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Energy

Energy stores and systems

A system is an object or group of objects. There are changes in the way energy is stored when a
system changes.

The changes involved in the way energy is stored when a system changes.

e.g:
• An object projected upwards – GPE
• A moving object hitting an obstacle – Kinetic energy
• A vehicle slowing down – Kinetic energy to work done by friction
• Bringing water to a boil in an electric kettle – Electrical energy to heat energy

Changes in energy

Kinetic energy

The kinetic energy of a moving object can be calculated using the equation:

Kinetic energy = 0.5 × mass × speed2 (KE = 1/2 m v2)

Kinetic energy, KE, in joules (J) mass, m, in kilograms (kg) speed, v, in metres per second (m/s)

Elastic potential energy

The amount of elastic potential energy stored in a stretched spring can be calculated using the
equation:
Elastic potential energy = 0.5 × spring constant × extension2 (Ee = 1/2 k e2)

(assuming the limit of proportionality has not been exceeded) elastic potential energy, Ee, in
joules, J spring constant, k, in newtons per metre, N/m extension, e, in metres, m

Gravitational potential energy (GPE)

The amount of gravitational potential energy gained by an object raised above ground level can
be calculated using the equation:

GPE = Mass × Gravitational field strength × Height (GPE = m g h)

Gravitational potential energy (GPE), in joules, J mass, m, in kilograms, kg gravitational field

strength, g, in newtons per kilogram, N/kg (In any calculation the value of the gravitational field
strength (g) will be given.) height, h, in metres, m able to recall and apply this equation.

Energy changes in systems

Internal energy is the total kinetic and potential energy of all the particles that make up a system.
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Heating changes the energy stored in a system by increasing the energy of the particle in the
system. As the energy increases, this will either increase the temperature or change the state.

Increasing temperature depends on:

 The mass of the substance

 Type of substance

The amount of energy stored in or released from a system as its temperature changes can be
calculated using the equation:

Change in thermal energy = Mass × Specific heat capacity × Temperature change (E = m cΔT)

Change in thermal energy, ∆E, in joules, J mass, m, in kilograms, kg specific heat capacity, c, in
joules per kilogram per degree Celsius, J/kg °C temperature change, ∆T, in degrees Celsius, °C

Specific heat capacity - The specific heat capacity of a substance is the amount of energy
required to raise the temperature of one kilogram of the substance by one degree Celsius.

e.g: If 10kg water is heated from 20°C to 30°C, how much energy has it gained if the specific
heat capacity is 4200 J/kg °C ?

E = 4200 × 10 × 10 = 420,000J = 420kJ

Power

Power is defined as the rate at which energy is transferred or the rate at which work is done.

Power = Energy transferred time

Energy (J)
Power (w) =
Time (s)

Power = Work done time

Work done (J)
Power (w) =
Time (s)

P, in watts, W energy transferred, E, in joules, J time, t, in seconds, s work done, W, in joules, J

An energy transfer of 1 joule per second is equal to a power of 1 watt.

e.g Comparing two electric motors that both lift the same weight through the same height but one
with higher power does it faster than the other.

Conservation and dissipation of energy

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Energy transfers in a system

Energy can be transferred usefully, stored or dissipated, but cannot be created or destroyed.

Conservation of energy: Energy cannot be created or destroyed

Energy transfers in a closed system, that there is no net change to the total energy.

Sankey diagrams are used to show all the energy transfers in a system, including energy
dissipated to the surroundings; the data can be used to calculate the efficiency of energy
transfers.

Shanky diagram of electric bulb

Heat energy
65J
100 J
Electrical energy

Light energy
35 J

In all system changes energy is dissipated, so that it is stored in less useful ways. This energy is
often described as being ‘wasted’.

Useful energy – Energy transfer in useful way

Waste energy – Energy is not transfer in useful way, this energy is transferred to surroundings as
heat and warm up the environment.

e.g: Motor – Useful energy – kinetic, waste energy – heat and sound.

Ways of reducing unwanted energy transfers, for example through lubrication, tighten the loose
parts of the machine and the use of thermal insulation.

Heat transfer

Heat can be transferred quicker if the temperature difference between the substance and
surroundings is greater. Heat can be transfer by 3 methods

Conduction: Occurs in solids and felt by direct physical contact. The heat travels by the
vibration of the atoms. In metals, the heat also moves by the movement of free electrons or ions.
Heat flows from the warm area to the cold area.

Thermal conductivity

Definition of thermal conductivity – Material conduct heat

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The higher the thermal conductivity of a material the higher the rate of energy transfer by
conduction across the material.

The rate of cooling of a building is affected by the thickness and thermal conductivity of its
walls. Higher conductivity wall or thin wall will conduct heat the quickest and the building will
lost the energy quickly.

Convection: Occurs in liquids and gases. This happens because when an area gets hotter the
particles move further apart, i.e. that area expands. This makes that area less dense and lighter
than the surroundings so it rises. When it then starts to cool that particles move closer together
again and it will fall.

In short the hotter section expands and rises, the cool part falls. This motion is called convection
currents.

Radiation: All objects do it. It can travel through empty space (vacuum) and travels in waves.
This heat radiation is called infrared radiation. Black matt objects are good absorbers and
emitters of radiation but light reflective surfaces are bad absorbers and emitters of radiation.
Large surface areas radiate heat quicker

Insulation

You can prevent heat loss from objects by using insulation. Air and other gases are bad
conductors of heat but make good insulators. For convection you must stop the heat from rising
e.g. using a lid.

After being heated Trapped air helps to prevent heat loss by conduction and convection. A
vacuum (empty space with no particles) also stops conduction and convection as those methods
need particles to transfer heat Radiation can be reduced by using light reflective surfaces.

House insulation

There are different types of insulation for the home e.g. loft insulation, double glazing, cavity
wall insulation etc. House insulation is given a rating to determine how good it is at insulating.

 Fibber glass loft insulation – to reduce energy transfer by conduction

 Cavity wall insulation – traps air in small pockets to reduce energy loss by convection.
 Double glazing – Reduce energy transfer by conduction through windows.
 Drought proofing – to reduce energy transfer by convection
 Aluminium foil behind the radiators – to reflect IR (heat) radiation back into the room.

These insulations cost money to buy and install, but you save money on fuel cost. This can be
work out by payback time.

Payback time: Time that we get back the spent money.

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Cost of insulation
Payback time (years) = ---------------------------------
Cost of fuel saved each year

Efficiency

The energy efficiency for any energy transfer can be calculated using the equation:

Efficiency = Useful output energy transfer total in put energy transfer

Efficiency may also be calculated using the equation:

Efficiency = useful power output total power in put

Describe ways to increase the efficiency of an intended energy transfer.