Physics SL
Physics SL
5
Chapters
329
Notes
Theme A - Space, Time & Motion
Theme A - Space, Time & Motion
Theme B - The Particulate Nature Of Matter
Theme B - The Particulate Nature Of Matter
Theme C - Wave Behaviour
Theme C - Wave Behaviour
Theme D - Fields
Theme D - Fields
Theme E - Nuclear & Quantum Physics
Theme E - Nuclear & Quantum Physics
IB Resources
Theme A - Space, Time & Motion
Physics SL
Physics SL

Theme A - Space, Time & Motion

Understanding Energy: Transfers, Forms, and Applications

Word Count Emoji
669 words
Reading Time Emoji
4 mins read
Updated at Emoji
Last edited on 5th Nov 2024

Table of content

Alright, let's buckle up and get started on this energy-filled journey! First off, energy is pretty awesome because it comes in a variety of forms. The energy stored within any system can change from one form to another, and during these transformations, we see energy in action.

Energy transfer example - hydroelectric power station

Picture a hydroelectric power station. It's quite a sight, isn't it? Here's how it works

  • Water is drawn downwards through a pipe due to Earth's gravitational pull - this means the water has gravitational potential energy.
  • As the water rushes downwards, it hits the turbine blades, transferring its momentum and making the turbine spin - now we have rotational energy.
  • The spinning turbine turns the coils in the generator, moving electrons and creating an electric current.

In simpler terms, we've just seen the transfer of energy from gravitational potential to electrical.

Energy transfer example - animal movement

Ever watched a cheetah run at lightning-fast speeds? Well, that's another fantastic demonstration of energy transfer

  • The cheetah uses the stored chemical energy in its muscles (which it gets from food) to move.
  • This chemical energy is converted into kinetic energy (energy of motion) and gravitational potential energy if the cheetah jumps.
  • And don't forget some of this energy also gets transferred into frictional energy losses when the cheetah's feet rub against the ground.

You should remember to identify the physical (and sometimes chemical) processes occurring in an energy transfer.

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IB Resources
Theme A - Space, Time & Motion
Physics SL
Physics SL

Theme A - Space, Time & Motion

Understanding Energy: Transfers, Forms, and Applications

Word Count Emoji
669 words
Reading Time Emoji
4 mins read
Updated at Emoji
Last edited on 5th Nov 2024

Table of content

Alright, let's buckle up and get started on this energy-filled journey! First off, energy is pretty awesome because it comes in a variety of forms. The energy stored within any system can change from one form to another, and during these transformations, we see energy in action.

Energy transfer example - hydroelectric power station

Picture a hydroelectric power station. It's quite a sight, isn't it? Here's how it works

  • Water is drawn downwards through a pipe due to Earth's gravitational pull - this means the water has gravitational potential energy.
  • As the water rushes downwards, it hits the turbine blades, transferring its momentum and making the turbine spin - now we have rotational energy.
  • The spinning turbine turns the coils in the generator, moving electrons and creating an electric current.

In simpler terms, we've just seen the transfer of energy from gravitational potential to electrical.

Energy transfer example - animal movement

Ever watched a cheetah run at lightning-fast speeds? Well, that's another fantastic demonstration of energy transfer

  • The cheetah uses the stored chemical energy in its muscles (which it gets from food) to move.
  • This chemical energy is converted into kinetic energy (energy of motion) and gravitational potential energy if the cheetah jumps.
  • And don't forget some of this energy also gets transferred into frictional energy losses when the cheetah's feet rub against the ground.

You should remember to identify the physical (and sometimes chemical) processes occurring in an energy transfer.

Unlock the Full Content! File Is Locked Emoji

Dive deeper and gain exclusive access to premium files of Physics SL. Subscribe now and get closer to that 45 🌟