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Fig. 11.1 shows a beaker of water on a tripod and gauze. The beaker of water is being heated. beaker tripod heat Fig. 11.1 Water at the bottom of the beaker is heated by conduction through the glass beaker. Explain the process of convection which causes all the water in the beaker to increase in temperature.
See it on the paper →Energy is released in the core of the Sun. Explain how thermal energy travels, by convection, through the outer gas layers of the surface of the Sun.
See it on the paper →Which two actions can each, on their own, cause this convection current?
See it on the paper →The water at the bottom of the saucepan is heated. All the water in the saucepan is warmed by convection. On Fig. 6.3, draw arrows to show how the heated water circulates around the saucepan. One arrow has been drawn for you.
See it on the paper →Explain, in terms of density changes, why the cooling unit being fitted at the top of the refrigerator allows all of the air inside to be cooled.
See it on the paper →Thermal energy is transferred through the water in the boiler by convection. Describe the process of convection in terms of density changes.
See it on the paper →State the method of thermal energy transfer that heats all the air in the room.
See it on the paper →The air inside the refrigerator is cooled by the freezing compartment. On Fig. 9.1, draw one straight arrow to show the movement of the air cooled by the freezing compartment.
See it on the paper →The kettle is filled with cold water and switched on. Describe, in terms of density changes, how the heating element heats up all of the water.
See it on the paper →The arrow shows the start of a convection current. Draw more arrows on Fig. 6.2 to show the convection current in water.
See it on the paper →The train is made of steel painted dark grey. On sunny days, the inside of the train can get very hot. Explain why painting the train white would reduce the heating effect.
See it on the paper →Fig. 12.1 shows a hot water storage tank in a house. hot water outlet tank water electric heater cold water inlet Fig. 12.1 The water is heated by an electric heater placed near the bottom of the tank. Cold water enters at the bottom of the tank and hot water leaves at the top of the tank. Explain why all the water in...
See it on the paper →Many responses did not describe convection as the bulk movement of a fluid, instead focusing on single molecules of water. A commonly seen misconception was that heat transfers in liquid by conduction. The best answers linked changes of density to movement within the beaker.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0654/41 Q11(b) (Cambridge)
Candidates found this demanding and often stated that particles themselves changed in density. There were also many references to air rather than gas.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0654/42 Q12(b)(ii) (Cambridge)
There were very few correct responses that showed a convection current.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 0654/33 Q6(b)(ii) (Cambridge)
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