Examples of Energy Transfers Flashcards

All 6 cards in this deck

Which energy stores change, and how, as a ball thrown vertically upwards rises?

The kinetic energy store decreases and the gravitational potential energy store increases.

Which energy stores change, and how, when a moving object hits an obstacle?

The kinetic energy store of the object decreases; the thermal energy store of the object, obstacle and surroundings increases (some energy is also transferred by sound).

Which energy store increases when an object is accelerated by a constant force?

The kinetic energy store increases, as energy is transferred mechanically by the force doing work on the object.

Describe the energy transfers that happen when a cyclist uses the brakes to stop.

The kinetic energy store of the cyclist and bicycle decreases; the thermal energy store of the brakes and surroundings increases.

Describe the energy transfers when water is brought to the boil in an electric kettle.

Energy is transferred electrically from the mains to the thermal energy store of the water (and some to the kettle and surroundings).

True or false? Because energy is conserved, a dropped ball must bounce back to its original height.

False. Some energy is transferred to the thermal store of the ball, ground and surroundings (and by sound), so less is left in the gravitational potential store.