IB Physics SL A.3.8 Mechanical Energy Transformations Question Bank
Practise tracing mechanical-energy transformations through springs, rolling bodies, wind systems and gravitational motion.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2025
- Course
- Physics SL
- Level
- SL
Practise tracing mechanical-energy transformations through springs, rolling bodies, wind systems and gravitational motion.
An elastic climbing rope is tested by fixing one end of the rope to the top of a crane. The other end of the rope is connected to a block which is initially at position A. The block is released from rest. The mass of the rope is negligible.

The unextended length of the rope is 60.0 m . From position A to position B, the block falls freely.
For the rope and block, describe the energy changes that take place
between A and B .
(loss in) gravitational potential energy (of block) into kinetic energy (of block)
Must see names of energy (gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy) Allow for reasonable variations of terminology (eg energy of motion for K E ).
between B and C .
(loss in) gravitational potential and kinetic energy of block into elastic potential energy of rope
See note for 1(c)(i) for naming convention.
Must see either the block or the rope (or both) mentioned in connection with the appropriate energies.