CCEA GCSE Physics
CCEA GCSE Physics 1.4 Energy Exam Questions
Free CCEA GCSE Physics revision for 1.4 Energy: what you need to know, common mistakes and exam-style questions with answers. Covers forms of energy and conservation, energy resources, efficiency, work, power, kinetic and gravitational potential energy, and heat transfer.
Practise 1.4 Energy with past papers
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About CCEA GCSE Physics 1.4 Energy
Energy is a broad Unit 1 topic in CCEA GCSE Physics. It covers the forms of energy, the Principle of Conservation of Energy, energy transfer diagrams and the advantages and disadvantages of renewable and non-renewable energy resources. You need to calculate efficiency, work done, power, kinetic energy and gravitational potential energy, using g = 10 N/kg. The prescribed practical measures personal power by running up stairs or doing step-ups. The topic also covers heat transfer by conduction, convection and radiation and how to reduce heat loss from homes. It links to forces and motion. Examiners frequently set multi-step energy calculations, such as finding speed from a loss of potential energy.
What you need to know
- Conservation and efficiency Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred from one form to another. Efficiency = useful energy output / total energy input, given as a decimal or percentage. Wasted energy is usually heat.
- Energy resources Non-renewable resources (coal, oil, gas, nuclear fuel) will run out; fossil fuels release carbon dioxide (global warming) and sulfur dioxide (acid rain). Renewable resources (wind, solar, hydroelectric, tidal, wave, geothermal, biomass) will not run out but may be unreliable or have high set-up costs.
- Work and power Work done = force x distance moved in the direction of the force, in joules. Power = work done / time = energy transferred / time, in watts (1 W = 1 J/s).
- Prescribed practical: personal power Measure your weight (mass x 10), the vertical height of the stairs and the time to climb them. Work done = weight x vertical height; power = work done / time.
- Kinetic and potential energy Kinetic energy = 1/2 x mass x speed^2 (Ek = 1/2 mv^2). Gravitational potential energy = mass x g x height (Ep = mgh). For a falling object with no air resistance, loss of Ep = gain in Ek.
- Heat transfer Conduction: particles vibrate and pass energy to neighbours; metals are good conductors because of free electrons. Convection: in fluids, warm fluid expands, becomes less dense and rises. Radiation: infrared waves; dull black surfaces are the best emitters and absorbers. Homes lose less heat with loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, double glazing and draught excluders.
Common mistakes in 1.4 Energy
- Using the length of the staircase instead of the vertical height when calculating work done against gravity.
- Forgetting to square the speed in Ek = 1/2 mv^2, or squaring the mass instead.
- Giving efficiency greater than 1 (or 100%). Useful output can never exceed input.
- Saying heat rises in convection. Warm fluid rises because it is less dense.
- Explaining that cavity wall insulation works because it stops heat completely. It traps air, a poor conductor, and reduces convection currents.
Try three 1.4 Energy exam-style questions
1. A 2 kg ball is dropped from a height of 5 m. Calculate its loss of gravitational potential energy and its speed just before it hits the ground, ignoring air resistance. (5 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
Ep = mgh = 2 x 10 x 5; = 100 J; Ek = 100 J so 1/2 x 2 x v^2 = 100; v^2 = 100; v = 10 m/s.
2. A student of weight 600 N runs up stairs with a vertical height of 3 m in 4 s. Calculate the work done and the student's power. (4 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
Work done = 600 x 3; = 1800 J; power = 1800 / 4; = 450 W.
3. A motor takes in 500 J of electrical energy and gives out 350 J of useful kinetic energy. Calculate its efficiency. (2 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
350 / 500; = 0.7 (70%).
1.4 Energy FAQs
What does CCEA GCSE Physics 1.4 Energy cover?
It covers forms of energy, conservation of energy, energy resources, efficiency, work, power, kinetic and gravitational potential energy, and heat transfer by conduction, convection and radiation.
Which unit is 1.4 Energy examined in?
It is examined in the Unit 1 written paper, and the personal power practical can also be assessed in Unit 3 Practical Skills.
What equations do I need for 1.4 Energy?
Efficiency = useful output / total input, work = force x distance, power = work / time, Ek = 1/2 mv^2 and Ep = mgh with g = 10 N/kg.
