IGCSE Energy Transfer and Conservation

A skier walks from the bottom of a ski slope to the top and gains 10000J of gravitational potential energy. She skis down the slope. At the bottom of the slope, her kinetic energy is 2000J. How much energy is dissipated in overcoming friction and air resistance as the skier moves down

the slope?

• 2000J

• 8000J

• 10000J

• 12000J

A cyclist travels down a hill from rest at point X, without pedalling. The cyclist applies his brakes and the cycle stops at point Y. Which energy changes have taken place between X and Y?

• A

• B

• C

• D

A helicopter takes off from the ground and rises vertically. It then hovers at a constant height

above the ground. Which sequence of energy changes takes place during the gain in height?

• A

• B

• C

• D

Which energy transfer takes place when a matchstick burns?

• chemical to thermal

• chemical to nuclear

• nuclear to chemical

• thermal to chemical

In a hydroelectric power station, one form of energy is stored in a lake or reservoir. This energy is

then transferred in stages to another useful form, which is the output. Which row gives the name of the stored energy and the name of the output energy?

• A

• B

• C

• D

When a bicycle lamp is switched on, what is the useful energy change within the battery?

• chemical to electrical

• electrical to chemical

• electrical to light

• light to chemical

An aeroplane is landing. As it descends towards the runway, its speed reduces.

What are the energy changes that take place during the descent?

• A

• B

• C

• D

A ball is dropped on to a hard surface and bounces. It does not bounce all the way back to where

it started, so it has less gravitational potential energy than when it started. What happens to the ‘lost’ energy?

• It is converted into chemical and strain energy.

• It is converted into internal (heat) energy and sound.

• It is destroyed as the ball rises upwards after hitting the ground

• It is destroyed when the ball hits the ground.

A lorry of mass 4000kg is travelling at a speed of 4.0m/ s. A car has a mass of 1000kg. The kinetic energy of the car is equal to the kinetic energy of the lorry. What is the speed of the car?

• 2m/s

• 4m/s

• 8m/s

• 16m/s

A car has a mass of 1000kg and a momentum of 12000kgm/ s.

What is its kinetic energy?

• 6kj

• 12kj

• 72kj

• 144kj