# A cyclist rides along a flat road and then freewheels (stops pedalling) up a hill until coming to rest at the top. Explain the energy transfers that take place from the moment the cyclist stops pedalling until they come to rest at the top of the hill.

> Edexcel A-Level Physics (9PH0) — 2.3 Energy and work done · Explain · 5 marks

> A cyclist travelling at a constant speed along a flat road stops pedalling and freewheels up a hill, coming to rest at the top. The hill is rough, so friction and air resistance act on the cyclist throughout.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. The cyclist has kinetic energy at the bottom of the hill (when they stop pedalling)
2. Kinetic energy is transferred to gravitational potential energy as the cyclist gains height
3. Energy is also transferred to the thermal energy store of the surroundings / cyclist due to friction and air resistance
4. The total kinetic energy decreases (to zero) because it is shared between gravitational potential energy and the thermal energy store
5. The total energy is conserved — energy is not created or destroyed, only transferred between stores

## Related

- [Revision notes for Edexcel A-Level Physics (9PH0)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-cyclist-rides-along-a-flat-c041d4da) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.