AQA-style topic test · Energy · Foundation tier
Time allowed: 40 minutes
Total: Separate Physics 36 marks · Combined Science 31 marks (skip Question 04)
You need: a calculator, a ruler and the equation sheet.
Instructions: Answer all questions on paper. Show your working in calculations – you can get marks for working even if your final answer is wrong. Open the mark schemes only when you have finished the whole test.
Question 01
A student lifts her school bag from the floor onto a shelf.
01.1 Which energy store of the bag increases?
Tick (✓) one box.
☐ chemical ☐ gravitational potential ☐ kinetic ☐ thermal [1 mark]
Mark scheme
gravitational potential (1)
01.2 The bag has a mass of 2.0 kg. The shelf is 1.5 m above the floor.
Gravitational field strength = 9.8 N/kg
Calculate the gravitational potential energy gained by the bag.
Use the equation: Ep = m g h [2 marks]
Mark scheme
Ep = 2.0 × 9.8 × 1.5 (1)
Ep = 29.4 J (1) – allow 29 J
Correct answer with no working scores 2 marks.
01.3 The energy transferred from the student’s chemical store is greater than the energy gained by the bag.
Give one reason why. [1 mark]
Mark scheme
some energy is dissipated / wasted (1)
allow: energy is transferred to the thermal store of the student / surroundings
do not accept: energy is lost / used up
01.4 Name the energy store of a stretched spring. [1 mark]
Mark scheme
elastic potential (1)
Question 01 total: 5 marks
Question 02
An electric kettle has a power of 2000 W. It is switched on for 3 minutes.
02.1 Calculate the energy transferred by the kettle.
Use the equation: E = P t [2 marks]
Mark scheme
E = 2000 × 180 (1) – time must be converted to seconds
E = 360 000 J (1)
2000 × 3 = 6000 J scores 0 marks.
02.2 324 000 J of the energy is usefully transferred to the water.
Calculate the efficiency of the kettle. [2 marks]
Mark scheme
efficiency = 324 000 ÷ 360 000 (1)
efficiency = 0.9 or 90% (1)
allow error carried forward from 02.1
02.3 Describe what happens to the energy that is not usefully transferred. [1 mark]
Mark scheme
it is transferred to the surroundings / it heats the kettle or the air / it is dissipated (1)
02.4 The kettle contains 1.0 kg of water.
Specific heat capacity of water = 4200 J/kg °C
Calculate the temperature rise of the water when 324 000 J is transferred to it.
Use the equation: ΔE = m c Δθ [3 marks]
Mark scheme
324 000 = 1.0 × 4200 × Δθ (1)
Δθ = 324 000 ÷ 4200 (1)
Δθ = 77 °C (1) – allow 77.1 °C
Question 02 total: 8 marks
Question 03
A student investigates the specific heat capacity of a 1.0 kg aluminium block. She puts an electric heater and a thermometer into holes in the block and wraps the block in insulation. A joulemeter measures the energy transferred by the heater.
03.1 Name the measuring instrument used to measure the mass of the block. [1 mark]
Mark scheme
(top pan) balance (1) – do not accept scales alone
03.2 Why is the block wrapped in insulation? [1 mark]
Mark scheme
to reduce energy transferred (lost) to the surroundings (1)
Table 1 shows the student’s results.
| Energy transferred (J) | 0 | 9000 | 18 000 | 27 000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature (°C) | 20 | 30 | 40 | 50 |
03.3 Use the results for 27 000 J to calculate the specific heat capacity of aluminium.
Use the equation: ΔE = m c Δθ [3 marks]
Mark scheme
Δθ = 50 − 20 = 30 °C (1)
27 000 = 1.0 × c × 30 (1)
c = 900 J/kg °C (1)
03.4 Suggest one reason why another student got a different value. [1 mark]
Mark scheme
any one from (1):
• less / no insulation, so more energy lost to surroundings
• poor thermal contact between thermometer and block
• misreading the thermometer
Question 03 total: 6 marks
🔷 SEPARATE PHYSICS ONLY – Combined Science students skip Question 04
(The thermal insulation required practical is only in Separate Physics.)
Question 04
A student investigates which material is the best thermal insulator. She puts 200 cm³ of hot water in a beaker and wraps it in a material. She records the temperature at the start and after 10 minutes. Table 2 shows her results.
| Material | Start temperature (°C) | Temperature after 10 minutes (°C) |
|---|---|---|
| no insulation | 80 | 55 |
| newspaper | 80 | 62 |
| bubble wrap | 80 | 68 |
| cotton wool | 80 | 70 |
04.1 Which material is the best thermal insulator? Give a reason for your answer. [2 marks]
Mark scheme
cotton wool (1)
smallest temperature drop / water cooled the least / only fell by 10 °C (1)
04.2 Give two control variables in this investigation. [2 marks]
Mark scheme
any two from (1 each):
• volume / mass of water
• starting temperature of the water
• time (10 minutes)
• size / type of beaker
• thickness of material
04.3 Why did the student include a beaker with no insulation? [1 mark]
Mark scheme
to compare the materials with / as a control (1)
Question 04 total: 5 marks
Question 05
05.1 Which two energy resources are renewable?
Tick (✓) two boxes.
☐ coal ☐ wind ☐ natural gas ☐ solar ☐ nuclear fuel [2 marks]
Mark scheme
wind (1)
solar (1)
more than two boxes ticked: deduct 1 mark for each extra tick
05.2 Give one reason why wind turbines are not a reliable energy resource. [1 mark]
Mark scheme
the wind does not always blow / wind speed varies (1)
allow: they cannot be used when the wind is too strong
05.3 Describe the advantages and disadvantages of generating electricity using solar panels compared with a gas-fired power station. [4 marks]
Mark scheme
Level 2 (3–4 marks): advantages and disadvantages of solar panels are described and clearly compared with gas.
Level 1 (1–2 marks): simple statements about solar panels or gas, with little comparison.
0 marks: no relevant content.
Indicative content:
• solar is renewable; gas will run out
• solar produces no carbon dioxide when generating; burning gas releases carbon dioxide, which adds to global warming
• solar has no fuel costs
• solar only works in daylight and produces less on cloudy days – not reliable
• gas power stations can generate at any time and can be started quickly when demand rises
• solar panels produce a small amount of power per panel, so a large area is needed
Question 05 total: 7 marks
Question 06
A cyclist and her bike have a total mass of 70 kg. She rides at a speed of 6.0 m/s.
06.1 Calculate the kinetic energy of the cyclist and bike.
Use the equation: Ek = ½ m v² [2 marks]
Mark scheme
Ek = 0.5 × 70 × 6.0² (1)
Ek = 1260 J (1)
06.2 The cyclist doubles her speed to 12 m/s.
How many times bigger is her kinetic energy?
Tick (✓) one box.
☐ 2 ☐ 3 ☐ 4 ☐ 8 [1 mark]
Mark scheme
4 (1) – because the speed is squared
06.3 The cyclist transfers 1260 J of energy in 5.0 seconds.
Calculate her power.
Use the equation: P = E ÷ t [2 marks]
Mark scheme
P = 1260 ÷ 5.0 (1)
P = 252 W (1)
Question 06 total: 5 marks
END OF TEST. Total: Separate Physics 36 marks · Combined Science 31 marks.
Next: Energy – Higher test · Energy topic page · All topic tests
