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Work, Energy and PowerICSE Class 10 Physics Important Questions

13 hand-picked ICSE Class 10 Physics important questions for Work, Energy and Power, each with a full model answer — the formats and topics most likely to appear in your board exam.

13
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6
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32
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₹0
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Quick answer

High-yield ICSE Work, Energy and Power questions use W=FscosθW=F\,s\cos\thetaW=F\,s, P=WtP=\dfrac{W}{t}P=W/t, kinetic energy KE=12mv2KE=\dfrac12 mv^2KE=12 mv^2, potential energy PE=mghPE=mghPE=mgh, and the principle of conservation of energy. Numericals on power of a machine, energy of a falling body, and 1 kWh=3.6×106 J1\text{ kWh}=3.6\times10^{6}\text{ J}1 kWh=3.6×10^6 J appear almost every year.

About Work, Energy and Power

In the ICSE Class 10 Physics chapter Work, Energy and Power you learn how work is done by a force, the difference between kinetic and potential energy, the expressions KE=12mv2KE=\tfrac12 mv^2KE=12 mv^2 and PE=mghPE=mghPE=mgh, power as the rate of doing work, energy transformations, and the principle of conservation of energy for a freely falling body and a simple pendulum. Numericals apply these formulas with correct SI units.

Work and its measurement $(W=Fs\cos\theta)$Kinetic and potential energyPower and its units (watt, kW, horsepower)Energy transformations and conservationCommercial unit of energy (kWh)

Key concepts & formulas

Work

Work done by a constant force === force ×\times× displacement in the direction of the force: W=FscosθW=F\,s\cos\thetaW=F\,s. SI unit is the joule (J)(\text{J})(J); 1 J=1 N m1\text{ J}=1\text{ N m}1 J=1 N m. Work is zero when θ=90\theta=90^\circ=90^.

Kinetic and potential energy

Kinetic energy KE=12mv2KE=\dfrac12 mv^2KE=12 mv^2; gravitational potential energy PE=mghPE=mghPE=mgh. Both are measured in joules. The work-energy theorem states work done === change in kinetic energy.

Power

Power is the rate of doing work: P=WtP=\dfrac{W}{t}P=W/t. SI unit is the watt (W)(\text{W})(W); 1 W=1 J s11\text{ W}=1\text{ J s}^{-1}1 W=1 J s^-1, 1 kW=1000 W1\text{ kW}=1000\text{ W}1 kW=1000 W, and 1 hp=746 W1\text{ hp}=746\text{ W}1 hp=746 W.

Conservation of energy

Energy can neither be created nor destroyed, only transformed. For a freely falling body KE+PE=KE+PE=KE+PE= constant =mgh=mgh=mgh; the commercial unit 1 kWh=3.6×106 J1\text{ kWh}=3.6\times10^{6}\text{ J}1 kWh=3.6×10^6 J.

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Important questions with answers

Try each on paper first, then reveal the model answer to check your method.

Question typeCountMarks
MCQ41
Assertion–Reason11
Very Short22
Short Answer33
Long Answer25
Case-based14

Multiple-choice questions (1 mark)

Q1MCQEasy1 mark

A coolie carries a load on his head and walks on a level platform. The work done by him against gravity is:

  1. (a)

    maximum

  2. (b)

    equal to the weight ×\times× distance

  3. (c)

    zero

  4. (d)

    negative

Show model answer

Answer: (c) zero.

The force (weight) is vertical while the displacement is horizontal, so θ=90\theta=90^\circ=90^ and W=Fscos90=0W=Fs\cos90^\circ=0W=Fs90^=0. No work is done against gravity.

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Q2MCQEasy1 mark

The commercial unit of electrical energy, 1 kWh1\text{ kWh}1 kWh, equals:

  1. (a)

    3.6×103 J3.6\times10^{3}\text{ J}3.6×10^3 J

  2. (b)

    3.6×106 J3.6\times10^{6}\text{ J}3.6×10^6 J

  3. (c)

    1000 J1000\text{ J}1000 J

  4. (d)

    746 J746\text{ J}746 J

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Answer: (b) 3.6×106 J3.6\times10^{6}\text{ J}3.6×10^6 J.

1 kWh=1000 W×3600 s=3.6×106 J1\text{ kWh}=1000\text{ W}\times3600\text{ s}=3.6\times10^{6}\text{ J}1 kWh=1000 W×3600 s=3.6×10^6 J.

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Q3MCQModerate1 mark

If the speed of a body is doubled while its mass stays the same, its kinetic energy becomes:

  1. (a)

    double

  2. (b)

    half

  3. (c)

    four times

  4. (d)

    unchanged

Show model answer

Answer: (c) four times.

KE=12mv2KE=\dfrac12 mv^2KE=12 mv^2, so KEv2KE\propto v^2KE v^2. Doubling vvv multiplies KEKEKE by 22=42^2=42^2=4.

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Q4MCQHOTS1 mark

A body of mass 2 kg2\text{ kg}2 kg is thrown vertically up with an initial kinetic energy of 100 J100\text{ J}100 J. Taking g=10 m s2g=10\text{ m s}^{-2}g=10 m s^-2, the maximum height it reaches is:

  1. (a)

    2.5 m2.5\text{ m}2.5 m

  2. (b)

    5 m5\text{ m}5 m

  3. (c)

    10 m10\text{ m}10 m

  4. (d)

    20 m20\text{ m}20 m

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Answer: (b) 5 m5\text{ m}5 m.

At the maximum height all KEKEKE converts to PEPEPE: mgh=100 Jmgh=100\text{ J}mgh=100 J, so h=1002×10=5 mh=\dfrac{100}{2\times10}=5\text{ m}h=100/2×10=5 m.

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Assertion–Reason questions (1 mark)

Q5Assertion–ReasonModerate1 mark

Assertion (A): When a satellite moves in a circular orbit around the Earth, the gravitational force does no work on it.

Reason (R): The gravitational force on the satellite is always perpendicular to its direction of motion.

  1. (a)

    Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A

  2. (b)

    Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A

  3. (c)

    A is true but R is false

  4. (d)

    A is false but R is true

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Answer: (a) In a circular orbit the gravitational (centripetal) force points to the centre while the velocity is tangential, so θ=90\theta=90^\circ=90^ and W=Fscos90=0W=Fs\cos90^\circ=0W=Fs90^=0. R correctly explains A.

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Very short answer questions (2 marks)

Q6Very ShortEasy2 marks

Define work and power. State their SI units.

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Work is done when a force acts on a body and moves it in the direction of the force; it equals the product of the force and the displacement in the direction of the force, W=FscosθW=F\,s\cos\thetaW=F\,s. Its SI unit is the joule (J).

Power is the rate of doing work, P=WtP=\dfrac{W}{t}P=W/t. Its SI unit is the watt (W), where 1 W=1 J s11\text{ W}=1\text{ J s}^{-1}1 W=1 J s^-1.

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Q7Very ShortModerate2 marks

A machine raises a load of 750 N750\text{ N}750 N through a height of 16 m16\text{ m}16 m in 5 s5\text{ s}5 s. Calculate the power of the machine.

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Work done === force ×\times× height:
W=F×h=750 N×16 m=12000 J.W=F\times h=750\text{ N}\times16\text{ m}=12000\text{ J}.W=F× h=750 N×16 m=12000 J.

Power:
P=Wt=12000 J5 s=2400 W=2.4 kW.P=\frac{W}{t}=\frac{12000\text{ J}}{5\text{ s}}=2400\text{ W}=2.4\text{ kW}.P=W/t=12000 J/5 s=2400 W=2.4 kW.

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Short answer questions (3 marks)

Q8Short AnswerModerate3 marks

A body of mass 5 kg5\text{ kg}5 kg is moving with a velocity of 10 m s110\text{ m s}^{-1}10 m s^-1. Calculate its kinetic energy. If a retarding force brings it to rest over a distance of 25 m25\text{ m}25 m, find the magnitude of this force.

Show model answer

Kinetic energy:
KE=12mv2=12×5×(10)2=12×5×100=250 J.KE=\frac12 mv^2=\frac12\times5\times(10)^2=\frac12\times5\times100=250\text{ J}.KE=12 mv^2=12×5×(10)^2=12×5×100=250 J.

By the work-energy theorem, the work done by the retarding force equals the loss in kinetic energy:
F×s=250 JF\times s=250\text{ J}F× s=250 J
F×25=250F=10 N.F\times25=250\Rightarrow F=10\text{ N}.F×25=250 F=10 N.

The retarding force is 10 N10\text{ N}10 N.

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Q9Short AnswerModerate3 marks

State the principle of conservation of energy. Show that for a body of mass mmm falling freely from a height HHH, the total mechanical energy at any point is constant.

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Principle of conservation of energy: Energy can neither be created nor destroyed; it only changes from one form to another, so the total energy of an isolated system remains constant.

Consider a body of mass mmm dropped from height HHH (take ggg constant, no air resistance).

At the top (h=Hh=Hh=H, v=0v=0v=0): PE=mgHPE=mgHPE=mgH, KE=0KE=0KE=0, total =mgH=mgH=mgH.

At a point after falling a distance xxx (height HxH-xH-x): velocity v2=2gxv^2=2gxv^2=2gx.
KE=12mv2=12m(2gx)=mgx,PE=mg(Hx).KE=\tfrac12 mv^2=\tfrac12 m(2gx)=mgx,\qquad PE=mg(H-x).KE=12 mv^2=12 m(2gx)=mgx, PE=mg(H-x).
Total=mgx+mg(Hx)=mgH.\text{Total}=mgx+mg(H-x)=mgH.Total=mgx+mg(H-x)=mgH.

At the ground (h=0h=0h=0): v2=2gHv^2=2gHv^2=2gH, so KE=mgHKE=mgHKE=mgH, PE=0PE=0PE=0, total =mgH=mgH=mgH.

At every point the total mechanical energy equals mgHmgHmgH, hence it is conserved.

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Q10Short AnswerHOTS3 marks

An electric heater is rated 2 kW2\text{ kW}2 kW. Calculate the energy it consumes in 2.52.52.5 hours (i) in kilowatt-hours and (ii) in joules. If electricity costs Rs 666 per unit, find the cost.

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(i) Energy in kWh:
E=P×t=2 kW×2.5 h=5 kWh (=5 units).E=P\times t=2\text{ kW}\times2.5\text{ h}=5\text{ kWh}\ (=5\text{ units}).E=P× t=2 kW×2.5 h=5 kWh (=5 units).

(ii) Energy in joules:
E=5 kWh×3.6×106 J kWh1=1.8×107 J.E=5\text{ kWh}\times3.6\times10^{6}\text{ J kWh}^{-1}=1.8\times10^{7}\text{ J}.E=5 kWh×3.6×10^6 J kWh^-1=1.8×10^7 J.

Cost === units ×\times× rate =5×Rs 6=Rs 30.=5\times\text{Rs }6=\text{Rs }30.=5×Rs 6=Rs 30.

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Long answer questions (5 marks)

Q11Long AnswerModerate5 marks

(a) State the work-energy theorem. (b) Distinguish between kinetic energy and potential energy with one example each. (c) A ball of mass 0.5 kg0.5\text{ kg}0.5 kg is thrown vertically upward with a speed of 20 m s120\text{ m s}^{-1}20 m s^-1. Taking g=10 m s2g=10\text{ m s}^{-2}g=10 m s^-2, find its kinetic energy at the start, its potential energy at the highest point, and the maximum height reached.

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(a) Work-energy theorem: The net work done by all the forces acting on a body equals the change in its kinetic energy, W=ΔKE=12mv212mu2W=\Delta KE=\tfrac12 mv^2-\tfrac12 mu^2W=Δ KE=12 mv^2-12 mu^2.

(b) Kinetic energy is the energy possessed by a body due to its motion, e.g. a moving car. Potential energy is the energy possessed by a body due to its position or configuration, e.g. water stored in a dam at a height.

(c) Initial kinetic energy:
KE=12mv2=12×0.5×(20)2=12×0.5×400=100 J.KE=\tfrac12 mv^2=\tfrac12\times0.5\times(20)^2=\tfrac12\times0.5\times400=100\text{ J}.KE=12 mv^2=12×0.5×(20)^2=12×0.5×400=100 J.

By conservation of energy, at the highest point all KE becomes PE:
PEmax=100 J.PE_{\text{max}}=100\text{ J}.PE_max=100 J.

Maximum height:
mgh=100h=1000.5×10=20 m.mgh=100\Rightarrow h=\frac{100}{0.5\times10}=20\text{ m}.mgh=100 h=100/0.5×10=20 m.

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Q12Long AnswerHOTS5 marks

A pump lifts 3000 kg3000\text{ kg}3000 kg of water from a well 20 m20\text{ m}20 m deep and delivers it through a pipe with a speed of 4 m s14\text{ m s}^{-1}4 m s^-1, all in 10 minutes10\text{ minutes}10 minutes. Taking g=10 m s2g=10\text{ m s}^{-2}g=10 m s^-2, find (a) the potential energy gained by the water, (b) the kinetic energy given to the water, and (c) the power of the pump.

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Given m=3000 kgm=3000\text{ kg}m=3000 kg, h=20 mh=20\text{ m}h=20 m, v=4 m s1v=4\text{ m s}^{-1}v=4 m s^-1, t=10 min=600 st=10\text{ min}=600\text{ s}t=10 min=600 s.

(a) Potential energy gained:
PE=mgh=3000×10×20=6×105 J=600000 J.PE=mgh=3000\times10\times20=6\times10^{5}\text{ J}=600000\text{ J}.PE=mgh=3000×10×20=6×10^5 J=600000 J.

(b) Kinetic energy given:
KE=12mv2=12×3000×(4)2=12×3000×16=24000 J.KE=\tfrac12 mv^2=\tfrac12\times3000\times(4)^2=\tfrac12\times3000\times16=24000\text{ J}.KE=12 mv^2=12×3000×(4)^2=12×3000×16=24000 J.

(c) Total energy supplied =PE+KE=600000+24000=624000 J=PE+KE=600000+24000=624000\text{ J}=PE+KE=600000+24000=624000 J.
P=total energyt=624000600=1040 W=1.04 kW.P=\frac{\text{total energy}}{t}=\frac{624000}{600}=1040\text{ W}=1.04\text{ kW}.P=total energy/t=624000/600=1040 W=1.04 kW.

The power of the pump is 1040 W1040\text{ W}1040 W.

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Case-based questions (4 marks)

Q13Case-basedModerate4 marks

A simple pendulum bob of mass 0.2 kg0.2\text{ kg}0.2 kg is pulled aside so that it is raised a vertical height of 0.45 m0.45\text{ m}0.45 m above its lowest point and then released. Take g=10 m s2g=10\text{ m s}^{-2}g=10 m s^-2 and ignore friction.

(i) Name the energy of the bob at the extreme (highest) position.
(ii) Calculate the potential energy of the bob at that position.
(iii) Find the speed of the bob as it passes through the lowest point.
(iv) State how the total mechanical energy varies during the swing.

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(i) At the extreme position the bob is momentarily at rest, so its energy is entirely gravitational potential energy.

(ii) Potential energy at the top:
PE=mgh=0.2×10×0.45=0.9 J.PE=mgh=0.2\times10\times0.45=0.9\text{ J}.PE=mgh=0.2×10×0.45=0.9 J.

(iii) At the lowest point all PE converts to kinetic energy:
12mv2=0.9 Jv2=2×0.90.2=9v=3 m s1.\tfrac12 mv^2=0.9\text{ J}\Rightarrow v^2=\frac{2\times0.9}{0.2}=9\Rightarrow v=3\text{ m s}^{-1}.12 mv^2=0.9 J v^2=2×0.9/0.2=9 v=3 m s^-1.

(iv) In the absence of friction the total mechanical energy (KE+PEKE+PEKE+PE) stays constant at 0.9 J0.9\text{ J}0.9 J throughout the swing; only the form of energy changes between PE and KE.

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  • What types of questions are covered for Work, Energy and Power?
    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 ICSE paper is covered.

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