Free Potential Energy MCQs with Answers
52 Potential Energy MCQs from Physics, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
Potential energy is energy stored because of position or configuration, including gravitational potential energy near Earth's surface and elastic energy in a stretched or compressed spring. Questions use changes in potential energy and conservation of mechanical energy, while distinguishing a chosen reference level from an absolute zero of energy.
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- A. total mechanical energy increases
- B. potential energy converts into kinetic energy with the total unchanged
- C. kinetic energy converts into potential energy
- D. total mechanical energy decreases
Explanation: Gravity is a conservative force, so in the absence of air resistance the sum of kinetic and potential energy stays constant while…
Correct answer: potential energy converts into kinetic energy with the total unchanged- A. 10 J
- B. 25 J
- C. 100 J
- D. 1000 J
Explanation: Potential energy gained is mgh, which is 2 times 10 times 5, giving 100 J.
Correct answer: 100 J- A. mgh
- B. half mgh
- C. mg divided by h
- D. mh
Explanation: The work done against a constant weight mg over a height h is mgh, and only the vertical height matters, not the path taken.
Correct answer: mgh- A. 10 J
- B. 50 J
- C. 100 J
- D. 25 J
Explanation: Using mgh, the energy is 2 multiplied by 10 multiplied by 5, giving 100 J.
Correct answer: 100 J- A. the square root of 2gh
- B. 2gh
- C. gh
- D. the square root of gh
Explanation: Equating the potential energy mgh to the kinetic energy half mv squared cancels the mass and gives v as the square root of 2gh, which is…
Correct answer: the square root of 2gh6. The elastic potential energy stored in a spring stretched by extension x with spring constant k is
- A. kx
- B. half kx squared
- C. kx squared
- D. half kx
Explanation: The force rises linearly from zero to kx, so the average force is half of kx and the work done is half k x squared, which is also the area…
Correct answer: half kx squared- A. Always positive
- B. Always negative
- C. Zero
- D. Depends on the path taken
Explanation: Gravity acts downwards while the displacement is upwards, so the force has a component opposite to the motion and the work it does is…
Correct answer: Always negative- A. 6ge
- B. ge/6
- C. 2ge
- D. Zero
Explanation: The Moon's gravitational acceleration is approximately one-sixth of Earth's: gmoon ≈ 9.8 m/s^2 ÷ 6 ≈ 1.63 m/s^2 = ge/6.
Correct answer: ge/6- A. 0.125 J
- B. 0.250 J
- C. 0.50 J
- D. 1 J
Explanation: For a linearly stretched wire, the stored elastic energy is the area under the force-extension graph: E = 1/2 F x = 1/2 x 100 N x 0.005 m…
Correct answer: 0.250 J- A. 7.2 m/s²
- B. 1.62 m/s²
- C. 9.8 m/s²
- D. 3.75 m/s²Calculators & Reference Tools
Explanation: The Moon's gravitational acceleration at its surface is approximately 1.62 m/s², about one-sixth of Earth's 9.8 m/s².
Correct answer: 1.62 m/s²- A. 274 m/s²
- B. 362 m/s²
- C. 300 m/s²
- D. None of these
Explanation: The gravitational acceleration at the Sun's surface is approximately 274 m/s², found from g = GM/R².
Correct answer: 274 m/s²- A. x = x'
- B. x = x'/2
- C. x = x'/4
- D. x = x(2)'/2
Explanation: In SHM, potential energy is PE = 1/2 kx², while its maximum value occurs at displacement x'.
Correct answer: x = x'/2- A. material objects only
- B. material objects and electromagnetic radiation only
- C. electromagnetic radiations
- D. none of the above
Explanation: In Einstein's relativity, electromagnetic radiation carries energy and momentum, so it participates in gravitational interaction along…
Correct answer: material objects and electromagnetic radiation only- A. 0.01J
- B. 0.02J
- C. 0.04J
- D. 1.0J
Explanation: The wire's elastic energy is the area under its linear force-extension graph: E = 1/2 x F x x = 1/2 x 20 N x 0.001 m = 0.010 J.
Correct answer: 0.01J- A. FE
- B. (FE)
- C. FE2/L
- D. FE2
Explanation: For a linearly elastic wire, the stored energy equals the triangular area under the force-extension graph: E = 1/2 x F x E, in joules when…
Correct answer: (FE)- A. Earth
- B. Neptune
- C. Jupiter
- D. Moon
Explanation: Escape velocity is vesc = √(2GM/R), so it is greatest for a body with a large mass and relatively small radius.
Correct answer: Jupiter- A. once
- B. twice
- C. four time
- D. eight time
Explanation: At most coastlines, the Moon's tidal effect produces two high tides and two low tides during approximately one lunar day, about 24.8 h.
Correct answer: twice- A. heat energy to K.E
- B. elastic P.E to K.E
- C. elemical energy to elastic P.E
- D. K.E to elastic P.E.
Explanation: The stretched bow stores elastic potential energy, which changes mainly into the arrow's kinetic energy when the string is released.
Correct answer: elastic P.E to K.E- A. decay of radioactive element in the earth
- B. compression of material in the earth
- C. residual lost of the earth
- D. all as said in A - B and C
Explanation: Geothermal energy comes from heat inside Earth, including heat released by radioactive decay, residual heat from Earth's formation, and…
Correct answer: all as said in A - B and C20. The escape velocity of a body in gravitational field of earth is independent of__________________?
- A. its mass
- B. the angle at which it is thrown
- C. both its mass and the angle at which it is thrown
- D. gravitational field of earth
Explanation: Escape velocity is v = √(2GM/R), so it depends on the planet's mass and radius, not on the mass of the escaping body.
Correct answer: both its mass and the angle at which it is thrownPotential Energy MCQs: common questions
Are these Potential Energy MCQs free?
Yes. All Potential Energy MCQs from Physics are free on TestUstad, with unlimited attempts and no account needed. Nothing on this page is a sample or a trial.
How many Potential Energy MCQs are on this page?
There are 52 Potential Energy MCQs in the Physics bank, shown 20 to a page with the correct answer and an explanation on each.
Does every Potential Energy MCQ have an explanation?
Yes. Each Potential Energy question shows the correct option and a written explanation of why it is correct, so a wrong answer teaches you something rather than just being marked wrong.
Can I take a timed Potential Energy test?
Yes. The practice button on this page starts a free Potential Energy test drawn from the Physics bank. It marks each answer instantly, gives you a score at the end, and can be retaken as many times as you like.