IGCSE Combined Science 0653 · Physics · 41

0653.P2.3.01 — Identify and give examples of typical good 2 Describe thermal conduction in solids in thermal conductors and bad thermal terms of atomic or : past paper questions

9 real questionsasked in 3 of the last 10 exam series2024–2025usually: Describe, Calculate, Complete, Explain, Use

Real questions on 0653.p2.3.01 — identify and give examples of typical good 2 describe thermal conduction in solids in thermal conductors and bad thermal terms of atomic or

The newest 9 of 9 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.

0653/31 · October/November 2025 · Q8b[2]
splint (smoking) glass tube A smoke from splint hole in box glass tube B (b) The student sets up the experiment in Fig. 8.1 to show convection in air. burning candle Fig. 8.1 The splint produces smoke but has no heating effect. The arrows in Fig. 8.1 show the direction of movement of the smoke. The smoke is used to sho...
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0653/41 · October/November 2025 · Q8a(i)[2]
Complete the sentences about a bad thermal conductor. An example of a material which is a bad thermal conductor is .
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0653/41 · October/November 2025 · Q8a(ii)[3]
Copper is a metal. Describe two ways that thermal energy is transferred in a metal.
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0653/32 · May/June 2025 · Q8a(i)[1]
Circle the correct word in bold to complete the sentence. The warm air above the electric heater rises. Thermal energy is mainly transferred (a) (i)
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0653/43 · May/June 2025 · Q8a[2]
Convection occurs in the water in the pan. Explain convection in the water in terms of density changes.
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0653/42 · May/June 2024 · Q3b[2]
Describe how the process of convection enables the transfer of energy from the flame to the top of the heater.
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0653/62 · May/June 2024 · Q4b(i)[1]
Calculate the total change in temperature between t = 0 and t = 180 s for the beaker without a lid ∆θ A and for the beaker with a lid ∆θ B . ∆θ A = °C (b) (i)
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0653/62 · May/June 2024 · Q4b(ii)[3]
Calculate the average rate of cooling R of the water for each experiment. Use the equation shown. ∆θ R = ∆ t where ∆ t = 180 s Give your answers to two significant figures. Determine the unit for the rate of cooling. R A = R B = ,
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0653/62 · May/June 2024 · Q4b(iii)[2]
Two results are equal within the limits of experimental accuracy if the values are within 10% of each other. Use your answers to (b)(ii) to state whether the rate of cooling R A in the beaker without a lid is equal to the rate of cooling R B in the beaker with a lid. Support your answer with a calculation. calculation...
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What examiners said

Many candidates knew that warmer water is less dense than colder water and therefore it rises. Many candidates gave confusing or incorrect responses by trying to explain convection in terms of particles, which was not required in the question.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0653/43 Q8(a) (Cambridge)

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In the syllabus

41 0653.P2.3.01 — Identify and give examples of typical good 2 Describe thermal conduction in solids in thermal conductors and bad thermal terms of atomic or

Identify and give examples of typical good 2 Describe thermal conduction in solids in thermal conductors and bad thermal terms of atomic or molecular lattice vibrations conductors (thermal insulators) and also in terms of the movement of delocalised (mobile) electrons in metallic conductors
Know that convection is an important method of energy transfer in liquids and gases
Know that thermal energy transfer by thermal 3 Know that the temperature of the Earth is radiation does not require a medium and is affected by the radiation absorbed by the mainly due to infrared radiation Earth and the radiation emitted by the Earth
Describe convection in liquids and gases 3 Explain convection in liquid and gases in terms of density changes
Describe the effect of surface colour (black or white) and texture (dull or shiny) on the emission, absorption and reflection of thermal radiation
Describe experiments to distinguish between good and bad emitters of thermal radiation
Describe experiments to distinguish between good and bad absorbers of thermal radiation

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