Radiation: past paper questions
Real questions on radiation
The newest 13 of 13 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0972/32 · May/June 2026 · Q5a(i)[1]
State the name of the process of thermal energy transfer from the Sun to the copper pipe.
See it on the paper → - 0972/32 · May/June 2026 · Q5a(ii)[2]
The surface of the copper pipe is black. Explain why the surface of the copper pipe is black.
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · October/November 2025 · Q5b[3]
The cylinder is filled with a gas. Describe how particles of the gas exert a pressure on the inside surface of the metal cylinder.
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · May/June 2025 · Q5a[2]
A student uses the apparatus in Fig. 5.1 to compare how different surfaces absorb infrared radiation. thermometer thermometer dull black surface metal container metal container shiny white surface air air Bunsen burner Fig. 5.1 Before heating, the air inside the metal containers is at the same temperature. The Bunsen b...
See it on the paper → - 0972/32 · May/June 2025 · Q6a(i)[2]
The reading on thermometer Y is not 24 °C. Explain why the readings on the two thermometers are not the same.
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · October/November 2023 · Q2b[2]
The outside surface of the cooking pan is kept clean by regular polishing. Explain one other advantage of keeping the surface of the pan shiny.
See it on the paper → - 0972/32 · May/June 2023 · Q4c[2]
The metal block emits thermal radiation from its surface. State two features of a surface that is a good emitter of thermal radiation.
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · May/June 2023 · Q10b(ii)[2]
Pluto has a white surface, as shown in Fig. 10.2. As Pluto rotates, the white surface alternately faces towards and away from the Sun. white surface Fig. 10.2 Explain how this affects the temperature of Pluto as it rotates on its own axis.
See it on the paper → - 0972/32 · May/June 2022 · Q5a(i)[2]
Explain how the shiny surfaces reduce the transfer of thermal energy from the hot liquid.
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · May/June 2022 · Q6a[3]
On a sunny day, the Sun warms the road. Describe how energy from the Sun reaches the Earth and warms the road.
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · May/June 2022 · Q6b[1]
The temperature of the road is greater than the temperature of the sea. The surface of the road is black. Suggest one reason why the temperature of the road is greater than that of the sea.
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · October/November 2020 · Q5b[3]
The outside surface of the container is brightly polished and shiny. Explain how this reduces the power that needs to be supplied to keep the oil at the correct temperature.
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · May/June 2020 · Q6c(i)[2]
The student turns on the radiant heater and starts a stop-clock. The wax on the plate with a dull black side melts and the metal disc falls off the plate 53 seconds after the stop-clock is started. The metal disc on the plate with a shiny metal side remains attached for another 32 seconds after the metal disc on the fi...
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Most candidates knew that the dull black coated container would have the greater temperature rise. However, there were some vague statements seen such as “the dull black container gains more heat”. Most candidates correctly explained this higher temperature in terms of different rates of absorption of thermal energy by the differing surfaces. A common error was to state that the difference was due...
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0972/31 Q5(a) (Cambridge)
The majority of candidates wrote about dull black surfaces being good absorbers, but only those candidates who had read the question carefully realised that this situation was about dull black surfaces being good emitters.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0972/32 Q6(a)(i) (Cambridge)
In this question, candidates were asked to select the particular property of shiny surfaces relevant when using a pan to heat food. They needed to recognise that avoiding the loss of thermal energy was the desired advantage and the relevant property of a shiny metal was that they are poor emitters of radiation. A reference to shiny surfaces being poor emitters, without mentioning radiation (or equ...
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 0972/41 Q2(b) (Cambridge)
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