AQA ENERGY – part 1 & 2

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from AQA ENERGY lecture notes part 1 and part 2.

Energy system

An object or group of objects that interact together, e.g., a kettle boiling water.

Energy stores

Types of energy that include kinetic, chemical, internal (thermal), gravitational potential, elastic potential, magnetic, electrostatic, and nuclear.

Ways to transfer energy

Methods such as light, sound, electricity, thermal, and kinetic that transfer energy from one store to another.

Efficiency

The ratio of useful output energy transfer to total input energy transfer.

Specific Heat Capacity

Energy needed to raise 1 kg of a substance by 1°C, measured in Joules per Kilogram degree Celsius (J/Kg°C).

Kinetic energy formula

Energy stored by a moving object calculated as $rac{1}{2}mv^2$.

Elastic Potential energy formula

Energy stored in a stretched spring or elastic band calculated as $rac{1}{2}ke^2$.

Gravitational Potential energy formula

Energy gained by an object raised above the ground calculated as $mgh$.

Dissipate

To scatter in all directions or to use wastefully.

Work done formula

Work done is calculated as Force X distance moved, expressed as $W = Fs$.

Power formula

The rate of energy transfer, expressed as P = rac{E}{t} or P = rac{W}{t}.

Closed system

A system where there is no change in total energy.

Open system

A system where energy can dissipate.

Non-renewable energy resource

Resources that will run out and cannot be replenished, such as fossil fuels and nuclear fuels.

Renewable energy resource

Resources that will never run out and can be replenished, such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric.

National Grid

The system that transports electricity across the UK.

Fossil Fuels

Coal, oil, and gas that are non-renewable and release greenhouse gases when burnt.

Nuclear energy

Energy produced from the nuclear fission process with no greenhouse gases but involves radioactive waste.

Biofuel

Renewable energy from plant matter that is carbon neutral but requires land for fuel crops.

Geothermal energy

Energy derived from hot rocks underground, used for heating and electricity generation.

Hydroelectric energy

Energy generated from falling water to spin a turbine.

Wind energy

Energy generated when wind movement causes turbines to spin, turning a generator.

Solar energy

Energy generated from sunlight captured in solar panels.

Tidal energy

Energy generated from the predictable rise and fall of tides.

Energy demand

The increasing requirement for energy as the population rises.