Lesson T1.1.4

T1.1.4 Simple machines and work done Quiz: KS3 Physics, Unit 1

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson T1.1.4, Simple machines and work done: 20 multiple choice questions for the KS3 Physics (National Curriculum), Unit 1: Energy, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. How is work done calculated?

    • Force × distance moved in the direction of the force
    • Force ÷ distance moved in the direction of the force, which gives the energy
    • Force × time for which the force is applied to the object as it moves along
    • Mass × speed of the object, which gives the kinetic energy it has as it moves

  2. What is the unit of work done or energy transferred?

    • Watt (W)
    • Metre per second (m/s)
    • Joule (J)
    • Newton (N)

  3. A force of 20 N moves a box 3 m in the direction of the force. What is the work done?

    • 17 J
    • 23 J
    • 6.7 J
    • 60 J

  4. A force of 50 N pushes a trolley 4 m. How much energy is transferred?

    • 200 J
    • 54 J
    • 46 J
    • 12.5 J

  5. A lever gives a bigger output force. What does this mean about its movement?

    • The output force makes the input end move faster
    • The output end moves a smaller distance than the input end
    • The output end moves a larger distance than the input end
    • The output end does not move at all

  6. A pulley system lets you lift a load with less force. What is the trade-off?

    • The machine produces extra energy, so the load is lifted with less effort overall
    • The load stops moving while the rope is pulled, so it must be lifted again later
    • You must pull the rope over a greater distance
    • The load becomes lighter as it is lifted, so it needs less effort to move upwards

  7. Why is no machine 100% efficient?

    • Machines store all their energy permanently
    • Machines always create extra energy
    • Some energy is wasted as thermal energy by friction
    • Machines remove energy from the system

  8. A machine receives 120 J of work and gives 90 J of useful output. What is its efficiency?

    • 75%
    • 133%
    • 25%
    • 30%

  9. A person lifts a 5 N weight through 2 m. What is the work done?

    • 3 J
    • 7 J
    • 10 J
    • 2.5 J

  10. A machine has an input force of 10 N and an output force of 40 N. In an ideal machine, what is true?

    • The output distance is four times the input distance
    • The output distance is twice the input distance
    • The input distance is four times the output distance
    • The input and output distances are equal

  11. Which of these is an example of a simple machine?

    • A computer
    • A television
    • A radio
    • A screwdriver

  12. How does a wedge, such as a knife blade, help you cut?

    • It removes all friction from the cut, so the blade slides through the material easily
    • It turns a small force over a large distance into a larger force over a small distance
    • It makes the force act in a circle, which spins the blade through the material
    • It stores energy in the blade, which is released as the material is pushed apart

  13. A machine receives 500 J of energy and gives out 350 J of useful energy. How much energy is wasted?

    • 850 J
    • 150 J
    • 500 J
    • 350 J

  14. A ramp needs less force than lifting a box straight up. Compared with lifting it, what is true (ignoring friction)?

    • The ramp creates extra energy
    • More work is done because the ramp is longer
    • The same work is done but over a longer distance
    • Less work is done in total

  15. A person pushes a crate with a force of 200 N across a floor for 8 m. What is the work done?

    • 208 J
    • 25 J
    • 1200 J
    • 1600 J

  16. If the distance moved doubles but the force stays the same, what happens to the work done?

    • It halves
    • It quadruples
    • It doubles
    • It stays the same

  17. A lever has an input force of 60 N moved through 1.5 m. An ideal output force of 300 N is produced. What is the output distance?

    • 0.3 m
    • 0.9 m
    • 0.25 m
    • 1.5 m

  18. A child slides down a slide. Which energy transfer happens?

    • Chemical energy store of the child to elastic energy store of the slide as the child's muscles push
    • Kinetic energy store to nuclear energy store as the child slows down at the bottom
    • Thermal energy store to electrical energy store as the slide warms up in the sun
    • Gravitational potential energy store to kinetic and thermal energy stores

  19. Which statement about simple machines is correct?

    • They increase the total energy they transfer, so the output is always larger than the input
    • They change the size of a force or its direction, but not the energy they transfer
    • They remove the need for any input energy, so they can run without a power source
    • They always make the output force larger, so the output is greater than the input force

  20. A box is pushed across a rough floor at constant speed. Where does the energy from the push mainly go?

    • Into the thermal energy stores of the box and the floor
    • Into the box's gravitational potential store
    • Into the box's elastic potential store
    • It is destroyed by the floor

All KS3 Physics quizzes