CAIE IGCSE Physics Thermal Physics Question Bank

Practise particle models, gases, temperature, thermal capacity, changes of state and conduction, convection and radiation across CAIE 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: 6]

(a)

The molecules of most liquids are, on average, slightly further apart than the molecules of a solid.

State one other difference between the molecular structures of a solid and a liquid.

[ 1 ]

(b)

A glass tube passes through a stopper and into a glass flask. Fig. 4.1 shows that the flask is completely full of a liquid and that there is also some liquid in the tube.

Fig. 4.1

The flask is immersed in a large beaker of very hot water. At first, the level of the liquid in the tube falls, but after a short time it rises.

[ 5 ]

(i)

Explain why, at first, the level of the liquid in the tube falls.

[ 3 ]

(ii)

Explain why the liquid level in the tube stops falling and starts to rise.

[ 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 ]

$-196\left({ }^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\right)$

A2

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

C1

(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 $6.0 \times 10^{4} \mathrm{~Pa}$

A2

$p_{1} V_{1}=p_{2} V_{2}$ 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 $6.0 \times 10^{n}$

C1

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Covered syllabus points

2. Thermal physics question 1

2. Thermal physics question 2

Question (a)

Question (b)

Question (i)

Question (ii)

2. Thermal physics question 3

Question (a)

Question (i)

Question (ii)

Question (b)

Question (c)