C4.2.11—Energy pyramids
Energy pyramids explains how energy flow, matter cycling, trophic transfer or carbon movement is represented, measured or limited within ecosystems.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2025
- Objective
- C4.2.11
- Level
- HL
Exam analysis
Chance of appearing10%of analysed past papers
Latest appearanceNovember 2025
Most common paperPaper1
Typical marks1–3
Common command terms
- Identify
- Label
- Explain
- Describe
- Outline
- State
- Draw
- Discuss
- Sketch
Scoring notes
- Common mistake
- Reversing food-web arrows instead of showing energy transfer direction.
Recent exam appearances
November 2025Paper1A ["HL"] · TZ337[ 1 ]C4.2.11—Energy pyramids
May 2023Paper3 ["HL"] · TZ115(c)[ 1 ]C4.2.11—Energy pyramids
May 2023Paper3 ["HL"] · TZ115(b)[ 2 ]C4.2.11—Energy pyramids
May 2022Paper1 ["HL"] · TZ114[ 1 ]C4.2.11—Energy pyramids
November 2021Paper1 ["HL"] · TZ014[ 1 ]C4.2.11—Energy pyramids
Practice this objective
Coverage 2012–2025 · Updated 16 Jul 2026
Concept essentials
- Energy pyramids must be linked to the correct source, store, transfer or loss process.
- The evidence for energy pyramids depends on distinguishing energy flow from matter cycling.
- Energy pyramids is clearer when arrows, units and trophic positions match the biological process.
- Data or diagrams for energy pyramids need interpretation as ecosystem transfer evidence.