = 97.20

accept a comparison of buying costs of halogen 36 and LED 30
1

total cost of halogen= 24 x 1.50 + 24 x 16.00 = 420

or
buying cost of halogen is 36 and operating cost is 384
accept a comparison of operating costs of halogen 384 and LED
67.20
allow for 3 marks the difference in total cost is 322.80 if the
number 24 has not been credited
1

statement based on correct calculations that overall LED is cheaper

must be both buying and operating costs

an alternative way of answering is in terms of cost per hour:

buying cost per hour for LED = 0.0625p/0.000625

buying cost per hour for halogen = = 0.075p/0.00075

a calculation of both buying costs scores 1 mark

operating cost per hour for LED = = 0.14p/0.0014

operating cost per hour for halogen= = 0.8p/0.008

a calculation of both operating costs scores 1 mark

all calculations show a correct unit

all units correct scores 1 mark

statement based on correct calculations of both buying and operating costs, that
overall LED is cheaper
correct statement scores 1 mark
1
[12]

Page 29 of 35
E1. (a) Many students picked up 1 or 2 marks for explaining that hot air rises and cool air falls,
but failed to get the marks for explaining why. There were many confusing and poorly
written responses, such as particles become less dense and / or the particles expand.
The idea that hot air expands or the particles spread out was rarely seen. A number of
students tried to explain convection currents as heat rising rather than hot air or particles
rising, or they talked about heat particles. Students who scored zero often confused
convection with conduction.

(b) Most students got the idea that the wasted energy is heat and in a heater this is useful,
meaning the heater can be 100% efficient. Some just said there is no wasted energy
without explaining why, so just gained 1 mark.

E2. In part (a) those candidates who chose the payback route generally gained no credit, unless
they picked the boiler as the best option. Many candidates scored two marks for selecting the
boiler and a correct calculation. A significant number of candidates scored all three marks for
completing all the calculations correctly and making the correct choice.

Few candidates scored 2 marks in part (b). Most candidates failed to link the less energy back
to the power station. The common mark scored was for stating the reduction in fuel burnt. Many
considered the efficiency of the bulbs; but did not link it back to the need to generate less
electricity. Very few thought about the need for fewer bulbs and the energy saving in their
manufacture. There were a significant minority of candidates who thought that conventional light
bulbs emit carbon dioxide or that energy loss somehow produces carbon dioxide, often as a
result of heat loss.

E3. (a) (i) Whilst quite a lot of candidates were able to work out that 25 % of the energy was
lost through the roof, many failed to realise that they needed to work out 25 % of the
cost.

(ii) This calculation proved rather difficult for many candidates.

Overall in part (a) there were a surprisingly large number of minor arithmetical errors
and several answers which candidates should have recognised as unrealistically
small or large eg in part (ii) answers such as 1 or 200,000.

(b) Candidates scored well with most gaining credit.

E5. (a) (i) This was the best answered numerical question with many candidates able to
transform the equation and substitute values to arrive at the correct answer.

(ii) This proved difficult for the majority of candidates, even with the correct answer to
the previous part.

(b) Very few correct answers were seen, the majority being too imprecise and not giving a
reason for the variation in sunlight.

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E6. (a) (i) Less than half of the candidates answered this correctly. Many were unable to
transpose the equation correctly.

(ii) Only about a third of candidates were able to draw something resembling a Sankey
diagram and label it appropriately. Whilst the majority of candidates obviously had
some idea that a Sankey diagram had some arrows going in different directions,
some drew a picture of solar cells, and over a tenth did not attempt the question.

(iii) This was answered reasonably well, with over three quarters of candidates gaining at
least one of the two marks, usually for realising that a change in intensity of the
sunlight would affect the time taken to charge the battery. However, less than half of
these went on to score the second mark by giving a factor which would change the
intensity.

(b) This question was correctly answered by the majority of candidates. However, many seem
to have a dim view of company scientists, indicating that they would lie or falsify results.

(c) Nearly all candidates gained at least one mark, with more than half scoring both. The most
common answers were that the Sun is a renewable resource and that solar cells do not
produce pollutant gases.

E7. (a) (i) This was well answered.

(ii) The majority of candidates were able to substitute correctly into the given equation.

Mistakes made subsequently were to do the arithmetic incorrectly, or to give a wrong

unit with a correct numerical answer, eg 75 J or 0.75 %.

(b) Few candidates scored this mark. A common insufficient answer was to say that it would
take up a lot of land, without going on to explain the consequences. Few candidates
seemed to realise that scaling up by a factor of 100 000 would require the area to be
flooded.

(c) (i) As a simple recall of knowledge question it was surprising that very few candidates
were able to give the correct answer. Common misconceptions included the idea
that pylons carry the electricity; that the power station or consumer is part of the
National Grid.

(ii) Despite the given information stating that the electricity from the micro-system was
transferred to local homes via a transformer, a large number of answers stated that
no transformers would be needed, indicating that many candidates had failed to read
the question carefully.

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E8. (a) (i) The vast majority of students attempted this calculation, with over three quarters
getting the correct answer. The most common errors were in transposing the
equation incorrectly, or including the water temperature of 60C in the calculation.

(ii) Around half of the students were able to use the total cost of 30 and the cost per
kWh of 15p to calculate a figure of 200; however that is the point at which most
stopped, quoting an answer of 200 hours. A few then attempted to involve the power,
with only a minority ending up with the correct answer. A few students did not
attempt to answer this question.

(b) Most students gave at least one correct point in answer to this question, with around half
being able to give two points correctly.

E9. (a) (i) Almost a half of students gained both marks. The common errors were to
multiply 8 by 20 without then dividing by 100 or divide 20 by 8 giving an answer of 2.5.

(ii) A significant number of students thought this question could not be answered due to
lack of data. These students had failed to read the question stem that told them both
bulbs had the same useful power output. Students scoring both marks in part (a)(i)
usually also scored this mark. However, there were a significant number of students
giving answers in excess of 100 %.

(b) Students presented numerous versions of a Sankey diagram. Some students failed to
label the two outputs and so limited themselves to one mark. A number of students gave
three output arrows. Students would be well advised to spend some time practising
drawing neat, labelled diagrams.

(c) (i) Students were asked to use the data and not simply to repeat it. However, there were
many good answers that compared the cost over the same period of time and
gained both marks. Different, but still valid answers, which used correct calculations
in terms of cost per hour or hours per pound spent, were regularly seen.

(ii) There was a wide variety of answers, many unfortunately, too vague to credit. The
most popular correct answer was in terms of waste less energy.

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E10. (a) (i) This was generally well answered with over half of the students scoring both
marks. The most common answers were related to carbon dioxide and global
warming.

(ii) There were some good answers describing carbon capture methods. However, a
significant number of students failed to take notice of the statement that the amount
of fossil fuels burnt stays the same and gave answers relating to reducing the
amount of fossil fuels burnt.

(b) (i) This was well answered by over half of the students. A common error was to state
what a short start-up time was, rather than explaining its importance.

(ii) Over half of the students scored the mark here, the most common answer being
renewable, with a minority realising the significance of it being a way to store energy
for use at a later time.

(c) (i) This was well answered by nearly two-thirds of students. It appeared that a
significant number of students did not understand the word fluctuations.

(ii) Again this was well answered, the most common response referring to the
increased use of energy saving light bulbs.

E11. (a) (i) Around half of the responses scored the mark for this question. A common
errors was to indicate that the energy source could be used again.

(ii) Three-quarters of students gave two correct responses.

(b) (i) Students found difficulty in analysing the data to find any patterns. Around half were
able to identify that an angle of 30 led to the maximum average energy input. A large
number of students saw the word average and attempted to calculate the average
of the values given for each month. A surprisingly high number of responses seemed
to think that the degrees referred to the temperature.

(ii) A minority of students gained all three marks for this calculation, but more were able
to gain one mark by correctly identifying the value of 720 J/s.

(c) (i) Around two-thirds of students were able to give a coherent and correct answer.

(ii) Less than one-fifth of responses gained both marks, slightly more students were able
to gain one mark, usually for indicating that less energy would be lost. Absolute
statements such as no energy would be lost were often seen.

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E12. (a) (i) Three fifths of the students were able to substitute into the equation and
rearrange it to find the useful power output. The main error was not selecting the
equation using efficiency as a fraction rather than as a percentage.

(ii) Around half of the students answered correctly. Common incorrect responses were
to subtract their answer to the previous part from 1 or from 100.

(b) (i) Around three-quarters of students scored at least one mark, usually for stating that
the input power was less for the LED bulbs. Whilst many appreciated that the
efficiency was also less, few explained the consequence of this in terms of less
energy wasted meaning the temperature of the cabinet would increase more slowly,
resulting in the cooler unit being used less often.

(ii) This was a standard demand question. Whilst the majority of answers recognised
that a line graph (or scattergram) should be drawn, a small proportion gave a correct
reason by saying that both variables were continuous. It would appear that many
students do not think to transfer their knowledge from ISAs to this written paper.

(c) Around a fifth of students scored full marks. Good answers included clearly drawn,
mathematically-based conclusions, showing all calculations. Those who chose to write a
larger amount of prose often missed a vital part of the information, for instance just
comparing the purchase costs and ignoring the operating costs.

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