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Kinetic Energy and Work Problems

This section provides 100 problems to test your understanding of kinetic energy and work, including the definition of work, kinetic energy and the work-energy theorem, work done by variable forces (e.g., springs), and power in mechanical systems. Inspired by JEE Main, JEE Advanced, and NEET exam patterns, these problems are tailored for exam preparation, offering a mix of numerical, conceptual, and derivation-based challenges. NEET-style problems (66–100) are formatted as multiple-choice questions (MCQs) to match the exam’s objective format. Problems are organized by type to support progressive learning and build confidence in mastering energy concepts, a key topic for JEE/NEET success.

Numerical Problems

  1. A 5kg block on a frictionless surface is pushed by F=20N over d=4m at θ=0. Calculate the work done by the force.

    • (a) 60J
    • (b) 80J
    • (c) 100J
    • (d) 120J
  2. A 2kg block on a frictionless incline at 30 slides d=3m (g=9.8m/s2). Calculate the work done by gravity.

    • (a) 25.0J
    • (b) 29.4J
    • (c) 33.8J
    • (d) 38.2J
  3. A 3kg block initially at rest on a frictionless surface is pushed by F=15N over d=6m. Calculate the final speed.

    • (a) 5.0m/s
    • (b) 6.0m/s
    • (c) 7.0m/s
    • (d) 8.0m/s
  4. A 4kg block moving at vi=5m/s on a surface with μk=0.2 (g=9.8m/s2) travels d=4m. Calculate the final speed.

    • (a) 2.0m/s
    • (b) 3.0m/s
    • (c) 4.0m/s
    • (d) 5.0m/s
  5. A spring with k=300N/m is stretched from x=0 to x=0.2m. Calculate the work done by the spring.

    • (a) 6.0J
    • (b) 5.0J
    • (c) 4.0J
    • (d) 3.0J
  6. A 1000kg car moving at v=25m/s with F=600N in the direction of motion. Calculate the power.

    • (a) 10kW
    • (b) 12.5kW
    • (c) 15kW
    • (d) 17.5kW
  7. A 2kg block on a frictionless surface with F=8i^+6j^N is displaced d=3i^+2j^m. Calculate the work done.

    • (a) 36J
    • (b) 40J
    • (c) 44J
    • (d) 48J
  8. A 1kg block moving at vi=6m/s on a surface with μk=0.3 (g=9.8m/s2). Calculate the distance it travels before stopping.

    • (a) 5.0m
    • (b) 5.5m
    • (c) 6.0m
    • (d) 6.5m
  9. A spring with k=400N/m is compressed from x=0 to x=0.15m. Calculate the work done to compress the spring.

    • (a) 4.0J
    • (b) 4.5J
    • (c) 5.0J
    • (d) 5.5J
  10. A 500W pump lifts water at v=2.5m/s (g=9.8m/s2). Calculate the mass flow rate.

    • (a) 15kg/s
    • (b) 20kg/s
    • (c) 25kg/s
    • (d) 30kg/s
  11. A 4kg block on a frictionless surface is pushed by F=12N at 60 over d=5m. Calculate the work done by the force.

    • (a) 25J
    • (b) 30J
    • (c) 35J
    • (d) 40J
  12. A 5kg block moving at vi=8m/s on a surface with μk=0.1 (g=9.8m/s2) travels d=10m. Calculate the final speed.

    • (a) 6.0m/s
    • (b) 7.0m/s
    • (c) 8.0m/s
    • (d) 9.0m/s
  13. A 0.5kg mass on a spring (k=200N/m) is released from x=0.3m. Calculate the speed at x=0.

    • (a) 5.0m/s
    • (b) 6.0m/s
    • (c) 7.0m/s
    • (d) 8.0m/s
  14. A person lifts a 15kg mass at v=0.4m/s (g=9.8m/s2). Calculate the power.

    • (a) 50W
    • (b) 55W
    • (c) 60W
    • (d) 65W
  15. A 3kg block on a frictionless incline at 37 slides d=2m (g=9.8m/s2). Calculate the work done by gravity.

    • (a) 30.0J
    • (b) 35.3J
    • (c) 40.6J
    • (d) 45.9J
  16. A 2kg block initially at rest on a frictionless surface is pushed by F=8N over d=4m. Calculate the final speed.

    • (a) 4.0m/s
    • (b) 5.0m/s
    • (c) 6.0m/s
    • (d) 7.0m/s
  17. A force F(x)=4x+2 acts from x=0 to x=3m. Calculate the work done.

    • (a) 15J
    • (b) 18J
    • (c) 21J
    • (d) 24J
  18. A 1000kg car moving at v=15m/s with F=400N at 45 to the motion. Calculate the power by the force.

    • (a) 4.0kW
    • (b) 4.2kW
    • (c) 4.5kW
    • (d) 4.8kW
  19. A 6kg block moving at vi=10m/s on a surface with μk=0.25 (g=9.8m/s2). Calculate the distance it travels before stopping.

    • (a) 15.0m
    • (b) 17.5m
    • (c) 20.0m
    • (d) 22.5m
  20. A spring with k=500N/m is stretched from x=0 to x=0.1m. Calculate the work done to stretch the spring.

    • (a) 2.0J
    • (b) 2.5J
    • (c) 3.0J
    • (d) 3.5J
  21. A 5kg block on a frictionless surface with F=6i^+8j^N is displaced d=4i^+3j^m. Calculate the work done.

    • (a) 42J
    • (b) 46J
    • (c) 50J
    • (d) 54J
  22. A 1kg mass on a spring (k=150N/m) is released from x=0.25m. Calculate the speed at x=0.1m.

    • (a) 2.0m/s
    • (b) 3.0m/s
    • (c) 4.0m/s
    • (d) 5.0m/s
  23. A 2000kg truck moving at v=30m/s with F=800N in the direction of motion. Calculate the power.

    • (a) 20kW
    • (b) 22kW
    • (c) 24kW
    • (d) 26kW
  24. A 7kg block moving at vi=12m/s on a surface with μk=0.15 (g=9.8m/s2). Calculate the distance it travels before stopping.

    • (a) 40.0m
    • (b) 45.0m
    • (c) 50.0m
    • (d) 55.0m
  25. A spring with k=600N/m is compressed from x=0 to x=0.2m. Calculate the work done by the spring.

    • (a) 12.0J
    • (b) 10.0J
    • (c) 8.0J
    • (d) 6.0J
  26. A 3kg block on a frictionless incline at 53 slides d=5m (g=9.8m/s2). Calculate the work done by gravity.

    • (a) 90.0J
    • (b) 100.0J
    • (c) 110.0J
    • (d) 120.0J
  27. A 2kg block initially at rest on a frictionless surface is pushed by F=10N over d=8m. Calculate the final speed.

    • (a) 6.0m/s
    • (b) 7.0m/s
    • (c) 8.0m/s
    • (d) 9.0m/s
  28. A force F(x)=5x2+3 acts from x=1 to x=4m. Calculate the work done.

    • (a) 180J
    • (b) 190J
    • (c) 200J
    • (d) 210J
  29. A 1500kg car moving at v=18m/s with F=300N at 60 to the motion. Calculate the power by the force.

    • (a) 2.5kW
    • (b) 2.7kW
    • (c) 2.9kW
    • (d) 3.1kW
  30. A 0.4kg mass on a spring (k=250N/m) is released from x=0.4m. Calculate the speed at x=0.

    • (a) 8.0m/s
    • (b) 9.0m/s
    • (c) 10.0m/s
    • (d) 11.0m/s
  31. A 600W pump lifts water at v=3m/s (g=9.8m/s2). Calculate the mass flow rate.

    • (a) 15kg/s
    • (b) 20kg/s
    • (c) 25kg/s
    • (d) 30kg/s
  32. A 8kg block moving at vi=15m/s on a surface with μk=0.2 (g=9.8m/s2). Calculate the distance it travels before stopping.

    • (a) 50.0m
    • (b) 55.0m
    • (c) 60.0m
    • (d) 65.0m
  33. A spring with k=800N/m is stretched from x=0 to x=0.25m. Calculate the work done to stretch the spring.

    • (a) 20.0J
    • (b) 22.5J
    • (c) 25.0J
    • (d) 27.5J
  34. A person lifts a 20kg mass at v=0.3m/s (g=9.8m/s2). Calculate the power.

    • (a) 55W
    • (b) 60W
    • (c) 65W
    • (d) 70W
  35. A 1kg block on a frictionless surface with F=10i^+5j^N is displaced d=3i^+6j^m. Calculate the work done.

    • (a) 55J
    • (b) 60J
    • (c) 65J
    • (d) 70J

Conceptual Problems

  1. What does the work done by a force depend on?
  • (a) Force magnitude only
  • (b) Displacement magnitude only
  • (c) Force, displacement, and the angle between them
  • (d) Force and time
  1. What does the work-energy theorem state?
  • (a) Work done equals potential energy
  • (b) Net work equals change in kinetic energy
  • (c) Work done equals total energy
  • (d) Net work equals change in potential energy
  1. What is the work done by a spring when stretched?
  • (a) Positive
  • (b) Negative
  • (c) Zero
  • (d) Depends on the direction
  1. What does power measure?
  • (a) Total work done
  • (b) Rate of work done
  • (c) Total energy
  • (d) Rate of energy change
  1. What is the unit of kinetic energy?
  • (a) N
  • (b) J
  • (c) W
  • (d) kg
  1. What happens to kinetic energy if speed doubles?
  • (a) Doubles
  • (b) Triples
  • (c) Quadruples
  • (d) Halves
  1. What is the work done by a force perpendicular to displacement?
  • (a) Maximum
  • (b) Minimum
  • (c) Zero
  • (d) Negative
  1. What does the work to stretch a spring depend on?
  • (a) Spring constant only
  • (b) Displacement only
  • (c) Spring constant and displacement squared
  • (d) Mass of the spring
  1. How does friction affect kinetic energy?
  • (a) Increases it
  • (b) Decreases it
  • (c) Does not affect it
  • (d) Makes it zero
  1. What is the dimension of power?
  • (a) [ML2T2]
  • (b) [ML2T3]
  • (c) [MLT2]
  • (d) [MLT3]
  1. What does a negative work imply?
  • (a) Force aids displacement
  • (b) Force opposes displacement
  • (c) No displacement
  • (d) No force
  1. What is the significance of 12mv2?
  • (a) Potential energy
  • (b) Kinetic energy
  • (c) Work done
  • (d) Power
  1. What is the physical significance of power in lifting?
  • (a) Total work done
  • (b) Rate of energy transfer
  • (c) Total energy
  • (d) Acceleration
  1. What does the work-energy theorem simplify?
  • (a) Force calculations
  • (b) Motion problems without force details
  • (c) Potential energy calculations
  • (d) Power calculations
  1. How does the angle between force and displacement affect work?
  • (a) No effect
  • (b) Determines the sign and magnitude
  • (c) Only affects the sign
  • (d) Only affects the magnitude

Derivation Problems

  1. Derive the work done by a constant force in 2D.

  2. Derive the work done by gravity on an incline.

  3. Derive the work-energy theorem for a constant force.

  4. Derive the work done by a spring force.

  5. Derive the power for a constant force.

  6. Derive the work done by a variable force in 1D.

  7. Derive the speed of a mass on a spring at a given position.

  8. Derive the distance to stop a block with friction using the work-energy theorem.

  9. Derive the work-energy theorem for a general path.

  10. Derive the mass flow rate from power in a lifting system.

  11. Derive the work done by friction on an incline.

  12. Derive the power in a system with friction and constant speed.

  13. Derive the final speed of a block under a variable force.

  14. Derive the work done by a force at an angle.

  15. Derive the kinetic energy change in a 2D motion problem.


NEET-style Conceptual Problems

  1. What is the unit of work in SI units?
  • (a) N
  • (b) J
  • (c) W
  • (d) kg
  1. What does a zero work imply?
  • (a) Force is zero
  • (b) Displacement is zero
  • (c) Force is perpendicular to displacement
  • (d) All of the above
  1. Which quantity is a scalar in work calculations?
  • (a) Force
  • (b) Displacement
  • (c) Work
  • (d) Velocity
  1. What happens to kinetic energy if mass doubles?
  • (a) Doubles
  • (b) Halves
  • (c) Quadruples
  • (d) Remains the same
  1. What is the dimension of kinetic energy?
  • (a) [ML2T2]
  • (b) [ML2T1]
  • (c) [MLT2]
  • (d) [ML2T3]
  1. What does the work-energy theorem relate?
  • (a) Work to potential energy
  • (b) Net work to change in kinetic energy
  • (c) Work to power
  • (d) Net work to change in potential energy
  1. What is the role of the spring constant in work calculations?
  • (a) Determines force magnitude
  • (b) Determines work magnitude
  • (c) Determines energy stored
  • (d) Determines displacement
  1. What happens to power if velocity doubles?
  • (a) Doubles
  • (b) Halves
  • (c) Quadruples
  • (d) Remains the same
  1. Why does friction do negative work?
  • (a) It acts in the direction of motion
  • (b) It acts opposite to the direction of motion
  • (c) It acts perpendicular to motion
  • (d) It acts along the normal force
  1. What is the unit of power?
  • (a) J
  • (b) W
  • (c) N
  • (d) kg
  1. What does a constant speed imply in work-energy problems?
  • (a) Zero net work
  • (b) Positive net work
  • (c) Negative net work
  • (d) Constant acceleration
  1. Which force does no work in circular motion?
  • (a) Centripetal force
  • (b) Frictional force
  • (c) Gravitational force
  • (d) Tension force
  1. What is the direction of work done by gravity?
  • (a) Always downward
  • (b) Along the displacement
  • (c) Perpendicular to displacement
  • (d) Opposite to displacement
  1. What does a pseudo-force do in a non-inertial frame?
  • (a) Increases work
  • (b) Affects net work calculations
  • (c) Provides centripetal force
  • (d) Reduces friction
  1. What is the dimension of work?
  • (a) [ML2T2]
  • (b) [ML2T1]
  • (c) [MLT2]
  • (d) [ML2T3]
  1. What is the role of kinetic energy in motion?
  • (a) Measures potential energy
  • (b) Measures energy of motion
  • (c) Measures work done
  • (d) Measures power
  1. What happens to the work done by a spring when it returns to equilibrium?
  • (a) Positive
  • (b) Negative
  • (c) Zero
  • (d) Depends on the direction
  1. Why does power depend on velocity?
  • (a) Velocity determines force
  • (b) Velocity determines work
  • (c) Velocity determines the rate of work
  • (d) Velocity determines displacement
  1. What does a positive work imply?
  • (a) Force opposes displacement
  • (b) Force aids displacement
  • (c) No displacement
  • (d) No force
  1. What is the unit of the spring constant?
  • (a) N/m
  • (b) J
  • (c) W
  • (d) kg
  1. What does a zero kinetic energy imply?
  • (a) Object is moving
  • (b) Object is at rest
  • (c) Object is accelerating
  • (d) Object is in circular motion
  1. What is the physical significance of Fv?
  • (a) Work
  • (b) Kinetic energy
  • (c) Power
  • (d) Potential energy
  1. Why does gravity do work on an incline?
  • (a) It acts perpendicular to motion
  • (b) It has a component along displacement
  • (c) It acts opposite to motion
  • (d) It acts along the normal force
  1. What is the dimension of the spring constant?
  • (a) [MT2]
  • (b) [MLT2]
  • (c) [LT2]
  • (d) [ML2T2]
  1. How does friction affect the work-energy theorem?
  • (a) Increases kinetic energy
  • (b) Decreases kinetic energy
  • (c) Does not affect kinetic energy
  • (d) Increases potential energy
  1. What is the role of work in energy transfer?
  • (a) Measures kinetic energy
  • (b) Transfers energy due to force
  • (c) Measures potential energy
  • (d) Measures power
  1. What does a zero power indicate?
  • (a) No work done over time
  • (b) No force applied
  • (c) No velocity
  • (d) Both (a) and (c)
  1. What is the physical significance of 12kx2?
  • (a) Kinetic energy
  • (b) Work done by a spring
  • (c) Work to stretch a spring
  • (d) Power
  1. What is the dimension of mass flow rate?
  • (a) [MT1]
  • (b) [MLT1]
  • (c) [LT1]
  • (d) [MLT2]
  1. Why does the work-energy theorem simplify motion problems?
  • (a) Avoids force calculations
  • (b) Avoids energy calculations
  • (c) Avoids velocity calculations
  • (d) Avoids displacement calculations

NEET-style Numerical Problems

  1. A 4kg block on a frictionless surface is pushed by F=16N over d=5m. What is the work done?
  • (a) 70J
  • (b) 80J
  • (c) 90J
  • (d) 100J
  1. A 2kg block moving at vi=6m/s on a surface with μk=0.2 (g=9.8m/s2). What is the distance it travels before stopping?
  • (a) 7.0m
  • (b) 8.0m
  • (c) 9.0m
  • (d) 10.0m
  1. A spring with k=200N/m is stretched from x=0 to x=0.15m. What is the work done to stretch the spring?
  • (a) 2.0J
  • (b) 2.25J
  • (c) 2.5J
  • (d) 2.75J
  1. A 1200kg car moving at v=20m/s with F=500N in the direction of motion. What is the power?
  • (a) 8kW
  • (b) 9kW
  • (c) 10kW
  • (d) 11kW
  1. A 0.3kg mass on a spring (k=100N/m) is released from x=0.2m. What is the speed at x=0?
    - (a) 2.0m/s
    - (b) 2.5m/s
    - (c) 3.0m/s
    - (d) 3.5m/s

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