Q6 — Extended response: energy generation

Question (6 marks QER — Quality of Extended Response): Compare the use of wind power and nuclear fission for generating electricity in the UK. Your answer should refer to reliability, environmental impact, and cost.

Mark scheme — levelled (indicative content below):

Wind: renewable, no CO₂ emissions in operation, low running cost, but intermittent (no wind = no output), high upfront cost, visual/noise impact, location-dependent (offshore preferred for stronger, steadier wind), low power output per turbine (~2–3 MW).

Nuclear: very high energy density (≈ 200 MeV per U-235 fission), reliable baseload, low CO₂ in operation, but high decommissioning costs, long-lived radioactive waste, risk of accidents (e.g. Fukushima 2011), long build time (≥ 10 years).

Levels:

• Level 3 (5–6 marks): Detailed comparison covering all three criteria for both sources, with specific data/examples; coherent structure; correct terminology (intermittent, baseload, fission, kWh).
• Level 2 (3–4 marks): Some comparison; covers at least two criteria; mostly correct but lacks depth or examples.
• Level 1 (1–2 marks): Limited points; mainly description rather than comparison; basic terminology.
• 0 marks: No relevant content.