Topic 1

• What is the principle of conservation of energy?

  Energy cannot be created or destroyed
• What is the formula for kinetic energy?

  $E_k =$$\frac{1}{2} m v^2$
• What does kinetic energy depend on?

  Mass and velocity of the object
• What is elastic potential energy associated with?

  Energy stored in a stretched object
• What is the formula for elastic potential energy?

  $E_p =$$\frac{1}{2} k e^2$
• What does thermal energy refer to?

  Energy due to heat
• What is the formula for gravitational potential energy?

  $E_p =$$m g h$
• What does the specific heat capacity measure?

  Energy required to raise temperature of 1kg
• What is the formula for calculating power?

  $P =$$\frac{E}{t}$
• What is efficiency in energy transfer?

  Useful energy out divided by total energy in
• What are renewable energy sources?

  Energy sources that never run out
• What is a disadvantage of burning fossil fuels?

  Emission of greenhouse gases
• What are examples of renewable energy sources?

  Wind, solar, hydroelectric, geothermal
• What is a characteristic of nuclear power plants?

  Do not release CO2 but produce waste
• How do renewable energy sources compare to non-renewable sources?

  Renewable sources are less damaging to environment
• What are the types of energy changes in a system?

  • Kinetic energy
  • Elastic potential energy
  • Thermal energy
  • Gravitational potential energy
• What are the types of energy sources?

  • Renewable: wind, solar, hydroelectric
  • Non-renewable: coal, oil, gas, nuclear
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of renewable and non-renewable energy sources?

  Strengths of renewable:

  • Never run out
  • Less damaging to environment

  
  

  Weaknesses of non-renewable:

  • Emit greenhouse gases
  • Produce radioactive waste