WJEC GCE Applied Science – Unit 3: Energy & the Environment
Portfolio Activity 3.4 – Fossil Fuels
In this portfolio activity, which forms part of the assessment for this Unit
(Report b: ‘A report on the application of domestic energy and the community,
including the formation, extraction and use of a fossil fuel in the context of a
domestic hot water heating system report and the impact of two (2) energy
related organisations involved with this process’), you need to find out in detail
about fossil fuels.
You need to follow the process of fossil fuel formation (via photosynthesis);
through the geological formation process, to fossil fuel exploration and
extraction, the impact of fossil fuel usage on the environment, and the current
trends in fossil fuel usage.
In particular you need to address each of the following points IN DETAIL:
 Balanced chemical equations for the combustion of carbon-based
(fossil) fuels, respiration and photosynthesis
[Help: Higher level work will involve a comparison of the chemistry of
combustion of different fossil fuels, and detailed descriptions and
comparisons of the processes of respiration and photosynthesis on the cell
and molecular level]
 A description of the process of fossil fuel formation and the importance of
photosynthesis and respiration in this process
[Help: Higher level work will involve comprehensive, detailed written and diagrammatic
explanations of the process of fossil fuel formation, including the energy pathway from the
Sun via photosynthesis and respiration]
 A description of the principles of fossil fuel exploration and extraction and their
impact on the environment
[Help: Higher level work will involve comprehensive, detailed written and diagrammatic
descriptions of the principles of fossil fuel exploration and extraction and an analysis of the
issues of their impact on the environment, including specific examples/Case Studies where
work is being done to address this impact]
 Know, use and apply the concepts of specific heat capacity and specific latent
heat of vaporisation in the context of the use of carbon-based (fossil) fuels to
generate heat and electricity
[Help: In this section you will need to produce a detailed diagrammatic flow-chart of the
process of electricity generation via the combustion of fossil fuels. In particular you need to
explain how the energy is passed from one stage to another via the concepts of specific
heat capacity and specific latent heat of water. Higher level work will involve exemplar
calculations and use of efficiencies]
 A description of the current world and national proportions of electricity
generation by fossil fuels and renewable fuels
[Help: Higher level work will involve comprehensive, detailed written and diagrammatic
interpretations and evaluations of the statistics of current world and national proportions of
electricity generation by fossil fuels and renewables]
 An analysis of the problems associated with the current levels of fossil fuel
usage, and a description of the known reserves of fossil fuels and future world
energy needs
[Help: Higher level work will involve students identifying and explaining the implications for
society on the problems associated with the current levels of fossil fuel usage, and the role
of the known reserves of fossil fuels and future world energy needs]
 Presentation – Your report needs to contain a mix of graphics and text. Think
about the audience of the report – how can you present your report with impact
and clarity? This forms part of the assessment for this piece of work (see below).
You will be assessed on the following criteria:
Assessment
Objective Criteria
Knowledge &
Understanding
Terminology &
Conventions
Level of Response
E Grade
demonstrate basic knowledge
and understanding of the
science. There may be
significant omissions
1 mark
use basic scientific terminology
and conventions in some of their
work
1 mark
Information &
Presentation
select information and present it
clearly
1 mark
Interpret &
Explain
Describe phenomena and
effects using scientific principles
1 mark
Apply science
apply scientific facts and
principles to familiar situations
1 mark
Data Handling
Scientific Issues
describe and give limited
interpretations of quantitative
and qualitative scientific data
1 mark
describe issues arising from
scientific activities which impact
on society
1 mark
C Grade
demonstrate good knowledge
and understanding of the
science with few omissions
2 marks
Use correct scientific
terminology and conventions in
most of their work
2 marks
select relevant information and
present it clearly and logically
2 marks
describe and explain
phenomena and effects using
scientific principles
2 marks
apply scientific facts and
principles to familiar situations
and some success to unfamiliar
ones
2 marks
describe and interpret
quantitative and qualitative
scientific data
2 marks
identify and describe issues
arising from scientific activities,
which impact on society
2 marks
A Grade
demonstrate detailed knowledge
and understanding of the
science with no significant
omissions
3 marks
use scientific terminology and
conventions accurately in all
their work
3 marks
select relevant information,
present it clearly and logically,
and then evaluate and justify it.
3 marks
describe, interpret and explain
phenomena and effects using
scientific principles
3 marks
apply scientific facts and
principles to both familiar and
unfamiliar situations
3 marks
describe, interpret and evaluate
quantitative and qualitative
scientific data;
3 marks
identify and explain issues
arising from scientific activities,
which impact on society
3 marks