KS3 Energy Transfer 1
KS3 Energy Transfer 1
KS3 Energy Transfer 1
(a) When a gannet flies at a constant height above the sea, there is a downward force
of 30N on the gannet.
exactly 30N
1 mark
(b) To catch food, the gannet dives down into the sea.
What is the useful energy transfer when the gannet dives?
Choose words from the box below.
(c) Label the arrows to show the names of the forces acting on the gannet as it dives.
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2 marks
(d) Gannets have pockets of air between their muscles and their skin.
Suggest how this is a good adaptation for gannets when they hit the water at fast
speeds.
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1 mark
Write two other ways that respiration and burning are similar.
1 ...................................................................................................................
2 ...................................................................................................................
2 marks
maximum 8 marks
Q2.
In a power station, coal can be used to generate electricity.
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(a) Use words from the box to answer the questions below.
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1 mark
Use words from the box opposite. Complete the sentence to show the useful
energy transfer in a wind turbine and generator.
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(c) Suggest one disadvantage of using wind to generate electricity.
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1 mark
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1 mark
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1 mark
maximum 7 marks
Q3.
A company has made a new material called ‘Wellwarm’. They want to use ‘Wellwarm’ to
make coats.
(a) A scientist tested ‘Wellwarm’ to see how well it insulated a beaker of hot water.
She tested ‘Wellwarm’ and three other materials as shown below.
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(i) What was the independent variable that the scientist changed?
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1 mark
(ii) What was the dependent variable that the scientist measured during the
investigation?
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1 mark
0 60 60 60 60
20 34 40 38 36
(i) The scientist said that the ‘Wellwarm’ material is the best insulator.
Which material was ‘Wellwarm’? Use the results to help you.
Tick the correct box.
A B C D
1 mark
(ii) Use the evidence in the results table to explain your choice.
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1 mark
(c) The company made a coat from each of the four materials they tested.
A person tested the different coats by wearing each one in a cold room.
He measured the temperature inside each coat for 30 minutes.
Write down two other variables that should be controlled to make this a fair test.
1. ....................................................................................................................
1 mark
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2. ....................................................................................................................
1 mark
(d) Write down one thing the scientists should do to make sure the person testing the
coats is safe.
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1 mark
(e) Suggest one advantage of using a temperature sensor and data logger instead of a
thermometer in this experiment.
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1 mark
maximum 8 marks
Q4.
(a) The diagram below shows George using his laptop.
Light from the lamp is reflected by the laptop screen.
(i) On the diagram above draw a ray of light to show how George sees the light
from the lamp reflected by the laptop screen. Use a ruler.
(ii) With the laptop screen in the position shown in part a(i), George sees an
image of the lamp on the screen.
George tilts the screen forwards as shown below.
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When the screen is tilted forwards it is easier for George to see the words on
the screen.
What happens to the reflected ray of light when the screen is tilted?
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1 mark
sound thermal
Q5.
(a) The diagrams below show how much heat is lost from different parts of a house
every second.
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Through which part of the house above is most heat lost?
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1 mark
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1 mark
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1 mark
(c) The table below gives information about three fossil fuels that can be used to heat a
house.
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oil liquid 42000 yes yes
(i) Which fuel in the table releases the least energy when 1 g is burned?
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1 mark
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1 mark
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1 mark
maximum 6 marks
Q6.
David uses a falling mass to split wooden logs.
The 5 kg mass slides down the rod and hits the metal blade.
The force on the blade splits the log.
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(a) To lift the mass David uses energy stored in his muscles.
What energy transfer occurs when David’s muscles lift the mass?
(b) David lifts the mass. The mass gains 50 J of gravitational potential energy. The
falling mass changes this energy into kinetic energy.
(i) As it falls, what is the maximum amount of energy the mass can change from
gravitational potential energy to kinetic energy?
........................ J
1 mark
(ii) Not all the gravitational potential energy is transferred to kinetic energy as the
mass falls.
Give one reason for this.
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1 mark
(c) Give two ways David can increase the kinetic energy of the mass just before it hits
the blade.
1. ...........................................................................................................
1 mark
2. ...........................................................................................................
1 mark
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Explain your answer in terms of area. Use the formula to help you.
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1 mark
maximum 6 marks
Q7.
Nina’s bicycle has a front lamp and a rear lamp.
Both lamps are connected to the same battery.
(i) On the circuit diagram above, place a letter A to show the position of a
switch to turn only the front lamp on and off.
1 mark
(ii) On the circuit diagram above, place a letter B to show the position of a
switch to turn both lamps on and off at the same time.
1 mark
(b) The bulb in the rear lamp gives out white light.
White light is a mixture of all the colours of light.
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The plastic cover acts as a red filter.
Red light passes through the filter.
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1 mark
When the lamps are on, some of the energy in the bulb is wasted as
..................................... energy.
4 marks
maximum 7 marks
Q8.
Jenny put a spring She pressed the She let go of the spring
over a wooden rod. spring down 2 cm. and measured the
height it reached.
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not to scale
Jenny repeated her experiment. She pressed the spring down more each time.
Her results are shown in the graph below.
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3
4
1 mark
(b) Jenny said, ‘If I double the distance I press the spring down, the height it reaches
will also double’.
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1 mark
(c) This diagram shows the moving spring in three different positions.
(iii) When the spring stops at A it has .................................. kinetic energy and
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Q9.
Susan has a small fan to keep herself cool.
When she switches it on, a motor turns the blades to blow air.
(a) The diagrams below show the symbols for a battery, a motor and a switch.
In the space below, draw a series circuit diagram for the fan using these
symbols.
1 mark
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1 mark
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1 mark
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1 mark
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1 mark
maximum 6 marks
Q10.
The drawings below show Caroline diving into a swimming pool.
As she falls, gravitational potential energy is changed into kinetic energy.
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(a) Why does Caroline have no kinetic energy at A?
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1 mark
(b) The table shows Caroline’s gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy at
four stages of the dive.
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(kJ)
A 8 8 0
B 8 7 1
C 8 4 4
D 8 0
(i) Write the missing kinetic energy value for stage D in the table.
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2 marks
(c) (i) Give the name of the force that causes Caroline to speed up as she falls.
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(ii) Caroline takes 0.5 s to fall from A to B and from B to C and from C to D.
How can you tell from the drawings that she is speeding up as she falls?
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2 marks
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1 mark
maximum 6 marks
Q11.
Keith has a wind-up radio.
It does not use batteries. It is powered by a steel spring.
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(a) Keith winds up the spring.
As the spring unwinds, potential energy in the spring is transferred to a
generator, which then turns.
Fill the gaps in the sentences below to show the useful energy changes which
take place in the generator and the speaker.
............................................................. energy.
1 mark
(b) When Keith turns the volume up so that the radio is louder, the spring
unwinds more quickly.
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1 mark
(c) The radio has a solar cell which can also provide electrical energy.
Keith winds up his radio and takes it outside without changing the volume.
The steel spring unwinds more slowly when sunlight falls on the solar cell.
Explain why.
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1 mark
(d) The wind-up radio was designed for use in poorer countries.
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1 mark
maximum 5 marks
Q12.
Some pupils investigate whether double glazing or roof insulation is more efficient at
reducing heat loss from houses.
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• window with double glazing
(a) A temperature sensor and a small lamp are placed inside the house. The lamp is
used as a heat source.
When the model house reaches a given temperature, the lamp is switched off.
A datalogger then records temperature regularly over time.
(i) What can the combination of single glazing and no roof insulation tell
pupils that is relevant to their investigation?
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1 mark
(ii) Which two combinations must they use to find the more efficient way of
preventing heat loss in their model house?
(b) The pupils predicted that the roof insulation will be more effective than double
glazing at reducing heat loss.
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1 mark
(c) On the grid below, sketch the shape of the two graphs you would expect to see
on the datalogger if the pupils’ prediction is correct.
You do not need to add scales to the axes.
Use a solid line (_____) to show the graph for double glazed windows.
Use a dotted line (-------) to show the graph for roof insulation.
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2 marks
maximum 5 marks
Q13.
(a) In 2002 a large asteroid was discovered orbiting the Sun.
It was named Quaoar.
not to scale
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(i) In which of the four positions, A, B, C or D, is the effect of the Sun’s
gravity on Quaoar the greatest?
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1 mark
(ii) On the diagram above, draw arrows to show the direction of the
Sun’s gravity on Quaoar in each of the positions A, B, C and D.
1 mark
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1 mark
(b) The table below gives information about three of the planets in our
solar system.
(i) The time for one orbit of the planet Neptune is 165 Earth years.
......................... millions of km
1 mark
(ii) How does the surface temperature of these planets vary with
distance from the Sun?
Use information in the table to help you.
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1 mark
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(iii) Explain why the temperature varies with distance from the Sun in
this way.
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1 mark
maximum 6 marks
Q14.
The drawing below shows a garden water feature. It is solar-powered.
(a) Use the information above to help you to complete the following sentences.
Choose words from the list.
(iii) As the water flows from the jug to the bowl .......................................
energy is changed into .................................... energy.
2 marks
(b) Give one advantage and one disadvantage of using a solar cell to power the
water feature.
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advantage ....................................................................................................
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1 mark
disadvantage ................................................................................................
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1 mark
maximum 6 marks
Q15.
John used an electrical heater to heat a cup of water. He kept stirring the water. When
the temperature reached 20°C, he started his stopwatch and measured the
temperature of the water every half minute.
He switched off the heater after 4 minutes, but continued to record the temperature.
His results are shown in the table.
0.0 20
0.5 26
1.0 31
1.5 36
2.0 41
2.5 46
3.0
3.5 57
4.0 56
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4.5 58
5.0 59
5.5 59
(a) Use the results in the table to draw a graph on the grid.
Label the axes.
Plot the points and draw a smooth curve of best fit.
4 marks
(b) From your curve, estimate the temperature of the water after three minutes.
............°C
1 mark
maximum 5 marks
Q16.
The photograph shows some pupils in a log car on a theme-park ride.
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The drawing below shows the ride.
The letters A, B, C, D, E and F show different points along the track.
The car starts from A and travels to F, where it stops by hitting a bumper.
At E the car enters a trench filled with water.
(a) (i) At which two points does the car have no kinetic energy?
Give the two correct letters.
(ii) At which point does the car have the most gravitational potential energy?
Give the correct letter.
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1 mark
(iii) At which point does the car have some kinetic energy and the least
gravitational potential energy?
Give the correct letter.
...............
1 mark
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1 mark
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1 mark
(c) Complete the sentence below by choosing from the following words.
.............................. energy.
3 marks
maximum 8 marks
Q17.
The back window of this car contains a heating element.
The heating element is part of an electrical circuit connected to the battery of the car.
The diagrams below show two ways of connecting the circuit of a heating element.
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(a) Give the name of each type of circuit:
circuit A ...................................................................
circuit B ...................................................................
1 mark
When the switch is closed, how does the broken wire affect the heating
element in:
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1 mark
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1 mark
(c) In very cold weather, ice may form on the back window of the car.
When the heating element is switched on, the ice will disappear and the surface of
the window will become clear and dry.
(i) Fill the gap below to show the energy transfer that takes place.
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When the heater is switched on, ........................................ energy is
transferred from the wires to the ice.
1 mark
(ii) As the window becomes clear and dry, physical changes take place in the ice.
Fill the gaps below to show the physical changes which take place.
Q18.
Meera used the Internet to find out about energy resources. The drawing below shows
what Meera saw on her computer screen.
.....................................................and.....................................................
2 marks
From the list on the screen above choose two other renewable energy
resources.
.....................................................and.....................................................
2 marks
(ii) Meera found out how wave energy can be used to generate electricity.
She saw the diagram below on the Internet.
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Each box below shows a stage in generating electricity.
On the lines below write the letters of the stages in the correct order.
Two have been done for you.
Q19.
(a) Jacquie has a mobile phone. Energy is stored in the battery of the phone.
The drawing shows the battery being charged.
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(i) Which energy transfer takes place in the battery as it is being charged? Tick
the correct box.
(ii) When the battery is fully charged, Jacquie unplugs the phone.
Which energy transfers take place when the mobile phone rings?
Tick the correct box.
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Write the letter of the sound wave that matches each of the descriptions below.
Q20.
Luke investigated the heating of water. He predicted that the rise in temperature would
depend on the volume of water.
The diagram shows the apparatus he used.
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Luke recorded his results in a table as shown below.
A 25 18 30
B 50 18 24
C 75 18 22
(a) Why did Luke need to know the temperature of the water at the beginning and at the
end of the experiment?
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1 mark
(b) Did Luke’s results support his prediction? Explain your answer.
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1 mark
(c) Luke stirred the water during the experiment. How did this make his results more
reliable?
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1 mark
(d) Which of the following statements about the energy transferred to the beakers is
correct?
Tick the correct box.
1 mark
(e) After a time, all three beakers cooled down to room temperature.
What happened to the thermal energy in the beakers as they cooled down?
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1 mark
Maximum 5 marks
Q21.
The drawings below show what happens to the energy supplied to four appliances.
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(a) (i) What percentage of energy of the light bulb is given out as light?
Write your answer on the line by the light bulb.
1 mark
wasted.
1 mark
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1 mark
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1 mark
Maximum 5 marks
Q22.
A teacher set up the following apparatus behind a safety screen.
She placed 1 g of icing sugar in the end of the rubber tubing inside the tin, as shown
below.
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The teacher blew through the other end of the rubber tubing.
The icing sugar came into contact with the flame.
There was a loud explosion and the lid was blown off the tin.
(a) Complete the following sentence describing the energy changes which took place.
(b) As a result of the explosion, the lid of the tin was pushed off.
Explain what had happened to the gas molecules inside the tin to make this happen.
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2 marks
(c) When icing sugar is burned in this experiment, the gas used and the gas produced
are the same as when energy is released from sugar in the cells of the body.
(i) Which gas, in the air, is used when the icing sugar burns?
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1 mark
(ii) Give the name of the gas produced when the icing sugar burns.
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1 mark
(d) The table below shows the energy values of four food substances.
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flour 1450
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1 mark
Maximum 8 marks
Q23.
The drawings show a weightlifter. The stages in weightlifting are labelled A, B, C, D and E.
as gravitational potential
as kinetic energy energy
1 mark
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(i) In stage D, as the weights were falling, the energy was transferred
(ii) In stage E, as the weights hit the floor, the energy was transferred
Q24.
(a) In an iron rod the particles vibrate. If one end of an iron rod is heated, the vibrating
particles transfer energy to neighbouring particles which are not vibrating so
violently.
What is this process called?
……….………………………………
1 mark
(b) An electric immersion heater is put at the bottom of a large tank of water.
(i) What will happen to the warmed water next to the heater?
Give a reason for your answer.
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2 marks
(ii) Why can heat not be transferred in this way in an iron rod?
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1 mark
(c) In a liquid, some of the particles have enough kinetic energy to escape from the
surface.
This process happens even when the liquid is well below its boiling point.
(ii) How will this affect the temperature of the liquid left in the container?
…………………………………………………………………………………
1 mark
Maximum 6 marks
Q25.
(a) Mammals use fat as a long-term store of energy.
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(i) The diagram shows some simple apparatus for investigating the amount of
energy released by burning fat.
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2 marks
(ii) Fat is stored in layers beneath the skin. This fat is part of the body’s energy
reserve. Give another function of the layers of fat.
…………………………………………………………………………………
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1 mark
(b) Mammals use glucose as a fuel in respiration in their cells. The word equation for
respiration is:
Mammals with a high rate of respiration need to have a high heart rate.
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Explain why.
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2 marks
Maximum 5 marks
Q26.
Sam turns his bicycle upside down and turns the pedals fast so that the back wheel spins.
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1 mark
(b) When the spokes hit the piece of card, the wheel slows down
(i) Describe the energy change which occurs as the wheel slows down.
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1 mark
(ii) Describe and explain what will happen to the pitch of the ‘musical’ tone as the
wheel slows down.
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2 marks
Maximum 4 marks
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Q27.
Sue pumps up a bicycle tyre. As she does so, she notices that the pump becomes hot.
(a) Where, and how, was the energy stored before it was transferred in pumping up
the tyre?
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1 mark
(b) Explain how the gas molecules inside the tyre exert pressure on the walls of
the tyre.
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1 mark
(c) The air going into the tyre was warmed up by the pumping. What effect will
this have on the motion of gas molecules in the air in the tyre?
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1 mark
(d) When the air in the tyre becomes hotter, the pressure rises. Give one reason, in
terms of the motion of gas molecules in air, why the pressure rises.
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1 mark
(e) The pressure in the tyre increases as Sue forces more air into the tyre. Explain why
a larger number of gas molecules increases the pressure in the tyre.
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1 mark
Maximum 5 marks
Q28.
A flywheel is a rotating wheel which is used to store energy.
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(a) Energy must be transferred to a flywheel to make it rotate. How is the energy
in the rotating flywheel classified?
Tick the correct box.
as chemical energy
as kinetic energy
as potential energy
as thermal energy
1 mark
(b) A flywheel is rotating at a high speed. No energy is being supplied to it. The
flywheel is used to turn a dynamo, and the energy from the dynamo is used to
light a bulb.
(i) The bulb is left connected until the flywheel stops rotating. Not all the
energy stored in the flywheel is transferred to the bulb. Some of it is lost.
Give two places from which it is lost, and explain how it is lost.
1. ........................................................................................................
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2. ........................................................................................................
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2 marks
(ii) The experiment is repeated using a different bulb which gives out more
energy each second. Compared to the first light bulb, describe how the
second light bulb will affect the motion of the flywheel, and explain your
answer.
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2 marks
Maximum 5 marks
Q29.
A man does a ‘bungee jump’ over a lake. He jumps from point A with an elasticated rope
tied to his ankles. The rope reaches down to point B when it is not being stretched.
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The man falls past B, and the rope begins to stretch. He falls past point C to point
D, which is the lowest point he reaches. Then he begins to move upwards again.
Eventually he comes to rest at point C.
(b) The graph shows how the man’s speed varies with time as he falls from point
A to point D and bounces back upwards.
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The point when the man jumped from A has been labelled on the curve.
Label the points on the curve when the man was at points B, C and D as he fell.
3 marks
(c) The total energy of the man and the rope includes the man’s potential energy, his
kinetic energy, and the elastic (strain) energy stored in the stretched rope.
Describe how the elastic (strain) energy in the rope changes as the man falls
from point A to point D.
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2 marks
Maximum 7 marks
Q30.
In our Solar System, Pluto is usually the furthest planet from the Sun.
The shape of its orbit is not quite a circle. The diagram shows the shape of Pluto’s orbit
and the position of the Sun.
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(a) Describe how the gravitational force of the Sun, acting on Pluto, alters as
Pluto moves round its orbit through points A, B, C and D.
Give reasons for your answers.
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3 marks
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1 mark
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1 mark
Maximum 5 marks
Q31.
Peter burns a piece of crispbread to find out how much energy is stored in it. Energy from
the burning crispbread raises the temperature of the water in the test-tube.
(a) Describe one way Peter has arranged the apparatus so that he is working safely.
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2 marks
(b) Peter wants to find out if potato crisps contain as much energy as crispbread. He
does the experiment again using a piece of potato crisp.
1. .................................................................................................................
2. .................................................................................................................
1 mark
The table shows some of the nutritional information from a packet of crispbread and
a packet of potato crisps.
(c) Peter burns 1.0 g of potato crisp instead of 1.0 g of crispbread in a similar
experiment. What result will he get when he burns the potato crisp? Tick the correct
box.
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The change in the temperature of the water will be greater.
(d) (i) Fibre contains energy. Explain why this energy can not be used by the
human body.
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1 mark
(ii) Use the table in part (b) to give two reasons for choosing crispbread rather
than potato crisps as part of a balanced diet.
1. .........................................................................................................
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2. .........................................................................................................
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2 marks
(e) Crispbread does not contain vitamin C. Which of the foods in the list below is the
best source of vitamin C?
Tick the correct box.
1 mark
Maximum 8 marks
Q32.
The drawing shows what happens to most of the energy in the food that a hen eats in
one day.
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(a) In the cells of the hen's body, energy is released from food by respiration
Complete the word equation for this process.
(b) (i) Calculate the total energy which remains in the body of the hen
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........................................................................................................ kJ
1 mark
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1 mark
(c) Suggest how farmers might reduce the amount of energy which hens lose each day
by thermal transfer.
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1 mark
(d) Farmers can reduce the amount of energy which is transferred by movement and
thermal transfer from hens. Suggest two reasons why this is cost-effective.
1. .................................................................................................................
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2. .................................................................................................................
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2 marks
Maximum 6 marks
Q33.
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A bell in a church tower is attached to a wheel of radius 0.8 m. The bell is balanced
upside down. The bell-ringer pulls the rope with a force of 50 N.
(a) Calculate the moment (turning effect) on the wheel. Give the unit.
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2 marks
(b) The bell turns. When the rope is travelling at its highest speed, it moves 0.5 m in
0.04 s.
What speed is this? Give the unit.
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2 marks
(c) The bell rings twice but the second ring is quieter than the first. Both rings have the
same pitch.
The amplitude of the second ring was .............................. the amplitude of the first
ring.
The frequency of the second ring was .............................. frequency of the first ring.
2 marks
(d) The sound of a bell is within the audible range of most people.
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1 mark
(e) The energy given out when the bell rings was originally stored in the bell-ringer.
Describe the main sequence of useful energy transfers which take place when a
bell-ringer rings a church bell.
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3 marks
Maximum 10 marks
Q34.
A pupil has two well-insulated containers of water at 20° C. She takes two identical blocks
of aluminium, both at 100° C, and puts one into container A and the other into container B.
The temperature of the water rises in each container until it reaches a steady value. Her
results are shown in the table.
(a) Explain why the final temperature of the water is lower in container B.
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
1 mark
Page 50 of 92
The block in container A is at ..............................°C.
(c) Which of the identical aluminium blocks transferred more energy to the water?
Explain your reasoning.
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
1 mark
Maximum 3 marks
Q35.
(a) A torch battery is an energy resource. How is the energy stored in a torch battery?
Tick the correct box.
as chemical energy
as kinetic energy
as potential energy
as thermal energy
1 mark
(b) When a torch is switched on, energy is transferred from the battery to the bulb.
How is energy transferred from the battery to the bulb?
Tick the correct box.
by electricity
by light
by sound
by thermal energy
1 mark
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Choose from the following terms to complete the sentences.
(ii) Some energy is wasted. The wasted energy is transferred from the
Energy is transferred to the torch as it is lifted up. The energy is stored in the torch
while it stays on the shelf.
What energy has the torch gained?
....................................................................................................................
1 mark
Maximum 5 marks
Page 52 of 92
Mark schemes
Q1.
(a) exactly 30 N
if more than one box is ticked, award no mark
1 (L5)
• kinetic
accept ‘gravitational’ or ‘potential’ for gravitational potential
award one mark for each correct answer
answers must be in the correct order
2 (L5)
• air resistance
accept ‘drag’
‘resistance’ is insufficient
• friction
‘upthrust’ is insufficient as it is negligible in this case
answers must be in the correct order
1 (L5)
• weight
accept ‘gravity’
‘thrust’ is insufficient
• gravitational (force)
1 (L5)
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• (both) produce carbon dioxide
Q2.
(a) (i) • chemical
answers must be in the correct order
1 (L6)
• thermal
accept ‘kinetic’
‘heat’ is insufficient
‘movement’ is insufficient
1 (L6)
• sound
• light
1 (L6)
(b) • kinetic
electrical
answers must be in the correct order
both answers are required for the mark
‘movement’ is insufficient for kinetic
1 (L6)
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(ii) • renewable source
both the correct answer and a correct explanation are
required for the mark
Q3.
(a) (i) (the type of) material
accept ‘fabric’
1 (L5)
(b) (i) B
if more than one box is ticked, award no mark
1 (L5)
(ii) beaker B was warmer (at the end than the others)
accept the converse
accept ‘the temperature was higher’
accept ‘it dropped the least’
accept ‘it lost the least heat’
‘B was 40°C at the end’ is insufficient
1 (L5)
• level of activity
accept ‘he had eaten the same food before each test’
2 (L5)
(d) • do not let the volunteer’s body temperature go down too far
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accept ‘do not let him or the room get too cold’
accept ‘have a doctor nearby’
accept ‘monitor or check him’
accept ‘measure his heart rate or breathing rate’
accept ‘wear gloves’ or ‘keep his head warm’
accept ‘make sure the volunteer is healthy’
or ‘is not allergic to the material’
1 (L5)
Q4.
(a) (i) • a continuous straight line from the lamp to the screen and from
the screen to George’s eye
1 (L5)
(ii) the reflected ray or the light image misses George’s eyes
accept ‘the ray of light is reflected at a different angle’
accept ‘it moves down’
Page 56 of 92
‘the lamp is not shining in his eye’s is insufficient
do not accept responses referring to scattering
‘it changes’ is insufficient
do not accept ‘the ray of light is reflected above his eye’
1 (L6)
Q5.
(a) walls
1 (L3)
(ii) it is a gas
accept ‘physical state’
1 (L4)
Page 57 of 92
Q6.
(a) chemical
accept ‘potential’
accept ‘kinetic or movement’
1 (L6)
(b) (i) 50 J
1 (L7)
(d) A
both blade A, and the correct explanation
are required for the mark
if you divide the force by a smaller area, the pressure will be larger
accept ‘it has a smaller area (at that point)’
‘it is more pointed’ or ‘is it sharper’ are insufficient
‘force is more concentrated’ is insufficient
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accept ‘the force is more concentrated on a smaller area’
do not accept ‘there will be more force’
do not accept responses that refer to ‘concentrated
pressure’
1 (L7)
[6]
Q7.
(a) (i) •
(ii) •
(c) • chemical
answers must be in the correct order
1 (L6)
• electrical
1 (L5)
• light
1 (L5)
• thermal
‘heat’ is insufficient as the question asks for
a word from the box
1 (L5)
[7]
Page 59 of 92
Q8.
(a) •
2 20
3 45 or 46
4 80
(ii) • most
least
both answers are required for the mark
answers must be in the correct order
1 (L6)
(iii) • least
least
both answers are required for the mark
1 (L6)
[5]
Q9.
(a) •
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accept a battery drawn as ‘ ’
all three symbols must be connected in series
all three symbols must be drawn correctly
do not accept a switch drawn as
(ii) • heat
1 (L4)
• sound
accept ‘thermal’
answers may be in either order
1 (L4)
Q10.
(a) any one from
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(b) (i) • 8
1 (L5)
• friction
accept ‘water resistance’
do not accept ‘air resistance’
• drag
accept ‘upthrust
‘resistance’ is insufficient
1 (L6)
[6]
Q11.
(a) (i) kinetic
accept ‘movement’ or ‘motion’
1 (L7)
(ii) sound
accept ‘kinetic’ or ‘movement’ or ‘motion’
1 (L7)
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• loud sounds dissipate more energy than quieter sounds
accept ‘energy is used or needed more quickly’
Q12.
(a) (i) any one from
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1 (L7)
(ii) double glazing and roof without insulation and a roof with
insulation and single glazing
answers may be in either order
both answers are required for the mark
1 (L7)
(c) • both lines or curves starting from the same temperature, descending
and approaching (not crossing) the room temperature line
1 (L7)
• the solid line or curve descending more steeply than the other
allow a difference of 5 small squares at the start
accept correctly labelled curves which do not use
solid and dotted lines as required by the question
1 (L7)
[5]
Q13.
(a) (i) C - it is the closest to the Sun
accept ‘it is closer or close’
both the letter and the correct explanation
are required for the mark
1 (L5)
(ii) an arrow from each of the points A, B, C and D towards the Sun
all four arrows are required for the mark
1 (L5)
(iii) A
(b) (i) a number greater than 2870 and smaller than 5900
1 (L5)
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(ii) the further away the lower the temperature
accept the converse
accept ‘the further away the colder it is’
1 (L5)
Q14.
(a) (i) electrical
1 (L5)
(ii) kinetic
accept ‘movement’
1 (L6)
(b) advantage
• it is renewable
accept ‘it does not use fuel or mains electricity’
• it is free to run
accept ‘it is cheap’
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disadvantage
Q15.
(a) • X-axis: time (minutes)
Q16.
(a) (i) A and F
answers may be in either order
both answers are required for the mark
1 (L6)
(ii) A
1 (L6)
(iii) E
1 (L6)
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• friction
• drag
• water resistance
accept ‘air resistance’
1 (L5)
(c) kinetic
the last two answers may be in either order
1 (L5)
sound
1 (L5)
thermal
accept ‘heat’
1 (L5)
[8]
Q17.
(a) circuit A: series
circuit B: parallel
both answers are required for the mark
1 (L5)
Page 67 of 92
Q18.
(a) oil
1 (L4)
natural gas
accept ‘gas’
answers may be in either order
1 (L4)
• wind
• solar
• tidal
• biomass
• geothermal
2 (L4)
(ii) C E A B D
if all three letters are correct, award two marks
if one letter is correct, award one mark
2 (L4)
[6]
Q19.
(a) (i) electrical to chemical
if more than one box is ticked, award no mark
1 (L5)
(b) Q
1 (L6)
R
1 (L6)
P
1 (L6)
[5]
Q20.
(a) any one from
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(b) any one from
• yes because the smaller the volume the greater the rise in temperature
• yes because the greater the volume the smaller the rise in temperature
1 (L5)
• to make sure the temperature of the water was the same throughout
do not accept ‘the water heats up more quickly’
1 (L5)
(d) The same amount of energy went into all three beakers.
if more than one box is ticked, award no mark
1 (L6)
Q21.
(a) (i) 5
1 (L4)
(ii) 60
1 (L4)
(iii) thermal
accept ‘heat’
1 (L4)
(b) radio
1 (L4)
Q22.
(a) chemical
accept ‘potential’ or ‘stored’
1 (L6)
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any two from
• sound
• thermal
accept ‘heat’
• kinetic
accept ‘movement’
• light
2 (L6)
• carbon dioxide
accept ‘CO2’
• water vapour
accept ‘H2O’
accept ‘carbon monoxide’
1 (L6)
• it was quieter
Q23.
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(a) (i) chemical
1 (L6)
muscles
1 (L6)
Q24.
(a) conduction
1 (L7)
• it expands
accept ‘the molecules move further apart’
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(ii) any one from
• it gets colder
• it decreases
accept ‘it loses heat’
1 (L7)
[6]
Q25.
(a) (i) energy in 0.5 g of fat = 19.25 kJ
accept ‘38.5 kJ or 1 g of fat gives a rise in temperature of
9.2°C’ unit not required for the mark
1
4.6°C
accept answers in the range 4.56 – 4.60°C
accept the correct answer with no working for both marks
the unit is required for the mark
1
• it is an insulator
Q26.
(a) the spokes make it vibrate
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accept ‘it vibrates’
accept ‘the spokes hit it many times each second’
1
Q27.
(a) as chemical energy in Sue or her muscles
both parts are required for the mark
accept ‘as chemical energy in glucose
or named chemicals’
1 (L6)
(e) there will be more frequent collisions with the tyre wall
accept ‘more collisions with the tyre’
do not accept ‘more collisions’
accept ‘the force applied by the molecules increases’
do not accept ‘less space for the molecules’
do not accept ‘there are more air molecules to hit the tyre
wall’
1 (L7)
[5]
Page 73 of 92
Q28.
(a) as kinetic energy
if more than one box is ticked, award no mark
1 (L6)
(b) (i) both the place and the method by which energy is lost are
required for each mark
answers may be in either order
Q29.
(a) (i) D
1
(ii) C
1
(b)
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accept B anywhere on the curve between 3.3 and 4.3 cm
from A
C is at the highest point on the curve
D is at the point where the speed is zero
3
increases from B to D
accept ‘increases after B’
do not accept ‘it increases’
accept ‘it is zero from A to B and then
increases’ for both marks
1
[7]
Q30.
(a) any three from
Q31.
(a) any one from
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accept ‘the test-tube is pointing away from the edge
of the bench’ do not accept ‘the test-tube is at an angle’
• the apparatus is arranged over the base of the stand for stability
accept ‘the tube is over the base’
do not accept ‘he is wearing goggles
1 (L5)
• the crisp must be the same distance from the test tube as the
crispbread was
2 (L4)
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2 (L6)
(e) oranges
if more than one box is ticked, award no mark
1 (L5)
[8]
Q32.
(a) (i) oxygen → carbon dioxide + water
all three substances are required for the mark
the products may be in either order
1 (L7)
• for growth
• for storage
Q33.
(a) 40
accept ‘50 × 0.8’ unless followed by an incorrect answer
1 (L7)
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Nm
accept ‘mN’ accept ‘4000 N cm’ for both marks
1 (L7)
(b) 12.5
accept ‘0.5 ÷ 0.04’ unless followed by an incorrect answer
1 (L7)
m/s or m s–1
(d) 250 Hz
if more than one box is ticked, award no mark
1 (L7)
Page 78 of 92
Q34.
(a) the energy had to be shared by more particles or water
accept ‘there was more water to heat up’
or ‘the heat is spread out more’
do not accept ‘there was more water’
1 (L7)
(b) A 44
B 34
both answers are required for the mark
1 (L7)
(c) for the mark to be awarded, the correct block must be identified
and the correct reason given
Q35.
(a) as chemical energy
if more than one box is ticked, award no mark
1 (L6)
(b) by electricity
if more than one box is ticked, award no mark
1 (L6)
Page 79 of 92
Examiner reports
Q9.
Facility values
Tier 3-6
L3 L4 L5 L6
Q10.
Facility values
L3 L4 L5 L6 L5 L6 L7
Q11.
Half of pupils at level 6, and the majority of pupils at level 7, gave the correct answer
kinetic to part (ai). At all levels the most common incorrect answer was potential.
Part (aii) was the easiest part of the question with the majority of pupils giving the correct
answer sound.
The majority of pupils gave a correct answer for part (b). At all levels a small proportion
stated that the radio uses more electricity, which did not gain the mark.
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The majority of pupils gave a correct answer for part (c), most of these stating that there
would be additional energy from the Sun. At level 7 a third of pupils explicitly stated the
other creditworthy answer – that the spring would need to supply less energy – which was
given by relatively few pupils at levels 5 and 6.
About a half of pupils at levels 6 and 7 gained the mark for part (d). The most common
answer was to state that batteries are unavailable or not needed in poorer countries, with
some pupils stating that the energy used to power the wind-up radio was free. Nearly a
third of pupils referred to electricity being unavailable / not needed without specifying
‘mains electricity’ and so did not get the mark.
Facility values
Tier 5-7
L5 L6 L7
Q12.
Part (ai) was the most difficult of this question with just over 40% of pupils at level 7
gaining the mark. Pupils were required to appreciate that testing single glazing and no
roof insulation would act as a control for the investigation. Most pupils at levels 5 and 6
found this too challenging, and few gained the mark.
In part (aii) pupils were required to choose the correct combinations of insulation for the
investigation. The majority of pupils at levels 6 and 7 gained a mark for this. At all levels
the most common error was to suggest the combination of double glazing and roof
insulation. Over 40% of pupils at level 5 and a third at level 6 made this error.
Part (b) was quite difficult, with just under half of pupils at level 7, and few at other levels,
gaining the mark. A significant number of pupils at all levels gave answers in terms of how
roof insulation reduces the heat loss rather than explaining what evidence would be
needed to support the prediction in the question.
In part (c) pupils were required to sketch two lines. About half of pupils at level 7 gained
both marks for correctly sketching both lines. At all levels the easiest requirement
appeared to be both lines must start in the same place which was achieved by most pupils
at level 7, and half of pupils at level 6; and the hardest requirement appeared to be both
lines must approach room temperature, which was achieved by just over half of pupils at
level 7, and few pupils at levels 5 and 6.
Facility values
Tier 5-7
Page 81 of 92
L5 L6 L7
Q13.
Part (a)(i) was answered well by pupils at all levels, with the majority of pupils at Level 4
and above giving the correct letter C, and the correct reason it is close/closer to the Sun.
The most frequently given incorrect letter was A, the position furthest from the Sun.
Part (a)(ii) proved to be the most difficult part of the question, with few pupils at Level 5 or
below drawing all the arrows correctly. A common mistake at Levels 3, 4 and 5 was to
draw the arrows pointing away from the Sun, or to draw arrows along the orbit.
For part (a)(iii) the majority of pupils at Level 5 and above correctly identified A as the
position at which Quaoar is travelling most slowly. The most frequently given incorrect
answer was C the position nearest the Sun. Most Level 5 pupils who answered correctly
stated it is furthest from the Sun, while most of those at level 7 who answered correctly
stated the effect of gravity would be weaker, usually in combination with the answer it is
furthest from the Sun.
The majority of pupils at Level 5 and above gave an answer to part (b)(i) that was in the
acceptable range.
The majority of pupils at Level 5 and above gave the answer the further away a planet, the
colder it is, or the converse, to part (b)(ii). Very few pupils gave the incorrect answer the
further away a planet, the hotter it is, or the converse.
Part (b)(iii) proved to be the most difficult part of the question for pupils at all levels; with
about 60% of Level 7 pupils being awarded the mark. Of those pupils who were awarded
the mark, the majority gave an answer such as the planets that are further away receive
less heat, with few pupils giving the answer the energy from the Sun spreads out.
Q14.
The majority of pupils at Level 5 and above correctly chose electrical in part (a)(i). The
most common incorrect answers were kinetic and thermal/heat.
Part (a)(ii) proved to be difficult for pupils at Level 5 and below, but the majority of pupils at
Levels 6 and 7 correctly chose kinetic. Gravitational was a common incorrect answer at all
levels. Chemical and thermal/heat were common incorrect answers at Level 5 and below.
Part (a)(iii) proved difficult for pupils at all levels other than Level 7. At all levels the most
common incorrect answer in the first blank space was kinetic. At Levels 5 and 6 sound
was the most common correct answer in the second blank space, but at Level 7 kinetic
was. The most common incorrect answer in the second blank space was gravitational.
Part (b) was generally well answered by pupils at Level 5 and above. At all levels more
Page 82 of 92
pupils were able to think of the disadvantages of a solar cell than were able to think of the
advantages. The answer free/no fuel is needed was the most frequently given advantage
at all levels other than Level 7, where it is renewable was an equally popular answer.
Q15.
Pupils at levels 6 and 7 performed well on part (a). At all levels most pupils were able to
label the axes correctly and use a correct scale for the axes. However, only about a third
of the pupils at Level 5 plotted all the points correctly and fewer drew a smooth curve of
best fit.
The majority of pupils at all levels were able to use the graph they had drawn to estimate
the temperature of the water after three minutes in part (b).
Q16.
Sc4 8 marks Facility: 0.26 (Tier 3-6) / 0.54 (Tier 5-7)
Part (ai) performed well at the target level on both tiers and discrimination was good,
again on both tiers. The two most common incorrect responses were D and E, particularly
at the lower levels.
In part (aii) most pupils did not link see point A, the highest point on the ride as that which
has the most gravitational potential energy. Around a third of Level 7 pupils gave the
correct answer of A. By far the most common incorrect response was point B, selected by
more than 70% of Level 5 and 6 pupils.
In part (aiii) most pupils could not identify point E as that which had some kinetic energy
and the least amount of gravitational potential energy. Around a quarter of pupils
incorrectly gave point C, presumably because this point is at the foot of the first hill, just
before the car begins to ascend again.
Both parts (bi) and (bii) discriminated quite well, particularly between Levels 4 and 5.
Pupils below Level 5 were reluctant to give the answer gravity to part (bi), possibly
because they know gravity to act downwards, whereas this context has gravity acting
down a slope. The most common correct answer to (bii) was friction, although some at the
higher levels gave water resistance.
Part (c) discriminated fairly well across levels. Around 16% of pupils, many at Levels 5
and 6, gave the incorrect answer gravitational potential for the first mark, this response
again being the most popular incorrect choice for the second and third spaces.
3-6 5-7
Item 3 4 5 6 5 6 7
Page 83 of 92
c1 .19 .31 .57 .71 .65 .77 .92
Q17.
Most of this question, except for part (a), was answered well by those attaining level 5 and
above but approximately half the pupils attaining levels 3 or 4 omitted the whole
question. Part (a) was either omitted or answered incorrectly by the majority of pupils
attaining below level 6. More pupils in both tiers identified and named the parallel circuit
than identified and named the series circuit. Parts (bi) and (bii) discriminated well
between the levels, with nearly all pupils attaining level 7 describing correctly the effect of
a broken wire on circuit A in part (bi). Nearly all pupils at level 7 named the energy
transferred from the wires to the ice in part (ci). Part (cii) required pupils to name the
physical changes that take place when ice is heated. This was answered very well by
pupils attaining levels 6 and 7 but a third of pupils attaining level 5 did not include the
vapour or gaseous state. The majority of pupils attaining level 3 omitted this item.
Facility values
Tier 3 – 6 Tier 5 – 7
By level
Tier 3 – 6 Tier 5 – 7
Part 3 4 5 6 5 6 7
Page 84 of 92
Q18.
In general all pupils answered this question well. In part (a) most pupils attaining level 6
chose two fossil fuels from the list. However, fewer than two-fifths of pupils attaining below
level 6 were able to identify more than one. Most pupils identified at least one renewable
energy resource from the given list, in part (bi), but only a third of pupils attaining level 3
identified two. In part (bii) nearly all pupils attaining levels 5 and 6 were able to put the
statements describing the generation of electricity in the correct order.
Facility values
(a)(i) 1 1 0.89
(a)(i) 2 3 0.38
(b)(i) 1 3 0.88
(b)(i) 2 4 0.66
(b)(ii) 1 1 0.96
(b)(ii) 2 1 0.85
By level
Part 3 4 5 6
Q19.
Pupils’ performance on this question was varied. Part (a) was answered very well by
pupils at levels 6 and 7. In part (ai), half the pupils attaining levels 3 and 4 chose the
correct energy transfers for a battery being charged but in part (aii) fewer than a quarter of
pupils attaining levels 3 and 4 chose the correct energy transfer for when the mobile
phone rings. Boys performed significantly better than girls on this item in both tiers. Part
(bi) discriminated well across all levels; nearly all pupils at level 7 were able to identify the
oscilloscope pattern made by a loud sound with a low pitch. About half the pupils in both
tiers correctly identified the oscilloscope pattern of a quiet sound with a high pitch in part
(bii) and part (biii) was well answered with the majority of students identifying the pattern
of a loud sound with a high pitch.
Facility values
Tier 3 – 6 Tier 5 – 7
Page 85 of 92
(a)(ii) 1 0.34 0 0.59
By level
Tier 3 – 6 Tier 5 – 7
Part 3 4 5 6 5 6 7
Q20.
In part (a), approximately half the pupils achieving below level 7 were able to explain why
it is necessary to measure the temperature of the water at the beginning and the end of
the experiment. A common error was to say these measurements were required for a ‘fair
test’.A minority of pupils could not explain whether the results from the experiment
supported the prediction in part (b) and a third of pupils taking the lower tier omitted this
part.
In part (c), few pupils could say why stirring the water made the results more reliable. The
most common incorrect response was that stirring ensured that the ‘water was mixed’. A
majority of pupils gaining the higher levels selected the correct option in part (d).
In part (e), over a third of pupils taking the lower tier did not attempt to explain what
happened to the thermal energy as the beakers cooled. Only pupils achieving levels 6 and
7 answered this part well.
Facility values
Tier 3 – 6 Tier 5 – 7
Page 86 of 92
(e) 36 0.32 2 0.63
Q21.
Pupils’ performance on this question was generally good. Nearly all pupils achieving level
4 and above correctly calculated the percentage of energy given out as light in part (a)(i)
and the percentage of energy wasted in part (a)(ii). In part (b) pupils were required to
recall the term thermal (heat) energy. This item discriminated well across the levels. In
part (c), most pupils were able to identify the light bulb as the least efficient device from
the data provided.
Facility values
(a)(i) 1 0.88
(a)(ii) 1 0.87
(a)(iii) 10 0.49
(b) 5 0.65
(c) 3 0.84
Q22.
Three-quarters of pupils taking the higher tier paper answered nearly all this question well.
About a third of pupils taking the lower tier omitted part (a). Pupils taking the lower tier
who did attempt this part often did not complete the sentence with types of energy, but
used a word such as ‘the’, or gave states of matter, for example ‘liquid’ and ‘gas’.
In part (b), about a third of pupils taking the lower tier did not attempt to explain the
explosion in terms of the gas molecules. Most pupils from both tiers who attempted part
(b) made only one point in the explanation of how the gas molecules caused the tin lid to
blow off and therefore did not gain the second mark. In part (c), almost a quarter of pupils
taking the lower tier paper named carbon dioxide as the gas in the air used as sugar
burns.
Facility values
Tier 3 – 6 Tier 5 – 7
Page 87 of 92
(c)(i) 17 0.47 13 0.79
Q23.
Pupils’ responses to this question revealed a lack of knowledge and understanding of
energy and energy transfer. Approximately a third of pupils in the lower tier omitted all the
requiring knowledge about energy. In part (a)(i) few pupils, including those at level 7, were
able to state that the energy had been stored in the muscles as chemical energy. Many
pupils suggested it had been stored as gravitational energy. Pupils did better in part (a)(ii)
where they were able to select the correct energy form (gravitational potential energy)
from a list. Very few pupils, including those gaining level 7, were able to identify the
energy changes in (b)(ii).
Facility values
Tier 3 – 6 Tier 5 – 7
2 30 0.40 3 0.80
Q24.
Pupils’ performance on this question indicates that their knowledge and understanding of
thermal transfer is poor. Over a quarter of pupils did not attempt part (a) and only 20%
correctly named the process as conduction. Some pupils at level 7 who did not know the
Page 88 of 92
term ‘conduction’ used ‘thermal transference’. Some at level 5 named the process as
‘distillation’, ‘melting’ or ‘kinetic energy’. Even fewer pupils were able to name convection
and only 10% provided a satisfactory description of it in part (b)(i).
In part (c)(i) fewer than half the pupils identified evaporation from a written description. In
part (c)(ii) only 42% described how this would affect the temperature of the liquid left
behind. More than one third of pupils said that the liquid would ‘warm up’.
Facility values
(a) 27 0.20
2 22 0.10
Tier 5-7
Q25.
No specific comment made
Q26.
(a) It appears that many pupils failed to read part (a) carefully, as they answered in
terms of vibration of the spokes of the wheels whereas the question asked how the
card produced the musical note.
(b) (i) In part (i) pupils were not able to describe the energy changes. Common
errors included identifying friction as a form of energy and explaining why the
energy changes took place rather than what the energy changes were.
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(ii) Over 80% of pupils were able to gain the first mark available on part (b)(ii) but
this dropped to 33% for the second mark. The most common error on this
question was pupils’ failure to provide a sufficiently detailed and coherent
answer to gain credit, e.g. writing does not vibrate so much, does not hit is as
hard, rather than relating frequency to pitch.
Facility values
(a) 2 0.49
(ii) 0 0.85
(iii) 13 0.33
Q27.
This question discriminated between the pupils achieved level 7 and those working below
level 7. In part (a) pupils described either where the energy was stored or its form but not
both, as was clearly required by the question. An additional source of error was the belief
that the energy was stored in the pump. In part (b) pupils gave better answers but some
did not link the collision of the gas molecules with the wall of the tyre. However the most
common error was to restate from the question that the molecules exert pressure.
Part (c) was the best answered part of the question. In part (d), as in part (b), a
substantial number of pupils simply stated that the molecules exerted more pressure
rather than the molecules hitting the tyre wall more frequently. More common, however,
were answers stating simply that the molecules were moving faster, without referring to
collisions, or answers in macroscopic terms about the relationship between temperature
and pressure, with no reference to molecules at all. Part (e) was poorly answered. Most
pupils either restated that there were more molecules or said there was less space for
them, rather than identifying that there will be more frequent collisions and that these
would be with the tyre wall.
Facility Values
Question Target Marks facility value facility value facility value PoS
level boys girls all reference
a 6 1 4/5f
b 7 1 3/1c
c 7 1 3/1c
d 7 1 3/1c
e 7 1 3/1c
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Q28.
Pupils found parts of this question on energy difficult. Part (a) was very well answered by
pupils at all levels. The most common error was ‘potential energy’, which was perhaps due
to confusion between the terms ‘stored’ and ‘potential’. In part (b)(i) each mark required
pupils to give a place from which energy is lost and also to explain why it is lost from
there. The most common error by over half of the pupils was to give incomplete answers,
giving either a place or an explanation but not both. Access to this question may have
been increased if labels such as ‘axle’ and ‘bearing’ had been included in the diagram of
the flywheel to help pupils identify a place for energy transfer.
Pupils at all levels found part (b)(ii) difficult. Most answers were complete, in that pupils
attempted to respond to both points in the question. The most common error about the
flywheel’s motion was that it would go faster, perhaps because pupils felt it needed to in
order to light a higher power bulb. The most common error in the explanation was to fail to
include the element of comparison, giving answers such as ‘because it transfers energy to
the bulb’. Both of these errors were considerably more frequent than the correct answers.
Facility Values
Question Target Marks facility value facility value facility value PoS
level boys girls all reference
a 6 1 4/5f
bi 7 2 4/5h
bii 7 2 4/5g
Q31.
Pupils applied scientific knowledge and understanding well in familiar questions. However,
they were less able to employ their knowledge and understanding when the context was
unfamiliar. For example, most pupils could use data provided on two food types and apply
this information to determine which food type would provide the most appropriate
contribution to a balanced diet.
Pupils gave good reasons why crispbread is more likely than potato crisps to form part of
a balanced diet.
Few pupils were able to explain why the energy stored in fibre cannot be used by the
human body. Most answers were related to why fibre is a necessary part of the diet, such
as it helps you go to the toilet.
Q32.
Performance on questions relating to the word equation for respiration was poor. The
most common error, as shown in the example below and referred to above, was to include
energy as a substance and one of the products of the reaction.
___________________________________________________________________
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___________________________________________________________________
Many pupils were unable to give the word equation for respiration.
Q33.
Two contrasting examples of how pupils described the main sequence of useful energy
transfers which take place when a bell-ringer rings a church bell are given below. The first
example is typical of the responses of pupils (almost 50%) who attempted to give full
answers involving three points, although fewer than 15% were awarded three marks. Most
answers began in some way with the bell-ringer and ended in some way with sound.
___________________________________________________________________
Chemical energy in the bell ringer goes to kenetic energy when the rope and bell move and
sound energy is given off by the bell.
___________________________________________________________________
The second example shows how a significant number of pupils failed to gain marks
because they described a sequence of events rather than a sequence of energy changes.
___________________________________________________________________
The bell ringer pulls down the rope → the wheel turns → sound is made from the bell
___________________________________________________________________
Pupils showed understanding that sound travels as vibrations or waves, with higher ability
pupils able to relate amplitude to loudness and frequency to pitch. Most pupils, at all
levels, were successful at recognising a frequency within the audible frequency range.
Q34.
The improvement in pupils’ knowledge and understanding of energy transfer noted in
1997 continued in 1998 and most pupils understood the relationship between energy and
temperature. They could explain why two containers containing different quantities of
water rise to different final temperatures when similar blocks of metal at 100 oC are
placed in each. However, few pupils provided an adequate explanation of the transfer of
heat energy.
Q35.
In contrast to 1996, the question relating to energy transfer was answered correctly by
most pupils in 1997. However, there was evidence that some pupils in tier 5-7 were not
clear about the term potential energy. As was made clear by SCAA (see the Key Stage 3
Assessment Arrangements booklet for 1996, distributed to schools in October 1995) the
term potential energy is used to refer specifically to ‘gravitational potential energy’. There
was also evidence of confusion between the kinetic energy gained by the torch as it was
moved onto the shelf and the potential energy stored in the torch whilst it was on the shelf.
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