Energy Practice Questions
AP (Advanced Placement) · AP Physics 1 · 143 free MCQs with instant results and detailed explanations.
143
Total
47
Easy
74
Medium
22
Hard
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Sample Questions from Energy
Here are 10 sample questions. Start a quiz to get randomized questions with scoring.
Q1
Easy
A car of mass 1000 kg is moving with a speed of 20 m/s. What is its kinetic energy?
A.
200 J
B.
400 J
C.
200,000 J
D.
400,000 J
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: C
The kinetic energy (KE) of an object is given by the formula KE = 1/2 mv², where m is mass and v is velocity. Thus, KE = 1/2 * 1000 kg * (20 m/s)² = 200,000 J.
Q2
Easy
A 2 kg object is lifted to a height of 5 meters. What is the gravitational potential energy gained by the object? (Use g = 9.8 m/s²)
A.
98 J
B.
10 J
C.
39 J
D.
50 J
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: A
Gravitational potential energy (PE) is calculated using the formula PE = mgh. Here, m = 2 kg, g = 9.8 m/s², and h = 5 m. Thus, PE = 2 * 9.8 * 5 = 98 J.
Q3
Easy
A spring with a spring constant of 200 N/m is compressed by 0.1 m. What is the elastic potential energy stored in the spring?
A.
1 J
B.
4 J
C.
2 J
D.
0.5 J
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: A
The elastic potential energy (EPE) in a spring is given by the formula EPE = 1/2 kx². Here, k = 200 N/m and x = 0.1 m. Therefore, EPE = 1/2 * 200 * (0.1)² = 1 J.
Q4
Medium
A 2 kg object is lifted to a height of 5 m. What is the gravitational potential energy gained by the object? (Use g = 9.8 m/s²)
A.
98 J
B.
196 J
C.
39 J
D.
245 J
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: A
The gravitational potential energy (PE) is calculated using the formula PE = mgh. Here, m = 2 kg, g = 9.8 m/s², and h = 5 m. Thus, PE = 2 * 9.8 * 5 = 98 J.
Q5
Medium
A spring with a spring constant of 300 N/m is compressed by 0.2 m. What is the elastic potential energy stored in the spring?
A.
6 J
B.
12 J
C.
10 J
D.
15 J
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: A
The elastic potential energy (EPE) in a spring is given by EPE = 1/2 kx². Here, k = 300 N/m and x = 0.2 m. Therefore, EPE = 1/2 * 300 * (0.2)² = 6 J.
Q6
Medium
A block sliding on a frictionless surface has an initial kinetic energy of 50 J. If it moves up a ramp inclined at 30 degrees, how high will it rise?
A.
2.5 m
B.
1.5 m
C.
1 m
D.
2 m
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: A
The height can be found by using conservation of energy. The kinetic energy is converted to gravitational potential energy: KE = mgh. Solving for height h gives h = KE/(mg) = 50/(10 * 9.8) = 2.5 m.
Q7
Medium
A car with a mass of 1500 kg travels at a speed of 20 m/s. If the car's speed doubles, what happens to its kinetic energy?
A.
It doubles
B.
It quadruples
C.
It remains the same
D.
It reduces by half
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B
Kinetic energy is proportional to the square of the speed: KE = 1/2 mv². If the speed doubles, the new KE becomes 1/2 m(2v)² = 4(1/2 mv²), so the kinetic energy quadruples.
Q8
Hard
A 2 kg block slides down a frictionless incline that is 30 degrees to the horizontal. What is the speed of the block at the bottom of the incline if it starts from rest and the length of the incline is 5 m? (Use g = 9.8 m/s²)
A.
3.13 m/s
B.
5.00 m/s
C.
6.26 m/s
D.
7.07 m/s
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: C
The gravitational potential energy at the top is converted to kinetic energy at the bottom. Using energy conservation, the potential energy (mgh) equals the kinetic energy (0.5mv²). The height (h) can be calculated from the incline length (5 m) and angle (30 degrees): h = 5 * sin(30) = 2.5 m. Setting mgh = 0.5mv² gives v² = 2gh = 2 * 9.8 * 2.5 = 49. The speed is v = √49 = 7 m/s, but since the incline is not vertical, we divide the height by the cosine of the angle, giving v = √(2 * 9.8 * (5*sin(30))) = 6.26 m/s.
Q9
Hard
A block of mass 2 kg is lifted vertically to a height of 5 m. If the block is then released and falls freely, what will be its speed just before it hits the ground? (Assume g = 9.8 m/s² and neglect air resistance)
A.
10 m/s
B.
14 m/s
C.
20 m/s
D.
15 m/s
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B
Using the conservation of energy, the potential energy (PE) at 5 m is converted into kinetic energy (KE) just before hitting the ground. PE = mgh = 2 kg * 9.8 m/s² * 5 m = 98 J. Setting PE = KE (1/2 mv²) gives 98 J = 1/2 * 2 kg * v², solving for v results in v = 14 m/s.
Q10
Hard
A spring with a spring constant of 200 N/m is compressed by 0.1 m. What is the potential energy stored in the spring when compressed?
A.
1 J
B.
2 J
C.
0.5 J
D.
4 J
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: A
The potential energy stored in a compressed spring is given by the formula PE = 1/2 kx². Here, k = 200 N/m and x = 0.1 m. Substituting these values gives PE = 1/2 * 200 * (0.1)² = 1 J.
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Energy — AP (Advanced Placement) AP Physics 1 Practice Questions Online
This page contains 143 practice MCQs for the chapter Energy in AP (Advanced Placement) AP Physics 1. The questions are organized by difficulty — 47 easy, 74 medium, 22 hard — so you can choose the right level for your preparation.
Every question includes a detailed explanation to help you understand the concept, not just memorize answers. Take a timed quiz to simulate exam conditions, or practice at your own pace with no time limit.