Physics · Paper 1

Energy

Energy stores and systems, kinetic, elastic and gravitational potential energy, specific heat capacity, power, conservation and dissipation, efficiency, and national and global energy resources.

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Key terms in this chapter

All 42, gathered from every lesson.

System
An object or group of objects.
Energy store
A way energy is held, such as kinetic or thermal.
Transfer
Energy moving from one store to another.
Dissipated
Spread out to the surroundings in less useful stores.
Closed system
A system where no energy enters or leaves.
Work done
Energy transferred by a force or a current.
Kinetic energy
Energy stored in the movement of an object.
Elastic potential energy
Energy stored in a stretched or compressed object.
Gravitational potential energy
Energy stored in an object raised above the ground.
Spring constant
How stiff a spring is; force needed per metre of extension.
Extension
The increase in length of a spring.
Gravitational field strength
The force on each kilogram; 9.8 N/kg on Earth.
Specific heat capacity
Energy needed to raise 1 kg of a substance by 1 °C.
Thermal energy
Energy stored in the moving particles of a substance.
Temperature change
Final temperature minus starting temperature, \(\Delta\theta\).
Insulation
A material that reduces energy transfer by heating.
Joulemeter
A meter that shows the energy transferred in joules.
Gradient
How steep a graph line is.
Power
The rate at which energy is transferred or work is done.
Watt
The unit of power; one joule per second.
Work done
Energy transferred by a force moving an object.
Rate
How much something changes in each unit of time.
Kilowatt
1000 watts.
Energy transferred
The amount of energy moved from one store to another.
Efficiency
The fraction of the input energy that is transferred usefully.
Useful output
Energy transferred in the way that is wanted.
Wasted energy
Energy transferred to stores that are not useful.
Sankey diagram
A diagram with arrow widths that show energy amounts.
Streamlining
Shaping an object to reduce air resistance.
Input
The energy or power supplied to a device.
Renewable
A resource that is replenished as it is used.
Non-renewable
A resource that will run out.
Fossil fuel
Coal, oil or natural gas formed from ancient organisms.
Reliable
Able to supply energy whenever it is needed.
Bio-fuel
A fuel made from plant or animal matter.
Global warming
Rise in the Earth's average temperature linked to greenhouse gases.
Dissipated
Transferred to the surroundings and stored in less useful ways.
Thermal conductivity
How well a material conducts thermal energy.
Insulator
A material with low thermal conductivity.
Lubrication
Using oil or grease to reduce friction.
Closed system
A system where no energy enters or leaves.
Control variable
A variable kept the same in a fair test.