Energy, work and power: past paper questions
Real questions on energy, work and power
The newest 20 of 69 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 5054/21 · October/November 2025 · Q2a(ii)[2]
the useful work done in lifting the boxes to the storage area. useful work done = J
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · October/November 2025 · Q2b(ii)[1]
the percentage efficiency of the lifting process. efficiency = %
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · October/November 2025 · Q2c[2]
Some of the energy transferred by the motor during the lifting process is not transferred usefully. State two reasons why the efficiency of the lifting process is less than 100%.
See it on the paper → - 5054/22 · October/November 2025 · Q2b(i)[2]
Calculate the energy transferred from the gravitational potential energy store of the container. energy transferred = J
See it on the paper → - 5054/22 · October/November 2025 · Q2b(ii)[2]
State the principle of conservation of energy.
See it on the paper → - 5054/22 · October/November 2025 · Q2b(iii)[2]
Work is done to transfer energy from the gravitational potential energy store as the container falls at terminal velocity. Describe, in terms of the work done, how the energy is transferred from the gravitational potential energy store to one other energy store in the water.
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · May/June 2025 · Q3a[3]
Describe the transfers between energy stores that occur as the load is lifted.
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · May/June 2025 · Q3b(i)[1]
By comparing the input energy and the useful output energy, explain why the efficiency is less than 100%. (i)
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · May/June 2025 · Q3b(ii)[2]
Explain how the principle of conservation of energy applies in lifting the load. (ii)
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · May/June 2025 · Q3c[2]
The input power to the motor is 15 W. The motor is used for 20 s. The efficiency of the motor is 60%. Calculate the energy supplied to the load. energy = J
See it on the paper → - 5054/41 · May/June 2025 · Q4[6]
When a table tennis ball is dropped as shown in Fig. 4.1, it will bounce back upwards. Some of the initial gravitational potential energy (GPE) of the ball is lost in the bounce. 100 90 80 60 metre rule 50 40 30 20 10 bench 0 Fig. 4.1 Plan an experiment to investigate how the height from which the ball is dropped affec...
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · October/November 2024 · Q1b(iii)[2]
Explain why the power transferred to the trolley and block increases as the speed increases.
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · October/November 2024 · Q2a(ii)[3]
Calculate the speed of the ball immediately before the ball hits the ground. Ignore the effect of air resistance. speed = m / s
See it on the paper → - 5054/22 · October/November 2024 · Q1c[3]
The jet ski reaches a speed of 20 m / s. Calculate the total kinetic energy of the student and jet ski at this speed. kinetic energy = J
See it on the paper → - 5054/22 · May/June 2024 · Q3a(i)[2]
Complete Fig. 3.2 to show the useful transfer of energy from the Sun to the battery. energy in Sun light from Sun electric field in charger electrical current energy in battery Fig. 3.2
See it on the paper → - 5054/22 · May/June 2024 · Q3a(ii)[1]
Explain why the battery takes a long time to charge on a cloudy day.
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · October/November 2023 · Q2b(i)[1]
State the equation that defines work done. Refer to the direction of the force exerted.
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · October/November 2023 · Q2b(ii)[2]
Calculate the work done on the lorry by the driving force when the lorry travels a distance of 280 m. work done = J
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · October/November 2023 · Q2b(iii)[3]
At one point on the road, the kinetic energy of the lorry is 3.2 × 10 6 J and its speed is 12 m / s. Calculate the mass of the lorry. mass = kg
See it on the paper → - 5054/22 · October/November 2023 · Q2b(ii)[1]
The total kinetic energy of the two parts after the explosion is greater than the original kinetic energy of the spacecraft. State the energy transfer that occurs in the explosion.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
The statement of the equation that defines the term ‘work’ was challenging for many candidates. Most candidates stated that work = force × distance moved, but only a minority continued and stated that the distance moved was in the direction of the force.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 5054/21 Q2(b)(i) (Cambridge)
Most candidates calculated the work done on the lorry by the driving force correctly. Occasionally because of the large numbers involved, there was a power of 10 error in the final answer.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 5054/21 Q2(b)(ii) (Cambridge)
The formula for kinetic energy was well known and most candidates were able to calculate the mass of the lorry. Occasionally, candidates who wrote down the correct equation forgot to square the velocity in their calculation.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 5054/21 Q2(b)(iii) (Cambridge)
Past papers, syllabus and examiner reports © UCLES (Cambridge University Press & Assessment). Questions are matched to topics from the official syllabus. AssessPro is independent and not endorsed by Cambridge.