Energy Transfer and Transformation
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Learning Objective
In this lesson we will learn about the transfer, transformation and conservation of energy.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this lesson you will be able to:
- State the law of conservation of energy.
- Differentiate between ‘energy transfer’ and ‘energy transformation’, with examples.
- Compare mechanical potential energy and kinetic energy in terms of energy transfer and transformation.
- Describe the relationship between potential energy and kinetic energy in an isolated mechanical system.
- Calculate the efficiency of energy transfer or transformation.
- Discuss why energy transfers and transformation cannot be 100% efficient.
(Image: jatocreate, Pixabay)
Lesson Summary
- The law of conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, but can be transferred between objects or converted into different forms.
- Energy transfer is the movement of energy from one location to another, without a change in the form of energy.
- Energy transformation is the conversion of energy from one form to another.
- Potential energy:
- Cannot be transferred between objects.
- Can only be transformed into kinetic energy.
- Kinetic energy:
- Can be transferred between objects.
- Can be transformed into several different forms of energy.
- In an isolated mechanical system:
- If an object’s kinetic energy increases, its potential energy decreases.
- If an object’s potential energy increases, its kinetic energy decreases.
- Whenever energy is transferred or transformed, some of that energy is ‘lost’.
- The efficiency of energy transfer or transformation is a measure of how much ‘useful’ energy is retained.
- Efficiency can be calculated using the formula:
(Image: Stefan Kühn; Wikimedia Commons)
(Header image: vladakela, Adobe Stock)