AQA GCSE Physics Paper 1 Higher Separate —
Detailed Notes
Topics: Energy, Electricity, Particle Model of Matter, Atomic Structure.
1. Energy
1.1 Energy stores
Energy store Meaning / examples
Energy of moving objects. More mass or speed means
Kinetic more kinetic energy. Examples: moving car, falling
object, moving particles.
Energy of objects raised in a gravitational field.
Gravitational potential Depends on mass, height, and gravitational field
strength.
Energy stored in stretched or compressed objects such
Elastic potential
as springs and rubber bands.
Energy associated with particles in a substance.
Thermal / internal Internal energy is total kinetic + potential energy of
particles.
Chemical Energy stored in fuels, food, cells, and batteries.
Nuclear Energy stored in atomic nuclei.
Energy associated with magnetic fields and magnetic
Magnetic
interactions.
Energy associated with charged objects and electric
Electrostatic
fields.
1.2 Energy transfers
Transfer pathway Details
Energy transferred when a force causes movement. W
Mechanical work
= F s.
Energy transferred when charge flows through a
Electrical work
circuit.
Energy transferred because of a temperature
Heating difference. Includes conduction, convection, and
radiation.
Energy transferred by electromagnetic waves such as
Radiation
infrared, light, microwaves, and gamma rays.
Energy cannot be created or destroyed. It can be transferred usefully, stored, or dissipated to the
surroundings. Total energy before a change equals total energy after the change.
Dissipated energy is energy spread out to the surroundings, usually to thermal stores. It becomes less useful
because it is less concentrated.
1.3 Energy equations
Kinetic energy: Eₖ = ½ m v²
Eₖ in joules (J), m in kilograms (kg), v in metres per second (m/s). Speed is squared, so doubling speed makes
kinetic energy four times bigger.
Gravitational potential energy: Eₚ = m g h
Eₚ in joules (J), m in kg, g in N/kg, h in m. On Earth, g is about 9.8 N/kg unless the question gives another
value.
Elastic potential energy: Eₑ = ½ k e²
AQA GCSE Physics Paper 1 Higher Separate Notes
, Eₑ in J, k in N/m, e in m. This equation applies only before the limit of proportionality.
Work done: W = F s
W in J, F in N, s in m. Work done equals energy transferred. 1 J = 1 N m.
Power: P = E / t and P = W / t
Power is the rate of energy transfer. 1 W = 1 J/s.
Efficiency = useful output energy / total input energy
Efficiency = useful power output / total power input
Percentage efficiency = (useful output / total input) × 100
Efficiency has no unit. No device is 100% efficient because some energy is always dissipated.
Change in thermal energy: ΔE = m c Δθ
ΔE in J, m in kg, c in J/kg°C, Δθ in °C. Specific heat capacity is the energy needed to raise 1 kg of a substance
by 1°C.
1.4 Reducing unwanted energy transfers
Lubrication reduces friction between moving surfaces, so less energy is transferred to thermal stores.
Thermal insulation reduces energy transfer by heating.
Loft insulation traps air; trapped air is a poor conductor and reduces convection.
Cavity wall insulation traps air or uses foam/fibres; it reduces conduction and convection through walls.
Double glazing uses two panes with air or vacuum between them; vacuum prevents conduction and
convection, while air reduces conduction.
Draught excluders reduce convection by stopping warm air escaping and cold air entering.
Thick curtains trap insulating air and reduce energy transfer through windows.
Silver foil behind radiators reflects infrared radiation back into the room.
1.5 Required practical: specific heat capacity
Aim: find the specific heat capacity of a material.
Key equation: c = ΔE / (m Δθ).
Electrical energy supplied by heater: E = P t and P = I V.
1. Measure the mass of the block.
2. Insert heater into one hole and thermometer or temperature sensor into another.
3. Add a small amount of oil in the thermometer hole for better thermal contact.
4. Wrap the block in insulation.
5. Record starting temperature.
6. Turn on the heater and record current, potential difference, and time.
7. Calculate energy transferred using E = IVt.
8. Record final temperature and calculate Δθ.
9. Calculate c = ΔE / (m Δθ).
Issue Effect / improvement
Energy lost to surroundings Use insulation and a lid where possible.
Use oil in holes and make sure heater/thermometer fit
Poor thermal contact
tightly.
Block not heated evenly Wait for temperature to stabilise before reading.
Meter uncertainty Use digital meters and repeat readings.
1.6 Required practical: thermal insulation
Aim: investigate how different materials or thicknesses reduce energy transfer by heating.
Independent variable: type or thickness of insulation.
Dependent variable: temperature change or rate of cooling.
Control variables: mass/volume of water, starting temperature, same container, same time interval, same
room conditions, same lid arrangement.
Better insulation gives a smaller temperature decrease over the same time.
1.7 Energy resources
Resource Key notes
AQA GCSE Physics Paper 1 Higher Separate Notes
Detailed Notes
Topics: Energy, Electricity, Particle Model of Matter, Atomic Structure.
1. Energy
1.1 Energy stores
Energy store Meaning / examples
Energy of moving objects. More mass or speed means
Kinetic more kinetic energy. Examples: moving car, falling
object, moving particles.
Energy of objects raised in a gravitational field.
Gravitational potential Depends on mass, height, and gravitational field
strength.
Energy stored in stretched or compressed objects such
Elastic potential
as springs and rubber bands.
Energy associated with particles in a substance.
Thermal / internal Internal energy is total kinetic + potential energy of
particles.
Chemical Energy stored in fuels, food, cells, and batteries.
Nuclear Energy stored in atomic nuclei.
Energy associated with magnetic fields and magnetic
Magnetic
interactions.
Energy associated with charged objects and electric
Electrostatic
fields.
1.2 Energy transfers
Transfer pathway Details
Energy transferred when a force causes movement. W
Mechanical work
= F s.
Energy transferred when charge flows through a
Electrical work
circuit.
Energy transferred because of a temperature
Heating difference. Includes conduction, convection, and
radiation.
Energy transferred by electromagnetic waves such as
Radiation
infrared, light, microwaves, and gamma rays.
Energy cannot be created or destroyed. It can be transferred usefully, stored, or dissipated to the
surroundings. Total energy before a change equals total energy after the change.
Dissipated energy is energy spread out to the surroundings, usually to thermal stores. It becomes less useful
because it is less concentrated.
1.3 Energy equations
Kinetic energy: Eₖ = ½ m v²
Eₖ in joules (J), m in kilograms (kg), v in metres per second (m/s). Speed is squared, so doubling speed makes
kinetic energy four times bigger.
Gravitational potential energy: Eₚ = m g h
Eₚ in joules (J), m in kg, g in N/kg, h in m. On Earth, g is about 9.8 N/kg unless the question gives another
value.
Elastic potential energy: Eₑ = ½ k e²
AQA GCSE Physics Paper 1 Higher Separate Notes
, Eₑ in J, k in N/m, e in m. This equation applies only before the limit of proportionality.
Work done: W = F s
W in J, F in N, s in m. Work done equals energy transferred. 1 J = 1 N m.
Power: P = E / t and P = W / t
Power is the rate of energy transfer. 1 W = 1 J/s.
Efficiency = useful output energy / total input energy
Efficiency = useful power output / total power input
Percentage efficiency = (useful output / total input) × 100
Efficiency has no unit. No device is 100% efficient because some energy is always dissipated.
Change in thermal energy: ΔE = m c Δθ
ΔE in J, m in kg, c in J/kg°C, Δθ in °C. Specific heat capacity is the energy needed to raise 1 kg of a substance
by 1°C.
1.4 Reducing unwanted energy transfers
Lubrication reduces friction between moving surfaces, so less energy is transferred to thermal stores.
Thermal insulation reduces energy transfer by heating.
Loft insulation traps air; trapped air is a poor conductor and reduces convection.
Cavity wall insulation traps air or uses foam/fibres; it reduces conduction and convection through walls.
Double glazing uses two panes with air or vacuum between them; vacuum prevents conduction and
convection, while air reduces conduction.
Draught excluders reduce convection by stopping warm air escaping and cold air entering.
Thick curtains trap insulating air and reduce energy transfer through windows.
Silver foil behind radiators reflects infrared radiation back into the room.
1.5 Required practical: specific heat capacity
Aim: find the specific heat capacity of a material.
Key equation: c = ΔE / (m Δθ).
Electrical energy supplied by heater: E = P t and P = I V.
1. Measure the mass of the block.
2. Insert heater into one hole and thermometer or temperature sensor into another.
3. Add a small amount of oil in the thermometer hole for better thermal contact.
4. Wrap the block in insulation.
5. Record starting temperature.
6. Turn on the heater and record current, potential difference, and time.
7. Calculate energy transferred using E = IVt.
8. Record final temperature and calculate Δθ.
9. Calculate c = ΔE / (m Δθ).
Issue Effect / improvement
Energy lost to surroundings Use insulation and a lid where possible.
Use oil in holes and make sure heater/thermometer fit
Poor thermal contact
tightly.
Block not heated evenly Wait for temperature to stabilise before reading.
Meter uncertainty Use digital meters and repeat readings.
1.6 Required practical: thermal insulation
Aim: investigate how different materials or thicknesses reduce energy transfer by heating.
Independent variable: type or thickness of insulation.
Dependent variable: temperature change or rate of cooling.
Control variables: mass/volume of water, starting temperature, same container, same time interval, same
room conditions, same lid arrangement.
Better insulation gives a smaller temperature decrease over the same time.
1.7 Energy resources
Resource Key notes
AQA GCSE Physics Paper 1 Higher Separate Notes
