14.2 Temperature Scales | CIE A Level Physics Topic Questions 2025

1a

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

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1b

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.

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1c

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.

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1d

2 marks

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

On Fig. 1.1, sketch 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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1a

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

Using Fig. 1.1, suggest the requirements of a temperature sensor a steel manufacturer might look for.

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1b

6 marks

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

Table 1.1

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

(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]

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1c

4 marks

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

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.

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1d

2 marks

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

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1a

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]

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1b

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.

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1c

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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Easy
Medium
Hard

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

Temperature Scales (CIE A Level Physics)

Topic Questions