Conduction: past paper questions

Where the questions come from

• Question 17May/June 2026, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows a vacuum flask used to keep a liquid warm. Which methods of heat loss are reduced by the vacuum between the silvered walls?

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• Question 14Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  One end of a shiny metal rod is heated, and the other end quickly gets hot. Which statement describes why the other end quickly gets hot?

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• Question 16Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  There is a vacuum between the double walls of a vacuum flask. Which types of thermal transfer are reduced by the vacuum?

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• Question 15Oct/Nov 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  A student has two blocks of metal, X and Y. The temperature of X is $50{}^{\circ }\text{C}$ and the temperature of Y is $0{}^{\circ }\text{C}$. The two blocks are placed in contact with each other, as shown. After some time, both blocks have a temperature of $25{}^{\circ }\text{C}$.

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• Question 15Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Rods of the same shape and size are inserted through corks into an empty tank. Each rod is covered with a layer of solid wax that has a low melting point. Hot water is added to the tank, as shown.

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• Question 16Oct/Nov 2024, paper 23Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  A glass test-tube containing water is heated at the top. The water at the top boils, but the water at the bottom remains cold. Which row explains why the water at the bottom of the test-tube remains cold?

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• Question 3Oct/Nov 2023, paper 31Structured10 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 3.1 represents the arrangement and separation of particles in a liquid. Each circle represents a particle. In the box in Fig. 3.2, draw at least four circles to show the arrangement and separation of particles in a gas.

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• Question 14May/June 2026, paper 21Multiple choice1 mark

  On a cold day, a shiny metal rod feels colder to the touch than a black plastic rod. Which statement explains this observation?

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• Question 16Oct/Nov 2025, paper 13Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows a hot-water tank. The tank has a heater, X, halfway up the tank. Heater X is switched on.

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• Question 5Oct/Nov 2024, paper 33Structured10 marksHas a diagram

  Table 5.1 defines three specific temperatures. Complete Table 5.1 by writing the correct temperature for each definition.

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• Question 6Oct/Nov 2023, paper 32Structured6 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 6.1 shows a cold drink in a thermal jug. The jug reduces thermal energy transfer from the surroundings to the drink. State the names of the two processes of thermal energy transfer that are prevented by the vacuum.

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• Question 15May/June 2026, paper 21Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows a coal fire heating a room. The arrows X, Y and Z represent three methods of thermal energy transfer. Which row matches a description of a method of thermal energy transfer to the arrow in the diagram representing this transfer?

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• Question 17Oct/Nov 2025, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  The handle of a metal cooking pan is made from wood. What is a reason for making the handle from wood?

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• Question 5Oct/Nov 2024, paper 42Structured6 marks

  On a sunny day, the temperatures of a black tarmac road and the air above the road increase. Explain why the surface temperature of the tarmac increases.

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• Question 4Oct/Nov 2023, paper 33Structured8 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 4.1 shows a pan on a hotplate. The hotplate heats the pan and the water. Use your ideas about thermal energy transfer to explain why the pan has: a wooden handle

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• Question 5May/June 2026, paper 32Structured7 marksHas a diagram

  Figure 5.1 shows equipment for heating water. All the equipment is on a roof. The storage tank and the copper pipe are filled with water.

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• Question 15Oct/Nov 2025, paper 21Multiple choice1 mark

  Iron is a better conductor of thermal energy than rubber. Which statement explains this?

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• Question 14May/June 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  A student stirs a hot liquid in a pan with a spoon. Which row explains which material the spoon should be made from so that the student does not burn their hand?

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• Question 2Oct/Nov 2023, paper 41Structured6 marksHas a diagram

  A copper cooking pan contains water. Fig. 2.1 shows the pan on a hotplate of a cooker. Copper is a metal.

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• Question 15Oct/Nov 2025, paper 23Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Which row about the movement of electrons and ions during conduction of thermal energy through a metal is correct?

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• Question 16May/June 2023, paper 21Multiple choice1 mark

  Some hot water is sealed inside a metal can. The can is in a vacuum in outer space. The hot water slowly cools down.

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• Question 4Oct/Nov 2025, paper 41Structured7 marksHas a diagram

  A $12\text{ V}$, $50\text{ W}$ immersion heater is used to heat $0.15\text{ kg}$ of water in a beaker. The water is initially at a room temperature of ${20}^{\circ }\text{C}$. The specific heat capacity of water is $4200\text{ J}\mathrm{/}(\text{kg}{}^{\circ }\text{C})$.

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• Question 16May/June 2024, paper 23Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The table shows the state of materials P, Q, R and S, and whether each one contains free electrons.

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• Question 16May/June 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Students test four rods of different materials, W, X, Y and Z, to compare how well the materials conduct thermal energy.

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• Question 6May/June 2024, paper 31Structured7 marksHas a diagram

  A student wants to compare the conduction of thermal energy through rods made of iron, copper, glass and aluminium.

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• Question 5May/June 2024, paper 33Structured5 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 5.1 represents an arrangement for heating water. The hot water is stored in the metal container. Explain why the hot water is available at the top of the container.

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• Question 16May/June 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Some electric hotplates are metal and do not glow when hot. Other hotplates are glass and have a heater underneath that glows red. The heater makes the glass hot.

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• Question 5May/June 2024, paper 43Structured6 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 5.1 shows two containers, each filled with hot water. The outer surface of the metal container is hot. Explain how electrons transfer thermal energy through the metal of the container.

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• Question 15May/June 2025, paper 22Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows four rods. Each rod is made of a different metal. Wax is used to attach small metal balls at the rod ends P, Q, R and S. Each rod is the same size.

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• Question 5May/June 2025, paper 31Structured6 marksHas a diagram

  A student uses the apparatus in Fig. 5.1 to compare how different surfaces absorb infrared radiation.

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