1.

A
th e rm o m e te r

h e a te r
m e ta l b lo c k

The specific heat capacity of a metal block of mass m is determined by placing a heating coil in
its centre, as shown in the diagram above.

The block is heated for time t and the maximum temperature change recorded is Δθ. The
ammeter and voltmeter readings during the heating are I and V respectively.

The specific heat capacity is best calculated using which one of the following expressions?

VIt
A. c = m 

VI
B. c = m 

m 
C. c = VI

m 
D. c = VIt
(1)

1
2.

A
th e rm o m e te r

h e a te r
m e ta l b lo c k

The specific heat capacity of a metal block of mass m is determined by placing a heating coil in
its centre, as shown in the diagram above.

The block is heated for time t and the maximum temperature change recorded is Δθ. The
ammeter and voltmeter readings during the heating are I and V respectively.

Which one of the following is not a source of error in the experiment?

A. Some thermal energy is retained in the heater.

B. The thermometer records the temperature at one point in the block.

C. Some thermal energy is lost from the variable resistor in the circuit.

D. The block is heated at its centre, rather than throughout its whole volume.
(1)

2
3. This question is about modelling the thermal processes involved when a person is running.

When running, a person generates thermal energy but maintains approximately constant
temperature.

(a) Explain what thermal energy and temperature mean. Distinguish between the two
concepts.

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................
(4)

The following simple model may be used to estimate the rise in temperature of a runner
assuming no thermal energy is lost.

A closed container holds 70 kg of water, representing the mass of the runner. The water is
heated at a rate of 1200 W for 30 minutes. This represents the energy generation in the runner.

6
(b) (i) Show that the thermal energy generated by the heater is 2.2 × 10 J.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(2)

(ii) Calculate the temperature rise of the water, assuming no energy losses from the
−1 −1
water. The specific heat capacity of water is 4200 J kg K .

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(3)

3
(c) The temperature rise calculated in (b) would be dangerous for the runner. Outline three
mechanisms, other than evaporation, by which the container in the model would transfer
energy to its surroundings.

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................
(6)

A further process by which energy is lost from the runner is the evaporation of sweat.

(d) (i) Describe, in terms of molecular behaviour, why evaporation causes cooling.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(3)

4
 (ii) Percentage of generated energy lost by sweating: 50%
6 −1
Specific latent heat of vaporization of sweat: 2.26 × 10 J kg

Using the information above, and your answer to (b) (i), estimate the mass of sweat
evaporated from the runner.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(3)

(iii) State and explain two factors that affect the rate of evaporation of sweat from the
skin of the runner.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(4)
(Total 25 marks)

4. (a) A small lump of ice (a hailstone) at 0°C falls to the Earth’s surface. When the hailstone
hits the surface, all of the kinetic energy of the hailstone is transferred to thermal energy
in the ice. Calculate the minimum speed of the hailstone so that it just melts when it hits
–1
the surface. The specific latent heat of fusion of ice is 340 kJ kg .

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................
(3)

5
 (b) By reference to your answer in (a), suggest whether hailstones are likely to melt on
hitting the Earth’s surface.

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 5 marks)

5. This question is about nuclear reactions.

(a) (i) Distinguish between fission and radioactive decay.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(4)

235
U
A nucleus of uranium-235 ( 92 ) may absorb a neutron and then undergo fission to produce
90 142
Sr Xe
nuclei of strontium-90 ( 38 ) and xenon-142 ( 54 ) and some neutrons.

The strontium-90 and the xenon-142 nuclei both undergo radioactive decay with the emission of
–
β particles.

(ii) Write down the nuclear equation for this fission reaction.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(2)

6
 (iii) State the effect, if any, on the mass number (nucleon number) and on the atomic
–
number (proton number) of a nucleus when the nucleus undergoes β decay.

Mass number: ...................................................................................................

Atomic number: ...............................................................................................

(2)

The uranium-235 nucleus is stationary at the time that the fission reaction occurs. In this fission
reaction, 198 MeV of energy is released. Of this total energy, 102 MeV and 65 MeV are the
kinetic energies of the strontium-90 and xenon-142 nuclei respectively.

(b) (i) Calculate the magnitude of the momentum of the strontium-90 nucleus.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(4)

(ii) Explain why the magnitude of the momentum of the strontium-90 nucleus is not
exactly equal in magnitude to that of the xenon-142 nucleus.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(2)

On the diagram below, the circle represents the position of a uranium-235 nucleus before
fission. The momentum of the strontium-90 nucleus after fission is represented by the arrow.

s tro n tiu m -9 0

7
 (iii) On the diagram above, draw an arrow to represent the momentum of the xenon-142
nucleus after the fission.
(2)

(c) In a fission reactor for the generation of electrical energy, 25% of the total energy
released in a fission reaction is converted into electrical energy.

(i) Using the data in (b), calculate the electrical energy, in joules, produced as a result
of nuclear fission of one nucleus.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(2)

3 –1 –1
(ii) The specific heat capacity of water is 4.2 × 10 J Kg K . Calculate the energy
required to raise the temperature of 250 g of water from 20°C to its boiling point
(100°C).

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(3)

(iii) Using your answer to (c)(i), determine the mass of uranium-235 that must be
fissioned in order to supply the amount of energy calculated in (c)(ii). The mass of
–25
a uranium-235 atom is 3.9 × 10 kg.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(4)
(Total 25 marks)

8
6. This question is about the change of phase (state) of ice.

A quantity of crushed ice is removed from a freezer and placed in a calorimeter. Thermal energy
is supplied to the ice at a constant rate. To ensure that all the ice is at the same temperature, it is
continually stirred. The temperature of the contents of the calorimeter is recorded every 15
seconds.

The graph below shows the variation with time t of the temperature θ of the contents of the
calorimeter. (Uncertainties in the measured quantities are not shown.)

20

15

10

  C 0

–5

–10

–15

–20
0 25 50 75 100 125 150 175 200
t / s

(a) On the graph above, mark with an X, the data point on the graph at which all the ice has
just melted.
(1)

(b) Explain, with reference to the energy of the molecules, the constant temperature region of
the graph.

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................
(3)

9
 –1 –1
The mass of the ice is 0.25 kg and the specific heat capacity of water is 4200 J kg K .

(c) Use these data and data from the graph to

(i) deduce that energy is supplied to the ice at the rate of about 530 W.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(3)

(ii) determine the specific heat capacity of ice.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(3)

(iii) determine the specific latent heat of fusion of ice.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 12 marks)

10
7. A liquid is contained in a dish open to the atmosphere.

Which one of the following contains three factors that affect rate of evaporation of the liquid?

A. Temperature of the liquid Surface area Specific latent heat of vaporization

B. Temperature of the liquid Mass of liquid Specific latent heat of vaporization

C. Surface area Mass of liquid Temperature of the liquid

D. Mass of liquid Surface area Specific latent heat of vaporization

(1)

8. This question is about thermal physics.

(a) Explain why, when a liquid evaporates, the liquid cools unless thermal energy is supplied
to it.

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................
(3)

(b) State two factors that cause an increase in the rate of evaporation of a liquid.

1. .................................................................................................................................

2. .................................................................................................................................
(2)

11
(c) Some data for ice and for water are given below.

3 –1 –1
Specific heat capacity of ice = 2.1 × 10 J kg K
3 –1 –1
Specific heat capacity of water = 4.2 × 10 J kg K
5 –1
Specific latent heat of fusion of ice = 3.3 × 10 J kg

A mass of 350 g of water at a temperature of 25°C is placed in a refrigerator that extracts

thermal energy from the water at a rate of 86 W.

Calculate the time taken for the water to become ice at –5.0°C.

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................
(4)
(Total 9 marks)

12
9. A substance is heated at a constant rate. The sketch graph shows the variation with time t of the
temperature  of the substance.

X Y

W
= 0 t

In which region or regions of the graph must there be more than one phase of the substance
present?

A. WX and YZ

B. WX only

C. WX, XY and YZ

D. XY only
(1)

10. The physics of cooling

(a) Explain what is meant by the temperature of a substance.

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................
(2)

13
A thermometer is placed in a liquid contained in an open beaker. The reading of the
thermometer is recorded at regular intervals. The variation with time t of the temperature  is
shown below.

/ C 80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000
t / s

(b) The temperature of the surroundings is 20C. On the graph continue the line to show the
variation with time of the temperature for the next 3000 s.
(2)

(c) By reference to the graph, state and explain the rate of loss of thermal energy from the
substance between

(i) 0 and 600 s;

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................
(2)

14
 (ii) 600 and 1800 s.

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................
(4)

–1 –1
The mass of the liquid is 0.11 kg and the specific heat capacity of the liquid is 1300 J kg K .

(d) (i) Use the graph to deduce that the rate of loss of thermal energy at time t = 600 s is
approximately 4 W.

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................
(3)

(ii) Calculate the specific latent heat of fusion of the liquid.

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................
(3)
(Total 16 marks)

15
11. The specific heat capacity c of a solid block of mass m is determined by heating the block and
measuring its temperature. The graph below shows the variation of the temperature T of the
block with the thermal energy Q transferred to the block.

0 Q

The gradient of the line is equal to

c
.
A. m

m
.
B. c

C. mc.

1
.
D. mc
(1)

12. This question is about specific heat capacity and a domestic shower.

(a) Define the term specific heat capacity.

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................
(1)

16
(b) Equal masses of two different solid substances A and B are at the same temperature. The
specific heat capacity of substance A is greater than the specific heat capacity of
substance B. The two substances now have their temperatures raised by the same amount.

Explain which substance will have the greater increase in internal energy assuming both
remain in the solid phase.

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................
(2)

(c) In an experiment to measure the specific heat capacity of a metal, a piece of the metal is
immersed in boiling water and left there for several minutes. It is then transferred quickly
into some cold water in a calorimeter. The water is stirred and the maximum temperature
of the water is recorded.

(i) State why the metal is left in the boiling water for several minutes.

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................
(1)

(ii) Write down a word equation for the thermal energy QM lost by the metal to the
water.

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................
(1)

(iii) Write down a word equation for the thermal energy QW gained by the water in the
calorimeter.

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................
(1)

17
 (iv) A value of the specific heat capacity of the metal may be calculated from (ii) and
(iii) by assuming that QM = QW.

State why in practice, this assumption leads to an error in the calculated value of
the specific heat capacity.

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................
(1)

(d) The diagram below shows part of the heating circuit of a domestic shower.

in s u la te d w ire
w a te r p ip e
240V
s u p p ly

c o ld w a te r 1 4 C h o t w a te r 4 0 C
in s u la te d h e a tin g e le m e n t

Cold water enters the shower unit and flows over an insulated heating element. The
heating element is rated at 7.2 kW, 240 V. The water enters at a temperature of 14C and
−1
leaves at a temperature of 40C. The specific heat capacity of water is 4.2 ´ 103 J kg
−1
K .

(i) Describe how thermal energy is transferred from the heating element to the water.

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................
(3)

18
 −1
(ii) Estimate the flow rate in kg s of the water.

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................
(4)

(iii) Suggest two reasons why your answer to (b) is only an estimate.

1. ...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................

2. ...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................
(2)

(iv) Calculate the current in the heating element when the element is operating at 7.2
kW.

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................
(2)

(v) Explain why, when the shower unit is switched on, the initial current in the heating
element is greater than the current calculated in (iv).

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................
(2)

19
(e) In some countries, shower units are operated from a 110 V supply. A heating element
operating with a 240 V supply has resistance R240 and an element operating from a 110 V
supply has resistance R110.

(i) Deduce, that for heating elements to have identical power outputs

R110
 0.21.
R240

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................
(3)

(ii) Using the ratio in (i), describe and explain one disadvantage of using a 110 V
supply for domestic purposes.

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 25 marks)

20
13. The heat capacity of a solid body is defined as

A. the thermal energy required to increase the body’s temperature by one degree.

B. the maximum thermal energy that must be supplied to melt the solid.

C. the total kinetic energy of the solid’s molecules.

D. the average kinetic energy of the solid’s molecules.

(1)

14. A fixed quantity of an ideal gas is compressed at constant temperature. The best explanation for
the increase in pressure is that the molecules

A. are moving faster.

B. are colliding more frequently with the container walls.

C. exert greater forces on each other.

D. are colliding more frequently with each other.

(1)

15. Which of the following correctly describes the changes in the kinetic energy of the molecules
and the potential energy of the molecules as a liquid changes phase to a gas?

potential energy of the

kinetic energy of the molecules
molecules

A. no change increases

B. no change no change

C. increases increases

D. increases no change
(1)

21
16. The specific heat capacity of an object is defined as the thermal energy required to raise the
temperature of

A. the volume of the object by 1 K.

B. unit volume of the object by 1 K.

C. the mass of the object by 1 K.

D. unit mass of the object by 1 K.

(1)

17. Specific latent heat

(a) Define specific latent heat of fusion.

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................
(1)

2
(b) Solar radiation is incident on a pond of area 12 m . The pond is covered by a layer of ice
of thickness 3.0 cm. The temperature of the ice is 0.0C.

–3
(i) The density of ice is 900 kg m . Deduce that the mass of ice on the pond is
approximately 320 kg.

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................
(2)

(ii) The average power per unit area incident on the ice over a period of 6.0 hours is
–2 7
340 W m . Deduce that the energy incident on the pond in this time is 8.8 ´ 10 J.

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................
(1)

22
 –1
(iii) The specific latent heat of fusion of ice is 330 kJ kg . Determine whether all the
ice on the pond will melt in the 6.0 hour time period.

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................
(2)

(iv) State one assumption you made in reaching your answer to (b)(iii).

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................
(1)

(c) During the night, the air temperature drops to –5C. The ice that melted during the day
freezes again. Outline one mechanism by which thermal energy is lost by the ice.

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 9 marks)

23
18. A metal can containing water is heated using a heating coil as shown below.

m e ta l c a n

w a te r

h e a tin g c o il

The water is boiling at a constant rate. The mass of water boiled away per unit time is M1 for a
heater power P1. When the heater power is increased to P2, the mass boiled away per unit time
is M2. Heat losses to the atmosphere are not negligible.

Which of the following expressions gives the specific latent heat of vaporization of the water?

 P2  P1 
A.
 M 2  M1 

 P2  P1 
B.
 M 2  M1 

P2
C.
M2

P1
D.
M1
(1)

24
19. When the volume of a fixed mass of an ideal gas is reduced at constant temperature, the
pressure of the gas increases.

This pressure increase occurs because the atoms of the gas

A. collide more frequently with each other.

B. collide more frequently with the walls of the containing vessel.

C. are spending more time in contact with the walls of the containing vessel.

D. are moving with a higher mean speed.

(1)

20. A liquid is heated in a well-insulated container. The power input to the liquid and its specific
heat capacity are known.

Which of the following quantities must be known in order to calculate the rate at which the
temperature increases?

A. The time for which the liquid is heated

B. The initial temperature of the liquid

C. The final temperature of the liquid

D. The mass of the liquid

(1)

21. Temperature and thermal energy

(a) Outline how a temperature scale is constructed.

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................
(2)

25
(b) Discuss why even an accurate thermometer may affect the reliability of a temperature
reading.

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................
(2)

(c) (i) Define specific heat capacity.

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................
(2)

(ii) The table below gives data for water and ice.

–1 –1
specific heat capacity of water 4.2 kJ kg K
specific latent heat of fusion of ice –1
330 kJ kg

A beaker contains 450 g of water at a temperature of 24C. The thermal (heat)

capacity of the beaker is negligible and no heat is gained by, or lost to, the
atmosphere. Calculate the mass of ice, initially at 0C, that must be mixed with the
water so that the final temperature of the contents of the beaker is 8.0C.

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................
(4)

26
 (d) (i) Distinguish between evaporation and boiling.

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................
(2)

(ii) Explain, in terms of molecular behaviour, why boiling involves a transfer of

thermal energy with no change in temperature.

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................
(3)
(Total 15 marks)

22. The specific latent heat of fusion of a substance is the quantity of thermal energy required to
convert, at constant temperature,

A. a solid to a liquid.

B. unit mass of solid to liquid.

C. a liquid to a solid.

D. unit mass of liquid to solid.

(1)

27
23. This question is about the breaking distance of a car and specific heat capacity.

–1
(a) A car of mass 960 kg is free-wheeling down an incline at a constant speed of 9.0 m s .

s p e e d = 9 .0 m s -1

15

The slope makes an angle of 15° with the horizontal.

3
(i) Deduce that the average resistive force acting on the car is 2.4×10 N.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(2)

(ii) Calculate the kinetic energy of the car.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(1)

28
(b) The driver now applies the brakes and the car comes to rest in 15 m. Use your answer to
(a)(ii) to calculate the average braking force exerted on the car in coming to rest.

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................
(2)

(c) The same braking force is applied to each rear wheel of the car. The effective mass of
–1 –1
each brake is 5.2 kg with a specific heat capacity of 900 J kg K . Estimate the rise in
temperature of a brake as the car comes to rest. State one assumption that you make in
your estimation.

estimate:

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................

assumption:

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................
(4)
(Total 9 marks)

29
24. Which of the following will not affect the rate of evaporation of a liquid?

A. The temperature of the liquid

B. The surface area of the liquid

C. The mass of the liquid

D. Convection currents of air above the liquid surface

(1)

25. The specific heat capacity c of a solid block of mass m is determined by heating the block and
measuring its temperature. The graph below shows the variation of the temperature T of the
block with the thermal energy Q transferred to the block.

The gradient of the line is equal to

c
.
A. m

m
.
B. c

C. mc.

1
.
D. mc
(1)

30
26. Specific heat and a domestic shower

(a) Define specific heat capacity.

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................
(1)

(b) Equal masses of two different solid substances A and B are at the same temperature. The
specific heat capacity of substance A is greater than the specific heat capacity of
substance B. The two substances now have their temperatures raised by the same amount.

Explain which substance will have the greater increase in internal energy assuming both
remain in the solid phase.

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................
(2)

31
(c) The diagram below shows part of the heating circuit of a domestic shower.

Cold water enters the shower unit and flows over an insulated heating element. The
heating element is rated at 7.2 kW, 240 V. The water enters at a temperature of 14C and
–1 –
leaves at a temperature of 40C. The specific heat capacity of water is 4.2 ´ 103 J kg K
1
.

(i) Estimate the flow rate of the water.

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................
(4)

(ii) Suggest one reason why your answer to (c)(i) is only an estimate.

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................
(1)
(Total 8 marks)

32