4 marksFoundation and Higher5.10.1.1 Using the Earth's resources and sustainable development
AQA Trilogy 8464
Spec and skills
Paper scope: C2
Spec 5.10.1.1
Original practice question
Answer and supported method checks
A factory uses 240 tonnes of a finite mineral each year. Process improvements reduce annual use by 15%. A managed forest supplies a different raw material that can regrow.
.1
Calculate the factory’s new annual mineral use.
[2 marks]
.2
Explain why the mineral remains finite and why a renewable resource is not automatically sustainable.
[2 marks]
5 marksHigher5.10.1.4 Alternative methods of extracting metals
AQA Trilogy 8464
Spec and skills
Paper scope: C2
Spec 5.10.1.4
Original practice question
Answer and supported method checks
A trial compares conventional mining with bioleaching for the same mass of copper recovered. Mining causes 120 units of landscape disturbance and uses 900 units of energy; bioleaching causes 35 and uses 600. Bioleaching takes much longer and its leachate must be contained.
.1
Calculate the percentage energy saving using bioleaching compared with mining.
[2 marks]
.2
Evaluate the claim that bioleaching has no environmental disadvantages.
[3 marks]
4 marksFoundation and Higher5.6.1.1 Calculating rates of reactions
AQA Trilogy 8464
Spec and skills
Paper scope: C2
Spec 5.6.1.1
Original practice question
Answer and supported method checks
A reaction uses the same solution concentration at 20 °C and 35 °C. A student explains the faster reaction at 35 °C by saying particles are larger and the activation energy has decreased.
Evaluate the explanation.
[4 marks]
4 marksFoundation and Higher5.7.1.2 Fractional distillation and petrochemicals
AQA Trilogy 8464
Spec and skills
Paper scope: C2
Spec 5.7.1.2
Original practice question
Answer and supported method checks
A student says: "Crude oil is a compound. Fractional distillation breaks its molecules into simpler hydrocarbons. Each fraction contains one pure substance."
Evaluate each part of this explanation.
[4 marks]
4 marksFoundation and Higher5.9.2.4 The carbon footprint and its reduction
AQA Trilogy 8464
Spec and skills
Paper scope: C2
Spec 5.9.2.4
Original practice question
Answer and supported method checks
A farm reduces methane emissions from manure handling from 15 tonnes CO2-equivalent to 9 tonnes per year. New equipment adds 2 tonnes CO2-equivalent per year from energy use. All other emissions are unchanged.
.1
Calculate the net annual reduction in the farm’s footprint.
[2 marks]
.2
Explain why methane and carbon dioxide emissions both matter, and suggest one implementation barrier.
