Energy Calculation at KS4

We will be looking at Energy Calculations – this session is

suitable for non-specialist teachers of physics.
We will be explaining calculations associated with the Energy
Topic at KS4. This will include:
Quick review of energy stores and pathways
Calculation of energy in the following stores:
• Kinetic (E= ½ mv2)
• Gravitational (E=mgh)
• Calculation of work done
• Elastic (E= ½ kx2)
• Thermal (E = mc∆T), calculation of specific heat capacity
Energy Stores
Energy associated with Type of
store
Batteries, food and fuel (+ oxygen) Chemical
Hot objects Thermal
Moving objects Kinetic
Position in a gravitational field Gravitational
potential
Changing shape, stretching, squashing Elastic

Radioactive decay, fission, fusion Nuclear

Two separated electric charges Electrostatic

Two separated magnets Magnetic

https://spark.iop.org/helpful-language-energy-talk
Transfer (pathway)
Electrical working Electrons move in a particular
direction in a circuit

Mechanical working A force moves an object through a

distance in the direction of the force

Thermal transfer - Heating Conduction or convection

by particles

Thermal transfer by Absorption or emission of EM

radiation radiation

https://spark.iop.org/helpful-language-energy-talk
Calculating energy in stores

Energy Store Calculation

Kinetic E = ½ mv2
Gravitational E = mgh
Elastic E = ½ kx2
Thermal E = mc∆T
Nuclear E = mc2

The energy in a store is associated with an object and

its value can be calculated at a particular time
 A car runs down a ramp

Energy in the Transferred to Kinetic Gravitational

gravitational energy store as the car Potential
potential energy rolls down the slope and energy store at
A transferred to
store some transferred to the top of the
the kinetic and thermal energy store due ramp
thermal stores at to friction
the bottom

Total Total

GPE KE thermal GPE KE thermal

26/05/2020
What happens to the toy car?
In terms of physical processes/pathway
Energy is transferred due to mechanical work

Friction force Resultant

acting along force acting
the ramp along the
ramp
Component of
weight acting
along the ramp
GPE and KE
• Equations the students MUST learn:

• Simple calculation 1:
The height of the ramp is 1m and the toy car has a mass of
2kg. Calculate the GPE of car at the top of the ramp. Use g =
10N/kg
 GPE and KE
• Equations the students MUST learn:

• Simple calculation 2:
The same toy car (mass = 2kg) reaches a speed of 3m/s at
the bottom of the ramp.
a) Calculate its KE at that point.
b) Compare the GPE at the top of the ramp and KE at the
bottom of the ramp and explain why they are not the same
b) KE is lower than GPE as some of the GPE has been
transferred to thermal energy stores due to friction and
air resistance
 GPE and KE • Objects Falling: ball and feathers

Describe the difference

in the changes of
energy stores between
the two clips.
Play without sound!

In vacuum, there is no air

resistance hence all GPE is
converted to KE. Hence both
objects will reach the ground at the
same time (mgh=1/2 mv2, m cancel
out!)

In air, air resistance causes a

thermal energy transfer to the
surroundings.
Air resistance will be greater on the
feathers (larger surface area)
GPE and KE

More complex calculation

A ball is at a height of 2.0m and it is dropped. Neglecting air
resistance, calculate the speed of the ball just before hitting
the ground.
Use g=10N/kg. Give your answer to two significant figures
 Work Done
• Students will need to know the equation for work done
• Work is done when a force acts on an object and the object
moves through a distance

• Simple calculation:
A book is pushed on a table with a force of 5N and it
moves 1m across the table.
Calculate the work done by the force in moving the book
Work done and energy transfer

When a car brakes, work is done by the brakes on the car to stop it. The kinetic
energy store of the car decreases and the thermal energy stores of brakes and
surrounding increase. The work done by the brakes to stop the car must at least
be equal to the kinetic energy energy of the car.
 Elastic Energy Store
The equation for this will be given in the exam. Students
will need to be able to use it, for instance to rearrange it
to find either k or e

Roles

Task: Make k and then e the subject of the equation

Simple calculation:
A spring band it stretched and its extension is 4m. The spring constant is 35N/m.
Calculate the energy stored in the stretched spring
Foundation Tier
Higher Tier
Thermal Energy transfer and Specific Heat Capacity
Watch the short clip and describe the changes in energy stores.
Answer on
the next slide

A very useful quantity that gives a measure of how quickly energy is transferred
from one store to another (or how quickly work is done) is power.
Students will need to know the equation for power:
Heating water

The chemical store of methane is reduced

The thermal store in the water and
surroundings is increased
This transfer is by heating

Before After
Specific Heat Capacity

The equation for this will be given in the exam. Students will need to be
able to use it, for instance to rearrange it to find: c, Dq or m

Simple experiment that you can do at home to measure the SHC of water
SHC calculation from experiment
• Mass of water = 1.534kg
• Power of kettle = (3000+2520)/2 = 2760W
• Initial temperature = 12.4oC
• Final temperature = 60.4oC
• Dq = 60.4 – 12.4 = 48oC
• Time in seconds = 118s
• Energy = Power x time = 2760 x 118 = 325680J
∆𝐸 325680
•𝑐= = = 4423 J/kg℃
𝑚∆𝜗 1.534×48
• Water has a specific heat capacity of 4200 J/kgoC
• Can you explain the difference between this and the value
found in the practical?
Calculating energy in the thermal store

SHC Calculations
Calculation using SPH
Further Calculations

Please find in the next few slides,

more calculations with the answers
GPE and KE – more calculations
More work done questions
 Work done and energy transfer
For instance, when work is done on the book so it moves along the table, the
book gains KE and there is thermal energy transferred to the surroundings due
to friction between the book and the table.