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Edexcel IGCSE Physics D Energy Resources and Electricity Generation Questions

Practise explaining how power stations transfer energy, compare renewable and non-renewable resources, and calculate outputs from graphs or data.

Syllabus
First assessment 2019
Course
Physics 4PH1

Exam points

  • describe energy-store changes through turbines, generators and electrical output
  • compare resource choices using reliability, pollution, location limits and waste
  • calculate power output from resource data, percentages or graph readings

Covered syllabus points

4.18P Electricity generation transfers4.19P Large-scale electricity production

Question 1

[Maximum number: 7]

Question (a)

(a)

The diagram shows a fossil fuel power station.
Five stages of electricity generation and transmission are shown.

Figure for Question (a) — Edexcel IGCSE Physics
[ 3 ]

Question (i)

(i)

The power station burns a fossil fuel in the furnace.

Give an example of a fossil fuel.

[ 1 ]

Question (ii)

(ii)

Which stage of the power station transfers energy from a chemical store to a thermal store?

A

condenser

B

furnace and boiler

C

generator

D

turbines

[ 1 ]

Question (iii)

(iii)

Which stage of the power station transfers energy electrically from a kinetic energy store?

A

condenser

B

furnace and boiler

C

generator

D

turbines

[ 1 ]

Question (b)

(b)

Electricity can also be generated by solar farms.

Figure for Question (b) — Edexcel IGCSE Physics

Energy is transferred from the Sun to the solar farm by radiation.
The solar farm uses photovoltaic cells to transfer this energy electrically.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of generating electricity using solar farms.

[ 4 ]

Question 2

[Maximum number: 7]

Question (a)

(a)

The table lists four methods of generating electricity and four energy stores.

Table for Question (a) — Edexcel IGCSE Physics

The energy store of the initial energy resource decreases when electricity is being generated.

[ 5 ]

Question (i)

(i)

Complete the table by placing one tick (✓)(\checkmark) in each row to show which energy store decreases.

[ 4 ]

Question (ii)

(ii)

State which method of generating electricity in the table does not use a renewable energy resource.

[ 1 ]

Question (b)

(b)

State two disadvantages of using wind turbines to generate electricity.

1. ............
2. ............

[ 2 ]

Question 3

[Maximum number: 10]

A hydroelectric power (HEP) station generates electricity from renewable energy resources.

Question (a)

(a)

State what is meant by the term renewable energy resource.

[ 1 ]

Question (b)

(b)

The diagram shows the design of a HEP station.

Figure for Question (b) — Edexcel IGCSE Physics

Water flows from the upper lake to the lower lake through the turbine.
The turbine is connected to a generator, which generates electricity.
Describe the energy transfers involved in generating electricity in the HEP station.

[ 4 ]

Question (c)

(c)

The HEP station is located near a large wind farm.

[ 5 ]

Question (i)

(i)

Give one advantage of generating electricity using the HEP station rather than the wind farm.

[ 1 ]

Question (ii)

(ii)

Give one disadvantage of generating electricity using the HEP station rather than the wind farm.

[ 1 ]

Question (iii)

(iii)

The HEP station has an electric pump that can pump water from the lower lake back to the upper lake.

The pump can be powered using electricity generated by the wind farm.
Explain how the HEP station and wind farm can be used together to maximise the effectiveness of generating electricity.

[ 3 ]

Question 4

[Maximum number: 4]

Electricity can also be generated by solar farms.

Figure for Question 4 — Edexcel IGCSE Physics

Energy is transferred from the Sun to the solar farm by radiation.
The solar farm uses photovoltaic cells to transfer this energy electrically.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of generating electricity using solar farms.

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