Energy resources: past paper questions
Real questions on energy resources
The newest 20 of 26 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0972/31 · May/June 2026 · Q4b(ii)[2]
State two disadvantages of generating electrical power by burning fossil fuels. Ignore the costs of building and running the power station. 1 Figure 5.1 shows a hot-air balloon. A flame under the balloon heats the air in the balloon. hot-air balloon Ve flame Figure 5.1 (a) Hot air inside the balloon rises to the top of...
See it on the paper → - 0972/42 · May/June 2026 · Q10b[1]
Radiation from the Sun is not the source of energy for nuclear energy. State one other energy resource which does not have the Sun as its main source of energy.
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · October/November 2025 · Q4a(ii)[2]
The chemical energy store in the student’s body decreases as she does ‘step-up’ exercises. State the energy stores that increase as a result of energy transfers from the student’s chemical energy store. (ii)
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · October/November 2024 · Q4c[3]
The lamp uses electrical energy that is generated by a wind turbine. Fig. 4.2 shows a wind turbine. Fig. 4.2 Describe three energy transfers that take place when energy from the Sun causes electrical energy to be generated by the wind turbine. turbine blades
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · May/June 2024 · Q4a[2]
State two reasons, apart from cost, for reducing the amount of fossil fuel burned.
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · May/June 2024 · Q4b(i)[3]
Describe how a hydroelectric power station generates electrical power.
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · May/June 2024 · Q4b(ii)[2]
Hydroelectric power stations are expensive to build. State two other disadvantages of using a hydroelectric power station to generate electrical power.
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · May/June 2024 · Q4c[1]
The government plans to build some wind turbines. The government plans to store some of the electrical energy generated by the wind turbines. Suggest one method of storing the electrical energy generated by a wind turbine.
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · May/June 2023 · Q3a[3]
Statements A–F describe the main stages in the transfer of energy from the Sun to electrical energy in a wind turbine generator. The statements A–F are not in the correct order. A B C D E F Air moves from regions of high pressure to regions of low pressure. The turbine blades turn a generator. Energy from the Sun heats...
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · May/June 2023 · Q3b[2]
State two disadvantages, apart from cost, of using wind turbines to produce electrical energy for homes and industry.
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · May/June 2022 · Q5a[3]
Describe how a wind turbine generates electricity from energy in the wind.
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · May/June 2022 · Q5b[2]
Apart from cost, state two advantages of generating electricity using wind turbines compared with using a power station that burns coal. 1. 2.
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · May/June 2022 · Q5c[2]
Apart from cost, state two disadvantages of generating electricity using wind turbines compared with using a power station that burns coal. 1. 2.
See it on the paper → - 0972/42 · May/June 2022 · Q1c[2]
Consider this bicycle compared to a small motorcycle. State two environmental benefits of the electrically powered bicycle. 1. 2.
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · May/June 2021 · Q4c[2]
Apart from cost and efficiency, give two other reasons for not building a coal-fired power station. 1. 2.
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · May/June 2021 · Q9c[2]
Nuclear fusion in the Sun is the source of most but not all of the resources that are used to generate electrical energy on Earth. State two resources for which nuclear fusion in the Sun is not the source. 1. 2.
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · October/November 2020 · Q4a[3]
The main stages in the operation of a coal-fired power station are listed below. They are not in the correct order. A B C D E F G The boiler produces steam. The turbine turns a generator. Thermal energy transfers to water in a boiler. Chemical energy in coal transfers to thermal energy. The generator produces electrica...
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · October/November 2020 · Q4b[2]
Some people are against the use of coal-fired power stations. Give two environmental problems caused by coal-fired power stations. 1. 2.
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · October/November 2020 · Q4c(i)[1]
the work done on each kilogram of coal
See it on the paper → - 0972/42 · May/June 2020 · Q3b[4]
State and explain one advantage and one disadvantage of heating the water in a solar panel compared with heating the water in a coal-burning boiler. advantage explanation disadvantage explanation
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Most candidates showed a wide knowledge base for this question, but they were not always able to express themselves with sufficient precision. For example, many candidates stated that pollution was a problem rather than being specific and answering, ‘air pollution’. General or vague answers about damaging the environment or endangering wildlife were insufficient for credit.
— Examiner report, May/June 2024, 0972/31 Q4(a) (Cambridge)
Many candidates gave several good points about how a hydroelectric power station generates electricity and gave good coherent descriptions. However, it appears that many candidates had a detailed knowledge of one renewable means of generating electricity and one non-renewable method. These candidates tended to give a standard answer regardless of which type of power station was asked for. Therefor...
— Examiner report, May/June 2024, 0972/31 Q4(b)(i) (Cambridge)
Many candidates gave valid disadvantages of building a hydroelectric scheme. However, many answers were lacking in detail. For example, candidates said that it “depends on weather” rather than them needing rain.
— Examiner report, May/June 2024, 0972/31 Q4(b)(ii) (Cambridge)
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