P2 Chapter 2: Energy

Knowledge organiser

Energy adds up Particles Energy and power

The law of conversation of energy states that energy cannot be created or Thermal energy can be transferred by conduction, convection Power is the rate of energy transfer – how much energy is transferred each second.
destroyed, only transferred. or radiation.
total energy before = total energy after Energy bills
Conduction • Energy use is measured in kilowatt hours (kWh).
• Particles collide into others when they vibrate.
Transferring energy For example, a 2 kW device used for 1 hour uses 2 kWh; if used for 2 hours,
Light, sound, and electricity are ways of transferring energy between • Occurs in solids. it uses 4 kWh.
different stores. • An energy bill covers the cost of the fuel used at the power station, the power
station, staff, and infrastructure.
thermal thermal • To convert kWh to joules, convert the time to seconds (there are 3600 seconds
Energy and temperature store at store at in an hour).
a high a low For example, 2kWh = 2000 J/s × 3600 s = 7 200 000 J
• Thermometers measure temperature in degrees Celsius (°C). temperature temperature
• Temperature measures the average energy. Reducing bills
• Thermal energy measures the total energy. • Use fewer appliances or more efficient ones.
A warm bath has more thermal energy than a heated kettle, even though the • Insulated houses lose less thermal energy so don’t need to use as much power.
kettle has a higher temperature. Convection
• Occurs in liquids or gases.
Heating solids, liquids, and gases • The part in contact with the heat source gets hotter. The particles move
Work
• A s we heat things the particles gain more kinetic energy, and vibrate more faster, causing them to become further apart, and a decrease in density.
or faster. • The hot part then rises, and cooler, denser parts fall and take its place at You can transfer energy by using a force, which is doing work.
• The energy needed to heat an object depends on the mass, material, and the bottom. Work done (J) = force (N) × distance (m)
temperature rise. • They now heat, so the cycle continues. We call this a convection  imple machines like levers and gears can make it easier to do work but you
S
current. still get the energy out that you put in.
Equilibrium
...and further apart. Hotter water
Equilibrium is when objects have the same thermal energy. is less dense and rises and...
Radiation
Energy resources • Infrared radiation transfers energy without
...cooler, denser
Water at the bottom particles – it is a wave.
Renewable resources of the pan gets hotter,
water falls to the
bottom of the pan.
Renewable resources produce greenhouse gases when built, not when used, and will and particles move • All objects emit radiation.
not run out. faster... • T
 he amount depends on their temperature
For example, wind, tidal, wave, hydroelectric, geothermal, biomass, and solar powers. and the surface (colour and rough/smooth).
The power rating tells you how much energy is transferred per second, or the rate of • Radiation can be absorbed or reflected.
transfer of energy. Measured in watts (W). Non-renewable resources
Energy transferred (J) = power (W or J/s) × time (s) Non-renewable resources include the
fossil fuels coal, oil, and gas. These Food and fuels
were formed millions of years ago from The energy in food varies.
The current generated is sent to our offices, Fossil fuels are burned to heat fossilised remains.  here is energy in the chemical stores
• T
For example: The energy used when we
factories, and homes down long cables. water, which produces steam. These are non-renewable because associated with food and fuel. • apple – 200 kJ per 100 g do things varies too.
you cannot reuse them, and they will • Energy is measured in joules (J). • chips – 1000 kJ per 100 g For example:
eventually run out. • sitting – 6 kJ per minute
• Y
 ou need different amounts of energy for
Burning fossil fuels produces greenhouse The steam turns a turbine, which Coal, oil, or gas are used to run • running – 60 kJ per minute
different activities.
gases, such as carbon dioxide. spins a generator. thermal power stations.

Key words
Make sure you can write definitions for these key terms.
absorb chemical store conduction convection convection current energy store fossil fuel gear greenhouse gas infrared radiation insulator joule kilowatt law of conservation of energy lever
non-renewable power station radiation renewable reflect thermal energy thermometer work