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Energy - Energy Stores and Transfers

Grade 6IGCSE

Review the key concepts, formulae, and examples before starting your quiz.

🔑Concepts

Energy is a property that must be transferred to an object in order to perform work on, or to heat, the object. It is measured in Joules (JJ).

The Law of Conservation of Energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred from one store to another. The total energy in a closed system remains constant.

Kinetic Energy (EkE_k) is the energy stored in moving objects. It depends on the mass (mm) and the square of the velocity (v2v^2).

Gravitational Potential Energy (EpE_p) is the energy stored in an object due to its height (hh) above the ground in a gravitational field (gg).

Chemical Energy is stored in the bonds of chemical compounds, such as food, batteries, and fuels like coal or gas.

Elastic Potential Energy is the energy stored when an object (like a spring or rubber band) is stretched or compressed.

Thermal Energy is the internal energy of an object due to the kinetic energy of its particles; hotter objects have more thermal energy.

Energy Transfer Pathways include: Mechanical (by a force), Electrical (by a current), Heating (by conduction/convection), and Radiation (by light or sound waves).

📐Formulae

W=FimesdW = F imes d

Ep=mimesgimeshE_p = m imes g imes h

Ek=12mv2E_k = \frac{1}{2}mv^2

Efficiency=Useful Energy OutputTotal Energy Input×100%\text{Efficiency} = \frac{\text{Useful Energy Output}}{\text{Total Energy Input}} \times 100\%

P=EtP = \frac{E}{t}

💡Examples

Problem 1:

A ball with a mass of 2 kg2\text{ kg} is held at a height of 5 m5\text{ m}. Calculate its Gravitational Potential Energy (EpE_p). Assume g=9.8 m/s2g = 9.8\text{ m/s}^2.

Solution:

Ep=2 kg×9.8 m/s2×5 m=98 JE_p = 2\text{ kg} \times 9.8\text{ m/s}^2 \times 5\text{ m} = 98\text{ J}

Explanation:

We use the formula for GPE, which is Ep=mghE_p = mgh. By multiplying the mass, the gravitational field strength, and the height, we find the energy stored in the gravitational store.

Problem 2:

An electric motor uses 200 J200\text{ J} of total energy. If 150 J150\text{ J} is transferred usefully to lift a weight, what is the efficiency of the motor?

Solution:

Efficiency=150 J200 J×100=75%\text{Efficiency} = \frac{150\text{ J}}{200\text{ J}} \times 100 = 75\%

Explanation:

Efficiency is the ratio of useful energy output to the total energy input. Here, 50 J50\text{ J} is likely wasted as thermal energy due to friction.

Problem 3:

How much work is done when a force of 10 N10\text{ N} moves a box 3 m3\text{ m} across a floor?

Solution:

W=10 N×3 m=30 JW = 10\text{ N} \times 3\text{ m} = 30\text{ J}

Explanation:

Work done (WW) is the energy transferred when a force (FF) moves an object over a distance (dd). Using W=F×dW = F \times d, we calculate the energy transferred mechanically.

Energy Stores and Transfers - Revision Notes & Key Formulas | IGCSE Grade 6 Science