Work: past paper questions
Real questions on work
The newest 15 of 15 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0972/32 · May/June 2026 · Q2a(i)[4]
(i) The machine lifts the block of ice a vertical height of 1.2m. Calculate the work done on the block of ice. Include the unit. WOrk CONE .......... unit «2.0 [4]
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · 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 → - 0972/31 · 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 → - 0972/32 · 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 → - 0972/41 · 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 → - 0972/31 · October/November 2024 · Q2b(i)[3]
Another person pushes a shopping trolley with a force of 40 N. The shopping trolley moves at a constant speed along a horizontal path. Calculate the work done by the 40 N force to move the shopping trolley a distance of 50 m. work done = J
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · May/June 2024 · Q5b(i)[3]
A force of 30 N pushes the piston into the container for a distance of 0.18 m. Calculate the work done by the 30 N force. work done = J
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · May/June 2023 · Q4a(i)[3]
The motor exerts a force of 25 N on the load. It lifts the load a vertical distance of 2.0 m. Calculate the work done by the motor on the load. work done on the load = J
See it on the paper → - 0972/32 · May/June 2023 · Q3b[3]
The weight of the torch is 8.5 N. The student lifts the torch a vertical distance of 0.80 m to place it on a shelf. Calculate the work done on the torch by the student. work done = J
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · October/November 2022 · Q4a(ii)[2]
When the cylinder is first placed into the freezer, the temperature of the gas in the cylinder decreases and the air pushes the piston into the cylinder. Calculate the work done on the piston by the air in the freezer as the air pushes the piston a distance of 0.021 m into the cylinder. work done =
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · October/November 2021 · Q4c(i)[2]
Define work done.
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · May/June 2021 · Q2b[3]
As the trolley moves across the rough surface, it slows down and stops. Explain, in terms of the work done, the energy change that takes place as the trolley slows down.
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · October/November 2020 · Q2c(iii)[1]
Explain why the value calculated in (c)(i) is different from that calculated in (c)(ii).
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · October/November 2020 · Q3b(ii)[2]
The pressure of the gas causes the piston to move a distance of 0.50 m to the right. Calculate the work done by the gas from the supply on the piston. work done =
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · May/June 2019 · Q3c(i)[2]
Calculate the work done on the cube by the force in (b)(ii). work done =
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
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, 0972/31 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, 0972/32 Q2(b) (Cambridge)
Many candidates used W = Fd and F = mg to calculate the work done on the skateboarder and included the unit J or N m with their final answer for full credit. Some candidates recalled the correct formula and then incorrectly substituted the mass as the value for the force in their equation. The weakest candidates were unable to recall the correct formula, usually multiplying mass and distance. The...
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0972/41 Q3(b)(i) (Cambridge)
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