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Conservation of Energy- Physics - Printable Science Worksheets 10th - 12th Grade - Wayground

Conservation of Energy- Physics

Tynisha Wilson

Created by Tynisha Wilson

25 questions

10th - 12th Grade

Science

Updated Apr 2026

Conservation of Energy- Physics is a Grade 10–12 physics worksheet with 25 multiple-choice questions on how potential energy, kinetic energy, and total mechanical energy change within a system. Students interpret energy changes in pendulums and roller coasters, identify where potential or kinetic energy is greatest, recognize energy transformations, and determine which quantities remain constant. The worksheet also reinforces essential calculation and notation skills. Students find kinetic energy from total mechanical and potential energy, calculate velocity in a falling-crate problem, identify the correct units for joules, velocity, and gravitational acceleration, and connect variables to their physical meanings. This free printable worksheet is suitable for physics review, guided practice, or an assessment for Grades 10–12, and it includes a complete answer key for efficient checking.

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Conservation of Energy- Physics

Total questions: 25

Name
Class
Date
1.
As a pendulum swings from its highest to lowest position, what happens to its kinetic and potential energy?
As a pendulum swings from its highest to lowest position, what happens to its kinetic and potential energy? 
a)
The PE and KE increase and decrease together
b)
The PE decreases while the KE increases 
c)
Impossible to know without knowing the mass  
2.
At which point is potential energy greatest?
At which point is potential energy greatest?
a)
W
b)
X
c)
Y
d)
Z
3.
At which point is kinetic energy greatest?

At which point is kinetic energy greatest?

a)
W
b)
X
c)
Y
d)
Z
4.
A change from one form of energy to another is called ___________.
a)
work
b)
power
c)
mechanical
d)
energy transformations
5.
A 40 kg crate is picked up by a crane to a height of 50m. The crate falls. What is the velocity of the crate just before it hits the ground?
a)
2000 Joules
b)
19,600 Joules
c)
19,600 m/s
d)
31.3 m/s
6.
What is the unit of Potential Energy?
What is the unit of Potential Energy?
a)
m, mass
b)
kg, kilogram
c)
J, Joules
d)
m/s, meters/second
7.
If the Total Mechanical Energy is 50J, Potential Energy is 40 J, what is the Kinetic Energy?
If the Total Mechanical Energy is 50J, Potential Energy is 40 J, what is the Kinetic Energy?
a)
1 J
b)
10 J
c)
90 J
8.
What kind of energy does an object possess when it's resting on top of the hill?
What kind of energy does an object possess when it's resting on top of the hill?
a)
Potential Energy
b)
None
c)
Kinetic Energy
d)
All
9.
Which variable is always constant (doesn't change)?
Which variable is always constant (doesn't change)?
a)
mass
b)
height
c)
velocity
d)
None
10.
What is the v in this equation? Choose the one with the CORRECT unit!
What is the v in this equation? Choose the one with the CORRECT unit!
a)
volume (m3)
b)
velocity (m/s)
c)
velocity (m/s2)
d)
volume (v)
11.
What is the g? Choose the one with the correct unit!
What is the g? Choose the one with the correct unit!
a)
mass (kg)
b)
gravity (m/s)
c)
gravity (m/s2)
d)
grams (g)
12.
At the bottom of the roller coaster, what kind of energy is NEVER present?
At the bottom of the roller coaster, what kind of energy is NEVER present?
a)
Potential Energy
b)
Kinetic Energy
c)
Mechanical Energy
d)
None
13.
At the top of the roller coaster, which energy is ALWAYS present?
At the top of the roller coaster, which energy is ALWAYS present?
a)
Potential Energy
b)
Kinetic Energy
c)
Mechanical Energy
d)
None
14.
As energy transformations occur within a system, the total energy of the system ___.
a)
increases
b)
decreases
c)
is transferred out of the system
d)
remains constant
15.
At which point(s) on the roller coaster is the kinetic energy at its maximum?
At which point(s) on the roller coaster is the kinetic energy at its maximum?
a)
A
b)
B
c)
C
d)
D
16.
When a pendulum swings, at which point is potential energy at its greatest
When a pendulum swings, at which point is potential energy at its greatest
a)
1
b)
2
c)
3
d)
4
17.
What is the kinetic energy of a 4kg shotput thrown with a velocity of 13m/s
a)
676 J
b)
3.25 J
c)
17J
d)
338 J
18.
You serve a volley ball with a mass of 2.1 kg. The ball leaves your hand with a speed of 30m/s. The ball has ____ kinetic energy. Calculate it.
a)
1890 J
b)
3780 J
c)
945 J
d)
31.5 J
19.
Calculate the potential energy
Calculate the potential energy
a)
4000 J
b)
400 J
c)
40,000 J
d)
800 N
20.
Calculate the potential energy
Calculate the potential energy
a)
0 J
b)
0 N
c)
Not enough information given
d)
This one is hard.
21.
What is the PE at point A?

What is the PE at point A?

a)

14 J

b)

12 J

c)

6 J

d)

8 J

22.
What is the KE at point D?

What is the KE at point D?

a)

14 J

b)

12 J

c)

6 J

d)

8 J

23.
What is the KE at point F?

What is the KE at point F?

a)

500,000 J

b)

250,000 J

c)

300,000 J

d)

0 J

24.
What is the PE at point F?

What is the PE at point F?

a)

500,000 J

b)

250,000 J

c)

300,000 J

d)

0 J

25.
What is the Kinetic Energy at point D?

What is the Kinetic Energy at point D?

a)

500,000 J

b)

250,000 J

c)

300,000 J

d)

50,000 J

WaygroundAnswer Key

Conservation of Energy- Physics

Total questions: 25

1.
b) The PE decreases while the KE increases 
2.
a) W
3.
b) X
4.
d) energy transformations
5.
d) 31.3 m/s
6.
c) J, Joules
7.
b) 10 J
8.
a) Potential Energy
9.
a) mass
10.
b) velocity (m/s)
11.
c) gravity (m/s2)
12.
a) Potential Energy
13.
a) Potential Energy
14.
d) remains constant
15.
c) C
16.
a) 1
17.
d) 338 J
18.
c) 945 J
19.
a) 4000 J
20.
a) 0 J
21.
a)

14 J

22.
c)

6 J

23.
a)

500,000 J

24.
d)

0 J

25.
b)

250,000 J

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FAQs

What does this conservation of energy worksheet cover?

This Grade 10–12 Physics worksheet uses 25 multiple-choice questions to practice conservation of mechanical energy. Students compare potential and kinetic energy in pendulum and roller-coaster situations, identify energy transformations, use total mechanical energy to find a missing value, and apply correct units and variables in energy and velocity calculations.

How can I use this worksheet to teach conservation of energy?

Introduce potential energy, kinetic energy, and total mechanical energy with a pendulum or roller-coaster diagram, asking students to predict where each form is greatest. Then have students complete the multiple-choice items and explain why energy shifts as an object moves while total energy remains constant. Finish by modeling the falling-crate velocity problem and the calculation that finds kinetic energy from total mechanical and potential energy.

What mistakes should I watch for when students complete this energy worksheet?

Watch for students reversing the relationship between potential and kinetic energy as a pendulum moves downward or as a roller coaster reaches its low point. They may also confuse joules with meters per second, select m/s² for velocity instead of gravitational acceleration, or subtract the wrong quantity when finding kinetic energy from total mechanical energy and potential energy. Some students may choose a numerical distractor with energy units for the falling-crate velocity answer.

How do I assign and grade this conservation of energy worksheet?

The worksheet is available as a printable PDF and as a digital quiz on Wayground, with a complete answer key for all 25 multiple-choice questions. You can grade printable submissions by scanning student work with the Wayground for Teachers app. The printable version also supports schools that want to reduce screen time while students practice energy calculations and interpretations.

How can I differentiate this conservation of energy worksheet for my students?

Use the worksheet’s Advanced Settings to adjust font spacing or font size so the 25 multiple-choice items, energy diagrams, and calculation prompts are easier to read. You can also apply a dyslexia-friendly font or translate the worksheet into another language when appropriate. These options preserve the worksheet’s focus on potential energy, kinetic energy, units, and conservation relationships.

Where can I find more worksheets like this on Wayground?

Wayground offers a comprehensive collection of free printable worksheets and practice problems across all subjects, with downloadable PDFs and answer keys to help students master essential skills and concepts. Browse more resources at https://wayground.com/en-us/worksheets.

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