Types of Energy Store - AQA GCSE Combined Science

Key Concepts

• Energy Stores: Energy can be stored in various forms and cannot be created or destroyed; it can only be transferred, dissipated, or stored differently.
• Transfer of Energy: Energy moves between different forms and can be saved or dissipated in processes.

Types of Energy Stores

Magnetic

• Description: Energy stored when repelling poles are pushed together or attracting poles are pulled apart.
• Examples: Fridge magnets, compasses, maglev trains.

Internal (Thermal)

• Description: Total kinetic and potential energy of particles in an object, related to temperature and vibrations of particles.
• Examples: Human bodies, hot beverages, stoves, and ice particles.

Chemical

• Description: Energy stored in chemical bonds between molecules.
• Examples: Foods, muscles, batteries.

Kinetic

• Description: Energy of a moving object.
• Examples: Runners, buses, and comets.

Electrostatic

• Description: Energy stored when repelling charges are moved closer, or attracting charges are moved apart.
• Examples: Thunderclouds, Van De Graaff generators.

Elastic Potential

• Description: Energy stored when an object is stretched or squashed.
• Examples: Drawn catapults, compressed springs, inflated balloons.

Gravitational Potential

• Description: Energy of an object held at a height.
• Examples: Aeroplanes, kites, mugs on a table.

Nuclear

• Description: Energy stored in the nucleus of an atom.
• Examples: Nuclear power from uranium, nuclear reactors.

Related Concepts

• Energy Transfers: Processes involved in changing from one energy store to another.
• Energy Dissipation: How energy is lost in a system, often as waste heat.
• Conservation of Energy: Principle stating energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed.

Additional Resources

• BBC Sounds: Listen to related podcasts for more detailed explanations.
• Online Tests and Videos: Available to reinforce learning and understanding of these concepts.

Further Topics

• Work, Power, and Efficiency: Understanding how energy is used effectively.
• Energy and Heating: Study how energy impacts temperature and heating processes.
• Energy Demands: Explore how different energy sources meet global demands.

For interactive learning and more resources, visit BBC Bitesize.