Specific heat capacity: past paper questions
Real questions on specific heat capacity
The newest 20 of 83 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0625/43 · May/June 2026 · Q4a(i)[2]
The temperature of the water increases from 22 °C to 80 °C. Show that the energy transferred to the water is approximately 49 kJ.
See it on the paper → - 0625/43 · May/June 2026 · Q4a(ii)[2]
The time taken for the temperature of the water to increase from 22 °C to 80 °C is 41 s. Calculate the minimum power of the hotplate. power = W
See it on the paper → - 0625/43 · May/June 2026 · Q4a(iii)[1]
State one reason why the power of the hotplate must be greater than the value calculated in 4(a)(ii). (iii)
See it on the paper → - 0625/63 · May/June 2026 · Q4[1]
A student investigates the rate at which the temperature of water inside a beaker increases when the water is heated. Plan an experiment to investigate how one variable affects the rate at which the temperature of the water increases. The apparatus available includes: • • • a selection of beakers an electrical water he...
See it on the paper → - 0625/62 · October/November 2025 · Q3a(i)[1]
Record the temperature in Table 3.1 to the nearest 0.5 °C.
See it on the paper → - 0625/62 · October/November 2025 · Q3a(ii)[1]
Complete the time t column. Table 3.1 temperature θ / °C time t / 80.5 75.5 71.0 67.5 64.0 0
See it on the paper → - 0625/62 · October/November 2025 · Q3b(i)[1]
Suggest why the student waits for 30 s before measuring the initial temperature of the hot water.
See it on the paper → - 0625/62 · October/November 2025 · Q3c(i)[1]
Calculate the decrease in temperature Δθ of the hot water during the first two minutes of cooling. Δθ = °C
See it on the paper → - 0625/62 · October/November 2025 · Q3c(ii)[2]
Calculate the average rate of cooling R 1 of the hot water during the first two minutes of cooling. Use the equation: R 1 = decrease in temperature time Include the unit in your answer. R 1 = unit =
See it on the paper → - 0625/62 · October/November 2025 · Q3c(iii)[1]
© UCLES 2025 Calculate the average rate of cooling R 2 of the hot water during the final two minutes of cooling. ĬÑĊ®Ġ´íÈõÏĪÅĊÝù·þ× ĬăÙñÎĞĝĠÒĊăÞöčÛóÿĂ ĥÕÅĕµÕåÕåĕåÅąµÅĕåÕ R 2 = 0625/62/O/N/25
See it on the paper → - 0625/62 · October/November 2025 · Q3d[1]
Use your answers in (c)(ii) and (c)(iii) to write a conclusion about the way in which hot water in a beaker cools.
See it on the paper → - 0625/62 · October/November 2025 · Q3e(i)[1]
Estimate the temperature of the water θ 5 after a further 5 minutes of cooling. θ 5 = °C
See it on the paper → - 0625/62 · October/November 2025 · Q3e(ii)[1]
Estimate the temperature of the water θ 50 after a further 50 minutes of cooling. θ 50 = °C
See it on the paper → - 0625/43 · May/June 2025 · Q4b(i)[3]
Define, in words, specific heat capacity. (b) (i)
See it on the paper → - 0625/63 · May/June 2025 · Q2e(i)[1]
Use your results from (d) to describe the overall pattern of the rate of cooling of the water in the experiment. Justify your answer by reference to your results. (e) (i)
See it on the paper → - 0625/63 · May/June 2025 · Q2e(ii)[1]
Estimate the final temperature θ F of the water after several hours. θ F =
See it on the paper → - 0625/63 · May/June 2025 · Q2f(i)[1]
Another student does the same experiment. He starts with the hot water at a lower initial temperature. Suggest how his cooling rates are likely to compare with those in (b). Use your results to explain your answer. suggestion explanation
See it on the paper → - 0625/63 · May/June 2025 · Q2f(ii)[1]
State one variable, other than the initial water temperature, that the student needs to control.
See it on the paper → - 0625/43 · May/June 2024 · Q4b(ii)[3]
Calculate the energy required to increase the water temperature from 20 °C to 65 °C. energy =
See it on the paper → - 0625/43 · May/June 2024 · Q4c[2]
The stainless-steel saucepan is replaced with an aluminium saucepan of the same mass. It contains the same volume of water. The specific heat capacity of stainless steel is 500 J / (kg °C). The specific heat capacity of aluminium is 890 J / (kg °C). Explain how using an aluminium saucepan will affect the time taken to...
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
The majority of candidates correctly defined specific heat capacity. Weaker candidates often stated energy transferred without including per unit temperature change or per unit mass in their answer.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0625/43 Q4(b)(i) (Cambridge)
Many candidates identified the pattern correctly but fewer made any relevant justification from their results.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0625/63 Q2(e)(i) (Cambridge)
Most candidates realised that the temperature would have returned to, or be close to, room temperature.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0625/63 Q2(e)(ii) (Cambridge)
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