A student has an aluminium rod and a plastic rod. Both rods have the same dimensions.
The student puts one end of each rod into a beaker of hot water.
After a few minutes, the student touches the ends not in the water.
Which statement is correct?
The aluminium rod feels hotter than the plastic rod because aluminium is a better thermal conductor than plastic.
The aluminium rod feels colder than the plastic rod because aluminium is a better thermal conductor than plastic.
The plastic rod feels hotter than the aluminium rod because plastic is a better thermal conductor than aluminium.
The plastic rod feels colder than the aluminium rod because plastic is a better thermal conductor than aluminium.
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.