Grade 10 Physical Sciences · Mechanics · Paper 1 (Physics)

Energy Grade 10

Real Energy past paper questions and answers from 2017 to 2023, with each memo split into the ticks examiners give. Try one, mark yourself, and see exactly which skill cost you marks.

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Question 1.5 · November 2019 · Paper 1 · National (DBE) · 2 marks

Various options are provided as possible answers to the following questions. Choose the answer and write only the letter (A–D) next to the question numbers (1.1 to 1.10). Each question has only ONE correct answer.

1.5 An object moving at speed

v

has a kinetic energy

E

. The kinetic energy now changes to

\frac{1}{4} E

.

The speed of the object is now ...(2)

A $\frac{1}{2} v$ .
B $2 v$ .
C $\frac{1}{4} v$ .
D $4 v$ .

Work it out on paper first. Then mark yourself with the official memo, one tick at a time.

Energy skills

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More Energy Grade 10 questions and answers

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4. Question 5.2.1 · November 2019 · Paper 1 · National (DBE) · 4 marks
A $2$ kg ball rolls from rest from point A on a frictionless track ABCD, as shown below. The horizontal section, BC, of the track is $5$ cm above the ground. The ball reaches point D, $30$ cm above the ground, at a speed of $1, 71$ m·s $^{- 1}$ .
5.2 Calculate the:
5.2.1 Mechanical energy of the ball at point D(4)
Show the memo (4 ticks)Memo
1. ✓
  Formula $E_{M} = E_{k} + E_{p}$
  $= \frac{1}{2} m v^{2} + m g h$
  1 mark · Calculate kinetic and potential energy
2. ✓
  Substitution for kinetic energy $= \frac{1}{2} (2) (1, 71)^{2} + \dots$
  1 mark · Calculate kinetic and potential energy
3. ✓
  Substitution for potential energy $\dots + (2) (9, 8) (0, 3)$
  1 mark · Calculate kinetic and potential energy
4. ✓
  Answer with unit $= 8, 8$ J
  1 mark · Calculate kinetic and potential energy
5. Question 1.4 · November 2017 · Paper 1 · National (DBE) · 2 marks
Various options are provided as possible answers to the following questions. Each question has only ONE correct answer. Choose the answer and write only the letter (A–D) next to the question number.
1.4 A motorbike moving at a speed $v$ , has a kinetic energy $E$ . If the speed of the motorbike increases to $3 v$ , the kinetic energy will be ...(2)
1. A $3 E$
2. B $\frac{1}{3} E$
3. C $6 E$
4. D $9 E$
Show the memo (1 tick)Memo
1. ✓
  Correct option $E_{k} = \frac{1}{2} m v^{2}$ . With speed $3 v$ : $E_{k} = \frac{1}{2} m (3 v)^{2} = 9 \times \frac{1}{2} m v^{2} = 9 E$ .
  
  Answer: D
  2 marks · Calculate kinetic and potential energy
6. Question 5.1 · November 2017 · Paper 1 · National (DBE) · 2 marks
A lift takes a man to a sky bridge, which is $100$ m above the ground, as shown below. He makes a bungee jump from the sky bridge. Ignore the effects of air resistance.
5.1 Define the term kinetic energy.(2)
Show the memo (1 tick)Memo
1. ✓
  Definition of kinetic energyThe energy an object has as a result of its motion.
  2 marks · State energy laws and definitions
7. Question 1.7 · November 2023 · Paper 1 · Provincial · 2 marks
1.7 An object of mass $m$ is dropped from the top of the building and strikes the ground with kinetic energy $E$ . Another object of mass $2 m$ is dropped FROM THE SAME HEIGHT and strikes the ground. Its kinetic energy will be equal to ...(2)
1. A $\frac{1}{4} E$ .
2. B $\frac{1}{2} E$ .
3. C $E$ .
4. D $2 E$ .
Show the memo (1 tick)Memo
1. ✓
  Kinetic energy at the ground equals mghMechanical energy is conserved: $E_{K}$ at the ground $= E_{P}$ at the top $= m g h$ . For the same height, doubling the mass doubles $m g h$ , so the kinetic energy at the ground is $2 E$ .
  
  Answer: D
  2 marks · Use conservation of mechanical energy
8. Question 8.1 · November 2023 · Paper 1 · Provincial · 2 marks
A cricket ball of mass $180$ g is travelling at $30$ m·s $^{- 1}$ .
8.1 Define the term kinetic energy.(2)
Show the memo (1 tick)Memo
1. ✓
  Definition of kinetic energyKinetic energy is the energy an object possesses as a result of its motion.
  2 marks · State energy laws and definitions
9. Question 1.4 · November 2022 · Paper 1 · Provincial · 2 marks
Four options are provided as possible answers to the following questions. Each question has only ONE correct answer.
1.4 In the diagram below, a pendulum bob of mass $m$ is released from point A and swings past points B, C and D. Ignore all effects of air resistance.

In which of the following positions will the value of the gravitational potential energy of the pendulum bob be the smallest?(2)
1. A A
2. B B
3. C C
4. D D
Show the memo (1 tick)Memo
1. ✓
  Choose the correct option $E_{P} = m g h$ . The mass and $g$ are the same at every point, so $E_{P}$ is smallest where the height is smallest. C is the lowest point of the swing (the bob hangs straight down).
  
  Answer: C
  2 marks · Calculate kinetic and potential energy
10. Question 5.1 · November 2022 · Paper 1 · Provincial · 2 marks
A rollercoaster cart of mass $2$ kg is released from rest at point A, $30$ metres above the ground. The cart moves along a frictionless surface ABC as shown below.
5.1 Define the term gravitational potential energy.(2)
Show the memo (1 tick)Memo
1. ✓
  Definition of gravitational potential energyEnergy of an object as a result of its position/height above the surface of the Earth.
  2 marks · State energy laws and definitions

Energy Grade 10 videos

Short lessons from South African teachers first. Videos load only when you tap play, to save your data.

Mechanical Energy: Kinetic energy and Gravitational Potential energy IntroductionMiss Martins Maths and Science

Grade 10 Mechanical Energy Past Paper Practice Part 1Miss Martins Maths and Science

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