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Conservation and dissipation of energy: AQA GCSE Combined Science questions

Every AQA GCSE Combined Science exam question on 6.1.2 Conservation and dissipation of energy, 2018–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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3,069 questions

  1. Q01.1

    June 2025 · Physics Paper 1 Higher

    2 marks6.1.2 Conservation and dissipation of energy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Physics Paper 1 Higher, question 01.1: Describe how different energy stores change in a car engine when a fossil fuel is burned. [2 marks]

  2. Q02.3

    June 2025 · Physics Paper 1 Higher

    2 marks6.1.1 Energy changes in a system, and the ways energy is stored before and after such changes6.1.2 Conservation and dissipation of energy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Physics Paper 1 Higher, question 02.3: Wrapping the aluminium block in insulation makes the value for the specific heat capacity of aluminium more accurate. Which are two reasons why? [2 marks] Tick

  3. Q05.4

    June 2025 · Physics Paper 1 Higher

    2 marks6.1.1 Energy changes in a system, and the ways energy is stored before and after such changes6.1.2 Conservation and dissipation of energy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Physics Paper 1 Higher, question 05.4: The laptop charger provides a constant power to the laptop. The laptop takes longer to charge when the student uses the laptop than when the laptop is not used.

  4. Q06.3

    June 2025 · Physics Paper 1 Higher

    2 marks6.1.2 Conservation and dissipation of energy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Physics Paper 1 Higher, question 06.3: The system is designed to store excess energy from the National Grid. Explain how the efficiency of the system could be determined. [2 marks]

  5. Q04.6

    June 2025 · Physics Paper 1 Foundation

    2 marks6.1.2 Conservation and dissipation of energy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Physics Paper 1 Foundation, question 04.6: A different kettle is used to heat some water. The useful output energy transferred to the water is 75 600 J. The total input energy transferred by the kettle i

  6. Q04.7

    June 2025 · Physics Paper 1 Foundation

    2 marks6.1.2 Conservation and dissipation of energy6.2.4 Energy transfers
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Physics Paper 1 Foundation, question 04.7: Explain one advantage of electrical appliances having a high efficiency. [2 marks]

  7. Q05.1

    June 2025 · Physics Paper 1 Foundation

    2 marks6.1.2 Conservation and dissipation of energy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Physics Paper 1 Foundation, question 05.1: Describe how different energy stores change in a car engine when a fossil fuel is burned. [2 marks]

  8. Q06.3

    June 2025 · Physics Paper 1 Foundation

    2 marks6.1.1 Energy changes in a system, and the ways energy is stored before and after such changes6.1.2 Conservation and dissipation of energy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Physics Paper 1 Foundation, question 06.3: Wrapping the aluminium block in insulation makes the value for the specific heat capacity of aluminium more accurate. Which are two reasons why? [2 marks] Tick

  9. Q01.1

    June 2024 · Physics Paper 1 Higher

    2 marks6.2.4 Energy transfers6.1.2 Conservation and dissipation of energy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Physics Paper 1 Higher, question 01.1: Give two energy stores that increase when the whisk is switched on. [2 marks] 1 2

  10. Q06.1

    June 2024 · Physics Paper 1 Higher

    3 marks6.1.2 Conservation and dissipation of energy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Physics Paper 1 Higher, question 06.1: The CAES system has two processes: • compressing air to store energy. This process has an efficiency of 0.72 • releasing the air to generate electricity. This p

  11. Q05.1

    June 2024 · Physics Paper 1 Foundation

    1 mark6.1.2 Conservation and dissipation of energy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Physics Paper 1 Foundation, question 05.1: Why is the container made of metal? [1 mark] Tick () one box. Metal has a high thermal conductivity. Metal is a good thermal insulator. Metal is a poor conduct

  12. Q06.1

    June 2024 · Physics Paper 1 Foundation

    2 marks6.2.4 Energy transfers6.1.2 Conservation and dissipation of energy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Physics Paper 1 Foundation, question 06.1: Give two energy stores that increase when the whisk is switched on. [2 marks] 1 2

  13. Q05.3

    June 2023 · Physics Paper 1 Higher

    2 marks6.1.2 Conservation and dissipation of energy6.1.1 Energy changes in a system, and the ways energy is stored before and after such changes
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Physics Paper 1 Higher, question 05.3: When the spring launches the toy into the air, the temperature of the air increases. Explain why the child’s toy on its own is not a closed system. [2 marks]

  14. Q06.2

    June 2023 · Physics Paper 1 Higher

    2 marks6.1.2 Conservation and dissipation of energy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Physics Paper 1 Higher, question 06.2: For the device to work, the air in the chamber must increase in temperature quickly. Explain why the bottom of the air chamber is made of metal rather than plas

  15. Q06.4

    June 2023 · Physics Paper 1 Higher

    1 mark6.1.2 Conservation and dissipation of energy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Physics Paper 1 Higher, question 06.4: The changes in pressure in the air chamber cause the wheel to turn. Suggest one way to increase the speed at which the wheel turns. [1 mark]

  16. Q02.5

    June 2023 · Physics Paper 1 Foundation

    1 mark6.1.1 Energy changes in a system, and the ways energy is stored before and after such changes6.1.2 Conservation and dissipation of energy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Physics Paper 1 Foundation, question 02.5: As the trolley moves, work is done against friction. What is the effect of this? [1 mark] Tick () one box. Some energy is destroyed. Some energy is transferred

  17. Q02.6

    June 2023 · Physics Paper 1 Foundation

    2 marks6.1.2 Conservation and dissipation of energy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Physics Paper 1 Foundation, question 02.6: The person oils the wheels on the trolley. Explain how this will affect the speed of the person down the zip wire. [2 marks]

  18. Q03.1

    June 2022 · Physics Paper 1 Higher

    4 marks6.1.1 Energy changes in a system, and the ways energy is stored before and after such changes6.1.2 Conservation and dissipation of energy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Physics Paper 1 Higher, question 03.1: Position A shows the child’s maximum height above the trampoline. Position B shows the lowest position reached by the child when landing on the trampoline. Desc

  19. Q02.7

    June 2022 · Physics Paper 1 Foundation

    1 mark6.1.2 Conservation and dissipation of energy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Physics Paper 1 Foundation, question 02.7: A lift system using a counterweight is more efficient than a lift system that does not use a counterweight. How does having a more efficient system affect the e

  20. Q04.1

    June 2022 · Physics Paper 1 Foundation

    2 marks6.1.2 Conservation and dissipation of energy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Physics Paper 1 Foundation, question 04.1: After 30 seconds in the water the temperature of the thermometer had decreased by 7.5 °C Calculate the average decrease in temperature each second. [2 marks] Av
All 39 questions on Conservation and dissipation of energy, as a list
  1. June 2025, Physics Paper 1 Higher, Q01.1 (2 marks): Describe how different energy stores change in a car engine when a fossil fuel is burned. [2 marks]
  2. June 2025, Physics Paper 1 Higher, Q02.3 (2 marks): Wrapping the aluminium block in insulation makes the value for the specific heat capacity of aluminium more accurate. Which are two reasons why? [2 marks] Tick
  3. June 2025, Physics Paper 1 Higher, Q05.4 (2 marks): The laptop charger provides a constant power to the laptop. The laptop takes longer to charge when the student uses the laptop than when the laptop is not used.
  4. June 2025, Physics Paper 1 Higher, Q06.3 (2 marks): The system is designed to store excess energy from the National Grid. Explain how the efficiency of the system could be determined. [2 marks]
  5. June 2025, Physics Paper 1 Foundation, Q04.6 (2 marks): A different kettle is used to heat some water. The useful output energy transferred to the water is 75 600 J. The total input energy transferred by the kettle i
  6. June 2025, Physics Paper 1 Foundation, Q04.7 (2 marks): Explain one advantage of electrical appliances having a high efficiency. [2 marks]
  7. June 2025, Physics Paper 1 Foundation, Q05.1 (2 marks): Describe how different energy stores change in a car engine when a fossil fuel is burned. [2 marks]
  8. June 2025, Physics Paper 1 Foundation, Q06.3 (2 marks): Wrapping the aluminium block in insulation makes the value for the specific heat capacity of aluminium more accurate. Which are two reasons why? [2 marks] Tick
  9. June 2024, Physics Paper 1 Higher, Q01.1 (2 marks): Give two energy stores that increase when the whisk is switched on. [2 marks] 1 2
  10. June 2024, Physics Paper 1 Higher, Q06.1 (3 marks): The CAES system has two processes: • compressing air to store energy. This process has an efficiency of 0.72 • releasing the air to generate electricity. This p
  11. June 2024, Physics Paper 1 Foundation, Q05.1 (1 mark): Why is the container made of metal? [1 mark] Tick () one box. Metal has a high thermal conductivity. Metal is a good thermal insulator. Metal is a poor conduct
  12. June 2024, Physics Paper 1 Foundation, Q06.1 (2 marks): Give two energy stores that increase when the whisk is switched on. [2 marks] 1 2
  13. June 2023, Physics Paper 1 Higher, Q05.3 (2 marks): When the spring launches the toy into the air, the temperature of the air increases. Explain why the child’s toy on its own is not a closed system. [2 marks]
  14. June 2023, Physics Paper 1 Higher, Q06.2 (2 marks): For the device to work, the air in the chamber must increase in temperature quickly. Explain why the bottom of the air chamber is made of metal rather than plas
  15. June 2023, Physics Paper 1 Higher, Q06.4 (1 mark): The changes in pressure in the air chamber cause the wheel to turn. Suggest one way to increase the speed at which the wheel turns. [1 mark]
  16. June 2023, Physics Paper 1 Foundation, Q02.5 (1 mark): As the trolley moves, work is done against friction. What is the effect of this? [1 mark] Tick () one box. Some energy is destroyed. Some energy is transferred
  17. June 2023, Physics Paper 1 Foundation, Q02.6 (2 marks): The person oils the wheels on the trolley. Explain how this will affect the speed of the person down the zip wire. [2 marks]
  18. June 2022, Physics Paper 1 Higher, Q03.1 (4 marks): Position A shows the child’s maximum height above the trampoline. Position B shows the lowest position reached by the child when landing on the trampoline. Desc
  19. June 2022, Physics Paper 1 Foundation, Q02.7 (1 mark): A lift system using a counterweight is more efficient than a lift system that does not use a counterweight. How does having a more efficient system affect the e
  20. June 2022, Physics Paper 1 Foundation, Q04.1 (2 marks): After 30 seconds in the water the temperature of the thermometer had decreased by 7.5 °C Calculate the average decrease in temperature each second. [2 marks] Av
  21. June 2022, Physics Paper 1 Foundation, Q04.2 (2 marks): Complete Figure 8 using the data in Table 2. You should: • label the y-axis • draw the bars for materials Y and Z. [2 marks] Figure 8
  22. June 2022, Physics Paper 1 Foundation, Q04.3 (2 marks): Which material is the best thermal insulator? Give a reason for your answer. [2 marks] Tick () one box. W X Y Z Reason
  23. June 2022, Physics Paper 1 Foundation, Q04.4 (1 mark): The student tested a new material with a greater thermal conductivity than material Z. The piece of new material was the same size and thickness as the piece of
  24. November 2021, Physics Paper 1 Higher, Q06.5 (6 marks): The condenser transfers energy from the coolant to the air in the building. When the total energy input to the heat pump system is 1560 kJ the temperature of th
  25. November 2021, Physics Paper 1 Higher, Q06.6 (3 marks): The air in the building gains 400 J for every 100 J of energy transferred from the mains electricity supply to the compressor. An advertisement claims that the
  26. November 2021, Physics Paper 1 Foundation, Q02.5 (1 mark): At positions A and E, the athlete is standing still. Why does the athlete have less energy in position E than in position A? [1 mark] Tick () one box. Energy h
  27. November 2021, Physics Paper 1 Foundation, Q04.4 (2 marks): The efficiency of the solar water heater is 0.61 Calculate the useful power output when the total power input to the solar water heater is 1100 W. Use the equat
  28. November 2021, Physics Paper 1 Foundation, Q04.8 (1 mark): The water tank is thermally insulated. How does thermal insulation affect the rate of energy transfer from the water in the tank? [1 mark] Tick () one box. The
  29. November 2021, Physics Paper 1 Foundation, Q04.9 (1 mark): Table 1 shows information about different materials. Table 1 Material Thermal conductivity in arbitrary units A 3 B 2 C 8 D 4 Which material in Table 1 is the b
  30. November 2020, Physics Paper 1 Higher, Q04.4 (2 marks): The temperature of the water reaches 42 °C The temperature then stays constant even though the fire continues to burn. Explain why the temperature of the water
  31. November 2020, Physics Paper 1 Higher, Q05.3 (4 marks): Explain why the different thermal conductivities of metal and plastic are important in the design of the bowl. [4 marks] Metal Plastic
  32. November 2020, Physics Paper 1 Higher, Q07.1 (3 marks): Figure 9 shows a sketch graph of how the maximum tendon length during a jump changes with the speed of the kangaroo. Figure 9 Explain why a kangaroo can jump hi
  33. November 2020, Physics Paper 1 Foundation, Q03.4 (2 marks): The roof of the eco-house is covered with soil. Covering the roof with soil decreases the thermal conductivity of the roof. What are the advantages of having a
  34. November 2020, Physics Paper 1 Foundation, Q03.6 (1 mark): Write down the equation that links efficiency, total power input and useful power output. [1 mark]
  35. November 2020, Physics Paper 1 Foundation, Q03.7 (3 marks): The solar panels on the roof of the eco-house have an efficiency of 0.15 The average power input to the solar panels is 26 000 W Calculate the average useful po
  36. June 2019, Physics Paper 1 Foundation, Q02.5 (2 marks): The total input energy transfer to one of the solar panels was 8.0 joules. The useful output energy transfer was 0.96 joules. Calculate the efficiency of the so
  37. June 2018, Physics Paper 1 Higher, Q05.1 (3 marks): Explain how the wall reduces unwanted energy transfers. [3 marks]
  38. June 2018, Physics Paper 1 Higher, Q05.2 (2 marks): The cavity insulation was tested. • The heating inside the house was switched off. • The temperature inside the house was measured every 20 minutes for 2 hours.
  39. June 2018, Physics Paper 1 Higher, Q05.3 (3 marks): Figure 8 shows the gas boiler used to heat the house. Figure 8 Describe how different energy stores are changed by the boiler. [3 marks]

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