Work: past paper questions
Real questions on work
The newest 20 of 28 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0625/32 · May/June 2026 · Q2a(i)[4]
The machine lifts the block of ice a vertical height of 1.2 m. work done = unit Calculate the work done on the block of ice. Include the unit.
See it on the paper → - 0625/33 · May/June 2026 · Q2a(i)[4]
The machine lifts the block of ice a vertical height of 1.2 m. work done = unit Calculate the work done on the block of ice. Include the unit.
See it on the paper → - 0625/32 · February/March 2026 · Q1a[3]
Calculate the work done by the 24 N force. work done = J (a) The student pulls the trolley with a force of 24 N for a distance of 15 m in the direction of the force.
See it on the paper → - 0625/31 · October/November 2025 · Q4a(i)[3]
The height of the box is 0.40 m. The weight of the student is 600 N. work done = J Calculate the work done by the student in rising 0.40 m.
See it on the paper → - 0625/32 · October/November 2025 · Q3c(i)[6]
The machine pushes the large box with a constant horizontal force of 860 N for a distance of 15 m. Show that the work done by the machine is about 13 000 J.
See it on the paper → - 0625/31 · May/June 2025 · Q4a(i)[3]
The weight of the load is 15 N. The load is raised a vertical distance of 0.80 m. Calculate the work done on the load. work done on load = J
See it on the paper → - 0625/32 · May/June 2025 · Q2b[4]
The machine lifts the heavy hammer through 0.72 m vertically. Calculate the work done by the machine in lifting the heavy hammer. Include the unit. work done = unit
See it on the paper → - 0625/33 · May/June 2025 · Q2b[4]
The machine lifts the heavy hammer through 0.72 m vertically. Calculate the work done by the machine in lifting the heavy hammer. Include the unit. work done = unit
See it on the paper → - 0625/33 · May/June 2025 · Q2c[2]
The heavy hammer falls onto the metal rod and pushes it into the ground. Describe the energy transfers from the heavy hammer to the metal rod. Your answer should refer to energy stores as well as transfers between energy stores.
See it on the paper → - 0625/41 · May/June 2025 · Q3b(i)[2]
B is at ground level and C is at 2.8 m above ground level. The mass of the skateboarder is 65 kg. Calculate the work done on the skateboarder as she travels from B to C. work done =
See it on the paper → - 0625/43 · May/June 2025 · Q3a[2]
The archer pulls back on the bow string, doing a total of 110 J of work. Her hand moves a distance of 0.45 m. The bow is bent and stores energy. Show that the average force applied by the archer in pulling the string back is approximately 240 N.
See it on the paper → - 0625/43 · May/June 2025 · Q3b(i)[3]
Calculate the initial speed v of the arrow. initial speed v = (i)
See it on the paper → - 0625/43 · May/June 2025 · Q3b(ii)[2]
Explain why the speed of the arrow as it hits the target is less than the value in (b)(i).
See it on the paper → - 0625/32 · February/March 2025 · Q5b[3]
The weight of the load is 8.0 N. The motor lifts the load through a vertical distance of 0.60 m. Calculate the work done on the load. work done on load = J
See it on the paper → - 0625/43 · October/November 2024 · Q3c[4]
During the day, the Sun shines on the shower bag and some of the energy in the infrared radiation from the Sun transfers to the thermal energy stores of the water. The water absorbs 60% of the energy incident on the bag. The temperature of the water rises from 10 °C to 43 °C. The mass of the water in the bag is 40 kg....
See it on the paper → - 0625/33 · May/June 2024 · Q1b(ii)[4]
The cyclist exerts a force of 36 N to move the cycle forwards. Calculate the work done by this force when the cyclist travels 250 m. Include the unit. work done = unit
See it on the paper → - 0625/32 · February/March 2024 · Q4b[3]
The student pushes the device along the floor at a constant speed with a horizontal force of 14 N. The student pushes the device for a distance of 4.5 m. Calculate the mechanical work done by the force pushing the device. work done = J
See it on the paper → - 0625/33 · October/November 2023 · Q2a(i)[1]
State the energy store of the barrel of fruit that increases as the barrel rises.
See it on the paper → - 0625/33 · October/November 2023 · Q2a(ii)[2]
The weight of the barrel of fruit is 140 N. Show that the work done on the barrel of fruit in lifting it from the ground to the platform is approximately 450 J.
See it on the paper → - 0625/32 · February/March 2023 · Q5a[3]
Fig. 5.1 shows a child pulling a toy trolley across the floor. toy trolley 12 N Fig. 5.1 The child pulls the toy trolley with a horizontal force of 12 N. The distance moved by the trolley is 5.0 m. Calculate the mechanical work done on the toy trolley by the 12 N force. mechanical work done = J
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Comprehensive responses • Most candidates were able to select the correct information from the question and diagram and then to substitute these values into a correct equation to calculate the work done pulling the trolley as 360 J. Limited responses • Some candidates used an incorrect rearrangement of the equation for calculating work done. A common approach seen was dividing the pulling force b...
— Examiner report, February/March 2026, 0625/32 Q1(a) (Cambridge)
Most candidates were able to recall that work done = force distance moved (in the direction of the force) and used this to determine the work done by the electric motor as 12 J. The most common error was to use an incorrect rearrangement of the equation, such as W = F ÷ d, to give an answer of 18.75 J.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0625/31 Q4(a)(i) (Cambridge)
The unit of work was well known but the equation for work was more confused. Many incorrect equations were seen, e.g. work = mass ÷ volume, work = mass distance or work = force ÷ distance. Another common error was substituting the value for mass instead of weight into a correct equation.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0625/32 Q2(b) (Cambridge)
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