O Level Physics 5054, topic 2.3.3
Radiation: past paper questions
12 Cambridge O Level Physics 5054 questions on Radiation (2.3.3) from 11 papers, 2023 to 2026. Mostly multiple choice. Open the paper or try a question free.
Practising builds a set from this topic, free with an account. One question opens straight away, with no account.
- Questions
- 12
- Papers
- 11
- Years
- 2023 to 2026
- Total marks
- 30
- Average per question
- 2.5 marks
- Largest question
- 10 marks
By type: Multiple choice 10 · Structured 2
How hard the questions are
- Recall0
- Apply1
- Analyse2
- Not banded9
Derived from the command word Cambridge prints in each question, banded by a fixed table beside the syllabus's own definitions. A question printing no command word is unbanded: unknown, not middling.
Command words
- calculateApply2 questions
work out from given facts, figures or information
- stateRecall2 questions
express in clear terms
- useApply2 questions
- completeApply1 question
- determineApply1 question
establish an answer using the information available
- explainAnalyse1 question
set out purposes or reasons / make the relationships between things clear / say why and/or how and support with relevant evidence
- justifyAnalyse1 question
support a case with evidence/argument
- suggestAnalyse1 question
apply knowledge and understanding to situations where there are a range of valid responses in order to make proposals / put forward considerations
Where the questions come from
By year
- 20263
- 20255
- 20243
- 20231
By session
- May/June6
- Oct/Nov6
By paper
- Paper 110
- Paper 21
- Paper 41
Questions on this topic
Showing 10 of 12, spread across the years. Open one to write your answer and have it marked.
- Try this questionQuestion 20May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark
The tubes inside solar heating panels use the Sun’s radiation to warm water. Why are the tubes painted black?
- Try this questionQuestion 17Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram
Four metal cans are identical except for the colour and the texture of their outer surfaces. of water at is poured into each can. Which can cools the most rapidly?
- Try this questionQuestion 18Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark
What is the colour and what is the texture of the best absorber of infrared radiation?
- Try this questionQuestion 26May/June 2026, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark
Which statement is correct?
- Try this questionQuestion 24Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark
Energy can be transferred by thermal radiation. Four surfaces have different colours and textures. The surfaces are at equal temperatures and have equal surface areas.
- Try this questionQuestion 4May/June 2026, paper 22Structured10 marksHas a diagram
Figure 4.1 shows a travel mug used to keep a liquid hot. Inside the mug, there are metal walls with a vacuum between the walls. The mug contains of water, initially at .
- Try this questionQuestion 25Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram
Four copper spheres have identical surface colours and identical surface textures. They have different surface temperatures and surface areas. Which sphere emits infrared radiation at the greatest rate?
- Try this questionQuestion 22May/June 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark
Which statement about infrared radiation is correct?
- Try this questionQuestion 2Oct/Nov 2025, paper 42Structured10 marksHas a diagram
A student investigates the absorption of thermal radiation by different coloured surfaces. The student has arranged a thermometer which has a piece of white card attached to its bulb so that the bulb is level with the filament of a lamp. The lamp is switched off.
- Try this questionQuestion 21May/June 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark
Which description of a dull black surface is correct?