Four solid metal cubes of the same material are heated to the same temperature and placed in a cooler room.
Which cube initially emits thermal energy by radiation at the slowest rate?
side length of 8 cm8\text{ cm}8 cm with a dull black surface
side length of 8 cm8\text{ cm}8 cm with a shiny silver surface
side length of 4 cm4\text{ cm}4 cm with a dull black surface
side length of 4 cm4\text{ cm}4 cm with a shiny silver surface
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.