Energy resources: past paper questions

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• Question 8May/June 2026, paper 21Multiple choice1 mark

  Which pair of energy resources is derived from the process of nuclear fusion in the Sun?

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• Question 9Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Different energy resources are used to produce electricity on a small island. The chart shows the percentages of each energy resource used in 2000 and in 2024. Which row correctly describes any changes in the percentage for 2024 compared with 2000?

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• Question 9Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Students are asked for examples of water being used to store energy. Three examples are listed. 1 energy stored in water waves 2 energy stored in tides 3 energy stored in water behind dams Which examples describe water being used to store energy?

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• Question 9Oct/Nov 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Which energy resource is non-renewable?

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• Question 35May/June 2026, paper 21Multiple choice1 mark

  In which process does a large nucleus split into two smaller nuclei, each about half the size of the original nucleus?

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• Question 8Oct/Nov 2025, paper 22Multiple choice1 mark

  Which energy resource stores kinetic energy?

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• Question 9Oct/Nov 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  In a small power station, biofuel is used to generate electricity. Which energy store is reduced by this process?

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• Question 8May/June 2026, paper 22Multiple choice1 mark

  Which energy resource does not depend upon the Sun as its source of energy?

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• Question 10Oct/Nov 2025, paper 23Multiple choice1 mark

  For which energy resource is the Sun the main source?

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• Question 8Oct/Nov 2024, paper 21Multiple choice1 mark

  Which statement about the use of nuclear fuel as an energy resource is correct?

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• Question 9Oct/Nov 2023, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  Electrical power is generated from different resources. Some of these resources are listed.

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• Question 4May/June 2026, paper 31Structured12 marksHas a diagram

  A student uses an electric motor to turn a wheel, as shown in Figure 4.1. Give the name of the energy store that increases as the wheel turns faster.

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• Question 5Oct/Nov 2025, paper 33Structured10 marks

  Table 5.1 shows whether some energy resources are renewable and whether they cause air pollution when being used to generate electrical power. For each energy resource, complete Table 5.1 by writing yes or no in each space.

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• Question 8Oct/Nov 2024, paper 22Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Which row shows the process by which energy in the Sun is released, the process by which it is transferred to the Earth and a way in which it is stored once it reaches the Earth?

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• Question 37Oct/Nov 2023, paper 21Multiple choice1 mark

  Which particle is absorbed by a nucleus to cause nuclear fission?

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• Question 10May/June 2026, paper 41Structured9 marks

  Nuclear power stations use uranium as the fuel. An isotope of uranium has 92 protons and 143 neutrons in each nucleus. Complete the nuclide notation for this isotope.

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• Question 3Oct/Nov 2025, paper 41Structured9 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 3.1 shows a simplified diagram of a solar cell. Describe the energy transfer in the solar cell.

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• Question 8Oct/Nov 2024, paper 23Multiple choice1 mark

  Useful energy is obtained from different energy resources. Four examples of energy resources are listed.

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• Question 37Oct/Nov 2023, paper 22Multiple choice1 mark

  What happens in the process of nuclear fission?

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• Question 10May/June 2026, paper 42Structured8 marks

  Nuclear fission is the process used to transfer energy in a nuclear reactor in a power station. Describe the process which occurs when heavy nuclei undergo fission in a power station.

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• Question 3Oct/Nov 2025, paper 42Structured10 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 3.1 shows black solar panels installed on the roof of a house and a large rechargeable battery. The solar panels produce electricity and give a maximum power output of $3.5\text{ kW}$.

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• Question 4Oct/Nov 2024, paper 31Structured9 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 4.1 shows the energy transfers in a lamp. State the value of the wasted output energy.

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• Question 6Oct/Nov 2023, paper 31Structured9 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 6.1 shows four wind turbines. Describe how a wind turbine generates electrical power.

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• Question 3Oct/Nov 2025, paper 43Structured6 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 3.1 shows a Sankey diagram for the power transfer in a coal-fired power station. Show that the useful power output from the power station is approximately $1100\text{ MW}$.

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• Question 4Oct/Nov 2024, paper 32Structured6 marksHas a diagram

  Energy stored in the water behind hydroelectric dams is an example of a renewable energy source. (i) State what is meant by a renewable energy source.

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• Question 5Oct/Nov 2023, paper 32Structured4 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 5.1 shows a tidal turbine. A tidal turbine generates electricity from the energy stored in tides. State two advantages of using the energy stored in tides for generating electricity compared with using a coal-fired power station.

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• Question 8May/June 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Which energy resource does not contain a store of chemical energy?

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• Question 7Oct/Nov 2024, paper 33Structured8 marksHas a diagram

  Table 7.1 lists three uses of electromagnetic (e.m.) waves. Complete Table 7.1 by adding a suitable type of electromagnetic wave for each use.

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• Question 2Oct/Nov 2023, paper 33Structured7 marksHas a diagram

  A farmer uses a rope to lift a barrel of fruit from the ground to a platform, as shown in Fig. 2.1. The farmer lifts the barrel of fruit at a constant speed. State the energy store of the barrel of fruit that increases as the barrel rises.

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• Question 9May/June 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Which energy resource requires a power station with a boiler to produce steam when generating electricity?

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