Section 3:

Energy & Thermal Physics

Page 1 of 16

a) Units
4.1 use the following units: kilogram (kg), joule (J), metre (m), metre/second (m/s), metre/second2 (m/s2), newton
(N), second (s), watt (W).

S.No

Quantity with Definition

unit

Symbol
represention
of unit

Kilogram

Kg

Joules

Joules

Meter

Meter/ second

m/s

Mass
1
Definition: quantity of matter in a body.

Energy

Definition:Ability to do work.

Work Done:

Exam definition
3
Work done = Force x distance

Also

Work done = Energy Transferred

Distance:
3
Definition: measurement between two points

4
Speed/velocity

S.No

Quantity with Definition

unit

Symbol
represention
of unit

Definition: Distance covered per second.

Page 2 of 16

S.No

Quantity with Definition

unit

Symbol
representio
n of unit

Meter/second2

m/s2

Newton

Second

Watt

Acceleration

Definition: Rate of change of speed/velocity per second.

But if definition is asked in Exam; write only the

5

following

acc = (final speed - initial speed) / time

symbolically,

a = (v - u) / t

Force

Exam Definition:

Force = Mass x acceleration

Time

Power

Page 3 of 16

(a) list the different forms of energy with examples in which each form occurs.
Energy: It is defined as the Capability of doing work. It is measured in Joules and is a scalar quantity.
Energy can be divided in two broad Forms
You need to know all these forms of energy.

Thermal or heat:
Heat energy and Thermal energy are considered as the same form of energy for your CIE course:

Heat Energy = Thermal Energy.

Thermal energy is possessed by the body as the Kinetic energy (movement energy) of its atoms or molecules. If an object has gained
more thermal energy then its atoms and molecules would have more Kinetic energy.
Temperature of any object is dependent upon the Thermal Energy it has gained. Higher the temperature higher the amount of thermal
energy it has gained.
When two objects of different temperatures are placed next to each other then the energy is transferred from hot object (having higher
thermal energy) to cold object (having less thermal energy.)
Heat energy is the amount of thermal energy that is transferred from an object of higher temperature to the object of lower temperature.
However, it is possible that an object at higher temperature may have lower thermal energy than an object at lower temperature.
For example, a match while burning may have higher temperature but would have less amount of thermal energy than a pale of water
at a moderate temperature. This is because in a pale of water there are more molecules than a match stick and when each molecules
Kinetic energy is added together then the sum of Kinetic energy (Thermal Energy) of water would be higher than the match stick.
Light:
Light is a form of energy. It is transferred through Electromagnetic Waves. When we light candle: Chemical energy is converted into
light energy. Similarly, in light bulb, electrical energy is converted into light energy. (Further detail is beyond CIE)
Electrical:
This is due to the movement of electrical charges. In cell or battery chemical energy is converted into electrical in wires.Sound:
movement of energy through a substance in the form of longitudinal compression and rarefaction waves.
Extra information:

It is produced due to vibration or Kinetic energy of atoms/molecules. It travels with the help of molecules or atoms and cannot be
produced when there is no matter. Therefore, in vacuum we cannot hear sound.
If there are more molecules or atoms then sound would travel faster and vice versa. Therefore, sound energy travel fastest in solid than
in liquids and gas.
Kinetic:
Also called movement energy. When object is moving fast it has more KE. KE can be calculated by following formula.
Kinetic energy = mass x velocity2
When you ride a bicycle your chemical energy of the body is converted into movement energy. Similarly, you need petrol to provide
movement energy to the car.
Potential Energy: It is a stored energy. In fact, gravitation, chemical, strain or elastic and nuclear energy are a part of potential energy.
Gravitational PE:
When you move an object above the ground level then the object will store energy in it, which is called Gravitational potential energy.
This energy depends upon the how high the object is from the ground. Higher above the ground means more energy is stored. This
energy can be calculated from the following formula.
GPE = x mass x height
Extra information: Another way of looking at the GPE is
In order to raise an object above ground level, we need to provide energy to it. This energy is called GPE, which is actually a work
done against gravitational force. This energy is released when object is fallen back to ground.
Elastic Potential Energy:
When you stretch a rubber band then it stores energy in it and return that energy when it will relax.
Similarly, when you stretch a spring or catapult then these objects store energy in them. This stored energy is called Elastic Potential
Energy or Strain Energy.
Elastic Potential Energy or Strain Energy is called Stored Energy because objects will always return back to their original position and
shape after using the energy.
When you stretch a rubber cord or spring, you supply chemical energy of your body to the rubber or spring to stretch. Your energy is
stored in the stretched object and is keeping it stretched. When you release the object, it will return that energy in the form of heat.
Chemical:
Energy store between atoms or chemicals is called chemical energy.
Nuclear:
Energy stored in the nucleus of an atom. This energy binds the atom together.
Some Facts which you need to know:
1-Energy can not be created nor destroyed,
only changed. This is called Law of Conservation of Energy
2 Energy will always transfer from high to low.
3 No energy transfer is 100% efficient.

Page 3 of 16

(a) list the different forms of energy with examples in which each form occurs.

Energy: It is defined as the Capability of doing work. It is measured in Joules and is a scalar quantity.
Energy can be divided in two broad Forms
You need to know all these forms of energy.

Thermal or heat:
Heat energy and Thermal energy are considered as the same form of energy for your CIE course:

Heat Energy = Thermal Energy.

Thermal energy is possessed by the body as the Kinetic energy (movement energy) of its atoms or molecules. If an object has gained
more thermal energy then its atoms and molecules would have more Kinetic energy.
Temperature of any object is dependent upon the Thermal Energy it has gained. Higher the temperature higher the amount of thermal
energy it has gained.
When two objects of different temperatures are placed next to each other then the energy is transferred from hot object (having higher
thermal energy) to cold object (having less thermal energy.)
Heat energy is the amount of thermal energy that is transferred from an object of higher temperature to the object of lower temperature.
However, it is possible that an object at higher temperature may have lower thermal energy than an object at lower temperature.
For example, a match while burning may have higher temperature but would have less amount of thermal energy than a pale of water
at a moderate temperature. This is because in a pale of water there are more molecules than a match stick and when each molecules
Kinetic energy is added together then the sum of Kinetic energy (Thermal Energy) of water would be higher than the match stick.
Light:

Light is a form of energy. It is transferred through Electromagnetic Waves. When we light candle: Chemical energy is converted into
light energy. Similarly, in light bulb, electrical energy is converted into light energy. (Further detail is beyond CIE)
Electrical:
This is due to the movement of electrical charges. In cell or battery chemical energy is converted into electrical in wires.Sound:
movement of energy through a substance in the form of longitudinal compression and rarefaction waves.
Extra information:
It is produced due to vibration or Kinetic energy of atoms/molecules. It travels with the help of molecules or atoms and cannot be
produced when there is no matter. Therefore, in vacuum we cannot hear sound.
If there are more molecules or atoms then sound would travel faster and vice versa. Therefore, sound energy travel fastest in solid than
in liquids and gas.
Kinetic:
Also called movement energy. When object is moving fast it has more KE. KE can be calculated by following formula.
Kinetic energy = mass x velocity2
When you ride a bicycle your chemical energy of the body is converted into movement energy. Similarly, you need petrol to provide
movement energy to the car.
Potential Energy: It is a stored energy. In fact, gravitation, chemical, strain or elastic and nuclear energy are a part of potential energy.
Gravitational PE:
When you move an object above the ground level then the object will store energy in it, which is called Gravitational potential energy.
This energy depends upon the how high the object is from the ground. Higher above the ground means more energy is stored. This
energy can be calculated from the following formula.
GPE = x mass x height
Extra information: Another way of looking at the GPE is
In order to raise an object above ground level, we need to provide energy to it. This energy is called GPE, which is actually a work
done against gravitational force. This energy is released when object is fallen back to ground.
Elastic Potential Energy:
When you stretch a rubber band then it stores energy in it and return that energy when it will relax.
Similarly, when you stretch a spring or catapult then these objects store energy in them. This stored energy is called Elastic Potential
Energy or Strain Energy.
Elastic Potential Energy or Strain Energy is called Stored Energy because objects will always return back to their original position and
shape after using the energy.
When you stretch a rubber cord or spring, you supply chemical energy of your body to the rubber or spring to stretch. Your energy is
stored in the stretched object and is keeping it stretched. When you release the object, it will return that energy in the form of heat.
Chemical:
Energy store between atoms or chemicals is called chemical energy.
Nuclear:
Energy stored in the nucleus of an atom. This energy binds the atom together.
Some Facts which you need to know:
1-Energy can not be created nor destroyed,
only changed. This is called Law of Conservation of Energy

2 Energy will always transfer from high to low.

3 No energy transfer is 100% efficient.

Page 5 of 16

Answer:
(a) moving

(b) Chemical

(c) Sound & Heat

(c) state that kinetic energy Ek = mv 2 and that gravitational potential energy EP = mgh and use these
equations in calculations.
Exam definition of kinetic energy = x mass x speed 2
Kinetic energy is also called movement energy. When an object moves it has this form of energy, if it is moving faster it will acquire
more kinetic energy. Apart from speed, Kinetic energy also depends upon the mass of the object. So if a heavy object moves with 5 m/s
speed it would have more kinetic energy than an object with less mass.

Kinetic energy like GPE is also measured in Joules, as all energies are measured in Joules. It is a scalar quantity, as all energy forms
are scalar quantity.
Kinetic energy can be calculated by KE = x m x v2
Where m = mass of an object; v = speed of an object.
Q- Suppose the same elephant of mass 1000 kg has jumped from the height of 50 m while hitting the ground its speed is 31.622 m/s.
Calculate its KE?
Solution: Using formula KE = 1/2 x m x v2
substitute values, therefore, KE = 1/2 x 1000 x (31.622)2
Hence, KE = 500,000 J

When an object is raised from the ground then it has potential to fall back to ground by gravitational force. The amount of energy stored
in an object when it is raised above ground is called Gravitational Potential Energy.
It is measure in Joules and a scalar quantity. It can be calculated by GPE = m x g x h;
Where m = mass of object ; g = acceleration due to gravity; h= height of an object raised.
Q- An elephant of 1000 kg is raised to a height of 50 meter (by some means--God knows). Calculate the gpe gained by the elephant?
Solution:
Since, GPE = m x g x h
substitute the values
Therefore,

GPE = 1000 x 10 x 50 ; as g = 10 m/s2

GPE = 500,000 J

Page 7 of 16

(d) list renewable and non-renewable energy sources.

(e) describe the processes by which energy is converted from one form to
another, including reference to
(1) chemical/fuel energy (a re-grouping of atoms),
(2) hydroelectric generation (emphasising the mechanical energies
involved),
(3) solar energy (nuclei of atoms in the Sun),
(4) nuclear energy,

(5) geothermal energy,

(6) wind energy.

S.No

Type of
Energy

Renewable/
NonRenewable

Geothermal
3
Resource

Solar Heating
4
Systems

Disadvantages

Renewable

Kinetic to
Electrical

Renewable

GPE to
Electrical

1-renewable.
2- No CO2 pollution.
3- Very cheap Electricity
after few years.

1-Expensive at installation time.

2-Dangerous for wildlife.
3-Visual pollution for large
production.

Renewable

Thermal to
Electrical

1-renewable.
2- No CO2 pollution.
3- Very cheap Electricity
after few years.

1-Expensive at installation time.

2-Not available everywhere.

Renewable

Light to
Thermal

1-renewable.
2- No CO2 pollution.

1-Expensive at installation time.

2-Dangerous for wildlife.
3- If there is no Sun it won't work.

Main Source: Sun

2 Water

Advantages

1-renewable.
2-No CO2 pollution.
3-Very cheap Electricity after
few years.

Wind
1

Form of
Energy
Conversion

1-Expensive at installation time.

2-Dangerous for birds.
3-Visual and Noise pollution for
large production.

Renewable
S.N
o

Type of
Energy

/
Non-

Form of Energy
Conversion

Advantages

Disadvantages

Light to Electrical

1-renewable.
2- No CO2 pollution.
3- Very cheap
Electricity after few
years.

1-Expensive at
installation time.
2-Dangerous for wildlife.
3-Visual pollution for
large production.

Renewable

Solar Cells

Renewable

Renewable
S.N
o

Type of
Energy

/
Non-

Form of Energy
Conversion

Advantages

Disadvantages

Chemical to Electrical

1-renewable.
2- No CO2 pollution.
3- Very cheap
Electricity after few
years.

1-Expensive at
installation time.
2-Dangerous for wildlife.
3-Visual pollution for
large production.

Nuclear Potential Energy

to Thermal + Kinetic

1-renewable.
2- No CO2 pollution.
3- Very cheap
Electricity after few
years.

1-Expensive at
installation time.
2-Dangerous for wildlife.
3-Visual pollution for
large production.

Renewable

Fossil
Fuels

Nuclear
Power

Renewable

Renewable

Try following question

Answer

Page 8 of 16

(f) explain nuclear fusion and fission in terms of energy releasing processes.
Fission: Splitting of atom is called fission. Atoms store large amount of energy-- just like stretched catapult!. Which upon its release
return stored energy.
Similiarly, when atoms are split they release a large amount of energy in the form of heat and light.
Fusion: Fusion is opposite of fission i.e. you join atoms together.
When atoms are joined they require a large amount of energy to let it happen. As you need cement, water and labor to join bricks

together. When you have supplied required energy and when atoms are joined they store that energy in themhowever, while storing
energy they kind of vomit energy out as well. So in every fusion process energy is released in the form of heat and light.

Page 9 of 16

(g) describe the process of electricity generation and draw a block diagram of the process from fuel input to
electricity output.

Page 10 of 16

(h) discuss the environmental issues associated with power generation.

As discussed in the advantages and disadvantages in table given.

Page 11 of 16

(i) calculate work done from the formula work = force distance moved in the line of action of the force.

work done = force distance moved

W=Fd

If exam definition of work done is asked, write the following only.

Work done = Force x distance moved.

For understanding, remember, Work done is energy transfer.

Work done has a unit of Joules, like energy. It is a scalar quantity.

See animation below.

Animation 1

Animation 2

Animation 3

When I will push (force) a table it will move. So I applied a force and the table has moved a certain distance, therefore,a work is done.
As work done = Force xdistance.
As the table is moved, I can also say that the table has gained Kinetic energy at the cost of chemical energy of my body.Therefore, it
can be said that whenever work is done energy is trasferred from one form to another.
Work Done = Energy Transferred

Take another example of car, engine applies force and therefore car covers a certain distance, this is the work done by engine.
However, this work is done at the cost of energy transferredfrom chemical energy to kinetic energy i.e. petrol is burned and car is
moved.
When an object falls down, work is done by gravitational force. And the energy transfer in this case is from Potential Energy to Kinetic
energy because object gains speed.
So remember, whenever there is work done there will always be energy transfer.

Now try past paper question by using the formula given on next page
(a) The diagram shows an energy flow for a motorbike.
Fill in the gaps in the diagram.

(b) The motorbike travels 2.0 km. The driving force is 700 N. Calculate the work done
in joules by this driving force.
.......................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................
Work done = ........................................................... J

(3)

Solution:
a)

i- Chemical Energy ii- Heat+Sound iii- 30 000 J

b)

convert 2.0 km into m as 2000 m. Using Work done = F x d

700 x 2000 = 14 00 000 J

Page 12 of 16

(j) calculate the efficiency of an energy conversion using the formula efficiency = energy converted to the
required form/total energy input.

The key to understand the efficiency concept is to understand the concept of useful energy and input energy.
The amount of energy that is put into the system is called Input Energy. For example, the amount of fuel that is poured into the cars
tank is the input chemical energy.

The useful output energy that we need from chemical energy is movement energy (we need car to move), light energy (head lights etc)
and Sound energy (horn). However, Heat is not useful energy and therefore called waste energy.
Unfortunatley, in any process some amount of undesirabel energy is always produced. This is called waste energy.
Efficiency is defined as the ability of any device or process to transform maximum amount of input energy into useful form.
Useful energy is different for different system e.g.; for light bulb the useful energy is light not heat, for bicycle its the movement energy,
for horn it is the sound energy.
Look at the following diagram.

Try question on following page

(b) The lamp is of 100 W and is only 5% efficient. What does this mean?

.......................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................... (2)

Solution:
(a) Electrical to

light & heat

(b) That only 5 J of Electrical energy is converted into Light. Rest is wasted into heat.

Page 13 of 16

(k) discuss the efficiency of energy conversions in common use, particularly those giving electrical output.

Page 14 of 16

(l) discuss the usefulness of energy output from a number of energy conversions.
Page 15 of 16

(m) calculate power from the formula power = work done/time taken.

Power is defined as rate of doing work or how fast energy is being trasferred per second.
If in exam definition is required write the above given word formula.
It is measured in Watts or Joules/second.
1 j/s = 1 watt
Try question on next page

Answer
a- Light to electrical
b- Rate of energy transfer is called Power. So basically they are asking you for Power. Also, work done is energy transfer.
Therefore, use power formula as
Power = Energy Transfer / Time = 6000 / (2 x 60) ; time should be second
Hence, Power = 50 Watts (W)

The word power is used differently in Physics and daily life. When you do work you transfer energy. In Physics, Power means how fast
that energy is converted into another form.
Power is define as "the amount of energy converted per second" or "rate of doing work" or simply "work done per unit time".

Power is measured in watts and it is a scalar quantity.

Caution:
Time is mostly in second, unless told otherwise.

Page 16 of 16

4.17 describe the advantages and disadvantages of methods of large-scale electricity production from various
renewable and non-renewable resources.

Large-scale electricity production means: Generating electricity from huge Power Plants for whole district or city or cities.
For large scale electricity generation we need to have multiple transformers, a main station and a substation. We also need to have
very long and thick wires to carry electricity. The problem with the wires is that they are expensive and their resistance is high. Due to
this high resistance lots of electrical energy is wasted as heat.
Another problem is when we have a main station which is quite large then it means it must deliver large amount of Power from that
place. Remember electricity bills charge only the Power, amount of energy consumed per hour.
Since power = voltage x current
Large power means large voltage and current. Now, here is a problem large current in wires produces heating effect, which could melt
the wire and also would result in the loss of energy.
Therefore, we are left with high voltage and low current. But high voltage is not usable for domestic purpose, therefore the voltage has
to be dropped down when it is near homes. For tame this problem we need to use transformers- another costly business.
However, the advantage is space can be saved. Same voltage over a large area, otherwise different voltages can be used. No
trasformers as lower voltage can be produced.