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Responding to change (a2 only)
Infection and response
Homeostasis and response
Energy transfers (a2 only)
Cell biology
Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments (a-level only)
Biological molecules
Organisation
Substance exchange
Bioenergetics
Genetic information & variation
Inheritance, variation and evolution
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Britain & the wider world: 1745 -1901
1l the quest for political stability: germany, 1871-1991
The cold war
Inter-war germany
Medieval period: 1066 -1509
2d religious conflict and the church in england, c1529-c1570
2o democracy and nazism: germany, 1918-1945
1f industrialisation and the people: britain, c1783-1885
1c the tudors: england, 1485-1603
2m wars and welfare: britain in transition, 1906-1957
World war two & the holocaust
2n revolution and dictatorship: russia, 1917-1953
2s the making of modern britain, 1951-2007
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hannah
10/12/2025
Physics
P1~ energy revision notes
28
•
10 Dec 2025
•
hannah
@hannah_qhgof
Energy is all around us, stored in different forms and... Show more








Ever wondered how energy actually exists around us? Energy can be stored in many different forms including gravitational potential, kinetic, chemical, thermal, elastic potential, and others like magnetic, electrostatic, and nuclear.
Energy transfers happen in three main ways: mechanically (when a force does work), electrically (work done by moving charges), or by heating/radiation (like light or sound). In a closed system, neither matter nor energy can enter or leave, so the total energy remains constant.
The kinetic energy of a moving object can be calculated using Ek = ½mv², where m is mass and v is velocity. Similarly, gravitational potential energy uses the formula Ep = mgh, where h is height and g is gravitational field strength. For springs, elastic potential energy follows Ee = ½ke², where k is the spring constant.
Remember this! The specific heat capacity of a material tells us how much energy is needed to raise 1kg of that substance by 1°C. We calculate thermal energy change using ΔE = mcΔθ, where m is mass, c is specific heat capacity, and Δθ is the temperature change.

Let's get practical! You can determine the specific heat capacity of a material through a straightforward experiment using everyday lab equipment.
First, take a block of solid material with holes for a heater and thermometer. Wrap it with insulation (like newspaper) to prevent energy loss. After measuring its initial temperature, apply a constant voltage (about 10V) to the heater and record temperature and current readings every minute for 10 minutes.
The electrical energy transferred to the heater can be calculated using power × time . By plotting energy transferred against temperature change, the gradient of the straight section of the graph relates to specific heat capacity through the equation c = gradient × mass of the block.
Lab tip: Good insulation is crucial for accurate results! Any energy escaping to the surroundings will give you a falsely high specific heat capacity value.

The conservation of energy principle is fundamental to physics: energy can be transferred, stored or dissipated, but never created or destroyed. Power measures how quickly energy is transferred, measured in watts .
When objects move, friction causes unwanted energy transfers to thermal stores. Lubrication helps reduce these frictional forces, making systems more efficient. Energy can be transferred through conduction (particles vibrating and colliding) or convection (warmer, less dense materials rising above cooler ones).
We use various types of insulation in our homes to reduce these unwanted transfers. Cavity walls trap air between inner and outer walls, while loft insulation reduces convection in attics. Double glazed windows work similarly by trapping air between glass panes, and draught excluders around doors and windows reduce energy loss through convection.
Real-world application: Understanding these principles helps explain why your home loses heat in winter and how insulation saves energy and money on heating bills!

How effectively we use energy matters! Efficiency is calculated as the ratio of useful output energy to total input energy, or similarly with power: efficiency = (useful power output ÷ total power input).
Our energy comes from two main sources. Non-renewable resources like coal, natural gas, and oil provide most of our energy but will eventually run out and damage the environment. Renewable resources such as solar, wind, water, waves, and geothermal will never run out but can be unreliable and still impact the environment, though less severely.
In transportation, vehicles typically use non-renewable petrol or diesel, though some now use biofuels or mixed fuels. For heating, we commonly use natural gas or renewable options like geothermal heat pumps and solar water heaters.
Think about this: Wind power produces no pollution during operation, but the 1,500 turbines needed to replace one coal power station create visual and noise pollution. Every energy source involves trade-offs!

Solar panels generate electricity directly from sunlight—brilliant for remote locations and sunny countries. Though they have high initial costs, they require minimal maintenance and produce no pollution. They're cost-effective even in cloudy Britain but can't increase output when demand rises.
Geothermal power taps into underground heat, often from radioactive decay in volcanic areas or where hot rocks are near the surface. It provides reliable, clean energy but suitable locations are limited, and construction costs can be high relative to energy output.
Hydroelectric power uses falling water (usually through dams) to generate electricity. It produces no pollution and can respond immediately to increased demand. Despite high initial costs, it has minimal running costs. However, dam construction floods valleys, destroying habitats and creating unsightly reservoirs during droughts.
Did you know? Wave and tidal power are less developed but promising renewable sources. Tidal barrages across river estuaries can reliably generate power twice daily using the gravitational pull of the sun and moon!

Biofuels offer renewable alternatives created from plant products or animal waste. Available as solids, liquids, or gases, they can be burned for electricity or fuel vehicles. They're supposedly carbon-neutral (if plants are replenished at the same rate they're used) but have high refining costs and sometimes cause habitat loss when forests are cleared for biofuel crops.
Non-renewable resources like fossil fuels and nuclear energy remain popular because they're reliable and can meet current demand. Power plants can respond quickly to demand changes, and the extraction costs are relatively low compared to the energy they produce.
However, these fuels create significant environmental problems. Fossil fuels release CO₂ (contributing to global warming) and sometimes sulfur dioxide (causing acid rain). Coal mining destroys habitats, oil spills damage ecosystems, and nuclear waste is dangerous and difficult to dispose of.
Consider this: Nuclear fuel itself is relatively cheap, but the overall cost of nuclear power is high due to expensive power plant construction and decommissioning costs.

The UK's electricity usage increased throughout the 20th century as the population grew. However, early in the 21st century, usage began to level off as appliances became more efficient and people grew more energy-conscious.
There's growing pressure for renewable energy from governments, the public, and international agreements. Energy providers face pressure to build renewable power plants to stay competitive, while car manufacturers are pushed toward electric and hybrid vehicles.
Despite scientific evidence supporting renewables, several challenges remain. The cost of building new renewable plants is substantial, raising debates about who should pay—customers through higher bills or taxpayers through government subsidies. Additionally, many renewable sources are less reliable than traditional fuels and cannot quickly respond to demand changes.
Looking forward: The transition to renewables requires a combination approach, substantial investment in research, and possibly personal sacrifices. The decisions we make now will affect energy availability for generations to come!
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
Quotes from every main character
App Store
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
hannah
@hannah_qhgof
Energy is all around us, stored in different forms and constantly being transferred. This topic explores how energy exists in various systems, how it's converted, and the practical applications in our daily lives including renewable and non-renewable resources.

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Join milions of students
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Ever wondered how energy actually exists around us? Energy can be stored in many different forms including gravitational potential, kinetic, chemical, thermal, elastic potential, and others like magnetic, electrostatic, and nuclear.
Energy transfers happen in three main ways: mechanically (when a force does work), electrically (work done by moving charges), or by heating/radiation (like light or sound). In a closed system, neither matter nor energy can enter or leave, so the total energy remains constant.
The kinetic energy of a moving object can be calculated using Ek = ½mv², where m is mass and v is velocity. Similarly, gravitational potential energy uses the formula Ep = mgh, where h is height and g is gravitational field strength. For springs, elastic potential energy follows Ee = ½ke², where k is the spring constant.
Remember this! The specific heat capacity of a material tells us how much energy is needed to raise 1kg of that substance by 1°C. We calculate thermal energy change using ΔE = mcΔθ, where m is mass, c is specific heat capacity, and Δθ is the temperature change.

Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Let's get practical! You can determine the specific heat capacity of a material through a straightforward experiment using everyday lab equipment.
First, take a block of solid material with holes for a heater and thermometer. Wrap it with insulation (like newspaper) to prevent energy loss. After measuring its initial temperature, apply a constant voltage (about 10V) to the heater and record temperature and current readings every minute for 10 minutes.
The electrical energy transferred to the heater can be calculated using power × time . By plotting energy transferred against temperature change, the gradient of the straight section of the graph relates to specific heat capacity through the equation c = gradient × mass of the block.
Lab tip: Good insulation is crucial for accurate results! Any energy escaping to the surroundings will give you a falsely high specific heat capacity value.

Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
The conservation of energy principle is fundamental to physics: energy can be transferred, stored or dissipated, but never created or destroyed. Power measures how quickly energy is transferred, measured in watts .
When objects move, friction causes unwanted energy transfers to thermal stores. Lubrication helps reduce these frictional forces, making systems more efficient. Energy can be transferred through conduction (particles vibrating and colliding) or convection (warmer, less dense materials rising above cooler ones).
We use various types of insulation in our homes to reduce these unwanted transfers. Cavity walls trap air between inner and outer walls, while loft insulation reduces convection in attics. Double glazed windows work similarly by trapping air between glass panes, and draught excluders around doors and windows reduce energy loss through convection.
Real-world application: Understanding these principles helps explain why your home loses heat in winter and how insulation saves energy and money on heating bills!

Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
How effectively we use energy matters! Efficiency is calculated as the ratio of useful output energy to total input energy, or similarly with power: efficiency = (useful power output ÷ total power input).
Our energy comes from two main sources. Non-renewable resources like coal, natural gas, and oil provide most of our energy but will eventually run out and damage the environment. Renewable resources such as solar, wind, water, waves, and geothermal will never run out but can be unreliable and still impact the environment, though less severely.
In transportation, vehicles typically use non-renewable petrol or diesel, though some now use biofuels or mixed fuels. For heating, we commonly use natural gas or renewable options like geothermal heat pumps and solar water heaters.
Think about this: Wind power produces no pollution during operation, but the 1,500 turbines needed to replace one coal power station create visual and noise pollution. Every energy source involves trade-offs!

Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Solar panels generate electricity directly from sunlight—brilliant for remote locations and sunny countries. Though they have high initial costs, they require minimal maintenance and produce no pollution. They're cost-effective even in cloudy Britain but can't increase output when demand rises.
Geothermal power taps into underground heat, often from radioactive decay in volcanic areas or where hot rocks are near the surface. It provides reliable, clean energy but suitable locations are limited, and construction costs can be high relative to energy output.
Hydroelectric power uses falling water (usually through dams) to generate electricity. It produces no pollution and can respond immediately to increased demand. Despite high initial costs, it has minimal running costs. However, dam construction floods valleys, destroying habitats and creating unsightly reservoirs during droughts.
Did you know? Wave and tidal power are less developed but promising renewable sources. Tidal barrages across river estuaries can reliably generate power twice daily using the gravitational pull of the sun and moon!

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Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Biofuels offer renewable alternatives created from plant products or animal waste. Available as solids, liquids, or gases, they can be burned for electricity or fuel vehicles. They're supposedly carbon-neutral (if plants are replenished at the same rate they're used) but have high refining costs and sometimes cause habitat loss when forests are cleared for biofuel crops.
Non-renewable resources like fossil fuels and nuclear energy remain popular because they're reliable and can meet current demand. Power plants can respond quickly to demand changes, and the extraction costs are relatively low compared to the energy they produce.
However, these fuels create significant environmental problems. Fossil fuels release CO₂ (contributing to global warming) and sometimes sulfur dioxide (causing acid rain). Coal mining destroys habitats, oil spills damage ecosystems, and nuclear waste is dangerous and difficult to dispose of.
Consider this: Nuclear fuel itself is relatively cheap, but the overall cost of nuclear power is high due to expensive power plant construction and decommissioning costs.

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Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
The UK's electricity usage increased throughout the 20th century as the population grew. However, early in the 21st century, usage began to level off as appliances became more efficient and people grew more energy-conscious.
There's growing pressure for renewable energy from governments, the public, and international agreements. Energy providers face pressure to build renewable power plants to stay competitive, while car manufacturers are pushed toward electric and hybrid vehicles.
Despite scientific evidence supporting renewables, several challenges remain. The cost of building new renewable plants is substantial, raising debates about who should pay—customers through higher bills or taxpayers through government subsidies. Additionally, many renewable sources are less reliable than traditional fuels and cannot quickly respond to demand changes.
Looking forward: The transition to renewables requires a combination approach, substantial investment in research, and possibly personal sacrifices. The decisions we make now will affect energy availability for generations to come!
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user