Energy Density (DP IB Physics): Revision Note

Ashika

Author

Ashika

Last updated

Energy Density

  • A fuel is anything that can be burned to produce heat, which can be used for an engine to work

  • The energy that an amount of fuel can provide is an important consideration for the modern world

    • When this is compared by volume of fuel, it is known as energy density

  • Energy density is a measure of the amount of energy per unit volume of a fuel

    • Energy density is measured in J m-3

  • Different fuels contain different amounts of energy, which make them suitable for certain uses e.g. petrol for running vehicles

  • Some examples are:

Energy Density Table

Fuel

Energy density / MJ L−1

coal

38

liquid hydrogen

9

methane (natural gas)

0.3

diesel

39

biodiesel

33

vegetable oil

30

wood

3

  • 1 L (litre) is 0.001 m3

  • This means that we can get more energy per unit volume of coal than we can wood

  • Fuels are chosen for specific uses based on a number of factors, including energy density, safety of use and pollutants released in combustion

👀 You've read 1 of your 5 free revision notes this week
An illustration of students holding their exam resultsUnlock more revision notes. It's free!

By signing up you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.

Already have an account? Log in

Did this page help you?

Ashika

Author: Ashika

Expertise: Physics Content Creator

Ashika graduated with a first-class Physics degree from Manchester University and, having worked as a software engineer, focused on Physics education, creating engaging content to help students across all levels. Now an experienced GCSE and A Level Physics and Maths tutor, Ashika helps to grow and improve our Physics resources.

Download notes on Energy Density