Energy resources: IGCSE Physics questions with answers
Free Energy resources questions for IGCSE Physics (0625), part of Motion, forces & energy. Each question has the answer and the marking points an examiner would look for.
Any 2 of: radioactive waste lasts a long time; risk of accidents; high decommissioning cost B2
2
(c)
not at night/cloud; large area
output depends on sunlight (none at night, less when cloudy) B1 large areas needed / low efficiency B1
2
Question 2Structured · 4 marksA* challenge
Most energy resources get their energy originally from the Sun.
(a)
Name two energy resources that do not get their energy from the Sun.
[2]
(b)
Explain how the energy in fossil fuels came from the Sun.
[2]
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Part
Answer and marking points
Marks
(a)
geothermal, nuclear, tidal
Any 2 of: any two of: geothermal; nuclear fission; tides B2
2
(b)
photosynthesis long ago
plants used sunlight in photosynthesis (stored chemical energy) B1 their remains formed coal/oil/gas over millions of years B1
2
Question 3Structured · 7 marks
In a pumped-storage power station, water is pumped up to a high reservoir at night and released through turbines during the day. The upper reservoir holds 5.0 × 106 m³ of water at an average height of 500 m above the turbines. [density of water = 1000 kg/m³]
(a)
Calculate the gravitational potential energy stored in the water in the upper reservoir.
[3]
(b)
Suggest why the station uses more electrical energy pumping the water up than it produces releasing it, yet is still useful to the electricity supply.
[2]
(c)
State one environmental advantage and one disadvantage of hydroelectric power.
[2]
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Part
Answer and marking points
Marks
(a)
2.45 × 1013 J
m = ρV = 5.0 × 109 kg C1 Ep = mgh C1 2.45 × 1013 J A1
3
(b)
energy wasted in pumps and turbines; stores energy from times of low demand for times of high demand / can start quickly
energy losses (friction, heating) in pumps and turbines B1 it stores spare energy when demand is low and releases it quickly when demand is high B1
2
(c)
no CO₂ / renewable; floods land / destroys habitats
advantage: renewable / no greenhouse gases when operating B1 disadvantage: floods valleys, destroying habitats / affects rivers B1
2
Question 4Structured · 6 marks
Electricity can be generated from fossil fuels, nuclear fuel, wind and solar cells.
(a)
State which of these are renewable.
[1]
(b)
Give one advantage and one disadvantage of generating electricity from wind.
[2]
(c)
Describe the energy transfers in a coal-fired power station.
[3]
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Part
Answer and marking points
Marks
(a)
wind and solar
Any 1 of: wind; solar B1
1
(b)
no fuel/CO₂; unreliable
advantage: renewable / no fuel cost / no greenhouse gases B1 disadvantage: unreliable (depends on wind) / noisy / visual impact / large area needed B1
2
(c)
chemical → thermal → kinetic → electrical
chemical energy in coal → thermal energy (water to steam) B1 → kinetic energy of turbine B1 → electrical energy in generator B1
3
Question 5Structured · 5 marks
A hydroelectric power station stores water behind a dam.
(a)
Describe the energy transfers that take place.
[3]
(b)
Give one advantage and one disadvantage of hydroelectric power.
[2]
Show answers and mark scheme
Part
Answer and marking points
Marks
(a)
GPE → KE → electrical
gravitational potential energy of water B1 kinetic energy of the water/turbine B1 electrical energy from the generator B1
3
(b)
renewable/reliable; floods land
advantage: renewable, no fuel, no CO₂, reliable, quick start-up B1 disadvantage: floods land/habitats, expensive to build, limited sites B1
2
Question 6Structured · 10 marks
This question is about generating electricity.
(a)
Name two renewable energy resources and one non-renewable energy resource.
[3]
(b)
A gas-fired power station has an efficiency of 35% and an electrical output of 500 MW. Calculate the power input from the fuel.
[2]
(c)
State the original source of the energy in natural gas.
[1]
(d)
Solar cells of total area 1.5 m² receive 1000 W of light per m². The output is 300 W. Calculate the efficiency of the solar cells.
[2]
(e)
Explain why nuclear fission power stations are a non-renewable resource even though they produce no carbon dioxide while running.
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Original Cambridge-style practice questions written for mentorriyaz.in. These are not Cambridge past paper questions, and this site is not affiliated with or endorsed by Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Updated 2026-11-04. Paper generator · mentorriyaz.in