8.

1 Energy Sources [25 marks]

1. [Maximum mark: 1] 22M.1.SL.TZ1.28

Wind of speed v flows through a wind generator. The wind speed drops to
v

3
after passing through the blades. What is the maximum possible
efficiency of the generator?

A.   1

27

B.   8

27

C.   19

27

D.   26

27
[1]

Markscheme

Examiners report

Both HL and SL candidates found this question more challenging, with the
large majority of candidates split between the three incorrect options.
Option A was the most frequent (incorrect) answer, suggesting that
candidates had correctly determined the proportion lost rather than that
remaining to produce energy. Candidates should be reminded to consider
whether or not their quantitative solutions are realistic; it is highly unlikely
that a generator would have maximum efficiency of 1/27 (option A).
2. [Maximum mark: 1] 22M.1.SL.TZ2.29
Photovoltaic cells and solar heating panels are used to transfer the
electromagnetic energy of the Sun’s rays into other forms of energy. What is
the form of energy into which solar energy is transferred in photovoltaic
cells and solar heating panels?

[1]

Markscheme

A
3. [Maximum mark: 1] 22M.1.SL.TZ2.30
The Sankey diagrams for a filament lamp and for an LED bulb are shown
below.

What is the efficiency of the filament lamp and the LED bulb?

[1]

Markscheme

A
4. [Maximum mark: 1] 21N.1.SL.TZ0.28
A fuel has mass density ρ and energy density u. What mass of the fuel has to
be burned to release thermal energy E ?

ρE
A.   u

B.   uE

ρu
C.   E

D.  ρuE [1]

Markscheme

A
5. [Maximum mark: 1] 21N.1.SL.TZ0.29
The Sankey diagram shows the energy transfers in a nuclear power station.

Electrical power output of the power station is 1000 MW.

What is the thermal power loss in the heat exchanger?

A.  500 MW

B.  1000 MW

C.  1500 MW

D.  2500 MW [1]

Markscheme

B
6. [Maximum mark: 1] 21M.1.SL.TZ1.28
Which change produces the largest percentage increase in the maximum
theoretical power output of a wind turbine?

A. Doubling the area of the blades

B. Doubling the density of the fluid

C. Doubling the radius of the blades

D. Doubling the speed of the fluid [1]

Markscheme

7. [Maximum mark: 1] 20N.1.SL.TZ0.24

What are the principal roles of a moderator and of a control rod in a thermal
nuclear reactor?

[1]

Markscheme

C
8. [Maximum mark: 1] 20N.1.SL.TZ0.25
A nuclear power station contains an alternating current generator. What
energy transfer is performed by the generator?

A.  Electrical to kinetic

B.  Kinetic to electrical

C.  Nuclear to kinetic

D.  Nuclear to electrical [1]

Markscheme

9. [Maximum mark: 1] 19N.1.SL.TZ0.28

What are the units of specific energy and energy density?

[1]

Markscheme

B
10. [Maximum mark: 1] 19N.1.SL.TZ0.29
What is the function of the moderator in a thermal nuclear fission reactor?

A. To decrease the kinetic energy of neutrons emitted from fission reactions

B. To increase the kinetic energy of neutrons emitted from fission reactions

C. To decrease the overall number of neutrons available for fission

D. To increase the overall number of neutrons available for fission [1]

Markscheme

11. [Maximum mark: 1] 19M.1.SL.TZ1.30

Most power stations rely on a turbine and a generator to produce electrical
energy. Which power station works on a different principle?

A. Nuclear

B. Solar

C. Fossil fuel

D. Wind [1]

Markscheme

B
12. [Maximum mark: 1] 19M.1.SL.TZ2.28
A neutron collides head-on with a stationary atom in the moderator of a
nuclear power station. The kinetic energy of the neutron changes as a result.
There is also a change in the probability that this neutron can cause nuclear
fission.

What are these changes?

[1]

Markscheme

B
13. [Maximum mark: 1] 19M.1.SL.TZ2.29
Three methods for the production of electrical energy are

I. wind turbine

II. photovoltaic cell

III. fossil fuel power station.

Which methods involve the use of a primary energy source?

A. I and II only

B. I and III only

C. II and III only

D. I, II and III [1]

Markscheme

Examiners report

This question seems to have prompted some discussion among teachers

and slightly more candidates chose response A than the others. Primary
energy is defined as coming from a natural resource so whereas fossil fuels
are non-renewable they are a primary energy resource. Also, a photovoltaic
cell produces electricity, defined as a secondary energy source from a
primary energy source, the sun. The clue is given in the question ‘involve
the USE of a primary energy source’.
14. [Maximum mark: 1] 18N.1.SL.TZ0.28
What is the function of control rods in a nuclear power plant?

A.   To slow neutrons down

B.   To regulate fuel supply

C.   To exchange thermal energy

D.   To regulate the reaction rate [1]

Markscheme

D
15. [Maximum mark: 1] 18N.1.SL.TZ0.29
A photovoltaic panel of area S has an efficiency of 20 %. A second
photovoltaic panel has an efficiency of 15 %. What is the area of the second
panel so that both panels produce the same power under the same
conditions?

A.    S

B.    3S

C.    5S

D.    4S

3
[1]

Markscheme

16. [Maximum mark: 1] 18M.1.SL.TZ1.28

specific energy of a fuel
What is equivalent to  energy density of a fuel
?

A.     density of the fuel

B.      1

density of the fuel

energy stored in the fuel

C.      density of the fuel

density of the fuel

D.      energy stored in the fuel
[1]

Markscheme

B
17. [Maximum mark: 1] 18M.1.SL.TZ1.29
Three energy sources for power stations are

       I.     fossil fuel

       II.     pumped water storage

       III.     nuclear fuel.

Which energy sources are primary sources?

A.     I and II only

B.     I and III only

C.     II and III only

D.     I, II and III  [1]

Markscheme

B
18. [Maximum mark: 1] 18M.1.SL.TZ2.28
A wind turbine has a power output p when the wind speed is v. The
efficiency of the wind turbine does not change. What is the wind speed at
p
which the power output is ?
2

A.      v

B.      v

√8

C.      v

D.      3
v

[1]
√2

Markscheme

19. [Maximum mark: 1] 17N.1.SL.TZ0.26

Which of the energy sources are classified as renewable and non-
renewable?

[1]

Markscheme

C
20. [Maximum mark: 1] 17N.1.SL.TZ0.27
The energy density of a substance can be calculated by multiplying its
specific energy with which quantity?

A. mass

B. volume

C. mass

volume

D. volume

mass
[1]

Markscheme

C
21. [Maximum mark: 1] 17M.1.SL.TZ1.28
The following are energy sources.

I.    a battery of rechargeable electric cells

II.   crude oil
III.  a pumped storage hydroelectric system

Which of these are secondary energy sources?

A.  I and II only

B.  I and III only

C.  II and III only

D.  I, II and III [1]

Markscheme

22. [Maximum mark: 1] 17M.1.SL.TZ2.28

The main role of a moderator in a nuclear fission reactor is to

A.  slow down neutrons.

B.  absorb neutrons.

C.  reflect neutrons back to the reactor.

D.  accelerate neutrons. [1]

Markscheme

A
23. [Maximum mark: 1] 16N.1.SL.TZ0.28
The Sankey diagram represents the energy flow for a coal-fired power
station.

What is the overall efficiency of the power station? 

A. 0.3 

B. 0.4 

C. 0.6 

D. 0.7 [1]

Markscheme

A
24. [Maximum mark: 1] 16N.1.SL.TZ0.29
Which of the following is not a primary energy source? 

A. Wind turbine 

B. Jet Engine 

C. Coal-fired power station 

D. Nuclear power station [1]

Markscheme

25. [Maximum mark: 1] 16N.1.SL.TZ0.30

What are the principal energy changes in a photovoltaic cell and in a solar
heating panel? 

[1]

Markscheme

A
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