Skip to content
Try on iPad

Kinetic and potential energies: OCR A‑Level Physics A questions

Every OCR A-Level Physics A exam question on 3.3.2 Kinetic and potential energies, 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

Find questions1,877
Calculations

1,877 questions

  1. Q3(c)

    June 2025 · Paper 3

    6 marks3.3.2 Kinetic and potential energies5.1.3 Thermal properties of materials
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 3, question 3(c): This question is about comparing two methods for storing energy. (c)* A gravitational potential energy storage system, as described in (a), is proposed as follo

  2. Q5(b)(ii)

    June 2025 · AS Paper 2

    2 marks3.3.2 Kinetic and potential energies
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 AS Paper 2, question 5(b)(ii): Calculate the work done W against the force of gravity in moving the trolley along the slope. W = J [2]

  3. Q3(c)

    June 2023 · AS Paper 2

    3 marks3.3.2 Kinetic and potential energies
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 AS Paper 2, question 3(c): Calculate the kinetic energy Ek of the ball as it hits the ground. Ek = J [3]

  4. Q16(b)(ii)

    June 2022 · Paper 1

    2 marks3.3.2 Kinetic and potential energies
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 1, question 16(b)(ii): Show that the maximum speed at which the ball leaves the catapult is about 8 m s–1. [2]

  5. Q22(b)

    June 2022 · AS Paper 1

    1 mark3.3.2 Kinetic and potential energies
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 AS Paper 1, question 22(b): Describe the energy changes taking place between positions B and C. [1]

  6. Q22(d)

    June 2022 · AS Paper 1

    1 mark3.3.2 Kinetic and potential energies
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 AS Paper 1, question 22(d): A student uses the following expression to determine the maximum speed v of the clown in position B: maximum energy E stored in the compressed spring = 1 2 × 68

  7. Q4(a)(i)

    June 2022 · AS Paper 2

    1 mark3.3.2 Kinetic and potential energies
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 AS Paper 2, question 4(a)(i): the change in gravitational energy Ep Ep = J [1]

  8. Q4(a)(ii)

    June 2022 · AS Paper 2

    2 marks3.3.2 Kinetic and potential energies
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 AS Paper 2, question 4(a)(ii): the velocity v of the ball as it reaches the ground. v = m s–1 [2]

  9. Q4(b)(ii)

    June 2022 · AS Paper 2

    2 marks3.3.2 Kinetic and potential energies
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 AS Paper 2, question 4(b)(ii): the kinetic energy Ek of the ball as it reaches the ground Ek = J [2]

  10. Q5

    November 2021 · AS Paper 1

    1 mark3.3.2 Kinetic and potential energies
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 AS Paper 1, question 5: An object is travelling along a horizontal surface with kinetic energy 16 J and speed v. A force acts against the motion of the object. The work done by this fo

  11. Q1

    November 2020 · Paper 1

    1 mark3.3.2 Kinetic and potential energies
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2020 Paper 1, question 1: An athlete is running at a speed of about 5 m s–1. What is a reasonable estimate for the kinetic energy of this athlete? A 12 J B 100 J C 900 J D 800 000 J Your

  12. Q18(a)

    November 2020 · Paper 1

    2 marks3.3.2 Kinetic and potential energies
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2020 Paper 1, question 18(a): Describe how the kinetic energy of the arrow changes during its journey from when it is fired until it reaches its maximum height. [2]

  13. Q19

    November 2020 · Paper 1

    6 marks3.5.2 Collisions3.3.2 Kinetic and potential energies
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2020 Paper 1, question 19: 19* A student makes a pendulum using a length of string with a ball of adhesive putty which acts as a bob. The mass of this bob is M. A similar second pendulum

  14. Q7

    June 2019 · Paper 1

    1 mark3.3.2 Kinetic and potential energies
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2019 Paper 1, question 7: A pendulum bob is oscillating in a vacuum. The maximum height of the bob from the ground is 1.3 m and its minimum height is 1.1 m. 1.3 m 1.1 m ground What is th

  15. Q1(a)(ii)

    June 2019 · AS Paper 2

    2 marks3.3.2 Kinetic and potential energies
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2019 AS Paper 2, question 1(a)(ii): the kinetic energy of the ball just before impact with the surface is 0.63 J. [2]

  16. Q1(b)(i)

    June 2019 · AS Paper 2

    3 marks3.3.2 Kinetic and potential energies
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2019 AS Paper 2, question 1(b)(i): Calculate the magnitude of the velocity v of the ball as it leaves the surface. v = m s–1 [3]

  17. Q18(a)

    June 2018 · Paper 1

    2 marks3.3.2 Kinetic and potential energies
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2018 Paper 1, question 18(a): When the wind speed is 8.0 m s−1, the kinetic energy of the air incident at the turbine per second is 1.2 MJ s−1. Calculate the mass of the air incident at the

  18. Q20(a)

    June 2018 · Paper 1

    2 marks3.3.2 Kinetic and potential energies3.5.1 Newton’s laws of motion
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2018 Paper 1, question 20(a): Use the equations for momentum and kinetic energy to derive an expression for the kinetic energy Ek of a particle in terms of its momentum p and mass m. [2]

  19. Q20(b)(ii)

    June 2018 · Paper 1

    2 marks3.3.2 Kinetic and potential energies
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2018 Paper 1, question 20(b)(ii): Describe how the kinetic energy and the gravitational potential energy of the load varies from t = 0 to t = 2.0 s. [2]

  20. Q4(a)

    June 2018 · Paper 3

    2 marks3.3.2 Kinetic and potential energies
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2018 Paper 3, question 4(a): Show that the relationship between v and m is 1 20 . mg 2 = v ( m 0 800 . ) + where g is the acceleration of free fall. [2]
All 30 questions on Kinetic and potential energies, as a list
  1. June 2025, Paper 3, Q3(c) (6 marks): This question is about comparing two methods for storing energy. (c)* A gravitational potential energy storage system, as described in (a), is proposed as follo
  2. June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q5(b)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate the work done W against the force of gravity in moving the trolley along the slope. W = J [2]
  3. June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q3(c) (3 marks): Calculate the kinetic energy Ek of the ball as it hits the ground. Ek = J [3]
  4. June 2022, Paper 1, Q16(b)(ii) (2 marks): Show that the maximum speed at which the ball leaves the catapult is about 8 m s–1. [2]
  5. June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q22(b) (1 mark): Describe the energy changes taking place between positions B and C. [1]
  6. June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q22(d) (1 mark): A student uses the following expression to determine the maximum speed v of the clown in position B: maximum energy E stored in the compressed spring = 1 2 × 68
  7. June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q4(a)(i) (1 mark): the change in gravitational energy Ep Ep = J [1]
  8. June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q4(a)(ii) (2 marks): the velocity v of the ball as it reaches the ground. v = m s–1 [2]
  9. June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q4(b)(ii) (2 marks): the kinetic energy Ek of the ball as it reaches the ground Ek = J [2]
  10. November 2021, AS Paper 1, Q5 (1 mark): An object is travelling along a horizontal surface with kinetic energy 16 J and speed v. A force acts against the motion of the object. The work done by this fo
  11. November 2020, Paper 1, Q1 (1 mark): An athlete is running at a speed of about 5 m s–1. What is a reasonable estimate for the kinetic energy of this athlete? A 12 J B 100 J C 900 J D 800 000 J Your
  12. November 2020, Paper 1, Q18(a) (2 marks): Describe how the kinetic energy of the arrow changes during its journey from when it is fired until it reaches its maximum height. [2]
  13. November 2020, Paper 1, Q19 (6 marks): 19* A student makes a pendulum using a length of string with a ball of adhesive putty which acts as a bob. The mass of this bob is M. A similar second pendulum
  14. June 2019, Paper 1, Q7 (1 mark): A pendulum bob is oscillating in a vacuum. The maximum height of the bob from the ground is 1.3 m and its minimum height is 1.1 m. 1.3 m 1.1 m ground What is th
  15. June 2019, AS Paper 2, Q1(a)(ii) (2 marks): the kinetic energy of the ball just before impact with the surface is 0.63 J. [2]
  16. June 2019, AS Paper 2, Q1(b)(i) (3 marks): Calculate the magnitude of the velocity v of the ball as it leaves the surface. v = m s–1 [3]
  17. June 2018, Paper 1, Q18(a) (2 marks): When the wind speed is 8.0 m s−1, the kinetic energy of the air incident at the turbine per second is 1.2 MJ s−1. Calculate the mass of the air incident at the
  18. June 2018, Paper 1, Q20(a) (2 marks): Use the equations for momentum and kinetic energy to derive an expression for the kinetic energy Ek of a particle in terms of its momentum p and mass m. [2]
  19. June 2018, Paper 1, Q20(b)(ii) (2 marks): Describe how the kinetic energy and the gravitational potential energy of the load varies from t = 0 to t = 2.0 s. [2]
  20. June 2018, Paper 3, Q4(a) (2 marks): Show that the relationship between v and m is 1 20 . mg 2 = v ( m 0 800 . ) + where g is the acceleration of free fall. [2]
  21. June 2018, Paper 3, Q4(b)(i) (2 marks): Complete the missing value of v 2 in the table including the absolute uncertainty. [2]
  22. June 2018, Paper 3, Q4(b)(ii) (2 marks): Fig. 4.2 shows some of the data points plotted by the student. Plot the missing data for m = 0.600 kg on Fig. 4.2 and draw the straight line of best fit. [2] 5.
  23. June 2018, Paper 3, Q4(c)(i) (1 mark): Use the equation given in (a) to show that the gradient of the graph of v 2 against m is equal to 1.20 g. _ i m 0 800 . + [1]
  24. June 2018, Paper 3, Q4(c)(ii) (4 marks): Assume that the best-fit straight line through the data points gives 9.5 m s–2 for the experimental value of g. Draw a worst-fit line through the data points on
  25. June 2017, Paper 1, Q3 (1 mark): The braking distance of a car is directly proportional to its initial kinetic energy. The braking distance of a car is 18 m when its initial speed is 10 m s−1.
  26. June 2017, AS Paper 1, Q21(a) (1 mark): Calculate the initial kinetic energy of the trolley. kinetic energy = J [1]
  27. June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q1(b)(ii) (7 marks): The brakes of the train are applied and the train is brought to rest in a distance of 310 m. Calculate 1. the initial kinetic energy Ek of the train Ek = J [2]
  28. June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q3(b)(i) (1 mark): Calculate the initial kinetic energy Ek of the ball as it leaves the hockey stick. Ek = J [1]
  29. June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q3(b)(ii) (1 mark): Calculate the change in gravitational potential energy Ep of the ball as it moves from the ground to the maximum height. Ep = J [1]
  30. June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q3(b)(iii) (1 mark): Calculate the kinetic energy of the ball at the maximum height. kinetic energy = J [1]

Questions, mark schemes and examiner’s reports are © OCR, from their published past papers. Plumi isn’t affiliated with any exam board. Want whole papers? Every OCR A-Level Physics A paper, or our free OCR-style practice pack.

Rather write your answers by hand on iPad? Plumi marks them against the same mark schemes.