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    Energy

    Revision notes · Physics

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    Lesson step 1 of 4Energy Stores & Transfers

    Energy Stores & Transfers

    Energy is stored in different ways:

    Kinetic — energy of moving objects

    Thermal — related to temperature (internal energy of particles)

    Gravitational potential — stored in raised objects

    Elastic potential — stored in stretched/compressed objects

    Chemical — stored in food, fuels, batteries

    Nuclear — stored in atomic nuclei

    Electrostatic — stored in charged objects

    Magnetic — stored in magnets

    Energy is transferred by: mechanical work (forces), electrical work (charges), heating (conduction, convection, radiation), and radiation (light, sound).

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    Key Terms

    Efficiency
    The proportion of input energy that is usefully transferred (useful output ÷ total input × 100%).
    Power
    The rate of energy transfer, measured in watts (W). P = E/t.
    Dissipation
    Energy spreading out to the surroundings, usually as heat, becoming less useful.