Temperature: past paper questions
Real questions on temperature
The newest 20 of 94 written questions, plus 2 multiple-choice. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 9702/41 · October/November 2025 · Q4a(i)[1]
the Celsius temperature scale temperature = °C
See it on the paper → - 9702/41 · October/November 2025 · Q4a(ii)[1]
the thermodynamic temperature scale. Give a unit with your answer. temperature = unit
See it on the paper → - 9702/41 · October/November 2025 · Q9a[2]
State Wien’s displacement law.
See it on the paper → - 9702/41 · October/November 2025 · Q9b[3]
Fig. 9.1 shows the variation with d –2 of the radiant flux intensity F observed from a star X, where d is the distance of the observer from the star. Fig. 9.2 shows the variation with wavelength λ of the rates of emission P of radiation by star X and the Sun. 8 F / 10 3 W m –2 star X P 4 Sun 0 0 1 2 3 0 5 10 d –2 / 10...
See it on the paper → - 9702/42 · October/November 2025 · Q3a[2]
State what is meant by two objects being in thermal equilibrium.
See it on the paper → - 9702/42 · October/November 2025 · Q3b(i)[1]
The value of Δh can be used to calculate the pressure of the gas. In order to do this, the gravitational field strength is used, along with a property of the liquid. State the property of the liquid that is used to calculate the pressure.
See it on the paper → - 9702/43 · October/November 2025 · Q4a(i)[1]
the Celsius temperature scale temperature = °C
See it on the paper → - 9702/43 · October/November 2025 · Q4a(ii)[1]
the thermodynamic temperature scale. Give a unit with your answer. temperature = unit
See it on the paper → - 9702/41 · May/June 2025 · Q3a[2]
Define specific latent heat.
See it on the paper → - 9702/41 · May/June 2025 · Q3b[3]
Explain why, for a substance, the specific latent heat of vaporisation is usually greater than the specific latent heat of fusion.
See it on the paper → - 9702/42 · May/June 2025 · Q3a[2]
Define specific heat capacity.
See it on the paper → - 9702/43 · May/June 2025 · Q3a[2]
Define specific latent heat.
See it on the paper → - 9702/43 · May/June 2025 · Q3b[3]
Explain why, for a substance, the specific latent heat of vaporisation is usually greater than the specific latent heat of fusion.
See it on the paper → - 9702/43 · May/June 2025 · Q3c[4]
An ice cube of mass 37.0 g at temperature 0.0 °C is placed in a beaker containing water of mass 208 g at temperature 26.4 °C. When all the ice has melted, and all the water in the beaker has reached thermal equilibrium, the final temperature of all the water is 10.3 °C. The specific heat capacity of water is 4.18 J g –...
See it on the paper → - 9702/42 · February/March 2025 · Q3a(i)[2]
P and Q are in thermal equilibrium. State what is meant by the term thermal equilibrium.
See it on the paper → - 9702/42 · February/March 2025 · Q3a(ii)[3]
Data for P and Q are given in Table 3.1. Table 3.1 P Q specific heat capacity / J kg –1 K –1 390 910 mass / kg 0.54 0.37 P and Q are initially both at the same temperature. P is supplied with 24 kJ of thermal energy. After some time, P and Q are once again both at the same temperature as each other. P and Q are perfect...
See it on the paper → - 9702/42 · October/November 2024 · Q3a[2]
Define specific latent heat.
See it on the paper → - 9702/42 · October/November 2024 · Q3b(i)[2]
Show that the magnitude of the work done on the substance when it vaporises is 1.7 kJ. (i)
See it on the paper → - 9702/42 · October/November 2024 · Q3b(ii)[2]
Use the information in (b)(i) to calculate the thermal energy Q, in kJ, supplied to the substance to cause it to vaporise. Q = kJ
See it on the paper → - 9702/42 · October/November 2024 · Q3b(iii)[2]
Use your answer in (b)(ii) to determine a value for the specific latent heat of vaporisation L V , in kJ kg –1 , of the substance. L V = kJ kg –1
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Generally well answered by the stronger candidates. However, several misconceptions are worth highlighting. Firstly, many candidates appeared to think that ‘constant temperature’ and ‘equal temperatures’ mean the same thing. Secondly, many candidates confused internal energy and thermal energy and gave answers that were contradictory.
— Examiner report, February/March 2025, 9702/42 Q3(a)(i) (Cambridge)
Most candidates knew the general equation for specific heat capacity and were therefore able to achieve the first ‘working’ mark. However, only the strongest candidates correctly analysed the energy transfers involved to arrive at the correct answer.
— Examiner report, February/March 2025, 9702/42 Q3(a)(ii) (Cambridge)
Many candidates did not give the expected definition for specific heat capacity. Some candidates were awarded credit for stating the idea of energy per unit mass. Many did not say ‘per unit change in temperature’. The ‘per’ (or other words to that effect) was necessary to indicate division. Some very weak candidates missed the idea that energy causes a change in temperature.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9702/43 Q2(a) (Cambridge)
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