Changes in Energy (AQA GCSE Physics): Revision Note
Exam code: 8463
Changes in Energy
Changes make things happen. When there is a change in a system, energy is transferred
Energy can be transferred via different pathways:
Heating by particles
Heating by radiation
Mechanical work done by forces
Electrical work done when a current flows
Heating
Energy transferred by heating increases the energy in the thermal store of the object
This either raises the temperature of the system (more energy in the kinetic store of the particles) or produces a change of state (eg. solid to liquid)
An example of an energy transfer by heating is warming a pan on a hob
Energy is transferred electrically from the mains supply to the thermal store of the hob, which is then transferred by heating to the thermal store of the pan
Energy is transferred by heating from the thermal store of the hob to the thermal store of the pan
Work done by forces
Mechanical work is done when a force acts over a distance
For example, when a person pushes a box across the floor
Energy is transferred mechanically from the chemical store of the person to the kinetic store of the box
Energy transfers taking place when a box is pushed across the floor
If the system is defined as the man and the box, energy is transferred mechanically from the chemical store of the person to the kinetic store of the box
If the system is defined as the box and the floor, energy is transferred by heating from the kinetic store of the box to the thermal store of the floor (due to friction) and energy is transferred by sound (waves) to the thermal store of the surroundings as the air particles vibrate
Work done when a current flows
Current is the flow of charge
A current flows when there is a potential difference applied to the circuit
This is provided by the power supply or a cell
Energy is transferred electrically from the power supply to the components in the circuit
This is the electrical work done by the power supply when a current flows
Energy from the chemical store of the cell is transferred electrically to the thermal store of the lamp as the filament heats up
Energy is transferred from the thermal store of the lamp by heating and by radiation (light) to the thermal store of the surroundings
Energy is also transferred by heating to the thermal store of the wires (due to resistance)
Energy transfers taking place in an electrical circuit
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Don't worry too much about the parameters of the system. They are there to help you keep your answers concise so you don't end up wasting time in your exam.
If you follow any process back far enough, you would get many energy transfers taking place. For example, an electric kettle heating water. The relevant energy transfer is from the thermal store of the kettle to the thermal store of the water, with some energy dissipated to the surroundings. But you could take it all the way back to how the electricity was generated in the first place. This is beyond the scope of the question. Defining the system gives you a starting point and a stopping point for the energy transfers you need to consider.
Work done is a way of transferring energy, so when you see the phrase 'work done', it means energy has been transferred. Electrical work done means energy has been transferred when a current flows. This also means that work done is measured in joules, the same unit as energy. You will meet the concept of work done again in the next topic on Power.
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