AQA GCSE Physics Physics Paper 1 (Foundation), June 2024: Question 9
10 marks · Standard Demand difficulty · Short Answer
Compare the advantages and disadvantages of two methods of storing energy from wind turbines, including calculations, and explain ways to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from transport and electricity generation.
Practise this questionQuestion
Question text
09 Figure 16 shows a wind turbine.
Figure 16
Wind turbines may generate electricity when the electricity is not needed.
Two methods that can be used to store the energy from the turbine are:
Method A: Heating water to a high temperature.
Method B: Pumping water uphill into a reservoir.
09.1 Which energy store increases when water is heated?
[1 mark]
09.2 Which energy store increases when water is pumped uphill into a reservoir?
[1 mark]
09.3 Table 4 shows information about the two methods of storing energy.
Table 4
Energy stored Percentage of
Method per 100 kg of stored energy Installation
*38* water in kJ wasted
A: Increasing water
33 600 40% Anywhere
temperature by 80 °C
B: Pumping water uphill to High
490 25%
a height of 500 m mountains
Compare the advantages and disadvantages of the two methods of storing energy.
Include calculations in your answer.
[4 marks]
09.4 Decreasing the amount of carbon dioxide released by different activities will help slow
down climate change.
Transport and generating electricity are the two activities that released the largest
amounts of carbon dioxide in the UK in 2018.
Explain one change that would reduce the amount of carbon dioxide released
by each activity.
[4 marks]
Transport
Generating electricity
Mark scheme
Show the mark scheme
Question 9
AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.
09.1 thermal / internal (energy) ignore heat 1 AO1
or 4.1.1.1
kinetic (energy of the water allow Ek 4.3.2.1
particles)
AO /
Spec. Ref.
09.2 gravitational potential (energy) allow Ep / GPE 1 AO1
allow kinetic / Ek 4.1.1.1
AO /
Question Answers Mark
Spec. Ref.
09.3 Level 2: Scientifically relevant features are identified; the way(s) in 3–4 AO3
which they are similar / different is made clear and (where 4.1.1.1
appropriate) the magnitude of the similarity / difference is noted. 4.3.2.1
4.1.1.2
Level 1: Relevant features are identified and differences noted. 1–2 4.1.2.2
4.1.3
No relevant content 0
Indicative content
Method A:
• heated water needs insulating (to maintain high temperature)
• energy stored by heating water is much greater (per 100 kg)
• useful energy from heating 100 kg of water = 20 160 (kJ)
• energy wasted (per 100 kg) = 13 440 (kJ)
• efficiency = 60 %
Method B:
• suitable location needed to pump water uphill
• pumping water efficiency is higher
• useful energy from pumping 100 kg of water = 367.5 (kJ)
• energy wasted (per 100kg) = 122.5 (kJ)
• efficiency = 75 %
A level 2 answer should use the data in a relevant calculation– that – –
compares the two methods.
AO /
Spec. Ref.
09.4 Transport examples: AO3
don’t use (petrol / diesel) cars allow don’t use other transport 1 4.1.3
(for transport) methods e.g. (diesel) buses
or
don’t burn petrol / diesel (for allow fossil fuels for petrol /
transport) diesel
(instead) use electric cars 1
or
(instead) use hydrogen-fuelled
cars
or
(instead) use a bicycle
or
(instead) use public transport
or
(instead) walk
Generating Electricity
examples:
don’t use coal / oil / gas (to allow fossil fuels for coal / oil / 1
generate electricity) gas
(instead) use renewable allow specific examples of 1
methods renewable energy resources
or
(instead) use nuclear power
OR
don’t use (electrical) appliances allow specific examples
when not needed e.g. lights
to reduce the demand for allow fossil fuels for coal / oil /
electricity (generated) using coal gas
/ oil / gas
accept other reasonable
changes with valid alternative
for 2 marks each
Total Question 9 10
How to answer it
Energy Storage Methods and Climate Change Solutions
What this question tests
This question assesses your knowledge of energy stores, efficiency calculations, comparative data analysis (extended response), and practical ways to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. You will need to recall energy store definitions, perform multi-step calculations using table data, and structure clear scientific comparisons.
Part 09.1: Energy Stores (Heating Water)
Question: Which energy store increases when water is heated? [1 mark]
✅ Correct Answer
thermal (or internal) energy (or kinetic energy of the water particles)
💡 Key Knowledge
- Heating a substance transfers energy into its thermal energy store (often accepted as internal energy).
- At a particle level, heating increases the kinetic and potential energy of the particles making up the substance.
❌ Common Errors
Writing just "heat". The mark scheme explicitly states ignore heat because heat is a process of energy transfer, not an energy store.
Part 09.2: Energy Stores (Pumped Storage)
Question: Which energy store increases when water is pumped uphill into a reservoir? [1 mark]
✅ Correct Answer
gravitational potential (energy)
💡 Key Knowledge
Lifting an object higher against gravity increases its gravitational potential energy (GPE / Eₚ) store due to its change in vertical height.
🧠 Exam Technique
Use standard physics terminology. Abbreviations like Eₚ or GPE are accepted, but writing out the full term avoids any ambiguity.
Part 09.3: Comparing Energy Storage Methods (Extended Response)
Question: Compare the advantages and disadvantages of the two methods of storing energy. Include calculations in your answer. [4 marks]
✅ Expected Student Response (Level 2 Example)
Method A stores much more energy per 100 kg (33 600 kJ compared to 490 kJ for Method B). However, Method B has a higher efficiency (75% compared to 60% for Method A, meaning Method A wastes 40% while Method B wastes 25%). In terms of location, Method B requires high mountains, whereas Method A can be installed anywhere. However, Method A's heated water would require insulation to prevent heat loss over time.
📐 Step-by-Step Calculations
- Method A Useful Energy: 33 600 × (60 / 100) = 20 160 kJ (Wasted: 13 440 kJ)
- Method B Useful Energy: 490 × (75 / 100) = 367.5 kJ (Wasted: 122.5 kJ)
- Efficiency Comparison: Method B is more efficient (75% vs 60%).
🧠 Exam Technique (Level Control)
- Level 1 (1–2 marks): Identifies relevant features and notes differences (e.g., numbers are different, locations differ).
- Level 2 (3–4 marks): Scientifically relevant features are identified, similarities/differences are clear, and calculations using the table data are successfully integrated to compare the methods.
Part 09.4: Reducing Carbon Dioxide Emissions
Question: Explain one change that would reduce the amount of carbon dioxide released by each activity (Transport and Generating Electricity). [4 marks]
✅ Correct Answers & Marking Points
Transport (2 marks):
- Idea 1: Don't use petrol/diesel cars (or don't burn fossil fuels for transport). [1 mark]
- Idea 2: Use electric cars, hydrogen-fueled cars, bicycles, public transport, or walking. [1 mark]
Generating Electricity (2 marks):
- Idea 1: Don't use coal, oil, or gas to generate electricity. [1 mark]
- Idea 2: Use renewable methods (solar, wind, hydroelectric) or nuclear power, OR reduce electrical appliance use to lower demand. [1 mark]
❌ Common Errors & Pitfalls
- Vague answers like "use less energy" without specifying how or linking it to transport/electricity generation.
- Forgetting to explain the mechanism (e.g., stating "use electric cars" achieves the mark because electric motors don't burn fossil fuels directly, but make sure to explicitly state the shift away from fossil fuels).
Topics
Physics · P1: Energy
Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Physics examination, Physics Paper 1 (Foundation), June 2024. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.