Practice IB Design Technology (DT) Topic 2.3 Energy Utilization, Storage and Distribution with authentic exam-style questions for both SL and HL students. This question bank focuses on the exact syllabus content for 2.3 Energy Utilization, Storage and Distribution and mirrors Paper 1, 2, 3 style where relevant.
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An engineer is designing a stationary backup power supply for a rural telecommunications tower. The primary requirements are low initial capital expenditure and high reliability, while the total mass of the battery bank is not a design constraint.
Based on the data provided in the table, which battery chemistry is the most appropriate choice for this specific application?
An analysis of a refrigerator's lifecycle results in the following energy consumption data:
| Battery Chemistry | Specific Energy () | Relative Cost |
|---|
| Lithium-ion | 150–250 | High |
| Lead-acid | 30–50 | Low |
| Nickel-cadmium | 40–60 | Medium |
| Silver-zinc | 100–130 | Very High |
| Lifecycle stage | Energy consumption (MJ) |
|---|
| Raw material extraction | 1,450 |
| Processing and manufacturing | 3,250 |
| Transportation to retail outlets | 800 |
| Operational use (10-year lifespan) | 14,000 |
| Recycling and disposal | 500 |
What is the total embodied energy for this refrigerator at the point it is ready for purchase by a consumer?
The table below compares the energy storage characteristics of three different technologies.
| Storage Technology | Specific Energy () | Energy Density () |
|---|---|---|
| Compressed Hydrogen | ||
| Lithium-ion Battery | ||
| Lead-acid Battery |
Which statement correctly identifies the advantage of using compressed hydrogen over lithium-ion batteries for weight-sensitive applications such as long-range drones?
An engineering team is developing a high-altitude drone for long-range environmental monitoring. The drone's maximum takeoff weight is strictly limited, so the team must select an energy storage system with the highest specific energy (energy per unit mass).
Based on the performance data in the table below, which storage system is the most appropriate choice for this weight-sensitive application?
| Storage System | Specific Energy () | Energy Density () |
|---|---|---|
| Lead-acid | ||
| Nickel-metal hydride | ||
| Lithium-ion |
In the context of utility-scale energy management, why do grid operators engage in 'pumped-storage' operations during periods of low electrical demand?
Silver-zinc
Lead-acid
Lithium-ion
Nickel-cadmium
14,000 MJ
5,500 MJ
20,000 MJ
4,700 MJ
| Lithium-sulfur |
