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2.3.4 Consequences of thermal energy transfer

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Question 13

A student investigates the rate of cooling of water using two different containers: Beaker A (made of glass, unpainted) and Can B (made of metal, painted matt black). Both containers have the same volume of hot water (200 cm3200\text{ cm}^3200 cm3) and are closed with identical lids.

The student obtains the following temperature readings over a period of 150 s150\text{ s}150 s at a constant room temperature of 22.0∘C22.0^\circ\text{C}22.0∘C:

Table 1: Beaker A (glass, unpainted)

t/st / \text{s}t/sθ/∘C\theta / ^\circ\text{C}θ/∘C
085.0
3082.5
6080.5
9078.5
12077.0
15075.5

Table 2: Can B (metal, matt black)

t/st / \text{s}t/sθ/∘C\theta / ^\circ\text{C}θ/∘C
085.0
3081.0
6077.5
9074.5
12072.0
15069.5
a.

Calculate the total temperature drop ΔθA\Delta\theta_{\text{A}}ΔθA​ for Beaker A and ΔθB\Delta\theta_{\text{B}}ΔθB​ for Can B over the 150 s150\text{ s}150 s interval.

[2]
b.

State which container has the greater rate of cooling and justify your conclusion with reference to the temperature readings.

[2]
c.

The student wants to find out if the difference in cooling rates is due to:

  • Factor 1: the matt black surface of the can being a better radiator of thermal energy than the unpainted glass,
  • Factor 2: the metal of the can being a better thermal conductor than the glass of the beaker.

Suggest two suitable changes that the student could make to the apparatus to investigate these factors separately.

[2]
Markscheme

2.3.4 Consequences of thermal energy transfer Questions

  1. IGCSE
  2. /Physics
  3. /2.3.4 Consequences of thermal energy transfer

62 exam-style questions on CIE IGCSE Physics 2.3.4 Consequences of thermal energy transfer. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.

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