Slides · PPTX · 238 KB · 30 slides
Efficiency - Teacher Slides.pptx
The lesson slides with the teacher's notes on each slide, and every question and mark scheme built in. Built from the lesson script on 30 September 2026.
AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Efficiency
Energy
Lesson 6 of 7
openrevise.com
AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Warm-up
Energy
Lesson 6 of 7
Answer each one, then check.
1
What is dissipated energy?
2
What is 0.35 as a percentage?
3
Write 60% as a decimal.
4
Give the unit of power.
5
What does 'useful' energy mean?
openrevise.com
AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Warm-up - Answers
Energy
Lesson 6 of 7
1
What is dissipated energy?
Energy spread to the surroundings in less useful stores
2
What is 0.35 as a percentage?
35%
3
Write 60% as a decimal.
0.60
4
Give the unit of power.
Watt
5
What does 'useful' energy mean?
Energy transferred in the way we want
openrevise.com
AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Learning Objectives
Energy
Lesson 6 of 7
1
Recall and apply the efficiency equations.
2
Give efficiency as a decimal or a percentage.
3
Interpret Sankey diagrams.
4
Describe ways to increase the efficiency of an energy transfer (Higher tier).
openrevise.com
AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Energy
Lesson 6 of 7
EFFICIENCY
efficiency = (useful output energy transfer)/(total input energy transfer)
Also: efficiency = (useful power output)/(total power input). Efficiency has no units and is never more than 1 (100%).
openrevise.com
AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
A Sankey Diagram
Energy
Lesson 6 of 7

The width of each arrow shows the amount of energy.
openrevise.com
AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Efficiency of a Lamp
Energy
Lesson 6 of 7
A lamp transfers 100 J of electrical energy and 8 J of it is transferred as light. Calculate its efficiency.
1
Write the equation
efficiency = (useful output)/(total input)
2
Substitute
8/100
3
Decimal
0.08
4
Percentage
0.08 × 100 = 8%
ANSWER
Efficiency = 0.08 or 8%.
openrevise.com
AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Using Power
Energy
Lesson 6 of 7
A motor has a total power input of 500 W and a useful power output of 350 W. Calculate its efficiency as a percentage.
1
Substitute
350/500
2
Decimal
0.70
3
Percentage
70%
ANSWER
70%
openrevise.com
AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Finding the Useful Output
Energy
Lesson 6 of 7
A machine is 85% efficient. How much useful energy does it transfer from a 400 J input?
1
Efficiency as a decimal
0.85
2
Multiply
0.85 × 400 = 340 J
ANSWER
340 J
openrevise.com
AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Ways to Increase Efficiency (Higher Tier)
Energy
Lesson 6 of 7
Reduce the energy that is dissipated.
Lubrication
Reduces friction between moving parts.
Thermal insulation
Reduces energy lost by heating, for example around a boiler or a house.
Streamlining
Reduces air resistance so less energy is wasted.
openrevise.com
AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Ways to Increase Efficiency (Higher Tier) (cont.)
Energy
Lesson 6 of 7
Better design
For example LED lamps transfer more input energy as light.
Higher tier
The question may ask you to suggest a way suitable for a described machine.
openrevise.com
AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Common Mistakes
Energy
Lesson 6 of 7
Check your answer.
Efficiency above 1
It cannot be greater than 1 (100%): useful output cannot be more than the input.
Wrong way up
Useful output goes on top.
Units
Do not write J or W after an efficiency.
Percent or decimal
Read the question for the form required.
openrevise.com
AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Key Terms
Energy
Lesson 6 of 7
Efficiency
The fraction of the input energy that is transferred usefully.
Useful output
Energy transferred in the way that is wanted.
Wasted energy
Energy transferred to stores that are not useful.
Sankey diagram
A diagram with arrow widths that show energy amounts.
Streamlining
Shaping an object to reduce air resistance.
Input
The energy or power supplied to a device.
openrevise.com
AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Energy
Lesson 6 of 7
YOUR TASK
Compare the Lamps
12 minutes
LED lamp: efficiency 0.85, input power 8 W. Filament lamp: efficiency 0.10, input power 60 W. Calculate the useful power output of each and say which lamp is better.
1
Rearrange the equation for useful power.
2
Compare the two answers.
WHAT A GOOD ANSWER SHOWS
LED: 0.85 × 8 = 6.8 W. Filament: 0.10 × 60 = 6.0 W. The LED gives more useful output from far less input, so it is better.
openrevise.com
AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Can I...?
Energy
Lesson 6 of 7
Recall both efficiency equations.
Calculate efficiency.
Convert decimal and percentage.
Interpret a Sankey diagram.
Explain efficiency cannot exceed 1.
Find useful output from an efficiency.
Describe ways to increase efficiency.
Compare devices.
openrevise.com
AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Summary & Exam Focus
Efficiency = useful output ÷ total input.
Also useful power ÷ total power.
Multiply by 100 for a percentage.
Efficiency is never more than 1.
EXAM FOCUS
A device has an input of 400 J and a useful output of 100 J. Calculate the efficiency. (2 marks)
Put useful over total.
openrevise.com
AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Exam Practice: Efficiency
Energy
Lesson 6 of 7
Answer all questions. Use the mark allocation as a guide to how much to write. · 17 minutes
Question 1 · 2 marks · Calculate
A device transfers 400 J of energy as input and 100 J of useful energy. Calculate the efficiency of the device. Use the equation…
Question 2 · 3 marks · Use the diagram
The Sankey diagram shows the energy transfers in an electric motor. (a) Calculate the energy wasted every second. (b) Calculate the…
Question 3 · 3 marks · Calculate
A lamp has an efficiency of 0.20 and a total power input of 60 W. Calculate the useful power output of the lamp.
openrevise.com
AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Exam Practice: Efficiency (cont.)
Energy
Lesson 6 of 7
Question 4 · 2 marks · Suggest
A car engine wastes a lot of energy. Suggest two ways to increase the efficiency of the car.
Question 5 · 4 marks · Compare
An LED lamp has an efficiency of 0.85 and an input power of 8 W. A filament lamp has an efficiency of 0.10 and an input power of 60 W…
Question 6 · 2 marks · Explain
A student says that a machine has an efficiency of 120%. Explain why this cannot be correct.
openrevise.com
AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Question 1 · 2 marks · Calculate
Energy
Lesson 6 of 7
“
A device transfers 400 J of energy as input and 100 J of useful energy. Calculate the efficiency of the device. Use the equation: efficiency = useful output energy transfer ÷ total input energy transfer
HOW TO ANSWER IT
Command word: Calculate. Worth 2 marks, so plan before writing.
openrevise.com
AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Question 1 · mark scheme
Energy
Lesson 6 of 7
2 marks available. Award a mark for each point made.
Correct substitution
1 mark
0.25 or 25%
1 mark
openrevise.com
AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Question 2 · 3 marks · Use the diagram
Energy
Lesson 6 of 7

The Sankey diagram shows the energy transfers in an electric motor. (a) Calculate the energy wasted every second. (b) Calculate the efficiency of the motor. (3 marks)
openrevise.com
AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Question 2 · mark scheme
Energy
Lesson 6 of 7
3 marks available. Award a mark for each point made.
60 J
1 mark
Correct substitution
1 mark
0.80 or 80%
1 mark
openrevise.com
AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Question 3 · 3 marks · Calculate
Energy
Lesson 6 of 7
“
A lamp has an efficiency of 0.20 and a total power input of 60 W. Calculate the useful power output of the lamp.
HOW TO ANSWER IT
Command word: Calculate. Worth 3 marks, so plan before writing.
openrevise.com
AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Question 3 · mark scheme
Energy
Lesson 6 of 7
3 marks available. Award a mark for each point made.
Rearranges to power output = efficiency × input
1 mark
Correct substitution
1 mark
12 W
1 mark
openrevise.com
AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Question 4 · 2 marks · Suggest
Energy
Lesson 6 of 7
“
A car engine wastes a lot of energy. Suggest two ways to increase the efficiency of the car.
HOW TO ANSWER IT
Command word: Suggest. Worth 2 marks, so plan before writing.
openrevise.com
AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Question 4 · mark scheme
Energy
Lesson 6 of 7
2 marks available. Award a mark for each point made.
First way
1 mark
Second way
1 mark
openrevise.com
AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Question 5 · 4 marks · Compare
Energy
Lesson 6 of 7
“
An LED lamp has an efficiency of 0.85 and an input power of 8 W. A filament lamp has an efficiency of 0.10 and an input power of 60 W. Compare the useful power output of the two lamps. Which is the better lamp? Show your calculations.
HOW TO ANSWER IT
Command word: Compare. Worth 4 marks, so plan before writing.
openrevise.com
AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Question 5 · mark scheme
Energy
Lesson 6 of 7
4 marks available. Award a mark for each point made.
6.8 W
1 mark
6.0 W
1 mark
LED gives more useful power
1 mark
With much less input power
1 mark
openrevise.com
AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Question 6 · 2 marks · Explain
Energy
Lesson 6 of 7
“
A student says that a machine has an efficiency of 120%. Explain why this cannot be correct.
HOW TO ANSWER IT
Command word: Explain. Worth 2 marks, so plan before writing.
openrevise.com
AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Question 6 · mark scheme
Energy
Lesson 6 of 7
2 marks available. Award a mark for each point made.
Energy cannot be created
1 mark
Useful output cannot exceed the total input
1 mark
openrevise.com
← → to move, F to present full screen, G for every slide at once.