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2.3 Transfer of thermal energy

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Question 32

A student is investigating the effect of different thicknesses of insulation on the rate of cooling of hot water in a metal beaker. The student uses layers of cotton wool sheet to insulate the beaker.

Plan an experiment to investigate how the number of layers of cotton wool insulation wrapped around a metal beaker affects the rate of cooling of hot water.

The following apparatus is available:

  • a metal beaker
  • a roll of cotton wool insulation of uniform thickness
  • scissors and adhesive tape
  • a ruler
  • a thermometer
  • a stopwatch
  • a measuring cylinder
  • a supply of hot water

You can also use other apparatus and materials that are usually available in a school laboratory.

In your plan, you should:

  • explain briefly how you would carry out the investigation
  • state the key variables that you would control
  • draw a table, or tables, with column headings, to show how you would display your readings (you are not required to enter any readings in the table)
  • explain how you would use your readings to reach a conclusion.
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Markscheme

2.3 Transfer of thermal energy Questions

  1. IGCSE
  2. /Physics
  3. /2.3 Transfer of thermal energy

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.

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