8.

1 Energy Production_MCQ [54

marks]

1. Which change produces the largest percentage increase in the maximum [1 mark]
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

Markscheme
D

2. A black body at temperature T emits radiation with peak wavelength λρ [1 mark]

and power P. What is the temperature of the black body and the power emitted
λρ
for a peak wavelength of 2 ?

Markscheme
D
3. In a simple climate model for a planet, the incoming intensity is 400 W [1 mark]
m −2 and the radiated intensity is 300 W m−2.

The temperature of the planet is constant. What are the reflected intensity from
the planet and the albedo of the planet?

Markscheme
A

4. A black-body radiator emits a peak wavelength of λmax and a maximum [1 mark]

power of P0 . The peak wavelength emitted by a second black-body radiator with
the same surface area is 2λmax . What is the total power of the second black-body
radiator?
1
A. 16 P0
B. 12 P0
C. 2P0
D. 16P0

Markscheme
A
5. What is the main role of carbon dioxide in the greenhouse effect? [1 mark]
A. It absorbs incoming radiation from the Sun.
B. It absorbs outgoing radiation from the Earth.
C. It reflects incoming radiation from the Sun.
D. It reflects outgoing radiation from the Earth.

Markscheme
B

6. Burning one litre of gasoline produces more energy than burning one [1 mark]
kilogram of coal, and the density of gasoline is smaller than 1 g cm−3.
What can be deduced from this information?
A. Energy density is greater for gasoline.
B. Specific energy is greater for gasoline.
C. Energy density is greater for coal.
D. Specific energy is greater for coal.

Markscheme
B

7. A model of an ideal wind turbine with blade length l0 is designed to [1 mark]

produce a power P when the average wind speed is v. A second ideal wind
turbine is designed to produce a power P2 when the average wind speed is v2 .
What is the blade length for the second wind turbine?
l0
A. 2
B. l0
C. 2 l0
D. 4 l0

Markscheme
C
8. What are the principal roles of a moderator and of a control rod in a [1 mark]
thermal nuclear reactor?

Markscheme
C

9. A nuclear power station contains an alternating current generator. What [1 mark]

energy transfer is performed by the generator?
A. Electrical to kinetic
B. Kinetic to electrical
C. Nuclear to kinetic
D. Nuclear to electrical

Markscheme
B

10. The average temperature of the surface of a planet is five times greater [1 mark]
than the average temperature of the surface of its moon. The emissivities
of the planet and the moon are the same. The average intensity radiated by the
planet is I . What is the average intensity radiated by its moon?
I
A. 25
I
B. 125
I
C. 625
I
D. 3125
 Markscheme
C

11. What are the units of specific energy and energy density? [1 mark]

Markscheme
B

12. What is the function of the moderator in a thermal nuclear fission reactor?[1 mark]
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

Markscheme
A

13. What is meant by the statement that the average albedo of the Moon is [1 mark]
0.1?
A. 10% of the radiation incident on the Moon is absorbed by its surface
B. 10% of the radiation emitted by the Moon is absorbed by its atmosphere
C. 10% of the radiation incident on the Moon is reflected by its surface
D. 10% of the radiation emitted by the Moon is at infrared wavelengths
 Markscheme
C

14. A nuclear particle has an energy of 108 eV. A grain of sand has a mass of [1 mark]
32 mg. What speed must the grain of sand have for its kinetic energy to
equal the energy of the nuclear particle?
A. 1 mm s–1
B. 3 mm s–1
C. 10 mm s–1
D. 16 mm s–1

Markscheme
A

15. A beaker containing 1 kg of water at room temperature is heated on a [1 mark]

400 W hot plate. The specific heat capacity of water is 4200 J kg–1 K–1.
The temperature of the water increases until it reaches a constant value. It is then
removed from the hot plate.
What will be the initial rate of change of temperature?
A. 10 K s–1
B. 1 K s–1
C. 0.1 K s–1
D. 0.01 K s–1

Markscheme
C
16. Most power stations rely on a turbine and a generator to produce [1 mark]
electrical energy. Which power station works on a different principle?
A. Nuclear
B. Solar
C. Fossil fuel
D. Wind

Markscheme
B

17. A neutron collides head-on with a stationary atom in the moderator of a [1 mark]
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?

Markscheme
B
18. Three methods for the production of electrical energy are [1 mark]
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

Markscheme
D

19. The orbital radius of the Earth around the Sun is 1.5 times that of Venus. [1 mark]
What is the intensity of solar radiation at the orbital radius of Venus?
A. 0.6 kW m-2
B. 0.9 kW m-2
C. 2 kW m-2
D. 3 kW m-2

Markscheme
D
20. What is the function of control rods in a nuclear power plant? [1 mark]

A. To slow neutrons down

B. To regulate fuel supply
C. To exchange thermal energy
D. To regulate the reaction rate

Markscheme
D

21. A photovoltaic panel of area S has an efficiency of 20 %. A second [1 mark]

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?

S
A. 3
3S
B. 4
5S
C. 4
4S
D. 3

Markscheme
D
22. Light of intensity I0 is incident on a snow-covered area of Earth. In a [1 mark]
model of this situation, the albedo of the cloud is 0.30 and the albedo for
the snow surface is 0.80. What is the intensity of the light at P due to the incident
ray I0?

A. 0.14 I0
B. 0.24 I0
C. 0.50 I0
D. 0.55 I0

Markscheme
B

23. What is equivalent to specific energy of a fuel ? [1 mark]

energy density of a fuel
A. density of the fuel
1
B.
density of the fuel
energy stored in the fuel
C.
density of the fuel
density of the fuel
D.
energy stored in the fuel

Markscheme
B
24. Three energy sources for power stations are [1 mark]
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

Markscheme
B

25. The diagram shows a simple climate model for the Earth. [1 mark]

What does this model predict for the average albedo of the Earth?
A. 0.30
B. 0.51
C. 0.70
D. 0.81

Markscheme
A
26. A wind turbine has a power output p when the wind speed is v. The [1 mark]
efficiency of the wind turbine does not change. What is the wind speed at
p
which the power output is 2 ?

A. v4
v
B.
√8
C. v2

D. 3 v
√2

Markscheme
D

27. Three gases in the atmosphere are [1 mark]

I. carbon dioxide (CO2)
II. dinitrogen monoxide (N2O)
III. oxygen (O2).
Which of these are considered to be greenhouse gases?
A. I and II only
B. I and III only
C. II and III only
D. I, II and III

Markscheme
A

power radiated by Mars

 power radiated by Mars
28. Mars and Earth act as black bodies. The
power radiated by the Earth
= p and [1 mark]
absolute mean temperature of the surface of Mars
absolute mean temperature of the surface of the Earth
= t.
radius of Mars ?
What is the value of radius of the Earth
p
A.
t4
√p
B.
t2
4
C. tp
2
D. t
√p

Markscheme
B

29. A nuclear reactor contains atoms that are used for moderation and atoms [1 mark]
that are used for control.
What are the ideal properties of the moderator atoms and the control atoms in
terms of neutron absorption?

Markscheme
B
30. The dashed line on the graph shows the variation with wavelength of the [1 mark]
intensity of solar radiation before passing through the Earth’s
atmosphere.
The solid line on the graph shows the variation with wavelength of the intensity of
solar radiation after it has passed through the Earth’s atmosphere.

Which feature of the graph helps explain the greenhouse effect?

A. Infrared radiation is absorbed at specific wavelengths.
B. There is little absorption at infrared wavelengths.
C. There is substantial absorption at visible wavelengths.
D. There is little absorption at UV wavelengths.

Markscheme
A
31. The Sankey diagram shows the energy input from fuel that is eventually [1 mark]
converted to useful domestic energy in the form of light in a filament
lamp.

What is true for this Sankey diagram?

A. The overall efficiency of the process is 10%.
B. Generation and transmission losses account for 55% of the energy input.
C. Useful energy accounts for half of the transmission losses.
D. The energy loss in the power station equals the energy that leaves it.

Markscheme
A

32. What part of a nuclear power station is principally responsible for [1 mark]
increasing the chance that a neutron will cause fission?
A. Moderator
B. Control rod
C. Pressure vessel
D. Heat exchanger

Markscheme
A
33. Which of the energy sources are classified as renewable and non- [1 mark]
renewable?

Markscheme
C

34. The energy density of a substance can be calculated by multiplying its [1 mark]
specific energy with which quantity?
A. mass
B. volume
mass
C. volume

D. volume
mass

Markscheme
C

35. A black body emits radiation with its greatest intensity at a wavelength of [1 mark]
Imax. The surface temperature of the black body doubles without any
other change occurring. What is the wavelength at which the greatest intensity of
radiation is emitted?
A. Imax
Imax
B. 2
I
C. max
4
I
D. max
16
 Markscheme
B

36. The three statements give possible reasons why an average value should [1 mark]
be used for the solar constant.
I. The Sun’s output varies during its 11 year cycle.
II. The Earth is in elliptical orbit around the Sun.
III. The plane of the Earth’s spin on its axis is tilted to the plane of its orbit about
the Sun.
Which are the correct reasons for using an average value for the solar constant?
A. I and II only
B. I and III only
C. II and III only
D. I, II and III

Markscheme
A
37. Two pulses are travelling towards each other. [1 mark]

What is a possible pulse shape when the pulses overlap?

Markscheme
A

38. The following are energy sources. [1 mark]

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

Markscheme
B
39. Planet X and planet Y both emit radiation as black bodies. Planet X has a [1 mark]
surface temperature that is less than the surface temperature of planet Y.
What is the graph of the variation of intensity I with wavelength λ for the radiation
emitted by planet Y? The graph for planet X is shown dotted.

Markscheme
D

40. The average surface temperature of Mars is approximately 200 K and the [1 mark]
average surface temperature of Earth is approximately 300 K. Mars has a
radius half that of Earth. Assume that both Mars and Earth act as black bodies.
power radiated by Mars
What is ?
power radiated by Earth
A. 20
B. 5
C. 0.2
D. 0.05

Markscheme
D
41. The main role of a moderator in a nuclear fission reactor is to [1 mark]
A. slow down neutrons.
B. absorb neutrons.
C. reflect neutrons back to the reactor.
D. accelerate neutrons.

Markscheme
A

42. A room is at a constant temperature of 300 K. A hotplate in the room is at [1 mark]

a temperature of 400 K and loses energy by radiation at a rate of P. What
is the rate of loss of energy from the hotplate when its temperature is 500 K?
44
A. P
54
54+34
B. P
44+34
54
C. P
44
54−34
D. P
44−34

Markscheme
D

43. An object can lose energy through [1 mark]

I. conduction
II. convection
III. radiation
What are the principal means for losing energy for a hot rock resting on the
surface of the Moon?
A. I and II only
B. I and III only
C. II and III only
D. I, II and III
 Markscheme
B

44. The average albedo of glacier ice is 0.25. [1 mark]

power absorbed by glacier ice
What is ?
power reflected by glacier ice
A. 0.25
B. 0.33
C. 2.5
D. 3.0

Markscheme
D

45. The Sankey diagram represents the energy flow for a coal-fired power [1 mark]
station.

What is the overall efficiency of the power station?

A. 0.3
B. 0.4
C. 0.6
D. 0.7
 Markscheme
A

46. Which of the following is not a primary energy source? [1 mark]

A. Wind turbine
B. Jet Engine
C. Coal-fired power station
D. Nuclear power station

Markscheme
B

47. What are the principal energy changes in a photovoltaic cell and in a solar[1 mark]
heating panel?

Markscheme
A

48. The solar constant is the intensity of the Sun’s radiation at [1 mark]
A. the surface of the Earth.
B. the mean distance from the Sun of the Earth’s orbit around the Sun.
C. the surface of the Sun.
D. 10km above the surface of the Earth.
 Markscheme
B

49. X and Y are two spherical black-body radiators that emit the same total [1 mark]
power. The absolute temperature of X is half that of Y.
What is radius of X ?
radius of Y
A. 4
B. 8
C. 16
D. 32

Markscheme
A

50. A solar panel has surface area 0.40m2 and efficiency 50%. The average [1 mark]
intensity of radiation reaching the surface of the panel is 0.25kWm–2.
What is the average power output from an array of 10 of these solar panels?
A. 0.5 W
B. 5 W
C. 50 W
D. 500 W

Markscheme
D

51. What is the correct order of energy transformations in a coal power [1 mark]
station?
A. thermal → chemical → kinetic → electrical
B. chemical → thermal → kinetic → electrical
C. chemical → kinetic → thermal → electrical
D. kinetic → chemical → electrical → thermal
 Markscheme
B

52. A black body of surface 1.0m2 emits electromagnetic radiation of peak [1 mark]
wavelength 2.90×10 –6m. Which of the following statements about the
body are correct?
I. The temperature of the body is 1000 K.
II. The energy radiated by the body in one second is 5.7×10 4 J.
III. The body is a perfect absorber of electromagnetic radiation.
A. I and II only
B. I and III only
C. II and III only
D. I, II and III

Markscheme
D

53. It is suggested that the solar power incident at a point on the Earth’s [1 mark]
surface depends on
I. daily variations in the Sun’s power output
II. the location of the point
III. the cloud cover at the point.
Which suggestion(s) is/are correct?
A. III only
B. I and II only
C. II and III only
D. I, II and III

Markscheme
D
 54. The average surface temperature of Mars is about 200 K. The average [1 mark]
surface temperature of Earth is about 300 K. Both can be regarded as black
bodies.
energy radiated per second per unit area on Mars
What is the ratio ?
energy radiated per second per unit area on Earth
A. 0.7
B. 0.4
C. 0.3
D. 0.2

Markscheme
D

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