A hot copper component is left to cool in a workshop kept at a constant temperature. The component remains hotter than the workshop throughout. Its temperature decreases by 18 ∘C18\ ^\circ\text{C}18 ∘C during the first five minutes but by only 7 ∘C7\ ^\circ\text{C}7 ∘C during a later five-minute period. Which statement explains the smaller temperature decrease during the later period?
The energy leaving the component decreases the potential energy of its particles instead of decreasing their average kinetic energy.
The temperature difference between the component and the workshop is smaller, so energy is transferred from the component at a lower rate.
The specific heat capacity of the component increases as it cools, so each degree of cooling requires more energy to be transferred.
Energy begins to transfer from the cooler workshop to the hotter component, reducing the component's rate of cooling.
110 exam-style questions on Edexcel GCSE Physics 14.2 Specific heat capacity and latent heat, covering 14.2.1 Heating, temperature and changes of state, 14.2.2 Specific heat capacity and specific latent heat, 14.2.3 Specific heat capacity calculation, 14.2.4 Specific latent heat calculation, and 14.2.5 Reducing energy transfer through thermal insulation. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.