Physics 5054 · O Level · Consequences of thermal energy transfer

Consequences of thermal energy transfer — practice question

A student studies how insulation affects the rate at which hot water cools. She pours $200\,\text{cm}^3$ of hot water into a beaker, as shown in Fig. 3.1. She leaves it for a brief period. She then starts a stop-watch and notes the water temperature. This is the time $t = 0$.
(a)[1]

Suggest why the student waits a short time before recording the temperature at time $t = 0$.

(b)[1]

Read the thermometer and record the temperature $\theta$ on the answer line and in Table 3.1. $\theta$ = [BLANK] $^\circ\text{C}$

(c(i))[1]

Using the data in Table 3.1, describe how the water’s rate of cooling changes over the $5.0\,\text{minutes}$.

(c(ii))[2]

Calculate the average rate of cooling over the $5.0\,\text{minutes}$ using the equation: average rate of cooling = $\frac{\text{temperature change in }5.0\,\text{minutes}}{5.0}$ average rate of cooling = [BLANK] unit [BLANK]

(d(i))[1]

Using the results in Table 3.1 on page 9 and Table 3.2, suggest how the cotton wool layer has affected the rate at which the water cools.

(d(ii))[1]

The student repeats the experiment with the same starting temperature. Suggest how she changes the apparatus so that the temperature after $5.0\,\text{minutes}$ is higher than $71\,^\circ\text{C}$.

Worked solution & mark scheme

This 7-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: Lets the water settle / temperature spread evenly through the water / temperature become uniform / thermometer reach its reading / wait for the alcohol to stop expanding

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