Work, Energy and Simple Machines — CBSE Class 9 Science Important Questions
13 hand-picked CBSE Class 9 Science important questions for Work, Energy and Simple Machines, each with a full model answer — the formats and topics most likely to appear in your board exam.
- 13
- Questions
- 6
- Question types
- 32
- Total marks
- ₹0
- With answers
The key Work and Energy questions test the definition W=Fs, kinetic energy 12mv^2 and potential energy mgh, the work-energy theorem, power P=W/t, and the law of conservation of energy. Numericals on energy interconversion and power (including the commercial unit kWh) are frequently asked.
About Work, Energy and Simple Machines
This chapter defines work done by a force as W=Fs, and develops the two main forms of mechanical energy: kinetic energy 12mv^2 and potential energy mgh. It explains power, the law of conservation of energy, and how simple machines help us do work more conveniently.
Key concepts & formulas
Work is done when a force displaces its point of application: W=Fs. For force along displacement, W=Fs. SI unit is the joule (1 J=1 N m).
Kinetic energy E_k=12mv^2; gravitational potential energy E_p=mgh. The work-energy theorem states the work done by the net force equals the change in kinetic energy.
Power P=W/t, SI unit watt (1 W=1 J s^-1); commercial unit 1 kWh=3.6×10^6 J. Energy can neither be created nor destroyed, only transformed.
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Important questions with answers
Try each on paper first, then reveal the model answer to check your method.
| Question type | Count | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| MCQ | 4 | 1 |
| Assertion–Reason | 1 | 1 |
| Very Short | 2 | 2 |
| Short Answer | 3 | 3 |
| Long Answer | 2 | 5 |
| Case-based | 1 | 4 |
Multiple-choice questions (1 mark)
The SI unit of work (and of energy) is the:
- (a)
Newton
- (b)
Watt
- (c)
Joule
- (d)
Pascal
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Answer: (c) Joule.
Work = force × displacement, so its unit is N×m=N m=joule. Energy, being the capacity to do work, has the same unit.
A coolie carries a load on his head and walks a horizontal distance holding it steady. The work done by him against gravity is:
- (a)
Maximum
- (b)
Equal to mgh
- (c)
Zero
- (d)
Negative
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Answer: (c) Zero.
Gravity acts vertically downward while the displacement is horizontal, so the angle between force and displacement is 90^. Since W=Fs90^=0, the work done against gravity is zero.
If the velocity of a moving body is doubled, its kinetic energy becomes:
- (a)
Double
- (b)
Half
- (c)
Four times
- (d)
Unchanged
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Answer: (c) Four times.
Kinetic energy E_k=12mv^2 v^2. Doubling v multiplies v^2 by 4, so the kinetic energy becomes four times its original value.
One kilowatt-hour (1 kWh) is equal to:
- (a)
3.6×10^3 J
- (b)
3.6×10^6 J
- (c)
1000 J
- (d)
3600 W
Show model answer
Answer: (b) 3.6×10^6 J.
1 kWh=1000 W×3600 s=3.6×10^6 J. It is the commercial unit of electrical energy.
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Practise free with the AI tutor →Assertion–Reason questions (1 mark)
Assertion (A): When a body moves in a circle at constant speed, the work done by the centripetal force is zero.
Reason (R): The centripetal force is always perpendicular to the direction of motion.
- (a)
Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
- (b)
Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
- (c)
A is true but R is false
- (d)
A is false but R is true
Show model answer
Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. Since the centripetal force is directed toward the centre, perpendicular to the velocity, =90^ and W=Fs90^=0.
Very short answer questions (2 marks)
Define power and state its SI unit. How is 1 watt defined?
Show model answer
Power is the rate of doing work (or of transferring energy): P=W/t.
Its SI unit is the watt (W). One watt is the power of an agent that does 1 joule of work in 1 second: 1 W=1 J s^-1.
A force of 15 N moves a body through 3 m in the direction of the force in 5 s. Calculate the work done and the power.
Show model answer
Work: W=Fs=15×3=45 J.
Power: P=W/t=45/5=9 W.
Short answer questions (3 marks)
Derive the expression for the kinetic energy of a body of mass m moving with velocity v.
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Consider a body of mass m at rest (u=0). A constant force F acts on it over a displacement s, giving it acceleration a and final velocity v.
Work done =Fs=(ma)s.
Using v^2=u^2+2as with u=0: v^2=2as, so as=v^2/2.
Therefore the work done, which is stored as kinetic energy:
E_k=m(as)=m·v^2/2=12mv^2.
A body of mass 10 kg is raised to a height of 5 m and then allowed to fall freely. Taking g=10 m s^-2, find its potential energy at the top and its kinetic energy just before hitting the ground.
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Potential energy at the top:
E_p=mgh=10×10×5=500 J.
Kinetic energy just before landing: By the law of conservation of energy, all the potential energy converts to kinetic energy (ignoring air resistance):
E_k=E_p=500 J.
An electric bulb of 60 W is used for 6 h every day. Calculate the energy consumed in 30 days in kilowatt-hours (kWh).
Show model answer
Power =60 W=0.06 kW.
Daily usage =0.06 kW×6 h=0.36 kWh.
Energy in 30 days:
E=0.36×30=10.8 kWh.
Thus 10.8 units of electrical energy are consumed.
Long answer questions (5 marks)
State the law of conservation of energy. For a body of mass m falling freely from a height H, show that the total mechanical energy remains constant. Illustrate the energy conversion.
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Law of conservation of energy: energy can neither be created nor destroyed; it only changes from one form to another, and the total energy of an isolated system remains constant.
Free fall (taking g as acceleration, ignoring air resistance):
At the top (height H, at rest): E_p=mgH, E_k=0, so total =mgH.
At a point after falling a distance x: velocity v^2=2gx, height =(H-x).
E_k=12mv^2=12m(2gx)=mgx, E_p=mg(H-x).
Total=mgx+mg(H-x)=mgH.
Just before landing (h=0): v^2=2gH, so E_k=12m(2gH)=mgH, E_p=0, total =mgH.
At every stage the total mechanical energy equals mgH; the potential energy steadily converts into kinetic energy, confirming conservation of energy.
(a) What is a simple machine? Define mechanical advantage. (b) A lever is used to lift a load of 200 N by applying an effort of 50 N. Calculate its mechanical advantage. (c) Draw a labelled diagram of a class-I lever showing load, effort and fulcrum.
Show model answer
(a) A simple machine is a device that helps us do work more conveniently by changing the magnitude or direction of an applied force, e.g. a lever, pulley or inclined plane.
Mechanical advantage (MA) is the ratio of the load lifted to the effort applied:
MA=load/effort.
(b) MA=200/50=4. Since MA >1, the lever multiplies the effort four times.
(c) In a class-I lever the fulcrum lies between the load and the effort:
Case-based questions (4 marks)
Read the passage and answer the questions.
At a hydroelectric power station, water stored high up in a dam is allowed to fall. As it falls, it gains speed and is directed onto the blades of a turbine, which spins a generator to produce electricity. A dam holds water 80 m above the turbine. (Take g=10 m s^-2.)
(i) What form of energy does the stored water possess at the top?
(ii) Name the main energy conversions taking place from the dam to the electricity produced.
(iii) Calculate the potential energy of 500 kg of water at the top of the dam.
(iv) Assuming no losses, what is the kinetic energy of this water just before it strikes the turbine?
Show model answer
(i) At the top the stored water possesses gravitational potential energy.
(ii) Potential energy → kinetic energy (of falling water) → mechanical energy (spinning turbine) → electrical energy (generator).
(iii) E_p=mgh=500×10×80=4×10^5 J=400000 J.
(iv) By conservation of energy with no losses, all potential energy converts to kinetic energy:
E_k=E_p=4×10^5 J=400000 J.
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Frequently asked questions
Are these Work, Energy and Simple Machines important questions free?
Yes. All 13 CBSE Class 9 Science important questions for Work, Energy and Simple Machines are free, with full model answers and no login required.Do these Work, Energy and Simple Machines questions follow the latest CBSE syllabus?
Yes — they are aligned to the NCERT 2026–27 syllabus for CBSE Class 9 Science, so nothing here is outside the current course.How should I practise the Work, Energy and Simple Machines important questions?
Attempt each question on paper first, then reveal the model answer to check your method — not just the final result. Re-do anything you got wrong the same day.What types of questions are covered for Work, Energy and Simple Machines?
A full mix — multiple-choice questions, assertion–reason questions, very short answer questions, short answer questions, long answer questions, case-based questions — so every format in the CBSE paper is covered.
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