Edexcel IGCSE Physics 4.6 Thermal energy transfer
Practise explaining conduction, convection and radiation by choosing the transfer model that fits particles, contact, vacuum or temperature change.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2019
- Course
- Physics 4PH1
Practise explaining conduction, convection and radiation by choosing the transfer model that fits particles, contact, vacuum or temperature change.
A student pours a known volume of hot water into a metal container. They place the metal container into an insulated plastic cup containing an equal volume of cold water.

The student uses temperature probes to measure the temperatures of both the water in the metal container and the water in the plastic cup.
The het water has an initial temperature of 70∘C and the cold water has an initial temperature of 5∘C.
Explain why the temperatures of the hot water and the cold water change.
You should refer to different types of thermal energy transfer in your answer.
any 4 from:
MP1. hot water loses energy / cold water gains energy;
MP2. (thermal) energy is transferred from hot to cold water;
MP3. by conduction (through the metal);
MP4. idea that energy transfer stops when thermal equilibrium is reached;
MP5. some (thermal) energy lost (to surroundings) by convection/evaporation/radiation;
MP6. little/no (thermal) energy is transferred out through the insulated plastic cup;
allow cold water gains heat from hot water
allow equivalent statements for thermal equilibrium e.g. same temperature