1.1.11

Energy Transfers

Test yourself

Conservation of Energy

The principle of the conservation of energy says that energy cannot be created or destroyed. It can only be transferred from one store of energy into another. Energy can be transferred by:

Illustrative background for Mechanical workIllustrative background for Mechanical work ?? "content

Mechanical work

  • Energy transferred from one object to another via a force is an example of mechanical work.
    • When an object falls from a building, the weight does mechanical work to transfer energy from the gravitational potential store to the kinetic store.
    • When you push a wheelchair, energy is transferred to the kinetic store of the wheelchair.
Illustrative background for Electrical workIllustrative background for Electrical work ?? "content

Electrical work

  • An electrical current transfers energy from one object to another, such as a battery powering a torch.
Illustrative background for HeatingIllustrative background for Heating ?? "content

Heating

  • Heating an object transfers energy to the object's internal store of energy (the sum of the energy in the kinetic and chemical stores of its particles).
Illustrative background for WavesIllustrative background for Waves ?? "content

Waves

  • Light and other types of waves can transfer energy from one object to another.

Jump to other topics

1Energy

2Electricity

3Particle Model of Matter

4Atoms & Radiation

5Forces

5.1Basics of Motion

5.2Forces

5.3Effects of Forces

5.4Pressure

6Waves

7Magnetism

8Astrophysics

Go student ad image

Unlock your full potential with GoStudent tutoring

  • Affordable 1:1 tutoring from the comfort of your home

  • Tutors are matched to your specific learning needs

  • 30+ school subjects covered

Book a free trial lesson