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IGCSEPhysicsCambridge (CIE)Exam Questions2. Thermal PhysicsThermal Properties & Temperature

Thermal Properties & Temperature (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Physics): Exam Questions

Exam code: 0625 & 0972

3 hours48 questions

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Thermal Properties & Temperature

1a1 mark

A student is investigating how partly covering the surface of the water in a beaker affects the rate at which the water cools.

The apparatus used is shown in Fig. 1.1.

q1-series3
q1a-series3

Record the room temperature θR, in °C, shown on the thermometer in Fig. 1.2.

 

θR = ......................................................... 

How did you do?

1b2 marks

The student pours 100 cm3 of hot water into a beaker. She places lid A on the beaker. This leaves half of the water surface uncovered, as shown in Fig. 1.3.

She records the temperature of the water in the beaker and immediately starts a stopclock.

She records the temperature θ of the water every 30 s. Her readings are shown in Table 1.1.

She repeats the procedure using lid B. This leaves a quarter of the water surface uncovered, as shown in Fig. 1.4.

 

q1b-series3

 

Complete the headings and the time t column in Table 1.1.

Table 1.1

beaker with lid A

beaker with lid B

t /

θ /

θ /

0

80.0

81.0

77.0

79.0

74.5

77.5

72.5

76.0

70.5

75.0

69.5

74.0

68.0

73.5

How did you do?

1c1 mark

Describe a precaution that should be taken to ensure that the temperature readings are as accurate as possible in the experiment.

How did you do?

1d4 marks

(i) Write a conclusion to this experiment, stating for which lid the rate of cooling is greater.

Explain your answer by reference to the results.

[2]

   

(ii) Suggest a change to the apparatus that could produce a greater difference between the rates of cooling for lid A and lid B.

   

Explain why the change might produce a greater difference.  

[2]

How did you do?

1e2 marks

A student suggests that the rate of cooling is directly proportional to the percentage of the uncovered surface area. He wants to draw a graph of cooling rate against the percentage of uncovered area to investigate this.

 Describe how his graph line will show whether the rate of cooling and the percentage of uncovered surface area are directly proportional.

How did you do?

1f1 mark

Students in other countries carry out the same experiment.

 Suggest one factor that they should keep the same if they are to obtain similar readings.

How did you do?

2a1 mark

A student is investigating the cooling of water.

Fig. 2.1 shows the apparatus used.

q2-series2

The thermometer in Fig. 2.2 shows room temperature θR at the beginning of the experiment.

Record θR.

q2a-series2

 

 

θR = ......................................................... 

How did you do?

2b7 marks

The student pours 200 cm3 of hot water into the beaker.

He records the temperature θH of the hot water at time t = 0 and immediately starts a stopclock.

  He continues recording the temperature readings every 30 s. The readings are shown in Table 2.1.

 

(i) Explain why the student should wait a few seconds after placing the thermometer in the hot water before taking the first temperature reading.

[1] 

(ii) Complete the column headings in Table 2.1.

[1]

 

(iii) Complete the time column in Table 2.1.

[1]

Table 2.1

t/

θ /

0

70

60

52

49

46

43

 

(iv) Plot a graph of θ/ °C (y-axis) against t/s (x-axis). You do not need to start the y-axis at the origin (0,0) but the value of room temperature θR must be marked on the y-axis.

q2biv-series2

[4]

How did you do?

2c1 mark

Draw a horizontal line across the graph grid to indicate the value of room temperature θR, as shown by the thermometer in Fig. 2.2.

How did you do?

2d2 marks

State two precautions that you would take in order to obtain accurate readings in this experiment.

How did you do?

2e2 marks

A student plans to repeat the experiment using the same thermometer and the same volume of water. 

Suggest two changes to the apparatus or the procedure that would increase the rate of cooling of the water.

How did you do?

3a1 mark

 A student investigates the cooling of water. 

The apparatus is shown in Fig. 2.1. 

Diagram of a metal can and a thermometer on a bench. The thermometer is held upright by a clamp stand next to the can.

The thermometer in Fig. 2.2 shows the room temperature θR at the beginning of the experiment. Record θR.

Horizontal thermometer image showing a scale from -10°C to 110°C, with a marked line at 0°C. Caption: Fig. 2.2.

θR = .........................................................

How did you do?

3b1 mark

The student pours hot water into the metal can. 

She places the thermometer in the hot water. 

She records the temperature θ of the hot water at time t = 0 and immediately starts a stop‑clock. 

She measures the water temperature every 30 s. The readings are shown in Table 2.1. 

Complete the column headings in Table 2.1. 

Table 2.1

t/

θ/

0

84

30

79

60

75

90

72

120

70

150

68

180

67

How did you do?

3c3 marks

The student pours the water from the can into a measuring cylinder and records the volume V of water.

V = .......................196................................. cm3

(i) State two precautions taken when reading the volume of water in a measuring cylinder in order to obtain an accurate result.

[2]

(ii) The student records the volume V to the nearest 1 cm3.

Suggest why this is appropriate.

[1]

How did you do?

3d
Sme Calculator3 marks

(i) Calculate the decrease in temperature Δθ1 of the hot water between times t = 0 and   t = 60 s.

Δθ1 = ...............................................................

Calculate the average rate of cooling R1 of the water using the equation

 R subscript 1 equals fraction numerator increment theta subscript 1 over denominator increment t end fraction

where Δt = 60 s. Include the unit.

 R1 = ......................................................... [2] 

(ii) Calculate the decrease in temperature Δθ2 of the hot water between times t = 120 s and t = 180 s.

Δθ2 = ..............................................................

Calculate the average rate of cooling R2 of the water using the equation 

  R subscript 2 equals fraction numerator increment theta subscript 2 over denominator increment t end fraction

where Δt = 60 s. Include the unit. 


R2 = ............................................................... [1]

How did you do?

3e1 mark

Extended Tier Only

 A student suggests that the rate of cooling is lower when the temperature of the water is lower. 

State and explain whether the results support this suggestion. 

How did you do?

3f2 marks

Extended Tier Only

The student states that most of the thermal energy lost by the water in the can is by evaporation from the water surface. 

Another student states that most of the thermal energy lost by the water in the can is by conduction through the sides of the can. 

The students repeat the experiment twice to investigate the two statements. 

Suggest one suitable addition to the apparatus for each additional experiment.

How did you do?