Q1.

Figure 1 shows how the National Grid connects a power station to houses.

Figure 1

The National Grid transfers electrical power efficiently from power stations to houses.

(a) The step-down transformer supplies mains electricity to the houses.

Complete the sentence.

Choose the answer from the box.

potential
charge current resistance
difference

The step-down transformer decreases the ________________________________ .

(1)

Figure 2 shows an electric kettle plugged into a socket in a house.

Figure 2

(b) The cable connecting the kettle to the socket is a three-core cable.

Page 1 of 11
 The insulation on each wire is a different colour.

Draw one line from each wire to the colour of insulation.

Wire Colour of insulation

Blue

Earth Brown

Live Green and yellow

Neutral Purple

Yellow and brown

(3)

Use the Physics Equations Sheet to answer parts (c) and (d).

(c) Which equation links charge flow (Q), energy (E) and potential difference (V)?

Tick (✓) one box.

E = Q 2V E = QV

(1)

(d) The kettle is switched on to heat some water.

The energy transferred to the heating element in the kettle is 260 000 J.

The potential difference across the heating element is 1.3 V.

Calculate the charge flow in the heating element.

(3)
(Total 8 marks)

Q2.
Figure 1 shows a step-down transformer that is part of a circuit inside a computer.

The transformer connects the mains supply to the computer circuit.

Figure 1

Page 2 of 11
(a) The potential difference across the primary coil is 230 V.

The potential difference across the secondary coil is 48.0 V.

The current in the primary coil is 2.40 A.

Calculate the current in the secondary coil.

Use the Physics Equations sheet.

(3)

(b) The current in the primary coil is 2.40 A.

Calculate the time taken for a charge of 288 C to flow past a point in the primary
coil.

Use the Physics Equations Sheet.

Give your answer in minutes.

(3)

(c) Figure 2 shows the mains electricity circuit for the transformer.

Figure 2

An electrician replaced a faulty switch connecting the transformer to the mains

supply.

The circuit was disconnected from the mains supply to prevent the electrician from
receiving an electric shock.

Explain why the electrician could have received a shock if the circuit was connected.

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 (3)

(d) The table below shows information about the effects of different electrical supplies
on the human body.

Minimum current needed to cause the

Effect on the effect in milliamps
human body 50 Hz ac 10 000 Hz ac
dc supply
supply supply

Mild pain 8 46 52

Moderate pain 14 63 64

Severe pain 19 79 75

ac is alternating current.

dc is direct current.

The mains electricity supply in the UK is ac with a frequency of 50 Hz.

Describe why it would be better if the UK mains supply was not 50 Hz ac.
(3)
(Total 12 marks)

Q3.
The diagram below shows how a power station supplies electricity to consumers.

(a) The National Grid is a system of cables and transformers linking power stations to
consumers.

Complete the sentences.

Choose answers from the box.

Each answer may be used once, more than once or not at all.

remain the
decrease increase
same

The step-up transformer causes the potential difference to increase and the

Page 4 of 11
 current to ____________________.

The use of the step-up transformer causes the energy transferred by heating of the

cables to ____________________.

The step-down transformer causes the potential difference to decrease and the

current to ____________________.
(3)

(b) A nuclear power station has a power output of 350 000 000 W

Calculate the energy transferred by the power station in 60 seconds.

Use the equation:

energy transferred = power × time

(2)

The table below shows some of the waste products produced by three different types of
power station.

Type of power Carbon dioxide Other waste

station produced in kg/MJ products

Coal 0.08 sulfur dioxide

Geothermal 0.03 none

radioactive
Nuclear 0.00
waste

(c) Which type of power station contributes least to global warming?

Give a reason for your answer.

Power station _____________________________________________________

Reason ____________________________________________________________
(2)

(d) Which type of power station produces waste products that cause acid rain?

Give a reason for your answer.

Power station _______________________________________________________

Reason ____________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 9 marks)

Q4.

Page 5 of 11
 Transformer A produces a very high voltage to transmit the electrical energy through the
National Grid.
Explain why electrical energy is transmitted at a very high voltage.
(Total 3 marks)

Q5.
The outline diagram below shows part of the National Grid. At X the transformer increases
the voltage to a very high value. At Y the voltage is reduced to 240 V for use by
consumers.

(i) At X a transformer increases the voltage. What happens to the current as the
voltage is increased?
(1)

(ii) Why is electrical energy transmitted at very high voltages?

(1)

(iii) The transformer at Y reduces the voltage before it is supplied to houses. Why is this
done?
(1)
(Total 3 marks)

Q6.
The diagram below shows how the National Grid connects power stations to consumers.

Page 6 of 11
(a) Explain how transformers are used in the National Grid.
(5)

(b) A gas-fired power station has a power output of 50 MW

Calculate the energy transferred during 24 hours.

(4)

(c) The table below shows some of the waste products produced by three different
types of power station.

Other
Type of power Carbon dioxide
waste
station produced in kg/MJ
products

sulfur
Coal 0.08
dioxide

Geothermal 0.03 none

radioactive
Nuclear 0.00
waste

Evaluate the environmental impact of the power stations in table above.

(4)
(Total 13 marks)

Page 7 of 11
Mark schemes

Q1.
(a) potential difference
1

(b)

do not accept more than one line from a box on the left
3

(c) E = QV
1

(d) 260 000 = Q × 1.3

1

Q=
1

Q = 200 000 (C)

1
[8]

Q2.
(a) 230 × 2.40 = 48.0 × I
1

I = 11.5 (A)
1

(b) 288 = 2.40 × t

Page 8 of 11
 1
or

t = 120 (s)
1

t = 2 (minutes)
allow correct conversion of incorrectly calculated
time using data from the question
1

(c) earth potential is zero (volts)

allow person / electrician is at zero volts
allow person / electrician is earthed
1

(so) there is a potential difference between the circuit and earth / person /
electrician
1

causing charge to flow through person

allow current for charge
1

(d) 50 Hz causes pain at lower currents than both dc or 10 000 Hz ac

1

pattern continues as effects increase in severity

1

dc and 10 000 Hz both have similar currents at all pain levels

1
[12]

Q3.
(a) decrease
1

decrease
1

increase
1

(b) E = 350 000 000 × 60

1

E = 2.1 × 1010 (J)

or
21 000 000 000 (J)
1

(c) nuclear
1

Page 9 of 11
 no carbon dioxide emitted
1

(d) coal
1

produces sulfur dioxide

ignore produces carbon dioxide
1
[9]

Q4.
the higher the voltage the smaller the current
small current gives small energy loss
in the form of heat
(or efficiency greater, or energy/heat losses low – gets 1)
for 1 mark each
[3]

Q5.
(i) reduces
for 1 mark
1

(ii) less heat/energy/power wasted (in power lines)

for 1 mark
1

(iii) for safety

for 1 mark
1
[3]

Q6.
(a) step-up transformer increases potential difference
1

and decreases current

1

reducing thermal energy transfer to surroundings from transmission cables

1

step-down transformer decreases potential difference

1

so the electricity supply is safer for consumers

1

(b) E = 50 000 000 (W)

1

Page 10 of 11
 t = 86 400 (s)
1

E = 50 000 000 × 86 400

this mark may score if P or t are incorrectly/not
converted
1

E = 4.32 × 1012 (J)

allow 4 320 000 000 000 (J) allow an answer
consistent with their incorrectly/not converted
values of P and t
1

(c) Level 2: A judgement, strongly linked and logically supported by a sufficient

range of correct reasons, is given.
3−4

Level 1: Some logically linked reasons are given. There may also be a simple
judgement.
1−2

No relevant content
0

Indicative content:

• power stations that emit less carbon dioxide cause less global warming
• coal and geothermal power stations contribute to global warming
• nuclear power doesn’t contribute to global warming
• sulfur dioxide causes acid rain
• coal power stations contribute to acid rain
• geothermal and nuclear power stations don’t contribute to acid rain
• radioactive waste needs burying
• radioactive waste has a long half-life
• radioactive waste remains radioactive for a long period of time
• indication of which power station is best/worst environmentally.
[13]

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