4 Hot water is poured into a glass beaker and allowed to cool down for 5 minutes. Plan an experiment to investigate whether the rate of cooling of the hot water depends upon the initial temperature of the hot water. The rate of cooling of the water can be calculated using the equation: rate of cooling = decrease in temperature time taken . You are provided with: • a supply of cold water • an electric kettle • a 250 cm3 glass beaker • a measuring cylinder. You may use any other common laboratory apparatus. In your plan, include: • any other apparatus needed • a brief description of the method, including what you will measure and how you will make sure your measurements are accurate • the variables you will control • a results table to record your measurements (you are not required to enter any readings in the table) • how you will process your results to reach a conclusion. You may include a labelled diagram. Ĭ Ċ Ġ í õ Ī Ċ ù Ă … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … [7] , , Ĭ Ċ Ġ í õ Ī Ċ û Ă , ,

4 MP1 additional apparatus: stopwatch / timer / clock and thermometer / temperature probe / sensor 1 MP2 method: • heat the water to a known / measured temperature • time the water cooling for five minutes • measure the final temperature of the water 1 MP3 repeat for a new value of (initial) temperature 1 MP4 control variables: any one from: • volume / mass / amount of water • time (of cooling) • room temperature 1 MP5 results table: columns for initial temperature and final temperature with correct units 1 MP6 conclusion: any one from: • plot a graph of rate of cooling against initial temperature (of the water) • (compare the results in the table to) see if / how the initial temperature affects the rate of cooling / final temperature reached 1 MP7 additional point: any one from: • second control variable stated • at least five sets of data taken • repeat each measurement AND take an average • evidence of rate formula used 1

2 A liquid-in-glass thermometer contains mercury. (a) The mass of the mercury in the thermometer is 12 g. (i) Calculate the weight of the mercury. weight of mercury = … N [3] (ii) The 12 g of mercury has a volume of 0.88 cm3. Calculate the density of mercury. density of mercury = … g / cm3 [3] (b) The mercury in the thermometer expands when its temperature rises. (i) State what happens to the mass of the mercury when its temperature rises. Tick (3) one box. mass decreases mass stays the same mass increases [1] (ii) State what happens to the density of the mercury when its temperature rises. Tick (3) one box. density decreases density stays the same density increases [1] [Total: 8]

2(a)(i) 12 ÷ 1000 = 0.012 (kg) C1 0.012 × 10 C1 = 0.12 (N) A1 2(a)(ii) (density = ) mass ÷ volume OR ( d =) m ÷ v C1 12 ÷ 0.88 C1 14 (g / cm3) A1 2(b)(i) middle box ticked (mass stays the same) B1 2(b)(ii) top box ticked (density decreases) B1 (a)(i) To earn these marks, first convert the mass from grams to kilograms, then multiply this mass by 10 (for gravitational acceleration), and finally state the correct weight in Newtons. (a)(ii) To earn these marks, first state the formula for density (mass ÷ volume), then substitute the given mass and volume into the formula, and finally provide the calculated density of 14 g/cm³. (b)(i) To earn this mark, tick the box indicating that the mass stays the same. (b)(ii) To earn this mark, tick the box indicating that the density decreases.

4 (a) A substance cools from 50 °C to 5.0 °C. Its melting point is 20 °C. The substance takes 30 minutes to cool from 50 °C to its melting point. The substance takes a total time of 80 minutes to cool from 50 °C to 5.0 °C. On Fig. 4.1, sketch a graph that shows how the temperature of the substance varies with time as it cools from 50 °C to 5.0 °C. 0 0 20 40 60 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 temperature / °C time / min Fig. 4.1 [4] (b) Describe the arrangement and motion of the molecules in the substance when they are in the solid state. … … … … [2] [Total: 6]

4(a) horizontal section at 20 °C B1 line starting at (0, 50) line decreasing (steadily) (from (0, 50)) to 20 °C in 30 minutes (by eye) line decreasing from 20 °C AND line reaches 5 °C at time of 80 mins B3 4(b) any two from: (in solid state molecules / they are) close(r)(than in liquids / gases) (in solid state molecules / they are) in regular arrangement (in solid state molecules / they are) in fixed positions (in solid state molecules / they can only) vibrate B2 (a) To earn marks, you must draw a horizontal section at 20 °C, start the line at (0, 50), show a decreasing line from (0, 50) to 20 °C at 30 minutes, and ensure the line decreases from 20 °C to reach 5 °C at 80 minutes. (b) You need to provide two correct descriptions of the arrangement or motion of molecules in a solid, such as being close, in a regular arrangement, in fixed positions, or vibrating.

5 Fig. 5.1 shows a metal block on a flat surface. metal block 6.0 cm 3.0 cm Fig. 5.1 (a) (i) The mass of the metal block is 1.6 kg. Calculate the weight of the metal block. weight = … N [2] (ii) Calculate the pressure on the flat surface due to the metal block. pressure = … N / cm2 [3] (b) In an experiment, the metal block is heated and the temperature of the metal block increases by 100 °C. State the effect, if any, of the temperature increase on: 1. the volume of the metal block … 2. the mass of the metal block … 3. the density of the metal block … [3] [Total: 8]

5(a)(i) (weight =) mass × g OR 1.6 × 10 OR mass = W ÷ g C1 (weight =) 16 (N) A1 5(a)(ii) (pressure =) force ÷ area C1 (pressure =) 16 ÷ 18 C1 (pressure =) 0.89 (N / cm2) A1 5(b) 1 (volume of block) increases B1 2 (mass) remains constant owtte B1 3 (density) decreases B1

10 A student suggests that there are several ways of transferring energy to a small, stationary block of iron on a smooth table. He makes the following suggestions. 1 Heat it. 2 Shine light on it. 3 Pass a current through it. Which suggestions are correct? A 1 and 2 only B 1 and 3 only C 2 and 3 only D 1, 2 and 3

Answer: D To earn the mark, a student must correctly identify that heating, shining light, and passing a current through the block are all valid ways to transfer energy to it.

Cambridge IGCSE Physics · 0625

IGCSE Physics (0625) Thermal physics past paper questions

Thermal-physics questions test the kinetic particle model, specific heat and latent heat, and thermal expansion and transfer.

761 free questions from 2016–2025, each with its marking scheme. Open the full topical bank to filter by subtopic, paper, and year.

Thermal physics in IGCSE Physics 0625 exams, 2020–2025

Across 2020–2025, Thermal physics accounted for 713 questions worth 2,289 marks in Cambridge IGCSE Physics (0625) papers.

By year
Year	Questions	Marks
2020	127	403
2021	120	347
2022	128	468
2023	89	343
2024	120	347
2025	129	381

Most-tested subtopics

2.2 Thermal properties and temperature1362 marks
2.3 Transfer of thermal energy792 marks
2.1 Kinetic particle model of matter566 marks

Appears in

Paper 1 · 253 qs
Paper 2 · 246 qs
Paper 3 · 61 qs
Paper 4 · 77 qs
Paper 5 · 38 qs
Paper 6 · 38 qs

All most-tested Physics topics

2025 May/Jun · Paper 6 · Q4 · 7 marks
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2021 May/Jun · Paper 3 · Q2 · 8 marks
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2021 Oct/Nov · Paper 3 · Q4 · 6 marks
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2021 Feb/Mar · Paper 3 · Q5 · 8 marks
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2021 May/Jun · Paper 1 · Q10 · 1 mark
Marking scheme
Mark scheme — 2021 Paper 1 Q10
Answer: D
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