My Science Study Notes
These are just my own notes collected from class and self-study. They are not perfect, but
they really helped me understand the topics. Hopefully they can help someone else too!
Energy Transfer
• Energy cannot be created or destroyed, it only moves or changes form. This is called the
Law of Conservation of Energy.
• Main ways energy is transferred: conduction, convection, and radiation.
• Conduction: transfer by direct contact, best in solids (especially metals). Example:
touching a hot pan handle.
• Convection: transfer by movement in liquids and gases. Hot fluids rise, cooler ones sink,
creating convection currents. Example: boiling water, sea breeze.
• Radiation: transfer via waves, no medium needed. Example: sunlight traveling through
space.
Ecosystems & Food Chains
• In biology, energy flows through ecosystems in one direction.
• Producers (plants) capture energy from the sun using photosynthesis.
• Primary consumers (herbivores) eat producers, secondary consumers eat herbivores,
etc.
• Energy decreases at each trophic level because some is lost as heat, movement, etc.
• Energy pyramids show this loss clearly – wide at the bottom (plants), narrow at the top
(predators).
Cells & Respiration
• Cells need energy for growth, repair, and movement.
• The 'currency' of energy in cells is ATP (adenosine triphosphate).
• Respiration releases energy from glucose.
• Aerobic respiration uses oxygen: glucose + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water + energy.
• Anaerobic respiration does not use oxygen and is less efficient. Example in muscles:
glucose → lactic acid + energy.
Physics Applications
• Energy transfer also shows up in physics outside biology.
• Electric circuits transfer electrical energy into heat, light, sound, or motion.
• Example: a light bulb converts electrical energy into light (useful) and heat (wasted).
• Engines transfer chemical energy (fuel) into kinetic energy, but lose a lot as heat.
• Efficiency = (useful energy ÷ total energy) × 100%. No transfer is 100% efficient, some
energy is always wasted.
Extra Random Notes
• Reminder to self: efficiency questions always come up in exams!
• Teacher said: 'Always think about where the wasted energy is going'. Usually heat or
sound.
• Tip: draw diagrams in answers when possible, even simple arrows help.
• Mnemonic for photosynthesis: 'COWS GO' (Carbon dioxide + Water → Sugar + Oxygen).
• For respiration: 'OIL RIG' (Oxidation Is Loss, Reduction Is Gain of electrons).
Final Note
Honestly, writing these notes made me realize how often energy transfer shows up in real
life – from cooking, to weather, to phone batteries. These are just my own notes and not
official material, but they helped me a lot. Hope they help someone else too!