DP Physics Questionbank
8.1 – Energy sources
Description
Nature of science:
Risks and problem-solving: Since early times mankind understood the vital role of harnessing energy and large-scale production of electricity has impacted all levels of society. Processes where energy is transformed require holistic approaches that involve many areas of knowledge. Research and development of alternative energy sources has lacked support in some countries for economic and political reasons. Scientists, however, have continued to collaborate and share new technologies that can reduce our dependence on non-renewable energy sources. (4.8)
Understandings:
- Specific energy and energy density of fuel sources
- Sankey diagrams
- Primary energy sources
- Electricity as a secondary and versatile form of energy
- Renewable and non-renewable energy sources
Applications and skills:
- Solving specific energy and energy density problems
- Sketching and interpreting Sankey diagrams
- Describing the basic features of fossil fuel power stations, nuclear power stations, wind generators, pumped storage hydroelectric systems and solar power cells
- Solving problems relevant to energy transformations in the context of these generating systems
- Discussing safety issues and risks associated with the production of nuclear power
- Describing the differences between photovoltaic cells and solar heating panels
Guidance:
- Specific energy has units of J kg–1; energy density has units of J m–3
- The description of the basic features of nuclear power stations must include the use of control rods, moderators and heat exchangers
- Derivation of the wind generator equation is not required but an awareness of relevant assumptions and limitations is required
- Students are expected to be aware of new and developing technologies which may become important during the life of this guide
Data booklet reference:
International-mindedness:
- The production of energy from fossil fuels has a clear impact on the world we live in and therefore involves global thinking. The geographic concentrations of fossil fuels have led to political conflict and economic inequalities. The production of energy through alternative energy resources demands new levels of international collaboration.
Theory of knowledge:
- The use of nuclear energy inspires a range of emotional responses from scientists and society. How can accurate scientific risk assessment be undertaken in emotionally charged areas?
Utilization:
- Generators for electrical production and engines for motion have revolutionized the world (see Physics sub-topics 5.4 and 11.2)
- The engineering behind alternative energy sources is influenced by different areas of physics (see Physics sub-topics 3.2, 5.4 and B.2)
- Energy density (see Chemistry sub-topic C.1)
- Carbon recycling (see Biology sub-topic 4.3)
Aims:
- Aim 4: the production of power involves many different scientific disciplines and requires the evaluation and synthesis of scientific information
- Aim 8: the production of energy has wide economic, environmental, moral and ethical dimensions
Directly related questions
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- 18M.2.SL.TZ2.5a.ii: Show that the average rate at which the gravitational potential energy of the water decreases is...
- 18M.2.SL.TZ2.5a.i: Estimate the specific energy of water in this storage system, giving an appropriate unit for your...
- 18M.1.SL.TZ2.28: A wind turbine has a power output p when the wind speed is v. The efficiency of the wind...
- 18M.1.HL.TZ2.23: What part of a nuclear power station is principally responsible for increasing the chance that...
- 18M.1.HL.TZ2.22: The Sankey diagram shows the energy input from fuel that is eventually converted to...
- 18M.2.SL.TZ1.6c.iv: Derive the units of intensity in terms of fundamental SI units.
- 18M.2.HL.TZ1.6c.iv: The temperature in the laboratory is higher than the temperature of the ice sample. Describe one...
- 18M.1.SL.TZ1.29: Three energy sources for power stations are I. fossil fuel II. pumped...
- 18M.1.SL.TZ1.28: What is equivalent...
- 18M.1.HL.TZ1.23: A nuclear reactor contains atoms that are used for moderation and atoms that are used for...
- 17N.1.SL.TZ0.27: The energy density of a substance can be calculated by multiplying its specific energy with which...
- 17N.1.SL.TZ0.26: Which of the energy sources are classified as renewable and non-renewable?
- 17M.2.HL.TZ2.2c.iv: Not all the stored energy can be retrieved because of energy losses in the system. Explain two...
- 17M.2.HL.TZ2.2c.iii: The hydroelectric system has four 250 MW generators. Determine the maximum time for which...
- 17M.2.HL.TZ2.2c.ii: The water in a particular pumped storage hydroelectric system falls a vertical distance of 270 m...
- 17M.2.HL.TZ2.2c.i: Outline, with reference to energy changes, the operation of a pumped storage hydroelectric system.
- 17M.2.SL.TZ2.2d: At the location of the hydroelectric system, an average intensity of 180 W m–2 arrives at the...
- 17M.2.SL.TZ2.2c: Not all the stored energy can be retrieved because of energy losses in the system. Explain one...
- 17M.2.SL.TZ2.2b: The hydroelectric system has four 250 MW generators. The specific energy available from the water...
- 17M.2.SL.TZ2.2a: Outline, with reference to energy changes, the operation of a pumped storage hydroelectric system.
- 17M.2.SL.TZ1.3c.ii: Explain two reasons why the number of turbines required is likely to be greater than your answer...
- 17M.2.SL.TZ1.3c.i: Determine the minimum number of turbines needed to generate the same power as the solar farm.
- 17M.2.SL.TZ1.3b: A solar farm is made up of photovoltaic cells of area 25 000 m2. The average solar intensity...
- 17M.2.SL.TZ1.3a: Describe the difference between photovoltaic cells and solar heating panels.
- 17M.1.SL.TZ2.28: The main role of a moderator in a nuclear fission reactor is to A. slow down neutrons. B....
- 17M.1.SL.TZ1.28: The following are energy sources. I. a battery of rechargeable electric cellsII. crude...
- 17M.1.SL.TZ1.15: Two pulses are travelling towards each other. What is a possible pulse shape when the pulses...
- 16N.2.SL.TZ0.8d: Describe, in terms of energy transfers, how thermal energy of the burning gas becomes electrical...
- 16N.2.SL.TZ0.8c: Explain, using your answer to (b), why countries are being asked to decrease their dependence on...
- 16N.2.SL.TZ0.8b: Calculate the mass of CO2 generated in a year assuming the power station operates continuously.
- 16N.2.SL.TZ0.8a: Calculate, with a suitable unit, the electrical power output of the power station.
- 16N.1.SL.TZ0.29: Which of the following is not a primary energy source? A. Wind turbine B. Jet Engine C....
- 16N.1.SL.TZ0.30: What are the principal energy changes in a photovoltaic cell and in a solar heating panel?
- 16N.1.SL.TZ0.28: The Sankey diagram represents the energy flow for a coal-fired power station. What is the...
- 16M.1.SL.TZ0.29: ...
- 16M.1.SL.TZ0.28: ...
- 15M.1.SL.TZ1.26: In nuclear power production, what is one advantage of a nuclear fusion reactor over a nuclear...
- 15M.1.SL.TZ1.27: The Earth rotates about an axis XY, as shown below. P and Q are positions on the Earth’s...
- 15M.1.SL.TZ1.28: Which type of power-production system is most suitable for responding to a sudden high increase...
- 15M.1.SL.TZ2.6: An electric motor is used to lift a heavy load. The Sankey diagram shows the energy...
- 15M.1.SL.TZ2.26: What is the purpose of the moderator in a nuclear power station? A. To absorb fast moving...
- 15M.2.SL.TZ1.4a: Suggest the conditions that would make use of wind generators in combination with either oil or...
- 15M.2.SL.TZ1.4b: Conventional horizontal-axis wind generators have blades of length 4.7m. The average wind speed...
- 15M.2.SL.TZ1.4c: The energy flow diagram (Sankey diagram) below is for an oil-fired power station that the...
- 15M.2.SL.TZ1.4d: The emissions from the oil-fired power station in (c) are likely to increase global warming by...
- 15M.2.SL.TZ1.4e: Nuclear fuel must be enriched before it can be used. Outline why fuel enrichment is needed.
- 15M.2.SL.TZ1.4f: The nuclear equation below shows one of the possible fission reactions in a nuclear...
- 15M.2.SL.TZ1.4g: A nuclear reactor requires both control rods and a moderator to operate. Outline, with reference...
- 15M.2.HL.TZ1.6a: Suggest the conditions that would make use of wind generators in combination with either oil or...
- 15M.2.HL.TZ1.6b: Conventional horizontal-axis wind generators have blades of length 4.7 m. The average wind speed...
- 15M.2.SL.TZ2.4a: (i) Determine the diameter that will be required for the turbine blades to achieve the maximum...
- 15M.2.SL.TZ2.4b: Currently, a nearby coal-fired power station generates energy for the community. Less coal will...
- 14M.1.SL.TZ1.25: A natural gas power station has an output of 600 MW and an efficiency of 50%. The mass of natural...
- 14M.1.SL.TZ1.27: Which of the following best defines non-renewable fuels? A. They produce a lot of degraded...
- 14M.1.HL.TZ1.38: In a hydroelectric power plant, water of density 103kgm–3 falls through an average height of...
- 14M.1.SL.TZ2.27: In the production of energy from nuclear fission, fuel enrichment means increasing, in the fuel...
- 14M.1.SL.TZ2.28: In a wind generator, the kinetic energy of the wind cannot be completely converted into...
- 14M.2.SL.TZ1.2a: (i) Show that the mass of sea water released between successive high and low tides is about...
- 14M.2.SL.TZ1.2b: (i) Identify one mechanism through which energy is transferred to the surroundings during the...
- 15N.2.SL.TZ0.5a: Outline which of the three generation methods above is renewable.
- 15N.2.SL.TZ0.5c.i: Determine the maximum amount of energy, in joule, released by 1.0 g of uranium-235 as a result of...
- 15N.2.SL.TZ0.5b.i: heat exchanger.
- 15N.2.SL.TZ0.5b.ii: moderator.
- 15N.2.SL.TZ0.5d.i: Describe the main principles of the operation of a pump storage hydroelectric scheme.
- 15N.2.SL.TZ0.5d.ii: A hydroelectric scheme has an efficiency of 92%. Water stored in the dam falls through an average...
- 14N.2.HL.TZ0.3b.i: Determine the mass of U-235 that undergoes fission in the reactor every day.
- 14N.2.HL.TZ0.3c: In addition to the U-235, the nuclear reactor contains graphite that acts as a moderator. Explain...
- 14N.2.HL.TZ0.3d: Outline how energy released in the nuclear reactor is transformed to electrical energy.
- 14N.2.HL.TZ0.3b.ii: Calculate the power output of the nuclear power station.
- 14N.2.SL.TZ0.5e.ii: control rods.
- 14N.2.SL.TZ0.6b: With reference to the energy transformations and the operation of the devices, distinguish...
- 14N.2.SL.TZ0.6c.ii: State two reasons why the intensity of solar radiation at the location of the panel is not...
- 14N.2.SL.TZ0.5d.i: Determine the mass of U-235 that undergoes fission in the reactor every day.
- 14N.2.SL.TZ0.5e.i: moderator.
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- 14N.2.SL.TZ0.5d.ii: Calculate the power output of the nuclear power station.
- 14N.2.SL.TZ0.6a: The Sun is a renewable energy source whereas a fossil fuel is a non-renewable energy source....
- 14N.2.SL.TZ0.6c.i: Determine the efficiency of the photovoltaic panel.
- 14N.2.SL.TZ0.6d.i: Calculate the minimum area of solar heating panel required to provide this power.
- 14M.2.SL.TZ2.4d: (i) State the principle of conservation of momentum. (ii) Show that the speed of the...
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- 11N.1.SL.TZO.27: Wind of speed v is incident normally on a wind turbine of radius r. The maximum theoretical power...
- 12N.1.SL.TZ0.25: Which energy resource is renewable? A. Natural gasB. UraniumC. BiogasD. Coal
- 13N.1.SL.TZ0.27: What is the main role of the control rods and the main role of the moderator in a thermal fission...
- 13N.1.HL.TZ0.34: In the production of electric power, an advantage of using photovoltaic cells rather than fossil...
- 13N.1.SL.TZ0.26: In the production of electric power, an advantage of using photovoltaic cells rather than fossil...
- 13M.1.HL.TZ1.35: In a nuclear fission reactor, the role of the moderator is to A. absorb neutrons to shut down...
- 12M.1.SL.TZ2.24: Which of the following is the primary function of the moderator in a nuclear power station? A....
- 12M.1.SL.TZ1.27: The original source of the electrical power produced by a wind generator is A. the Sun’s...
- 12M.1.SL.TZ2.28: The property of the molecules of greenhouse gases which leads to their ability to absorb...
- 12M.1.SL.TZ1.26: In a nuclear power station, in order to increase the chances of a chain reaction A. kinetic...
- 13M.2.SL.TZ1.8a: (i) Outline, with reference to the energy conversions in the machine, the main features of a...
- 13M.2.SL.TZ1.8c: Distinguish between photovoltaic cells and solar heating panels.
- 13M.2.SL.TZ1.8e: The intensity of the Sun’s radiation at the position of the Earth’s orbit (the solar constant) is...
- 12M.1.SL.TZ2.26: The blades of a certain wind turbine X have radius r. The maximum theoretical available wind...
- 12M.1.HL.TZ2.34: The rate of formation of a non-renewable energy resource is A. greater than the rate of...
- 13M.2.SL.TZ2.9c: The average solar intensity incident at the surface of the Earth is 238 W m–2. (i) Assuming that...
- 11M.1.SL.TZ2.27: Which of the following processes leads to the...
- 13M.2.SL.TZ2.9a: A coal-fired power station has a power output of 4.0GW. It has been suggested that a wind farm...
- 13M.2.SL.TZ2.9b: Wind power does not involve the production of greenhouse gases. Outline why the surface...
- 11M.1.SL.TZ2.25: The Sankey diagram of a fossil-fuelled power station is shown...
- 11M.1.SL.TZ2.26: World energy resources include coal, nuclear fuel and...
- 11M.1.HL.TZ2.34: World energy resources include...
- 12M.1.HL.TZ1.35: In a nuclear power station, in order to increase the chances of a chain reaction A. kinetic...
- 13M.1.SL.TZ2.25: The use of which energy source enhances the greenhouse effect the most? A. WoodB. CoalC. WindD....
- 13M.1.SL.TZ2.27: Which of the following correctly describes the energy transformation within photovoltaic cells...
- 11M.2.SL.TZ2.6b: A nuclear power station uses...
- 11M.2.SL.TZ2.6e: The Drax power station...
- 11M.2.SL.TZ2.7b: Two plastic rods...
- 12M.2.SL.TZ2.8a: Distinguish, in terms of the energy changes involved, between a solar heating panel and a...
- 12M.2.SL.TZ2.8b: State an appropriate domestic use for a (i) solar heating panel. (ii) photovoltaic cell.
- 12M.2.SL.TZ1.4c: Air is incident normally on a wind turbine and passes through the turbine blades without changing...
- 12M.2.SL.TZ1.4a: Outline in terms of energy changes how electrical energy is obtained from the energy of wind.
- 12M.2.SL.TZ1.4e: Outline one advantage and one disadvantage of using wind turbines to generate electrical energy,...
- 12M.2.SL.TZ1.4b: Air of density ρ and speed v passes normally through a wind turbine of blade length r as shown...
- 12M.2.SL.TZ1.4d: A wind turbine has a mechanical input power of 3.0×105W and generates an electrical power output...
- 11N.2.SL.TZ0.3a: A nuclide of deuterium \(\left( {{}_{\rm{1}}^2{\rm{H}}} \right)\) and a nuclide of...
- 12N.2.HL.TZ0.8b: Outline why uranium ore needs to be enriched before it can be used successfully in a nuclear...
- 12N.2.HL.TZ0.8d: Some waste products in nuclear reactors are good absorbers of neutrons. Suggest why the formation...
- 13N.2.SL.TZ0.3a: State two advantages of power production using fossil fuels compared to using nuclear fuels.
- 11M.1.SL.TZ1.27: A wind turbine produces a power P when the wind speed is v. Assuming that the efficiency of...
- 11M.1.SL.TZ1.29: The design of a nuclear power station includes an electrical generator. The function of the...
- 11M.2.SL.TZ1.4c: Explain what would happen if the moderator of this reactor were to be removed.
- 11M.2.SL.TZ1.4b: The reactor produces 24 MW of power. The efficiency of the reactor is 32 %. In the fission of one...
- 11M.2.SL.TZ1.4d: During its normal operation, the following set of reactions takes place in the...
- 09M.1.SL.TZ1.26: The energy source that currently provides the greatest proportion of the world’s total energy...
- 09M.1.SL.TZ1.27: In a nuclear power station, uranium is used as the energy source and plutonium-239 is produced....
- 09M.1.SL.TZ1.28: One disadvantage of using photovoltaic cells to power a domestic water heater is that A. ...
- 10M.1.SL.TZ1.28: Which of the following correctly shows the energy change in a photovoltaic cell and in a solar...
- 10M.1.SL.TZ1.27: Which of the following correctly describes both the role of the moderator and of the control rods...
- 09N.1.SL.TZ0.30: In a nuclear power station, a moderator is required to A. control the rate of fission. B. ...
- 09N.1.SL.TZ0.25: Which of the following energy sources results from the solar energy incident on Earth? A. ...
- 09N.1.SL.TZ0.26: Which of the following is a renewable and non-renewable energy source?
- 10N.1.HL.TZ0.37: Which of the following statements, relating to the production of nuclear power, is correct? A. ...
- 10N.2.HL.TZ0.A2b.ii: All the energy output of the room heater raises the temperature of the air moving through it. Use...
- 10N.2.SL.TZ0.B2Part2.a: Define the energy density of a fuel.
- 10N.2.SL.TZ0.B2Part2.b: (i) Use the data to calculate the power output of the room heater, ignoring the power...
- 10N.2.SL.TZ0.B3Part1.b: Outline the role of the moderator.
- 10N.2.SL.TZ0.B3Part1.c: A nuclear power plant that uses U-235 as fuel has a useful power output of 16 MW and an...