AQA GCSE Physics Physics Paper 1 (Foundation), June 2022: Question 7
11 marks · Standard Demand difficulty · Short Answer
Identify renewable and non-renewable energy resources, complete sentences about transformers and the National Grid, recall the charge flow equation, and calculate charge flow given current and time.
Practise this questionQuestion
Question text
07 Figure 8 shows how electricity is supplied to consumers.
Figure 8
07.1 Electricity from the power station can be generated using renewable or non-renewable
energy resources.
Complete Table 2 to show which energy resources are renewable and which are
non-renewable.
[2 marks]
Tick ( ) one box in each row.
Table 2
Energy resource Renewable Non-renewable
biofuel
coal
nuclear
tides 22
07.2 Transformers are used to make power transmission an efficient process.
Complete the sentences.
Choose answers from the box.
Each answer may be used once, more than once or not at all.
[4 marks]
charge current energy
potential difference resistance
The step-up transformer increases the and
decreases the .
Using the transformers decreases the
transfer from the overhead transmission cables to the surroundings.
The step-down transformer decreases the .
Use the Physics Equations Sheet to answer questions 07.3 and 07.4.
07.3 Write down the equation which links charge flow (Q), current (I) and time (t).
[1 mark]
07.4 The town of Hornsdale in Australia has electricity supplied by a huge battery.
The battery supplies a current of 130 000 A.
Calculate the charge flow from the battery in 5 minutes.
Choose the unit from the box.
[4 marks]
coulombs newtons watts
Charge flow = Unit
Mark scheme
Show the mark scheme
Question 7
AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.
07.1 2 AO1
4.1.3
4 correct scores 2 marks
3 correct scores 1 mark
AO /
Spec. Ref.
07.2 potential difference this order only 1 AO1
allow p.d. 4.2.4.3
current 1
energy 1
potential difference 1
AO /
Spec. Ref.
07.3 charge flow = current × time 1 AO1
or 4.2.1.2
Q = It – HYSICS – –
AO /
Spec. Ref.
07.4 t = 300 (s) 1 AO2
Q = 130 000 × 300 allow a correct substitution using 1 AO2
an incorrectly / not converted
value of t
AO2
Q = 39 000 000 allow a correct calculation using 1
or an incorrectly / not converted
Q = 3.9 × 107 value of t
AO1
coulombs / C 1
4.2.1.2
Total Question 7 11
How to answer it
Electricity Supply, Transformers and Charge Calculations
What this question tests
This question assesses your knowledge of energy resources (renewable vs. non-renewable), the function of step-up and step-down transformers in the National Grid, electricity equations, and multi-step calculation skills including unit conversion (time to seconds) and standard form.
Energy Resources
✅ Correct Answers
- biofuel: Renewable
- coal: Non-renewable
- nuclear: Non-renewable
- tides: Renewable
💡 Key Knowledge
- Renewable: Can be replenished as fast as (or faster than) it is used up.
- Non-renewable: Finite resources that will eventually run out (fossil fuels and nuclear fuel like uranium).
The National Grid & Transformers
✅ Correct Answers
- The step-up transformer increases the potential difference and decreases the current .
- Using the transformers decreases the energy transfer from the overhead transmission cables to the surroundings.
- The step-down transformer decreases the potential difference .
❌ Common Errors
Students frequently confuse current with charge or potential difference with resistance. Remember: step-up transformers boost voltage to lower the current, reducing thermal energy loss through the cables.
Equation for Charge Flow
✅ Correct Answers
Accept either word or symbol equation:
charge flow = current × time
or
Q = I × t
🧠 Exam Technique
Always learn standard physics equations and their accepted abbreviations word-for-word from the equation sheet. Standard symbols ( Q , I , t ) are universally accepted.
Calculating Charge Flow
📐 Step-by-Step Calculation
- Convert time to seconds:
5 minutes = 5 × 60 = 300 s - Substitute values into the equation:
Q = 130 000 A × 300 s - Calculate final value:
Q = 39 000 000 C (or 3.9 × 10⁷ C ) - Select correct unit:
coulombs (from the given box)
❌ Common Calculation Traps
- Unit conversion failure: Forgetting to multiply minutes by 60 and using t = 5 directly. (Note: The mark scheme allows ecf - error carried forward - if substitution used un-converted time, but full marks require seconds!).
- Choosing the wrong unit: Selecting 'watts' or 'newtons' instead of 'coulombs' for charge flow.
Topics
Physics · P1: Energy · P2: Electricity · P7: Magnetism and Electromagnetism
Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Physics examination, Physics Paper 1 (Foundation), June 2022. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.