Energy resourcesIB MYP Sciences: Subtopic test

1. 1
   A fishing village on the coast of Scotland wants to produce its own electricity. The council is considering a wind farm on the hills above the village and a tidal barrage across the nearby estuary.

   (a)

   Which of these is a renewable energy resource?

   [1 mark]

   • ANatural gas
   • BTidal power
   • CUranium
   • DOil

   (b)

   Which is a disadvantage of using wind turbines?

   [1 mark]

   • AThe electricity generated depends on the wind speed, so it varies
   • BThey release carbon dioxide while generating
   • CThey need fuel to be delivered regularly
   • DThey produce radioactive waste

   (c)

   Explain why the village could not rely on the wind farm alone to meet its electricity needs.

   [2 marks]

   Total for question 1: 4 marks

2. 2
   A gas-fired power station in Qatar generates electricity for a nearby city. Natural gas is burned to heat water, and the steam that is produced is used to generate the electricity.

   (a)

   What is the job of the steam in the power station?

   [1 mark]

   • AIt is burned to release more energy
   • BIt is stored in the generator for later
   • CIt is turned into gas fuel
   • DIt pushes the blades of a turbine and makes them spin

   (b)

   Which statement about natural gas is correct?

   [1 mark]

   • AIt is a renewable resource
   • BBurning it releases no waste gases
   • CBurning it releases carbon dioxide, which adds to climate change
   • DIt forms again within a few years

   (c)

   Describe how the energy in the steam is transferred to electrical energy.

   [2 marks]

   Total for question 2: 4 marks

3. 3
   Students in Mumbai investigate a model wind turbine. A fan at a fixed distance blows air at the turbine and a voltmeter shows the voltage it generates. The students predicted that more blades would always give more voltage. They tested 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 blades and recorded 0.8 V, 1.1 V, 1.3 V, 1.2 V and 1.0 V.

   (a)

   Outline a safe method for the investigation.

   [3 marks]

   (b)

   Describe the trend in the results and evaluate the students' prediction.

   [4 marks]

   Total for question 3: 7 marks

4. 4
   The government of Morocco wants to generate more electricity for a growing population. It is considering a large solar farm in the desert, which generates electricity only in daylight, and a nuclear power station, which can run day and night but produces radioactive waste and is expensive to build.

   (a)

   Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of building the solar farm, and decide whether it is a good choice for Morocco.

   [6 marks]

   (b)

   Explain how electricity is generated in a nuclear power station and evaluate it as a choice for Morocco.

   [6 marks]

   Total for question 4: 12 marks

End of questions