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Physics > Energy > Flashcards

Energy Flashcards

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Physics 101 flashcards AP® Physics flashcards
1
Q

Chemical energy

A

Energy is transferred when chemical reactions take place, the energy stored in fuels

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2
Q

Electrical energy

A

Energy transferred by an electrical current

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3
Q

Elastic potential energy

A

Energy stored in a springy object

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4
Q

Elastic potential energy formula

A

½ x spring constant x extension²

½ x k x e²

K = spring constant (newtons per metre, N/m)

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5
Q

Kinetic energy

A

The energy of a moving object

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6
Q

Kinetic energy formula

A

½ x mass x velocity²

½ x m x v²

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7
Q

Gravitational potential energy

A

The energy of an object due to its position

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8
Q

Gravitational potential energy formula

A

Mass x gravitational field strength x height

m x g x h

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9
Q

Conservation of energy

A

Energy cannot be created or destroyed, can only be changed from one form to another

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10
Q

Work done

A

Energy is transferred from one store to another

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11
Q

Work done formula

A

Force x distance

F x D

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12
Q

Power

A

Rate of doing work

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13
Q

Power formula

A

Energy / time

E / T

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14
Q

Wasted energy

A

Dissipated into surroundings in the form of heat

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15
Q

How can energy be transferred?

A

Mechanically - work is done by force

Electrically - work is done by moving charges

Heating - conduction and convection

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16
Q

Specific heat capacity practical

A

Place the immersion heater into the central hole at the top of the block

Place the thermometer into the smaller hole and put a couple of drops of water into the hole to make sure the thermometer is surrounded by hot material

Fully insulate the block by wrapping it loosely with materials

Record the temperature of the block

Connect the heater to the power supply and turn it off after ten minutes

17
Q

Specific heat capacity formula

A

Change in thermal energy / mass x temperature change

ΔJ / m x ΔT

M = mass (kilogram, kg)

ΔJ = change in thermal energy (joules, J)

ΔT = temperature change (celsius, °C)

18
Q

Efficiency

A

A measure of how well an object outputs useful energy, compared to how much energy is taken in

19
Q

Efficiency formula

A

Useful power output / total power input

20
Q

Fossil fuels (non-renewable)

A

Oil, coal, natural gas

High power output

Releases CO2

21
Q

Nuclear fuels (non-renewable)

A

Very high power output

Radioactive waste is hard to store

22
Q

Biofuel (renewable)

A

Medium power output

Carbon neutral - no effect on the environment

Takes up space for farming

23
Q

Wind (renewable)

A

Very low power output

Takes up large areas that can be used for farming and is an eye saw

24
Q

Hydroelectricity (renewable)

A

Medium power output

Local residents are affected by noise pollution

25
Q

Geothermal (renewable)

A

Medium power output

Very low impact on the environment

26
Q

Sun (renewable)

A

Fluctuating power output

Depends on the weather

27
Q

Burning fossil fuel process

A

The fossil fuel is burnt to boil H2O and turn it into steam

The steam turns the turbines

The turbines spin powering the generator

Step-up transformers increase the voltage and connect this to the National Grid

Step-down transformers decrease the voltage before feeding it to homes

28
Q

Nuclear power stations

A

Nuclear uranium fuel rods heat water

The water turns into steam in the boiler

The steam turns the turbine

The turbine powers the generator which creates electricity

The electricity is sent through transformers which are sent to homes

29
Q

Nuclear fission process

A

Neutron hits the uranium nucleus

Uranium nucleus splits into smaller nuclei and some more neutrons

These neutrons hits more uranium nuclei and the process continues

30
Q

Wind turbines

A

Wind turns a turbine

Turbine powers a generator

Generator creates energy

31
Q

Solar cells

A

The solar panel absorbs the sunlight

The panel converts sunlight to DC current

32
Q

Hydroelectric

A

Water is held behind a dam in a lake or reservoir high up a mountain

Rivers or rainfall fills the reservoir

When energy is needed, the water is allowed to run down through pipes to another lake lower down the mountain

As the water runs through the pipes it spins turbines that are linked to generators

The water can be pumped back up during the night when electricity is cheaper

33
Q

Wave power

A
34
Q

Tidal barrages

A
35
Q

Geothermal

A
36
Q

Biofuel

A
37
Q

Carbon capture

A

When carbon is captured and stored underground

Physics (10 decks)

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