Cambridge International

Exambuddy

PHYSICS

Transfer of thermal energy

5054
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1. A copper rod is heated at one end.

Which statement describes how heat transfer occurs in the copper?

A Energetic copper molecules move from the cooler end to the hotter end.
B Energetic copper molecules move from the hotter end to the cooler end.
C Energetic free electrons move from the cooler end to the hotter end.
D Energetic free electrons move from the hotter end to the cooler end.

2. Which heat transfer processes do not require a medium?

A conduction only
B convection only
C radiation only
D conduction and radiation

3. Which description of a dull black surface is correct?

A good emitter, good absorber and good reflector of radiation

B good emitter, poor absorber and poor reflector of radiation
C good emitter, good absorber and poor reflector of radiation
D poor emitter, poor absorber and poor reflector of radiation

4. The diagram shows a glass tube filled with water and suspended above a bench. The water is free
to circulate around the tube.
At point P, there is a convection current moving in a downwards direction.
At which point is the tube heated to cause this convection current?
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5. Four metal containers, with identical dimensions, are filled with water at 90 °C.
All the faces, except one, of each container are covered in a very good insulator.
The one exposed face on each container is painted either black or white.
In which container does the water cool the fastest?

6. Which statement is correct?

A Infrared radiation cannot travel in a vacuum.

B Infrared radiation cannot travel in solids or in gases.
C Infrared radiation can only travel in a vacuum.
D Infrared radiation can travel in a vacuum and in gases.

7. A glass beaker contains water in a warm room.

The water is initially at the same temperature as the room.
Which change does not affect the initial rate of evaporation of the water?
A changing the temperature of the water
B using a beaker made of thicker glass
C using a beaker with a larger cross-sectional area
D using a fan to blow air over the beaker
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8. A student makes four statements about evaporation and boiling.

1 Both involve an increase in molecular separation.

2 Both occur only at a fixed temperature.

3 Both involve the absorption of thermal energy.

4 Both occur throughout the liquid.

Which two statements are correct?

A 1 and 4 B 2 and 4 C 1 and 3 D 2 and 3

9. What is described as ‘the escape of more energetic molecules from the surface of a liquid’?

A condensation
B evaporation
C melting
D radiation

10. When a piece of smouldering rope is held at the opening of the box in the diagram, smoke moves in
the direction indicated.

What is responsible for the movement of the smoke?

A convection
B movement of free electrons
C radiation
D vibration of molecules
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11. The diagrams show four identical cans with their outside surfaces either polished silver or painted
dull black. Each can contains the same volume of water, initially at 80 °C.
After five minutes in a cool room, which can contains the coolest water?

12. Samples of four different materials at room temperature are heated from below and heat is
transferred upwards.
In which material is all of the heat transferred by the vibration of molecules?

A air
B mercury
C rubber
D water

13. A metal lid fits tightly on a glass jar.

Which process makes it easier to remove the lid from the jar?

A cool the lid only

B put the jar and lid in a refrigerator
C warm the jar only
D warm the lid only

14. A cold bottle containing a drink is placed on a table on a warm day. Drops of water form on the
outside of the bottle.
Which process causes the drops to form?
A condensation
B conduction
C convection
D evaporation
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15. Four beakers contain equal volumes of water at two different temperatures. The beakers are
placed in the open air.
From which beaker does water evaporate the fastest?

16. A metal box has four different surfaces; dull black, shiny black, dull silver and shiny silver.
The box is filled with boiling water so that each surface is at the same temperature.
A sensor measures the amount of radiation from each surface.

Which surface emits the least radiation and which surface emits the most radiation?
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17. Scientists believe that some lakes are shrinking because of evaporation.
What increases the rate of evaporation?

A a decrease in the surface area

B a fall in water temperature

C an increase in the depth of the lake

D wind blowing across the surface

18. A dish of liquid is left on a laboratory bench. Some of the liquid evaporates.
What happens and why?

AThe liquid cools because liquid molecules have more potential energy than gas molecules.

B The liquid cools because faster-moving molecules escape.

CThe liquid warms because liquid molecules have less potential energy than gas molecules.

D The liquid warms because slower-moving molecules are left behind.

19. Which statement about thermal radiation is correct?

A In a vacuum, thermal radiation travels at the speed of light.

B Thermal radiation is a longitudinal wave.

C Thermal radiation travels as an ultra-violet wave.

D White surfaces are better emitters of thermal radiation than black surfaces.

20. A slice of bread is placed under a red-hot electric grill to make toast.

How does heat energy reach the bread?

A conduction and convection

B conduction only
C convection and radiation
D radiation only
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21. The diagram shows the inside of a refrigerator.

When the refrigerator is first switched on, what happens to the air near the cooling unit?

22. Which statement about the transfer of thermal energy is correct?

A Transfer by radiation does not require a medium.

B Transfer is from a region of lower temperature to one of higher temperature.

C Transfer upwards in fluids is mainly through the vibrations of neighbouring particles.

D Transfer in solids is by means of density changes in the material.

23. A solid bar is heated at one end.

How is thermal energy transferred to the other end of the bar?

A Heated molecules move along the bar, carrying energy to the other end.

B Heated molecules move along the bar, giving energy to others along the bar.

C Heated molecules stay completely still, but give energy to other molecules.

D Heated molecules vibrate more rapidly and pass energy to other molecules.
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24. The tubes inside solar heating panels use the Sun’s radiation to warm water.
Why are the tubes painted black?

A Black surfaces absorb radiation well.

B Black surfaces conduct heat well.

C Black surfaces emit radiation well.

D Black surfaces reflect radiation well.

25. A piece of paper torn out of an exercise book is shown.

Which process is being described?

A conduction

B convection

C evaporation

D radiation
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26. An electrical heater is placed in a beaker of cold oil, as shown.

The heater is switched on.

What happens to the liquid at X?

A It becomes less dense and falls.

B It becomes less dense and rises.

C It becomes more dense and falls.

D It becomes more dense and rises.

27. The diagram shows a frozen pond with the surface of the ice slowly melting as heat is transferred
from the warmer air above it.

By which processes is heat transferred from the air to the ice?

A conduction, convection and radiation

B conduction and convection only

C convection and radiation only

D radiation and conduction only

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28. A glass beaker contains water. When the centre of the base of the beaker is heated, a convection
current is set up.

Which statement explains this?

A The evaporation of water causes water molecules to rise to the surface.

B The expansion of water molecules causes them to rise to the surface.

C The water above the heat source rises because it becomes less dense.

D The water at the sides sinks because it becomes less dense.

29. Two identical metal plates are painted, one matt (dull) white and the other matt black. These are
placed at equal distances from a radiant heater as shown. The heater is turned on for five minutes.

Which metal plate absorbs more energy and which plate emits more energy in this time?
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30. On a cold afternoon, a house loses 54MJ of thermal energy (heat) to its surroundings as shown.

The heating system must supply more than 54MJ of thermal energy to keep the temperature of the
house constant.
Which statement explains this?

A The extra thermal energy is lost from the house to the surroundings by other means.
B The extra thermal energy keeps the house warmer than the surroundings.
C The temperature of the surroundings decreases continuously during this period.
D The thermal insulation of the roof is extremely ineffective.