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WalesPhysics

Unit 1: Generating electricity and energy

4 dot points across 4 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How is electricity generated, and how do energy resources compare?

Renewable and non-renewable energy resources, how power stations generate electricity, and the advantages and disadvantages of different resources.
A focused answer to WJEC GCSE Physics topic 1.2 on generating electricity, covering renewable and non-renewable energy resources, how power stations turn a turbine and generator, and the advantages and disadvantages of fossil fuels, nuclear and renewables.
9 min answer →

How is energy transferred between stores, and how is efficiency calculated?

Energy stores and transfers, the conservation of energy, wasted energy, and the calculation of efficiency as the useful output over the total input.
A focused answer to WJEC GCSE Physics topic 1.3 on energy, covering energy stores and transfers, the conservation of energy, energy wasted as heat, and how to calculate efficiency as the useful energy or power output divided by the total input.
9 min answer →

How is thermal energy transferred, and how can heat loss from a home be reduced?

Conduction, convection and radiation, the factors affecting heat loss, methods of insulating a house, and judging cost-effectiveness using payback time.
A focused answer to WJEC GCSE Physics topic 1.3 on making use of energy, covering conduction, convection and radiation, the factors affecting heat loss from a house, insulation methods, and how to compare them using cost-effectiveness and payback time.
9 min answer →

How does the National Grid transmit electricity efficiently, and why does it use transformers?

The National Grid, step-up and step-down transformers, and why high-voltage transmission reduces energy losses in the cables.
A focused answer to WJEC GCSE Physics topic 1.2 on the National Grid, covering how electricity is transmitted, the role of step-up and step-down transformers, and why a high transmission voltage and low current reduce the energy lost as heat in the cables.
9 min answer →