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Conservation and dissipation of energy: AQA GCSE Physics questions

Every AQA GCSE Physics exam question on 4.1.2 Conservation and dissipation of energy, 2018–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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1,653 questions

  1. Q09.3

    June 2025 · Paper 1 Higher

    2 marks4.1.2 Conservation and dissipation of energy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1 Higher, question 09.3: The pump motor breaks and is replaced with a new motor. The new pump motor has the same power input, but has a greater efficiency. Explain how the new pump moto

  2. Q02.1

    June 2025 · Paper 1 Foundation

    3 marks4.1.2 Conservation and dissipation of energy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1 Foundation, question 02.1: Complete Figure 3. You should: • label the x-axis • plot the data from Table 1 as a bar chart. [3 marks] Figure 3

  3. Q02.2

    June 2025 · Paper 1 Foundation

    2 marks4.1.2 Conservation and dissipation of energy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1 Foundation, question 02.2: Which type of metal in Table 1 had the greatest thermal conductivity? Give a reason for your answer. [2 marks] Tick () one box. Copper Iron Nickel Steel Reason

  4. Q05.5

    June 2025 · Paper 1 Foundation

    2 marks4.1.1 Energy changes in a system, and the ways energy is stored before and after such changes4.1.2 Conservation and dissipation of energy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1 Foundation, question 05.5: Kettle A and kettle B have the same total power input. Kettle A has a greater efficiency than kettle B. Which two of the following describe heating water in ket

  5. Q06.7

    June 2025 · Paper 1 Foundation

    2 marks4.1.1 Energy changes in a system, and the ways energy is stored before and after such changes4.1.2 Conservation and dissipation of energy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1 Foundation, question 06.7: The toy moves up and down many times before eventually stopping. Which two of the following are reasons why the toy eventually stops? [2 marks] Tick () two box

  6. Q07.3

    June 2025 · Paper 1 Foundation

    1 mark4.1.2 Conservation and dissipation of energy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1 Foundation, question 07.3: and 07.4. 0 7 . 3 Which equation links efficiency, total input energy transfer and useful output energy transfer? [1 mark] Tick () one box. efficiency = useful

  7. Q07.4

    June 2025 · Paper 1 Foundation

    3 marks4.1.2 Conservation and dissipation of energy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1 Foundation, question 07.4: The efficiency of the motor was 0.70 The useful output energy transfer of the motor was 1.96 J. Calculate the total input energy transfer to the motor. [3 marks

  8. Q07.5

    June 2025 · Paper 1 Foundation

    1 mark4.1.2 Conservation and dissipation of energy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1 Foundation, question 07.5: Use Figure 13 to predict the efficiency of the motor when the speed is 0.6 m/s. [1 mark] Efficiency =

  9. Q07.6

    June 2025 · Paper 1 Foundation

    1 mark4.1.2 Conservation and dissipation of energy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1 Foundation, question 07.6: How does Figure 13 show that the efficiency of the motor is not directly proportional to the speed? [1 mark]

  10. Q06.3

    June 2024 · Paper 1 Higher

    2 marks4.1.2 Conservation and dissipation of energy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 1 Higher, question 06.3: The actual maximum height reached by the pod will be lower than the correct answer to Question 06.2 Explain why. [2 marks]

  11. Q10.5

    June 2024 · Paper 1 Higher

    2 marks4.1.2 Conservation and dissipation of energy4.3.2 Internal energy and energy transfers
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 1 Higher, question 10.5: The calculation in Question 10.4 assumes there is no energy transferred to the surroundings. How would the time taken for the wire to melt be affected if some e

  12. Q03.6

    June 2024 · Paper 1 Foundation

    2 marks4.1.2 Conservation and dissipation of energy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 1 Foundation, question 03.6: Why is the maximum gravitational potential energy of the pod less than the initial elastic potential energy of the bungee cords? [2 marks] Tick () two boxes. E

  13. Q07.6

    June 2024 · Paper 1 Foundation

    1 mark4.1.2 Conservation and dissipation of energy4.3.2 Internal energy and energy transfers
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 1 Foundation, question 07.6: The fuse transfers some energy to the surroundings as it melts. How does transferring energy to the surroundings affect the total energy needed to melt the fuse

  14. Q01.4

    June 2023 · Paper 1 Higher

    1 mark4.1.2 Conservation and dissipation of energy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1 Higher, question 01.4: and 01.5. 0 1 . 4 Write down the equation which links efficiency, total energy input and useful energy output. [1 mark]

  15. Q01.5

    June 2023 · Paper 1 Higher

    3 marks4.1.2 Conservation and dissipation of energy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1 Higher, question 01.5: The total energy input to the National Grid from one power station is 34.2 GJ. The National Grid has an efficiency of 0.992 Calculate the useful energy output f

  16. Q05.1

    June 2023 · Paper 1 Foundation

    1 mark4.1.2 Conservation and dissipation of energy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1 Foundation, question 05.1: To prevent spillages the student used a funnel to pour very hot water into each bottle. Why did the student use the funnel? [1 mark] Tick () one box. Preventin

  17. Q05.2

    June 2023 · Paper 1 Foundation

    1 mark4.1.2 Conservation and dissipation of energy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1 Foundation, question 05.2: Why did the student not use insulation for bottle A? [1 mark] Tick () one box. Bottle A was the control. Bottle A was the fair test. Bottle A was the independe

  18. Q05.3

    June 2023 · Paper 1 Foundation

    1 mark4.1.2 Conservation and dissipation of energy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1 Foundation, question 05.3: What equipment could the student use to measure time? [1 mark]

  19. Q05.4

    June 2023 · Paper 1 Foundation

    4 marks4.1.2 Conservation and dissipation of energy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1 Foundation, question 05.4: Table 4 shows the results. Table 4 Bottle Insulation Start temperature in °C Final temperature in °C Temperature change in °C A None 80 60 20 B 1 layer of paper

  20. Q05.5

    June 2023 · Paper 1 Foundation

    2 marks4.1.2 Conservation and dissipation of energy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1 Foundation, question 05.5: Figure 7 shows the graph plotted by the student. Figure 7 The student should not have plotted a line graph. What type of graph should the student have plotted?
All 70 questions on Conservation and dissipation of energy, as a list
  1. June 2025, Paper 1 Higher, Q09.3 (2 marks): The pump motor breaks and is replaced with a new motor. The new pump motor has the same power input, but has a greater efficiency. Explain how the new pump moto
  2. June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q02.1 (3 marks): Complete Figure 3. You should: • label the x-axis • plot the data from Table 1 as a bar chart. [3 marks] Figure 3
  3. June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q02.2 (2 marks): Which type of metal in Table 1 had the greatest thermal conductivity? Give a reason for your answer. [2 marks] Tick () one box. Copper Iron Nickel Steel Reason
  4. June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q05.5 (2 marks): Kettle A and kettle B have the same total power input. Kettle A has a greater efficiency than kettle B. Which two of the following describe heating water in ket
  5. June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q06.7 (2 marks): The toy moves up and down many times before eventually stopping. Which two of the following are reasons why the toy eventually stops? [2 marks] Tick () two box
  6. June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q07.3 (1 mark): and 07.4. 0 7 . 3 Which equation links efficiency, total input energy transfer and useful output energy transfer? [1 mark] Tick () one box. efficiency = useful
  7. June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q07.4 (3 marks): The efficiency of the motor was 0.70 The useful output energy transfer of the motor was 1.96 J. Calculate the total input energy transfer to the motor. [3 marks
  8. June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q07.5 (1 mark): Use Figure 13 to predict the efficiency of the motor when the speed is 0.6 m/s. [1 mark] Efficiency =
  9. June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q07.6 (1 mark): How does Figure 13 show that the efficiency of the motor is not directly proportional to the speed? [1 mark]
  10. June 2024, Paper 1 Higher, Q06.3 (2 marks): The actual maximum height reached by the pod will be lower than the correct answer to Question 06.2 Explain why. [2 marks]
  11. June 2024, Paper 1 Higher, Q10.5 (2 marks): The calculation in Question 10.4 assumes there is no energy transferred to the surroundings. How would the time taken for the wire to melt be affected if some e
  12. June 2024, Paper 1 Foundation, Q03.6 (2 marks): Why is the maximum gravitational potential energy of the pod less than the initial elastic potential energy of the bungee cords? [2 marks] Tick () two boxes. E
  13. June 2024, Paper 1 Foundation, Q07.6 (1 mark): The fuse transfers some energy to the surroundings as it melts. How does transferring energy to the surroundings affect the total energy needed to melt the fuse
  14. June 2023, Paper 1 Higher, Q01.4 (1 mark): and 01.5. 0 1 . 4 Write down the equation which links efficiency, total energy input and useful energy output. [1 mark]
  15. June 2023, Paper 1 Higher, Q01.5 (3 marks): The total energy input to the National Grid from one power station is 34.2 GJ. The National Grid has an efficiency of 0.992 Calculate the useful energy output f
  16. June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q05.1 (1 mark): To prevent spillages the student used a funnel to pour very hot water into each bottle. Why did the student use the funnel? [1 mark] Tick () one box. Preventin
  17. June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q05.2 (1 mark): Why did the student not use insulation for bottle A? [1 mark] Tick () one box. Bottle A was the control. Bottle A was the fair test. Bottle A was the independe
  18. June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q05.3 (1 mark): What equipment could the student use to measure time? [1 mark]
  19. June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q05.4 (4 marks): Table 4 shows the results. Table 4 Bottle Insulation Start temperature in °C Final temperature in °C Temperature change in °C A None 80 60 20 B 1 layer of paper
  20. June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q05.5 (2 marks): Figure 7 shows the graph plotted by the student. Figure 7 The student should not have plotted a line graph. What type of graph should the student have plotted?
  21. June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q08.4 (1 mark): and 08.5. 0 8 . 4 Write down the equation which links efficiency, total energy input and useful energy output. [1 mark]
  22. June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q08.5 (3 marks): The total energy input to the National Grid from one power station is 34.2 GJ. The National Grid has an efficiency of 0.992 Calculate the useful energy output f
  23. June 2023, Paper 2 Higher, Q05.1 (1 mark): During a collision between a bumper car and the barrier, the bumper car and barrier act as a closed system. What is meant by a ‘closed system’? [1 mark]
  24. June 2022, Paper 1 Higher, Q01.3 (3 marks): Some of the energy from the wind used to rotate a wind turbine is wasted. An engineer oils the mechanical parts of a wind turbine. Explain how oiling would affe
  25. June 2022, Paper 1 Higher, Q01.4 (2 marks): In most homes in the UK there are many different electrical devices. Explain why people should be encouraged to use energy efficient electrical devices. [2 mark
  26. June 2022, Paper 1 Higher, Q03.3 (1 mark): and 03.4. 0 3 . 3 What equation links efficiency, total power input and useful power output? [1 mark] Tick () one box. Efficiency = useful power output total p
  27. June 2022, Paper 1 Higher, Q03.4 (3 marks): The tiles are used to power LED lights in the pavement. An LED light has a total power input of 4.0 W. The efficiency of the LED light is 0.85 Calculate the use
  28. June 2022, Paper 1 Higher, Q04.1 (2 marks): Identify the independent variable and the dependent variable in this investigation. [2 marks] Independent variable Dependent variable
  29. June 2022, Paper 1 Higher, Q04.2 (1 mark): What is the resolution of thermometer B? [1 mark] Resolution = °C
  30. June 2022, Paper 1 Higher, Q04.3 (1 mark): Thermometer A is more likely to be misread. Give one reason why. [1 mark]
  31. June 2022, Paper 1 Higher, Q04.5 (2 marks): Table 2 shows the results for two insulating materials. Table 2 Material Time for temperature to decrease by 20 °C in seconds X 450 Y 745 Explain how the result
  32. June 2022, Paper 1 Higher, Q09.2 (2 marks): The total power output of the girl was greater than the answer to question 09.1. Suggest two reasons why. [2 marks] 1 2
  33. June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q01.4 (2 marks): The kinetic energy of the boy as he lands on the trampoline is 600 J. The maximum kinetic energy of the boy after he bounces is 45% of his kinetic energy as he
  34. June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q02.5 (2 marks): The boy had a speed of 2.0 m/s at the top of the stairs. The mass of the boy was 70 kg. Calculate the kinetic energy of the boy at the top of the stairs. Use th
  35. June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q05.5 (1 mark): What was a source of error in the student’s experiment? [1 mark] Tick () one box. The transfer of thermal energy from the heater to the water The transfer of t
  36. June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q08.1 (1 mark): What is the resolution of thermometer B? [1 mark] Tick () one box. 0.1 °C 0.4 °C 67.0 °C 67.4 °C
  37. June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q08.2 (1 mark): Complete the sentence. Choose the answer from the box. [1 mark] a smaller the same a bigger Thermometer A has chance of being misread than thermometer B. Figure
  38. June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q08.4 (1 mark): There is an anomalous result on Figure 11. Draw a ring around the anomalous result. [1 mark]
  39. June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q08.5 (2 marks): Give two conclusions that can be made from Figure 11. [2 marks] 1 2
  40. June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q08.6 (1 mark): How would using thick insulation affect the rate of cooling of hot water compared with using thin insulation? [1 mark] Tick () one box. The rate of cooling wou
  41. June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q08.7 (1 mark): Predict how using thick insulation would affect the temperature of the water after 10 minutes compared with using thin insulation. [1 mark] Tick () one box. Th
  42. June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q09.3 (3 marks): Some of the energy from the wind used to rotate a wind turbine is wasted. An engineer oils the mechanical parts of a wind turbine. Explain how oiling would affe
  43. June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q09.4 (2 marks): In most homes in the UK there are many different electrical devices. Explain why people should be encouraged to use energy efficient electrical devices. [2 mark
  44. June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q11.3 (1 mark): and 11.4. 1 1 . 3 What equation links efficiency, total power input and useful power output? [1 mark] Tick () one box. Efficiency = useful power output total p
  45. June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q11.4 (3 marks): The tiles are used to power LED lights in the pavement. An LED light has a total power input of 4.0 W. The efficiency of the LED light is 0.85 Calculate the use
  46. November 2021, Paper 1 Higher, Q05.3 (3 marks): At one time, the total power input to the solar cells was 7.8 kW. The efficiency of the solar cells was 0.15 Calculate the useful power output of the solar cell
  47. November 2021, Paper 1 Higher, Q08.1 (1 mark): The toy car and racing track can be modelled as a closed system. Why can the toy car and racing track be considered ‘a closed system’? [1 mark] Tick () one box
  48. November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q06.3 (1 mark): Write down the equation which links efficiency, total power input and useful power output. [1 mark]
  49. November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q06.4 (3 marks): At one time in the day, the total power input to the solar cells was 7500 W. The efficiency of the solar cells was 0.16 Calculate the useful power output of the
  50. November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q06.5 (1 mark): The wasted energy that is not usefully transferred by the solar cells is dissipated. What happens to energy that has been dissipated? [1 mark] Tick () one box.
  51. November 2020, Paper 1 Higher, Q02.5 (1 mark): Write down the equation which links efficiency, total power input and useful power output. [1 mark]
  52. November 2020, Paper 1 Higher, Q02.6 (3 marks): The total power input to the LED was 0.24 W. The efficiency of the LED was 0.75 Calculate the useful power output of the LED. [3 marks] Useful power output = W
  53. November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q02.1 (1 mark): Riders of the AquaShute sit on a sled and move down a slide. There is a layer of water between the sled and the slide. How does the layer of water affect the fr
  54. November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q09.5 (1 mark): Write down the equation which links efficiency, total power input and useful power output. [1 mark]
  55. November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q09.6 (3 marks): The total power input to the LED was 0.24 W. The efficiency of the LED was 0.75 Calculate the useful power output of the LED. [3 marks] Useful power output = W
  56. June 2019, Paper 1 Foundation, Q09.4 (1 mark): Write down the equation which links efficiency, total power input and useful power output. [1 mark]
  57. June 2019, Paper 1 Foundation, Q09.5 (3 marks): Calculate the value of X in Table 3. [3 marks] X = W
  58. June 2019, Paper 1 Foundation, Q09.6 (2 marks): In addition to power input, light bulbs should also be labelled with the rate at which they emit visible light. Suggest why. [2 marks]
  59. June 2019, Paper 1 Foundation, Q10.1 (6 marks): Describe a method the student could have used to obtain the results shown in Figure 16. [6 marks]
  60. June 2019, Paper 1 Foundation, Q10.2 (2 marks): The student could have used a datalogger with a temperature probe instead of the digital thermometer. Figure 17 shows the readings on the digital thermometer an
  61. Specimen, Paper 1 Higher, Q05.1: Give one variable that the student controlled in his investigation. [1 mar
  62. Specimen, Paper 1 Higher, Q05.2 (2 marks): Give two reasons for taking repeat readings in an investigation. [2 mark 1 2
  63. Specimen, Paper 1 Higher, Q05.3 (2 marks): Give two conclusions that could be made from the data in Figure 5? [2 marks]
  64. Specimen, Paper 1 Higher, Q05.4 (1 mark): Give the main way that the motor is likely to waste energy. [1 mark]
  65. Specimen, Paper 1 Higher, Q05.5 (1 mark): When the total power input to the motor was 5 W the motor could not lift the 2.5 N weight. State the efficiency of the motor. [1 mark] Efficiency = %
  66. Specimen, Paper 1 Foundation, Q13.1: Give one variable that the student controlled in his investigation. [1 mar
  67. Specimen, Paper 1 Foundation, Q13.2 (2 marks): Give two reasons for taking repeat readings in an investigation. [2 mark 1 2
  68. Specimen, Paper 1 Foundation, Q13.3 (2 marks): Give two conclusions that could be made from the data in Figure 16. [2 marks]
  69. Specimen, Paper 1 Foundation, Q13.4 (1 mark): Give the main way that the motor is likely to waste energy. [1 mark]
  70. Specimen, Paper 1 Foundation, Q13.5 (1 mark): When the total power input to the motor was 5 W the motor could not lift the 2.5 N weight. State the efficiency of the motor. [1 mark] Efficiency = %

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