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2.3 Transfer of thermal energy

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Question 10

A student is investigating the effect of insulation thickness on the rate of cooling of hot water.

The following apparatus is available to the student:

  • several sheets of insulating material (each of the same thickness)
  • a supply of hot water
  • thermometer
  • 250 cm3250\text{ cm}^3250 cm3 beaker
  • 250 cm3250\text{ cm}^3250 cm3 measuring cylinder
  • stopwatch
  • adhesive tape and scissors.

Plan an experiment to investigate the effect of insulation thickness (measured in number of layers of the insulating material) on the rate of cooling of hot water.

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.

You may draw a diagram if it helps your explanation.

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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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