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Energy

Energy changes in systems

  • 3 things to know
  • Physics Paper 1

Overview

The equation for the energy stored or released when temperature changes, calculating energy, mass, specific heat capacity and temperature rise, the units in the thermal energy equation, comparing specific heat capacities, and the practical to find the specific heat capacity of a metal block using an immersion heater, insulation and a drop of oil.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

State the equation, in words, for the energy stored or released when the temperature of a substance changes.

Numbers

0.5 kg of aluminium warms by 20 °C. The specific heat capacity of aluminium is 900 J/kg °C. Calculate the energy transferred to it.

Key term

State the symbol equation for the change in thermal energy of a substance whose temperature changes.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    State the equation, in words, for the energy stored or released when the temperature of a substance changes.

    Model answer

    Change in thermal energy = mass × specific heat capacity × temperature change.

  2. 2

    2 kg of water is heated from 20 °C to 50 °C. The specific heat capacity of water is 4200 J/kg °C. Calculate the energy transferred to the water.

    Model answer

    ΔE = 2 × 4200 × 30 = 252 000 J, or 252 kJ.

  3. 3

    0.5 kg of aluminium warms by 20 °C. The specific heat capacity of aluminium is 900 J/kg °C. Calculate the energy transferred to it.

    Model answer

    ΔE = 0.5 × 900 × 20 = 9000 J.

  4. 4

    Transferring 33 600 J of energy to a mass of water raises its temperature by 4 °C. The specific heat capacity of water is 4200 J/kg °C. Calculate the mass of water.

    Model answer

    m = 33 600 ÷ (4200 × 4) = 2 kg.

  5. 5

    State the symbol equation for the change in thermal energy of a substance whose temperature changes.

    Model answer

    ΔE = mcΔθ.

  6. 6

    Heating 1 kg of a substance with 4500 J raises its temperature by 10 °C. Calculate its specific heat capacity.

    Model answer

    c = 4500 ÷ (1 × 10) = 450 J/kg °C.

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