Energy
Cambridge IGCSE Physics (0625) · Unit 1: Motion, forces and energy · 12 flashcards
Energy is topic 1.7.1 in the Cambridge IGCSE Physics (0625) syllabus
, positioned in Unit 1 — Motion, forces and energy , alongside Physical quantities and measurement techniques, Motion and Mass and weight.
In one line: 1. Kinetic Energy (energy of motion)
2. Gravitational Potential Energy (energy due to height in a gravitational field)
3. Chemical Energy (energy stored in chemical bonds)
4. Elastic (Strain) Energy (energy stored in a stretched or compressed object).
This topic is examined in Paper 1 (multiple-choice) and Papers 3/4 (theory), plus Paper 5 or Paper 6 (practical / alternative to practical).
The deck below contains 12 flashcards — 1 definition — covering the precise wording mark schemes reward. Use the definition card to lock down command-word answers (define, state), then move on to the concept and application cards to handle explain, describe and compare questions.
State four different forms of energy storage
1. Kinetic Energy (energy of motion)
2. Gravitational Potential Energy (energy due to height in a gravitational field)
3. Chemical Energy (energy stored in chemical bonds)
4. Elastic (Strain) Energy (energy stored in a stretched or compressed object)
What the Cambridge 0625 syllabus says
Official 2026-2028 specThese are the exact learning objectives Cambridge sets for this topic. Match the command word (Describe, Explain, State, etc.) in your answer to score full marks.
- State State that energy may be stored as kinetic, gravitational potential, chemical, elastic (strain), nuclear, electrostatic and internal (thermal)
- Describe Describe how energy is transferred between stores during events and processes, including examples of transfer by forces (mechanical work done), electrical currents (electrical work done), heating, and by electromagnetic, sound and other waves
- Know Know the principle of the conservation of energy and apply this principle to simple examples including the interpretation of simple flow diagrams
- Recall Recall and use the equation for kinetic energy 1 Ek = mv² Supplement
- Recall Recall and use the equation for the change in gravitational potential energy ΔΕ = mgAh Supplement
- Know Know the principle of the conservation of energy and apply this principle to complex examples involving multiple stages, including the interpretation of Sankey diagrams Supplement
State four different forms of energy storage.
1. Kinetic Energy (energy of motion)
2. Gravitational Potential Energy (energy due to height in a gravitational field)
3. Chemical Energy (energy stored in chemical bonds)
4. Elastic (Strain) Energy (energy stored in a stretched or compressed object)
A cyclist is at the top of a hill. Explain how gravitational potential energy is stored in the cyclist-bicycle system.
Gravitational potential energy is stored because the cyclist-bicycle system has a certain mass (m) and is at a certain height (h) above a reference point (usually the ground). The higher the object, the greater its gravitational potential energy, as defined by the equation GPE = mgh, where g is the acceleration due to gravity.
A cyclist applies a constant force of 60N to the pedals of their bicycle as they travel a distance of 12m along a flat road. Calculate the amount of work done by the cyclist, and describe the energy transfer involved in this process.
Work Done = Force x Distance
Work Done = 60 N x 12 m
Work Done = 720 J
Energy Transfer: Chemical energy stored in the cyclist's body is converted into kinetic energy of the bicycle and thermal energy due to friction in the moving parts. Some energy is also transferred as sound.
Describe the energy transfers that occur when a loudspeaker produces sound. Your answer should identify the initial energy store and the final energy store.
Electrical energy from the power source is transferred to the loudspeaker. Inside the loudspeaker, the electrical energy is converted primarily into sound energy, which travels as a wave through the air. Some electrical energy is also converted to thermal energy due to the resistance of the wires inside the speaker.
A 60 kg student slides down a playground slide. At the top, the slide is 3.0 m high, and the student starts from rest. At the bottom of the slide, their speed is 7.0 m/s. Calculate the amount of energy that has been transferred to heat and sound due to friction.
1. Calculate the initial potential energy (PE):
PE = mgh = 60 kg * 10 m/s² * 3.0 m = 1800 J
2. Calculate the final kinetic energy (KE):
KE = 0.5 * mv² = 0.5 * 60 kg * (7.0 m/s)² = 1470 J
3. Calculate the energy lost due to friction:
Energy Lost = PE - KE = 1800 J - 1470 J = 330 J
Answer: 330 J. This lost energy is converted into heat and sound due to the friction between the student and the slide, representing a transformation of energy while the total energy is conserved.
A toy car rolls down a ramp. Describe how the principle of conservation of energy applies to this situation, considering the changes in gravitational potential energy, kinetic energy, and any energy lost to friction.
As the toy car rolls down the ramp:
1. Gravitational potential energy (GPE) decreases as the height decreases.
2. Kinetic energy (KE) increases as the car gains speed.
3. Some of the initial GPE is transformed into KE.
4. Due to friction between the wheels and the ramp (and air resistance), some of the initial GPE is also converted into heat and sound.
Total energy remains constant. The initial GPE is equal to the sum of the final KE and the energy dissipated as heat and sound. Energy is transformed, not created or destroyed.
A football of mass 0.45 kg is kicked and travels at a speed of 16 m/s. Calculate the kinetic energy of the football.
Ek = (1/2) * m * v²
Ek = (1/2) * 0.45 kg * (16 m/s)²
Ek = (1/2) * 0.45 kg * 256 m²/s²
Ek = 57.6 J
The kinetic energy is calculated using the formula Ek = 1/2 mv², substituting the mass and velocity and calculating the final value.
A toy car has a kinetic energy of 0.6 J and a mass of 0.2 kg. State how its kinetic energy would change if its mass were doubled, but its speed remained constant.
The kinetic energy would double.
Explanation: Since kinetic energy (Ek) is directly proportional to mass (m) as seen in the equation Ek = (1/2)mv², if the mass doubles while the velocity (v) remains constant, the kinetic energy will also double.
A brick of mass 2.0 kg is lifted vertically upwards by a construction worker to a height of 1.5 m. Calculate the change in the brick's gravitational potential energy. Assume the gravitational field strength, g, is 9.8 N/kg.
ΔΕ = mgΔh
ΔΕ = (2.0 kg) x (9.8 N/kg) x (1.5 m)
ΔΕ = 29.4 J
The change in gravitational potential energy is the product of the mass, gravitational field strength, and the change in height.
A ball is thrown upwards. Explain how its gravitational potential energy changes as it rises.
As the ball rises, its height (Δh) increases. Since ΔΕ = mgΔh, and mass (m) and gravitational field strength (g) remain constant, the gravitational potential energy (ΔΕ) increases as the ball gains height. This is because work is being done against gravity, storing energy in the form of GPE.
A motor lifts a 2.0 kg mass to a height of 0.5 m. The motor is 60% efficient. Calculate the total electrical energy supplied to the motor.
Formula: Useful Energy Output = mgh; Efficiency = (Useful Energy Output / Total Energy Input) x 100
Working:
Useful Energy Output = (2.0 kg) * (9.81 m/s²) * (0.5 m) = 9.81 J
60% = (9.81 J / Total Energy Input) x 100
Total Energy Input = (9.81 J / 60) * 100 = 16.35 J
Answer: 16.35 J
Explanation: First, calculate the gravitational potential energy gained by the mass (useful energy). Then, use the efficiency formula to find the total electrical energy supplied to the motor. This accounts for energy losses due to heat and sound.
A Sankey diagram shows the energy flow in a filament lamp. The input energy is electrical energy. Explain why the light energy output is significantly less than the electrical energy input.
Explanation: The principle of conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed. In a filament lamp, not all the electrical energy is converted into light energy. A significant portion of the electrical energy is converted into heat energy, which is then dissipated into the surroundings. This heat is an unwanted form of energy transfer, reducing the amount of energy available as light, thus reducing the efficiency of the bulb. Other minor losses include infrared radiation.
Key Questions: Energy
State four different forms of energy storage.
1. Kinetic Energy (energy of motion)
2. Gravitational Potential Energy (energy due to height in a gravitational field)
3. Chemical Energy (energy stored in chemical bonds)
4. Elastic (Strain) Energy (energy stored in a stretched or compressed object)
More topics in Unit 1 — Motion, forces and energy
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Key terms covered in this Energy deck
Every term below is defined in the flashcards above. Use the list as a quick recall test before your exam — if you can't define one of these in your own words, flip back to that card.
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