[energy] stores and transfer pathways

[ AQA GCSE Physics Student Book, page 10-13 ] [ BBC Bitesize 'Energy ⇢ Changes in energy stores' page 1 ]

Energy

The capacity for doing work.

System

An object or group of objects.

Energy Store

A means by which an object stores energy.

Energy Transfer Pathway

The method of transferring energy from one store to another.

Gravitational Potential Energy Store

The energy of an object at height.

Gravitational Potential Energy Equation

Ep = m (mass, kg) × g (gravitational field strength, N/kg) × h (height, m)

Elastic Potential Energy Store

The energy stored when an object is compressed or extended.

Elastic Potential Energy Equation

Ee = ½ × k (spring constant, N/m) × e² (extension, m)

Kinetic Energy Store

The energy of a moving object.

Kinetic Energy Equation

Ek = ½ × m (mass, kg) × v² (velocity, ms⁻¹)

Chemical (Potential) Energy Store

The energy stored in chemical bonds, such as those between molecules.

(Internal) Thermal Energy Store

The total amount of kinetic energy and chemical potential energy of all the particles in the system.

Magnetic Energy Store

The energy stored when repelling poles have been pushed closer together or when attracting poles have been pulled further apart.

Electrostatic Energy Store

The energy stored when repelling charges have been moved closer together or when attracting charges have been pulled further apart.

Nuclear Energy Store

The energy stored in the nucleus of an atom.

Mechanical (Work) Energy Transfer Pathway

A force moving an object through a distance

Electrical (Work) Energy Transfer Pathway

Energy transferred by an electric current; charges moving due to a potential difference.

Heating Energy Transfer Pathway

Due to temperature difference caused electrically or by chemical reaction.

Radiation Energy Transfer Pathway

Energy transferred as a wave, eg light and infrared - the Sun emits light radiation and infrared radiation

Dissipation

The spreading out and transfer of energy stores into less useful forms.