AQA GCSE Physics Physics Paper 1 (Higher), June 2025: Question 1

12 marks · Standard Demand difficulty · Short Answer

Compare renewable and non-renewable energy resources, calculate the volume of seawater passing through a tidal turbine using the density equation, and evaluate wind versus tidal turbines using graphical data.

Practise this question

Question

Question 1 contains 5 sub-questions. 01.1 asks to describe the difference between renewable and non-renewable energy resources. Figure 1 illustrates an underwater tidal turbine anchored to the seabed. 01.2 asks for the equation linking density, mass, and volume. 01.3 provides a mass of 824 000 kg and density of 1030 kg/m³ to calculate volume. Figure 2 shows a graph of power output in kW versus flow speed in m/s comparing a tidal turbine (solid line) and a wind turbine (dashed line). 01.4 asks for two conclusions from Figure 2. Figure 3 shows a diagram comparing a 100 m diameter wind turbine on land next to a house with a 10 m diameter tidal turbine underwater. 01.5 asks to compare their environmental impacts.

Mark scheme

Show the mark scheme Mark scheme for Question 1: 01.1 awards 1 mark for renewable being replenished as used, and 1 mark for non-renewable being finite. 01.2 awards 1 mark for density = mass / volume. 01.3 gives 1 mark for substitution (1030 = 824000 / V), 1 mark for rearrangement (V = 824000 / 1030), and 1 mark for 800 m³. 01.4 awards 2 marks for any two comparative conclusions from the graph. 01.5 uses a 2-level scheme (3-4 marks for Level 2, 1-2 marks for Level 1) comparing size, visual pollution, underwater visibility, noise pollution, materials needed, and wildlife harm.

How to answer it

Energy Resources, Density & Turbines

📋 What this question tests

  • Recall & Definitions: Defining renewable vs non-renewable resources using standard AQA terminology.
  • Equation Recall & Application: The relationship between density, mass, and volume ( ρ = m / V ) and algebraic rearrangement.
  • Data & Graph Analysis: Interpreting non-linear comparative graph data between wind and tidal generation.
  • Extended Evaluation: Comparing the environmental impacts of engineering structures using provided scale diagrams.
Question 01.1 • 2 Marks

Renewable vs Non-Renewable Resources

Distinguishing resource types by their replenishing ability

✅ Mark Scheme Model Answer

  • Renewable: An energy resource that is replenished (as it is used). [1 mark]
  • Non-renewable: An energy resource that is finite (will eventually run out). [1 mark]

🧠 Exam Technique

AQA has strict vocabulary requirements here:

  • Use the word "replenished" (or "replaced") for renewable.
  • Use the word "finite" for non-renewable.
  • Always address both terms clearly in separate sentences.

❌ Common Errors & Examiner Traps

  • Vague descriptions: Saying renewables "can be reused" or "recycled" gets 0 marks. Energy itself cannot be reused.
  • Do not write "it will not run out" or "it has an infinite supply" — the mark scheme explicitly says to ignore these phrases.
  • Confusing environmental impact with definition (e.g. saying "renewable means clean / no pollution" gets 0 marks).
Mark distribution: 1 mark for accurately defining renewable; 1 mark for accurately defining non-renewable.
Question 01.2 • 1 Mark

Density Equation Recall

Linking density, mass, and volume

✅ Correct Answer

density = mass / volume
or in symbols:
ρ = m / V

💡 Key Knowledge

  • ρ (rho): Density in kilograms per cubic metre (kg/m³)
  • m: Mass in kilograms (kg)
  • V: Volume in cubic metres (m³)
Mark distribution: 1 mark for stating the correct relationship in words or recognized symbols.
Question 01.3 • 3 Marks

Calculating Seawater Volume

Rearranging the density equation with large numerical values

📐 Step-by-Step Calculation

  1. Substitute values into equation:
    1030 = 824 000 / V [1 mark]
  2. Rearrange to solve for V:
    V = 824 000 / 1030 [1 mark]
  3. Calculate final answer:
    V = 800 m³ [1 mark]

❌ Common Calculation Traps

  • Rearrangement slip: Multiplying instead of dividing ( 824 000 × 1030 ). Always substitute numbers into the formula first before rearranging to secure working marks.
  • Division order: Dividing density by mass ( 1030 / 824 000 ) which gives a tiny decimal ( 0.00125 ).
Mark distribution: Mark 1: Substitution | Mark 2: Correct rearrangement | Mark 3: Correct answer (800).
Question 01.4 • 2 Marks

Comparing Turbine Performance (Graph Analysis)

Drawing valid comparative conclusions from Figure 2

✅ Acceptable Conclusions (Choose Any Two)

  • At very low flow speeds (below 0.25 m/s) there is no power output for either turbine.
  • Tidal power output is always greater than wind power output at the same flow speed (above 0.25 m/s).
  • A change in flow speed produces a much bigger increase in tidal power output than in wind power output.
  • There is a non-linear (or curved) relationship between flow speed and power output.
  • Wind power requires a higher flow speed to generate the same power output as tidal.

🧠 Exam Technique

  • The prompt already states: "As flow speed increases, power output increases." Do not repeat this general trend!
  • Focus on differences between the two curves: steepness, power values at matching speeds, or start points.

❌ What Examiners Rejected

  • "Flow speed of tidal is less than flow speed of wind": This discusses the medium, not what the graph shows about turbine output.
  • "Tidal is more efficient / more reliable": Figure 2 plots power output against flow speed only. Efficiency and reliability cannot be determined from this graph alone.
Mark distribution: 1 mark for each valid, distinct conclusion drawn from Figure 2 (maximum 2 marks).
Question 01.5 • 4 Marks

Environmental Impacts: Wind vs. Tidal

Extended response comparing visual, acoustic, and ecological impacts

💡 Indicative Marking Points

  • Visual impact: Wind turbines are very tall (100 m diameter) and cause visual pollution above ground; tidal turbines are submerged underwater and hidden from view.
  • Noise pollution: Wind turbines produce audible noise in air near homes; tidal turbines operate underwater where sound is less likely to disturb human populations.
  • Wildlife hazards: Wind turbine blades pose a collision risk to flying birds; tidal turbine rotors can pose a hazard to marine life / fish.
  • Size & Materials: Wind turbines are vastly larger, requiring more raw materials to construct per unit compared to the compact 10 m tidal turbine.

🧠 How to Secure Level 2 (3–4 Marks)

  • Balanced comparison: You must discuss both wind and tidal turbines.
  • Direct linking: Connect physical features from Figure 3 (e.g. 100 m vs 10 m, underwater vs above ground next to houses) directly to the specific environmental consequence.
  • Clear structure: Write contrasting sentences using comparative words like "whereas", "in contrast", or "on the other hand".

❌ Common Misconceptions

  • Claiming either turbine produces greenhouse gases or causes acid rain during operation — both generate zero direct emissions!
  • Only writing about wind turbines without mentioning tidal (caps the mark at Level 1).
  • Simply stating sizes without linking them to environmental effects (e.g. visual intrusion or habitat impact).
Levels of Response:
• Level 2 (3–4 marks): Relevant points identified, given in detail, and logically linked to form a balanced comparative account.
• Level 1 (1–2 marks): Points stated simply without clear relevance or logical linking between the two turbines.

Topics

Physics · P1: Energy · P3: Particle Model of Matter

Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Physics examination, Physics Paper 1 (Higher), June 2025. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.