Question detail
Explain how the energy-store changes when a car accelerates from rest to a higher speed due to a constant force from the engine.
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
Question
Type
exam_style
Style
Topic
Energy changes in a system, and the ways energy is stored before and after such changes
Question
Explain how the energy-store changes when a car accelerates from rest to a higher speed due to a constant force from the engine.
Answer
As the car accelerates from rest, the chemical energy stored in the fuel is converted into kinetic energy. The work done by the engine on the car increases its speed, resulting in a rise in its kinetic energy store.
Explanation
This question assesses the ability to describe energy-store changes in a practical context. It links the concept of energy transformation from one form to another, specifically from chemical to kinetic energy, during acceleration.
Common mistake
Confusing work done with energy stored
Students often think that the energy stored in an object increases simply because work is done on it, without considering the type of energy store and the system’s constraints.
Explain that work done by a constant force changes the energy store of the object (e.g., kinetic, potential, or elastic) only if the force acts over a displacement; the amount of energy transferred equals the work (force × distance) and is stored as a specific form of energy, not as a generic ‘energy increase’.
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