IGCSE Physics Thermal Energy

What is conduction in terms of thermal energy?

• Transfer of thermal energy through radiation

• Transfer of thermal energy through convection

• Transfer of thermal energy through sound waves

• Transfer of thermal energy through direct contact between particles of a substance.

Explain the process of convection and how it relates to heat transfer.

• Convection is the process of heat transfer through the movement of fluids, where heated fluid rises and cooler fluid sinks, creating a continuous circulation.

• Convection involves the transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves

• Convection is the process of heat transfer through solid materials

• Convection is only applicable in outer space

Describe the concept of radiation and its role in thermal energy.

• Radiation is the transfer of heat energy in the form of electromagnetic waves. In thermal energy, radiation plays a significant role by allowing heat to be transferred through empty space without the need for a medium.

• Radiation is the transfer of sound waves in thermal energy.

• Radiation is the transfer of heat energy in the form of kinetic energy.

• Radiation is the transfer of light energy in thermal energy.

What is specific heat capacity and how is it calculated?

• Specific heat capacity is the measure of a substance's ability to conduct heat.

• Specific heat capacity is calculated by dividing the mass of a substance by the heat energy supplied.

• Specific heat capacity is the amount of heat required to lower the temperature of a substance by one degree Celsius.

• Specific heat capacity is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one unit mass of a substance by one degree Celsius. It is calculated using the formula: specific heat capacity = heat energy supplied / (mass * temperature change)

How does thermal equilibrium occur between two objects?

• When one object is hotter than the other

• When the two objects are in different locations

• When the two objects reach the same temperature.

• When the two objects are made of different materials

Differentiate between the three methods of heat transfer: conduction, convection, and radiation.

• Conduction is through material, convection is through fluids, and radiation is through electromagnetic waves.

• Conduction is through fluids, convection is through electromagnetic waves, and radiation is through material.

• Conduction is through electromagnetic waves, convection is through material, and radiation is through fluids.

• Conduction is through fluids, convection is through material, and radiation is through electromagnetic waves.

Calculate the specific heat capacity of a substance given its mass, temperature change, and heat energy transferred.

• c = Q * (m * ∆T)

• c = Q / m

• c = Q / (m * ∆T)

• c = Q * m * ∆T

Explain how heat is transferred through a metal rod via conduction.

• Heat is transferred through a metal rod via conduction by the generation of sound waves

• Heat is transferred through a metal rod via conduction by the movement of liquid particles

• Heat is transferred through a metal rod via conduction by the vibration of atoms or free electrons in the metal.

• Heat is transferred through a metal rod via conduction by the emission of light waves

Discuss the importance of specific heat capacity in everyday applications.

• Specific heat capacity has no practical applications

• Specific heat capacity is crucial in determining the amount of heat energy needed to change the temperature of a substance, impacting cooking, climate control, and thermal insulation.

• Specific heat capacity is irrelevant in physics

• Specific heat capacity only affects chemical reactions

What factors affect the rate of heat transfer between two objects?

• Velocity, acceleration, force, energy

• Pressure, volume, density, mass

• Color difference, material type, shape, time

• Temperature difference, surface area of contact, thermal conductivity, distance