UPCAT General Science (Extended) — Machines, Energy & Energy ResourcesCheat Sheet
A printable cheat sheet for Machines, Energy & Energy Resources, built for UPCAT reviewers who want one go-to reference in the final stretch. Covers formulas, key definitions, common question types, and the University of the Philippines-specific twists you will see on UPCAT day.
Exam context
On the UPCAT 2026, the General Science (Extended) subtest carries a "Extended coverage for UP Science programs" weight in University of the Philippines's pattern. Machines, Energy & Energy Resources lands at position 2nd out of 6 in the standard review order. Target score is UPG ≤ 2.2 typical, and roughly 20 items come from General Science (Extended) on a typical UPCAT paper.
Machines, Energy & Energy Resources - Cheat sheet
Your last-minute revision companion for mastering machines, energy forms, heat transfer, and energy resources before your exam.
Sections
Formulas
Formula
Mechanical Advantage (MA) = Load ÷ Effort
Meaning
MA = output force ÷ input force
Watch Out
Don't confuse load (output) with effort (input) - load is what you're moving
When To Use
When calculating how much a machine multiplies force
Formula
Efficiency = (Work Output ÷ Work Input) × 100%
Meaning
Measures how much useful work a machine produces
Watch Out
Efficiency is NEVER 100% due to friction and energy losses
When To Use
When comparing machine effectiveness
Section Title
Simple Machines
Important Facts
- There are exactly 6 types of simple machines
- Lever consists of rigid object + fulcrum + applied force
- Wheel and axle multiply force when force is applied to axle
- Inclined plane distributes work over longer distance
- Wedge is double inclined plane used for cutting/splitting
- Screw converts rotational force to linear force
- Pulley reduces effort by distributing force over longer distance
Key Definitions
Term
Simple Machine
Example
Lever, pulley, inclined plane
Definition
Basic mechanical tool that reduces human effort by changing force direction or magnitude
Term
Fulcrum
Example
The center support of a seesaw
Definition
The pivot point around which a lever rotates
Term
Compound Machine
Example
Bicycle (wheel and axle + lever + pulley)
Definition
Machine combining two or more simple machines to perform tasks more efficiently
Diagrams To Know
- Three classes of levers with fulcrum positions
- Pulley systems (fixed, movable, compound)
- Inclined plane force diagram
Formulas
Formula
Kinetic Energy (KE) = ½mv²
Meaning
m = mass (kg), v = velocity (m/s)
Watch Out
Velocity is squared - doubling speed quadruples kinetic energy
When To Use
For objects in motion
Formula
Potential Energy (PE) = mgh
Meaning
m = mass (kg), g = gravity (9.8 m/s²), h = height (m)
Watch Out
Height must be measured from a reference point (usually ground)
When To Use
For objects at a height above reference point
Formula
Mechanical Energy = KE + PE
Meaning
Total mechanical energy is sum of kinetic and potential energy
Watch Out
In ideal conditions, mechanical energy remains constant (conservation)
When To Use
When analyzing motion with changing height and speed
Common Values
Value
9.8 m/s²
Symbol
g
Quantity
Gravitational acceleration (Earth)
Section Title
Forms of Energy
Important Facts
- Energy is conserved - total amount never changes in isolated system
- Mechanical energy = kinetic energy + potential energy
- Thermal energy relates to temperature and molecular motion
- Nuclear energy comes from splitting or fusing atomic nuclei
- Chemical energy stored in molecular bonds
- Electromagnetic energy travels as waves (light, radio, X-rays)
- Sonic energy propagates through sound waves
- Gravitational energy exists in gravitational fields
- Ionization energy binds electrons to nucleus
- Electric energy carried by moving electrons
Key Definitions
Term
Energy
Example
Chemical energy in battery becomes electrical energy
Definition
The capacity to do work; cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed
Term
Kinetic Energy
Example
Moving car, flowing water, flying bird
Definition
Energy possessed by objects in motion
Term
Potential Energy
Example
Water behind a dam, stretched spring, book on shelf
Definition
Stored energy due to position or condition
Diagrams To Know
- Energy transformation diagrams
- Kinetic vs potential energy graphs
- Energy flow diagrams
Section Title
Heat Transfer Methods
Important Facts
- Conduction works best in solids (molecules closely packed)
- Convection requires fluids - doesn't occur in solids
- Radiation can travel through vacuum of space
- Metals are excellent conductors due to free electrons
- Convection creates currents - hot rises, cold sinks
- All objects emit thermal radiation
- Dark objects absorb radiation better than light objects
- Convection currents drive weather patterns
Key Definitions
Term
Conduction
Example
Metal spoon heating up in hot soup
Definition
Heat transfer through direct contact between molecules
Term
Convection
Example
Hot air rising, cold air sinking
Definition
Heat transfer through fluid movement (liquids and gases)
Term
Radiation
Example
Sun warming Earth through space
Definition
Heat transfer through electromagnetic waves without requiring a medium
Term
Conductor
Example
Metals (copper, aluminum)
Definition
Material that efficiently transfers heat
Term
Insulator
Example
Wood, plastic, air
Definition
Material that poorly conducts heat
Diagrams To Know
- Conduction through solid materials
- Convection currents in fluids
- Radiation from heat source
Section Title
Renewable Energy Resources
Important Facts
- Renewable resources are essentially limitless but energy production rate is limited
- Solar energy is Earth's primary energy source
- Hydroelectric provides 1/5 of world's electricity
- Wind energy uses same principle as hydroelectric (kinetic energy → mechanical → electrical)
- Geothermal taps into Earth's internal heat
- Biomass can be burned directly or converted to biofuels
- All renewable sources except geothermal ultimately derive from solar energy
Key Definitions
Term
Renewable Energy
Example
Solar, wind, hydroelectric
Definition
Energy sources that can be replenished naturally at rate equal to or faster than consumption
Term
Biomass
Example
Firewood, biofuels from corn
Definition
Energy from recently living plants and animals
Term
Geothermal
Example
Hot springs, geothermal power plants
Definition
Energy from heat deep beneath Earth's surface
Term
Solar Energy
Example
Solar panels, photosynthesis
Definition
Energy from nuclear fusion in the Sun, reaching Earth as radiation
Term
Hydroelectric
Example
Dams converting water flow to electricity
Definition
Energy from flowing water spinning turbines
Diagrams To Know
- Solar panel energy conversion
- Hydroelectric dam system
- Wind turbine operation
- Geothermal power plant
Section Title
Non-Renewable Energy Resources
Important Facts
- Fossil fuels formed during Carboniferous period (300 million years ago)
- Coal types by increasing carbon content: peat → lignite → bituminous → anthracite
- Petroleum comes from marine organisms, coal from terrestrial plants
- Natural gas can be liquefied (LNG) under pressure
- Nuclear energy comes from uranium fission
- Fossil fuels release stored solar energy from millions of years ago
- Nuclear fuel is extremely energy-dense compared to fossil fuels
Key Definitions
Term
Non-Renewable Energy
Example
Fossil fuels, nuclear fuel
Definition
Energy sources that cannot be replenished at rate equal to consumption
Term
Fossil Fuels
Example
Coal, petroleum, natural gas
Definition
Carbon-rich substances formed from ancient organic matter over millions of years
Term
Coal
Example
Peat → lignite → bituminous → anthracite
Definition
Black/brown rock formed from terrestrial plant fossils
Term
Petroleum
Example
Crude oil refined into gasoline, diesel
Definition
Liquid fossil fuel from ancient marine organisms
Term
Natural Gas
Example
Used for heating, cooking, electricity generation
Definition
Gaseous fossil fuel primarily composed of methane
Diagrams To Know
- Fossil fuel formation process
- Nuclear fission reaction
- Coal formation stages
- Oil and gas extraction
Must Remember
- Law of Conservation of Energy: energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed
- 6 simple machines: lever, wheel & axle, inclined plane, wedge, screw, pulley
- Mechanical Energy = Kinetic Energy + Potential Energy
- 3 heat transfer methods: conduction (contact), convection (fluids), radiation (waves)
- KE = ½mv², PE = mgh (gravity = 9.8 m/s²)
- Renewable energy can be replenished at rate ≥ consumption rate
- Fossil fuels formed 300 million years ago from ancient organic matter
- Coal ranks: peat → lignite → bituminous → anthracite (increasing carbon content)
- Hydroelectric provides 1/5 of world's electricity
- Nuclear energy comes from splitting uranium atoms (nuclear fission)
Last Minute Tips
- For simple machines: remember fulcrum position determines lever class - draw it out if unsure
- Energy problems: always check if mechanical energy is conserved (no friction) or if energy is lost
- Heat transfer: if no contact between objects, it must be radiation
- Fossil fuel formation: marine organisms → petroleum/gas, terrestrial plants → coal
- Energy conversions: trace the path from original source (often solar) to final use
Comparison Tables
Rows
Values
- Direct contact
- Fastest in solids
- Metal spoon heating
Property
Conduction
Values
- Fluids only
- Moderate
- Hot air rising
Property
Convection
Values
- No medium needed
- Speed of light
- Sun warming Earth
Property
Radiation
Columns
- Method
- Medium Required
- Speed
- Examples
Table Title
Heat Transfer Methods Comparison
Rows
Values
- Fast (equal to or faster than use)
- Slow (millions of years)
Property
Replenishment Rate
Values
- Generally lower
- Higher (pollution, CO₂)
Property
Environmental Impact
Values
- Solar, wind, hydro
- Coal, oil, gas, nuclear
Property
Examples
Values
- Essentially unlimited
- Limited reserves
Property
Availability
Columns
- Renewable
- Non-Renewable
Table Title
Renewable vs Non-Renewable Energy
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