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Energy changes in a system, and the ways energy is stored before and after such changes key terms
Study Energy changes in a system, and the ways energy is stored before and after such changes with curriculum-aligned Key Terms resources, practice links, and exam-focused support.
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key terms
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Energy changes in a system, and the ways energy is stored before and after such changes
Key terms
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.
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