AQA GCSE Physics Physics Paper 1 (Higher), June 2024: Question 1

10 marks · Standard Demand difficulty · Extended Answer

Compare the advantages and disadvantages of two methods of storing energy from wind turbines (heating water vs pumping water uphill) using data, identify energy stores, and explain changes to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Practise this question

Question

Figure 1 shows a wind turbine. Below it, text describes two methods of storing energy from turbines: Method A (heating water) and Method B (pumping water uphill). Questions 01.1 and 01.2 ask which energy store increases for each method. Question 01.3 provides Table 1 with columns for Method, Energy stored per 100 kg of water in kJ, Percentage of stored energy wasted, and Installation, requiring a comparison of advantages and disadvantages including calculations. Question 01.4 asks to explain changes to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from transport and generating electricity.
Question text

01 Figure 1 shows a wind turbine.

Figure 1

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.

01.1 Which energy store increases when water is heated?

[1 mark]

01.2 Which energy store increases when water is pumped uphill into a reservoir?

[1 mark]

01.3 Table 1 shows information about the two methods of storing energy.

Table 1

Energy stored Percentage of

Method per 100 kg of stored energy Installation

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]

01.4 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 The mark scheme provides acceptable answers for questions 01.1 through 01.4. For 01.1 and 01.2, it accepts thermal/internal or kinetic energy and gravitational potential energy. For 01.3, it outlines a level-based response grid for comparing methods using calculations of useful/wasted energy and efficiency. For 01.4, it lists examples of transport and electricity generation changes that reduce CO2 emissions.

Question 1

AO /

Question Answers Extra information Mark

Spec. Ref.

01.1 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.

01.2 gravitational potential (energy) allow Ep / GPE 1 AO1

allow kinetic / Ek 4.1.1.1

AO /

Question Answers Mark

Spec. Ref.

01.3 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.

01.4 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 / 7

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 1 10

How to answer it

Study Guide: Wind Turbines & Energy Storage

📌 What this question tests

This question assesses your understanding of energy stores (thermal and gravitational potential), efficiency calculations from tabulated data, evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of different energy storage methods, and analyzing environmental impacts related to reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

Part (01.1): Energy Stores (Heating Water)

Which energy store increases when water is heated? [1 mark]

✅ Correct Answer

Thermal energy (or internal energy / kinetic energy of the water particles).

💡 Key Knowledge

When an object is heated, energy is transferred to its thermal energy store, increasing the kinetic and potential energy of the particles making up the substance.

Mark scheme note: "Heat" on its own is rejected by examiners. You must refer to the thermal or internal energy store.

Part (01.2): Energy Stores (Pumping Water Uphill)

Which energy store increases when water is pumped uphill into a reservoir? [1 mark]

✅ Correct Answer

Gravitational potential energy (allow E_p or GPE ).

💡 Key Knowledge

Lifting an object against gravity increases its gravitational potential energy store. The amount stored depends on mass, gravitational field strength, and height change ( E_p = m g h ).

Part (01.3): Comparing Energy Storage Methods (Extended Response)

Compare the advantages and disadvantages of the two methods of storing energy. Include calculations in your answer. [4 marks]

✅ Correct Answers & Key Points

  • Method A Efficiency: 100% - 40% wasted = 60% efficient. Useful energy = 20,160 kJ per 100 kg. Wasted energy = 13,440 kJ.
  • Method B Efficiency: 100% - 25% wasted = 75% efficient. Useful energy = 367.5 kJ per 100 kg. Wasted energy = 122.5 kJ.
  • Advantage of A: Stores significantly more energy per 100 kg (33,600 kJ vs 490 kJ) and can be installed anywhere.
  • Advantage of B: Higher percentage efficiency (75% vs 60%) and wastes less energy proportionally.
  • Disadvantage of B: Requires specific, mountainous locations and stores very little energy per 100 kg.

📐 Step-by-Step Calculations

Method A Calculations:

  1. Efficiency = 100% - 40% = 60%
  2. Useful energy = 60% of 33,600 = 20,160 kJ
  3. Wasted energy = 40% of 33,600 = 13,440 kJ

Method B Calculations:

  1. Efficiency = 100% - 25% = 75%
  2. Useful energy = 75% of 490 = 367.5 kJ
  3. Wasted energy = 25% of 490 = 122.5 kJ

🧠 Exam Technique (Level of Response)

To hit Level 2 (3–4 marks), you must link qualitative comparisons (advantages/disadvantages like location and energy density) with quantitative data (calculated useful energy or efficiencies) from the table. Vague statements like "Method A is better because it stores more" without numbers will cap your mark at Level 1.

❌ Common Errors

  • Stating percentage wasted directly as efficiency (forgetting to subtract from 100%).
  • Comparing absolute total energy values without noting they are per 100 kg.
  • Failing to include any calculations, which instantly restricts access to top marks.

Part (01.4): Reducing Carbon Dioxide Emissions

Explain one change that would reduce the amount of carbon dioxide released by each activity (Transport & Generating Electricity). [4 marks]

✅ Correct Answers

Transport:

  • Do not use petrol/diesel cars; instead use electric cars, hydrogen-fuelled cars, bicycles, or public transport / walking.
  • Explanation: Electric/hydrogen cars do not burn fossil fuels directly, or walking/cycling completely eliminates fossil fuel consumption for travel.

Generating Electricity:

  • Do not use coal, oil, or gas; instead use renewable energy sources (wind, solar, hydroelectric) or nuclear power.
  • Explanation: Renewables and nuclear do not release carbon dioxide during operation, unlike burning fossil fuels.

🧠 Exam Technique & Examiner Guidance

Each activity requires a 2-mark response: 1 mark for stating a valid alternative method, and 1 mark for explaining why it reduces carbon dioxide emissions (e.g., linking it back to not burning fossil fuels). Make sure you answer for both transport and electricity generation separately.

Topics

Physics · P1: Energy

Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Physics examination, Physics Paper 1 (Higher), June 2024. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.