Convection: past paper questions

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• Question 16Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The temperature of the air in the atmosphere around us increases. Which row describes the change in the density of the air and which form of thermal energy transfer occurs as a result of this change?

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• Question 16Oct/Nov 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows the view of a room heated by a radiator. The arrowed line from X to Y is the path of the convection current in the air. Which row about the air temperature and the air density at X and at Y is correct?

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• Question 16May/June 2026, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Convection is an important method of thermal energy transfer. In which states of matter does convection occur?

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• Question 16Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Which method of thermal transfer occurs when the density of some of a liquid decreases and the liquid moves upwards?

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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 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 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 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 14Oct/Nov 2025, paper 21Multiple choice1 mark

  Which statement about convection is not correct?

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• Question 6Oct/Nov 2024, paper 32Structured7 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 6.1 shows a wood burner in a cabin. The wood burner keeps the inside of the cabin warm when it is cold outside. Explain how thermal energy from the wood burner warms the cabin by convection.

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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 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 14May/June 2026, paper 23Multiple choice1 mark

  Which statement describes convection in a liquid?

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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 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 5May/June 2026, paper 31Structured7 marksHas a diagram

  Figure 5.1 shows a hot-air balloon. A flame under the balloon heats the air in the balloon. Hot air inside the balloon rises to the top of the balloon.

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• Question 6May/June 2025, paper 32Structured7 marksHas a diagram

  A teacher uses the equipment shown in Fig. 6.1. The thermometers X and Y are the same distance from the bottle. The room temperature is $20{}^{\circ }\text{C}$.

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• Question 3May/June 2024, paper 41Structured9 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 3.1 shows a small block of ice floating in a beaker of warm water. State one way in which the motion of the particles in ice differs from the motion of the particles in water.

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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 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 6May/June 2025, paper 33Structured7 marksHas a diagram

  A teacher uses the equipment shown in Fig. 6.1. Fig. 6.1 The thermometers X and Y are the same distance from the bottle. The room temperature is $20{}^{\circ }\text{C}$.

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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 4May/June 2025, paper 41Structured8 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 4.1 shows a heater used to warm the air in a room. State the main method of thermal energy transfer throughout the air in the room.

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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 3May/June 2023, paper 41Structured6 marks

  A rubber balloon is inflated with helium and sealed so that no helium escapes. The balloon is positioned immediately below the ceiling in a room. Heaters are switched on and the temperature of the air in the room increases.

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