# IBDP Physics 8.1 – Energy sources: IB Style Question Bank HL Paper 1

### Question

Which change produces the largest percentage increase in the maximum theoretical power output of a wind turbine?

A Doubling the area of the blades

B Doubling the density of the fluid

D Doubling the speed of the fluid

Ans: D

Power Delivered by Wind Generator:

The volume of air that moves through  the blades in a time t  is given by

V = Ad = Avt, where v is the speed of  the air and A = πr2.

The mass m is thus m = ρV = ρAvt.

EK = (1/2)mv2 = (1/2)ρAvtv2 = (1/2)ρAv3t.

Power is $$\frac{E_K}{t}$$  so that

$$\frac{E_K}{t}=\frac{1}{2} A\rho v^3$$
Where  $$A = \pi r^2$$

### Question

Burning one litre of gasoline produces more energy than burning one kilogram of coal, and the density of gasoline is smaller than 1 g . What can be deduced from this information?

A Energy density is greater for gasoline.

B Specific energy is greater for gasoline.

C Energy density is greater for coal.

D Specific energy is greater for coal.

Ans: B

Specific energy ESP is how much energy (J) you can get per unit mass (kg) from a fuel.  Its units are J kg-1.

Energy density ED is how much energy (J) you can get per unit volume (m3). Its units are J m-3.

$$\text{Mass of gasoline burnt } = \text{density}\times \text{volume}$$
or
$$\text{Mass of gasoline burnt } = \frac{\text{1 g}}{cm^3} \times 1000 \; cm^3$$
$$\text{Mass of gasoline burnt } = 1\;kg$$
Mass of fuels is given , hence specific energy need to be compared
now energy produced by Gasoline $$= (E_{sp})_{gasoline}\times mass$$
$$=(E_{sp})_{gasoline}\times 1 kg$$
energy produced by coal $$= (E_{sp})_{coal}\times mass$$
$$=(E_{sp})_{coal}\times 1kg$$
Since (given in question)
energy produced by Gasoline > energy produced by coal
Hence
$$(E_{sp})_{gasoline}\times 1 kg >(E_{sp})_{coal}\times 1kg$$
or
$$(E_{sp})_{gasoline} >(E_{sp})_{coal}$$

### Question

What part of a nuclear power station is principally responsible for increasing the chance that a neutron will cause fission?

A.     Moderator

B.     Control rod

C.     Pressure vessel

D.     Heat exchanger

## Markscheme

A

### Question

The Sankey diagram shows the energy input from fuel that is eventually converted to useful domestic energy in the form of light in a filament lamp.

What is true for this Sankey diagram?

A. The overall efficiency of the process is 10%.

B. Generation and transmission losses account for 55% of the energy input.

C. Useful energy accounts for half of the transmission losses.

D. The energy loss in the power station equals the energy that leaves it.

### Markscheme

A

The efficiency of a conversion is given by

$$Efficiency =\frac{output}{Input}$$

Given in the Sanky diagram

Hence

$$Efficiency =\frac{output}{Input}$$
Putting given values
$$Efficiency =\frac{2}{20} =0.1 =10%$$

### Question

In a hydroelectric power plant, water of density 103 kg m–3 falls through an average height of 100 m. The volume of water flowing through the pipes per second is 10 m3 s–1. What is the maximum power generated?

A. 104W

B. 105W

C. 106W

D. 107W

### Markscheme

D

Power = Energy flow per second

Now average height of pipe = 100 m , acceleration due to gravity g = 10 $$ms^{-2}$$

Mass of water flowing per second =  $$\rho \times v =10^3 \times 10 =10^4$$

Potential energy reservoir relinquishes each second $$= mgh = 10^4 \times 10 \times 100 =10^7$$

This is same as power = $$10^7 W$$

### Question

In the production of electric power, an advantage of using photovoltaic cells rather than fossil fuels is that the photovoltaic cells

A. can be effective in any location.
B. can be used continuously.
C. have low initial set-up costs.
D. are more environmentally friendly when in use.