Motion and energy transferEnergy transfers

Energy stored in a moving object is called kinetic energy. As an object is raised above ground its gravitational potential energy increases. When a force moves an object work is done.

Part of Physics (Single Science)Explaining motion

Energy transfers

Watch this video to discover how energy is stored and transferred, and not created or destroyed.

James Stewart explains the different types of energy stores and transfers

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There are energy transfers going on all the time - whenever a changes there is a change in the way some or all of the energy is stored.

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  1. Boat suspended from column, swings in circular arc. Highest point: no kinetic energy, max gravitational potential energy. Lowest point: max kinetic energy, minimum gravitational potential energy.

    A swinging pirate ship ride at a theme park.

    Kinetic energy is transferred into gravitational potential energy.

Transferring energy

Energy is transferred by one of the following four types of energy transfer:

  • mechanical work – a force moving an object through a distance
  • electrical work – charges moving due to a potential difference
  • heating – due to temperature difference caused electrically or by chemical reaction
  • radiation – energy transferred as a wave, eg light, infrared, sound - light radiation and infrared radiation is by the Sun.

Doing 'work' is the scientific way of saying that energy has been transferred. For example, a grazing cow, a firing catapult and a boiling kettle are all doing 'work', as energy is being transferred.

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