Pearson Edexcel GCSE/IGCSE Physics Energy Flashcards

A complete set of 20 physics flashcards covering the 8 energy stores, 4 energy transfers, 3 key definitions, and 5 calculation equations according to Pearson Edexcel GCSE/IGCSE Physics.

Kinetic

Energy stored by a moving object.

Thermal

Energy stored because of an object's temperature.

Chemical

Energy stored in chemical bonds, e.g. food, fuels and batteries.

Gravitational potential

Energy stored because of an object's height in a gravitational field.

Elastic potential

Energy stored when something is stretched or compressed.

Magnetic

Energy stored when magnets attract or repel.

Electrostatic

Energy stored when electric charges attract or repel.

Nuclear

Energy stored in the nucleus of an atom.

Mechanically

Energy transferred when a force moves an object.

Electrically

Energy transferred when electric current flows.

By heating

Energy transferred because of a temperature difference.

By radiation

Energy transferred by waves, such as light or sound.

Work done

Energy transferred when a force causes an object to move through a distance. Unit = joules ($J$).

Power

The rate at which energy is transferred or work is done. Unit = watts ($W$). $1\,W = 1\,J/s$.

Efficiency

The proportion of the total input energy that is transferred usefully. Efficiency can be written as a decimal or percentage.

Kinetic energy equation

$KE = \frac{1}{2} \times m \times v^2$ where $KE$ = kinetic energy ($J$), $m$ = mass ($kg$), $v$ = speed ($m/s$).

GPE equation

$GPE = m \times g \times h$ where $GPE$ = gravitational potential energy ($J$), $m$ = mass ($kg$), $g$ = gravitational field strength ($N/kg$), $h$ = height ($m$).

Work done equation

$W = F \times d$ where $W$ = work done ($J$), $F$ = force ($N$), $d$ = distance ($m$).

Power equation

$P = W \div t$ where $P$ = power ($W$), $W$ = work done/energy transferred ($J$), $t$ = time ($s$).

Efficiency equation

$\text{Efficiency} = \text{useful energy output} \div \text{total energy input}$. For a percentage: $\text{Efficiency} = (\text{useful} \div \text{total}) \times 100$.