AQA GCSE PHYSICS - ENERGY

Kinetic Energy

Energy possessed by an object due to its motion, calculated using KE=12mv2

Gravitational Potential Energy (GPE)

Energy stored by an object due to its position in a gravitational field, calculated using GPE=mgh

Elastic Potential Energy (EPE)

Energy stored in stretched or compressed objects, calculated using EPE=12ke2

Thermal Energy

Energy related to the temperature of an object, caused by the movement of its particles.

Chemical Energy

Energy stored in chemical bonds, released during chemical reactions like combustion.

Nuclear Energy

Energy stored in the nucleus of atoms, released during nuclear fission or fusion.

Magnetic Energy

Energy stored in magnetic fields when like poles repel or opposite poles attract.

Electrostatic Energy

Energy stored when charges repel or attract each other, common in static electricity

Energy Transfer Mechanically

Energy transferred when a force moves an object, causing a change in its kinetic or potential energy.

Energy Transfer Electrically

Energy transferred through electrical currents, used to power devices like lights or heaters

Energy Transfer by Heating

Energy transferred from a hotter object to a cooler one via conduction, convection, or radiation.

Energy Transfer by Radiation

Energy transferred as electromagnetic waves, including light, infrared, and radio waves

Conservation of Energy

The principle that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred or transformed.

Dissipation of Energy

The spreading out of energy, often as heat, making it less useful.

Work Done

A measure of energy transfer when a force moves an object, calculated using W=F×d

Power

The rate of energy transfer, calculated using P=Et and measured in Watts (W)

Efficiency

A measure of how well energy is transferred into useful forms, calculated using Efficiency=Useful Energy OutputTotal Energy Input×100%

Specific Heat Capacity (SHC)

The amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of 1 kg of a substance by 1°C, using Q=mcΔT

Renewable Energy Sources

Energy sources that are naturally replenished, such as solar, wind, hydroelectric, and geothermal energy.

Non-Renewable Energy Sources

Finite energy sources, including coal, oil, natural gas, and nuclear fuel.

Solar Power

Energy harnessed from sunlight using photovoltaic cells, commonly used in solar panels

Wind Power

Energy generated by wind turbines that convert kinetic energy into electricity

Hydroelectric Power (HEP)

Electricity produced using the movement of water through dams and turbines.

National Grid

A network that distributes electricity from power stations to homes and businesses using transformers to regulate voltage.

Step-Up and Step-Down Transformers

Devices that increase (step-up) or decrease (step-down) voltage in the National Grid to reduce energy loss during transmission.