Gases and the absolute scale of temperature: past paper questions
Real questions on gases and the absolute scale of temperature
The newest 19 of 19 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0972/32 · May/June 2026 · Q4b(i)[1]
(b) (i) State the term for the lowest possible temperature. doce .......... .......... .......... [1]
See it on the paper → - 0972/32 · May/June 2026 · Q4b(ii)[1]
(ii) State the value, in °C, of the lowest possible temperature. lowest possible temperature .......... .......... .......... .......... [1]
See it on the paper → - 0972/42 · May/June 2026 · Q2b(ii)[1]
(ii) The temperature of the air at the balloon’s highest point above the Earth is 228K. Determine, in °C, the temperature of the air at this height. temperature .......... .......... [1]
See it on the paper → - 0972/32 · May/June 2025 · Q4b(i)[1]
State the value, in degrees Celsius, of the lowest possible temperature. lowest possible temperature = °C
See it on the paper → - 0972/32 · May/June 2025 · Q4b(ii)[1]
State the term used for the lowest possible temperature.
See it on the paper → - 0972/32 · May/June 2023 · Q4b(i)[1]
State the name of the temperature at which particles have the least kinetic energy.
See it on the paper → - 0972/32 · May/June 2023 · Q4b(ii)[1]
State the value of temperature at which particles have the least kinetic energy. Include the unit.
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · May/June 2023 · Q3b(ii)[3]
As the rubber stretches and the volume of the helium increases, the pressure of the helium remains constant. Explain, in terms of the particles of helium, how the pressure of the helium remains constant.
See it on the paper → - 0972/42 · May/June 2023 · Q4a[3]
The temperature of a fixed mass of gas at constant volume is decreased. State and explain, in terms of particles, how the pressure of the gas changes.
See it on the paper → - 0972/42 · May/June 2023 · Q4b(i)[1]
State the value of absolute zero in °C. value of absolute zero = °C
See it on the paper → - 0972/42 · May/June 2023 · Q4b(ii)[2]
Explain what is meant by the term absolute zero. Refer to particles in your answer.
See it on the paper → - 0972/42 · May/June 2023 · Q4c[3]
Cylinder 1 contains 350 cm 3 of gas at a pressure of 9.0 × 10 4 Pa. The gas is transferred to cylinder 2 and the pressure increases to 1.6 × 10 5 Pa. The temperature remains constant. Calculate the volume of cylinder 2. volume =
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · October/November 2022 · Q5b(ii)[2]
The piston moves and increases the volume occupied by the gas. The temperature of the gas remains constant. Fig. 5.3 shows the new position of the piston. moveable piston gas cylinder Fig. 5.3 State and explain what happens to the pressure of the gas on the cylinder.
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · October/November 2021 · Q3b(i)[2]
Calculate the volume of the air when the pressure of the air is 1.4 × 10 5 Pa. volume =
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · October/November 2021 · Q3b(ii)[2]
The balloon and stone stop moving when the stone hits the bottom of the lake. The temperature of the air now begins to decrease. Explain why the volume of the air in the balloon decreases as the temperature decreases.
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · May/June 2020 · Q6a(i)[1]
This thermometer is used for measuring temperatures in science experiments. State the unit for measuring temperature.
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · May/June 2020 · Q6a(ii)[1]
On Fig. 6.1, an arrow points to the temperature reading when the thermometer is placed in pure melting ice. This is labelled ice point. On Fig. 6.1, draw an arrow pointing to the temperature reading when the thermometer is at the upper fixed point. Label this arrow steam point.
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · May/June 2020 · Q3c(i)[2]
In the sealed end of the tube, the volume V 2 of the trapped gas is 50 cm 3 . In the open end of the tube, the liquid surface is 15 cm above the new level in the sealed tube. Calculate the pressure p 2 of the trapped gas. pressure p 2 =
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · May/June 2019 · Q6a[2]
On Fig. 6.1, suggest a value for the temperature at each of the three points marked on the y-axis. Write a value in each of the boxes.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
(i)(ii) Candidates generally lacked knowledge of this section of the kinetic particle model of matter. Common incorrect answers were, for (i): zero, and for (ii): freezing point or Kelvin.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0972/32 Q4(b) (Cambridge)
(i)(ii) Candidates generally lacked knowledge of this section of the kinetic particle model of matter. Common incorrect answers were, for (i): zero, and for (ii): freezing point or Kelvin.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0972/32 Q4(b) (Cambridge)
This question explicitly asked candidates to explain in terms of particles how the pressure inside a helium balloon stays constant when the temperature of the helium increases and the volume of the balloon increases. Stronger candidates explained the effect of temperature and volume separately, in terms of particles, and then clearly stated that if pressure is constant, one effect cancels out the...
— Examiner report, May/June 2023, 0972/41 Q3(b)(ii) (Cambridge)
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