AQA GCSE FOUNDATION PHYSICS - Types of Energy Stores

AQA GCSE Foundation Physics: Types of Energy Stores

This tutorial will explore the different types of energy stores and how energy can be transferred between them.

1. What is Energy?

Energy is the ability to do work. It cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred or transformed from one store to another.

2. Types of Energy Stores

a) Chemical Energy

• Stored in the bonds between atoms within a molecule.
• Examples: Food, fuels (like petrol, coal, wood), batteries.
• Transfer: Burning fuel releases chemical energy as heat and light.

b) Kinetic Energy

• Energy possessed by a moving object.
• Examples: A moving car, a flowing river, a spinning wheel.
• Transfer: Friction between moving objects converts kinetic energy into heat.

c) Gravitational Potential Energy (GPE)

• Energy stored by an object due to its position above the ground.
• Examples: A book on a shelf, a rollercoaster at the top of a hill.
• Transfer: As the object falls, GPE is converted into kinetic energy.

d) Elastic Potential Energy (EPE)

• Energy stored in a stretched or compressed object.
• Examples: A stretched rubber band, a compressed spring.
• Transfer: When released, EPE is converted into kinetic energy.

e) Thermal Energy

• Energy associated with the random movement of particles within a substance.
• Examples: A hot cup of coffee, a heated metal rod.
• Transfer: Conduction, convection, and radiation transfer thermal energy.

f) Nuclear Energy

• Energy stored in the nucleus of an atom.
• Examples: Nuclear power plants, nuclear weapons.
• Transfer: Nuclear reactions release a massive amount of energy.

g) Light Energy

• Form of electromagnetic radiation.
• Examples: Sunlight, light from a lamp.
• Transfer: Light energy can be absorbed, reflected, or transmitted.

h) Sound Energy

• Form of mechanical energy that travels as vibrations.
• Examples: Music, noise from a car engine.
• Transfer: Sound energy travels through a medium, like air or water.

i) Electrical Energy

• Energy associated with the flow of electric charges.
• Examples: Electricity flowing through wires, lightning.
• Transfer: Electrical energy can be converted into other forms of energy, like light or heat.

3. Energy Transfers and Transformations

• Energy Transfers: Energy moving from one store to another.
• Energy Transformations: Energy changing from one type to another.

Example: A ball dropped from a height.

• Initial Energy Store: GPE
• Energy Transfer: As the ball falls, GPE is transferred to kinetic energy.
• Energy Transformation: GPE is transformed into kinetic energy.

Example: A light bulb.

• Initial Energy Store: Electrical energy
• Energy Transfer: Electrical energy is transferred to the light bulb.
• Energy Transformation: Electrical energy is transformed into light and heat energy.

4. The Law of Conservation of Energy

The law of conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred or transformed from one form to another.

Key points to remember:

• The total amount of energy in a closed system always remains constant.
• Energy transformations often result in some energy being lost as heat.
• It's important to identify the different energy stores involved in a scenario.

This understanding of energy stores and their transformations is crucial for understanding many physical phenomena and solving various problems related to energy.