This exam focus covers Exam Focus within Work Done & Energy Transfer for GCSE Physics. Revise Work Done & Energy Transfer in Forces for GCSE Physics with 13 exam-style questions and 6 flashcards. Use this page as part of a wider topic revision path rather than treating it as an isolated fact. It is section 11 of 13 in this topic. Treat this as a marking guide for what examiners are looking for, not just a fact list.
🎯 Exam Focus
Frequently Examined
Work done and energy transfer are examined on Edexcel 1PH0/1 (Paper 1, Foundation or Higher tier) and across all major GCSE Physics boards. Edexcel links this topic to forces via scenario questions ("A crane lifts a load of 500 N through 4 m…") and tests W = Fs alongside power calculations. Key question types:
- Calculate work done — W = Fs, always show full working with units
- Calculate power — P = W/t; sometimes combine: P = Fv for constant speed
- Identify energy transfers — what energy store gains energy, what loses it
- Explain why no work is done — "force perpendicular to displacement" or "no movement"
- Spring/elastic PE calculations (higher) — Ep = ½ke²
Linking tip: W = Fs can link to kinetic energy: if a force accelerates a stationary object over a distance, the work done equals the kinetic energy gained (energy conservation).
Practice questions for Work Done & Energy Transfer
Which equation correctly represents work done?
Explain what is meant by 'work done' in physics. Include the conditions required for work to be done.