CAIE IGCSE Physics 2.2.1 Thermal Expansion of Solids Liquids and Gases Topic Practice

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Covered syllabus points

2.2.1.1—Qualitatively the thermal expansion of2.2.1.2—Some of the everyday applications and2.2.1.3—Explain, using particle motion and

Question 1

[Maximum number: 2]

State which state of matter, solid, liquid or gas, has the greatest thermal expansion and which has the least.
greatest expansion
least expansion

Question 2

[Maximum number: 1]

Solids expand when heated and contract when cooled.
In which example is there a useful application of expansion and not an unwanted effect?

A

bridges

B

railway lines

C

telephone cables

D

thermostats

Question 3

[Maximum number: 2]

A quantity of gas is trapped by a piston in a cylinder with thin metal walls. The piston is free to move without friction within the cylinder.

Fig. 4.1 shows the cylinder and piston.

Fig. 4.1

Fig. 4.1

The cylinder is placed inside a freezer.

As the temperature of the metal cylinder decreases, the volume of the metal decreases. The decrease in the volume of the metal is much less than the decrease in the volume of the gas.

Explain, in terms of the particles of the metal, why the decrease in the volume of the metal is less than that of the gas.

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