Four identical metal canisters are filled with equal volumes of hot water at 80∘C80^\circ\text{C}80∘C and placed in a cool room. Each canister has a different surface finish:
Which container will show the fastest initial rate of temperature drop?
Container 1 (dull black)
Container 2 (dull white)
Container 3 (shiny black)
Container 4 (shiny white)
301 exam-style questions on CIE IGCSE Physics 2.3 Transfer of thermal energy, covering 2.3.1a Thermal conductors and thermal insulators, 2.3.1b Explaining thermal conduction, 2.3.2 Convection, 2.3.3a Thermal radiation, 2.3.3b Surface colour and texture, 2.3.3c Rate of emission and absorption of radiation, and 2.3.4 Consequences of thermal energy transfer. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.