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Chapter 8 Practice Paper: Thermal Processes — question paper

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QQ/S3CPH/CH8

Secondary 3 · Combined Science (Physics) (G2 / G3)

Chapter 8 Practice Paper

Thermal Processes

Duration: 40 minutes
Total: 30 marks
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Class:
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READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST

  • Answer all questions.
  • Section A: choose the one correct answer for each multiple-choice question.
  • Section B: answer in the spaces provided; show all necessary working.
  • Give numerical answers to 3 significant figures where appropriate, with units.
  • The acceleration of free fall near the Earth is 10 m/s².
  • The use of a calculator is permitted.

Original practice material written for the MOE Combined Science (Physics) syllabus. It is not an official MOE or school examination paper. Chapter 8 (hot → cold until thermal equilibrium; conduction — atomic vibrations and electron movement; convection — density changes; radiation — colour, texture, temperature and area factors; everyday applications).

For Examiner’s Use
Section A/ 10
Section B/ 20
Total/ 30

Section A: Multiple-choice questions[10 marks]

Choose the one correct answer for each question.

  1. 1

    Energy transfers spontaneously between two objects from the region of

    1. Alower temperature to higher temperature
    2. Bhigher temperature to lower temperature
    3. Chigher density to lower density
    4. Dgreater mass to smaller mass
    ( )
  2. 2

    Which process of thermal energy transfer needs no medium at all?

    1. Aconduction
    2. Bconvection
    3. Cevaporation
    4. Dradiation
    ( )
  3. 3

    Conduction of thermal energy through a metal is carried by

    1. Avibrating atoms and moving free electrons
    2. Bflowing currents of the metal itself
    3. Cinfrared light trapped in the metal
    4. Ddenser atoms sinking through the lattice
    ( )
  4. 4

    A fluid is heated from below. The warmed fluid rises through the surrounding cooler fluid because it

    1. Abecomes denser
    2. Bloses particles
    3. Cexpands and becomes less dense
    4. Dis pulled up by the heat source
    ( )
  5. 5

    Which surface is the best emitter of radiation?

    1. Ashiny white
    2. Bdull black
    3. Cshiny silver
    4. Dsmooth cream
    ( )

Section B: Structured questions[20 marks]

Answer all questions in the spaces provided.

  1. 1

    A vacuum flask keeps drinks hot. It has double walls with a vacuum between them, both walls silvered, and a plastic stopper.

    1. (a)

      Explain why the vacuum keeps the drink hot.

      [2]
    2. (b)

      Explain why the walls are silvered.

      [2]
    3. (c)

      Explain the role of the stopper.

      [2]
  2. 2

    A convector heater is placed on the floor at one end of a cold room.

    1. (a)

      Describe and explain how a convection current heats the room.

      [4]
    2. (b)

      Explain why placing the heater near the ceiling would heat the room poorly.

      [2]
    3. (c)

      State one other transfer process that carries energy from the heater to the room.

      [1]
  3. 3

    Two identical metal cans are filled with equal volumes of hot water at 80 °C. One can is painted dull black, the other shiny white. Each has a thermometer through its lid, and both stand in the same room.

    1. (a)

      Predict which can’s water cools faster, and name the main transfer process responsible.

      [2]
    2. (b)

      State two features of the set-up that make the comparison fair.

      [2]
    3. (c)

      Explain one advantage of making the cans from metal.

      [2]
    4. (d)

      State one more reading the students should record besides temperature.

      [1]

— End of paper —