CIE IGCSE Physics

Topic Questions

IGCSEPhysicsCIETopic Questions2. Thermal Physics2.3 Transfer of Thermal Energy

2.3 Transfer of Thermal Energy

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11 mark

The diagram shows a bucket of ice which is hanging from the ceiling of a room as a makeshift air-conditioner. This is a cheaper, less effective means of cooling the room.

q1-easy-mcq-2-3-thermal-processes-cie-igcse-physics

The ice cools the air next to it. What happens to the cold air and why?

 

What happens

 Explanation
A the cold air rises it is less dense than the warmer air in the room
B the cold air rises it is more dense than the warmer air in the room
C the cold air falls it is less dense than the warmer air in the room
D the cold air falls it is more dense than the warmer air in the room

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21 mark

Which of the following statements about convection is correct?

Warm air rises because:

  • The air molecules expand and become less dense.

  • The air molecules move further apart, making the air less dense.

  • The air molecules contract, making the air less dense.

  • The air molecules move closer together, making the air less dense.

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31 mark

Which of the following statements about thermal radiation is correct?

  • It is electromagnetic radiation.

  • It can only happen in a vacuum.

  • It involves movement of molecules due to changes in density.

  • It involves transfer of electrons through a material.

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41 mark

The Sun is the source of the majority of the energy on Earth.

How does thermal energy from the Sun travel to the Earth?

  • By conduction, convection and radiation

  • By conduction and convection only

  • By convection and radiation only

  • By radiation only

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51 mark

Which diagram correctly shown the motion of particles in a beaker filled with liquid heated from the base?

2-3-5-e

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11 mark

Which of the following processes take place in a non-metal to allow the conduction of thermal energy?

  Transfer of electrons

Lattice vibrations

 Transfer of nuclei
A yes yes no
B no yes no
C yes yes yes
D no yes yes

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21 mark

Two cars sit side by side, a black car and a white car. It is Summer.

q2-hard-mcq-2-3-thermal-processes-cie-igcse-physics

During the day both cars absorb infrared radiation from the Sun, and during the night, both cars lose energy by emitting infrared radiation.

Which car heats up more quickly during the day, and which car cools down more quickly at night?

 

Car which heats up more quickly during the day

 Car which cools down more quickly at night
A black black
B black white
C white black
D white white

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31 mark

An astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS) lights a match.

Using ideas about convection, what does the flame look like?

  • It burns upwards, like a normal flame.

  • It burns like a normal flame, but is directed downwards, towards the Earth

  • It burns like a normal flame, but is directed sideways, in the opposite direction to the direction the ISS is travelling.

  • It burns in a sphere for a short time, before going out.

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41 mark

Of the following modes of thermal energy transfer, which one transfers energy at the greatest speed?

  • Conduction

  • Convection

  • Radiation

  • Evaporation

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51 mark

A student suggests some uses for the knowledge that black and white objects emit and absorb different amounts of infrared radiation.

Which of her suggestions is correct? 

  • Coffee mugs should be black to keep the coffee hot.

  • Houses in hot countries should be painted white to keep the occupants cool.

  • White clothing will help you cool down much faster.

  • Solar heating panels should be white to heat the water more quickly.

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61 mark

When a family wants to embark on a picnic, they tend to want to take food which is best served chilled, like sandwiches and lemonade. 

In order to achieve this, ice packs are packed with the picnic food in a hamper. Two are recommended.

Where does physics dictate both ice packs should be placed in order to keep the food as cool as possible?

  • Both at the top of the hamper

  • One at the top of the hamper and one at the bottom

  • Both at the bottom of the hamper

  • On either side of the hamper

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11 mark

In a very common classroom Physics demonstration, a teacher sets up a rod, as shown in the diagram. Half of the rod is copper, the other half is wood.

She sticks four lead balls to the rod using wax. The wax melts when its temperature rises a small amount, causing the ball to fall off.

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The teacher heats the rod in the centre, with something more gentle than a Bunsen burner, that will not burn the wood.

Which ball falls off first?

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21 mark

Which of the following statements about energy transfer is correct?

  • Metals conduct thermal energy well because their electrons are not free to move.

  • Infrared radiation cannot travel through a vacuum.

  • Warm fluids rise because their particles move further apart.

  • Convection only occurs in gases.

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31 mark

A lit match is placed above a thermometer.

q3-medium-mcq-2-3-thermal-processes-cie-igcse-physics

Which row in the table shows how the thermal energy from the lit match reaches the thermometer?

  Convection Conduction Radiation
A yes yes yes
B yes yes no
C no yes yes
D no no yes

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41 mark

The walls of a vacuum flask contain two layers of glass, separated by a vacuum.

q4-medium-mcq-2-3-thermal-processes-cie-igcse-physics

Which method(s) of thermal energy transfer are prevented by the vacuum?

  • Radiation

  • Conduction and radiation

  • Convection and radiation

  • Conduction and convection

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51 mark

In modern housing, it is convenient to locate heaters so they are not on the walls, taking up valuable wall space for furniture.

Other than wall-mounted radiators, two other options would be viable: ceiling heaters or underfloor heaters.

q5-medium-mcq-2-3-thermal-processes-cie-igcse-physics

Which of the two options would heat the room more effectively and why?

  Option Explanation
A ceiling-mounted hot air is more dense and falls
B ceiling-mounted hot air is less dense and falls
C underfloor hot air is less dense and rises
D underfloor hot air is more dense and rises

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