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Subjects · Leaving Cert Physics & Chemistry

Leaving Cert Physics & Chemistry: Work & energy

How often Work & energy comes up on the Physics & Chemistry papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

HL Asked on 9 of the last 9 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

OL Asked on 9 of the last 9 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

Work & energy, Higher Level(8 marks)

Quick ones on Work & energy.

(a)The principle of conservation of energy states that energy…
  1. Is always lost as heat whenever it changes form
  2. Cannot be created or destroyed, only changed in form
  3. Can be created in chemical reactions, such as burning
(b)Potential energy gained by a 2 kg mass raised 5 m? (g = 9.8 m s⁻²)
  1. 49 J
  2. 10 J
  3. 98 J
(c)Kinetic energy of a 4 kg ball moving at 3 m s⁻¹?
  1. 18 J
  2. 36 J
  3. 12 J
Show the answers

(a) Cannot be created or destroyed, only changed in form

(b) 98 J

(c) 18 J

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Work & energy.

Higher Level

Asked on 9 of the last 9 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Q1(b), Q2
2024Q1(d)
2023Q2
2022Q2
2021Q1(b), Q6(a)
2019Q1(b), Q6(a)
2018Q1(d), Q6(a)
2017Q1(b)
2016Q1(b), Q1(d), Q6(a)

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Work & energy questions

Work & energy, 2 marks

Power is defined as…

  1. Work done multiplied by time
  2. Force multiplied by distance
  3. The rate of doing work
Show the answer

The rate of doing work

Power = work done ÷ time taken, measured in watts (1 W = 1 J s⁻¹). Force × distance is the work itself.

Work & energy, 3 marks

A 1200 W motor runs for 5 minutes. Energy it uses?

  1. 240 J
  2. 360,000 J
  3. 6000 J
Show the answer

360,000 J

Energy = power × time, with time in seconds: 1200 × 300 = 360,000 J. 6000 uses 5 instead of 300 s; 240 divides instead of multiplying.

Ordinary Level

Asked on 9 of the last 9 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Q1(b), Q2
2024Q1(a), Q2
2023Q1(b)
2022Q1(a), Q2
2021Q1(a), Q1(d), Q2
2019Q2
2018Q1(c), Q2
2017Q2
2016Q1(a), Q1(b), Q2

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Work & energy questions

Work & energy, 2 marks

Work done by a force equals?

  1. Mass × acceleration in its direction
  2. Force ÷ time taken to move the distance
  3. Force × distance moved in its direction
Show the answer

Force × distance moved in its direction

W = Fs, measured in joules. 1 J is the work done when a force of 1 N moves its point of application 1 m.

Work & energy, 2 marks

Unit of power?

  1. Newton
  2. Watt
  3. Joule
Show the answer

Watt

Power is the rate of doing work: P = W ÷ t. 1 watt = 1 joule per second. The joule is the unit of work and energy.

Work & energy, 2 marks

The principle of conservation of energy says?

  1. Energy can't be created or destroyed, only converted
  2. Energy is always lost as heat whenever it changes
  3. Machines can create extra energy if they are efficient
Show the answer

Energy can't be created or destroyed, only converted

The total energy stays the same; it only changes form. Energy that seems lost has usually become heat or sound.

Other Physics & Chemistry topics

All of Leaving Cert Physics & Chemistry