plumiConservation of energy: AQA A‑Level Physics questions
AQA A-Level Physics past-paper questions on 3.4.1.8 Conservation of energy, 2008–2025, with mark schemes and examiner’s reports where available.
Paper
All papers
Exam
All years
Calculations
Q06.1
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ05.2
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ05.5
The whole paper ↗Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ04.2
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ05.2
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ06.2
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ06.3
The whole paper ↗Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ06.6
The whole paper ↗Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ02.2
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ04.4
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ05.4
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFLoading the question…
Open the full PDFQ07.5
The whole paper ↗Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ01.2
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFLoading the question…
Open the full PDFLoading the question…
Open the full PDFLoading the question…
Open the full PDFLoading the question…
Open the full PDFQ02.1
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ02.3
The whole paper ↗Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDF
All 77 questions on Conservation of energy, as a list
- June 2025, Paper 1, Q06.1 (2 marks): Calculate the kinetic energy transferred to the ball during the kick. [2 marks] kinetic energy = J
- June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q05.2 (3 marks): Determine the gravitational potential energy gained by the lift during the first 1.5 s of the motion. [3 marks] gravitational potential energy = J
- June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q05.5 (2 marks): Sketch on Figure 8 the variation with time of the kinetic energy of the object from when it becomes detached until it hits the ground. No calculations are requi
- June 2024, Paper 1, Q04.2 (2 marks): The combined kinetic energy of the helium nucleus and the neutron is 2.82 × 10–12 J. Calculate the initial speed of the neutron. [2 marks] initial speed = m s−1
- June 2024, Paper 1, Q05.2 (5 marks): In a second test, pulley P with O attached is released from A. P and O move along the cable to B. The change in height of the centre of mass of O between A and
- June 2024, AS Paper 1, Q06.2 (2 marks): When the boy’s centre of mass has moved through a distance s of 15.0 m the change in his gravitational potential energy is 9.56 kJ. Calculate the mass m of the
- June 2024, AS Paper 1, Q06.3 (3 marks): The maximum kinetic energy of the boy is 7.71 kJ. Calculate, by considering the energy transfers, the extension ΔL of the bungee rope when the kinetic energy of
- June 2024, AS Paper 1, Q06.6 (3 marks): Deduce whether the boy’s maximum velocity is increased when using the second rope. [3 marks]
- June 2023, Paper 1, Q02.2 (2 marks): Engineers are designing a new jet-powered car to break this record. Figure 1 shows the variation of speed with distance for the car, as predicted by the enginee
- June 2023, AS Paper 1, Q04.4 (3 marks): The bow has an efficiency of 0.82 The arrow leaves the bow in a horizontal direction with a velocity of 190 km h−1. Calculate m. [3 marks] m = kg
- June 2023, AS Paper 1, Q05.4 (3 marks): The helicopter has a maximum flight time of a few minutes due to the limited amount of energy stored in the battery. The battery accounts for about 15% of the h
- June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q26 (1 mark): A ball is dropped from a height h. The ball hits the ground with a velocity v. The ball is now dropped from a height of 2h. Air resistance is negligible. What i
- June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q07.5 (4 marks): Energy transfers occur as the cyclist travels down the hill. Outline how these energy transfers explain the shape of the graph in Figure 10. [4 marks]
- November 2021, Paper 1, Q01.2 (3 marks): Calculate the speed of X. Ignore relativistic effects. [3 marks] speed = m s−1
- November 2021, AS Paper 2, Q10 (1 mark): An electron has speed v. The electron’s kinetic energy is doubled. What is the new speed of the electron? [1 mark] A 2 v B 2v C 2v D 4v
- November 2021, AS Paper 2, Q26 (1 mark): A mass m is added to a vertical spring that is initially unextended, as shown in Diagram 1. The mass is then lowered until it hangs stationary on the spring, as
- November 2020, Paper 1, Q08 (1 mark): A photon has energy of 1 × 1018 eV. An object of mass 0.03 kg has kinetic energy equal to the energy of the photon. What is the speed of the object? [1 mark] A
- November 2020, Paper 1, Q22 (1 mark): A pellet with velocity 200 m s−1 and mass 5.0 g is fired vertically upwards into a stationary block of mass 95.0 g. The pellet remains in the block. The impact
- November 2020, AS Paper 1, Q02.1 (3 marks): Figure 1 shows the spacecraft of total mass 610 kg entering the atmosphere at a speed of 5.5 km s−1. Calculate the kinetic energy of the spacecraft as it enters
- November 2020, AS Paper 1, Q02.3 (3 marks): As the parachute–spacecraft system decelerates, it falls through a vertical distance of 49 m and loses 2.2 × 105 J of kinetic energy. During this time, 3.3 × 10
- June 2019, Paper 1, Q05.1 (2 marks): Show that the initial kinetic energy of the test vehicle is 700 kJ. [2 marks]
- June 2019, Paper 1, Q05.3 (3 marks): Immediately after the collision, the test vehicle moves along the safety barrier with no change in its momentum in this direction. Show that the kinetic energy
- June 2019, AS Paper 1, Q03.4 (3 marks): The designers of the ride claim that the loaded cage will reach a height of 50 m above Q. Deduce whether this claim is justified. [3 marks]
- June 2019, AS Paper 1, Q03.6 (1 mark): Deduce without further calculation whether the maximum speed claim is justified. [1 mark]
- June 2019, AS Paper 2, Q04.2 (3 marks): The boat and trailer are initially at rest. In the first 200 ms the boat and trailer are raised through a vertical height of 3.3 × 10–2 m and the speed increase
- June 2018, Paper 1, Q01.3 (2 marks): Discuss the energy transfers that take place when a vehicle is decelerated in an escape lane. [2 marks]
- June 2018, Paper 1, Q01.4 (3 marks): An alternative to an escape lane containing gravel is an escape lane that consists of a ramp. An escape ramp is a straight road with a concrete surface that has
- June 2018, AS Paper 1, Q02.1 (2 marks): Figure 1 shows a truck moving freely down a ramp inclined at an angle to the horizontal. Figure 1 The truck starts from rest at the top of the ramp and reaches
- June 2018, AS Paper 1, Q02.2 (3 marks): Figure 2 shows the truck moving down a ramp with a varying slope. Figure 2 The truck starts from rest and moves freely down the ramp. It reaches point C and the
- June 2018, AS Paper 1, Q02.3 (1 mark): The total vertical displacement of the centre of mass of the truck in Figure 2 is also 8.0 m The speed of the truck when it reaches the horizontal runway is the
- June 2017, Paper 3A, Q03.1 (1 mark): The value of p corresponding to n = 0 is the glider’s initial position at the top of the track. Deduce this value of p using Figure 13 and Figure 15. Write this
- June 2017, Paper 3A, Q03.2 (1 mark): and question 03.3. Table 2 n p/cm x/cm ln(x/cm) 0 2 157.0 4 125.4 6 101.3 9 75.4 13 53.8 0 3 . 2 As it travels from the lower end of the track to each position
- June 2017, Paper 3A, Q03.3 (3 marks): Plot on Figure 16 a graph of ln(x/cm) against n. Record your values of ln(x/cm) in Table 2. [3 marks]
- June 2017, Paper 3A, Q03.4 (1 mark): Explain why the graph you plotted confirms that x decreases exponentially with n. [1 mark] Figure 16
- June 2017, Paper 3A, Q03.5 (3 marks): Determine, using your graph in Figure 16, the value of x when n is 20. [3 marks] x when n is 20 = cm
- June 2017, AS Paper 1, Q03.5 (4 marks): Explain how and why the maximum range of the wheelchair on level ground is affected by • the mass of the user • the speed at which the wheelchair travels. [4 ma
- June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q05 (1 mark): [multiple choice] A mass of 2.5 kg is released from rest at X and slides down a ramp, of height 3.0 m, to point Y as shown. When the mass reaches Y at the botto
- June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q26 (1 mark): A roller coaster car is raised to a height of 65 m and released from rest. What is the maximum possible speed of the car? [1 mark] A 11 m s–1 B 25 m s–1 C 36 m
- Specimen, Paper 1, Q04.1 (4 marks): The speed of an air rifle pellet is measured by firing it into a wooden block suspended from a rigid support. The wooden block can swing freely at the end of a
- June 2016, PHYA2 (old spec), Q4(a) (2 marks): State the law of conservation of energy. [2 marks] ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________
- June 2016, PHYA2 (old spec), Q4(b)(i) (1 mark): When the block leaves the spring, the block has a kinetic energy of 2.2 J. The mass of the block is 0.40 kg. Calculate the maximum velocity of the block. [1 mar
- June 2016, PHYA2 (old spec), Q4(b)(iii) (3 marks): The spring was initially compressed through 0.20 m. The constant frictional force acts on the block whenever it is moving. Calculate the elastic potential energ
- June 2014, PHYA2 (old spec), Q1(b)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the kinetic energy of the car including the passengers when travelling at 56ms–1. [2 marks] kinetic energy J
- June 2014, PHYA2 (old spec), Q1(b)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate the maximum height above A that would be reached by the car and passengers if all the kinetic energy could be transferred to gravitational potential e
- June 2014, PHYA2 (old spec), Q1(c)(i) (2 marks): Explain the main reason why the car does not reach this height. [2 marks]
- June 2014, PHYA2 (old spec), Q1(c)(ii) (2 marks): The car reaches point C which is at a height of 140m above A. Calculate the speed that the car would reach when it descends from rest at C to its original heigh
- June 2013, PHYA2 (old spec), Q1(b)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the gain in gravitational potential energy (gpe) of the glider. gain in gpe J (2 marks)
- January 2013, PHYA2 (old spec), Q1(a) (2 marks): Calculate the loss in gravitational potential energy (gpe) of a diver of mass 65kg falling through 54m. loss in gpe = J (2 marks)
- January 2013, PHYA2 (old spec), Q1(b) (2 marks): Calculate the vertical velocity of the diver the instant before he enters the water. Ignore the effects of air resistance. velocity = ms–1 (2 marks)
- January 2013, PHYA2 (old spec), Q1(d) (3 marks): Explain, with reference to energy, why the velocity of the diver is independent of his mass if air resistance is insignificant.
- January 2013, PHYA2 (old spec), Q2(c) (3 marks): State and explain what happens to the gravitational potential energy lost between D and E. (3 marks)
- June 2012, PHYA4 Section B (old spec), Q1(b)(i) (1 mark): Show that the velocity of the sand as it lands in the container is 5.6ms–1. (1 mark)
- June 2012, PHYA2 (old spec), Q2(a) (3 marks): Galileo thought that, under these circumstances, the ball would reach position C if released from rest at position A. Position C is the same height above the gr
- January 2012, PHYA4 Section B (old spec), Q3(a)(i) (2 marks): Assuming that the centre of mass of the student has fallen through a vertical distance of 25m when she reaches point P, calculate her speed at P. You may assume
- January 2012, PHYA2 (old spec), Q2(a)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate the kinetic energy of the E-bike and rider when at B. Give your answer to an appropriate number of significant figures. answer = J (2 marks)
- January 2012, PHYA2 (old spec), Q2(a)(iii) (2 marks): Calculate the gravitational potential energy gained by the E-bike and rider between A and B. answer = J (2 marks)
- January 2012, PHYA2 (old spec), Q2(b)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the wasted energy as the cyclist travels from A to B. answer = J (2 marks)
- January 2012, PHYA2 (old spec), Q2(b)(ii) (2 marks): State two causes of this wasted energy. Cause 1 Cause 2 (2 marks)
- June 2011, PHYA2 (old spec), Q3(b) (3 marks): After reaching its top speed the driving force is removed and the rollercoaster train begins to ascend a steep track. By considering energy transfers, calculate
- January 2011, PHYA2 (old spec), Q2(b)(i) (1 mark): Calculate the loss in gravitational potential energy of the cannonball. mass of the cannonball = 22kg answer = J (1 mark)
- January 2011, PHYA2 (old spec), Q2(b)(ii) (2 marks): Describe the energy changes that take place from the moment the cannonball leaves the cannon until just before it hits the water. Include the effects of air res
- June 2010, PHYA4 Section B (old spec), Q3(b)(ii) (4 marks): Determine the total amount of energy given to the probe and capsule by the explosion. answer = J (4 marks)
- June 2010, PHYA2 (old spec), Q4(a) (2 marks): Calculate the increase in her gravitational potential energy when she ascends from position A to position B. answer = J (2 marks)
- June 2010, PHYA2 (old spec), Q4(b)(i) (1 mark): Calculate her kinetic energy at the instant she touches the unstretched trampoline. answer = J (1 mark)
- June 2010, PHYA2 (old spec), Q4(b)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate her vertical speed at the same instant. answer = ms-1 (2 marks)
- June 2010, PHYA2 (old spec), Q4(e) (6 marks): On her next jump the gymnast decides to reach a height above position B. Describe and explain, in terms of energy and work, the transformations that occur as sh
- January 2010, PHYA4 Section B (old spec), Q1(b)(ii) (2 marks): To set her swinging, the girl and seat were displaced from equilibrium and released from rest. This initial displacement of the girl raised the centre of mass o
- January 2010, PHYA4 Section B (old spec), Q1(b)(iii) (1 mark): Calculate the maximum speed of the girl during the first oscillation. answer = ms–1 (1 mark)
- January 2010, PHYA2 (old spec), Q7(a)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate the kinetic energy of the air that would enter the turbine each second. answer = J (2 marks)
- June 2009, PHYA2 (old spec), Q1(a)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the total kinetic energy of the cyclist and the cycle on reaching the horizontal section of the road. answer J (2 marks)
- June 2009, PHYA2 (old spec), Q1(a)(ii) (2 marks): The height difference between the top of the hill and the horizontal section of road is 12 m. Calculate the loss of gravitational potential energy of the cyclis
- June 2009, PHYA2 (old spec), Q1(a)(iii) (3 marks): The work done by the cyclist when pedalling downhill is 2400 J. Account for the difference between the loss of gravitational potential energy and the gain of ki
- January 2009, PA02 (2008 spec), Q1(e) (5 marks): 1 (e) (i) Using your answer from part (d) calculate the change in potential energy, ΔEp, of the object that occurred during the first 16 s. 1 (e) (ii) Calculate
- June 2008, PA02 (2008 spec), Q6(a) (1 mark): 6 (a) State the main energy changes that take place as the hammer is falling. (1 mark)
- June 2008, PA02 (2008 spec), Q6(b) (4 marks): 6 (b) The hammer has a mass of 250 kg and falls 4.5 m before striking the pile. After impact the hammer and pile move downwards together. Calculate 6 (b) (i) th
- June 2008, PA10 (2008 spec), Q1(a) (3 marks): 1 (a) Calculate the speed and kinetic energy of the car before the brakes are applied. (3 marks)
- January 2008, PA02 (2008 spec), Q6(a) (2 marks): (a) Calculate the kinetic energy lost by the car. (2 marks)
Questions, mark schemes and examiner’s reports are © AQA, from their published past papers. Plumi isn’t affiliated with any exam board. Want whole papers? AQA A-Level Physics past papers.
The Plumi iPad app also offers exam-style questions with AI feedback on your handwritten working.