Energy is everywhere around you - from the kinetic energy...
Physics1,087 views·Updated 3 Sept 2026·2 pagesAQA Combined Science GCSE: Physics Energy Revision Flashcards
rue 💋@lanastudygrlxo
1
of 2
Energy Fundamentals and Types
Energy follows one golden rule that makes physics predictable: energy can never be created or destroyed, only transferred from one form to another. This principle helps you solve countless physics problems because you know the total energy always stays the same in a closed system.
Kinetic energy is the energy of movement, and you'll use the formula Ek = ½mv² constantly in your exams. Whether it's a car speeding down the motorway or a football flying through the air, anything moving has kinetic energy that depends on both its mass and speed.
Gravitational potential energy increases as objects get higher above ground, using the formula Ep = mgh. Think about climbing stairs - you're literally storing energy that could be released if you fell! Elastic potential energy works similarly but with stretched or compressed objects like springs, using Ee = ½ke².
Key Concept: Work done equals energy transferred - this connection appears in loads of exam questions and helps you understand how forces create energy changes.
2
of 2
Energy Efficiency and Resources
Efficiency measures how much useful energy you get out compared to what you put in - and it's never 100% because some energy always gets "wasted" as heat or sound. You can improve efficiency through insulation, lubrication, or streamlining, which reduces energy losses.
Renewable energy sources like biofuels, wind, and solar power won't run out and generally cause less environmental damage. Biofuels are particularly interesting because they're carbon neutral - they only release the CO₂ that plants absorbed while growing.
Non-renewable sources like coal, oil, and gas will eventually run out and contribute to global warming through greenhouse gas emissions. However, they're currently more reliable and cheaper than most renewable alternatives.
Exam Tip: Learn the advantages and disadvantages of each energy source - comparison questions are extremely common and easy marks if you've memorised the key points for wind, solar, geothermal, hydro-electric, wave, and tidal power.
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Physics1,087 views·Updated 3 Sept 2026·2 pagesAQA Combined Science GCSE: Physics Energy Revision Flashcards
rue 💋@lanastudygrlxo
Energy is everywhere around you - from the kinetic energy in your moving phone to the potential energy stored in your elevated position on the upper floor. Understanding how energy transfers and transforms is crucial for GCSE Physics, and once...
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of 2
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Energy Fundamentals and Types
Energy follows one golden rule that makes physics predictable: energy can never be created or destroyed, only transferred from one form to another. This principle helps you solve countless physics problems because you know the total energy always stays the same in a closed system.
Kinetic energy is the energy of movement, and you'll use the formula Ek = ½mv² constantly in your exams. Whether it's a car speeding down the motorway or a football flying through the air, anything moving has kinetic energy that depends on both its mass and speed.
Gravitational potential energy increases as objects get higher above ground, using the formula Ep = mgh. Think about climbing stairs - you're literally storing energy that could be released if you fell! Elastic potential energy works similarly but with stretched or compressed objects like springs, using Ee = ½ke².
Key Concept: Work done equals energy transferred - this connection appears in loads of exam questions and helps you understand how forces create energy changes.
2
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Energy Efficiency and Resources
Efficiency measures how much useful energy you get out compared to what you put in - and it's never 100% because some energy always gets "wasted" as heat or sound. You can improve efficiency through insulation, lubrication, or streamlining, which reduces energy losses.
Renewable energy sources like biofuels, wind, and solar power won't run out and generally cause less environmental damage. Biofuels are particularly interesting because they're carbon neutral - they only release the CO₂ that plants absorbed while growing.
Non-renewable sources like coal, oil, and gas will eventually run out and contribute to global warming through greenhouse gas emissions. However, they're currently more reliable and cheaper than most renewable alternatives.
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