Thermal properties and temperature: past paper questions
Real questions on thermal properties and temperature
The newest 20 of 158 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 5054/21 · October/November 2025 · Q3b(i)[2]
Calculate the energy transferred from the 0.24 kg of water as it cools. energy = J The specific heat capacity of water is 4200 J / (kg °C). (i)
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · October/November 2025 · Q3b(ii)[2]
Describe how the molecular structure of water at 6.0 °C differs from the molecular structure of ice at 0 °C.
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · October/November 2025 · Q3b(iii)[1]
The plastic cup containing water at 6.0 °C is left in a room where the room temperature is 22.0 °C. The temperature of the water in the cup rises slowly to room temperature. When the water at 6.0 °C is left in a metal cup, the temperature of the water rises to room temperature more quickly. State why the temperature of...
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · October/November 2025 · Q5a[2]
Explain why the evaporation causes the temperature of liquid X to decrease.
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · October/November 2025 · Q5b(ii)[3]
The current in the base of the iron beaker causes the base to become hot. The temperature of the liquid at point P just above the base increases. Fig. 5.2 shows the position of point P. iron beaker point P Fig. 5.2 Explain, in terms of particles, why the density of liquid X decreases as its temperature increases.
See it on the paper → - 5054/22 · October/November 2025 · Q4a[1]
Explain how Fig. 4.1 shows that the melting temperature of the wax is 63 °C.
See it on the paper → - 5054/22 · October/November 2025 · Q4b(i)[3]
The mass of the wax in the test‑tube is 0.040 kg and its temperature at time t = 0 is 21 °C. The specific heat capacity of wax is 2100 J / (kg °C). Using Fig. 4.1, determine the increase in the energy in the internal energy store of the wax between t = 0 and t = 220 s. Show your working. increase in energy in internal...
See it on the paper → - 5054/22 · October/November 2025 · Q4b(ii)[2]
Describe what happens to the motion of the molecules of the solid wax as the internal energy of the wax increases.
See it on the paper → - 5054/22 · October/November 2025 · Q4c[2]
When the wax reaches its melting temperature, energy continues to be transferred thermally to the wax. Describe, in terms of the forces between particles, why energy is required to melt the wax.
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · May/June 2025 · Q4a(ii)[1]
State one difference between evaporation and boiling.
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · May/June 2025 · Q4b(i)[2]
Explain how the cooling coils cause a convection current in the air inside the refrigerator.
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · May/June 2025 · Q4b(ii)[2]
The food in the refrigerator is initially at a temperature of 20.0 °C. The food has a mass of 3.6 kg and a specific heat capacity of 3000 J / (kg °C). Calculate the final temperature of the food after 160 000 J of thermal energy is removed from it. final temperature = °C
See it on the paper → - 5054/22 · May/June 2025 · Q8c(i)[2]
State what is meant by ‘specific heat capacity’.
See it on the paper → - 5054/22 · May/June 2025 · Q8c(ii)[1]
Suggest and explain whether the coolant should have a large or a small specific heat capacity.
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · October/November 2024 · Q2b(i)[2]
The specific heat capacity of modelling clay is 1400 J / (kg °C). Calculate the maximum possible temperature increase of the ball. Show your working. temperature increase = °C
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · October/November 2024 · Q2b(ii)[1]
Suggest one reason why the actual temperature increase of the ball may be smaller than the value calculated in (b)(i).
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · October/November 2024 · Q3a[3]
Explain, in terms of electrons and the atoms of the metal, how thermal energy is transferred through the walls of the metal cylinder.
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · October/November 2024 · Q3b(i)[1]
State what happens to the motion of the particles of the gas as the temperature increases.
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · October/November 2024 · Q3b(ii)[3]
Explain, in terms of the particles of the gas, why the pressure the gas exerts on the walls of the metal cylinder increases as the temperature increases.
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · October/November 2024 · Q3c(i)[1]
Explain, in terms of the particles of the gas, why the pressure of the gas now decreases.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Despite being provided with the equation for the average rate of cooling of the hot water, many candidates confused the temperatures given in the table and inserted the wrong pairs of temperatures into the equation. Other candidates who had correctly calculated the rate of cooling, did not give their answers to 2 significant figures, as requested. Most candidates gave the correct units for the ans...
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 5054/42 Q2(b)(i) (Cambridge)
This question involved an identical calculation for the rate of cooling of the water at the bottom of the beaker. The principle of error carried forward was applied here so that candidates who had used an incorrect pair of temperatures in the previous part could obtain full credit here.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 5054/42 Q2(b)(ii) (Cambridge)
The majority of candidates were able to use their answers to (b) to explain why a hot liquid should be stirred before measuring its temperature.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 5054/42 Q2(c)(i) (Cambridge)
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