Work done: OCR GCSE Physics A questions

Every OCR GCSE Physics A exam question on P7.1 Work done, 2018–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

All 85 questions on Work done, as a list

June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q21(a)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate the work done in moving the maximum weight of passengers between the ground floor and the top floor. Use the equation: work done = force × distance Wo
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q4 (1 mark): A ball is lifted vertically from a height of 1.6 m to a height of 2.0 m. The force used to lift the ball is 3.0 N. What is the work done on the ball? Use the eq
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q20(a) (1 mark): The games console is connected to the mains supply and switched on. Describe how energy is transferred through the power cord to the games console. [1]
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q22(b)(i) (2 marks): Explain why the rock dropped from a greater height produces ripples with a larger amplitude. [2]
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q23(a) (2 marks): The student notices that the maximum height of the pendulum bob above the bench decreases after each swing. Explain why the maximum height of the pendulum bob d
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q23(b)(i) (2 marks): Give two reasons why the student’s method might not give an accurate value for the maximum height of the pendulum bob. 1 2 [2]
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q23(b)(ii) (2 marks): Describe two ways to improve the student’s method to obtain a more accurate value of the maximum height of the pendulum bob at the end of each swing. 1 2 [2]
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q23(c) (3 marks): The graph shows how the maximum height of the pendulum bob above the bench changes as the pendulum bob swings. 20 15 Maximum height 10 above bench (cm) 5 0 0 2
June 2025, Paper 3 Higher, Q2 (1 mark): A crane lifts a steel beam of mass 500 kg to the top of a building 50 m high. What is the increase in gravitational potential energy of the beam? Use the equati
June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q10 (1 mark): Which value is equal to 450 μJ of energy? 4.5 × 10–6 J A 4.5 × 10–5 J B 4.5 × 10–4 J C 4.5 × 10–3 J D Your answer [1]
June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q16(b)(i) (2 marks): Explain why the rock dropped from a greater height produces ripples with a larger amplitude. [2]
June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q17(a) (2 marks): The student notices that the maximum height of the pendulum bob above the bench decreases after each swing. Explain why the maximum height of the pendulum bob d
June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q17(b)(i) (2 marks): Give two reasons why the student’s method might not give an accurate value for the maximum height of the pendulum bob. 1 2 [2]
June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q17(b)(ii) (2 marks): Describe two ways to improve the student’s method to obtain a more accurate value of the maximum height of the pendulum bob at the end of each swing. 1 2 [2]
June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q17(c) (3 marks): The graph shows how the maximum height of the pendulum bob above the bench changes as the pendulum bob swings. 20 15 Maximum height 10 above bench (cm) 5 0 0 2
June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q19(a) (1 mark): The energy in the gravitational potential store of the rocket increases as the rocket accelerates vertically upwards. Why does the energy in the gravitational p
June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q19(b) (1 mark): The energy in the thermal store of the rocket increases as the rocket accelerates vertically upwards. What effect does this have on the rocket? [1]
June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q19(c)(i) (1 mark): Explain why the total energy gained by other energy stores must also be 510 MJ in one second. [1]
June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q19(d)(i) (4 marks): The student finds out that: the energy in the kinetic store of the rocket increases by 1.2 × 108 J every second as the fuel • burns the initial mass of the rock
June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q19(d)(ii) (2 marks): Explain why the actual speed of the rocket after the fuel has been burning for 12 seconds is greater than the value calculated in (d)(i). [2]
June 2024, Paper 1 Foundation, Q19(b)(i) (2 marks): The rocket has a mass of 5.0 kg and rises a vertical distance of 45 m. Calculate the gravitational potential energy gained by the rocket. Use the equation: grav
June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q12 (1 mark): A book is lifted a vertical distance, x, from the floor to a table. The gravitational potential energy store of the book increases by 10 J. The book is then lif
June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q14 (1 mark): A force of 1200 N moves an object a distance of 16 m. What is the work done on the object? Use the equation: work done = force × distance A 75 J B 9600 J C 19 2
June 2024, Paper 4 Higher, Q1 (1 mark): A force of 1200 N moves an object a distance of 16 m. What is the work done on the object? Use the equation: work done = force × distance A 75 J B 9600 J C 19 2
June 2024, Paper 4 Higher, Q7 (1 mark): A motorcyclist has a mass of 80 kg and rides his motorcycle at 25 m / s. The motorcycle has a mass of 160 kg. What is the total kinetic energy of the motorcycli
June 2024, Paper 4 Higher, Q18(c) (3 marks): The mass of the retroreflector is 77 kg. An astronaut lifted the retroreflector a vertical distance of 0.50 m on the Moon. Calculate the gravitational potential
June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q10 (1 mark): In which of these situations is the most work done? A 5 kg cat climbing 5 m vertically upwards B 10 kg dog climbing 10 m vertically upwards C 50 kg boy climbing
June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q15 (1 mark): What is 15 J converted into newton-metres? A 0.15 N m B 1.5 N m C 15 N m D 150 N m Your answer [1] Section B
June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q20(a) (2 marks): The hill is 12 m high. The gravitational field strength is 10 N / kg. Calculate the potential energy of the car at the top of the hill. Use the equation: potent
June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q20(b) (2 marks): The speed of the car at the bottom of the hill is 10 m / s. Calculate the kinetic energy of the car at the bottom of the hill. 1 2 × mass × (speed)2 Use the equ
June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q20(c) (2 marks): The kinetic energy at the bottom of the hill is less than the potential energy at the top of the hill. Explain why. Write about energy stores. [2]
June 2023, Paper 3 Higher, Q1 (1 mark): What is 15 J converted into newton-metres? A 0.15 N m B 1.5 N m C 15 N m D 150 N m Your answer [1]
June 2023, Paper 4 Higher, Q10 (1 mark): The kinetic energy of a car is 180 kJ when its speed is 20 m / s. What is the mass of the car? Use the Equation Sheet. A 225 kg B 450 kg C 900 kg D 18 000 kg [1
June 2023, Paper 4 Higher, Q22(a) (3 marks): Fig. 22.1 shows a sealed cardboard tube containing a ball. Fig. 22.1 Cardboard tube Ball The cardboard tube is quickly turned upside down so that the ball falls
June 2023, Paper 4 Higher, Q22(b)(iii) (2 marks): Student A uses 0.030 kg of lead pellets and a 1.5 m long cardboard tube. Calculate the change in potential energy of the pellets when the tube is turned upside
June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q15 (1 mark): A dog has a mass of 10 kg and runs at a speed of 14 m / s. What is the kinetic energy of the dog? Use the equation: kinetic energy = 0.5 × mass × (speed)2 A 70
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q1 (1 mark): A motor transfers 4.3 kJ of energy. What is 4.3 kJ converted into joules? A 0.0043 J B 0.43 J C 430 J D 4300 J Your answer [1]
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q17(b) (3 marks): Student B repeats the investigation using the same method. The mass of student B and the bicycle is 80 kg. The height of student B and the bicycle at the top of
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q19(a) (2 marks): The water heater is plugged into the mains supply and turned on. Explain why the temperature of the water increases. Write about energy stores in your answer. [
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q21(a) (3 marks): Describe how the teacher can do this experiment, including any equipment used. Use the Data Sheet. [3]
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q21(b)(i) (3 marks): Plot a graph of the data in the table and draw a line of best fit on Fig. 21.2. Two of the points have already been completed for you. Fig. 21.2 4.0 3.0 Work do
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q21(b)(ii) (1 mark): Describe the relationship between work done and mass. [1]
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q21(c)(i) (1 mark): Sketch a line on the graph to show how work done varies with mass in this new experiment. Label this line with the letter L. [1]
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q21(c)(ii) (1 mark): Explain your reason for how you have drawn the line labelled L in (c)(i). [1]
June 2022, Paper 3 Higher, Q3 (1 mark): A student of mass 65 kg climbs a flight of 50 steps. Each step is 0.30 m high. What is the gravitational potential energy gained by the student? Use the equatio
June 2022, Paper 4 Higher, Q16(a) (3 marks): Describe how the teacher can do this experiment, including any equipment used. Use the Data Sheet. [3]
June 2022, Paper 4 Higher, Q16(b)(i) (3 marks): Plot a graph of the data in the table and draw a line of best fit on Fig. 16.2. Two of the points have already been completed for you. Fig. 16.2 4.0 3.0 Work do
June 2022, Paper 4 Higher, Q16(b)(ii) (1 mark): Describe the relationship between work done and mass. [1]
June 2022, Paper 4 Higher, Q16(c)(i) (1 mark): Sketch a line on the graph to show how work done varies with mass in this new experiment. Label this line with the letter L. [1]
June 2022, Paper 4 Higher, Q16(c)(ii) (1 mark): Explain your reason for how you have drawn the line labelled L in (c)(i). [1]
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q12 (1 mark): A book of mass 3 kg is lifted vertically onto a shelf 1.5 m high. Calculate the gain in potential energy of the book. Assume gravitational field strength = 10 N
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q22(a)(i) (3 marks): Calculate the work done when boxes with a weight of 0.6 kN are lifted a vertical distance of 0.8 m from the ground to the lorry. Use the equation: work done = f
November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q8 (1 mark): A force of 6 N moves through a distance of 3 m in the direction of the force. Calculate the work done. A 0.5 J B 2 J C 9 J D 18 J Your answer [1]
November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q17(a)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the kinetic energy of the 20 kg block when it moves at 0.3 m / s. Use the equation: kinetic energy = 0.5 × mass × (speed)2 Kinetic energy = J [2]
November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q17(a)(ii) (3 marks): The 20 kg block is lifted through a height of 16 m. Calculate the gravitational potential energy gained by the 20 kg block. Gravitational field strength is 10 N
November 2021, Paper 3 Higher, Q10 (1 mark): What is the work done when a car is pushed a distance of 0.60 km using a force of 90 N? A 0.15 J B 54 J C 150 J D 54 000 J Your answer [1]
November 2021, Paper 4 Higher, Q14 (1 mark): Two students, A and B, climb some steps. • Student A has twice the mass of student B. • Student B climbs four times higher than student A. Which statement about
November 2021, Paper 4 Higher, Q21(b) (2 marks): At Q the ball is released and has maximum kinetic energy. The springs have no extension at Q. The kinetic energy of the ball at Q is less than the value of the
November 2021, Paper 4 Higher, Q21(c) (4 marks): The springs are stretched to a new extension: • The total energy stored in the two springs is 2.4 J. • The mass of the ball is 0.050 kg. • At R the ball reaches
November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q19(c)(i) (2 marks): Another toy car requires a constant force of 30 N to move it along a surface. Calculate the work done on the car when it moves a distance of 50 m. Use the equat
November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q12 (1 mark): A boy of mass 65 kg climbs a ladder of height 3.0 m. Calculate the gain in potential energy of the boy. Use the equation: potential energy = mass × height × gra
November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q13 (1 mark): The kinetic energy of motorbike X is 10 kJ. Motorbike Y has the same speed but double the mass. What is the kinetic energy of motorbike Y? Use the equation: kin
November 2020, Paper 3 Higher, Q15 (1 mark): An astronaut on the Moon lifts a 5.5 kg object a vertical distance of 50 cm. Calculate the potential energy gained by the object. Gravitational field strength o
November 2020, Paper 3 Higher, Q21(c)(i) (1 mark): Describe the energy transfer as the trolley accelerates on the desk. [1]
November 2020, Paper 3 Higher, Q21(c)(ii) (4 marks): The trolley moves a distance of 86 cm along the desk. Calculate the work done when a force of 3.0 N is applied. Use the equation: work done = force × distance G
November 2020, Paper 4 Higher, Q4 (1 mark): A ball is thrown vertically into the air. Energy is transferred from a chemical store. Where is the useful energy transferred to? A A gravitational store and a
November 2020, Paper 4 Higher, Q7 (1 mark): A car has a mass of 1000 kg and is travelling at a speed of 20 m / s. Calculate the kinetic energy of the car. A 10 000 J B 20 000 J C 200 000 J D 400 000 J You
November 2020, Paper 4 Higher, Q21(a)(i) (2 marks): An electric kettle is filled with water, connected to the mains and switched on. The electricity for the kettle is generated in a coal-fired power station. Desc
June 2019, Paper 1 Foundation, Q19(b)(ii) (3 marks): When the lift is broken the stairs are used. Calculate the work done when a 750 N person climbs a distance of 4 m. Work done = J [3]
June 2019, Paper 2 Foundation, Q9 (1 mark): A runner has a mass of 80 kg and moves at a speed of 5 m / s. Calculate the kinetic energy of the runner. Use the equation: kinetic energy = 0.5 × mass × (speed
June 2019, Paper 2 Foundation, Q17(a)(i) (1 mark): Suggest why he has made this prediction. [1]
June 2019, Paper 2 Foundation, Q17(a)(ii) (1 mark): Use ideas about energy to explain why this prediction cannot be correct. [1]
June 2019, Paper 2 Foundation, Q17(b) (2 marks): Suggest two improvements to his experiment. 1 2 [2]
June 2019, Paper 2 Foundation, Q17(c)(i) (1 mark): Calculate the mass of the ball in kg. Mass = kg [1]
June 2019, Paper 2 Foundation, Q17(c)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate the potential energy of the ball when it is 0.80 m above the ground. Use your answer to (c)(i) and the equation: potential energy = mass × height × gr
June 2019, Paper 3 Higher, Q8 (1 mark): Which object has the most gravitational potential energy? A 1 kg bag on a shelf 1 m above the ground B 2 kg bag on a shelf 1 m above the ground C 2 kg bag on a
June 2019, Paper 3 Higher, Q21(a)(iii) (2 marks): Explain why the final speed changes when the angle of the ramp increases. In your answer use ideas about energy. [2]
June 2019, Paper 3 Higher, Q21(b)(ii) (3 marks): The trolley has a mass of 2.0 kg. Calculate the kinetic energy of the trolley at a speed of 3.0 m / s. Kinetic energy = J [3]
June 2019, Paper 4 Higher, Q15 (1 mark): A car has a mass of 1000 kg and a kinetic energy of 12 500 J. Calculate its speed. Use the equation: kinetic energy = 0.5 × mass × (speed)2 A 3.5 m / s B 5.0 m
June 2018, Paper 1 Foundation, Q9 (1 mark): An object moved 20 cm with a force of 20 N. Use the equation: work done = force × distance Which is the correct calculation of work done? A 0.4 J B 4.0 J C 40 J
June 2018, Paper 1 Foundation, Q13 (1 mark): Which of the following has the most kinetic energy? A B 2 m/s 10 m/s 500 kg 80 kg C D 4 m/s 6 m/s 3000 kg 750 kg Your answer [1]
June 2018, Paper 2 Foundation, Q15 (1 mark): A lorry has a mass of 3500 kg. It travels at a speed of 30 m/s. Use the equation: Kinetic Energy = 0.5 × Mass × Speed2 Calculate the kinetic energy of this lorr
June 2018, Paper 3 Higher, Q6 (1 mark): A student of weight W runs up a flight of stairs. h d She moves a distance d metres horizontally and h metres vertically. What is the work done against gravity
June 2018, Paper 4 Higher, Q11 (1 mark): A pump lifts 500 kg of water to a water tank at the top of a building. The water gains 240 000 J of gravitational potential energy. The gravitational field stre
June 2018, Paper 4 Higher, Q20(d)(i) (2 marks): Show that the kinetic energy stored by the car at 32 m/s is 614 000 J. [2]

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