Work through the list without notes. If you cannot do a statement, follow its link, then come back. Guide = study guide; Practice = practice questions.
Understanding
- I can say which kinds of energy a chosen system can have, and why a one-object system has only kinetic energy. (Guide: “What energies can a system have?”)
- I can state the two conditions for a system’s mechanical energy to be constant. (Guide: “Choosing the system decides what stays constant”; Practice Q1)
- I can explain that total energy is always conserved, and where mechanical energy goes when friction acts. (Guide: Worked example 3; Practice Q7)
Calculation
- I can use K + U = constant to find speeds, including with a spring and gravity together. (Practice Q4, Q5)
- I can find the speed at any point and the turning points from U(x) and a total energy. (Guide: Worked example 1; Practice Q2)
- I can use U_g = −GMm/r to find escape speed and greatest height, and compare with the constant-g answer. (Guide: Worked example 2; Practice Q3)
- I can integrate a position-dependent friction force to find the energy dissipated. (Guide: Worked example 3)
Reasoning and experiment
- I can draw energy bar charts with values for several moments and show the total. (Guide: Figure 2)
- I can compare two scenarios with energy, predicting how a speed or distance changes by a factor. (Guide: “Comparing scenarios”; Worked example 3(d))
- I can explain which student is right when one confuses constant speed with constant mechanical energy. (Practice Q7)
- I can design an experiment to test energy conservation, choose a linearised graph and find the fraction of energy dissipated. (Practice Q6)
All ticked? Move on to Topic 3.5, Power, or return to the course roadmap.