CAIE IGCSE Physics 2 Thermal Physics Questions

Covered syllabus points

2.1.1 States of matter 2.1.2 Particle model 2.1.3 Gases and the absolute scale of temperature 2.2.1 Thermal expansion of solids, liquids and gases 2.2.2 Specific heat capacity 2.2.3 Melting, boiling and evaporation 2.3.1 Conduction 2.3.2 Convection 2.3.3 Radiation 2.3.4 Consequences of thermal energy transfer

[Maximum number: 1]

A sample of a substance has a shape that is determined by its container.
What are the possible states of this sample?

gas, liquid and solid

gas and liquid only

gas and solid only

solid and liquid only

[Maximum number: 9]

Fig. 3.1 shows a small block of ice floating in a beaker of warm water.

Fig. 3.1

(a)

State one way in which the motion of the particles in ice differs from the motion of the particles in water.

[ 1 ]

(b)

Energy is transferred from the water to the block of ice.

[ 8 ]

(i)

State the name of the thermal process that transfers energy from the water to the ice.

[ 1 ]

(ii)

Initially, there is 0.34 kg of water in the beaker. The specific heat capacity of water is $4200 \mathrm{~J} /\left(\mathrm{kg}^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\right)$ .

Calculate the energy transferred from this water as its temperature decreases from $28^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$ to $10^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$ .

energy transferred =

[ 2 ]

$2.6 \times 10^{4} \mathrm{~J}$ $c=(\Delta) E / m \Delta \theta \mathbf{O R}(\Delta E=) m c \Delta \theta \mathbf{O R} 0.34 \times 4200 \times 18 \mathbf{O R} 2.6 \times 10^{\mathrm{N}}(\mathrm{J})$

(iii)

The temperature of the water near the ice decreases first.

Explain how convection causes the temperature of all the water in the beaker to decrease.

[ 3 ]

(iv)

State what happens to the internal energy of the water as the temperature of the water decreases.

Describe the change in terms of the energy of the particles.
[Total: 9]

[ 2 ]

[Maximum number: 9]

(a)

The lowest possible temperature is zero kelvin ( 0 K ).

[ 3 ]

(i)

State the name of this lowest possible temperature.

[ 1 ]

(ii)

Nitrogen boils at 77 K .

Calculate the boiling point of nitrogen on the Celsius scale.
boiling point = ${ }^{\circ} \mathrm{C}[2]$

[ 2 ]

$-196\left({ }^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\right)$
(absolute zero / 0 K ) $=-273\left({ }^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\right)$

(b)

The temperature of a fixed mass of gas at constant volume changes from 300 K to 400 K .

State and explain, in terms of particles, the effect on the pressure of the gas.
statement
explanation

[ 4 ]

(c)

A sample of gas is at a pressure of 120 kPa . The volume of the gas is doubled at constant temperature.

Calculate the new pressure of the gas.
pressure =

[ 2 ]

(pressure =) 60 kPa OR $6.0 \times 10^{4} \mathrm{~Pa}$ $p_{1} V_{1}=p_{2} V_{2}$ OR $\left(p_{2}=\right) p_{1} V_{1} / V_{2}$ OR p V= constant

OR $p \propto 1 / V$ OR $1.2 \times 10^{5} \times 0.5$ OR $6.0 \times 10^{n}$

[Maximum number: 10]

(a)

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

[ 2 ]

(b)

Describe, in terms of the motion and arrangement of particles, the structures of solids and gases.
solids
gases

[ 3 ]

(c)

Define specific heat capacity.

[ 2 ]

(specific heat capacity is the) energy required to raise $1 \mathrm{~kg} /$ unit mass by $1^{\circ} \mathrm{C} / 1 \mathrm{~K} / 1 \mathrm{kelvin} /$ unit temperature
energy required per unit mass / 1 kg

OR energy required per unit temperature $/ 1^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$ increase $/ 1 \mathrm{~K}$ increase / 1 kelvin increase

(d)

A student carries out an experiment to determine the specific heat capacity of a metal. A cylinder of the metal is heated by a 12 W electrical heater.

State the readings that the student takes.

[ 3 ]

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CAIE IGCSE Physics 2 Thermal Physics Topic Practice

Covered syllabus points

Question 1

Question 2

Question (a)

Question (b)

Question (i)

Question (ii)

Question (iii)

Question (iv)

Question 3

Question (a)

Question (i)

Question (ii)

Question (b)

Question (c)

Question 4

Question (a)

Question (b)

Question (c)

Question (d)