Lesson 4.1.2.1

4.1.2.1 Energy transfers in a system Quiz: AQA Physics, Unit 1

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson 4.1.2.1, Energy transfers in a system: 20 multiple choice questions for the AQA GCSE Physics (8463), Unit 1: Energy, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. What does the principle of conservation of energy state?

    • Always remains constant
    • Cannot be destroyed
    • Decreases over time
    • Transforms into matter

  2. In a closed system, what is the net change in total energy during energy transfers?

    • Always decreases
    • Zero net change
    • Always increases
    • Drops to zero

  3. What happens to wasted energy in a system during an energy transfer?

    • It is created
    • It is dissipated
    • It is destroyed
    • It is conserved

  4. How is wasted energy in a system best described?

    • Dissipated
    • Destroyed
    • Reflected
    • Absorbed

  5. Which method reduces unwanted energy transfers caused by friction in machinery?

    • Increasing surface area
    • Thermal insulation
    • Lubrication
    • Painting surfaces black

  6. What property must insulating material have to best reduce energy transfer from a hot pipe?

    • High thermal conductivity
    • High electrical conductivity
    • Low electrical conductivity
    • Low thermal conductivity

  7. What does a higher thermal conductivity of a material indicate?

    • Greater total energy
    • Lower transfer rate
    • Higher transfer rate
    • Zero energy transfer

  8. How does increasing a building's wall thickness affect its cooling rate?

    • Stops all cooling
    • Reduces cooling rate
    • Has no effect
    • Increases cooling rate

  9. Which wall property best minimises energy transfer by conduction?

    • High density metal
    • Low thermal conductivity
    • Zero thickness
    • High thermal conductivity

  10. When a sliding block stops due to friction, where is energy dissipated?

    • Chemical stores
    • Elastic stores
    • Thermal stores
    • Nuclear stores

  11. Which rod material transfers thermal energy fastest along its length?

    • Highest conductivity
    • Zero conductivity
    • Moderate density
    • Lowest conductivity

  12. Where does thermal energy transfer when a hot cup of tea cools?

    • Nowhere
    • To surroundings
    • Into chemical stores
    • From surroundings

  13. A closed system has 800 J of total energy. If 300 J is stored as kinetic energy, what is the total energy after all changes, assuming no energy leaves the system?

    • 1100 J
    • 300 J
    • 800 J
    • 500 J

  14. A machine receives 2000 J of energy and produces 1500 J of useful energy. How much energy is dissipated?

    • 1500 J
    • 2000 J
    • 3500 J
    • 500 J

  15. Which of these represents wasted energy in a wind-up toy car?

    • Gained gravitational energy
    • Stored elastic energy
    • Thermal friction energy
    • Useful kinetic energy

  16. According to conservation of energy, what does adding home insulation do?

    • Increases total energy
    • Reduces transfer
    • Destroys energy
    • Creates energy

  17. What does a low thermal conductivity mean for energy conduction rate?

    • Infinite rate
    • Maximum rate
    • High rate
    • Low rate

  18. What is the primary purpose of using lubricants in engine parts?

    • Reduce friction
    • Create energy
    • Increase friction
    • Cool instantly

  19. What happens to total energy in a closed system over time?

    • Remains constant
    • Drops to zero
    • Always increases
    • Always decreases

  20. Which measure reduces unwanted thermal energy transfer from a house?

    • Steel framing
    • Single glazing
    • Loft fibreglass
    • Copper roofing

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