Thermal properties and temperature — Paper 2 · IGCSE Physics (9-1) 0972

16 A student wishes to calibrate a mercury-in-glass thermometer with a °C scale. Which values should she use for the lower fixed point and for the upper fixed point? lower fixed point upper fixed point A melting point of ice boiling point of mercury B melting point of ice boiling point of water C melting point of mercury boiling point of mercury D melting point of mercury boiling point of water

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0972/21 May/June 2018

17 Which statements about boiling and about evaporation are both correct? boiling evaporation A takes place only at the surface takes place only at the surface B takes place only at the surface takes place throughout the liquid C takes place throughout the liquid takes place only at the surface D takes place throughout the liquid takes place throughout the liquid

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0972/21 May/June 2018

16 The distance between two electricity pylons is 60 m. An engineer fits a cable of length 62 m between the pylons. Why does the engineer choose a cable that is longer than the distance between the two pylons? A to allow for contraction of the cable in cold weather B to create a slope in the cable for electrons to flow down C to keep the current low and the voltage high D to reduce magnetic fields around the cable

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0972/21 Oct/Nov 2018

17 The diagram shows a liquid-in-glass thermometer. bulb capillary tube Which change increases the sensitivity of the thermometer? A a narrower capillary tube B a wider capillary tube C thicker glass around the bulb D thinner glass around the bulb

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0972/21 Oct/Nov 2018

18 An object of mass 800 g and specific heat capacity 250 J / (kg °C) is heated. It absorbs 5300 J of energy. What is the increase in temperature of the object? A 0.027 °C B 17 °C C 27 °C D 17 000 °C

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0972/21 Oct/Nov 2018

15 A night storage heater contains a large block of material that is heated electrically during the night. During the day the block cools down, releasing thermal energy into the room. Which thermal capacity and which night-time temperature increase will cause the most energy to be stored by the block? thermal capacity night-time of block temperature increase A large large B large small C small large D small small

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0972/21 May/June 2019

16 100 g of water at 25 °C is poured into an insulating cup. 50 g of ice at 0 °C is added to the water. The water is stirred until the temperature of the water has fallen to 0 °C. 18 g of ice remains unmelted. The specific heat capacity of water is 4.2 J / g °C. Which value does this experiment give for the specific latent heat of fusion of ice? A 210 J / g B 330 J / g C 580 J / g D 770 J / g

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0972/21 May/June 2019

15 A night storage heater contains a large block of material that is heated electrically during the night. During the day the block cools down, releasing thermal energy into the room. Which thermal capacity and which night-time temperature increase will cause the most energy to be stored by the block? thermal capacity night-time of block temperature increase A large large B large small C small large D small small

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0972/22 May/June 2019

16 100 g of water at 25 °C is poured into an insulated cup. 50 g of ice at 0 °C is added to the water. The water is stirred until the temperature of the water has fallen to 0 °C. 18 g of ice remains unmelted. The specific heat capacity of water is 4.2 J / g °C. Which value does this experiment give for the specific latent heat of fusion of ice? A 210 J / g B 330 J / g C 580 J / g D 770 J / g

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0972/22 May/June 2019

15 Which statement about the evaporation of a liquid is correct? A The least energetic molecules escape from the surface and the temperature of the liquid decreases. B The least energetic molecules escape from the surface and the temperature of the liquid increases. C The most energetic molecules escape from the surface and the temperature of the liquid decreases. D The most energetic molecules escape from the surface and the temperature of the liquid increases.

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0972/21 Oct/Nov 2019

17 Which change in the design of a liquid-in-glass thermometer makes it more sensitive? A a larger liquid reservoir B a longer tube C a smaller liquid reservoir D a wider tube

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0972/21 Oct/Nov 2019

18 A liquid turns into a gas. This occurs only at one particular temperature, and the change happens throughout the liquid. What is this process called? A boiling B condensation C evaporation D fusion

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0972/21 Oct/Nov 2019

14 A gas is heated in a sealed container. The volume of the container does not change. What happens to the molecules of the gas? A The average distance between molecules increases. B The average kinetic energy of the molecules increases. C The mass of each molecule increases. D The volume of each molecule increases.

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0972/21 May/June 2020

16 A solid is heated causing it to expand. What effect does this have on its mass and on its density? mass density A decreases decreases B decreases stays constant C stays constant decreases D stays constant stays constant

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0972/21 May/June 2020

17 The diagrams show four blocks of steel. The blocks are all drawn to the same scale. The same quantity of thermal energy is given to each block. Which block shows the greatest rise in temperature? A B C D

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0972/21 May/June 2020

16 The diagram shows a liquid-in-glass thermometer. glass bulb stem capillary tube –10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 liquid The design of this thermometer includes the following features. 1 a liquid which expands linearly when it is heated 2 a glass bulb which has a thick glass wall 3 a capillary tube with a very small diameter Which features increase the sensitivity of the thermometer? A 1 only B 1 and 2 C 2 and 3 D 3 only

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 0972/22 May/June 2020

17 The diagrams show four blocks of steel. The blocks are all drawn to the same scale. The same quantity of thermal energy is given to each block. Which block shows the greatest rise in temperature? A B C D

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0972/22 May/June 2020

15 A student splashes water on to her face. Here are three statements about the effects. P The water uses energy to evaporate. Q The water gains energy from the student. R The face of the student cools. Which statements are correct? A P and Q only B P and R only C Q and R only D P, Q and R

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 0972/21 Oct/Nov 2020

16 When a bridge is built, a gap is left between each concrete slab. Why are these gaps left? A Concrete expands on warm days. B Concrete contracts on warm days. C The gaps expand on warm days. D The gaps contract on cold days.

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0972/21 Oct/Nov 2020

17 The specific heat capacity of solid P is greater than that of solid Q. What does this statement mean? A Less energy is needed to raise the temperature by 1 C of unit mass of solid P than unit mass of solid Q. B Less energy is needed to melt unit mass of solid P than unit mass of solid Q. C More energy is needed to raise the temperature by 1 C of unit mass of solid P than unit mass of solid Q. D More energy is needed to melt unit mass of solid P than unit mass of solid Q.

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0972/21 Oct/Nov 2020

18 A student placed a number of ice cubes in a container with a hole in the base. He left them to melt so that the water dripped into a beaker placed on a balance. The student recorded the initial mass of the beaker and the final mass of the beaker and water after five minutes. ice in a container with a hole in the base beaker balance 0.05 kg 0.16 kg before after The specific latent heat of fusion for water is 334 J / g. How much energy was absorbed from the surroundings in order to melt the ice? A 37 J B 54 J C 37 000 J D 54 000 J

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0972/21 Oct/Nov 2020

14 An aluminium block has a mass of 200 g. The specific heat capacity of aluminium is 900 J / (kg C). How much energy is needed to increase the temperature of the block from 20 C to 110 C? A 2.0 J B 2000 J C 16 200 J D 16 200 000 J

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0972/21 Oct/Nov 2021

15 The diagram shows a liquid-in-glass thermometer. liquid capillary tube bulb scale Which change to the design would result in a more sensitive thermometer? A Increase the density of the liquid. B Increase the diameter of the capillary tube. C Increase the number of scale markings. D Increase the volume of the bulb.

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 0972/21 Oct/Nov 2021

14 A sealed rigid container has a fixed volume. The container is filled with air. The container is placed in a freezer cabinet and the temperature of the air in the container decreases. Which row correctly describes what happens to the air in the container? average distance average speed between air particles of air particles A decreases increases B decreases decreases C no change increases D no change decreases

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 0972/21 May/June 2022

15 Two open containers are filled with water at room temperature. The containers have different shapes. container 1 container 2 From which container does the water evaporate at the greater rate and how can the rate of evaporation be increased? container with the greater how the rate of rate of evaporation evaporation can be increased A 1 decrease the water temperature B 1 increase the water temperature C 2 decrease the water temperature D 2 increase the water temperature

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0972/21 May/June 2022

16 The diagram shows a liquid-in-glass thermometer. °C –10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 A student wishes to check the marking of the upper fixed point on this thermometer. What should she do? A Put the bulb in a beaker of boiling sea water. B Put the bulb in a beaker of boiling pure water. C Put the bulb in a beaker of ice and salt. D Put the bulb in a beaker of pure melting ice.

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0972/21 May/June 2022

17 Water in a beaker gains thermal energy at a rate of 3000 W. The water is at its boiling point. The specific latent heat of vaporisation of water is 2260 J / g. How long does it take for 250 g of the water to vaporise? A 12 s B 188 s C 332 s D 750 s

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0972/21 May/June 2022

14 The conditions of a sample of gas change in two stages. stage 1 increase of temperature at constant volume stage 2 increase of volume with no further change of temperature Which row about the pressure after each stage is correct? stage 1 stage 2 pressure compared pressure compared to to original pressure pressure after stage 1 A decreases decreases B decreases increases C increases decreases D increases increases

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0972/22 May/June 2022

16 The diagram shows a liquid-in-glass thermometer. 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 Which physical property of the thermometer is used to measure temperature? A expansion of glass B expansion of liquid C mass of glass D mass of liquid

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0972/22 May/June 2022

17 A block of lead of mass 500 g is at its melting point. The specific latent heat of fusion of lead = 23 kJ / kg. How much energy is required to completely melt the block? A 46 J B 12 000 J C 46 000 J D 12 000 000 J

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0972/22 May/June 2022

13 Which row correctly describes boiling and evaporation of water? boiling evaporation A bubbles seen occurs at surface only B bubbles seen occurs throughout the water C no bubbles occurs at surface only D no bubbles occurs throughout the water

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0972/21 Oct/Nov 2022

14 The diagram shows a liquid-in-glass thermometer. bulb capillary tube Which change increases the sensitivity of the thermometer? A a narrower capillary tube B a wider capillary tube C thicker glass around the bulb D thinner glass around the bulb

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0972/21 Oct/Nov 2022

15 The diagram shows a liquid-in-glass thermometer with a uniform capillary tube. liquid capillary tube NOT TO SCALE '8 mm! 64mm ! i - 88mm Which temperature is indicated by the thermometer? A 73°C B 80°C C 82°C D 90°C

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0972/21 Oct/Nov 2022

15 Which statements about evaporation of water are correct? 1 Evaporation causes the remaining liquid to cool. 2 During evaporation, the more energetic particles escape from the surface of the liquid. 3 Evaporation only happens at 100 °C. A 1, 2 and 3 B 1 and 2 only C 1 and 3 only D 2 and 3 only

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0972/21 May/June 2023

14 Four students describe the phrase ‘absolute zero’ during a lesson on the particle model. Which student is correct? A This is the lowest possible temperature. B Particles in a solid start vibrating. C Particles do not have any weight. D Particles have the least gravitational potential energy.

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0972/22 May/June 2023

15 Four students are asked to state and explain the relative magnitudes of the thermal expansion of solids and gases. Which student is correct? A Gases expand more than solids because the molecules in a gas are in random motion. B Gases expand more than solids because the attractive forces between molecules are much weaker in gases. C Solids expand more than gases because the molecules are closer together in solids. D Solids expand more than gases because the molecules in a solid are in a regular pattern.

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0972/22 May/June 2023

14 On a warm day, a carton of fresh milk is covered with a wet cloth. Why does this help to reduce the temperature of the milk? A Some water evaporates from the cloth so the remaining water becomes cooler. B The water has a very high specific heat capacity. C The water insulates the milk from the warm air around it. D Water is always colder than the air around it.

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0972/21 Oct/Nov 2023

15 A chef heats some water in a pan on a hotplate. The temperature of the water rises by 10 C in time t. She then puts the same volume of oil in an identical pan on the same hotplate. The specific heat capacity of water is 2.5 times that of oil and water is 1.1 times denser than oil. What is the time for the temperature of the oil to rise by 10 C? A 0.36t B 0.44t C 2.3t D 2.8t

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0972/21 Oct/Nov 2023

12 During evaporation of a liquid, the most energetic particles escape. The temperature of the remaining liquid changes. Which row identifies where these particles escape from and describes the temperature change? place from which temperature of the particles escape remaining liquid A body of the liquid decreases B body of the liquid increases C surface of the liquid decreases D surface of the liquid increases

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0972/21 May/June 2024

13 Wet clothes are put out on a line to allow the water in the clothes to evaporate. Which type of weather would cause the water to evaporate most quickly? A a cold day with no wind B a cold day with wind C a hot day with no wind D a hot day with wind

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 0972/21 May/June 2024

12 Which effect is caused by thermal expansion? A a metal surface heating up in direct sunlight B ice-cream melting on a hot day C a railway track buckling on a hot day D ice forming on a pond on a cold day

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0972/22 May/June 2024

13 The temperature of the water at the bottom of a waterfall is greater than the temperature of the water at the top. The energy in the gravitational potential store of the water at the top is transferred to the thermal store at the bottom. The specific heat capacity of water is 4200 J / (kg C). What is the temperature difference for a waterfall of height 21 m? A 0.0050 C B 0.049 C C 20 C D 200 C

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0972/22 May/June 2024

14 An ice cube is placed in a beaker and is heated. The ice melts to form water, which evaporates at first and then boils. The steam condenses on a cold window in the room. Which process involves a transfer of energy from the ice, water or steam to the surroundings? A melting B evaporating C boiling D condensing

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 0972/22 May/June 2024

16 Two samples of the same material have the same mass but different surface areas. Each sample is heated to the same temperature and then left to cool to room temperature. Each sample is allowed to cool to the same final temperature. X Y small surface area large surface area Which row correctly compares the decrease in internal energy and the initial rate of cooling for each sample? decrease in internal energy initial rate of cooling A X loses more internal energy than Y X cools down faster than Y B Y loses more internal energy than X Y cools down faster than X C X and Y lose the same quantity of energy X cools down faster than Y D X and Y lose the same quantity of energy Y cools down faster than X

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 0972/22 May/June 2024

13 A very hot mug of coffee is near a large unheated swimming pool holding 2.0  106 kg of water. Which statement is correct? A If the mug of coffee is tipped in the pool, the coffee will lose much more internal energy than the water in the pool gains. B The internal energy of a substance depends only on its temperature. C The internal energy of the water in the pool is lower than the internal energy of the mug of coffee. D When the temperature of the mug of coffee falls, its internal energy will decrease.

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 0972/21 Oct/Nov 2024

15 A 1 kg block of aluminium requires more thermal energy to raise its temperature by 1 C than a 1 kg block of copper requires. Why is this? A Aluminium is a better conductor of thermal energy than copper. B Aluminium is a poorer conductor of thermal energy than copper. C Aluminium has a higher specific heat capacity than copper. D Aluminium has a lower specific heat capacity than copper.

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0972/21 Oct/Nov 2024

16 A block of ice is at a temperature of -100°C. Energy is supplied at a constant rate. The graph shows how its temperature changes. 200 temperature /°C 100 —100 time At which points have the ice completely changed state to water and all the water completely changed state to steam? completely completely changed to water | changed to steam 3 4 3 4

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 0972/21 Oct/Nov 2024

12 The specific heat capacity of solid P is greater than that of solid Q. What does this statement mean? A Less energy is needed to raise the temperature by 1 °C of unit mass of solid P than unit mass of solid Q. B Less energy is needed to melt unit mass of solid P than unit mass of solid Q. C More energy is needed to raise the temperature by 1 °C of unit mass of solid P than unit mass of solid Q. D More energy is needed to melt unit mass of solid P than unit mass of solid Q.

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0972/21 May/June 2025

13 When water evaporates, what escapes from the surface of the water? A individual atoms B individual molecules C individual protons D tiny drops of water

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0972/21 May/June 2025

10 A flask with a tight-fitting stopper contains a gas. The gas and flask are initially at room temperature. tight-fitting stopper gas The gas and flask are cooled. Which row describes the average speed of the gas particles and the pressure of the gas as the temperature decreases? average speed of pressure of the gas particles the gas A decreases decreases B decreases stays the same C increases increases D increases stays the same

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0972/21 Oct/Nov 2025

12 The distance between two electricity pylons is 60 m. The cable that connects the two pylons is 62 m in length. Why is the cable longer than the distance between the two pylons? A to allow for contraction of the cable in cold weather B to create a slope in the cable for electrons to flow down C to keep the current low and the voltage high D to reduce magnetic fields around the cable

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0972/21 Oct/Nov 2025

13 A glass beaker contains a mass of 0.20 kg of water at a temperature of 20 °C. The specific heat capacity of water is 4200 J / (kg °C). A brass block of mass 0.15 kg is at a temperature of 170 °C. The block is carefully lowered into the beaker of water. The final temperature of both the water and brass is 30 °C. What is the specific heat capacity of the brass? (Assume that no water is lost and no thermal energy has been transferred to the beaker or the surroundings.) A 400 J / (kg °C) B 660 J / (kg °C) C 1200 J / (kg °C) D 5600 J / (kg °C)

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0972/21 Oct/Nov 2025