Physics 5054 · O Level · Transfer of thermal energy

Transfer of thermal energy — practice question

Copper is occasionally selected as the material for pans used to heat liquids. A copper pan has water at room temperature in it.
(a)[3]

The water at the top surface cools because evaporation is taking place. A convection current then makes the rest of the water cool. Explain how this convection current is produced.

(b(i))[1]

Name the process through which thermal energy travels across the pan’s base.

(b(ii))[1]

Copper stays solid when heated to $1000\,^{\circ}\text{C}$. State one more reason why it is sensible to make a pan out of copper.

(c(i))[3]

The water in the pan is heated from $17^{\circ}\text{C}$ until it begins to boil at $100^{\circ}\text{C}$. The specific heat capacity of water is $4200\,\text{J (kg }^{\circ}\text{C)}^{-1}$ and the pan contains 750 g of water. Calculate the energy needed to raise the temperature of the water from $17^{\circ}\text{C}$ to $100^{\circ}\text{C}$.

(c(ii))[2]

State two differences between boiling and evaporation.

(c(iii))[2]

At $100^{\circ}\text{C}$ the water’s temperature no longer rises, even though energy continues to be transferred to it. Explain, in terms of molecules, why thermal energy is needed to change water from a liquid into a gas.

(c(iv))[3]

The specific latent heat of vaporisation of water is $2.3 \times 10^6\,\text{J kg}^{-1}$. Thermal energy is supplied to the boiling water at a rate of $1300\,\text{J s}^{-1}$. Calculate the mass of water that turns into vapour in the 10 minutes immediately after the water reaches $100^{\circ}\text{C}$.

Worked solution & mark scheme

This 15-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: The water at the surface cools and contracts

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