Section 2 Thermal Physics (Multiple Choice)

February/March
2017
13. Very small pollen grains are suspended in water. A
bright light shines from the side.
When looked at through a microscope, small specks
of light are seen to be moving in a random, jerky
manner.
What are the moving specks of light?
A pollen grains being hit by other pollen grains
B pollen grains being hit by water molecules
C water molecules being hit by other water
molecules
D water molecules being hit by pollen grains

14. At –39°C, liquid mercury solidifies without a change of temperature.

Which row shows whether the mercury absorbs or releases energy and what happens
to the bonds between the mercury atoms?

15. A model thermometer consists of a flask of coloured

water and a stopper with a glass tube passing
through it, as shown.
The model thermometer can be changed in one of
two ways.
● The flask can be replaced with a larger one full of
coloured water.
● The glass tube can be replaced with one with a
larger internal diameter.

Which statement is correct?

A Only using a larger flask increases the sensitivity.
B Only using a wider tube increases the sensitivity.
C Using a larger flask increases the sensitivity and using a wider tube increases the
sensitivity.
D Neither using a larger flask nor using a wider tube increases the sensitivity.

16. A metal has a specific heat capacity of 360J /(kg°C). An object made of this metal has
a mass of 2.0kg.
1
 What is the thermal capacity (heat capacity) of the object?
A 180J /°C
B 180J / kg
C 720J /°C
D 720J / kg

17. In which type of substance are free electrons involved in the transfer of thermal energy?
A all liquids
B all solids
C metals only
D plastics only

18. Four objects, made of the same material and having the same mass, are at the same
temperature. The objects have different surfaces and different surface areas.
Which object emits infra-red radiation at the greatest rate?

2018
15. A cylinder with a tap contains a fixed mass of gas X. The gas is contained by a piston
which can move freely towards or away from the tap.

When the tap is opened, the piston moves slightly to the right, towards the tap.

What can be deduced about the pressure of gas X?

2
16. Liquid evaporates from a beaker.
What happens to the temperature of the remaining liquid and how does this temperature
change
affect the rate of evaporation?

17. Which quantity does not change when there is an increase in temperature?
A the density of a steel block
B the diameter of the hole in a metal nut
C the length of an iron rod
D the mass of a metal coin

18. A thermocouple is used to measure temperature.

Which is an advantage of using a thermocouple instead of a liquid-in-glass
thermometer?
A It can measure temperature in the range –10 °C to 110 °C.
B It can measure temperature that changes rapidly.
C It has a linear scale.
D It is more sensitive.

19. A block of copper has a mass of 2.0kg.

The block of copper absorbs 12 000J thermal energy.
The specific heat capacity of copper is 385 J /(kg°C).
What is the temperature rise of the copper?
A 15.6 °C
B 31.2 °C
C 46.8 °C
D 62.4 °C
20. A teacher demonstrates an experiment
to a class. A boiling tube is filled with
water and some ice cubes are trapped at
the bottom of the tube. The teacher then
heats the boiling tube in the position
shown until the water at the top boils.
The ice does not melt.
What does this demonstrate?
A Water is a good conductor of thermal energy.
B Water is a good convector of thermal energy.
C Water is a poor conductor of thermal energy.
3
 D Water is a poor convector of thermal energy.

21. A metal cup has a plastic lining. The cup is filled with hot water and held by a hand.
Which statement about the transfer of thermal energy from the water to the hand is
correct?
A In the plastic, no energy is transferred directly between adjacent molecules.
B In the plastic, fast moving molecules interact with free electrons, making the
electrons move very quickly.
C In the metal, energy is transferred only by electrons.
D In the metal, energy is transferred by electrons and by vibrations of the lattice.

2019
17. A thermometer has graduations which start at –10 °C and end at 110 °C.

What is the lower fixed point and what is the upper fixed point of the Celsius scale?

18. A 1 kg block of aluminium requires more thermal energy to raise its temperature by 1
°C than a 1 kg block of copper [Link] is this?
A Aluminium is a better conductor of thermal energy than copper.
B Aluminium is a poorer conductor of thermal energy than copper.
C Aluminium has a higher specific heat capacity than copper.
D Aluminium has a lower specific heat capacity than copper.

19. Four campers are warming their food

on a fire.
They use different rods, each of the
same dimensions, to hold their food
near the fire.
Which material is the best choice to
prevent their hands from getting too
hot?
A aluminium
B copper
C steel
D wood

4
20. Two metal cans are identical, except that one has a shiny silver outer surface and the
other has a dull black outer surface. They each have 300 g of water at 80 °C sealed
inside them. They are both in a vacuum, in the darkness of outer space.
How does the temperature of the water in each one change?
A Neither one will cool down.
B The water in the black can cools more slowly than that in the shiny can.
C The water in the shiny can cools more slowly than that in the black can.
D They both cool down at the same rate.

2020
16. When pollen grains in water are viewed through a microscope, they are seen to be in
continuous,
rapid random motion.
What causes a pollen grain to move in this way?
A convection currents in the water
B bombardment by a single molecule of water
C uneven bombardment on different sides by water molecules
D collision with another pollen grain due to their kinetic energies.

17. A student measures the mass of

warm water in an open container
over two minutes. The container is
kept at a constant temperature. The
results are in the table.

Why does the mass of the water change?

A The water evaporates. B The water freezes.
C The water condenses. D The water boils.

18. Which points are the fixed points of the liquid-in-glass thermometer shown?

A the beginning and end points of the column of liquid

B the points marked –10 °C and 110 °C
C the points marked 0 °C and 100 °C
D the top and bottom points of the thermometer bulb

19. The specific heat capacities of aluminium, iron, ethanol and water are given.

5
 1 kg of each metal is put into 5 kg of each liquid.
The starting temperature of each metal is 60°C. The starting temperature of each liquid
is 10 °C.
Which example has the highest final temperature?

20. Metals are good thermal conductors.

Insulators are poor thermal conductors.
Which description of the mechanism of thermal conductivity is correct?
A In insulators, conduction takes place by electron transfer and molecular vibrations.
B In insulators, conduction takes place by electron transfer only.
C In metals, conduction takes place by electron transfer and molecular vibrations.
D In metals, conduction takes place by electron transfer only.

21. A teacher shows his class a polystyrene cup. The cup is made from thick plastic with
lots of tiny air bubbles in it.
He asks the class why the cup is so good at keeping a hot drink warm. Three suggestions
are made.
1 It contains air which is a poor thermal conductor.
2 The air is trapped in tiny bubbles so very little convection is possible.
3 The plastic is a poor thermal conductor.
Which suggestions are correct?
A 1 and 2 only
B 1 and 3 only
C 2 and 3 only
D 1, 2 and 3

22. A boy jumps into an indoor swimming pool. He notices that the water appears to get
colder as he goes deeper underwater. This is due to convection.
Which statement is correct?
A Cold water is more dense than warm water so it sinks to the bottom of the pool.
B Warm water is more dense than cold water so it rises to the surface of the pool.
6
 C The molecules in cold water have more kinetic energy than the molecules in warm
water so they move to the bottom of the pool faster.
D The molecules in warm water are closer together than the molecules in cold water so
they rise to the surface of the pool.

2021
15. In an experiment, smoke particles are suspended in air and viewed through a
microscope.
The smoke particles move about with short random movements.
Which of the following statements is correct?
A Air particles have large masses compared to smoke particles and they move in one
direction only.
B Air particles have large masses compared to smoke particles and they move in
random directions.
C Air particles move at high speeds compared to smoke particles and they move in one
direction only.
D Air particles move at high speeds compared to smoke particles and they move in
random directions

16. The graph shows how the internal

energy of 1.0 kg of a metal changes
with temperature.
What is the increase in the internal
energy of a block of the same metal
of mass 0.25 kg when its
temperature rises from 40 C to 50
C?
A 30 J
B 300 J
C 750 J
D 1200 J

17. A piece of melting ice at 0 C and a beaker of boiling water are both in a laboratory.
The laboratory is at 20 C.

What is happening to the temperature of the melting ice and what is happening to the
temperature of the boiling water?

7
18. One end of a copper rod is heated.
What is one method by which thermal energy is transferred in the copper rod?
A Free electrons transfer energy from the cooler end to the hotter end.
B Free electrons transfer energy from the hotter end to the cooler end.
C Molecules of copper move from the cooler end to the hotter end.
D Molecules of copper move from the hotter end to the cooler end.

19. Which change will cause a decrease in the rate of radiation emitted by an object?
A changing the surface colour from white to black
B changing the surface texture from dull to shiny
C increasing the surface temperature
D increasing the surface area

2022
15. Smoke particles, illuminated by a bright lamp, are seen through a microscope. They
move about randomly.
What causes this motion?
A attraction between the smoke particles and the molecules of the air
B collisions between the smoke particles and the molecules of the air
C evaporation of the faster-moving smoke particles
D warming of the smoke particles by the lamp

16. Ether is a liquid that evaporates easily

at room temperature.
The rate at which ether evaporates can
be increased by bubbling air through it.
The diagram shows this process.
Students give three suggestions why
the rate of evaporation increases when
air is bubbled through.
Student 1 suggests that the temperature of the ether is decreased.
Student 2 suggests that the surface area of the ether is increased.
Student 3 suggests that evaporated molecules are removed at a greater rate.
Which students are correct?
A 1 and 2
B 1 and 3
C 2 and 3
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 D 3 only

17. Some ice is slowly heated and its temperature is measured. A graph is plotted of
temperature against time.

Which row describes what happens to the thermal energy and to the temperature in
section X?

18. The diagram shows the apparatus needed for an experiment to determine the specific
heat
capacity of the material from which an object is made.

Which piece of apparatus could be omitted if the purpose of the experiment is to

determine the
thermal capacity of the object?
A ammeter
B balance
C stop-clock
D thermometer

19. Both boiling and evaporation involve a change of state from liquid to gas.
Which row gives the correct difference between boiling and evaporation?

9
20. Which statement describes thermal conduction in a metal by electrons?
A Atoms and electrons move freely throughout the metal.
B Atoms and electrons vibrate about their fixed positions only.
C Electrons move freely throughout the metal.
D Electrons remain attached to atoms.

10
 May/June
2017
14. Brownian motion is observed when using a microscope to look at smoke particles in air.
What causes the smoke particles to move at random?
A Smoke particles are hit by air molecules.
B Smoke particles are moved by convection currents in the air.
C Smoke particles have different weights and fall at different speeds.
D Smoke particles hit the walls of the container.

15. A student blows air through a liquid using a straw. This causes the liquid to evaporate
quickly and therefore to cool. Which statement explains why the remaining liquid cools?
A Slower-moving molecules are carried away by the air bubbles.
B The air molecules conduct heat from the liquid.
C The air sets up convection currents in the liquid.
D The molecules with most energy leave the liquid.

16. What is meant by the specific latent heat of fusion of ice?

A the energy needed to change unit mass of ice into water at constant temperature
B the energy needed to change unit volume of ice into water at constant temperature
C the energy needed to produce unit temperature increase of unit mass of ice
D the energy needed to produce unit temperature increase of unit volume of ice

17. Equal masses of two different liquids are put into identical beakers. Liquid 1 is heated for
100 s and liquid 2 is heated for 200 s by heaters of the same power. Each liquid has the
same rise in temperature.

Which statement is correct?

A Each beaker of liquid has the same thermal capacity.
B Each beaker of liquid receives the same energy.
C Liquid 1 receives more energy than liquid 2.
D The thermal capacity of liquid 1 is less than the thermal capacity of liquid 2.

11
18. A copper bar and a wooden bar are joined. A piece of
paper is wrapped tightly around the join. The bar is heated
strongly at the centre for a short time, and the paper goes
brown on one side only.
Which side goes brown, and what does this show about
wood and copper?

2018
15. When molecules of a gas rebound from a wall of a container, the wall experiences a
pressure. What is the cause of this pressure?
A the change in energy of the molecules
B the change in momentum of the molecules
C the change in power of the molecules
D the change in speed of the molecules

16. A student wishes to calibrate a mercury-in-glass thermometer with a °C scale.

Which values should she use for the lower fixed point and for the upper fixed point?

17. In an experiment, an object is heated. The data from the experiment is shown.
● The energy transferred to the object is 3.0kJ.
● The mass of the object is 2.0 kg.
● The rise in temperature of the object is 10 °C.
● The specific heat capacity of the object is 150 J /(kg °C).
What is the thermal capacity of the object?
A 30 J / °C B 300 J / °C C 3000 J / °C D 9000 J / °C

18. Four thermometers, with their bulbs painted different colours, are placed at equal distances
from a radiant heater.
Which thermometer shows the slowest temperature rise when the heater is first switched on?
A matt black B matt white C shiny black D shiny white

12
2019
14. At room temperature, iron is difficult to compress. At the same temperature, oxygen is much
easier to compress. Which comparison of the structures of iron and oxygen explains this?
A The iron particles are closer together.
B The iron particles have a greater mass.
C The iron particles can be agnetized.
D The iron particles have less average kinetic energy.

15. A night storage heater contains a large block of material

that is heated electrically during the night. During the day
the block cools down, releasing thermal energy into the
room.
Which thermal capacity and which night-time temperature
increase will cause the most energy to be stored by the
block?

16. 100 g of water at 25 °C is poured into an insulated cup. 50 g of ice at 0 °C is added to the
water. The water is stirred until the temperature of the water has fallen to 0 °C. 18 g of ice
remains unmelted. The specific heat capacity of water is 4.2 J /g °C.
Which value does this experiment give for the specific latent heat of fusion of ice?
A 210 J / g B 330 J / g C 580 J / g D 770 J / g

17. The handle of a metal saucepan is made of plastic. As the saucepan heats up, the handle gets
warmer.
Which statement explains this?
A Molecules of the plastic radiate their energy to other molecules.
B Molecules of the plastic vibrate more and pass on their energy to nearby molecules.
C The free electrons in the plastic transfer the thermal energy along the handle.
D The heated molecules very slowly move along the plastic handle.

18. The metal surface of a kettle is hot.

What happens to the cool air outside the kettle when it comes into contact with the hot
kettle?
A The density of the air decreases and the air falls.
B The density of the air decreases and the air rises.
C The density of the air increases and the air falls.
D The density of the air increases and the air rises.
13
19. Vacuum flasks usually have silvered walls that help to keep the contents of the flask hot.
Why are the walls silvered?
A to absorb thermal energy from the air around the flask
B to increase the rate of convection inside the flask
C to reduce energy loss to the surroundings by conduction
D to reflect thermal radiation back into the flask

2020
14. Which row describes the forces between the molecules and the motion of the molecules in a
solid?

15. Wet clothes are hanging outside to dry. Which condition decreases the rate of evaporation of
the water from the clothes?
A folded clothes B higher temperature
C wetter clothes D windy day

16. The diagram shows a liquid-in-glass thermometer.

The design of this thermometer includes the following features.

1 a liquid which expands linearly when it is heated
2 a glass bulb which has a thick glass wall
3 a capillary tube with a very small diameter
Which features increase the sensitivity of the thermometer?
A 1 only B 1 and 2 C 2 and 3 D 3 only

17. The diagrams show four blocks of steel. The blocks are all drawn to the same scale. The
same quantity of thermal energy is given to each block. Which block shows the greatest rise
in temperature?

14
18. A room is heated by a radiator. The diagrams X and Y show two possible circulations of hot
air, which heat the room.

Which diagram and reason explain the heating of the room by convection?

19. Two copper containers P and Q are filled with hot water. The diagrams are both drawn to
the same scale.

Container P emits more infrared radiation from its surfaces than container Q.
What is a possible reason for this?
A The surfaces of P are painted white and the surfaces of Q are painted black.
B The surfaces of P are shiny and the surfaces of Q are dull.
C The surfaces of P have a smaller area than the surfaces of Q.
D The water in P is hotter than the water in Q.

2021
14. Which row describes the forces between the molecules and the motion of the molecules in a
gas?

15
15. Very small pollen grains are suspended in water. A bright
light shines from the side. When looked at through a
microscope, small specks of light are seen to be moving in
a random, jerky manner.
What are the moving specks of light?
A pollen grains being hit by other pollen grains
B pollen grains being hit by water molecules
C water molecules being hit by other water molecules
D water molecules being hit by pollen grains

16. A hole is drilled in a metal plate. What happens to the length of the plate and to the diameter
of the hole when the plate is cooled?

17. Which statement describes a sensitive liquid-in-glass thermometer?

A a thermometer which can be used to measure very high and very low values of
temperature
B a thermometer which gives the same increase in length of the liquid column for each
degree of temperature rise
C a thermometer which is accurate because it has been calibrated
D a thermometer which gives a large increase in the length of the liquid column for each
degree of temperature rise

18. A block of aluminium of mass 2.0 kg has an initial temperature of 20 C. It absorbs 7300 J
of thermal energy. The specific heat capacity of aluminium is 913 J /(kg C).
What is the final temperature of the aluminium block?
A 4.0 C B 8.0 C C 24 C D 28 C

19. A student sets up four cans. Each can contains the same mass of water at 90 C. The cans
are identical except for the outside surfaces.
Which can will cool down the fastest?
A dull, black surface
B dull, white surface
C shiny, black surface
D shiny, white surface

16
20. Thermal energy is transferred by conduction in a metal bar. Which statement is not correct?
A Fast vibrating ions leave the surface.
B Free moving electrons carry thermal energy through the bar.
C Ions vibrate and strike neighbouring ions to make them vibrate.
D Ions vibrate but do not change position.

2022
14. The conditions of a sample of gas change in two stages. stage 1 increase of temperature at
constant volume stage 2 increase of volume with no further change of temperature Which
row about the pressure after each stage is correct?

15. Small pollen particles are suspended in water. When viewed with a microscope, the pollen
particles can be seen to be moving about irregularly.
What causes this movement?
A The pollen particles are being bombarded by the heavier particles of the water.
B The pollen particles are being bombarded by the lighter particles of the water.
C The temperature of the water is higher than that of the pollen particles.
D The temperature of the water is lower than that of the pollen particles.

16. The diagram shows a liquid-in-glass thermometer.

Which physical property of the thermometer is used to measure temperature?

A expansion of glass
B expansion of liquid
C mass of glass
D mass of liquid

17. A block of lead of mass 500 g is at its melting point. The specific latent heat of fusion of
lead = 23 kJ / kg.
How much energy is required to completely melt the block?
A 46 J B 12 000J C 46 000J D 12 000 000J

17
18. A glass contains an iced drink on a warm and humid day.
Water starts to form on the outside of the glass.
What is the name of the effect by which the water forms?
A condensation
B conduction
C convection
D evaporation

19. One end of a copper bar is heated to a high temperature. Which mechanism is responsible
for the transfer of thermal energy to the other end of the copper bar?
A the lattice vibrations of copper ions only
B the lattice vibrations of copper ions and the movement of high energy electrons along the
bar
C the movement of high energy copper ions along the bar
D the movement of high energy electrons along the bar only

20. Four cubic copper containers are filled with water. The surfaces of all the containers are
painted black. Two of the containers have sides of length 20cm and the other two containers
have sides of length 40cm. Two of the containers contain water at 80 °C and the other two
contain water at 30 °C.
Which container radiates energy at the lowest rate?

18
 October/November
2017
14. A pollen grain in a beaker of still water is viewed through a microscope. Which diagram shows
the most likely movement of the pollen grain?

15. The diagram shows an air-filled rubber toy. A child sits on the toy and its volume decreases.
The temperature of the air in the toy does not change.

16. The diagram shows a glass flask, sealed with a small volume of
mercury in a glass tube. When the flask is gently warmed the
mercury rises up the tube.
What is the main cause of the movement of the mercury?
A expansion of air in the flask
B expansion of the glass flask
C expansion of the glass tube
D expansion of the mercury

19
17. Which row identifies the fixed points on the Celsius scale?

18. Aluminium has a specific heat capacity of 900 J /(kg °C). The internal energy of a 2.0 kg block
of aluminium increases by 13 500 J.
By how much does the temperature of the block increase?
A 0.067 °C B 0.13 °C C 7.5 °C D 15 °C

19. Why does a balloon filled with hot air rise?

A Cold air is less dense than hot air.
B Cold air is more dense than hot air.
C Heat rises.
D The density of the balloon is greater than the density of the surrounding gas.

2018

14. Diagram 1 shows apparatus being used to observe smoke particles. Diagram 2 shows how a
smoke particle moves randomly.

Why do the smoke particles move randomly?

A They are hit by air molecules.
B They are less dense than air.
C They are moved by convection currents.
D They gain energy from the light

20
15. A closed container of gas is heated. The pressure of the gas increases.
Which statement explains this increase in pressure?
A The changes in the momentum of the gas molecules striking the walls of the container
increase.
B The forces of attraction between the gas molecules and the walls of the container increase.
C The gas molecules collide with each other more frequently.
D The gas molecules lose more energy when they strike the walls of the container.

16. The metal lid on a glass jar is difficult to unscrew. The jar is placed in a warm oven until the
jar and the lid reach the same temperature. The lid is now easily unscrewed.
Which property accounts for this?
A thermal capacity of the jar
B thermal capacity of the lid
C thermal conduction
D thermal expansion

17. A block of iron of mass M is heated and gains 10 kJ of internal energy. The temperature of the
block rises by θ °C. A second block of iron of mass 2M is heated and gains 5.0 kJ of internal
energy.
What is the temperature rise of the second block in °C?
A θ/4 B θ/2 C 2θ D 4θ

18. Which factors affect the sensitivity of a thermometer?

1 the diameter of the bore of the tube
2 the length of the capillary tube
3 the thickness of the bulb wall
A 1 only
B 1 and 2 only
C 1 and 3 only
D 1, 2 and 3

19. Which statement about convection is not correct?

A It enables water in a pan on a cooker to get evenly heated.
B It happens in liquids and gases.
C It means that heat rises.
D It occurs because the density of a fluid decreases when it is heated.

21
20. A lamp has a metal filament that glows when heated by an electric current. The middle of the
filament is at a very high temperature. The ends of the filament, which are connected to the
base of the lamp, are cooler.
Which statement is correct?
A Some thermal energy is conducted to the base of the lamp.
B The filament radiates energy equally at all points along its length.
C The lamp transfers all of the electrical energy it receives into light energy.
D When the voltage across the filament is halved, the power output is halved.

2019
16. Which row describes the arrangement and the motion of the molecules in a gas?

17. A bubble of air of volume 3.0 mm3 is under water. The bubble is at a depth where the pressure
of the air inside the bubble is four times atmospheric pressure. The temperature of the air in the
bubble stays the same as it rises to the surface.
What is the volume of the air in the bubble as it reaches the surface?
A 3.0 mm3 B 9.0 mm3 C 12 mm3 D 15 mm3

18. The same quantity of thermal energy is supplied to each of four blocks. Each block is made
from a different material. Which block has the greatest thermal capacity?

19. A liquid turns into a gas. This occurs only at one particular temperature, and the change
happens throughout the liquid.
What is this process called?
A boiling
B condensation
C evaporation
D fusion

22
20. In a cold country, a bicycle has been left outside all night. The cyclist finds the plastic hand
grips feel less cold to the touch than the steel handlebars. Which row correctly describes the
temperature and the property of the two materials?

21. The diagram shows a tent made from a new material.

What type of material should the tent be made of to reflect the radiant energy from the Sun?

2020
15. A student splashes water on to her face. Here are three statements about the effects.
P The water uses energy to evaporate.
Q The water gains energy from the student.
R The face of the student cools.
Which statements are correct?
A P and Q only
B P and R only
C Q and R only
D P, Q and R

23
16. A bimetallic strip is used to control the temperature of electrical appliances. It is made of two
different metals fixed together. The diagram shows the shape of the bimetallic strip before and
after heating.

Which statement is correct?

A Metal P contracts more than metal Q on heating.
B Metal Q contracts more than metal P on heating.
C Metal P expands more than metal Q on heating.
D Metal Q expands more than metal P on heating.

17. A student writes three statements about thermocouples.

1 They have a small thermal capacity.
2 They respond very slowly to temperature changes.
3 They can measure temperatures above 500 C.
Which statements are correct?
A 1 only B 2 only C 1 and 3 D 2 and 3

18. Four blocks are made from different metals. Each block is heated for five minutes with an
identical heater. Assume there is no energy loss from the blocks. The table gives the masses of
the blocks and the temperature rises.
Which metal has the highest specific heat capacity?

19. A scientist measures the air temperature at different

heights from the floor in a cave. The results are recorded
in the table.
Why does altering the height affect the temperature of
the air?
A The molecules in warm air have less energy than the
molecules in cool air.
B The molecules in cool air are further apart than the
molecules in warm air.
C Warm air is less dense than cool air.
D Cool air rises above warm air.

24
20. Four solid spheres made of the same metal are heated to the same temperature. Which sphere
initially loses thermal energy by radiation at the greatest rate?
A diameter of 10 cm with a dull surface
B diameter of 10 cm with a shiny surface
C diameter of 5 cm with a dull surface
D diameter of 5 cm with a shiny surface

2021
12. A liquid is evaporating. The liquid is not boiling. Which statement about the liquid is correct at
an instant in time?
A Any molecule can escape, and from any part of the liquid.
B Any molecule can escape, but only from the liquid’s surface.
C Only molecules with enough energy can escape, and only from the liquid’s surface.
D Only molecules with enough energy can escape, but from any part of the liquid.

13. A gas is contained in a sealed container in a laboratory. The temperature of the gas increases.
What happens to the average speed and what happens to the total kinetic energy of the gas
molecules?

14. An aluminium block has a mass of 200 g. The specific heat capacity of aluminium is 900 J
/(kg C).
How much energy is needed to increase the temperature of the block from 20 C to 110 C?
A 2.0 J B 2000 J C 16 200J D 16 200 000J

15. The diagram shows the apparatus used to measure the

specific latent heat of vaporisation of water.
After the water begins to boil, 110 g of water is converted
to steam in 120 s.
Using these results, what is the value of the specific latent
heat of vaporisation of water?
A 1.8 J / kg B 1800 J / kg
C 2200 J / kg D 2 200 000J / kg

25
16. The diagram shows a pan used for cooking food.

Which row is correct for the materials used to make the base and the handle of the pan?

2022
12. The pressure of a fixed mass of gas in a cylinder is measured. The volume of the gas in the
cylinder is slowly decreased. The temperature of the gas does not change.
Which graph shows how the pressure of the gas changes during this process?

13. Wet clothes are hanging outside to dry.

What are the best conditions for the clothes to
dry most quickly?

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14. Which change in the design of a liquid-in-glass thermometer makes it more sensitive?
A a larger liquid reservoir
B a longer tube
C a smaller liquid reservoir
D a wider tube

15. A scientist is determining the specific latent heat of vaporisation of a liquid. He puts the liquid
in a vacuum flask and heats it with a 100 W heater. The mass of liquid in the vacuum flask
when it starts to boil is 300 g. He continues to heat the liquid for a further 12 minutes after
which the mass of the remaining liquid is 100 g.
What is the specific latent heat of vaporisation of the liquid? (Assume that all the thermal
energy from the heater is used to vaporise the liquid.)
A 6000 J / kg B 240 000J / kg
C 360 000J /g D 360 000J / kg

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