Thermal expansion of solids, liquids and gases: past paper questions

Where the questions come from

• Question 13May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Why are small gaps left between the metal rails of a railway track?

  Try this question
• Question 13Oct/Nov 2025, paper 13Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows part of a railway track. Each section of the railway track is separated by a gap. Why are these gaps necessary?

  Try this question
• Question 13May/June 2026, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows a lorry travelling under electricity transmission cables. What is a possible hazard when the cables are too long?

  Try this question
• Question 12Oct/Nov 2025, paper 21Multiple choice1 mark

  The distance between two electricity pylons is $60\text{ m}$. The cable that connects the two pylons is $62\text{ m}$ in length. Why is the cable longer than the distance between the two pylons?

  Try this question
• Question 14Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows electricity cables being put up on a warm day. The cables are suspended between the supporting pylons, as shown. Why are the cables not tightened to make them higher above the ground?

  Try this question
• Question 12Oct/Nov 2025, paper 22Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram represents the particle arrangements in samples of three different substances, P, Q and R. The samples have equal volumes and the same temperature. The samples are heated. The temperature increase of each sample is the same and no changes of state take place.

  Try this question
• Question 14Oct/Nov 2024, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  Which effect is not due to thermal expansion?

  Try this question
• Question 14Oct/Nov 2023, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  What happens when a metal block is heated?

  Try this question
• Question 13May/June 2026, paper 23Multiple choice1 mark

  What happens when the temperature of a liquid increases?

  Try this question
• Question 4Oct/Nov 2025, paper 43Structured9 marksHas a diagram

  A rectangular glass tank contains $3.0{\text{ m}}^3$ of liquid. The mass of the liquid is $2800\text{ kg}$. Calculate the density of the liquid.

  Try this question
• Question 15Oct/Nov 2024, paper 23Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  A solid is heated causing it to expand.

  Try this question
• Question 15May/June 2023, paper 22Multiple choice1 mark

  Four students are asked to state and explain the relative magnitudes of the thermal expansion of solids and gases.

  Try this question
• Question 13May/June 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Which quantity does not change when there is an increase in temperature?

  Try this question
• Question 4Oct/Nov 2024, paper 41Structured11 marksHas a diagram

  Describe an experiment to determine the specific heat capacity of aluminium.

  Try this question
• Question 4May/June 2023, paper 33Structured9 marksHas a diagram

  A tight-fitting lid keeps air inside a metal can. An airtight rubber bung holds a liquid-in-glass thermometer that is inserted through a hole in the lid, as shown in Fig. 4.1. State what happens to the liquid in the thermometer when the air temperature rises.

  Try this question
• Question 3May/June 2023, paper 43Structured10 marks

  State which state of matter, solid, liquid or gas, has the greatest thermal expansion and which has the least.

  Try this question
• Question 13May/June 2025, paper 22Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows a glass flask sealed with a small volume of mercury in a glass tube. When the flask is gently warmed, the mercury rises up the tube. What is the main cause of the movement of the mercury?

  Try this question
• Question 13May/June 2024, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  Solids expand when heated and contract when cooled.

  Try this question
• Question 12May/June 2024, paper 22Multiple choice1 mark

  Which effect is caused by thermal expansion?

  Try this question
• Question 13May/June 2024, paper 23Multiple choice1 mark

  The liquid level in a thermometer rises when the thermometer is placed in hot water. What causes this?

  Try this question