P4.

2 Knowledge Organiser

Particles and Density 15. Energy changes can be calculated when

1. Particle diagrams can be used to energy is transferred by heating, work
represent the arrangement and done by forces or work done when a
movement of particles in solids, liquids current flows.
and gases. 16. The amount of energy stored in or
2. Solids are the most dense state of matter released from a system as its temperature
as the particles are held most closely changes can be calculated using the
together due to the forces of attraction. equation:
3. Density is the mass per unit volume. Change in thermal energy = mass ×
4. Density can be calculated using the specific heat capacity × temperature
equation: change
∆E = mc∆θ
Density = mass/volume
⍴ = m/V with change in thermal energy, ⍙E, in
Joules, J; mass, m, in kilograms, kg;
with density, ⍴, in kilograms per metre specific heat capacity, c, in Joules per
cubed, kg/m3; mass, m, in kilograms, kg; kilogram per degree Celsius, J/kg ºC;
volume, V, in metres cubed, m3 temperature change, ⍙θ, in degrees
5. The density of a regular shaped solid can Celsius, ºC
be calculated by measuring its mass and 17. The specific heat capacity of a substance
volume, then using the equation. is the amount of energy required to raise
6. The density of an irregular solid or liquid the temperature of one kilogram of the
can be determined using its mass and substance by one degree Celsius.
displacement of liquid. 18. The kinetic energy of a moving object
can be calculated using the equation:
Gas Pressure
7. A fluid is a substance with no fixed shape - kinetic energy = 0.5 × mass × speed2
a liquid or a gas 1
8. Gas pressure is caused by collisions of Ek = mv 2
2
particles with the walls of a container with kinetic energy, Ek, in Joules, J; mass,
9. Pressure is measured in Pascals (Pa) m, in kilograms, kg; speed, v, in metres per
10. Changing the temperature of a gas at second, m/s
constant volume changes the pressure 19. The amount of elastic potential energy
exerted by the gas stored in a stretched spring can be
11. Particles at higher temperatures, have calculated using the equation:
higher thermal energy and move more
quickly, so they have a higher pressure elastic potential energy = 0.5 × spring
constant × extension2
1
Energy Stores Ee = ke2
2
12. The different energy stores are: kinetic,
elastic potential, chemical potential, with elastic potential energy, Ee, in Joules,
gravitational potential and thermal J; spring constant, k, in Newtons per
13. Energy can be transferred between stores metre, N/m; extension, e, in metres, m
through: heating, mechanically, by waves 20. The extension of a spring is the difference
or by radiation between its original length and its new
14. A system is an object or group of objects. stretched length
P4.2 Knowledge Organiser

21. The amount of gravitational potential 30. Efficiency is a measure of how much
energy gained by an object raised above useful energy is transferred
ground level can be calculated using the 31. Efficiency can be calculated using the
equation: equation:
efficiency = useful energy ouput/total
g.p.e. = mass × gravitational field strength energy input
× height 32. The efficiency of different energy transfers
Ep = mgh can be increased in different ways.
33. Some unwanted energy transfers can be
with gravitational potential energy, Ep, in reduced by using lubrication or thermal
Joules, J; mass, m, in kilograms, kg; insulation
gravitational field strength, g, in Newtons 34. The rate of cooling of a building or object
per kilogram, N/kg; height, h, in metres, m is affected by the thickness and thermal
22. The gravitational field strength on Earth is conductivity of its walls
10 N/kg 35. Efficiency may also be calculated using
23. The total energy store of a system remains the equation:
constant. This is the Law of Conservation of efficiency = useful power output/total
Energy. power input
36. Efficiency values can be decimals or
percentages.
Efficiency and Power
24. Power is defined as the rate at which
energy is transferred or the rate at which Energy Resources
work is done. 37. The main energy resources available for
use on Earth include: fossil fuels (coal, oil
Power = energy transferred/time and gas), nuclear fuel, bio-fuel, wind,
E hydroelectricity, geothermal, the tides,
P=
t the Sun and water waves.
38. The uses of energy resources include:
Power = work done/time transport (buses, trains etc), electricity
W generation for public services (machinery
P=
t and buildings), factories and farms and
for homes (heating, cooking and other
25. Power, P, in Watts, W; Energy transferred, appliances).
E, in Joules, J; time, t, in seconds, s; work 39. The use of non-renewable resources
done, W, in Joules, J contributes to global warming and other
26. An energy transfer of 1 joule per second is environmental impacts such as acid rain.
equal to a power of 1watt. 40. Nuclear energy is a non-renewable
27. An appliance with a higher power rating resource.
will transfer energy faster than an 41. A renewable energy resource is one that
appliance with a lower power rating is being (or can be) replenished as it is
28. Energy can be transferred usefully, stored used.
or dissipated, but cannot be created or 42. Some renewable energy resources may
destroyed. be unreliable in different conditions or at
29. In all system changes, energy is times of peak demand.
dissipated, meaning that it is wasted 43. There are different energy requirements at
rather than being stored in useful ways different times of year and times of day.
P4.2 Knowledge Organiser

44. More renewable resources are being 57. The pressure due to a column of liquid
invested in but there are political and can be calculated using the equation:
economic reasons for countries to
continue using fossil fuels. pressure = height of the column × density
45. Developed countries are increasing their of the liquid × gravitational field strength
use of nuclear power stations. p = hρg

58. pressure, p, in Pascals, Pa; height of the

Physics Only: Pressure column, h, in metres, m; density, ⍴, in
46. In a sealed container, with the same
kilograms per metre cubed, kg/m3;
number of particles at constant gravitational field strength, g, in newtons
temperature, decreasing the volume of a per kilogram, N/kg
gas increases the pressure of the gas 59. In a liquid, pressure at a point increases
47. The pressure of the gas is inversely with the height of the column of liquid
proportional to its volume. This is because above that point and with the density of
when the volume is decreased, the gas the liquid because there are more
particles will collide more frequently with particles exerting a downward force
the walls of the container. More collisions 60. A partially (or totally) submerged object
mean more force, so the pressure experiences a greater pressure on the
increases bottom surface than on the top surface.
48. Work is the transfer of energy by a force. This creates a resultant force upwards. This
49. Doing work on a gas increases the internal force is called the upthrust
energy of the gas and can cause an 61. The atmosphere is a thin layer (relative to
increase in the temperature of the gas. the size of the Earth) of air round the Earth.
50. Increasing the volume in which a gas is
The atmosphere gets less dense with
contained, at constant temperature, can
increasing altitude
lead to a decrease in pressure.
62. Air molecules colliding with a surface
51. p1V1=p2V2, where p1 and V1 are the initial
create atmospheric pressure
pressure and volume values, and p2 and
63. The number of air molecules (and so the
V2 are the pressure and volume values
weight of air) above a surface decreases
after change
as the height of the surface above
52. Fluid particles exert a force on any
ground level increases. So as height
surface they collide with. This force is
increases there is always less air above a
always at right angles to the surface
surface than there is at a lower height. So
53. Pressure exerted on a solid is calculated atmospheric pressure decreases with an
using the equation:
increase in height

pressure= force/area
54. Liquids are incompressible so can be
used to transmit forces through hydraulic
systems
55. The pressure remains constant in the
system so if the area increases, the force is
multiplied, which is how heavy objects
can be lifted or controlled
56. The deeper you go in water the greater
the pressure becomes, because the
greater the weight of water above you