GCSE Physics Revision — Work Done & Springs
Revise Work Done & Springs for GCSE Physics. Step-by-step explanation, worked examples, common mistakes and exam-style practice aligned to AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC, Eduqas, CCEA, Cambridge International (CIE), Pearson Edexcel International, OxfordAQA International, SQA, IB, AP.
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What is Work Done & Springs?
When you stretch or compress a spring, you are doing work against the elastic forces and storing elastic potential energy in it. The work done in stretching a spring is equal to the area under the force-extension graph. For a spring that obeys Hooke's Law, this energy can be calculated using the formula Ee = ½ke², where k is the spring constant and e is the extension.
Board notes: A Higher Tier topic for all major GCSE Physics boards (AQA, Edexcel, OCR).
Step-by-step explanationWorked examples
Worked example 1: Core method
A spring with a spring constant of 50 N/m is stretched by 20 cm. How much elastic potential energy is stored? Solution: First, convert extension to metres: 20 cm = 0.2 m. Then, use the formula Ee = ½ke². Ee = 0.5 x 50 N/m x (0.2 m)² = 0.5 x 50 x 0.04 = 1 J.
Worked example 2: Exam variation
Now change one detail in the question and keep the same structure: name the Work Done & Springs idea being tested, show the method or evidence, then explain why it answers the command word. This helps GCSE Physics students avoid memorising one surface pattern.
Worked example 3: Mark-scheme check
Finish by checking the answer against marks: one point for the correct Work Done & Springs idea, one for accurate working or evidence, and one for a precise final statement. If any step is vague, rewrite it before moving to timed practice.
Mini lesson for Work Done & Springs
1. Understand the core idea
When you stretch or compress a spring, you are doing work against the elastic forces and storing elastic potential energy in it. The work done in stretching a spring is equal to the area under the force-extension graph.
Can you explain Work Done & Springs without copying the notes?
2. Turn it into marks
A spring with a spring constant of 50 N/m is stretched by 20 cm. How much elastic potential energy is stored?
Underline the method, evidence, or command-word move that would earn credit in GCSE Forces.
3. Fix the likely mark leak
Watch for this mistake: Using the formula F=ke to calculate the work done. This formula gives the force, not the energy stored.
Write one correction rule before doing another practice question.
Practise this topic
Start with low-focus cards for Work Done & Springs, then move into full exam-style practice when you want the heavier session.
Mini quiz: Work Done & Springs
Three quick checks for revision practice. They are original StudyVector prompts, not official exam-board questions.
Question 1
In one GCSE sentence, explain what Work Done & Springs is testing.
Answer: When you stretch or compress a spring, you are doing work against the elastic forces and storing elastic potential energy in it. The work done in stretching a spring is equal to the area under the force-extension graph.
Mark focus: Precise definition and topic focus.
Question 2
A Work Done & Springs question uses an unfamiliar context. What should the answer do before adding detail?
Answer: It should name the process, variable, equation, particle model, or evidence being tested, then explain the result using precise scientific vocabulary.
Mark focus: Method selection and command-word control.
Question 3
A student makes this mistake: "Using the formula F=ke to calculate the work done. This formula gives the force, not the energy stored." What should their next repair task be?
Answer: Do one Work Done & Springs question and review the mistake type.
Mark focus: Error correction and next-step practice.
Work Done & Springs flashcards
Core idea
What is the main idea in Work Done & Springs?
When you stretch or compress a spring, you are doing work against the elastic forces and storing elastic potential energy in it. The work done in stretching a spring is equal to the area under the force-extension graph.
Common mistake
What mistake should you avoid in Work Done & Springs?
Using the formula F=ke to calculate the work done. This formula gives the force, not the energy stored.
Practice
What is one useful practice task for Work Done & Springs?
Answer one Work Done & Springs question and review the mistake type.
Exam board
How should you use board notes for Work Done & Springs?
A Higher Tier topic for all major GCSE Physics boards (AQA, Edexcel, OCR).
Common mistakes
- 1Using the formula F=ke to calculate the work done. This formula gives the force, not the energy stored.
- 2Forgetting to use the average force when calculating work done (Work = average force x distance). For a spring, the average force is ½Fe.
- 3Forgetting to square the extension in the energy formula (Ee = ½ke²).
Work Done & Springs exam questions
Exam-style questions for Work Done & Springs with mark-scheme style solutions and timing practice. Aligned to AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC, Eduqas, CCEA, Cambridge International (CIE), Pearson Edexcel International, OxfordAQA International, SQA, IB, AP specifications.
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Step-by-step method
Step-by-step explanation
4 steps · Worked method for Work Done & Springs
Core concept
When you stretch or compress a spring, you are doing work against the elastic forces and storing elastic potential energy in it. The work done in stretching a spring is equal to the area under the for…
Frequently asked questions
What is elastic potential energy?
Elastic potential energy is the energy stored in an elastic object when it is stretched or compressed. This energy is released when the object returns to its original shape.
How is work done related to elastic potential energy?
The work done to stretch or compress a spring is stored as elastic potential energy in the spring, assuming the elastic limit is not exceeded.