Question 1Warm-upFoundation
A force of 20 N pushes a box 5 m. How much work is done?
W = F × s.
Worked solution
- J
Answer: J
GCSE & IGCSE physics practice
Work done questions and answers
Work is done when a force moves an object: work done = force × distance moved along the line of the force, . Work done is energy transferred, so it's measured in joules (J). The questions build from substitution to rearranging and multi-step problems.
8 questions · Foundation tier · Every answer is checked as you type it, with a full worked solution. Updated .
Where work done comes up
| GCSE (AQA) | Physics and Combined Science, Foundation and Higher. Recall W = Fs (on AQA's list of equations to learn). 1 joule = 1 newton-metre. |
|---|---|
| Cambridge IGCSE (0625) | Core: understand that work done equals energy transferred, and recall and use W = Fd = ΔE. |
The method
- W = F × s: force in newtons, distance in metres, work in joules.
- Rearranged: F = W ÷ s and s = W ÷ F.
- Use the distance moved in the direction of the force.
- 1 kJ = 1000 J.
Work done questions
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Warm-up
Question 2Warm-upFoundation
A crane lifts a load with a force of 4000 N through a height of 12 m. Calculate the work done.
W = F × s.
Worked solution
- J
Answer: J (48 kJ)
Exam-style
Question 3Exam-styleFoundation
A pupil does 360 J of work pushing a trolley 15 m. What force did they use?
F = W ÷ s.
Worked solution
- N
Answer: N
Question 4Exam-styleFoundation
A force of 250 N does 1.5 kJ of work moving a crate. How far does the crate move?
Convert 1.5 kJ to J first.
Worked solution
- J
- m
Answer: m
Question 5Exam-styleFoundation
A cyclist pushes with a force of 80 N for 2.5 km. Calculate the work done in kJ.
2.5 km = 2500 m.
Worked solution
- J
- kJ
Answer: kJ
Question 6Exam-styleFoundation
A box is dragged 40 cm across a table against a friction force of 3 N. How much work is done against friction?
40 cm = 0.4 m.
Worked solution
- J
Answer: J
Challenge
Question 7ChallengeFoundation
A 50 kg student climbs stairs 4 m high. Taking N/kg, how much work do they do against gravity?
The force needed is the student's weight, W = mg.
Worked solution
- Weight N
- Work done J
Answer: J
Question 8ChallengeFoundation
A car's brakes apply a force of 6000 N and do 150 kJ of work bringing it to a stop. Calculate the braking distance.
The work done by the brakes equals the car's kinetic energy lost.
Worked solution
- J
- m
Answer: m
Common mistakes
- Using a distance in cm or km without converting to m.
- Forgetting that work done = energy transferred.
- Leaving answers in kJ when the question asks for J.
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Sources
The questions are our own. The “where it comes up” notes are from each board's published specification, checked on 27 October 2026:
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