4.1.3

Examples of Energy Conversion

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Examples of Energy Conversion

Energy is never created or destroyed, only converted from one store to another. Here are some examples of this process:

A moving object hitting an obstacle

A moving object hitting an obstacle

  • The object's energy is in the kinetic store at the start because it is moving.
  • When the object collides with the obstacle, energy is converted to:
    • The kinetic store of the obstacle (making it move),
    • The thermal store of the object and the obstacle (the particles in the object and the obstacle vibrate more).
  • Some energy remains in the object's kinetic store as it moves away after the collision.
An object projected upwards

An object projected upwards

  • The object's energy is initially in the kinetic store as it moves upwards.
  • The object's energy is slowly transferred from the kinetic store to the gravitational potential store as it slows down and climbs higher.
  • Once the object reaches its highest point, all of its energy is in the gravitational potential store.
  • As the object falls again, energy transfers from the gravitational potential store to the kinetic store.
A vehicle slowing down

A vehicle slowing down

  • To begin with, the vehicle's energy is in the kinetic store.
  • The brakes do work slowing the car down. During this process, energy is dissipated (lost) through heat and sound.
Bringing water to a boil in an electric kettle

Bringing water to a boil in an electric kettle

  • Energy transfers from the electrical store of the mains power supply to the thermal store of the water.
An object accelerated by a constant force

An object accelerated by a constant force

  • Work is done by a force on an object.
  • This work is converted to the object's kinetic store.
Jump to other topics
1

Forces & Motion

1.1

Basics of Motion

1.2

Forces

1.3

Effects of Forces

1.4

Stopping Distance

1.5

Forces & Elasticity

2

Electricity

3

Waves

4

Energy Resources & Energy Transfers

5

Solids, Liquids & Gases

6

Magnetism & Electromagnetism

7

Radioactivity & Particles

8

Astrophysics

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