Energy changes in a system, and the ways energy is stored before and after such changes key terms

system

A group of objects or a single object that is considered together for the purpose of analysing energy changes.

energy store

A form of energy that is held within a system, such as kinetic, potential, or thermal energy.

energy storage

The method by which energy is retained in a system, which can change during physical transformations.

physical system

An object or a group of objects considered together in the context of energy changes.

energy-store

A form of energy that is stored in a system, which can change during physical processes.

projected object

An object that is thrown or propelled into the air, experiencing changes in energy stores as it moves.

energy-store

A form of energy that is stored in a system, which can change during physical processes.

obstacle

An object that a moving object can collide with, resulting in changes to energy stores.

energy-store

A form of energy that is stored in a system, which can change when the system undergoes physical changes.

constant force

A force that does not change in magnitude or direction, applied to an object to accelerate it.

energy-store

A form of energy that is stored in a system, which can change during physical processes.

kinetic energy

The energy possessed by an object due to its motion, which can change when a vehicle slows down.

energy-store

A form of energy that is stored in a system, which can change during physical processes.

boiling point

The temperature at which water changes from liquid to gas, typically 100°C at standard atmospheric pressure.

system

An object or a group of objects being considered together.

heating

The process of transferring energy to increase the temperature of a system.

work done

The energy transferred when a force is applied to move an object over a distance.

system

An object or a group of objects being considered together in the context of energy changes.

work done

The energy transferred when a force is applied to move an object over a distance.

current flow

The movement of electric charge through a conductor, typically measured in amperes.

Energy redistribution

The process by which energy moves from one energy store to another within a system, keeping the total energy constant.

Common scale comparison

A method of expressing different energy changes in the same units, such as joules, to allow direct comparison of their magnitudes.

energy transfer

The process of energy moving from one place or form to another.

electrical work

The work done when an electric current flows through a circuit, resulting in energy transfer.

kinetic energy

The energy possessed by an object due to its motion, calculated using the formula Ek = 0.5 x m x v^2.

mass

The quantity of matter in an object, measured in kilograms (kg), which is a factor in calculating kinetic energy.

kinetic energy

The energy an object possesses due to its motion, calculated using the equation Ek = 0.5 x m x v^2.

mass

The amount of matter in an object, typically measured in kilograms, which is a variable in the kinetic energy equation.

kinetic energy

The energy possessed by an object due to its motion, measured in joules.

mass

The amount of matter in an object, measured in kilograms.

elastic potential energy

The energy stored in a stretched spring when it is within its limit of proportionality.

limit of proportionality

The maximum extent to which a spring can be stretched or compressed while still returning to its original shape.

elastic potential energy

The energy stored in a stretched spring within its limit of proportionality.

spring constant

A measure of the stiffness of a spring, represented by the symbol k in the equation Ee = 0.5 x k x e^2.

elastic potential energy

The energy stored in a stretched spring when it is within its limit of proportionality.

spring constant

A measure of the stiffness of a spring, defined as the force required to stretch or compress the spring by one metre, measured in newtons per metre.

gravitational potential energy

The energy stored in an object due to its position above ground level, calculated using the formula Ep = m x g x h.

height

The vertical distance an object is raised above a reference point, typically measured in meters.

gravitational potential energy

The energy stored in an object due to its height above ground level, calculated using the equation Ep = m x g x h.

gravitational field strength

The force per unit mass experienced by an object in a gravitational field, typically measured in newtons per kilogram (N/kg).

gravitational potential energy

The energy stored in an object due to its height above the ground, calculated in joules.

gravitational field strength

The force per unit mass experienced by an object in a gravitational field, measured in newtons per kilogram.

mass

A measure of the amount of matter in an object, typically measured in kilograms.

gravitational field strength

The force per unit mass experienced by an object in a gravitational field, measured in newtons per kilogram.

gravitational potential energy

The energy stored in an object due to its height above the ground.

kinetic energy

The energy an object possesses due to its motion.

energy transfer

The process of energy moving from one system or store to another.

experimental data

Information collected from experiments that can be analyzed to understand energy changes.

thermal energy

The total energy of all the particles in a system, related to temperature change.

specific heat capacity

The amount of energy required to raise the temperature of one kilogram of a substance by one degree Celsius.

thermal energy

The total energy of all the particles in a substance, related to its temperature.

specific heat capacity

The amount of energy required to raise the temperature of one kilogram of a substance by one degree Celsius.

thermal energy

The total energy of all the particles in a substance, measured in joules.

specific heat capacity

The amount of energy required to raise the temperature of one kilogram of a substance by one degree Celsius, measured in joules per kilogram per degree Celsius.

specific heat capacity

The amount of energy required to raise the temperature of one kilogram of a substance by one degree Celsius.

thermal energy change

The change in a system’s thermal energy when its temperature changes, calculated as mass × specific heat capacity × temperature change.

specific heat capacity

The energy needed to raise the temperature of one kilogram of a substance by one degree Celsius.

temperature change

The difference in temperature of a substance before and after energy is supplied.

specific heat capacity

The energy needed to raise the temperature of one kilogram of a substance by one degree Celsius.

temperature change

The difference in temperature of a substance before and after energy transfer.

specific heat capacity

The energy needed to raise the temperature of one kilogram of a substance by one degree Celsius.

required practical

An experimental activity designed to investigate a scientific concept or principle.

Thermal energy

The internal energy of a material that increases when heat is supplied, measured in joules.

Energy transfer

The movement of energy from one energy store or system to another, such as from potential or kinetic energy to thermal energy.

specific heat capacity

The energy needed to raise the temperature of one kilogram of a substance by one degree Celsius.

temperature change

The difference in temperature of a substance before and after energy is supplied.

Specific heat capacity

The amount of energy required to raise the temperature of one kilogram of a substance by one degree Celsius.

Thermal energy change

The change in a system’s thermal energy calculated as mass × specific heat capacity × temperature change.

power

the rate at which energy is transferred.

rate of energy transfer

the speed at which energy moves from one system to another.

power

the rate at which work is done

rate of work

the speed at which work is performed or energy is transferred

Power

The rate at which energy is transferred, calculated as energy transferred divided by time.

Energy transfer rate

The amount of energy moved per unit time, expressed in watts (joules per second).

power

The rate at which work is done or energy is transferred.

work done

The energy transferred when a force is applied over a distance.

watt

The unit of power, equivalent to one joule per second.

joule per second

The rate at which energy is transferred, equivalent to one watt.

power

the rate at which energy is transferred or work is done, measured in watts.

watt

the unit of power, equivalent to one joule per second.

power rating

The measure of the rate at which a device transfers energy, typically expressed in watts.

energy transfer

The process of moving energy from one system or object to another, often involving work done or heat.

power

the rate at which energy is transferred or work is done.

energy transfer

the process of moving energy from one system or object to another.

power

The rate at which energy is transferred or work is done.

energy transferred

The amount of energy that is moved from one system to another during a process.