IGCSE Physics – Energy: 4.

1 Energy and Efficiency

Energy and Efficiency

Learning Outcomes

 I can define energy and work

 I know the unit for energy and work

 I know the two types of energy

 I know examples of these 2 types of energy

 I can describe energy transfers into useful and wasted energies using Sankey
diagrams

 I know the formula for efficiency

 I can use the formula for efficiency

Energy

Energy is the ability to do ………...

The unit of energy is the ……..….. (J).

The law of conservation of energy:

“ENERGY IS NEVER ……………. IT IS ONLY EVER …………..…..

Work

Work is done when …………… is transferred

(we can get away with thinking that WORK and ENERGY are the same thing)

To be exact WORK DONE is equal to the amount of ENERGY that is

transferred. Work is done when energy is transferred.

Units

Both WORK DONE and ENERGY are measured in ………. (J).

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IGCSE Physics – Energy: 4.1 Energy and Efficiency

Energy Types

There are two forms of energy:

 POTENTIAL – energy is ………….…..

 KINETIC – energy is because of ………………..

There are many examples of energy, we need to know the nine main types of
energy:

POTENTIAL ENERGY KINETIC ENERGY

…….. Potential Energy Kinetic energy (of any moving object)
……. Potential Energy L……
…… Potential Energy S……
N…….. T……. (Heat)
(eg Geothermal)
E……..

Energy Transfer

Remember work is done when ………. is transferred.

Toys are great examples of energy transfer devices.

A diagram that shows input and output energy, as well as wasted (unwanted)
energy is called a SANKEY diagram:

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IGCSE Physics – Energy: 4.1 Energy and Efficiency

Eg. Electric Light Bulb

Old Incandescent Light Bulb

Output
Energy
Input
Energy

Wasted
Energy

Modern ‘Low Energy’ Light

Input Output
Energy Energy

Wasted Energy is
thermal energy 25J

Note – we should draw Sankey diagrams to scale!

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IGCSE Physics – Energy: 4.1 Energy and Efficiency

1. Solar Powered Fan

……………..…. …………..… Energy

from the solar cell
…………..….…. ………….... of the wind/fan
Energy

….……..……. Energy in
the motor owing to
……………………

2. Trolley on a ramp

…………..……. ………….…. ………..…………. Energy

Energy

………………… Energy
wasted in ………....
owing to …………….

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IGCSE Physics – Energy: 4.1 Energy and Efficiency

3. Electrical Heater

…………….…….…. …………..… Energy in

Energy ………..… ………….…

…………….…
Energy dissipated
in …………….…..

4. Plastic Rod and Pieces of paper

…………….…. ……………. ……………..…

Energy

……….… Energy
lost in ……………..
…..

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IGCSE Physics – Energy: 4.1 Energy and Efficiency

5. Mass on a Spring

This is an odd example because there is an oscilation. Energy is being constantly

exchanged between KE and PE.

………….…. Energy ……………. Energy

lost in surroundings lost in surroundings

EPE KE GPE

…………..… Energy ……………. Energy

lost in surroundings lost in surroundings

Efficiency

In all energy transfers, some energy is wasted into forms that are not useful.

In an efficient system, more energy is transferred into ……… forms (USEFUL

OUTPUT) compared to all the energy was used (TOTAL INPUT).

Efficiency = Useful Output x 100%

Total Input

This formula works for energy and also power.

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IGCSE Physics – Energy: 4.1 Energy and Efficiency

Example 1

A light bulb emits 15J of light energy. 100J of electrical energy was used.

What is the efficiency of the light bulb? (2 marks)

Draw a Sankey Diagram for the light bulb (3 marks)

Example 2

A car is 30% efficient. It accelerates down the road and uses 2000J of Chemical
Potential Energy.

What KE is gained? (3 marks)

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IGCSE Physics – Energy: 4.1 Energy and Efficiency

Draw a Sankey Diagram for the car (3 marks)

Example 3

An electric motor is used to lift an object. The motor is 30% efficient. The object
gains 200J of Gravitational Potential Energy.

Calculate the electrical energy that was used. (3 marks)

Draw a Sankey Diagram for the motor (3 marks)

Homework – P79 Q 3-4, P81 Q1, P85 Q 1-3