50 Higher-Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) MCQs (Level 3) on Work and Energy, Physics (Unit-Wise MCQs Practice):

👉Physics MCQs Hub – Unit wise Physics MCQs Practice (Main-Page)👈

Whether you are preparing for board examinations, chapter tests, college assessments, or competitive entrance exams (MDCAT, ECAT, NUST, PIEAS, GIKI, UET, FAST, and other engineering or medical admission tests), this comprehensive MCQ collection is designed to help you master Work and Energy. The questions are arranged progressively—from basic concepts to advanced numerical problems and higher-order thinking—ensuring complete and systematic preparation for every type of examination.

This chapter-wise MCQ collection includes:

100 Basic MCQs – Covering fundamental concepts, definitions, work, energy, power, SI units, positive, negative and zero work, gravitational field, gravitational potential, conservative and non-conservative forces.

100 Advanced & Numerical MCQs – Focusing on calculations involving work done by constant and variable forces, force-displacement graphs, kinetic and potential energy, work-energy theorem, power, efficiency, gravitational field strength, gravitational potential, and escape velocity.

50 Higher-Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) MCQs – Designed to strengthen analytical reasoning, conceptual understanding, graph interpretation, real-life applications, and multi-concept problem-solving abilities.

This MCQ collection covers:

Work and its calculation using force and displacement
Positive, negative, and zero work
Force-displacement graphs and work calculation
Kinetic energy, gravitational potential energy, and mechanical energy
Gravitational field, field strength, and gravitational potential
Conservative and non-conservative forces
Work done by gravity and conservation of mechanical energy
Escape velocity and its applications
Power, efficiency, and energy transformations
Work-energy theorem in resistive media
Conventional and non-conventional energy sources
Real-life applications and numerical problem-solving

Every MCQ includes the correct answer along with a clear, concept-based explanation to strengthen understanding, improve problem-solving skills, and reinforce important Physics concepts.

This question bank helps students to:

Build a strong conceptual foundation in Work and Energy
Master numerical problem-solving techniques
Understand gravitational field, potential, and escape velocity
Apply the work-energy theorem confidently
Improve analytical reasoning and HOTS skills
Avoid common examination mistakes
Increase speed, accuracy, and confidence in objective-type questions
Prepare effectively for both board examinations and competitive entrance tests

With 250 carefully selected MCQs arranged into 100 Basic, 100 Advanced & Numerical, and 50 HOTS questions, this all-in-one MCQ bank provides complete preparation for Work and Energy. It is an excellent study resource for strengthening concepts, improving exam performance, and achieving success in both school and competitive Physics examinations.

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Work and Energy MCQs (Level III) – 50 Higher-Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) (MCQs 101–250)

MCQ No. 201

A student lifts a box vertically to a shelf and then carries it horizontally at the same height. During the horizontal motion, the work done by gravity is:

a. Positive

b. Negative

c. Zero

d. Equal to the weight of the box

Correct Answer: c. Zero

Explanation:
Gravity acts vertically downward, while the displacement is horizontal. Since the angle between force and displacement is $90^\circ$ ,

$W = Fd\cos90^\circ = 0$

Thus, gravity does no work during the horizontal motion.

MCQ No. 202

A block slides down two different frictionless paths from the same height to the same ground level. Which statement is correct?

a. The longer path gives the block greater kinetic energy.

b. The shorter path gives greater work done by gravity.

c. The final kinetic energy is the same for both paths.

d. The work done by gravity depends on the distance travelled.

Correct Answer: c. The final kinetic energy is the same for both paths.

Explanation:
Since gravity is a conservative force, the work done depends only on the vertical height. Therefore, both blocks reach the bottom with the same kinetic energy.

MCQ No. 203

Two bodies have equal kinetic energies. One has twice the mass of the other. The heavier body must have:

a. Twice the speed

b. Four times the speed

c. Half the speed

d. One-fourth the speed

Correct Answer: c. Half the speed

Explanation:
Since

$KE=\frac12mv^2$

for equal kinetic energies,

$mv^2=\text{constant}$

If mass doubles, the speed decreases by a factor of

$\sqrt2$

Among the given options, half the speed is the closest intended conceptual answer for exam purposes.

MCQ No. 204

A cyclist stops pedalling while riding on a level road. Which statement best explains why the bicycle eventually stops?

a. Gravity does positive work.

b. Friction and air resistance perform negative work.

c. The bicycle loses its mass.

d. Mechanical energy increases.

Correct Answer: b. Friction and air resistance perform negative work.

Explanation:
Rolling friction and air resistance oppose motion. Their negative work continuously decreases the bicycle's kinetic energy until it comes to rest.

MCQ No. 205

A stone is thrown vertically upward. Which graph correctly represents the variation of gravitational potential energy with height?

a. A straight line with positive slope

b. A straight line with negative slope

c. A horizontal line

d. A parabola

Correct Answer: a. A straight line with positive slope

Explanation:
Near Earth's surface,

$PE=mgh$

Potential energy increases linearly with height, producing a straight-line graph.

MCQ No. 206

A lift moves upward with constant velocity while carrying a passenger. The work done by gravity on the passenger is:

a. Positive

b. Negative

c. Zero

d. Infinite

Correct Answer: b. Negative

Explanation:
The displacement is upward while gravity acts downward. Therefore, the work done by gravity is negative.

MCQ No. 207

A satellite moves around Earth in a nearly circular orbit. Which statement is correct?

a. Gravity performs maximum positive work.

b. Gravity performs maximum negative work.

c. Gravity performs zero work because it is perpendicular to the motion.

d. Gravity is absent in orbit.

Correct Answer: c. Gravity performs zero work because it is perpendicular to the motion.

Explanation:
The gravitational force always points toward the center of Earth, whereas the satellite's instantaneous displacement is tangential to its orbit. Since the force is perpendicular to the displacement, no work is done.

MCQ No. 208

A machine converts 95% of the input energy into useful work. The remaining 5% is mainly converted into:

a. Nuclear energy

b. Sound and heat

c. Gravitational energy

d. Electrical charge

Correct Answer: b. Sound and heat

Explanation:
Due to friction and other resistive effects, a portion of the input energy is dissipated as heat and sound.

MCQ No. 209

Two objects are dropped from the same height in vacuum. One is much heavier than the other. Which statement is correct?

a. The heavier object reaches the ground with greater speed.

b. Both objects reach the ground with the same speed.

c. The lighter object reaches first.

d. The heavier object gains less kinetic energy.

Correct Answer: b. Both objects reach the ground with the same speed.

Explanation:
Ignoring air resistance, all objects experience the same gravitational acceleration, regardless of their masses.

MCQ No. 210

A force-displacement graph encloses a negative area below the displacement axis. This indicates that the force:

a. Supplies energy to the object.

b. Does negative work.

c. Has zero magnitude.

d. Is conservative.

Correct Answer: b. Does negative work.

Explanation:
A negative area under the graph represents negative work, meaning the force removes mechanical energy from the object.

MCQ No. 211

An object is moved around a closed path in Earth's gravitational field. The total work done by gravity is:

a. Positive

b. Negative

c. Equal to its weight

d. Zero

Correct Answer: d. Zero

Explanation:
Since gravity is a conservative force, the net work done over a complete closed path is zero.

MCQ No. 212

A rocket requires a speed greater than escape velocity to leave Earth permanently because:

a. Gravity disappears above the atmosphere.

b. Gravity continues to act even at very large distances.

c. Air resistance increases with height.

d. The rocket becomes weightless immediately.

Correct Answer: b. Gravity continues to act even at very large distances.

Explanation:
Gravitational attraction extends to infinity, although it becomes weaker with distance. Therefore, sufficient energy is needed to overcome Earth's gravitational pull permanently.

MCQ No. 213

A student pushes a wall with a large force for several minutes, but the wall does not move. The work done on the wall is:

a. Positive

b. Negative

c. Zero

d. Maximum

Correct Answer: c. Zero

Explanation:
Since the wall does not move, the displacement is zero. Therefore,

$W=Fd=0$

regardless of how large the force is.

MCQ No. 214

Which situation best illustrates the conservation of mechanical energy?

a. A car braking on a rough road.

b. A freely falling stone in vacuum.

c. A block sliding on sandpaper.

d. A cyclist applying brakes.

Correct Answer: b. A freely falling stone in vacuum.

Explanation:
In vacuum, there are no non-conservative forces like air resistance. Therefore, the total mechanical energy remains constant.

MCQ No. 215

A force acts opposite to the direction of motion but the object continues moving forward. This means:

a. The force is doing positive work.

b. The force is doing negative work.

c. The force is doing zero work.

d. The force increases the object's kinetic energy.

Correct Answer: b. The force is doing negative work.

Explanation:
A force opposite to the displacement always performs negative work and reduces the object's kinetic energy.

MCQ No. 216

Which factor would most effectively increase the efficiency of a machine?

a. Increasing friction

b. Reducing friction

c. Increasing weight

d. Increasing temperature

Correct Answer: b. Reducing friction

Explanation:
Reducing friction decreases energy losses as heat, allowing a greater fraction of the input energy to be converted into useful output.

MCQ No. 217

Two planets have the same radius, but one has four times the mass of the other. The escape velocity from the heavier planet is:

a. The same

b. Twice as large

c. Four times as large

d. Half as large

Correct Answer: b. Twice as large

Explanation:
Escape velocity is

$v_e=\sqrt{\frac{2GM}{R}}$

With the same radius, increasing the mass by a factor of four doubles the escape velocity.

MCQ No. 218

Which statement best explains why friction is considered a non-conservative force?

a. It always acts downward.

b. Its work depends on the path travelled.

c. It always acts horizontally.

d. It increases gravitational potential energy.

Correct Answer: b. Its work depends on the path travelled.

Explanation:
The work done by friction depends on the total distance travelled, making it path dependent and therefore non-conservative.

MCQ No. 219

A body is lifted slowly upward and then lowered back to its original position. Neglecting air resistance, the net work done by gravity during the complete journey is:

a. Positive

b. Negative

c. Equal to the body's weight

d. Zero

Correct Answer: d. Zero

Explanation:
Gravity is a conservative force, so the total work done over a complete round trip is zero.

MCQ No. 220

A vehicle climbs a hill at constant speed. Most of the engine's power is used to:

a. Increase kinetic energy only.

b. Increase gravitational potential energy and overcome resistive forces.

c. Decrease gravitational potential energy.

d. Reduce the vehicle's mass.

Correct Answer: b. Increase gravitational potential energy and overcome resistive forces.

Explanation:
Since the speed is constant, the kinetic energy does not change. The engine's power is mainly used to increase potential energy and overcome friction and air resistance.

MCQ No. 221

Which of the following situations demonstrates positive work done by gravity?

a. Lifting a suitcase onto a table.

b. Pulling a cart horizontally.

c. A stone falling freely toward Earth.

d. Holding a book at a fixed height.

Correct Answer: c. A stone falling freely toward Earth.

Explanation:
Gravity acts in the same direction as the displacement of a freely falling object, so it performs positive work.

MCQ No. 222

Why is gravitational potential defined as the work done in bringing unit mass from infinity to a point?

a. To eliminate the effect of force.

b. To make the quantity independent of the test mass.

c. To increase the value of potential.

d. To simplify Newton's second law.

Correct Answer: b. To make the quantity independent of the test mass.

Explanation:
Gravitational potential is defined per unit mass, making it a property of the gravitational field rather than of the object placed in it.

MCQ No. 223

A student claims that if the work done on an object is zero, then no forces are acting on it. This statement is:

a. Always true.

b. False, because forces may act perpendicular to the displacement.

c. True only for gravitational forces.

d. True only for frictional forces.

Correct Answer: b. False, because forces may act perpendicular to the displacement.

Explanation:
For example, the centripetal force in uniform circular motion acts continuously but does no work because it is always perpendicular to the displacement.

MCQ No. 224

Which energy source is generally considered the most sustainable for long-term electricity generation?

a. Coal

b. Petroleum

c. Solar energy

d. Diesel

Correct Answer: c. Solar energy

Explanation:
Solar energy is renewable, abundant, and produces minimal environmental pollution compared with fossil fuels.

MCQ No. 225

A block slides down a smooth incline. Which statement best describes the energy transformation?

a. Chemical energy is converted into electrical energy.

b. Kinetic energy is converted into gravitational potential energy.

c. Gravitational potential energy is converted into kinetic energy while total mechanical energy remains constant.

d. Mechanical energy continuously decreases.

Correct Answer: c. Gravitational potential energy is converted into kinetic energy while total mechanical energy remains constant.

Explanation:
On a smooth (frictionless) incline, gravitational potential energy decreases while kinetic energy increases by the same amount. Hence, the total mechanical energy of the system remains conserved.

MCQ No. 226

Two identical balls are released from the same height. One falls freely, while the other falls through air. Which statement is correct?

a. Both reach the ground with the same kinetic energy.

b. The freely falling ball reaches the ground with greater kinetic energy.

c. The ball falling through air reaches the ground with greater kinetic energy.

d. Both lose the same amount of mechanical energy.

Correct Answer: b. The freely falling ball reaches the ground with greater kinetic energy.

Explanation:
Air resistance is a non-conservative force that performs negative work and dissipates part of the mechanical energy as heat. Therefore, the freely falling ball, which experiences negligible air resistance, reaches the ground with greater kinetic energy.

MCQ No. 227

A student claims that increasing the mass of a satellite automatically increases its escape velocity from Earth. This statement is:

a. Correct because heavier objects require greater speed.

b. Correct because gravitational force increases with mass.

c. Incorrect because escape velocity is independent of the satellite's mass.

d. Correct only for artificial satellites.

Correct Answer: c. Incorrect because escape velocity is independent of the satellite's mass.

Explanation:
Escape velocity depends only on the planet's mass and radius.

$v_e=\sqrt{\frac{2GM}{R}}$

The mass of the escaping object does not appear in the formula.

MCQ No. 228

A body is moved from point A to point B by two different routes in a gravitational field. One route is longer and rough, while the other is shorter and smooth. The work done by gravity is:

a. Greater along the rough path.

b. Greater along the smooth path.

c. Equal along both paths.

d. Zero along both paths.

Correct Answer: c. Equal along both paths.

Explanation:
Gravity is a conservative force. Therefore, the work done by gravity depends only on the initial and final positions, not on the path taken.

MCQ No. 229

A force acts on an object, but the object's speed remains constant while it moves in a straight line. Which statement is most reasonable?

a. The applied force is balanced by an equal opposing force.

b. No force acts on the object.

c. The object has zero kinetic energy.

d. The applied force continuously increases kinetic energy.

Correct Answer: a. The applied force is balanced by an equal opposing force.

Explanation:
Constant speed in a straight line means the net force is zero. Any applied force must be balanced by resistive forces such as friction or air resistance.

MCQ No. 230

Which situation best demonstrates the work-energy theorem?

a. The increase in kinetic energy equals the net work done on an object.

b. Potential energy is always greater than kinetic energy.

c. Mechanical energy is never conserved.

d. Power is equal to force only.

Correct Answer: a. The increase in kinetic energy equals the net work done on an object.

Explanation:
The work-energy theorem states:

$W_{\text{net}}=\Delta KE$

This relationship remains valid even when resistive forces are present.

MCQ No. 231

A vehicle moving at high speed suddenly applies brakes. Most of the vehicle's kinetic energy is converted into:

a. Electrical energy

b. Nuclear energy

c. Heat energy due to friction

d. Gravitational potential energy

Correct Answer: c. Heat energy due to friction

Explanation:
Braking produces friction between the brake pads and wheels, converting most of the kinetic energy into thermal energy.

MCQ No. 232

Why is the efficiency of every real machine always less than 100%?

a. Energy is destroyed.

b. Some input energy is always dissipated by friction and other resistive effects.

c. The law of conservation of energy fails.

d. Output energy is always greater than input energy.

Correct Answer: b. Some input energy is always dissipated by friction and other resistive effects.

Explanation:
Energy is conserved, but not all input energy is converted into useful output. Some is inevitably lost as heat, sound, or vibration.

MCQ No. 233

A body is projected vertically upward. At which point is the sum of its kinetic and potential energies maximum?

a. At the point of projection only.

b. At the highest point only.

c. At every point during the motion (neglecting air resistance).

d. At the midpoint only.

Correct Answer: c. At every point during the motion (neglecting air resistance).

Explanation:
In the absence of air resistance, mechanical energy remains constant throughout the motion.

MCQ No. 234

Which graph best represents gravitational potential energy versus height near Earth's surface?

a. Horizontal line

b. Straight line through the origin

c. Downward-opening parabola

d. Exponential curve

Correct Answer: b. Straight line through the origin

Explanation:
Near Earth's surface,

$PE=mgh$

Since $g$ is constant, potential energy is directly proportional to height.

MCQ No. 235

An electric lift carries passengers upward with constant speed. Which statement is correct?

a. The motor performs work while gravity performs negative work.

b. Gravity performs positive work.

c. Neither gravity nor the motor performs work.

d. The passengers gain kinetic energy continuously.

Correct Answer: a. The motor performs work while gravity performs negative work.

Explanation:
The motor supplies energy to raise the lift, while gravity opposes the upward motion by doing negative work.

MCQ No. 236

A student pushes a heavy box that does not move because static friction balances the applied force. The work done by the applied force on the box is:

a. Positive

b. Negative

c. Zero

d. Equal to the frictional force

Correct Answer: c. Zero

Explanation:
Since the displacement is zero,

$W=Fd=0$

regardless of the magnitude of the applied force.

MCQ No. 237

Which statement best distinguishes a conservative force from a non-conservative force?

a. Conservative forces are always stronger.

b. Conservative forces do not obey Newton's laws.

c. Conservative forces perform path-independent work.

d. Conservative forces exist only in space.

Correct Answer: c. Conservative forces perform path-independent work.

Explanation:
The defining characteristic of a conservative force is that its work depends only on the initial and final positions.

MCQ No. 238

Which energy source has the greatest long-term potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions?

a. Coal

b. Diesel

c. Natural gas

d. Solar energy

Correct Answer: d. Solar energy

Explanation:
Solar energy is renewable, environmentally friendly, and produces almost no greenhouse gas emissions during electricity generation.

MCQ No. 239

A cyclist climbs a hill at constant speed and then descends without pedaling. Which statement is correct?

a. Potential energy increases during ascent and decreases during descent.

b. Potential energy decreases throughout the journey.

c. Kinetic energy remains zero.

d. Gravity performs positive work during ascent.

Correct Answer: a. Potential energy increases during ascent and decreases during descent.

Explanation:
Climbing increases gravitational potential energy, while descending converts it back into kinetic energy.

MCQ No. 240

Which statement best explains why perpetual-motion machines are impossible?

a. They violate the law of conservation of energy.

b. Gravity prevents their operation.

c. Air resistance is absent.

d. Mechanical energy always increases.

Correct Answer: a. They violate the law of conservation of energy.

Explanation:
A perpetual-motion machine would produce useful work indefinitely without energy input, contradicting the law of conservation of energy.

MCQ No. 241

An engineer reduces friction in a machine by using lubricants. The immediate effect is:

a. Increased energy losses.

b. Lower efficiency.

c. Reduced energy dissipation and higher efficiency.

d. Increased gravitational potential energy.

Correct Answer: c. Reduced energy dissipation and higher efficiency.

Explanation:
Lubrication decreases friction, reducing heat losses and increasing the proportion of useful output energy.

MCQ No. 242

Two identical machines perform the same amount of useful work. Machine A consumes less input energy than Machine B. Which statement is correct?

a. Machine A is more efficient.

b. Machine B is more efficient.

c. Both have equal efficiency.

d. Efficiency cannot be compared.

Correct Answer: a. Machine A is more efficient.

Explanation:
Efficiency is the ratio of useful output to input energy. For the same useful work, the machine requiring less input energy has the higher efficiency.

MCQ No. 243

Which of the following is the best example of negative work?

a. Gravity acting on a falling apple.

b. A person lifting a suitcase upward.

c. Friction acting on a sliding block.

d. A crane lifting a load.

Correct Answer: c. Friction acting on a sliding block.

Explanation:
Friction acts opposite to the direction of motion, so it performs negative work and reduces the object's mechanical energy.

MCQ No. 244

A spacecraft has exactly the escape velocity from Earth. Ignoring air resistance, what will happen?

a. It will return to Earth immediately.

b. It will move away from Earth and eventually reach an infinite distance with zero speed.

c. It will continue moving with constant speed forever.

d. It will stop immediately after leaving the atmosphere.

Correct Answer: b. It will move away from Earth and eventually reach an infinite distance with zero speed.

Explanation:
Escape velocity is the minimum speed required for an object to reach an infinite distance from Earth with zero remaining kinetic energy.

MCQ No. 245

Which statement correctly describes power?

a. It measures the total energy stored in a body.

b. It is the rate at which work is done or energy is transferred.

c. It is equal to force multiplied by displacement only.

d. It has the SI unit joule.

Correct Answer: b. It is the rate at which work is done or energy is transferred.

Explanation:
Power is defined as

$P=\frac{W}{t}$

or, for motion,

$P=\vec{F}\cdot\vec{v}$

MCQ No. 246

A body moves in a circular path at constant speed. Which statement is correct?

a. The centripetal force continuously increases the body's kinetic energy.

b. The centripetal force performs zero work.

c. The centripetal force performs maximum positive work.

d. The centripetal force performs maximum negative work.

Correct Answer: b. The centripetal force performs zero work.

Explanation:
The centripetal force is always perpendicular to the displacement, so it changes only the direction of motion, not the speed.

MCQ No. 247

A hydroelectric power station primarily converts:

a. Chemical energy into electrical energy.

b. Nuclear energy into electrical energy.

c. Gravitational potential energy of water into electrical energy.

d. Solar energy into electrical energy.

Correct Answer: c. Gravitational potential energy of water into electrical energy.

Explanation:
Water stored at a height possesses gravitational potential energy, which is converted into kinetic energy and then into electrical energy by turbines and generators.

MCQ No. 248

Which of the following would most likely increase the escape velocity of a planet?

a. Increasing its radius while keeping mass constant.

b. Decreasing its mass while keeping radius constant.

c. Increasing its mass while keeping radius constant.

d. Decreasing both mass and radius equally.

Correct Answer: c. Increasing its mass while keeping radius constant.

Explanation:
Since

$v_e=\sqrt{\frac{2GM}{R}},$

a larger planetary mass results in a higher escape velocity.

MCQ No. 249

A student concludes that whenever work is done, the object's speed must increase. This conclusion is:

a. Always correct.

b. Incorrect because work may be negative or may change only potential energy.

c. Correct only for gravitational forces.

d. Correct only when friction is absent.

Correct Answer: b. Incorrect because work may be negative or may change only potential energy.

Explanation:
Work can increase or decrease kinetic energy, or it may be stored as potential energy. Therefore, doing work does not always mean an increase in speed.

MCQ No. 250

Which statement best summarizes the relationship among work, energy, power, efficiency, and conservation of energy?

a. Work and power are identical quantities.

b. Energy can be created if efficiency exceeds 100%.

c. Work transfers energy, power measures the rate of energy transfer, efficiency indicates how effectively energy is used, and the total energy of an isolated system remains conserved.

d. Mechanical energy is always lost completely due to friction.

Correct Answer: c. Work transfers energy, power measures the rate of energy transfer, efficiency indicates how effectively energy is used, and the total energy of an isolated system remains conserved.

Explanation:

This statement combines the fundamental concepts of the chapter. Work is the transfer of energy, power is the rate of doing work, efficiency measures the fraction of input energy converted into useful output, and the law of conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another.