Summary GCSE COMBINED SCIENCE EDEXCEL- CONSERVATION OF ENERGY

Conservation of Energy
GCSE Combined Science- Edexcel
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KEY DEFINITION
Law of Conservation of Energy:
Energy cannot be created or destroyed. It can only be transferred or transformed between
energy stores. In a closed system, total energy remains constant.

1. ENERGY STORES (EDEXCEL)
Kinetic Energy of moving objects
Thermal (Internal) Energy related to temperature
Chemical Energy stored in fuels, food, batteries
Gravitational Potential Energy due to height
Elastic Potential Energy when stretched or compressed
Nuclear Energy stored in nuclei
Magnetic Energy stored in magnetic fields
Electrostatic Energy stored in electric fields
DIAGRAM- Energy Store Examples:
Moving car’ Kinetic
Hot kettle ’ Thermal
Battery ’ Chemical
Stretched spring ’ Elastic potential

2. ENERGY TRANSFERS (PATHWAYS)
Mechanical work - forces moving objects
Electrical work energy transferred by current
Heating - due to temperature difference
Radiation - light or infrared waves
DIAGRAM - Lifting an Object:
Chemical energy (muscles)
Mechanical work
Gravitational potential energy (object)

3. USEFUL Vs WASTED ENERGY