At room temperature, a block of ice placed on a flat aluminum plate melts much faster than an identical block of ice placed on a plastic plate. Which statement explains this observation?
Aluminum is a better absorber of infra-red radiation than plastic.
Aluminum is a better thermal conductor than plastic.
Aluminum is a worse absorber of infra-red radiation than plastic.
Aluminum is a worse thermal conductor than plastic.
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.