AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy Physics Paper 1 (Foundation), 2023: Question 5
8 marks · Standard Demand difficulty · Extended Answer
Identify renewable energy resources, convert energy units to standard form, and explain trends in UK solar and wind power output using yearly and seasonal data.
Practise this questionQuestion
Question text
05 Wind power and solar power are both renewable energy resources used to
generate electricity for the National Grid.
05.1 Which of the following is also a renewable energy resource?
[1 mark]
Tick ( ) one box.
Geothermal
Natural gas
Nuclear fuel
05.2 The energy transferred by the National Grid in one second was 36 gigajoules (GJ).
Which of the following is the same as 36 gigajoules?
[1 mark]
Tick ( ) one box.
36 × 103 J
36 × 106 J
36 × 109 J
36 × 1012 J
05.3 Figure 6 shows how the mean power output from solar and wind energy resources in
the UK varied between 2014 and 2019.
Figure 6
Figure 7 shows how the power output from solar and wind energy resources varies in
a typical year.
Figure 7
Explain the changes in power output from solar and wind energy resources between
2014 and 2019.
*24* You should include an explanation of the change in power output during a
typical year.
[6 marks]
Mark scheme
Show the mark scheme
Question 5
AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.
05.1 geothermal 1 AO1
6.1.3
AO /
Spec. Ref.
05.2 36 × 109 J 1 AO2
– OMBINED SCIENCE: TRILOGY – 1F – 6.1.3
AO /
Question Answers Mark
Spec. Ref.
Level 3: Relevant points (reasons / causes) are identified, given in
05.3 5–6 AO3
detail and logically linked to form a clear account.
Level 2: Relevant points (reasons / causes) are identified, and 3–4 AO1
there are attempts at logical linking. The resulting account is not
fully clear.
Level 1: Points are identified and stated simply, but their relevance 1–2 AO2
is not clear and there is no attempt at logical linking.
No relevant content 0
Indicative content
6.1.3
Figure 6
• the power output from wind increased
• because more wind turbines were built
• the power output from solar increased
• because more solar panels were built
• power output from wind and solar may have increased due to
climate change
For 2015 and 2016
• wind power was lower in 2016 than in 2015
• because 2016 was less windy than 2015
Figure 7
• for most of the year the electricity generated from wind is greater
than from solar.
• the electricity generated from wind is greater in winter than in
summer 15
• because winter is windier than summer
• the electricity generated from solar is greater in summer than in
winter
• because hours of sunlight are longer in summer
• and because the intensity of sunlight is greater in summer
to access Level 3, the answer should describe trends in both
graphs, and in solar power and wind power, and give some
explanation for changes.
Total Question 5 8
How to answer it
Renewable Energy Resources and Power Output
What this question tests
This question assesses your ability to identify renewable energy resources, convert unit prefixes (Giga) into standard form, and interpret complex graphical data to explain seasonal and long-term trends in power generation.
Identifying Renewable Resources
Correct Answer
Geothermal
Key Knowledge
- Renewable: An energy resource that is being replenished as it is used.
- Examples: Wind, Solar, Geothermal, Hydroelectric, Tidal.
Common Errors
Many students incorrectly think Nuclear fuel is renewable because it doesn't produce CO₂. However, it uses uranium/plutonium, which are finite resources that will eventually run out.
Unit Prefixes: Gigajoules
Step-by-Step Calculation
- Identify the prefix: Giga (G).
- Recall the multiplier: Giga = 1,000,000,000 or 10⁹.
- Apply to the value: 36 GJ = 36 × 10⁹ J.
Prefix Cheat Sheet
- kilo (k) = 10³
- Mega (M) = 10⁶
- Giga (G) = 10⁹
- Tera (T) = 10¹²
6-Mark Analysis: Power Output Trends
Explaining changes in solar and wind power
How to get Level 3 (5-6 Marks)
To reach the top marks, you must do three things:
- Describe trends in both graphs (Figure 6 and Figure 7).
- Discuss both solar and wind power.
- Provide explanations (reasons) for the changes you see.
Figure 6: Long-term (2014-2019)
- Trend: Both wind and solar power output generally increased over the 5 years.
- Explanation: More wind turbines and more solar panels were built/installed in the UK.
- Detail: Wind power was lower in 2016 than 2015 because 2016 was a less windy year.
Figure 7: Typical Year (Seasonal)
- Wind Trend: Higher in winter, lower in summer.
- Wind Explanation: It is generally windier in the UK during winter months.
- Solar Trend: Higher in summer, lower in winter.
- Solar Explanation: Longer daylight hours and higher light intensity in summer.
Common Pitfalls
- Description only: Just saying "it went up" without saying "because more panels were built" limits you to Level 1 or 2.
- Ignoring the Key: Ensure you don't swap the wind and solar data. In Figure 7, the solid line (wind) peaks in winter, while the dashed line (solar) peaks in summer.
- Vague language: Avoid saying "the weather was better." Use specific terms like "light intensity" or "wind speed."
Topics
Physics · P1: Energy
Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy examination, Physics Paper 1 (Foundation), 2023. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.