AQA PHYSICS PAPER 1 EXAM
PREPARATIONS 2026:
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE
sound energy - answersEnergy caused by an object's vibrations
thermal energy - answersThe total energy of motion in the particles of a substance
chemical energy - answersA form of potential energy that is stored in chemical bonds
between atoms.
nuclear energy - answersthe potential energy stored in the nucleus of an atom
electrical energy - answersEnergy caused by the movement of electrons.
light energy - answersEnergy in the form of moving waves of light
kinetic energy - answersenergy of motion
gravitional potential energy - answerspotential energy that depends on the height of an
object
elastic potential energy - answersthe energy of stretched or compressed objects
conservation of energy - answerslaw that says energy cannot be created or destroyed,
but can change forms
uses of friction - answers- rubbing hands for warmth
- break pads on bikes
Efficiency = - answersUseful Energy Output / Total Energy Input
Increase efficiency - answers- add lubricant
- reduce friction
internal energy - answersthe sum of the kinetic and potential energies of all particles in
the system
, Conduction - answersThe direct transfer of heat from one substance to another
substance that it is touching.
Convection - answersThe transfer of thermal energy by the circulation or movement of a
liquid or gas
convection current - answersa current caused by the rising of heated fluid and sinking of
cooled fluid
Insulator - answersA material that does not allow heat or electrons to move through it
easily.
Infra red radiation - answersElectromagnetic waves of heat energy.
Radiation - answersEnergy that is radiated or transmitted in the form of rays or waves or
particles.
greenhouse effect - answersCO2 and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere
absorb long wavelength radiation radiated from the Earth's surface and prevent it
escaping.
black - answersgood absorber of radiation
white - answerspoor absorber of radiation
specific heat capacity - answersthe energy required to raise the temperature of one
gram of a substance by one degree Celsius
Reduce heat loss from homes - answers- loft insulation (fibre glass is a good insulator)
- cavity wall insulation (foam prevents convection currents)
- aluminum foil behind radiator (reflects radiation)
- double glazing (vacuum slows conduction and radiation)
energy transfer - answerspower x time
non-renewable energy - answersA natural resource such as coal, gas, or oil that, once
consumed, cannot be replaced.
renewable energy - answersA resource that has a theoretically unlimited supply and is
not depleted when used by humans.
solar, wind, geothermal, hydropower, tidal, wave, nuclear, biofuel
dis: unreliable (except hydroelectric and geothermal)
nuclear power - answersenergy from splitting Uranium atoms.
dis: nuclear waste, expensive
PREPARATIONS 2026:
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE
sound energy - answersEnergy caused by an object's vibrations
thermal energy - answersThe total energy of motion in the particles of a substance
chemical energy - answersA form of potential energy that is stored in chemical bonds
between atoms.
nuclear energy - answersthe potential energy stored in the nucleus of an atom
electrical energy - answersEnergy caused by the movement of electrons.
light energy - answersEnergy in the form of moving waves of light
kinetic energy - answersenergy of motion
gravitional potential energy - answerspotential energy that depends on the height of an
object
elastic potential energy - answersthe energy of stretched or compressed objects
conservation of energy - answerslaw that says energy cannot be created or destroyed,
but can change forms
uses of friction - answers- rubbing hands for warmth
- break pads on bikes
Efficiency = - answersUseful Energy Output / Total Energy Input
Increase efficiency - answers- add lubricant
- reduce friction
internal energy - answersthe sum of the kinetic and potential energies of all particles in
the system
, Conduction - answersThe direct transfer of heat from one substance to another
substance that it is touching.
Convection - answersThe transfer of thermal energy by the circulation or movement of a
liquid or gas
convection current - answersa current caused by the rising of heated fluid and sinking of
cooled fluid
Insulator - answersA material that does not allow heat or electrons to move through it
easily.
Infra red radiation - answersElectromagnetic waves of heat energy.
Radiation - answersEnergy that is radiated or transmitted in the form of rays or waves or
particles.
greenhouse effect - answersCO2 and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere
absorb long wavelength radiation radiated from the Earth's surface and prevent it
escaping.
black - answersgood absorber of radiation
white - answerspoor absorber of radiation
specific heat capacity - answersthe energy required to raise the temperature of one
gram of a substance by one degree Celsius
Reduce heat loss from homes - answers- loft insulation (fibre glass is a good insulator)
- cavity wall insulation (foam prevents convection currents)
- aluminum foil behind radiator (reflects radiation)
- double glazing (vacuum slows conduction and radiation)
energy transfer - answerspower x time
non-renewable energy - answersA natural resource such as coal, gas, or oil that, once
consumed, cannot be replaced.
renewable energy - answersA resource that has a theoretically unlimited supply and is
not depleted when used by humans.
solar, wind, geothermal, hydropower, tidal, wave, nuclear, biofuel
dis: unreliable (except hydroelectric and geothermal)
nuclear power - answersenergy from splitting Uranium atoms.
dis: nuclear waste, expensive
