Edexcel IGCSE Physics topic guide
Energy resources and energy transfers questions
Track where energy goes, calculate work and power, and weigh up the benefits and limitations of electricity generation methods.
Energy resources and energy transfers topic overview
Energy resources and energy transfers covers energy stores, transfer pathways, efficiency, thermal physics, work, power and methods of generating electricity.
State the initial and final stores, name the transfer pathway, account for wasted energy, and show every substitution when comparing efficiency, work or power.
Question types in energy resources and energy transfers
- Energy-store and transfer descriptions, often using Sankey diagrams.
- Efficiency, work, kinetic energy, gravitational potential energy and power calculations.
- Conduction, convection, radiation and insulation explanations.
- Evaluation of renewable and non-renewable electricity generation methods.
Energy resources and energy transfers subtopics
Choose a subtopic for its syllabus points, answering guidance and worked exam questions.
4.a Units
Energy in joules, power in watts and consistent units for calculations.
4.b Energy transfers
Energy stores and pathways, efficiency, conduction, convection and radiation.
4.c Work and power
Work done, kinetic energy, gravitational potential energy and power.
4.d Energy resources and electricity generation
How electricity is generated, with comparisons of renewable and non-renewable resources.