Physics GCSE
internal energy
What internal energy means in Physics GCSE, as defined for AQA.
Definitions of internal energy
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Reference: AQA
Energy stored inside a system by the particles that make up the system, being the total of the energy the particles have because they are moving and because of the way they are arranged.
The energy stored in a system, which rises as its particles gain kinetic energy when the substance is heated.
What is raised when a system is heated, with the temperature climb set by mass, material and energy input.
Where a temperature rises, say that the internal energy has increased; heat energy is not a store.
The store that fills when work is done against friction, so that the surfaces get hotter.
The total kinetic energy and potential energy of all the particles that make up a system.
Topics that use internal energy
- Energy changes in systems (AQA GCSE)
- Internal energy (AQA GCSE)
- Temperature changes in a system and specific heat capacity (AQA GCSE)
- Work done and energy transfer (AQA GCSE)
Related terms
- temperature rise
- specific heat capacity
- change of state
- choosing materials
- constant temperature during melting
- constant temperature plateau
- direction of transfer
- energy transfer
Using internal energy in the exam
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