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GCSE Physics · key term
The transfer of energy when a force causes an object or boundary to move through a distance.
Used by AQA, Edexcel and OCR
Specification 4.3.3.3 · Paper 1
Revise: Increasing the pressure of a gasIn physics, work is the transfer of energy by a force. Work is done only when the force causes movement through a distance. For example, when a person pushes down the piston of a bicycle pump, the applied force moves the piston.
Specification 14.20P · Paper 2
Revise: Work on a GasIn physics, work is done when a force moves something through a distance. Work is therefore a way of transferring energy. When you push down the handle of a bicycle pump, your force moves a piston, so you do mechanical work.
Specification P1.3e · Paper 1 (Foundation), Paper 3 (Higher)
Revise: Work done on a gasA force acting through a distance means that work is done. In this case, work is done on the gas, transferring energy mechanically to it.
For a bicycle-pump explanation, give the complete chain: a force moves the piston → work is done on the enclosed gas → energy is transferred to the gas’s internal energy store → its temperature can increase.
For an explanation question, give the complete energy chain: a force compresses the gas, so work is done on it; energy is transferred to its internal energy store; the particles' average kinetic energy and therefore the temperature can increase.
Keep the direction of energy transfer clear: compression involves work done on the gas. If a gas expands and pushes its surroundings, the gas does work.
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