AQA · GCSE Physics 8463

AQA GCSE Physics: Energy — Practice Questions & Answers

Energy stores and transfers, kinetic and potential energy, specific heat capacity, power, efficiency, and energy resources.

672 practice questions available for this topic — here are 10 with full answers and explanations.

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Practice questions with answers

1 Multiple choice · Easy

Which of the following is an energy store?

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WhyKinetic energy is the store associated with a moving object; the others (heating, electrical working, radiation) are ways energy is transferred between stores, not stores themselves.
2 Multiple choice · Easy

What is the correct unit for energy?

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WhyEnergy is measured in joules (J). The watt is the unit of power, the newton is force, and the pascal is pressure.
3 Multiple choice · Easy

Which equation is used to calculate the kinetic energy of a moving object?

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WhyKinetic energy Ek = 0.5 m v^2, where m is mass and v is speed.
4 Multiple choice · Easy

Which of these is a renewable energy resource?

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WhyWind is renewable because it is naturally replenished and will not run out. Coal, oil, and natural gas are non-renewable fossil fuels.
5 Multiple choice · Easy

Power is best described as the rate at which:

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WhyPower is energy transferred (or work done) per unit time, given by P = E/t. It is measured in watts (W).
6 Fill in the blank · Easy

The main method of energy transfer through a solid metal is , in which energy is passed along by vibrating particles and free electrons.

Answer: conduction

WhyIn solids, energy is transferred mainly by conduction; metals are especially good conductors because of their free electrons.
7 Multiple choice · Medium

A 2 kg object moves at 3 m/s. What is its kinetic energy?

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WhyEk = 0.5 m v^2 = 0.5 x 2 x 3^2 = 0.5 x 2 x 9 = 9 J.
8 Multiple choice · Medium

A device transfers 600 J of energy usefully out of 800 J supplied. What is its efficiency?

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WhyEfficiency = useful energy output / total energy input = 600 / 800 = 0.75, which is 75%.
9 Multiple choice · Medium

A motor transfers 1200 J of energy in 4 s. What is its power output?

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WhyP = E/t = 1200 / 4 = 300 W.
10 Multiple choice · Medium

Which change reduces unwanted energy transfer by conduction through the walls of a house?

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WhyCavity wall insulation traps air, a poor conductor, reducing energy transfer by conduction (and convection) through the walls.

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Key terms in Energy

Energy: A conserved quantity that must be supplied to make things happen, measured in joules (J).
Joule: The SI unit of energy, equal to the work done when a force of one newton moves through one metre.
Energy store: A way of holding energy in a system, such as kinetic, thermal, chemical or gravitational.
Energy transfer: The movement of energy from one store to another by a pathway such as heating, working, electricity or radiation.
Kinetic energy store: The energy a moving object has because of its mass and speed.
Gravitational potential energy store: The energy an object has because of its height in a gravitational field.
Elastic potential energy store: The energy stored in an object when it is stretched or compressed.
Chemical energy store: Energy held in chemical bonds that can be released by reactions such as combustion or respiration.

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Practise other AQA GCSE Physics topics

Topic 2: Electricity Topic 3: Particle model of matter Topic 4: Atomic structure Topic 5: Forces Topic 6: Waves Topic 7: Magnetism and electromagnetism Topic 8: Space physics