错误做法:

Referring to sound or heat as energy stores

原因:

The exam board uses the modern stores and pathways framework; sound and heat are transfer pathways, not stores, so you will lose marking points.

正确做法:

Only use the 8 named energy stores, and refer to heating/sound as radiation or heating transfer pathways.

错误做法:

Calculating efficiency by dividing total input by useful output

原因:

This reverses the ratio, leading to values over 100% which are physically impossible.

正确做法:

Always divide useful output by total input, multiply by 100 to get a percentage, and check your answer is less than 100%.

错误做法:

Forgetting to mention density changes when explaining convection currents

原因:

Density change is a required marking point for convection questions, as it is the root cause of fluid movement.

正确做法:

Always state that warmer fluid becomes less dense and rises, while cooler fluid is more dense and sinks.

错误做法:

Stating that shiny surfaces absorb infrared radiation well

原因:

Shiny surfaces reflect infrared radiation, so they are poor absorbers and emitters.

正确做法:

Remember that dark, matt surfaces are the best absorbers and emitters of infrared radiation; light, shiny surfaces are the worst.

错误做法:

Drawing Sankey diagrams with unequal total input and total output arrow widths

原因:

This violates conservation of energy, so you will lose marks for incorrect scaling.

正确做法:

Always ensure the sum of the widths of output arrows equals the width of the input arrow.