Thermal expansion of solids, liquids and gases: past paper questions
Real questions on thermal expansion of solids, liquids and gases
The newest 15 of 15 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0972/41 · October/November 2024 · Q4b(ii)[2]
Explain, in terms of its particles, why the aluminium expands as the boiling water is poured into the dish.
See it on the paper → - 0972/42 · May/June 2022 · Q4a[4]
State and explain the two features of a liquid-in-glass thermometer that are necessary for linearity. statement explanation statement explanation
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · May/June 2021 · Q2b(ii)[1]
State what happens to the density of the mercury when its temperature rises. Tick (3) one box. density decreases density stays the same density increases
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · May/June 2021 · Q5a[2]
Explain, in terms of molecules, why a liquid expands when heated.
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · May/June 2021 · Q5b[2]
Explain, in terms of molecules, why a liquid expands more than a solid when heated.
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · May/June 2021 · Q5c(i)[2]
Explain how the sensitivity of the second thermometer compares with the sensitivity of the thermometer in Fig. 5.1.
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · May/June 2021 · Q5c(ii)[1]
Explain how the range of the second thermometer compares with the range of the thermometer in Fig. 5.1.
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · May/June 2021 · Q5d(i)[1]
State one everyday problem that is a result of thermal expansion.
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · May/June 2021 · Q5d(ii)[2]
Suggest and explain one way of solving this problem.
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · October/November 2020 · Q6b[3]
A student attaches a liquid-in-glass thermometer to a ruler. The thermometer does not have a marked scale. Fig. 6.2 shows the arrangement. cm 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 ruler thermometer mercury level Fig. 6.2 The student places the thermometer in steam. The mercury rises to 11 cm on the ruler. The student p...
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · May/June 2020 · Q6b[1]
A liquid-in-glass thermometer uses the property of expansion of a liquid to measure temperature. State one other application or consequence of thermal expansion.
See it on the paper → - 0972/42 · May/June 2020 · Q4c(i)[1]
increases the sensitivity of a liquid-in-glass thermometer
See it on the paper → - 0972/42 · May/June 2020 · Q4c(ii)[1]
increases the range of a liquid-in-glass thermometer.
See it on the paper → - 0972/42 · May/June 2020 · Q4d[1]
State the property of the liquid which ensures that the scale on a liquid-in-glass thermometer is linear.
See it on the paper → - 0972/42 · May/June 2019 · Q4b[2]
Complete Table 4.1 to give the relative order of magnitude of the expansion of gases, liquids and solids for the same increase of temperature. Write one of these words in each blank space: gas liquid solid Table 4.1 expands most expands least
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
The question asked for statements and explanations of the two features of a liquid-in-glass thermometer that are necessary for linearity. Candidates found this challenging. Only the strongest candidates understood what the question was asking. Weaker answers included ideas about improving the thermometer e.g., using thin glass walls, whilst others referred to finding suitable fixed points for cali...
— Examiner report, May/June 2022, 0972/42 Q4(a) (Cambridge)
There were many answers here that showed some understanding of the thermal expansion of a liquid and partial credit was often awarded. There were also answers that seemed to describe the change in volume that takes place when a liquid becomes a gas. Answers that referred to the expansion of individual molecules were not awarded full credit but, in some cases, credit was awarded for other comments...
— Examiner report, May/June 2021, 0972/41 Q5(a) (Cambridge)
Only stronger candidates answered this question well. Some candidates offered partial explanations in terms of the intermolecular forces but a less successful approach was based on the larger intermolecular spacings in liquids.
— Examiner report, May/June 2021, 0972/41 Q5(b) (Cambridge)
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