QUESTIONS 1 TOPIC 4: WORK, POWER & ENERGY

A LEVEL (P4)
WORK POWER
ENERGY

QUESTION'S
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QUESTIONS 2 TOPIC 4: WORK, POWER & ENERGY

1 The top of an inclined plane is at a height of 0.7 m above the bottom. A block of mass 0.2 kg is
released from rest at the top of the plane and slides a distance of 2.5 m to the bottom. Find the kinetic
energy of the block when it reaches the bottom of the plane in each of the following cases:
(i) the plane is smooth, [2]
(ii) the coeff cient of friction between the plane and the block is 0.15. [5]

2 A car of mass 1200 kg travels along a horizontal straight road. The power of the car’s engine is 20 kW.
The resistance to the car’s motion is 400 N.

(i) Find the speed of the car at an instant when its acceleration is 0.5 m s−2 . [4]

(ii) Show that the maximum possible speed of the car is 50 m s−1 . [2]

The work done by the car’s engine as the car travels from a point A to a point B is 1500 kJ.

(iii) Given that the car is travelling at its maximum possible speed between A and B, f nd the time
taken to travel from A to B. [2]

3 A car of mass 1250 kg travels down a straight hill with the engine working at a power of 22 kW. The
hill is inclined at 3◦ to the horizontal and the resistance to motion of the car is 1130 N. Find the speed
of the car at an instant when its acceleration is 0.2 m s−2 . [5]

4 A lorry of mass 16 000 kg climbs from the bottom to the top of a straight hill of length 1000 m at a
constant speed of 10 m s−1 . The top of the hill is 20 m above the level of the bottom of the hill. The
driving force of the lorry is constant and equal to 5000 N. Find
(i) the gain in gravitational potential energy of the lorry, [1]
(ii) the work done by the driving force, [1]
(iii) the work done against the force resisting the motion of the lorry. [1]

On reaching the top of the hill the lorry continues along a straight horizontal road against a constant
resistance of 1500 N. The driving force of the lorry is not now constant, and the speed of the lorry
increases from 10 m s−1 at the top of the hill to 25 m s−1 at the point P. The distance of P from the top
of the hill is 2000 m.

(iv) Find the work done by the driving force of the lorry while the lorry travels from the top of the
hill to P. [5]

15 A small block is pulled along a rough horizontal floo at a constant speed of 1.5 m s−1 by a constant
force of magnitude 30 N acting at an angle of θ ◦ upwards from the horizontal. Given that the work
done by the force in 20 s is 720 J, calculate the value of θ . [3]

6 A car of mass 1200 kg travels along a horizontal straight road. The power provided by the car’s engine
is constant and equal to 20 kW. The resistance to the car’s motion is constant and equal to 500 N. The
car passes through the points A and B with speeds 10 m s−1 and 25 m s−1 respectively. The car takes
30.5 s to travel from A to B.

(i) Find the acceleration of the car at A. [4]

(ii) By considering work and energy, f nd the distance AB. [8]

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QUESTIONS 3 TOPIC 4: WORK, POWER & ENERGY

7 A crate of mass 50 kg is dragged along a horizontal f oor by a constant force of magnitude 400 N
acting at an angle α ◦ upwards from the horizontal. The total resistance to motion of the crate has
constant magnitude 250 N. The crate starts from rest at the point O and passes the point P with a speed
of 2 m s−1 . The distance OP is 20 m. For the crate’s motion from O to P, f nd
(i) the increase in kinetic energy of the crate, [1]
(ii) the work done against the resistance to the motion of the crate, [1]
(iii) the value of α . [3]

Two particles A and B, of masses 0.3 kg and 0.2 kg respectively, are attached to the ends of a light
inextensible string which passes over a smooth f xed pulley. Particle B is held on the horizontal f oor
and particle A hangs in equilibrium. Particle B is released and each particle starts to move vertically
with constant acceleration of magnitude a m s−2 .

(i) Find the value of a. [4]

Particle A hits the f oor 1.2 s after it starts to move, and does not rebound upwards.

(ii) Show that A hits the f oor with a speed of 2.4 m s−1 . [1]

(iii) Find the gain in gravitational potential energy by B, from leaving the f oor until reaching its
greatest height. [5]

9 A block of mass 50 kg is pulled up a straight hill and passes through points A and B with speeds 7 m s−1
and 3 m s−1 respectively. The distance AB is 200 m and B is 15 m higher than A. For the motion of
the block from A to B, f nd
(i) the loss in kinetic energy of the block, [2]
(ii) the gain in potential energy of the block. [2]

The resistance to motion of the block has magnitude 7.5 N.

(iii) Find the work done by the pulling force acting on the block. [2]

The pulling force acting on the block has constant magnitude 45 N and acts at an angle α ◦ upwards
from the hill.

(iv) Find the value of α . [3]

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QUESTIONS 4 TOPIC 4: WORK, POWER & ENERGY

10

A box of mass 8 kg is pulled, at constant speed, up a straight path which is inclined at an angle of 15◦
to the horizontal. The pulling force is constant, of magnitude 30 N, and acts upwards at an angle of
10◦ from the path (see diagram). The box passes through the points A and B, where AB = 20 m and
B is above the level of A. For the motion from A to B, f nd
(i) the work done by the pulling force, [2]
(ii) the gain in potential energy of the box, [2]
(iii) the work done against the resistance to motion of the box. [1]

11 A cyclist travels along a straight road working at a constant rate of 420 W. The total mass of the cyclist
and her cycle is 75 kg. Ignoring any resistance to motion, fin the acceleration of the cyclist at an
instant when she is travelling at 5 m s−1 ,
(i) given that the road is horizontal,
(ii) given instead that the road is inclined at 1.5◦ to the horizontal and the cyclist is travelling up the
slope.
[5]

12

The diagram shows the vertical cross-section LMN of a f xed smooth surface. M is the lowest point
of the cross-section. L is 2.45 m above the level of M , and N is 1.2 m above the level of M . A particle
of mass 0.5 kg is released from rest at L and moves on the surface until it leaves it at N . Find
(i) the greatest speed of the particle, [3]
(ii) the kinetic energy of the particle at N . [2]

The particle is now projected from N , with speed v m s−1 , along the surface towards M .
(iii) Find the least value of v for which the particle will reach L. [2]
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QUESTIONS 5 TOPIC 4: WORK, POWER & ENERGY

13 A car travels along a horizontal straight road with increasing speed until it reaches its maximum speed
of 30 m s−1 . The resistance to motion is constant and equal to R N, and the power provided by the
car’s engine is 18 kW.

(i) Find the value of R. [3]

(ii) Given that the car has mass 1200 kg, fin its acceleration at the instant when its speed is 20 m s−1 .
[3]

14

A lorry of mass 12 500 kg travels along a road that has a straight horizontal section AB and a straight
inclined section BC. The length of BC is 500 m. The speeds of the lorry at A, B and C are 17 m s−1 ,
25 m s−1 and 17 m s−1 respectively (see diagram).

(i) The work done against the resistance to motion of the lorry, as it travels from A to B, is 5000 kJ.
Find the work done by the driving force as the lorry travels from A to B. [4]

(ii) As the lorry travels from B to C, the resistance to motion is 4800 N and the work done by the
driving force is 3300 kJ. Find the height of C above the level of AB. [4]

15 A car of mass 900 kg travels along a horizontal straight road with its engine working at a constant
rate of P kW. The resistance to motion of the car is 550 N. Given that the acceleration of the car is
0.2 m s−2 at an instant when its speed is 30 m s−1 , f nd the value of P. [4]
` 16

The diagram shows the vertical cross-section of a surface. A and B are two points on the cross-section,
and A is 5 m higher than B. A particle of mass 0.35 kg passes through A with speed 7 m s−1 , moving
on the surface towards B.

(i) Assuming that there is no resistance to motion, fin the speed with which the particle reaches B.
[3]

(ii) Assuming instead that there is a resistance to motion, and that the particle reaches B with speed
11 m s−1 , f nd the work done against this resistance as the particle moves from A to B. [3]
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QUESTIONS 6 TOPIC 4: WORK, POWER & ENERGY

17 A car of mass 1200 kg is travelling on a horizontal straight road and passes through a point A with
speed 25 m s−1. The power of the car’s engine is 18 kW and the resistance to the car’s motion is 900 N.

(i) Find the deceleration of the car at A. [4]

(ii) Show that the speed of the car does not fall below 20 m s−1 while the car continues to move with
the engine exerting a constant power of 18 kW. [2]

A load of mass 160 kg is lifted vertically by a crane, with constant acceleration. The load
18
starts from rest at the point O. After 7 s, it passes through the point A with speed 0.5 m s−1.
By considering energy,fndtheworkdonebythe craneinmoving
theloadfrom O to A.
[ 6 ]

19
FN
Q

15°
C 100 m

A crate C is pulled at constant speed up a straight inclined path by a constant force of magnitude F N,
acting upwards at an angle of 15◦ to the path. C passes through points P and Q which are 100 m apart
(see diagram). As C travels from P to Q the work done against the resistance to C’s motion is 900 J,
and the gain in C ’s potential energy is 2100 J. Write down the work done by the pulling force as C
travels from P to Q, and hence f nd the value of F . [3]

20
9 m s–1 5 m s–1
A 250 m
2.6°
B dm C D

A cyclist and his machine have a total mass of 80 kg. The cyclist starts from rest at the top A of a
straight path AB, and freewheels (moves without pedalling or braking) down the path to B. The path
AB is inclined at 2.6◦ to the horizontal and is of length 250 m (see diagram).

(i) Given that the cyclist passes through B with speed 9 m s−1 , f nd the gain in kinetic energy and
the loss in potential energy of the cyclist and his machine. Hence f nd the work done against the
resistance to motion of the cyclist and his machine. [3]

The cyclist continues to freewheel along a horizontal straight path BD until he reaches the point C,
where the distance BC is d m. His speed at C is 5 m s−1 . The resistance to motion is constant, and is
the same on BD as on AB.

(ii) Find the value of d. [3]

The cyclist starts to pedal at C , generating 425 W of power.

(iii) Find the acceleration of the cyclist immediately after passing through C. [3]
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QUESTIONS 7 TOPIC 4: WORK, POWER & ENERGY

21 A car of mass 1000 kg moves along a horizontal straight road, passing through points A and B. The
power of its engine is constant and equal to 15 000 W. The driving force exerted by the engine is 750 N
at A and 500 N at B. Find the speed of the car at A and at B, and hence f nd the increase in the car’s
kinetic energy as it moves from A to B. [4]

22
A

B 6 m s–1

D E
0.65 m

A smooth narrow tube AE has two straight parts, AB and DE, and a curved part BCD. The part AB is
vertical with A above B, and DE is horizontal. C is the lowest point of the tube and is 0.65 m below
the level of DE. A particle is released from rest at A and travels through the tube, leaving it at E with
speed 6 m s−1 (see diagram). Find
(i) the height of A above the level of DE , [2]
(ii) the maximum speed of the particle. [2]

23 A lorry of mass 15 000 kg moves with constant speed 14 m s−1 from the top to the bottom of a straight
hill of length 900 m. The top of the hill is 18 m above the level of the bottom of the hill. The total
work done by the resistive forces acting on the lorry, including the braking force, is 4.8 × 106 J. Find
(i) the loss in gravitational potential energy of the lorry, [1]
(ii) the work done by the driving force. [1]

On reaching the bottom of the hill the lorry continues along a straight horizontal road against a constant
resistance of 1600 N. There is no braking force acting. The speed of the lorry increases from 14 m s−1
at the bottom of the hill to 16 m s−1 at the point X , where X is 2500 m from the bottom of the hill.

(iii) By considering energy, f nd the work done by the driving force of the lorry while it travels from
the bottom of the hill to X . [3]

24 A car of mass 1250 kg travels along a horizontal straight road with increasing speed. The power
provided by the car’s engine is constant and equal to 24 kW. The resistance to the car’s motion is
constant and equal to 600 N.

(i) Show that the speed of the car cannot exceed 40 m s−1 . [3]

(ii) Find the acceleration of the car at an instant when its speed is 15 m s−1 . [3]
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QUESTIONS 8 TOPIC 4: WORK, POWER & ENERGY

25 A car of mass 1150 kg travels up a straight hill inclined at 1.2◦ to the horizontal. The resistance to motion
of the car is 975 N. Find the acceleration of the car at an instant when it is moving with speed 16 m s−1
and the engine is working at a power of 35 kW. [4]

26 P and Q are f xed points on a line of greatest slope of an inclined plane. The point Q is at a height of
0.45 m above the level of P. A particle of mass 0.3 kg moves upwards along the line PQ.

(i) Given that the plane is smooth and that the particle just reaches Q, f nd the speed with which it
passes through P. [3]

(ii) It is given instead that the plane is rough. The particle passes through P with the same speed
as that found in part (i), and just reaches a point R which is between P and Q. The work done
against the frictional force in moving from P to R is 0.39 J. Find the potential energy gained by
the particle in moving from P to R and hence f nd the height of R above the level of P. [4]

27 A load is pulled along a horizontal straight track, from A to B, by a force of magnitude P N which
acts at an angle of 30◦ upwards from the horizontal. The distance AB is 80 m. The speed of the load
is constant and equal to 1.2 m s−1 as it moves from A to the mid-point M of AB.

(i) For the motion from A to M the value of P is 25. Calculate the work done by the force as the
load moves from A to M . [2]

The speed of the load increases from 1.2 m s−1 as it moves from M towards B. For the motion from
M to B the value of P is 50 and the work done against resistance is the same as that for the motion
from A to M . The mass of the load is 35 kg.

(ii) Find the gain in kinetic energy of the load as it moves from M to B and hence f nd the speed with
which it reaches B. [5]

28 A car of mass 600 kg travels along a horizontal straight road, with its engine working at a rate of 40 kW.
The resistance to motion of the car is constant and equal to 800 N. The car passes through the point A on
the road with speed 25 m s−1. The car’s acceleration at the point B on the road is half its acceleration at A.
Find the speed of the car at B. [5]

29 A particle of mass 0.8 kg slides down a rough inclined plane along a line of greatest slope AB. The
distance AB is 8 m. The particle starts at A with speed 3 m s−1 and moves with constant acceleration
2.5 m s−2 .

(i) Find the speed of the particle at the instant it reaches B. [2]

(ii) Given that the work done against the frictional force as the particle moves from A to B is 7 J, f nd
the angle of inclination of the plane. [4]

When the particle is at the point X its speed is the same as the average speed for the motion from A
to B.

(iii) Find the work done by the frictional force for the particle’s motion from A to X . [3]
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QUESTIONS 9 TOPIC 4: WORK, POWER & ENERGY

30
A
X
B

3m
Hm
hm

A smooth slide AB is f xed so that its highest point A is 3 m above horizontal ground. B is h m above
the ground. A particle P of mass 0.2 kg is released from rest at a point on the slide. The particle
moves down the slide and, after passing B, continues moving until it hits the ground (see diagram).
The speed of P at B is vB and the speed at which P hits the ground is vG .

(i) In the case that P is released at A, it is given that the kinetic energy of P at B is 1.6 J. Find
(a) the value of h, [3]
(b) the kinetic energy of the particle immediately before it reaches the ground, [1]
(c) the ratio vG : vB . [2]

(ii) In the case that P is released at the point X of the slide, which is H m above the ground (see
diagram), it is given that vG : vB = 2.55. Find the value of H correct to 2 signif cant f gures. [3]

31 A block of mass 20 kg is pulled from the bottom to the top of a slope. The slope has length 10 m and
is inclined at 4.5◦ to the horizontal. The speed of the block is 2.5 m s−1 at the bottom of the slope and
1.5 m s−1 at the top of the slope.

(i) Find the loss of kinetic energy and the gain in potential energy of the block. [3]

(ii) Given that the work done against the resistance to motion is 50 J, f nd the work done by the
pulling force acting on the block. [2]

(iii) Given also that the pulling force is constant and acts at an angle of 15◦ upwards from the slope,
f nd its magnitude. [2]

32
A

1.8 m

B C

The diagram shows the vertical cross-section ABC of a f xed surface. AB is a curve and BC is a
horizontal straight line. The part of the surface containing AB is smooth and the part containing BC
is rough. A is at a height of 1.8 m above BC . A particle of mass 0.5 kg is released from rest at A and
travels along the surface to C.

(i) Find the speed of the particle at B. [2]

(ii) Given that the particle reaches C with a speed of 5 m s−1 , f nd the work done against the resistance
to motion as the particle moves from B to C . [2]
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QUESTIONS 10 TOPIC 4: WORK, POWER & ENERGY

33 A car of mass 1250 kg travels along a horizontal straight road. The power of the car’s engine is
constant and equal to 24 kW and the resistance to the car’s motion is constant and equal to R N. The
car passes through the point A on the road with speed 20 m s−1 and acceleration 0.32 m s−2 .

(i) Find the value of R. [3]

The car continues with increasing speed, passing through the point B on the road with speed 29.9 m s−1 .
The car subsequently passes through the point C .

(ii) Find the acceleration of the car at B, giving the answer in m s−2 correct to 3 decimal places. [2]

(iii) Show that, while the car’s speed is increasing, it cannot reach 30 m s−1 . [2]

(iv) Explain why the speed of the car is approximately constant between B and C. [1]

(v) State a value of the approximately constant speed, and the maximum possible error in this value
at any point between B and C. [1]

The work done by the car’s engine during the motion from B to C is 1200 kJ.

(vi) By assuming the speed of the car is constant from B to C, f nd, in either order,
(a) the approximate time taken for the car to travel from B to C,
(b) an approximation for the distance BC.
[4]
34 A car of mass 700 kg is travelling along a straight horizontal road. The resistance to motion is constant
and equal to 600 N.

(i) Find the driving force of the car’s engine at an instant when the acceleration is 2 m s−2 . [2]

(ii) Given that the car’s speed at this instant is 15 m s−1 , f nd the rate at which the car’s engine is
working. [2]

35 A load of mass 1250 kg is raised by a crane from rest on horizontal ground, to rest at a height of
1.54 m above the ground. The work done against the resistance to motion is 5750 J.

(i) Find the work done by the crane. [3]

(ii) Assuming the power output of the crane is constant and equal to 1.25 kW, f nd the time taken to
raise the load. [2]

36 Loads A and B, of masses 1.2 kg and 2.0 kg respectively, are attached to the ends of a light inextensible
string which passes over a f xed smooth pulley. A is held at rest and B hangs freely, with both straight
parts of the string vertical. A is released and starts to move upwards. It does not reach the pulley in
the subsequent motion.

(i) Find the acceleration of A and the tension in the string. [4]

(ii) Find, for the f rst 1.5 metres of A’s motion,

(a) A’s gain in potential energy,
(b) the work done on A by the tension in the string,
(c) A’s gain in kinetic energy.
[3]

B hits the f oor 1.6 seconds after A is released. B comes to rest without rebounding and the string
becomes slack.

(iii) Find the time from the instant the string becomes slack until it becomes taut again. [4]
 10
QUESTIONS 11 TOPIC 4: WORK, POWER & ENERGY

37 A load is pulled along horizontal ground for a distance of 76 m, using a rope. The rope is inclined at
5◦ above the horizontal and the tension in the rope is 65 N.

(i) Find the work done by the tension. [2]

At an instant during the motion the velocity of the load is 1.5 m s−1 .

(ii) Find the rate of working of the tension at this instant. [2]

38 An object of mass 8 kg slides down a line of greatest slope of an inclined plane. Its initial speed at the
top of the plane is 3 m s−1 and its speed at the bottom of the plane is 8 m s−1. The work done against the
resistance to motion of the object is 120 J. Find the height of the top of the plane above the level
of the bottom. [4]

39 A block is pulled for a distance of 50 m along a horizontal f oor, by a rope that is inclined at an angle
of α◦ to the f oor. The tension in the rope is 180 N and the work done by the tension is 8200 J. Find the
value of α. [3]

40 A car of mass 1250 kg is travelling along a straight horizontal road with its engine working at
a constant rate of P W. The resistance to the car’s motion is constant and equal to R N. When the speed
of the car is 19 m s−1 its acceleration is 0.6 m s−2, and when the speed of the car is 30 m s−1 its
acceleration is 0.16 m s−2. Find the values of P and R. [6]

41 A lorry of mass 15 000 kg climbs a hill of length 500 m at a constant speed. The hill is inclined at
2.5◦ to the horizontal. The resistance to the lorry’s motion is constant and equal to 800 N.

(i) Find the work done by the lorry’s driving force. [4]

On its return journey the lorry reaches the top of the hill with speed 20 m s−1 and continues down the
hill with a constant driving force of 2000 N. The resistance to the lorry’s motion is again constant and
equal to 800 N.

(ii) Find the speed of the lorry when it reaches the bottom of the hill. [5]
42
B

45 m
5° 1°
A C

AB and BC are straight roads inclined at 5◦ to the horizontal and 1◦ to the horizontal respectively.
A and C are at the same horizontal level and B is 45 m above the level of A and C (see diagram, which
is not to scale). A car of mass 1200 kg travels from A to C passing through B.

(i) For the motion from A to B, the speed of the car is constant and the work done against the
resistance to motion is 360 kJ. Find the work done by the car’s engine from A to B. [3]

The resistance to motion is constant throughout the whole journey.

(ii) For the motion from B to C the work done by the driving force is 1660 kJ. Given that the speed
of the car at B is 15 m s−1 , show that its speed at C is 29.9 m s−1 , correct to 3 signif cant f gures.
[4]

(iii) The car’s driving force immediately after leaving B is 1.5 times the driving force immediately
before reaching C. Find, correct to 2 signif cant f gures, the ratio of the power developed by the
car’s engine immediately after leaving B to the power developed immediately before reaching C.
[3]
 11
QUESTIONS 12 TOPIC 4: WORK, POWER & ENERGY

43 A racing cyclist, whose mass with his cycle is 75 kg, works at a rate of 720 W while moving on
straight horizontal road. The resistance to the cyclist’s motion is constant and equal to R N.

(i) Given that the cyclist is accelerating at 0.16 m s−2 at an instant when his speed is 12 m s−1 , f nd
the value of R. [3]

(ii) Given that the cyclist’s acceleration is positive, show that his speed is less than 15 m s−1 . [2]

44 A lorry of mass 16 000 kg climbs a straight hill ABCD which makes an angle θ with the horizontal,
1 . For the motion from A to B, the work done by the driving force of the lorry is
where sin θ = 20
1200 kJ and the resistance to motion is constant and equal to 1240 N. The speed of the lorry is 15 m s−1
at A and 12 m s−1 at B.

(i) Find the distance AB. [5]

For the motion from B to D the gain in potential energy of the lorry is 2400 kJ.

(ii) Find the distance BD. [1]

For the motion from B to D the driving force of the lorry is constant and equal to 7200 N. From B to
C the resistance to motion is constant and equal to 1240 N and from C to D the resistance to motion
is constant and equal to 1860 N.

(iii) Given that the speed of the lorry at D is 7 m s−1 , f nd the distance BC. [4]

45 A car of mass 600 kg travels along a straight horizontal road starting from a point A. The resistance
to motion of the car is 750 N.

(i) The car travels from A to B at constant speed in 100 s. The power supplied by the car’s engine
is constant and equal to 30 kW. Find the distance AB. [3]

(ii) The car’s engine is switched off at B and the car’s speed decreases until the car reaches C with a
speed of 20 m s−1 . Find the distance BC. [3]

(iii) The car’s engine is switched on at C and the power it supplies is constant and equal to 30 kW.
The car takes 14 s to travel from C to D and reaches D with a speed of 30 m s−1 . Find the distance
CD. [4]

46 A car of mass 880 kg travels along a straight horizontal road with its engine working at a constant
rate of P W. The resistance to motion is 700 N. At an instant when the car’s speed is 16 m s−1 its
acceleration is 0.625 m s−2 . Find the value of P. [4]

47

1.25 m s–1 A
160 kg

20 m

O
 12
QUESTIONS 13 TOPIC 4: WORK, POWER & ENERGY

A load of mass 160 kg is pulled vertically upwards, from rest at a f xed point O on the ground, using
a winding drum. The load passes through a point A, 20 m above O, with a speed of 1.25 m s−1 (see
diagram). Find, for the motion from O to A,
(i) the gain in the potential energy of the load, [1]
(ii) the gain in the kinetic energy of the load. [2]

The power output of the winding drum is constant while the load is in motion.

(iii) Given that the work done against the resistance to motion from O to A is 20 kJ and that the time
taken for the load to travel from O to A is 41.7 s, f nd the power output of the winding drum. [3]

48
O

10 m

A
10 m

a B

The diagram shows the vertical cross-section OAB of a slide. The straight line AB is tangential to
the curve OA at A. The line AB is inclined at α to the horizontal, where sin α = 0.28. The point O is
10 m higher than B, and AB has length 10 m (see diagram). The part of the slide containing the curve
OA is smooth and the part containing AB is rough. A particle P of mass 2 kg is released from rest at
O and moves down the slide.

(i) Find the speed of P when it passes through A. [3]

The coeff cient of friction between P and the part of the slide containing AB is 1. Find
12

(ii) the acceleration of P when it is moving from A to B, [3]

(iii) the speed of P when it reaches B. [2]

49 A block is pulled in a straight line along horizontal ground by a force of constant magnitude acting
at an angle of 60◦ above the horizontal. The work done by the force in moving the block a distance of
5 m is 75 J. Find the magnitude of the force. [3]

50 A car of mass 1250 kg travels from the bottom to the top of a straight hill which has length 400 m and
is inclined to the horizontal at an angle of α , where sin α = 0.125. The resistance to the car’s motion
is 800 N. Find the work done by the car’s engine in each of the following cases.

(i) The car’s speed is constant. [4]

(ii) The car’s initial speed is 6 m s−1 , the car’s driving force is 3 times greater at the top of the hill
than it is at the bottom, and the car’s power output is 5 times greater at the top of the hill than it
is at the bottom. [5]
 13
QUESTIONS 14 TOPIC 4: WORK, POWER & ENERGY

51
3 m s–1

X Z Y

The frictional force acting on a small block of mass 0.15 kg, while it is moving on a horizontal surface,
has magnitude 0.12 N. The block is set in motion from a point X on the surface, with speed 3 m s−1 . It
hits a vertical wall at a point Y on the surface 2 s later. The block rebounds from the wall and moves
directly towards X before coming to rest at the point Z (see diagram). At the instant that the block
hits the wall it loses 0.072 J of its kinetic energy. The velocity of the block, in the direction from X to
Y , is v m s−1 at time t s after it leaves X .

(i) Find the values of v when the block arrives at Y and when it leaves Y , and f nd also the value of
t when the block comes to rest at Z . Sketch the velocity-time graph. [9]

(ii) The displacement of the block from X , in the direction from X to Y , is s m at time t s. Sketch the
displacement-time graph. Show on your graph the values of s and t when the block is at Y and
when it comes to rest at Z . [4]

A car of mass 1230 kg increases its speed from 4 m s−1 to 21 m s−1 in 24.5 s. The table below shows
52
corresponding values of time t s and speed v m s−1 .

t 0 0.5 16.3 24.5

v 4 6 19 21

(i) Using the values in the table, f nd the average acceleration of the car for 0 < t < 0.5 and for
16.3 < t < 24.5. [2]

While the car is increasing its speed the power output of its engine is constant and equal to P W, and
the resistance to the car’s motion is constant and equal to R N.

(ii) Assuming that the values obtained in part (i) are approximately equal to the accelerations at v = 5
and at v = 20, f nd approximations for P and R. [5]

53 A lorry of mass 16 000 kg moves on a straight hill inclined at angle α◦ to the horizontal. The length
of the hill is 500 m.

(i) While the lorry moves from the bottom to the top of the hill at constant speed, the resisting force
acting on the lorry is 800 N and the work done by the driving force is 2800 kJ. Find the value
of α . [4]

(ii) On the return journey the speed of the lorry is 20 m s−1 at the top of the hill. While the lorry
travels down the hill, the work done by the driving force is 2400 kJ and the work done against
the resistance to motion is 800 kJ. Find the speed of the lorry at the bottom of the hill. [4]

54
5.9 N
5.9 N
a a
Fig. 1 Fig. 2
 14
QUESTIONS 15 TOPIC 4: WORK, POWER & ENERGY

A block of weight 6.1 N is at rest on a plane inclined at angle α to the horizontal, where tan α = 11
60
.
The coeff cient of friction between the block and the plane is µ . A force of magnitude 5.9 N acting
parallel to a line of greatest slope is applied to the block.

(i) When the force acts up the plane (see Fig. 1) the block remains at rest. Show that µ ≥ 45 . [5]

(ii) When the force acts down the plane (see Fig. 2) the block slides downwards. Show that µ < 76 .
[2]

(iii) Given that the acceleration of the block is 1.7 m s−2 when the force acts down the plane, f nd the
value of µ . [2]

55

A B
0.65 m

Two particles A and B have masses 0.12 kg and 0.38 kg respectively. The particles are attached to the
ends of a light inextensible string which passes over a f xed smooth pulley. A is held at rest with the
string taut and both straight parts of the string vertical. A and B are each at a height of 0.65 m above
horizontal ground (see diagram). A is released and B moves downwards. Find
(i) the acceleration of B while it is moving downwards, [2]
(ii) the speed with which B reaches the ground and the time taken for it to reach the ground. [3]

B remains on the ground while A continues to move with the string slack, without reaching the pulley.
The string remains slack until A is at a height of 1.3 m above the ground for a second time. At this
instant A has been in motion for a total time of T s.

(iii) Find the value of T and sketch the velocity-time graph for A for the f rst T s of its motion. [3]

(iv) Find the total distance travelled by A in the f rst T s of its motion. [2]

56
C
B

8 m s–1 2.7 m 3.0 m

P
A D

The diagram shows the vertical cross-section ABCD of a surface. BC is a circular arc, and AB and
CD are tangents to BC at B and C respectively. A and D are at the same horizontal level, and B and
C are at heights 2.7 m and 3.0 m respectively above the level of A and D. A particle P of mass 0.2 kg
is given a velocity of 8 m s−1 at A, in the direction of AB (see diagram). The parts of the surface
containing AB and BC are smooth.
 15
QUESTIONS 16 TOPIC 4: WORK, POWER & ENERGY

(i) Find the decrease in the speed of P as P moves along the surface from B to C . [4]

The part of the surface containing CD exerts a constant frictional force on P, as it moves from C to
D, and P comes to rest as it reaches D.

(ii) Find the speed of P when it is at the mid-point of CD. [5]

57 A car of mass 1200 kg moves in a straight line along horizontal ground. The resistance to motion of
the car is constant and has magnitude 960 N. The car’s engine works at a rate of 17 280 W.

(i) Calculate the acceleration of the car at an instant when its speed is 12 m s−1 . [3]

The car passes through the points A and B. While the car is moving between A and B it has constant
speed V m s−1 .

(ii) Show that V = 18. [2]

At the instant that the car reaches B the engine is switched off and subsequently provides no energy.
The car continues along the straight line until it comes to rest at the point C. The time taken for the
car to travel from A to C is 52.5 s.

(iii) Find the distance AC . [5]

58
45 N
14°

A block is pushed along a horizontal f oor by a force of magnitude 45 N acting at an angle of 14◦ to
the horizontal (see diagram). Find the work done by the force in moving the block a distance of 25 m.
[3]

59 A car of mass 1250 kg moves from the bottom to the top of a straight hill of length 500 m. The top
of the hill is 30 m above the level of the bottom. The power of the car’s engine is constant and equal
to 30 000 W. The car’s acceleration is 4 m s−2 at the bottom of the hill and is 0.2 m s−2 at the top. The
resistance to the car’s motion is 1000 N. Find
(i) the car’s gain in kinetic energy, [5]
(ii) the work done by the car’s engine. [3]

60
A D

C
2.5 m
1.8 m

ABCD is a semi-circular cross-section, in a vertical plane, of the inner surface of half a hollow cylinder
of radius 2.5 m which is f xed with its axis horizontal. AD is horizontal, B is the lowest point of the
cross-section and C is at a height of 1.8 m above the level of B (see diagram). A particle P of mass
0.8 kg is released from rest at A and comes to instantaneous rest at C.
 16
QUESTIONS 17 TOPIC 4: WORK, POWER & ENERGY

(i) Find the work done on P by the resistance to motion while P travels from A to C. [2]

The work done on P by the resistance to motion while P travels from A to B is 0.6 times the work
done while P travels from A to C.

(ii) Find the speed of P when it passes through B. [3]

61 An object of mass 12 kg slides down a line of greatest slope of a smooth plane inclined at 10◦ to the
horizontal. The object passes through points A and B with speeds 3 m s−1 and 7 m s−1 respectively.

(i) Find the increase in kinetic energy of the object as it moves from A to B. [2]

(ii) Hence f nd the distance AB, assuming there is no resisting force acting on the object. [3]

The object is now pushed up the plane from B to A, with constant speed, by a horizontal force.

(iii) Find the magnitude of this force. [3]

62 A car of mass 1250 kg travels from the bottom to the top of a straight hill of length 600 m, which is
inclined at an angle of 2.5Å to the horizontal. The resistance to motion of the car is constant and equal
to 400 N. The work done by the driving force is 450 kJ. The speed of the car at the bottom of the hill
is 30 m s−1. Find the speed of the car at the top of the hill. [5]

63 A train of mass 400 000 kg is moving on a straight horizontal track. The power of the engine is
constant and equal to 1500 kW and the resistance to the train’s motion is 30 000 N. Find
(i) the acceleration of the train when its speed is 37.5 m s−1 , [4]
(ii) the steady speed at which the train can move. [2]

64 A and B are two points 50 metres apart on a straight path inclined at an angle  to the horizontal,
where sin  = 0.05, with A above the level of B. A block of mass 16 kg is pulled down the path from
A to B. The block starts from rest at A and reaches B with a speed of 10 m s−1 . The work done by the
pulling force acting on the block is 1150 J.

(i) Find the work done against the resistance to motion. [3]

The block is now pulled up the path from B to A. The work done by the pulling force and the work
done against the resistance to motion are the same as in the case of the downward motion.

(ii) Show that the speed of the block when it reaches A is the same as its speed when it started at B.
[2]

65 A car of mass 1000 kg is travelling on a straight horizontal road. The power of its engine is constant
and equal to P kW. The resistance to motion of the car is 600 N. At an instant when the car’s speed is
25 m s−1 , its acceleration is 0.2 m s−2 . Find
(i) the value of P, [4]
(ii) the steady speed at which the car can travel. [3]
 17
QUESTIONS 18 TOPIC 4: WORK, POWER & ENERGY

66

3.24 m

A q

Particle A of mass 1.6 kg and particle B of mass 2 kg are attached to opposite ends of a light inextensible
string. The string passes over a small smooth pulley fi ed at the top of a smooth plane, which is
inclined at angle 1, where sin 1 = 0.8. Particle A is held at rest at the bottom of the plane and B hangs
at a height of 3.24 m above the level of the bottom of the plane (see diagram). A is released from rest
and the particles start to move.

(i) Show that the loss of potential energy of the system, when B reaches the level of the bottom of
the plane, is 23.328 J. [3]

(ii) Hence fi d the speed of the particles when B reaches the level of the bottom of the plane. [2]

67 A car has mass 800 kg. The engine of the car generates constant power P kW as the car moves along
a straight horizontal road. The resistance to motion is constant and equal to R N. When the car’s speed is
14 m s−1 its acceleration is 1.4 m s−2, and when the car’s speed is 25 m s−1 its acceleration is
0.33 m s−2. Find the values of P and R. [6]

68 A lorry of mass 15 000 kg climbs from the bottom to the top of a straight hill, of length 1440 m, at a
constant speed of 15 m s−1 . The top of the hill is 16 m above the level of the bottom of the hill. The
resistance to motion is constant and equal to 1800 N.

(i) Find the work done by the driving force. [4]

On reaching the top of the hill the lorry continues on a straight horizontal road and passes through a
point P with speed 24 m s−1 . The resistance to motion is constant and is now equal to 1600 N. The
work done by the lorry’s engine from the top of the hill to the point P is 5030 kJ.

(ii) Find the distance from the top of the hill to the point P. [3]

69 A box of mass 25 kg is pulled in a straight line along a horizontal floo . The box starts from rest at a
point A and has a speed of 3 m s−1 when it reaches a point B. The distance AB is 15 m. The pulling
force has magnitude 220 N and acts at an angle of !Å above the horizontal. The work done against
the resistance to motion acting on the box, as the box moves from A to B, is 3000 J. Find the value
of !. [5]

70 The resistance to motion acting on a runner of mass 70 kg is kv N, where v m s−1 is the runner’s speed
and k is a constant. The greatest power the runner can exert is 100 W. The runner’s greatest steady
speed on horizontal ground is 4 m s−1 .

(i) Show that k = 6.25. [2]

(ii) Find the greatest steady speed of the runner while running uphill on a straight path inclined at
an angle ! to the horizontal, where sin ! = 0.05. [4]
 18
QUESTIONS 19 TOPIC 4: WORK, POWER & ENERGY

71 A lorry of mass 12 500 kg travels along a road from A to C passing through a point B. The resistance
to motion of the lorry is 4800 N for the whole journey from A to C.

(i) The section AB of the road is straight and horizontal. On this section of the road the power of
the lorry’s engine is constant and equal to 144 kW. The speed of the lorry at A is 16 m s−1 and its
acceleration at B is 0.096 m s−2 . Find the acceleration of the lorry at A and show that its speed
at B is 24 m s−1 . [3]

(ii) The section BC of the road has length 500 m, is straight and inclined upwards towards C. On
this section of the road the lorry’s driving force is constant and equal to 5800 N. The speed of
the lorry at C is 16 m s−1 . Find the height of C above the level of AB. [5]

72 A train is moving at constant speed V m s −1 along a horizontal straight track. Given that the power of
the train’s engine is 1330 kW and the total resistance to the train’s motion is 28 kN, find the value
of V. [3]

73 A car of mass 600 kg travels along a straight horizontal road. The resistance to the car’s motion is
constant and equal to R N.

(i) Find the value of R, given that the car’s acceleration is 1.4 m s−2 at an instant when the car’s
speed is 18 m s−1 and its engine is working at a rate of 22.5 kW. [4]

(ii) Find the rate of working of the car’s engine when the car is moving with a constant speed of
15 m s−1 . [1]

74 A car of mass 1250 kg travels up a straight hill inclined at an angle ! to the horizontal, where
sin ! = 0.02. The power provided by the car’s engine is 23 kW. The resistance to motion is constant
and equal to 600 N. Find the speed of the car at an instant when its acceleration is 0.5 m s−2 . [5]

75 A small ball of mass 0.4 kg is released from rest at a point 5 m above horizontal ground. At the instant
the ball hits the ground it loses 12.8 J of kinetic energy and starts to move upwards.

(i) Show that the greatest height above the ground that the ball reaches after hitting the ground
is 1.8 m. [4]

(ii) Find the time taken for the ball’s motion from its release until reaching this greatest height. [3]

76 A lorry of mass 16 000 kg travels at constant speed from the bottom, O, to the top, A, of a straight
hill. The distance OA is 1200 m and A is 18 m above the level of O. The driving force of the lorry is
constant and equal to 4500 N.

(i) Find the work done against the resistance to the motion of the lorry. [3]

On reaching A the lorry continues along a straight horizontal road against a constant resistance of
2000 N. The driving force of the lorry is not now constant, and the speed of the lorry increases from
9 m s−1 at A to 21 m s−1 at the point B on the road. The distance AB is 2400 m.

(ii) Use an energy method to find F , where F N is the average value of the driving force of the lorry
while moving from A to B. [3]

(iii) Given that the driving force at A is 1280 N greater than F N and that the driving force at B is
1280 N less than F N, show that the power developed by the lorry’s engine is the same at B as it
is at A. [2]
 19
QUESTIONS 20 TOPIC 4: WORK, POWER & ENERGY

77 A car of mass 800 kg is moving on a straight horizontal road with its engine working at a rate of
22.5 kW. Find the resistance to the car’s motion at an instant when the car’s speed is 18 m s−1 and its
acceleration is 1.2 m s−2 . [4]

78 A train of mass 200 000 kg moves on a horizontal straight track. It passes through a point A with
speed 28 m s−1 and later it passes through a point B. The power of the train’s engine at B is 1.2 times
the power of the train’s engine at A. The driving force of the train’s engine at B is 0.96 times the
driving force of the train’s engine at A.

(i) Show that the speed of the train at B is 35 m s−1 . [2]

(ii) For the motion from A to B, find the work done by the train’s engine given that the work done
against the resistance to the train’s motion is 2.3 × 106 J. [3]

79
B

Particles A and B, each of mass 0.3 kg, are connected by a light inextensible string. The string passes
over a small smooth pulley fixed at the edge of a rough horizontal surface. Particle A hangs freely and
particle B is held at rest in contact with the surface (see diagram). The coefficient of friction between
B and the surface is 0.7. Particle B is released and moves on the surface without reaching the pulley.

(i) Find, for the first 0.9 m of B’s motion,

(a) the work done against the frictional force acting on B, [2]
(b) the loss of potential energy of the system, [1]
(c) the gain in kinetic energy of the system. [2]

At the instant when B has moved 0.9 m the string breaks. A is at a height of 0.54 m above a horizontal
floor at this instant.

(ii) Find the speed with which A reaches the floor. [3]

80 A car of mass 1400 kg moves on a horizontal straight road. The resistance to the car’s motion is
constant and equal to 800 N and the power of the car’s engine is constant and equal to P W. At an
instant when the car’s speed is 18 m s−1 its acceleration is 0.5 m s−2 .

(i) Find the value of P. [3]

The car continues and passes through another point with speed 25 m s−1 .

(ii) Find the car’s acceleration at this point. [2]

 20
QUESTIONS 21 TOPIC 4: WORK, POWER & ENERGY

81 A box of mass 8 kg is on a rough plane inclined at 5 to the horizontal. A force of magnitude P N acts on the b
in a direction upwards and parallel to a line of greatest slope of the plane. Wh
P = 7X the box moves up the line of greatest slope with acceleration 0.15 m s−2 and when P = 8X the box mo
up the line of greatest slope with acceleration 1.15 m s−2. Find the value of X and the coefficient of frict
between the box and the plane. [8]

82 A block B of mass 2.7 kg is pulled at constant speed along a straight line on a rough horizontal floor.
The pulling force has magnitude 25 N and acts at an angle of 1 above the horizontal. The normal
component of the contact force acting on B has magnitude 20 N.

(i) Show that sin 1 = 0.28. [2]

(ii) Find the work done by the pulling force in moving the block a distance of 5 m. [2]

83 A lorry of mass 14 000 kg moves along a road starting from rest at a point O. It reaches a point A,
and then continues to a point B which it reaches with a speed of 24 m s−1 . The part OA of the road
is straight and horizontal and has length 400 m. The part AB of the road is straight and is inclined
downwards at an angle of 1Å to the horizontal and has length 300 m.

(i) For the motion from O to B, find the gain in kinetic energy of the lorry and express its loss in
potential energy in terms of 1. [3]

The resistance to the motion of the lorry is 4800 N and the work done by the driving force of the lorry
from O to B is 5000 kJ.

(ii) Find the value of 1. [3]

84 A cyclist and her bicycle have a total mass of 84 kg. She works at a constant rate of P W while
moving on a straight road which is inclined to the horizontal at an angle 1, where sin 1 = 0.1. When
moving uphill, the cyclist’s acceleration is 1.25 m s−2 at an instant when her speed is 3 m s−1 . When
moving downhill, the cyclist’s acceleration is 1.25 m s−2 at an instant when her speed is 10 m s−1 . The
resistance to the cyclist’s motion, whether the cyclist is moving uphill or downhill, is R N. Find the
values of P and R. [8]

85 One end of a light inextensible string is attached to a block. The string makes an angle of 60Å above
the horizontal and is used to pull the block in a straight line on a horizontal floor with acceleration
0.5 m s−2 . The tension in the string is 8 N. The block starts to move with speed 0.3 m s−1 . For the first
5 s of the block’s motion, find
(i) the distance travelled, [2]
(ii) the work done by the tension in the string. [2]

86 The total mass of a cyclist and his cycle is 80 kg. The resistance to motion is zero.

(i) The cyclist moves along a horizontal straight road working at a constant rate of P W. Find the
value of P given that the cyclist’s speed is 5 m s−1 when his acceleration is 1.2 m s−2 . [2]

(ii) The cyclist moves up a straight hill inclined at an angle !, where sin ! = 0.035. Find the
acceleration of the cyclist at an instant when he is working at a rate of 450 W and has
speed 3.6 m s−1 . [3]
 21
QUESTIONS 22 TOPIC 4: WORK, POWER & ENERGY

 
87 A plane is inclined at an angle of sin−1 18 to the horizontal. A and B are two points on the same line
of greatest slope with A higher than B. The distance AB is 12 m. A small object P of mass 8 kg is
released from rest at A and slides down the plane, passing through B with speed 4.5 m s−1 . For the
motion of P from A to B, find
(i) the increase in kinetic energy of P and the decrease in potential energy of P, [3]
(ii) the magnitude of the constant resisting force that opposes the motion of P. [2]