Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) · PHYSICS · Unit
Energy Resources and Energy Transfers
175 practice questions
Topics covered
Practice questions
71–80 of 82 · Easy
Question 71
3 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →The demand for electricity in a country increases significantly during cold winters.
(a)[1 mark]Explain one reason for this increase.
(b)[1 mark]Name one type of power station that cannot respond quickly to increases in demand.
(c)[1 mark]Describe what the electricity grid operators do to make sure enough electricity is available at cold times.
Question 72
2 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →A table gives the start-up times for different types of power station: | Type | Start-up time | |------------------|--------------| | Nuclear | 24 hours | | Coal-fired | 6 hours | | Gas-fired | 30 minutes | | Hydroelectric | 2 minutes | Which type of power station(s) could be used to deal with a sudden demand for electricity during a football match interval? Give a reason for your answer.
Question 73
2 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →Electricity generation must match supply to demand at all times.
(a)[1 mark]Name two factors that affect the demand for electricity throughout a typical day.
(b)[1 mark]Describe one way the National Grid prepares for predictable changes in demand.
Question 74
1 mark · Easy
Answer and check →Which of the following best describes why wind farms cannot be relied on to meet sudden increases in electricity demand?
- A.They take many hours to start up.
- B.They are very expensive to run.
- C.Wind speed and direction are unpredictable.
- D.They produce dangerous waste.
Question 75
4 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →A family is deciding how to heat their new home. They can choose between installing a solar heating panel or using natural gas from the local supply.
(a)[2 marks]Describe how a solar heating panel warms water for use in a home.
(b)[2 marks]State one advantage and one disadvantage of using solar heating compared to using natural gas.
Question 76
4 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →To cope with a sudden cold snap, a country's electricity demand rises quickly in one evening.
(a)[2 marks]Name one type of power station that can respond quickly to sudden changes in demand, and one type that cannot.
(b)[2 marks]Explain with reasons why the two types of power station you named in part (a) have these responses to demand.
Question 77
4 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →A cyclist uses food energy to pedal up a hill. The food energy is measured in joules (J). Assume friction is small.
(a)[1 mark]What unit is used to measure the cyclist's mass?
(b)[1 mark]Name the energy store that increases when the cyclist is at the top of the hill.
(c)[2 marks]Suggest why not all the energy supplied to the cyclist is transferred usefully.
Question 78
4 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →A student pushes a box with a constant force of 30 N so that it moves 4 m across the floor.
(a)[1 mark]Name the unit of work done in this situation.
(b)[2 marks]Calculate the work done by the student on the box. Show your working.
(c)[1 mark]State the principle of conservation of energy as it applies to this situation.
Question 79
4 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →Solar heating panels are used to heat water in some homes.
(a)[1 mark]Name the main process by which energy from the Sun reaches the panels.
(b)[2 marks]State what colour and finish (shiny/dull) is best for the surface of the panel for maximum absorption of energy. Give a reason.
(c)[1 mark]Explain how the water inside is heated using energy from the Sun.
Question 80
4 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →A metal kettle is used to boil water for tea in a kitchen. The base of the kettle gets very hot while it is on the stove.
(a)[1 mark]Name the process by which thermal energy is transferred through the metal base of the kettle.
(b)[1 mark]State why the kettle feels hot to the touch after boiling.
(c)[1 mark]Give one way the kettle could be designed to lose less thermal energy to the surroundings.
(d)[1 mark]Which unit would you use to measure the amount of energy transferred by the kettle?