1. AQA GCSE Physics (9-1) Types of Energy

Conservation of energy

Energy cannot be created or destroyed

Efficiency

Useful energy transferred by a device ÷ total energy supplied to the device

Useful energy

Energy transferred to where it it is wanted in the way it is wanted

Wasted energy

Energy that is not usefully transferred

Elastic potential energy

The energy associated with a stretched or compressed object

Gravitational potential energy

The energy associated with the height of an object above the ground

Kinetic energy

The energy associated with the speed of an object

Thermal / Heat energy

The energy associated with the temperature of an object

Dissipation

the spreading out of energy into the environment

Insulation

Material that reduces the rate of thermal energy transfer by conduction

Renewable resource

An energy resource that is replaced over time, and will not run out

Non-renewable resource

An energy resource that is not replaced over time, and will run out

Fossil fuels

Coal, oil, and natural gas

Nuclear energy

Energy stored in the nucleus of an atom

Biofuels

a fuel derived directly from living matter.

Hydroelectric energy

Electrical energy produced by falling water

Geothermal energy

Heat energy that comes from the natural radioactive decay of elements deep within Earth.

Tidal energy

Energy generated by the movement of the tides

Wave Power

power obtained by harnessing the energy produced by waves at sea.

Solar energy

energy from the sun that is converted into thermal or electrical energy

Conduction

Form of heat transfer where heat energy is directly transferred between molecules through molecular collisions or direct contact.

Thermal Conductivity

The ability of an object to conduct heat

Cavity wall insulation

Insulation material that is used to fill the cavity between the two brick layers of an external house wall

Double Glazing

windows that have two layers of glass to keep a building warm

Control Variable

A variable that is kept constant during a experiment.

Independent variable

variable that is changed

Dependent variable

variable that is measured

Global warming

A gradual increase in average global temperature

Carbon dioxide

gas that contributes to the greenhouse effect and global warming

Chemical energy

energy stored in a battery, fuel or food