Energy Conversion
Physics: Cambridge International GCSE Supplement, topic 1.9.2
Conservation of Energy
The principle of conservation of energy says that energy cannot be created or destroyed. It can only be transformed from one type of energy into another type of energy. Energy is transformed to another type of energy by:
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 gravitational potential energy into kinetic energy.
- When you start pushing a wheelchair, energy is transferred to the kinetic energy of the wheelchair.
Electrical work
- An electrical current transfers energy from one object to another, such as a battery powering a torch.
Heating
- Heating an object increases its internal energy (the sum of the kinetic and chemical energy of its particles).
Waves
- Light and other types of waves can transfer energy from one object to another.
Test yourself on Energy Conversion
What is the name of the principle stating that energy cannot be created or destroyed?
Energy Changes in a Lamp