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RENEW, IMPROVE AND SUSTAIN YOUR

LIFE WITH CLEAN ENERGY
PARTICIPANT SELECTION EXAM

SECTION B: FREE RESPONSE

100 minutes for 5 questions

EXAMINEE INFO

DATE OF THE EXAM:

CANDIDATE NUMBER:

ATTENTION!
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evaluation process
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INSTRUCTIONS
PLEASE READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU START EXAM
 The theoretical free response exam contains 5 questions and has a time limit of 100 minutes.
 Read the questions carefully. You can receive full credit only by directly answering all aspects
of the question.
 Every question is prepared and crosschecked by the members of selection committee. If you
think that a question is wrong, has missing parts or no answers; please try to think the best
possible way.
 All exam content is written in English, however it may contain several dialects of English
language. If you think that there are any mistakes in spelling or unfamiliar way of expressing a
phenomena, please consider the best possible way.
 No credits will be given the things on the exam booklet. Please write down your answers on
the papers supplied by exam committee. When you are preparing your answers, please
indicate only your candidate number and the problem number which you are submitting a
solution for.
 If your solution for a question contains more page than one, please indicate the page
sequence.
 Please do not solve different problems on the same paper. Use different sheets for different
problems.
 You may use every type of writing instruments except red and green coloured ones, which will
be used by jury members in order to mark the submitted solutions.
 After you finish solving problems, put the solutions which you want to submit to jury, in the
given envelope that your candidate number is indicated on. Ensure that candidate number is
yours. Candidate number is only way to identify the owner of the exam materials. The solutions
which cannot be related with a proper candidate will not be scored.
 Additional scratch paper is allowed in this section of the exam. However, no credits will be
given for the papers which had not been submitted to the jury.
 Any calculators, mobile phones, communication devices, smart-watches, photographic
instruments or any kind of gadgets which enables communicating with third-party people,
groups or institutions are not allowed during the this part of exam.
 You may not leave the exam room during the exam or eat and drink in the exam room.
 Do not discuss any content of exam until the scores and exam content are released. If you
discuss, your score may be cancelled or you may be dismissed from all selection process.
 Do not remove any pages from the exam booklets.
 Do not share or exchange materials with anyone.
 After the given time for exam finishes, hand over the exam booklet and answer sheet.
 You may ask any kind of questions about the exam and exam security to the invigilator before
the exam starts.
 You do not need to solve questions in a defined order.
 No punishment points will be given for your wrong answers. Only the correct answers are
considered.
 The free response exam score gives the %60 of your theoretical exam score.

DO NOT TURN THE PAGE OVER

UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD

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FREE RESPONSE QUESTIONS

5 questions - 100 mins, %60 of theoretical exam score

Question 1: Ethanol as source of energy (20 marks)

Since ancient times ethanol has been used for lamp oil and cooking, along with plant and animal oils.
Nowadays vast majority of ethanol is used as fuel and is produced in large scale by fermentation, in
which certain species of yeast metabolize sugar producing ethanol. It can be said that sunlight is used
to run the engine of a vehicles, as a simple sugar is created in the plant by photosynthesis, and during
ethanol combustion carbon dioxide and water are produced with a release of energy.

1.a) Write chemical equations for sugar synthesis, ethanol production and combustion.

Early in 1860 Nikolaus August Otto used ethyl alcohol as a fuel in

internal combustion engine. Today ethanol may be used as a fuel to
power both direct-ethanol fuel cells (DEFC) and combustion
engines. One of the first DEFC, which schematic diagram is given,
was introduced in the ShellEco-Marathon in 2007.

1.b) Identify chemical species A–F on figure.

1.c) From thermodynamic data calculate DEFC maximal energy

conversion efficiency ratio, calculated with: η = ∆rG0 /∆rH0 (25 °C)

compound O2 H2 CO2 H2O C2H5OH C6H12O6

∆H0, kJ mol−1 0 0 -394 -286 -278 -1273
S0, J mol−1 K−1 205 131 214 70 161 212

1.d) For comparison calculate efficiency of combustion engine running on Otto cycle using equation
for maximal efficiency:

η = 1 − 1/r(γ−1), where γ = Cp/CV ≈ 1.4, r is compression ratio which equals 9 and 12.5 for ethanol and
gasoline, respectively. Assume, that only half of the efficiency is achieved in practice.

To be realistic, it should be considered that in order to move a vehicle the electric energy must be
converted into mechanical. Let's assume that conversion efficiency of subsystems are: 90% for
invertor, 90% for motor, and 90% for gas compressor. Overall conversion efficiency ratio may be
compared to energy conversion efficiency ratio of combustion engine in which chemical energy is
directly converted to mechanical.

1.e) Estimate overall efficiency of hydrogen vehicle.

1.f) Name one-two main advantages of i) ethanol over gasoline fuel in internal combustion engine; ii)
fuel cell over internal combustion engine.

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Question 2: Making ammonia with thermal equations (15 marks)

The Haber process is used to make ammonia, the main use of which is in fertilisers that are often
sprayed on crops. Around 1% of the entire global energy supply is used in the Haber process and so
research groups are looking to find more sustainable methods of producing ammonia.

In answering this question you may need to use the following relationships and constants:

Gᶱ = Hᶱ − TSᶱ

Gᶱ = − nFEᶱcell

where:

n is the number of electrons transferred in the equation for the cell reaction

F is Faraday’s constant (the charge carried by a mole of electrons),which is equal to 9.65 × 104 C mol–1

Eᶱcell is the electrochemical cell potential, in volts (1 V = 1 J C–1 )

Q=It

where:

Q is the electric charge, in coulombs

I is the current, in amperes

t is the time, in seconds

1 tonne = 1 × 106 g

One recently published approach to making ammonia uses the following three-step method:

Step 1 Electrolysis of molten lithium hydroxide at 750 K to form lithium metal

4LiOH  4Li + 2H2O + O2

Step 2 Reaction of lithium metal with nitrogen to form lithium nitride

Step 3 Reaction of lithium nitride with water to re-form lithium hydroxide and ammonia

Thus the lithium hydroxide formed in Step 3 can be re-used in Step 1 and the process can be repeated.

2.a) State the two half-equations that combine to give the overall equation in Step 1.

The table below gives the thermochemical data (to 3 significant figures) for Step 1.

At 750 K LiOH Li H2O O2

fHᶱ / kJ mol–1 -446 +15.0 -268 +15.8
Sᶱ/ J K–1 mol–1 +128 +63.7 +224 +236

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2.b) Calculate the following for Step 1 at 750 K.

(i) Hᶱ in kJ mol–1

(ii) Sᶱ in J K–1 mol–1

(iii) Gᶱ in kJ mol–1

The electrolysis will only proceed at an appreciable rate when the applied potential exceeds the
electrochemical cell potential by 0.60 V.

2.c) Calculate the minimum potential that should be applied in Step 1.

2.d) Write down the equations for Step 2 and Step 3 and hence calculate the stoichiometric ratio
between the lithium produced in Step 1 and the ammonia produced in Step 3.

In a small-scale experiment, the researchers applied a current of 0.200 A for 1000 seconds. The yield
of lithium production in this process was 88.5%. The yield of Steps 2 and 3 can be assumed to be 100%.

2.e) Calculate the mass of lithium generated in Step 1.

2.f) Calculate the volume of ammonia produced in cm3 at room temperature and pressure.

A potential application of this approach is to use renewable energy sources as the source of electricity
for the electrolysis and to produce ammonia at a farm where it can be used straight away. The average
size of a Middle European farm is 130 acres and a farm requires 0.0770 tonnes of ammonia per acre
annually.

2.g) If the lithium hydroxide was not recycled at the end of the process, calculate the total mass of
lithium (in tonnes) that would have to be produced to generate the required mass of ammonia for a
year.

3.a)

A volume of 80 cm3 of water in a copper calorimeter of mass 150 g takes 12 minutes to cool from 40◦C
to 15◦C in a cold room. The same volume of ethanol of density 0.8 g cm−3 takes 8 minutes to cool also
from 40◦C to 15◦C in the same calorimeter in the same circumstances.

Calculate the specific heat capacity of ethanol. The specific heat capacity of copper = 400 J kg−1 ◦C −1
and of water = 4200 J kg−1 ◦C −1 .

The density of water, ρw = 1.0 g cm−3 .

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Question 3: Energy affairs of world (25 marks)

Choose any two of the forms of renewable energy listed below and answer the following questions in
relation to them.

Forms of Renewable Energy:

1. Geothermal Power
2. Hydropower
3. Biomass Power
4. Solar Power

a) For each of the two sources of energy you have chosen briefly describe

i) A typical historical application of this form of energy

ii) A typical modern application of this form of energy

b) For each of the two sources of energy you have chosen identify and briefly describe two separate
types of energy supply that come under the same heading. Indicate the relative importance of each.

c) Country X is a small land locked nation with a predominantly agricultural economy and a tropical
climate (warm dry winters and warm wet summers). At present the nation is self sufficient in food
supply and food products are its major export. It has no native fossil fuel resources. It does have a
number of rivers which are fast flowing during the wet season but prone to drying up during the dry
season. These rivers are vital for irrigation of the agricultural land. Electricity generation presently
accounts for 30% of the nation’s primary energy consumption, transport accounts for 40% and heating
accounts for the remaining 30%. In order to reduce dependence on fuel imports and to help comply
with international treaties limiting CO2 emissions the government of country X is considering investing
heavily in one of the two forms of renewable energy you have chosen. Based on the information given
above write a short report outlining the relative advantages and disadvantages of two forms of
renewable energy for country X and make a recommendation as to which is more appropriate for
country X to invest in.

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Question 4: Energy consumption and its effects (20 marks)

5.a) By 2015 the price of solar panels will have come down a lot after China significantly increases its
production of solar panels. The graph below shows this.

i) What is the expected decrease in the cost of solar panels from 2009 to 2015?

ii) Using the graph, estimate the likely cost of solar panels in 2016.

iii) Solar panels contain a number of different materials that are extracted from rare minerals. What
impact might this have on the sustainability of solar panels?

5.b) The cost of producing electricity from three different energy sources in a developed country in
2011 is shown in the bar graph below. The costs given are for the most modern equipment.

Using the bar graph and your own knowledge, suggest what hope this gives for the greater use of
renewable forms of energy in the future. Explain your answer.

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5.c) In a developing country there is a great need for electricity. The electricity that is generated often
comes from fossil fuel power stations using out of date technologies. Suggest why people in developing
countries want access to electricity.

5.d) There are great differences between the world’s biomes in:

 net primary productivity (NPP, growth rate of vegetation per year)

 biomass (total dry mass of plants and animals)

Looking at the graph, how true is it to say that the NPP of a biome decreases with increasing distance
from the equator? Explain your answer.

5.e) For sulfur dioxide (SO2) and carbon dioxide (CO2), give different reasons why lower emissions are
important for people and the environment.

6.a)

Consider a cube of side length a = 1cm, made of aluminium (density ρ = 2.7g/cm 3 , molar mass
MA = 23g/mol). The heat capacitance of one mole of aluminium is given as a function of temperature
in the graph below. The speed of light c = 3×108 m/s, universal gas constant R = 8.31J/(kg·K). The initial
temperature of the cube is T0 = 300K

What is the total heat energy of such a cube at the initial temperature T0?

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Question 5: Global energy thoughts (10 marks)

6.a) In 2008, soaring gas prices coupled with a looming recession made many reconsider their vehicle
of choice. During this time, the benefits of electric vehicles (EVs) became clear to the public. In urban
areas, where air pollution is a huge environmental and health concern, EVs’ zero emissions were a big
plus. However, a study conducted by Transport Watch, a nongovernmental group in the UK, concluded
that EVs are less efficient than diesel-powered engines and produce twice the CO2 emissions in the UK
than do diesel engines (i.e., when comparing the fossil fuels used to produce each vehicle type). When
the fuel lost (i.e., point source → fueling station → tank → wheels) for each is measured, only 24% of
the energy produced at the point source reaches EVs for use, while 45% reaches diesel engines.

(a) How do CO2 emissions affect air quality?

(b) For countries depending primarily on coal, like China, what could a switch to electric vehicles
mean for the environment?

(c) Describe two measures to raise or offset electric vehicle efficiency.

(d) Describe two ways energy can be lost along the supply chain.

6.b) The European Wind Energy Association plans to provide over 10% of Europe’s electricity by 2030.
Denmark’s wind energy program shows how government support can assist in making green energy
sources commercially viable. Its wind energy program provided over 20% of Denmark’s total electricity
needs in 2009.

In the United States, 11,329 MW of wind energy were generated in 2006, with additional wind capacity
coming on line. With an energy cost of 2.0 cents/kWh, wind is equal to or less expensive than coal, oil,
nuclear, and most natural gas–fired generation. The great thing about wind, besides being a clean
energy source, is that it is free after initial construction.

(a) Describe possible disadvantages of wind-generated electricity.

(b) List the long-term benefits of wind energy.

6.c) The second law of thermodynamics states that the universe tends toward entropy (e.g.,
randomness). In terms of energy use, this means a fraction of an original energy amount is always lost
after changing to another form. For example, much energy is lost through heat from turbines in a
hydroelectric power plant.

(a) Can lost electric energy be retained?

(b) What modern materials might make energy transmission more efficient?

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ANSWER KEY

1.

A)

B)

A – C2H5OH D – CO2 B – O2 E – e− C – H+ F – H2O

C)

D)

e)

ηHV = 0.83x 0.93 x100 = 60%

f)

i) lower fuel consumption per km; eliminate pollution caused by burning fossil fuels; lower CO2
emissions; based on renewable energy source ii) higher efficiency; higher reliability (less moving parts
etc.); eliminate pollution caused by burning fossil fuels – less emissions; very low noise and vibrations.

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2.

a)

Li+ + e−  Li

4OH−  2H2O + O2 + 4e− Multiples allowed. Equation must be fully correct to score the ½ mark.

b)

(i) = (2  −268 kJ mol–1 ) + 15.8 kJ mol–1 + (4  15.0 kJ mol–1 ) − (4  −446 kJ mol–1 ) = +1,320 kJ mol–
1 Do not penalise if positive sign is absent, however, zero marks if negative. 1

(ii) = (4  63.7 J K–1 mol–1 ) + (2  224 J K–1 mol–1 ) + 236 J K–1 mol–1 − (4  128 J K–1 mol–1 ) = +427
J K–1 mol–1 Do not penalise if positive sign is absent, however, zero marks if negative. 1 (

iii) = Hᶱ− TSᶱ = 1,320 kJ mol–1 − (750 K  427 J K–1 mol–1  10−3 kJ J−1 ) = +1,004 kJ mol–1 Do not
penalise if positive sign is absent, however, zero marks if negative.

ECF allowed from part (b)(i) and (b)(ii): ECF Answer = (b)(i) – (0.75  (b)(ii))

c)

= Gᶱ / (n  F) = –1,004 kJ mol–1  103 J kJ−1 / (4  9.65  104 C mol−1 ) = −2.60 V

ECF Answer = −((b)(iii)  2.59  10−3 )

Therefore, a potential of +3.20 V should be applied. ECF Answer = ((b)(iii)  2.59  10−3 ) + 0.60 ½ mark
for correct calculation of −2.60 V (negative sign required) and ½ mark for adding 0.60 V to the absolute
value of Eᶱcell students have obtained.

d)

6Li + N2  2Li3N

Li3N + 3H2O  NH3 + 3LiOH

Ratio Li:NH3 is 3:1 ½ mark for each correct equation. 1 mark for the correct ratio. No ECF from incorrect
equations.

e)

Q = 0.2 A × 1000 s = 200 C

Amount of e − = 200 C / 9.65 × 104 C mol–1 = 0.00207 mol

Amount of Li = 88.5% × 0.00207 mol = 0.00183 mol

Mass of Li = 0.00183 × 6.94 g mol–1 = 0.0127 g

1 mark for correct calculation of charge and correct use of Faraday’s constant, ½ mark for calculation
of amount of lithium from amount of electrons and ½ mark for correct numerical answer

f) Amount of NH3 = amount of Li × 1 /3 = 0.00183 mol × 1 /3 = 6.11 × 10−4 mol

Volume of NH3 = 6.11 × 10−4 mol × 24000 cm3 mol−1 = 14.7 cm3

ECF Answer = 3458  (e) / (d) ECF Answer scores 1 mark.

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g) Mass of NH3 required for farm = 130 acres × 0.077 tonnes acre−1 = 10.01 tonnes

Amount of NH3 = 10.01 × 106 g / 17.034 g mol–1 = 5.88 × 105 mol

Amount of Li = 5.88 × 105 mol × 3 = 1.76 × 106 mol

Mass of Li = 1.76 × 106 mol × 6.94 g mol–1 = 1.22 × 107 g = 12.2 tonnes

ECF Answer = 4.08 × 106 × (d)

3.

a)

b)

For the heat energy of one mole of material dq = CvdT.

There is no heat energy by T = 0, hence q = R T 0 CvdT. Using the graph we nd this as the area under
the curve, q ≈ R·560 J/K. The number of moles ν = a 3 ρ/MA ≈ 0.117 mol, hence the total heat energy
Q = qν ≈ 546 J

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c)

i)

ii)

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5.

a)

(i) 0.83–0.90$ per watt accept 67–68% reduction [1]

(ii) accept anything between 0.35 and 0.40$ per watt [1]

(iii) Credit two points. solar panels will not be sustainable if minerals used for the panels are rare/run
out; the minerals need to be recycled in new solar panels to ensure sustainability; solar energy will
still be sustainable (expected lifetime 5–6 billion years) problem will be the panels which have an
expected lifetime of 25 years; could be sustainable if new technology replaces rare minerals; [2]

b)

No credit for reference to hope, three marks are for supporting explanation, credit three points.
onshore wind and solar power are renewable, natural gas is not (a fossil fuel); onshore wind is the
cheapest energy source; onshore wind cheaper than natural gas; by 5 cents; onshore wind depends
on wind blowing; could be opposition to land-based wind farms (NIMBY); solar power is the most
expensive energy source; solar power more expensive than natural gas; by 45 cents; less opposition
to solar power; cost of solar has fallen sp will probably continue to fall; making it economically viable;

c)

Credit two reasons or one reason with development.

to improve quality of life/ standard of living/reduce poverty; for cooking/heating/ light/pumping

water/refrigerating food; without it coal/wood/dung burnt for heat/ cooking causing
pollution/lung/health issues; increases educational opportunities/ study at night/use of computers;
powers cell phones for mobile banking/access the internet; electricity for economic development
which will provide more jobs; modern farm machinery/factories /office buildings; make life easier;

d)

Credit three points.

partially true; true from tropical rainforest to tundra if exclude hot desert/treat it as an anomaly; true
for 0° to 25°; hot desert does not fit the pattern/anomaly; true for taiga to tundra;

e)

sulfur dioxide (SO2): one of the main gases causing acid rain; increases acidity levels in soils; trees die
(leaves /needles fall, trees become less resistant to drought/frost disease); rivers and lakes
acidified/pH lowered; causing deaths of fish and plant life; accelerates corrosion of buildings and
monuments; causes respiratory problems/ coughing/wheezing/ shortness of breath/ chest tightness;
increased levels of bronchitis/lung cancer;

carbon dioxide (CO2): is a greenhouse gas; one of the main causes of (enhanced) global warming;
leading to more extreme weather events; rising sea levels; flooding; climate change; more CO2 more
frequent/ severe heat waves; more heat-related deaths; more CO2 increase in pollen allergies;
asthma; smog pollution; infectious diseases;

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6.

a.)

a. Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are harmful for atmospheric health because of the large quantities
produced by humans. The atmosphere naturally stores carbon dioxide as part of the carbon cycle, but
elevated CO2 levels have been shown to lead to sea level changes, snowmelt, disease, and heat stress.
Because it is a greenhouse gas, high concentrations of atmospheric CO2 lead to global warming
through raising the atmosphere’s ability to absorb and emit thermal infrared radiation.

b. If the EV efficiency numbers are correct, for countries like China, which rely on coal-fired plants to
generate electricity, switching to electric vehicles could dramatically raise CO2 emissions and have
drastic effects on public health and the environment.

c. Creating cleaner energy sources to produce electricity could help raise the efficiency level. To raise
the efficiency level, methods that waste or lose less “fuel” from point source to tank should be used.

d. Along the supply chain, energy can be lost through transporting electricity to the“fueling”
stations, and electricity can be lost at the power station where the car is plugged in.

b.)

a. Wind energy disadvantages are mainly socioeconomic. Though the monetary costs of building
wind turbines is going down, wind energy is not yet an economically efficient way to produce
electricity on a mass scale. While wind is readily available all over the world, it is both unpredictable
and not strong enough in all areas as a source of electricity. Creating the necessary number of
turbines to produce electricity for urban areas requires extensive land use and creates noise
pollution for nearby populations. Wind farms also detract from the natural beauty of their locales,
thus devaluing a land’s scenic value. This could become an economic burden rather than boon,
particularly in coastal areas where tourism provides a much needed source of revenue.

b. Wind energy is a clean, renewable energy resource that does not contribute to the creation of
greenhouse gases like CO2. Using wind energy places much less stress on the surrounding
environment than other energy production methods. Wind energy also has long-term social and
economic benefits. Because its “fuel” is free and inexhaustible, its use can reduce and therefore
help stabilize the demands on other valuable resources such as natural gas and oil. Wind energy can
generate electricity for remote areas marginalized by geographic locale, and improve the quality of
life for populations all over the world. Finally, because of the low environmental impact of turbines,
the land beneath turbines can be used for multiple purposes (e.g., agriculture), allowing maximum
land use.

c.)

a. Energy can be retained by keeping the amount and number of losses to a minimum.

b. Engineers and scientists are excited about the capabilities of carbon nanotubes as electrical
transmission conduits. Individual carbon nanotube fibers have an electrical conductivity better than
copper at only one-sixth the weight and with negligible current loss. Several researchers have
demonstrated that a single-walled carbon nanotube can carry currents up to 20 microamperes. With
current technology, losses in power transmission lines are about 7%. Dropping these losses to 6%
would reap a national annual energy savings of 4 × 1010 kilowatt-hours

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