CIE A Level Physics

Topic Questions

Syllabus Edition

First teaching 2020

Last exams 2024

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14.1 Measuring Temperature

1a
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4 marks

Use the words in the box to complete the gaps in the definition of thermal energy.

 
higher            possessed               lower                   gained                temperature                heat                 movement

 

Thermal energy is defined as the energy ___________________ by an object due to its ___________________ . Thermal energy is transferred from a region of ___________________  temperature to a region of ___________________  temperature.

1b
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2 marks

Identify, by placing a tick () next to the correct statements in Table 1.1 about energy and thermal energy. 

 
Table 1.1   
Statements Place a tick () here if correct

The conservation of energy states that energy is never created or destroyed, only transferred from one form to another.

 

When a thermometer is placed in a beaker of boiling water, the thermometer reading increases.

This is because the liquid in the thermometer is a lot warmer than the water.

 

Temperature tells us the magnitude of energy flow when two regions are in contact.

 

The mechanism by which the thermal energy is transferred is by either conduction, convection or radiation.

 

1c
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1 mark

Add an arrow to Fig. 1.1 to indicate the direction of energy flow between the 100 °C and the 0 °C region. 

  
14-1-1c-e-thermometer-thermal-equilibrium-esq-cie-a-level
Fig. 1.1
 
1d
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4 marks

The sentences in Table 1.2 below describe the process of thermal energy transfer from a hotter region to a lower region 

Order the sentences chronologically, by writing numbers 1−4 in the right column, to describe this process. 
 
Table 1.2     
Statements about thermal energy transfer Number the stages of the process

Two regions need to be in contact for thermal energy transfer to occur.

 

The final temperature when two regions are in thermal equilibrium depends on the initial temperature difference between them.

 

Thermal energy is transferred from the hot region to the cold region.

 

The hotter region will cool down and the cooler region will heat up until they reach the same temperature.

 

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2a
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4 marks

There are several properties that can be used to measure temperature.  

Identify, by placing ticks () in Table 1.1, next to the properties that can be used to measure temperature. 
 
Table 1.1       
Property Place a tick (✓) here
The colour of an object  
The density of a liquid  
The resistance of a metal  
The change in position of a solid  
The volume of a gas at constant pressure  
The e.m.f. of a thermocouple  

2b
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4 marks

The density of a liquid can be used to measure the temperature of a fluid.

Use the words in the box below to complete the sentences, 
 
density        volume          expands        contracts          measured          counted           length           colour
 

A liquid-in-glass thermometer depends on the _____________ change of a liquid. It consists of a thin glass capillary tube containing a liquid that _____________ with temperature.

A scale along the side of the tube allows the temperature to be _____________ based on the _____________ of liquid within the tube.

2c
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1 mark

Temperature can be measured by observing the volume of a gas at a constant pressure.  

State the correct relationship for Charles Law that shows this. 
2d
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2 marks

The resistance of a metal in a device such as a thermistor can be used to measure temperature.  

Sketch on Fig. 1.1 the correct shape of the resistance-temperature graph for a thermistor.
  

14-1-2d-e-thermistor-axis-temperature-esq-cie-a-level
Fig. 1.1
 

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3a
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4 marks

A thermocouple is an electrical device used as the sensor of a thermometer. 

14-1-3a-e-thermocouple-to-label-esq-cie-a-level
Fig. 1.1
 
Add the following labels to the correct place on the diagram in Fig. 1.1:
  • Voltmeter
  • Dissimilar metal 1
  • Dissimilar metal 2
  • Junction

3b
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2 marks

The e.m.f. and temperature are not directly proportional to each other in a thermocouple.  

Sketch a curve to show this on the axes of Fig. 1.2.
 
14-1-3b-e-thermocouple-axis-esq-a-level
Fig. 1.2
3c
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2 marks

Define absolute zero.

3d
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4 marks

Temperature can be measured using both the celsius and Kelvin scales.  

(i)
Convert 100 °C into Kelvin
[2]
(ii)
Convert −221 K into °C.
[2]

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1a
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2 marks

A steel manufacturer needs to decide which temperature sensor would be the most appropriate for their manufacturing process.

Fig. 1.1 shows the process of iron and steel manufacturing.

14-1-1a-h-14-1-h-steel-manufacturing-process-cie-ial-sq

Fig. 1.1

(a)
Using Fig. 1.1, suggest the requirements of a temperature sensor a steel manufacturer might look for.
1b
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6 marks

Table 1.1 contains information about a resistance temperature detector (RTD), thermocouple and thermistor. 

Table 1.1

14-1-1b-h-14-1-h-thermocouple-comparison-table-cie-ial-sq

A thermocouple contains two junctions, a hot junction and a cold junction, sometimes referred to as a reference junction.

(b)
(i)
Describe the working principle of a thermocouple to measure temperature.
[4]
(ii)
Explain, using your knowledge of physics, the purpose of the reference junction. 
[2]
1c
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4 marks

The manufacturer decides the best temperature sensor would be a thermocouple.

(c)
Using Table 1.1 and your answers to (a) and (b), justify the use of a thermocouple in monitoring the temperature of steel throughout the manufacturing process. 

1d
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2 marks

Suggest some ideal uses of a thermistor compared to a thermocouple.

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2a
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6 marks

A metal wok with a wooden handle is placed on a gas hob. The wok contains oil and the hob is switched on. A chef begins to heat the oil. 

Explain the role of conduction, convection and radiation in heating the oil. Use diagrams to help explain your answer. 

2b
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5 marks

A scientist has come across an unmarked glass thermometer containing mercury.  

Describe how the thermometer can be calibrated so it can be used to measure the temperature of objects between 0 °C and 100 °C.

2c
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3 marks

Explain and give examples of the differences between temperature and heat.

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3a
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3 marks

An NTC thermistor is used to measure the temperature of water in an engine. The thermistor and multimeter are shown in Fig. 1.1.

 14-1-3a-h-thermistor-resistance-reading-hsq-cie-a-level

Fig 1.1

 

(a)
State the value of the resistance shown on the multimeter. Include the magnitude of the uncertainty in your answer.
3b
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3 marks

Table 1.1 shows the resistance of the thermistor for different temperatures of the water in the engine. 

Using this data, plot the variation of temperature with resistance on the axes in Fig. 1.2.

Assume that the resistance of the thermistor varies linearly with temperature. 

Include error bars on your graph from the uncertainty of the multimeter. 

 
Table 1.1
Resistance / kΩ Temperature / °C
5.80 36.6
5.90 35.7
6.10 34.4
6.50 32.6

 14-1-3b-h-resistance-temp-graph-plot-hsq-cie-a-level

Fig. 1.2

3c
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2 marks

Use the graph in Fig 1.2 to obtain the minimum possible temperature of the water at a resistance of 6.00 kΩ. 

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1a
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2 marks

A metal plate is heated for a few minutes until it reaches thermal equilibrium. 

State and explain what is meant by thermal equilibrium in this context.
1b
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3 marks

The temperature of the metal plate rises from 25 °C to 450 °C.

On the thermodynamic scale of temperature, calculate

 
(i)
the temperature of 450 °C,
[2]
(ii)
the temperature rise of the block.
[1]
1c
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2 marks

Describe, in terms of particles, the transfer of energy as the metal plate reaches thermal equilibrium.

1d
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4 marks

A student states, incorrectly, that temperature measures the amount of thermal energy (heat) in a body.

State and explain two observations that show why this statement is incorrect.

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2a
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3 marks

Explain, using thermal energy transfer, why blowing on a hot coffee cools it down faster.

2b
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3 marks

Fig 1.1 shows the cooling curve for a hot cup of coffee left standing in a room.

14-1-2b-m-coffee-cooling-curve
Fig 1.1
 
(i)
Determine the temperature of the room.
[1] 
(ii)
Sketch on Fig 1.1 the curve for when the coffee is blown on.
[2]
2c
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5 marks

A student states that the temperature of the coffee measures the amount of thermal energy (heat) in it. 

Suggest whether this statement is correct. Explain your reasoning using two observations.

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3a
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4 marks
(i)
Suggest two instruments that can be used to measure the temperature of a water bath.
[2]
(ii)
State two reasons why they may record different temperatures.
[2]
3b
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3 marks

The e.m.f generated in a thermocouple thermometer may be used for the measurement of temperature. 

Fig 1.1 shows the variation with temperature T of the e.m.f E.

14-1-3-b-m-e-m-f-thermocouple

Fig 1.1

By reference to Fig 1.1, explain why this thermocouple would not be suitable to measure temperature.

3c
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4 marks

State two advantages and two disadvantages of using a resistance thermometer over a thermocouple thermometer to measure the temperature of an object.

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