Calculating energy changes (E)
I can use the principle of conservation of energy to calculate changes in energy of moving objects.
Calculating energy changes (E)
I can use the principle of conservation of energy to calculate changes in energy of moving objects.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Energy cannot be created or destroyed.
- In an ideal situation, no energy is dissipated.
- As an object changes height, change in gravitational potential energy = change in kinetic energy.
Keywords
Conservation of energy - The principle of conservation of energy states that the total amount of energy at the end of a process is always the same as the total amount of energy at the beginning.
Dissipate - Friction or air resistance can cause energy to dissipate into the surroundings as heat.
Gravitational potential energy - The energy an object has in its gravitational store is referred to as the object’s gravitational potential energy.
Kinetic energy - The energy an object has in its kinetic store is referred to as the object’s kinetic energy.
Common misconception
Energy can be lost or created in physical processes.
Always discuss how energy is dissipated to the surroundings when discussing energy transformations, even when dealing with ‘ideal situations’ in which there is no dissipation.
To help you plan your year 10 physics lesson on: Calculating energy changes (E), download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 physics lesson on: Calculating energy changes (E), download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 4 physics lessons from the Energy of moving objects unit, dive into the full secondary physics curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
$$E$$ -
gravitational potential energy or kinetic energy
$$m$$ -
mass
$$g$$ -
gravitational field strength
$$h$$ -
height
$$v$$ -
speed
energy -
joules (J)
mass -
kilograms (kg)
speed -
metres per second (m/s)
gravitational field strength -
newtons per kilogram (N/kg)
height -
metres (m)
Exit quiz
6 Questions