Thermal physics: past paper questions

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

  Very small pollen grains are suspended in water.

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• Question 12Oct/Nov 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Why can a gas be compressed easily into a smaller volume?

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• Question 12May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Which row gives the temperature of melting ice and the temperature of boiling water?

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• Question 13Oct/Nov 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram represents gas particles moving around in a sealed container. The gas particles collide with the walls of the container. The temperature of the gas is increased.

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• Question 13Oct/Nov 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  The melting point of mercury is $-39{}^{\circ }\text{C}$. What is the melting point of mercury in kelvin?

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

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

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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 15Oct/Nov 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Which row describes the process of melting?

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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 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 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 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 12Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Which name is given to the change of state when steam at $100{}^{\circ }\text{C}$ changes to water at $100{}^{\circ }\text{C}$?

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• Question 12Oct/Nov 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Brownian motion is the random motion of particles. In which states of matter is Brownian motion observed?

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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 13Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  A fixed mass of air is trapped inside a cylinder fitted with a moveable piston. The piston is slowly pushed in. What happens to the pressure and the volume of the trapped air?

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• Question 11May/June 2026, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  The air pressure in a car tyre is measured on a warm day. The pressure is then measured again during the cold night. The air pressure in the tyre has decreased.

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

  Which row lists two properties of a solid?

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• 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?

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

  Which equation is used to convert temperatures between $T$ in kelvin and $\theta$ in degrees Celsius?

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• Question 13Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Air is trapped in a cylinder by a piston. The piston is pushed inwards. The volume of the air reduces.

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• Question 15Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Which diagram shows the overall movement of particles and the temperature change when a liquid evaporates?

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• Question 15Oct/Nov 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Which diagram shows the processes happening during changes of state?

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• 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?

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• Question 14Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The chart shows the boiling points for four different liquids at standard atmospheric pressure. Which liquid is water?

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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 14May/June 2026, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Which statement is correct about the particles of a substance after condensation?

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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 15May/June 2026, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  At the surface of a liquid, the more-energetic molecules can escape from the liquid into the atmosphere. Which name is given to this process?

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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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