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The units used for power are watts.

Forces - Forces and Energy

This GCSE Physics quiz explores forces and energy, including work done, power, and how friction and braking transfer kinetic energy into less useful thermal energy.

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Fascinating Fact:

Pushing brakes on a bike or car transfers kinetic energy to thermal energy in the brakes and tyres through friction.

In GCSE Physics, forces and energy are linked through work done and energy transfers. You learn how forces cause motion, how braking systems use friction, and how energy is conserved but often becomes less useful.

Key Terms

Work done: The energy transferred when a force moves an object, calculated using work = force × distance moved in the direction of the force.
Kinetic energy: The energy an object has because of its motion, which increases with the object’s mass and the square of its speed.
Friction: A contact force that opposes motion between surfaces and transfers kinetic energy into thermal energy.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What is the formula for work done in GCSE Physics?

In GCSE Physics, work done is calculated using W = F × s, where W is work done in joules, F is force in newtons and s is distance moved in metres.

How does friction affect energy transfers?

Friction opposes motion and transfers kinetic energy into thermal energy, heating the surfaces in contact and the surrounding air, which makes the energy less useful for doing mechanical work.

What is the difference between useful energy and wasted energy?

Useful energy is the part of the input energy that is transferred in the desired form, while wasted energy is spread out, often as heat or sound, and is difficult to use again.

Try These Related Quizzes

1 .

What are the units used for work done?

Joules

Watts

Coulombs

Amperes

When the force is measured in newtons and the distance in metres, the work done will be calculated in joules

2 .

What is the time taken to move an object if the total power used is 100 W and the energy transferred by a force to the object is 1,000 J?

10 seconds

100 seconds

1,000 seconds

0.1 seconds

Make sure that you are able to rearrange equations

3 .

What is gravitational potential energy?

The energy an object has due to its position within a gravitational field

The strength of the gravitational field at the centre

The speed of an object due to the force of gravity

The energy an object radiates to other objects within a gravitational field

The amount of gravitational potential energy depends on the position of the object and its mass in a given strength of gravitational field

4 .

What is the formula for work done?

W = ^d⁄_F

W = ^F⁄_d

F = W x d

W = F x d

If a force does not move, then no work is done

5 .

What is transferred when work is done?

Charge

Voltage

Energy

Electrons

The joule denotes a unit of energy and is used to describe various types of energy-related values including work done

6 .

What is work done?

The amount of energy transferred to an object that is being moved

The amount of energy transferred to an object at rest

The force needed to move an object

The distance an object can be moved

The definition of work in physics is very specific

7 .

What is the gravitational potential energy of a ball of mass 100 g which is at a height of 1 m above the Earth? (Note: The gravitational strength of the Earth is 9.81 N/Kg.)

1000 J

1 J

0.1 J

1 N

Remember mass is measured in kg and so you need to convert the 100 g into 0.1 kg before you multiply by g and h

8 .

What are the units used for power?

Joules

Watts

Volts

Amperes

The watt is names after James Watt, a Scottish inventor who invented an efficient type of steam engine

9 .

What is the formula for power?

P = ^W⁄_t

P = ^t⁄_W

P = W x t

W = ^P⁄_t

Since power is the rate of transfer of energy, you can eliminate two of the options immediately

10 .

What is the formula for gravitational potential energy?

GPE = m x ^h⁄_g

GPE = h x ^m⁄_g

GPE = g x ^h⁄_m

GPE = m x g x h

The gravitational potential energy of an object is related to its mass, the strength of the gravitational field and the object's distance from the centre of the gravitational field. In practical terms, on Earth, h is measured from the ground and often at GCSE level, this equation is used to calculate energy changes due to changes in height

You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Work and energy

Author: Martin Moore