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GCSE Physics · key term
Energy associated with the positions of particles relative to one another and the forces between them.
Used by AQA, Edexcel and OCR
Specification 4.3.2.1 · Paper 1
Revise: Internal energyParticles also interact with one another. Their positions relative to one another therefore contribute potential energy. For example, separating particles against attractive forces changes this potential energy.
Specification 14.6 · Paper 2
Energy stored because of the positions of particles relative to one another and the forces between them.
Revise: Heating a SystemA substance is made of particles that are always moving or vibrating. These particles have kinetic energy because of this motion. They also have potential energy because of their positions relative to one another and the forces of attraction between them.
Paper 1, Paper 2
Stored energy associated with the positions of particles and the attractive forces between them.
Revise: Heating, Energy Storage and Changes of StateDuring condensation or freezing, particles form stronger interactions and their potential energy decreases. Energy is transferred to the surroundings while the change occurs. Condensation is gas to liquid, freezing is liquid to solid, and deposition is gas directly to solid.
Define internal energy using both parts: the total kinetic energy and potential energy of all the particles in the system.
Keep particle energy and temperature distinct: temperature is related to the average kinetic energy of the particles, whereas internal energy is the total kinetic and potential energy of all the particles.
When explaining a change of state, state where the transferred energy goes: it changes the particles’ potential energy rather than raising their average kinetic energy.
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