Transfer of thermal energy: past paper questions
Real questions on transfer of thermal energy
The newest 20 of 42 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 5054/21 · October/November 2025 · Q3a[2]
Describe, in terms of molecules, how energy is transferred by conduction from the water to the ice.
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · October/November 2025 · Q5b(iii)[2]
The decrease in the density of the liquid at point P causes the transfer of thermal energy throughout liquid X. Explain how this happens.
See it on the paper → - 5054/41 · October/November 2025 · Q1c(ii)[1]
The student: • • • • • • closes the switch and immediately starts the stopwatch leaves the heater switched on for 5 minutes stirs the water while the heater is switched on opens the switch continues to stir the water for a further minute records the final temperature θ F . Calculate the temperature change Δθ. Use the e...
See it on the paper → - 5054/41 · October/November 2025 · Q1d(i)[1]
The energy Q H supplied by the heater is given by Q H = I × V × t where t = 300 s. Q H = J Calculate Q H . Show your working.
See it on the paper → - 5054/41 · October/November 2025 · Q1d(ii)[1]
The energy Q W gained by the water is given by the equation shown. Q W = W × 4.2 × Δθ Q W = J Calculate Q W using your value of W from (b)(i) and your value of Δθ from (c)(ii). Show your working.
See it on the paper → - 5054/41 · October/November 2025 · Q1d(iii)[1]
The efficiency of the heater is given by the equation shown. efficiency = Q W Q H Calculate the efficiency of the heater. Show your working. efficiency =
See it on the paper → - 5054/41 · October/November 2025 · Q1e[1]
Suggest one change that can be made to the apparatus used in this investigation that will increase the efficiency of the heater.
See it on the paper → - 5054/42 · October/November 2025 · Q2a(i)[1]
procedure The student: • • adjusts the distance d between the white card attached to the thermometer bulb and the lamp until it is approximately 1 cm records, in Table 2.1, the initial temperature θ W recorded by the thermometer. The thermometer is shown in Fig. 2.2. °C 30 20 10 Record θ W in Table 2.1 at time t = 0. F...
See it on the paper → - 5054/42 · October/November 2025 · Q2a(ii)[1]
The student: • • • switches on the lamp and, at the same time, starts the stop-watch records, in Table 2.1, the reading on the thermometer every 60 s for 5 minutes switches off the lamp. The student’s results are shown in Table 2.1. Table 2.1 time t / s white card temperature θ W / °C black card temperature θ B / °C 24...
See it on the paper → - 5054/42 · October/November 2025 · Q2b(i)[1]
Determine the temperature increase Δθ between t = 0 and t = 300 s for each card. Δθ for white card = °C
See it on the paper → - 5054/42 · October/November 2025 · Q2b(ii)[1]
Calculate the rate of increase of temperature of each card. Use the equation: rate of temperature increase = Δθ t Include the unit in your answer. rate of temperature increase of white card = unit
See it on the paper → - 5054/42 · October/November 2025 · Q2b(iii)[1]
Use your answers to (b)(ii) to reach a conclusion which compares the absorption of thermal radiation by the two different cards. State your conclusion.
See it on the paper → - 5054/42 · October/November 2025 · Q2b(iv)[1]
A student suggests that the rate of temperature increase is greater at the start of the experiment than at the end. State if the results for the black card support this suggestion. Justify your answer by referring to the results. statement justification
See it on the paper → - 5054/42 · October/November 2025 · Q2c[2]
controlled variable controlled variable (c) State two variables that are controlled in this experiment so that the comparison between the absorbing properties of white and black surfaces is valid.
See it on the paper → - 5054/22 · October/November 2024 · Q3b(i)[2]
The plastic material in the insulation is a poor thermal conductor. Describe how thermal energy is transferred through a plastic material.
See it on the paper → - 5054/22 · October/November 2024 · Q3b(ii)[3]
The plastic material also contains a large number of small air bubbles. Explain how the air bubbles reduce the transfer of thermal energy through the insulation.
See it on the paper → - 5054/41 · October/November 2024 · Q4[6]
A student uses ice cubes to investigate the time taken for different masses of ice to melt when the ice cubes are placed in water. Plan an experiment using ice cubes to investigate how the mass of ice affects the time taken for the ice to melt. The following apparatus is available: top pan balance supply of ice cubes 2...
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · May/June 2024 · Q2a(i)[2]
Explain, using ideas about particles, how the steam creates a pressure on the piston.
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · May/June 2024 · Q2a(ii)[2]
Explain why the pressure on the piston increases as the temperature of the steam increases.
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · May/June 2024 · Q2b[2]
When the pressure is high enough, the holdback bar is released. The steam pushes the piston along the pipe shown in Fig. 2.1. The piston has a cross-sectional area of 0.30 m 2 . The pressure of the steam in the tank is 2.1 × 10 6 Pa. Atmospheric pressure is 1.0 × 10 5 Pa. Determine the resultant force on the piston cau...
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Only stronger candidates correctly stated that the process of energy transfer from the heater through the base of the kettle to the water inside it was due to conduction. The majority of candidates confused this with what was happening to the water inside the kettle, and stated convection.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 5054/21 Q3(b)(i) (Cambridge)
The process of convection in the water was well known, and most candidates scored at least partial credit. Most candidates knew that the heated water rises and cold water sinks to establish a convection current. Few candidates stated that on heating, the density of the water decreased.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 5054/21 Q3(b)(ii) (Cambridge)
Almost all candidates were able to state that the boiling temperature of water at standard atmospheric pressure is 100 °C / 373 K.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 5054/21 Q3(b)(iii) (Cambridge)
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