Which equations do I need for the energy topic?

The core equations are work done equals force times distance (W = F s), kinetic energy equals half mass times speed squared, gravitational potential energy equals mass times gravitational field strength times height (mgh), and power equals energy transferred over time (P = E / t). Efficiency is useful output divided by total input.

What is the difference between an energy store and an energy transfer?

A store is where energy is held, such as kinetic, gravitational potential, elastic potential, chemical, thermal or nuclear. A transfer is how energy moves between stores, which can be mechanically (by a force), electrically (by a current), by heating, or by radiation.

What is the difference between renewable and non-renewable resources?

A renewable resource is replenished as fast as it is used, so it will not run out, such as solar, wind, hydroelectric, tidal and biomass. A non-renewable resource is used up faster than it is replaced and will eventually run out, such as coal, oil, gas and nuclear fuel.

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Energy: study guide - CCEA GCSE Physics

A study guide to the energy topic of CCEA GCSE Physics: energy stores and transfers, conservation of energy, work done, kinetic and gravitational potential energy, power and efficiency, and renewable and non-renewable energy resources.

Generated by Claude Opus 4.88 min readCCEA Unit 1Updated 2026-06-14

Reviewed by: AI editorial process; not yet individually human-reviewed

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What this topic covers
How it is examined
The equations to recall
How to revise it

Energy ties the whole of physics together. It is a calculation-heavy topic with one important explanation strand on energy resources, and the equations reappear throughout mechanics and electricity.

What this topic covers

Energy stores, transfers and conservation - the main stores, how energy moves between them, and the principle of conservation of energy with dissipation.
Work done - $W = F s$ and the link between work done and energy transferred.
Kinetic and gravitational potential energy - $E_k = \tfrac{1}{2}mv^2$ and $E_p = mgh$ , and linking them with conservation of energy.
Power and efficiency - $P = E/t$ and efficiency as useful output over total input.
Energy resources - renewable and non-renewable resources and their advantages and disadvantages.

How it is examined

Expect calculations using each equation, conservation-of-energy problems (such as finding the speed of a falling object), efficiency comparisons, and an extended-answer question comparing energy resources. Show every step, with correct units, to secure the method marks.

The equations to recall

Work done: $W = F s$ .
Kinetic energy: $E_k = \tfrac{1}{2}mv^2$ .
Gravitational potential energy: $E_p = mgh$ .
Power: $P = \dfrac{E}{t}$ .
Efficiency: $\dfrac{\text{useful output}}{\text{total input}}$ .

How to revise it

Drill the equations. Practise rearranging and squaring the speed in the kinetic energy formula.
Master conservation-of-energy problems. Equate gravitational potential energy lost with kinetic energy gained to find speeds.
Be confident with efficiency. Always express it as a fraction or percentage below 100 percent and name the wasted energy.
Learn the resources. Be ready to compare resources with specific advantages and disadvantages.
Practise past-paper questions for your tier and check your working against the schemes.

Work through the linked dot points for full worked answers and exam-style questions on each part of the topic.

Sources & how we know this

CCEA GCSE Physics specification — CCEA (2017)