Conduction: past paper questions
Real questions on conduction
The newest 20 of 24 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0972/32 · May/June 2026 · Q5a(iii)[1]
State the name of the process of thermal energy transfer through the copper.
See it on the paper → - 0972/61 · May/June 2026 · Q4[1]
A student investigates the time taken to boil water when heated in containers made from different metals. The containers are heated on an electric hotplate, as shown in Figure 4.1. Plan an experiment to compare how quickly water reaches boiling point in the different containers. The following apparatus is available to...
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · October/November 2025 · Q4b[5]
The immersion heater is removed from the beaker. One metal rod and one plastic rod are placed in the beaker of hot water as shown in Fig. 4.1. The rods are at room temperature (20 °C) before they are placed into the beaker. metal rod point X is 2 cm from the end of the rod plastic rod X X hot water beaker Fig. 4.1 Desc...
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · May/June 2025 · Q5b[4]
A teacher has some equipment for comparing thermal conductivity. The teacher has four metal rods and one glass rod. The metals are brass, copper, iron and steel. All five rods are the same size and shape. Describe how the teacher may use the rods to compare the thermal conductivity of the five materials. You may draw a...
See it on the paper → - 0972/42 · May/June 2025 · Q4b[3]
Fig. 4.2 shows a metal pan with a wooden handle. Fig. 4.2 Explain why there is a much greater rate of transfer of energy through the metal than through the wood.
See it on the paper → - 0972/61 · May/June 2025 · Q2d(ii)[1]
Complete the sentence to explain the reason for stirring the water at each stage. The student stirs the water before recording the temperature
See it on the paper → - 0972/61 · May/June 2025 · Q2e[2]
Suggest two ways to minimise the loss of thermal energy from the beaker during the experiment.
See it on the paper → - 0972/62 · May/June 2025 · Q4[1]
Hot water is poured into a glass beaker and allowed to cool down for 5 minutes. Plan an experiment to investigate whether the rate of cooling of the hot water depends upon the initial temperature of the hot water. The rate of cooling of the water can be calculated using the equation: rate of cooling = decrease in tempe...
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · May/June 2024 · Q6a[2]
Describe how the student can compare the conduction of thermal energy through the rods in Fig. 6.1.
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · May/June 2024 · Q3b(i)[1]
State the name of the thermal process that transfers energy from the water to the ice.
See it on the paper → - 0972/42 · May/June 2024 · Q4b(ii)[2]
The container is made of steel and there is a vacuum between the inner and outer walls. The outer wall of the container is at room temperature. State two methods of thermal energy transfer that a vacuum prevents.
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · October/November 2023 · Q3c(i)[1]
State the name of the process of thermal energy transfer through the metal of the pan.
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · October/November 2023 · Q2a[3]
Thermal energy is conducted through all solids by lattice vibrations. Describe one other way in which thermal energy is conducted through the copper.
See it on the paper → - 0972/42 · May/June 2023 · Q5b[1]
Fig. 5.2 shows a cross-section of a double-glazed window in the room. outer glass pane narrow air gap inner glass pane Fig. 5.2 State the main methods of thermal energy transfer from the room to outside which are reduced by this type of window.
See it on the paper → - 0972/62 · May/June 2023 · Q2d[2]
A student states that the water cools slowly. Suggest two changes to the experiment that the student makes to increase the rate of cooling of the hot water without changing the starting temperature of the hot water. Room temperature remains constant.
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · May/June 2022 · Q6a(i)[1]
State the term used for the process that transfers thermal energy through the copper.
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · May/June 2022 · Q3b[3]
As the water in the cloth cools, so does the lemonade. Explain how electrons transfer thermal energy through the metal of the can.
See it on the paper → - 0972/62 · May/June 2022 · Q4[1]
A student investigates insulators. Plan an experiment to list insulating discs in order from best insulator to worst insulator. The following apparatus is available: • • • • • five discs made from different insulating materials a thermometer a stop-watch a heated metal cylinder (see Fig. 4.1) a second metal cylinder wi...
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · May/June 2021 · Q4a[1]
State why the pan is made from aluminium but the handle is made from plastic.
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · May/June 2021 · Q4b(ii)[3]
Explain, in terms of the atomic lattice and electrons, how thermal energy is transferred through the aluminium.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Many candidates gained credit for using their knowledge and understanding of thermal conductivity experiments to describe methods that were practical and to state how the order of thermal conductivity would be established. However, some candidates tried to list the materials in order of thermal conductivity.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0972/31 Q5(b) (Cambridge)
Most candidates understood the concept of free or delocalised electrons resulting in metals being good conductors of thermal energy. Many stated that metal was a good conductor or that wood was an insulator or a poor conductor. Stronger candidates carefully explained that the delocalised electrons carried (thermal) energy with them. Very few candidates stated that wood only transfers (thermal) ene...
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0972/42 Q4(b) (Cambridge)
Stirring was also required to ensure an even temperature distribution in the beaker.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0972/61 Q2(d)(ii) (Cambridge)
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