GCSE Physics 01 — Energy
PublicTopics include Energy Stores and Systems, Energy Transfer Pathways, Kinetic and Gravitational Potential Energy, Elastic Potential Energy, Work Done, Power, Efficiency, and Thermal Conduction.
Physics
EN
166 cards
Study this deck on Deckloop
Preview Cards
A sample of cards from this deck.
Example explainer
A sample of the AI explainer you can generate for cards in this deck.
Energy Transfer Pathways
Energy moves between stores via four specific transfer pathways: mechanical, electrical, heating, and radiation.
Key points
- Mechanically: When a force moves an object through a distance (e.g., pushing, stretching).
- Electrically: When charges move through a potential difference (e.g., a circuit).
- By Heating: Due to a temperature difference between objects.
- By Radiation: Energy transferred as a wave (e.g., light, infrared, sound).
- Real-world systems (like braking vehicles) usually involve converting useful energy into wasted thermal energy (dissipation).
Worked example
Question
Describe the energy transfers that occur when a battery-powered torch is switched on.
Solution
1. Energy is transferred from the Chemical store of the battery.
2. It moves via the Electrical pathway to the bulb.
3. It is transferred to the Thermal store of the bulb filament.
4. Finally, it transfers away from the bulb by Heating and by Radiation (light) to the surroundings.
2. It moves via the Electrical pathway to the bulb.
3. It is transferred to the Thermal store of the bulb filament.
4. Finally, it transfers away from the bulb by Heating and by Radiation (light) to the surroundings.
Common pitfalls
- Forgetting to mention the specific pathway (e.g., saying 'it moves to the thermal store' without specifying 'by heating' or 'mechanically').
- Confusing 'heating' (process) with 'thermal energy' (store).
Prerequisites
- Energy stores
- Basic circuits
Further resources
-
Energy Transfers
Visual examples of the four transfer pathways.