Radiation: past paper questions

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• Question 17May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Four spheres have different surface textures and colours. All of the spheres are at the same temperature. Which sphere emits infrared radiation at the greatest rate?

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• Question 15Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Vacuum flasks usually have silvered walls that help to keep the contents of the flask hot. Why are the walls silvered?

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• Question 16Oct/Nov 2024, paper 13Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows a vacuum flask used to keep liquid hot. How does thermal energy pass through the vacuum?

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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 16May/June 2026, paper 21Multiple choice1 mark

  Which thermal process can transfer energy through a vacuum?

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• Question 17Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Which surface is the best reflector of infrared radiation?

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• Question 16Oct/Nov 2024, paper 22Multiple choice1 mark

  Which statement about the transfer of thermal energy is correct?

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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 16Oct/Nov 2025, paper 21Multiple choice1 mark

  Two metal cans are identical, except that one has a shiny silver outer surface and the other has a dull black outer surface. They each have the same mass of hot water at the same temperature sealed inside them. They are both in a vacuum in the darkness of outer space.

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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 16May/June 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Which surface is the worst absorber of infrared radiation?

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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 16May/June 2023, paper 13Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows a flask designed to reduce the loss of thermal energy from a hot liquid. Which methods of thermal energy transfer are the silvered walls designed to reduce?

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• Question 17Oct/Nov 2025, paper 23Multiple choice1 mark

  Star X has a larger diameter than star Y but they both emit radiation with the same power. Which statement is correct?

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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 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 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 8Oct/Nov 2025, paper 33Structured7 marksHas a diagram

  A coal-fired power station is far from a city. The electricity generated by the power station is transmitted to the city at a high voltage. State two advantages of high-voltage transmission of electricity.

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• Question 3Oct/Nov 2024, paper 43Structured8 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 3.1 shows a portable shower used on a campsite. The bag is filled with water. The water is heated using infrared radiation from the Sun.

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• Question 16May/June 2023, paper 22Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Four cups A, B, C and D contain hot coffee. Which cup keeps the coffee warm the longest?

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• Question 3Oct/Nov 2025, paper 41Structured9 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 3.1 shows a simplified diagram of a solar cell. Describe the energy transfer in the solar cell.

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• Question 15May/June 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  In which situation is radiation the main method by which energy is transferred?

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• Question 16May/June 2023, paper 23Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Two otherwise identical cars, one black and one white, are at the same initial temperature. The cars are left in bright sunshine and their temperatures increase. During the night, their temperatures decrease.

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• Question 3Oct/Nov 2025, paper 42Structured10 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 3.1 shows black solar panels installed on the roof of a house and a large rechargeable battery. The solar panels produce electricity and give a maximum power output of $3.5\text{ kW}$.

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• Question 15May/June 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Thermal radiation is emitted from all objects. Which mediums can thermal radiation travel through?

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• Question 4May/June 2023, paper 32Structured8 marks

  A student has a block of solid metal at room temperature. Describe the arrangement, separation and motion of the particles in the solid metal.

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• Question 5Oct/Nov 2025, paper 43Structured10 marksHas a diagram

  Electromagnetic waves have many uses. On Fig. 5.1 draw one line from each use to the region of the electromagnetic (e-m) spectrum it uses.

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• Question 15May/June 2024, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  In countries where it is usually hot, houses are often painted white. What is the reason for this?

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• Question 10May/June 2023, paper 41Structured7 marksHas a diagram

  Pluto is a dwarf planet. Fig. 10.1 shows the direction of motion of Pluto as it follows its elliptical orbit around the Sun.

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• Question 16May/June 2025, paper 21Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows a black object X at constant temperature. The arrows represent the absorption and emission of thermal radiation at the surface. Object Y is at the same constant temperature as X and is identical except that it has a white surface.

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