Energy conservation: past paper questions

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• Question 18Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  A bungee jumper jumps from a platform and is decelerated by an elastic bungee cord, as shown. When the jumper makes the jump, his initial gravitational potential energy relative to the ground is converted into his kinetic energy and into elastic potential energy in the cord.

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• Question 17May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  What is meant by the efficiency of a system?

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• Question 19Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  A sailboat is pushed by the wind at a constant velocity $v$ across a lake. The force of the wind and the velocity of the sailboat are in the same direction. Which additional information is required to determine the work done per unit time by the wind acting on the sailboat?

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• Question 7Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  A moving object strikes a stationary object. The collision is inelastic. The objects move off together.

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• Question 16Oct/Nov 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  The input power to a television is $P_{\text{in}}$. The useful sound and light power emitted by the television is $P_{\text{out}}$. What is the efficiency of the television?

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• Question 19May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Which equation is not required to derive the formula $P=Fv$?

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• Question 15Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  What is the definition of power?

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• Question 15Oct/Nov 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  An electric car travels at a constant speed of $70{\text{ km h}}^{-1}$ for $80\text{ km}$ on a straight horizontal road and uses energy $E$ from its battery. The total resistive force acting on the car is proportional to $(\text{speed}{)}^2$.

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• Question 17May/June 2026, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  An object of weight $3.0\text{ N}$ is moved vertically at a constant velocity $v$ by an electric motor. The electric motor has an efficiency of 25%. The object travels a vertical distance of $1.2\text{ m}$ in $3.0\text{ s}$.

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• Question 19Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows a block on a slope.

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• Question 9May/June 2026, paper 13Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows an object on a horizontal air track moving with velocity $u$ towards a stationary identical object. The objects collide and stick together. The objects then move along the track with velocity $v$.

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• Question 20Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  The motor of a crane lifts a load of mass $600\text{ kg}$. The load rises vertically at a constant speed of $12\text{ m}$ per minute. What is the useful power output of the motor?

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• Question 17Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Which statement represents the principle of conservation of energy?

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• Question 17May/June 2026, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  An object of mass $m$ has a constant acceleration due to a constant resultant force $F$. In a distance $s$, the speed of the object is increased from $u$ to $v$. What is the relationship between $s$, $m$, $F$, $u$ and $v$?

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• Question 1Oct/Nov 2025, paper 21Structured10 marksHas a diagram

  Define acceleration.

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• Question 11Oct/Nov 2024, paper 13Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Which row states whether total momentum and total kinetic energy are conserved in an inelastic collision in which there are no external forces?

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• Question 3Oct/Nov 2023, paper 22Structured10 marksHas a diagram

  A vertical rod is fixed to the horizontal surface of a table, as shown in Fig. 3.1. A spring of mass $7.5\text{ g}$ is able to slide along the full length of the rod.

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• Question 4May/June 2026, paper 22Structured10 marksHas a diagram

  An electric train of mass $1.5\times {10}^4\text{ kg}$ travels up a slope at a constant speed as shown in Figure 4.1. At point X, the train has gravitational potential energy $7.4\text{ MJ}$. At point Y, the train has gravitational potential energy $13.0\text{ MJ}$.

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• Question 9May/June 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  What is always conserved in elastic collisions?

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• Question 12May/June 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Leonardo da Vinci proposed a flying machine that would work like a screw to lift the pilot into the air. The 'screw' is rotated by the pilot. The machine and the pilot together have a total mass of $120\text{ kg}$.

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• Question 3Oct/Nov 2024, paper 21Structured11 marksHas a diagram

  State what is meant by the work done by a force.

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• Question 18May/June 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The points X, Y and Z are on a rough, horizontal surface.

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• Question 18May/June 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Which statement about efficiency is correct?

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• Question 10May/June 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Which statement does not describe an elastic collision between two objects?

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• Question 14May/June 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  The force resisting the motion of a car is proportional to the square of the car's speed. The magnitude of the force at a speed of $20.0\text{ m}{\text{s}}^{-1}$ is $800\text{ N}$.

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• Question 15May/June 2023, paper 13Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  An airport has a mechanical system for moving luggage. The system uses a horizontal conveyor belt, a sloping conveyor belt, a lift and a frictionless slide.

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• Question 13May/June 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  An empty cart is moving along a horizontal track at a constant velocity. Resistive forces acting on the cart are negligible.

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• Question 15May/June 2024, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  In many filament lamps, as much as $92\text{ J}$ of energy is emitted as thermal energy for every $8\text{ J}$ of energy emitted as light. What is the efficiency of a filament lamp, as the percentage of electrical energy converted to light energy?

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• Question 3May/June 2023, paper 23Structured11 marksHas a diagram

  State the principle of conservation of momentum.

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• Question 16May/June 2024, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  What is a unit of power?

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