# A 5 kg block is raised to a height of 2 m and then released. It falls and compresses a spring with spring constant 200 N m⁻¹ by 0.3 m. Assume no friction or air resistance. Explain the energy changes that take place from the moment the block is raised to the moment the spring is fully compressed.

> AQA GCSE Physics (8463) — 4.1.1 Energy changes in a system, and the ways energy is stored before and after such changes · Explain · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. The block has potential energy mgh before it is released
2. When the block falls, the potential energy is converted into kinetic energy
3. At the instant the spring is fully compressed, the kinetic energy is converted into elastic potential energy stored in the spring
4. Energy is conserved; the total mechanical energy remains constant (ignoring friction)

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