Energy: past paper questions
Real questions on energy
The newest 20 of 48 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0972/31 · May/June 2026 · Q4a(i)[1]
Give the name of the energy store that increases as the wheel turns faster.
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · October/November 2025 · Q1b[2]
Calculate the kinetic energy stored in the moving train. kinetic energy =
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · October/November 2025 · Q3a[2]
Describe the energy transfer in the solar cell.
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · October/November 2025 · Q3b[1]
Suggest how the black coating allows the solar cell to transfer more energy.
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · October/November 2025 · Q4a[3]
A 12 V, 50 W immersion heater is used to heat 0.15 kg of water in a beaker. The water is initially at a room temperature of 20 °C. The specific heat capacity of water is 4200 J / (kg °C). Calculate the energy supplied to raise the temperature of the water from 20 °C to 58 °C. energy = 4
See it on the paper → - 0972/32 · 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 → - 0972/41 · May/June 2025 · Q3a[2]
A skateboarder is initially at rest at point A. The skateboarder then travels through point B and comes to rest at point C. Describe the transfer of energy as the skateboarder travels from A to B to C along the concrete track.
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · October/November 2024 · Q2b(ii)[2]
The work done on the shopping trolley as it starts moving is transferred into other energy stores. State two such energy stores.
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · October/November 2024 · Q4a(i)[1]
State the value of the wasted output energy. wasted output energy = J
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · October/November 2024 · Q4a(ii)[1]
The energy that is wasted is transferred to an energy store. State the energy store that is increased by the wasted energy.
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · October/November 2024 · Q2c[2]
Describe the energy transfer that takes place as the car slows down.
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · May/June 2024 · Q2a(ii)[3]
the kinetic energy of trolley Q when it moves at 0.36 m / s. kinetic energy of Q =
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · May/June 2024 · Q2b[2]
State the energy transfer that takes place as the spring expands.
See it on the paper → - 0972/42 · May/June 2024 · Q3a[3]
Describe the transfers of energy of the ball between stores from when the ball begins to fall to when it reaches the ground.
See it on the paper → - 0972/42 · May/June 2024 · Q3b[3]
Calculate the maximum speed of the ball. Ignore air resistance. Show your working. maximum speed =
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · October/November 2023 · Q1a[2]
Calculate the gravitational potential energy of the ball relative to the concrete path. gravitational potential energy =
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · October/November 2023 · Q1b(i)[2]
Calculate the kinetic energy of the ball immediately after it strikes the concrete path. kinetic energy =
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · May/June 2023 · Q4a(ii)[1]
State the useful energy output of the electric motor when it lifts the load 2.0 m. useful energy output = J
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · May/June 2023 · Q4a(iii)[2]
The useful energy output of the motor is less than the energy input to the motor. Explain why the useful energy output is less than the energy input.
See it on the paper → - 0972/32 · May/June 2023 · Q3a[3]
Fig. 3.2 shows the energy transfers when the torch is switched on. The diagram is incomplete. energy store electrical working 100 J energy 70 J thermal energy store J Fig. 3.2 Show the energy transfers in the torch by completing the labels on Fig. 3.2.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Some candidates needed to read the question more carefully as they focused their answer on the lifting of the hammer before it fell onto the metal rod. Only a minority clearly described the transfer between GPE and KE.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0972/32 Q2(c) (Cambridge)
Candidates demonstrated good understanding of the transfer from the gravitational store to the kinetic store and then back again. Some candidates gave incomplete descriptions, stopping at point B. A few candidates noted that there is also an energy transfer to the thermal/internal store. Only the strongest candidates gave a coherent description of all the energy transfers.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0972/41 Q3(a) (Cambridge)
Almost all candidates correctly recalled the equation Ek = ½mv2. Candidates needed to be careful to substitute the numerical value of velocity squared into this equation. The answer needed to be rounded correctly, quoted to two significant figures and given the correct unit.
— Examiner report, May/June 2024, 0972/41 Q2(a)(ii) (Cambridge)
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