Physics Study
Physics Study
Overview
Physics Scipad
Chat Gpt Summary
Mechanical Energy
Thermal Energy
Electrical Energy
Mind Map
Formula
🔹
Practice Questions
🔹
Mechanical Energy
🔹
Thermal Energy
Electrical Energy
🔹
Practice Answers
🔹
Mechanical Energy
🔹
Thermal Energy
⚡
Electrical Energy
Mock Exam: Energy in Physical Systems (PESS 1.4)
Part A – Multi-choice (Circle ONE answer)
Part B – Short Answer
Part C – Calculations
✅
Part D – Extended Response
Mock Exam Answers: Energy in Physical Systems (PESS 1.4)
Part A – Multi-choice
Part B – Short Answer
Part C – Calculations
Part D – Extended Response
Algebra
The big Idea: Energy
Mechanical energy
Gravitational potential energy (Ep)
Kinetic energy (Ek)
Energy transformations
Overview
Physics, Earth and Space Science 1.4
Demonstrate understanding of a physical system using energy concepts
AS 92047
5 CREDITS
Demonstrate understanding of a physical system using energy concepts
involves:
● describing a physical system
● describing change to the physical system, using evidence
● describing relevant energy concepts, using evidence.
Explain a physical system using energy concepts involves:
● explaining change to the physical system, using relevant energy
concepts and evidence.
Analyse a physical system using energy concepts involves:
● examining implications of the change to the physical system, using
relevant energy concepts and evidence.
A physical system refers to a defined space with either an object or
interacting objects.
Examples of a physical system include:
● vacuum flask
● insulated home
● simple electrical circuits
● falling objects
● lifting of objects.
For the purpose of this achievement standard, a physical system can be
described in terms of its physical properties or behaviour that relate to
energy concepts.
Examples of physical properties or behaviour include:
● the height of a falling object
● motion
● the resistance of a wire
● the temperature of an object.
Change to a physical system is any change to the physical properties or
behaviour of the system.
For the purpose of this achievement standard, energy concepts are ideas
and principles related to energy that are used to understand change in
physical systems.
Examples of energy concepts include:
● energy transfer
● conservation of energy
● forms of energy (mechanical, thermal, electrical).
Evidence may include written accounts, representations, or calculations.
Physics Scipad
Scipad Answers
Chat Gpt Summary
Mechanical Energy
Energy is the ability to do work, and in physical systems it is often stored or expressed as
either potential or kinetic energy. Gravitational potential energy (Ep) is stored when an
object is lifted against gravity. The higher and heavier the object, the more energy it has.
Kinetic energy (Ek) is the energy of movement, and it depends on both the object’s mass
and velocity, calculated using the formula Ek = ½mv². Energy can be transformed between
Ep and Ek, for example when a ball is dropped or a skier goes downhill, but some energy is
always lost to heat and sound through friction. The principle of conservation of energy
states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred or transformed. Work is
a measure of energy transfer, and it is done when a force moves an object through a
distance (W = Fd).
Thermal Energy
Heat is a form of energy linked to the motion of particles, explained by the particle theory of
matter. Particles are always moving, and the faster they move, the higher the temperature of
the substance. There are three main ways that thermal energy is transferred. Conduction
occurs through direct particle collisions in solids, where metals are good conductors and air
is a poor conductor (an insulator). Convection happens in liquids and gases when hot, less
dense fluid rises and cooler, denser fluid sinks, creating convection currents. Radiation is
the transfer of energy by infrared waves, which does not require particles and can travel
through space. Heat transfer is important in daily life, such as in home insulation, sea
breezes, and the functioning of devices like lava lamps. Matter can also change state (solid,
liquid, gas) when thermal energy is gained or lost. During state changes, energy is absorbed
or released without a change in temperature, known as latent heat. The specific heat
capacity of a substance measures how much energy is needed to raise the temperature of
1 kg by 1°C.
Electrical Energy
Electricity is the movement of charged particles, usually electrons, through a conductor.
Atoms are normally neutral, but when they gain or lose electrons they become charged.
Static electricity occurs when charges build up in one place, while current electricity flows
continuously through a circuit. In a series circuit, the current is the same everywhere but
voltage is shared between components, whereas in a parallel circuit the current splits
across branches and each branch gets the same voltage. The voltage across a circuit is the
energy supplied per unit of charge, while current is the rate of flow of electrons. The power
of an electrical device is the rate of energy transfer, calculated with P = VI. Components in
circuits have resistance, which opposes the flow of current (R = V/I). Resistance can be
useful, such as in heaters and light bulbs that convert electrical energy into heat and light.
On a large scale, electricity is transmitted through the National Grid at very high voltages,
which reduces current and therefore minimises energy lost as heat. Safety devices like fuses
prevent overheating by breaking the circuit if the current becomes too high.
Mind Map
interactive mind map
Formula
Practice Questions
🔹 Mechanical Energy
1. Define gravitational potential energy and write the formula used to calculate it.
2. A 2.5 kg ball is lifted onto a shelf 3 m high. Calculate its gravitational potential energy.
3. Explain how energy is transformed as a rollercoaster travels from the top of a hill
down to the bottom.
4. Define kinetic energy and explain how both mass and velocity affect it.
5. A 1 200 kg car travels at 15 m/s. Calculate its kinetic energy.
6. A 60 kg skier is at the top of a 50 m hill. Calculate the skier’s potential energy at the
top, and describe how it changes as they move down the slope.
7. Work is done when a force moves an object. Calculate the work done when a 400 N
box is pushed 5 m along the ground.
8. Explain why the principle of conservation of energy means a moving object can
never be 100% efficient.
🔹 Thermal Energy
1. State the particle theory of matter.
2. Explain the difference between heat and temperature.
3. Compare and contrast conduction and convection. Give one example of each.
4. Why are metals good thermal conductors while air is a poor conductor?
5. Explain how a sea breeze is formed during the day using convection.
6. A Dewar (vacuum) flask reduces heat loss by conduction, convection, and radiation.
Explain how it does this.
7. What type of surface absorbs radiation best? What type reflects it?
8. Explain why ice cubes melt faster on black sand than on white sand.
9. Define specific heat capacity and describe how it differs from latent heat.
10.A 500 g block of copper requires 1 900 J of heat energy to increase its temperature
by 10 °C. Calculate the specific heat capacity of copper.
🔹 Electrical Energy
1. Explain the difference between static electricity and current electricity.
2. Define voltage and current in terms of energy and charge.
3. In a series circuit, describe what happens to the current and voltage across
components.
4. In a parallel circuit, describe what happens to the current and voltage across
branches.
5. A lamp has a current of 0.5 A flowing through it when connected to a 12 V battery.
Calculate its resistance.
6. A kettle has a resistance of 24 Ω and operates from a 240 V supply. Calculate the
current flowing through it.
7. Define power and give its formula.
8. A hairdryer uses 2 400 W of power when connected to a 240 V supply. Calculate the
current it draws.
9. Explain why the National Grid uses high voltage transmission to carry electricity
long distances.
10.Describe how a fuse protects a circuit and why old wires with corrosion can become
dangerous.
Practice Answers
🔹 Mechanical Energy
1. Definition of gravitational potential energy (Ep):
Energy stored in an object due to its position in a gravitational field.
Formula: Ep = mgh (mass × gravity × height).
2. Ball lifted onto a shelf:
m = 2.5 kg, g = 10 N/kg, h = 3 m
Ep = 2.5 × 10 × 3 = 75 J
3. Rollercoaster:
At the top: maximum Ep.
As it descends: Ep transforms into Ek.
At the bottom: maximum Ek (plus some lost as heat/sound due to friction).
4. Kinetic energy:
Energy of motion. It increases with both mass and velocity. Velocity has a greater
effect because it is squared in the formula.
5. Car kinetic energy:
m = 1 200 kg, v = 15 m/s
Ek = ½mv² = 0.5 × 1200 × (15²) = 0.5 × 1200 × 225 = 135 000 J
6. Skier:
m = 60 kg, h = 50 m
Ep = 60 × 10 × 50 = 30 000 J
As skier descends, Ep decreases and transforms into Ek.
7. Box pushed:
W = F × d = 400 × 5 = 2 000 J
8. Conservation of energy efficiency:
Not all energy is transformed into useful forms—friction and air resistance transform
some into heat and sound.
🔹 Thermal Energy
1. Particle theory:
○ All matter is made of particles.
○ Particles are always moving.
○ Temperature affects the speed of particle movement.
2. Heat vs temperature:
○ Heat = transfer of thermal energy.
○ Temperature = measure of average kinetic energy of particles.
3. Conduction vs convection:
○ Conduction: transfer through direct particle collisions (solids, especially
metals).
○ Convection: transfer by movement of fluids (liquids/gases).
4. Metals vs air:
Metals = particles close together, transfer vibrations easily.
Air = particles far apart, poor at transferring vibrations.
5. Sea breeze (day):
Land heats faster than sea → warm air rises over land → cool dense air from sea
moves in = breeze.
6. Dewar flask:
○ Vacuum prevents conduction and convection.
○ Shiny lining reflects radiation.
○ Sealed cap prevents convection currents.
7. Best absorber: Dull, dark surfaces.
Best reflector: Shiny, light surfaces.
8. Black vs white sand:
Black absorbs more radiation, heats faster. White reflects radiation, heats slower.
9. Specific heat capacity: energy required to raise 1 kg of a substance by 1°C.
Latent heat: energy required to change state without temperature change.
10.Copper calculation:
Q = mcΔT → c = Q ÷ (m × ΔT)
Q = 1 900 J, m = 0.5 kg, ΔT = 10°C
c = 1900 ÷ (0.5 × 10) = 1900 ÷ 5 = 380 J/kg°C
🔹 Electrical Energy
1. Static vs current electricity:
○ Static = build-up of charges in one place.
○ Current = continuous flow of electrons.
2. Voltage vs current:
○ Voltage = energy per unit charge (push of electrons).
○ Current = rate of flow of charge.
3. Series circuits:
○ Current = same everywhere.
○ Voltage = shared between components.
4. Parallel circuits:
○ Current = splits across branches.
○ Voltage = same across each branch.
5. Lamp resistance:
V = 12 V, I = 0.5 A
R = V/I = 12 ÷ 0.5 = 24 Ω
6. Kettle current:
V = 240 V, R = 24 Ω
I = V/R = 240 ÷ 24 = 10 A
7. Power definition:
Rate at which energy is transferred. Formula: P = VI.
8. Hairdryer current:
P = 2 400 W, V = 240 V
I = P ÷ V = 2400 ÷ 240 = 10 A
9. High voltage transmission:
High voltage → lower current → less heat lost in wires (since energy loss ∝ current²
× resistance).
10.Fuses and wires:
● Fuse melts if the current too high, breaking the circuit.
● Corroded wires increase resistance, causing overheating and fire risk.
⚡ Mock Exam: Energy in Physical
Systems (PESS 1.4)
Part A – Multi-choice (Circle ONE answer)
1. Which statement best describes the law of conservation of energy?
a) Energy can be created if enough force is applied.
b) Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred or transformed.
c) Energy is only lost when heat is produced.
d) Energy only exists as potential or kinetic energy.
2. Which situation involves conduction?
a) Sea breezes blowing from the ocean onto land.
b) A metal spoon heating up in a pot of soup.
c) Feeling warmth from the sun on your skin.
d) A balloon rising because hot air is less dense.
3. In a series circuit, what happens if one light bulb blows?
a) The other bulbs stay on with reduced brightness.
b) The other bulbs go out because the circuit is broken.
c) The current in the circuit increases.
d) The voltage across the other bulbs increases.
Part B – Short Answer
4. A book is pushed across a table with 20 N of force for 2 m.
(a) Calculate the work done.
(b) Explain what happens to some of this energy due to friction.
5. Compare the temperature of an object with its thermal energy.
6. Explain why double-glazed windows reduce heat loss from a home.
7. Describe what happens to air particles during convection when a heater warms up a
room.
Part C – Calculations
8. A 0.4 kg ball is lifted onto a shelf 2.5 m high.
(a) Calculate its gravitational potential energy.
(b) If the ball falls, calculate its speed just before hitting the ground (ignore air
resistance).
9. A cyclist of total mass 70 kg is moving at 6 m/s.
(a) Calculate their kinetic energy.
(b) If their speed doubles, what happens to their kinetic energy? Show calculations.
10.A hair straightener uses a current of 4 A when connected to a 230 V power supply.
(a) Calculate its resistance.
(b) Calculate its power output.
Part D – Extended Response
11.A student drops a hot metal rod into a beaker of cold water. After a few minutes, both
the rod and the water are at the same temperature.
(a) Explain this result using the particle theory of matter.
(b) Identify the type(s) of heat transfer occurring.
(c) Discuss why no energy has been “lost” even though the rod cooled down.
✅ Mock Exam Answers: Energy in
Physical Systems (PESS 1.4)
Part A – Multi-choice
1. b) Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred or transformed.
2. b) A metal spoon heating up in a pot of soup (direct contact = conduction).
3. b) The other bulbs go out because the circuit is broken.
Part B – Short Answer
4.
(a) Work = Force × Distance = 20 × 2 = 40 J
(b) Some energy is transformed into heat and sound due to friction between the book and
table, so not all the energy is useful.
5. Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of particles. Thermal
energy is the total energy of all particles in a substance, so it depends on both
temperature and the number of particles.
6. Double-glazing traps air (or gas) between two panes. Air is a poor conductor, so heat
transfer by conduction is reduced. The sealed space also prevents convection
currents.
7. When air near the heater is warmed, its particles gain kinetic energy, move faster,
spread apart, and become less dense. This hot air rises, while cooler, denser air
sinks to take its place, forming a convection current that spreads heat through the
room.
Part C – Calculations
8.
(a) Ep = mgh = 0.4 × 10 × 2.5 = 10 J
(b) Ep = Ek → 10 J = ½mv²
v = √(2Ek ÷ m) = √(20 ÷ 0.4) = √50 ≈ 7.1 m/s
9.
(a) Ek = ½mv² = 0.5 × 70 × (6²) = 0.5 × 70 × 36 = 1 260 J
(b) If speed doubles (to 12 m/s):
Ek = 0.5 × 70 × (12²) = 0.5 × 70 × 144 = 5 040 J
→ Kinetic energy increases by a factor of 4 (since velocity is squared).
10.
(a) Resistance R = V ÷ I = 230 ÷ 4 = 57.5 Ω
(b) Power P = V × I = 230 × 4 = 920 W
Part D – Extended Response
11.
(a) According to particle theory, heat energy transfers from the hot rod to the colder water.
Particles in the rod lose kinetic energy and slow down, while particles in the water gain
kinetic energy and move faster, until both reach the same average energy (temperature).
(b) Heat transfer occurs by conduction (between rod and water) and convection (as
warmer water rises and cooler water sinks).
(c) No energy is lost overall – the rod’s energy has been transferred into the water and
surroundings. Total energy remains the same, but it is distributed differently (law of
conservation of energy).
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The big Idea: Energy
Energy is defined as the ability to do work. It is present in everything we do- powering our
homes, fueling our bodies, and driving natural proccesses. Importantly the law of
conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created nor destroyed only transferred
from one object to another and transformed from one form to another. Although the type of
energy may change, the total amount of energy will stay the same. For example when a light
is turned on, electrical energy is transformed into useful light energy and unusful heat
energy.
Energy is the ability to do work. It is everywhere. The law of conservation of energy is that
energy cannot be created nor destroyed, only transformed and transferred. The type of
energy may change, but the total amount of energy must stay the same.
Mechanical energy
Gravitational potential energy (Ep)
GPE is the stored energy an object has due to its mass and height above ground. The
higher and heavier an object, the more energy it stores.
The formula is : Ep= MGH
Where M is mass(kg), G is gravitaion field strength ( 10N/Kg on earth), an H is height(m).
For example a 2kg book gifted onto a 3 metre high shelf stores 60J of GPE. 2*3*10 = 60J
Kinetic energy (Ek)
Kinetic energy is the energy of motion. Any moving object has kinetic energy, and its amount
depends on both Mass and Velocity.
The formula for kinetic energy is: Ek = 1/2MV²
This means that doubling the speed of an object increases its kinetic energy by four times (
because velocity is squared). For example a 1000kg car travelling at 10m/s has 50,000
Joules of kinetic energy, but if its speed is doubled to 20m/s, its kinetic energy is increased
to 200,000J
Energy transformations
Mechanical systems often show transformations between Ep and Ek. For example a
rollerccoaster at the top of the hill has a maximum GPE, which is converted to Kinetic energy
as it goes down the hill, At the bottom most of the energy is kinetic, apart from that lost as
sound and heat due to friction.