Temperature: A Level Physics questions with answers
Free Temperature questions for A Level Physics (9702), part of Thermal & modern physics. Each question has the answer and the marking points an examiner would look for.
A 0.5 kg metal block is heated by a 50 W heater for 300 s. Its temperature rises by 20 K.
(a)
Calculate the specific heat capacity of the metal.
[2]
(b)
Explain whether this value is likely to be higher or lower than the true value.
[2]
Show answers and mark scheme
Part
Answer and marking points
Marks
(a)
1500 J kg−1 K−1
Pt = mcΔθ C1 1500 J kg−1 K−1A1
2
(b)
higher due to heat loss
some energy is lost to the surroundings B1 so the calculated value is higher than the true value B1
2
Question 2Structured · 7 marksA* challenge
An aluminium block of mass 1.5 kg is heated by a 40 W heater for 300 s. Its temperature rises by 7.1 K.
(a)
Define specific heat capacity.
[1]
(b)
Calculate the specific heat capacity from these data.
[2]
(c)
The accepted value is 900 J kg−1 K−1. Explain the difference and suggest an improvement.
[2]
(d)
Explain why the temperature of a substance remains constant while it melts.
[2]
Show answers and mark scheme
Part
Answer and marking points
Marks
(a)
energy per unit mass per unit temperature rise
thermal energy per unit mass per unit temperature change B1
1
(b)
1130 J kg−1 K−1
E = Pt = 12000 J C1 c = 1130 J kg−1 K−1A1
2
(c)
heat losses; insulate
thermal energy is lost to the surroundings so the temperature rise is smaller B1 insulate the block / use lagging B1
2
(d)
energy increases PE, not KE
energy is used to break bonds / increase potential energy of particles B1 mean kinetic energy, and so temperature, stays constant B1
2
Question 3Structured · 9 marks
A thermocouple is calibrated by placing its hot junction in water at known temperatures, with the cold junction in melting ice. Table 3.1 shows the results.
temperature / °C
0
20
40
60
80
100
e.m.f. / mV
0.00
0.84
1.68
2.52
3.36
4.20
Table 3.1
(a)
State what is meant by thermodynamic (absolute) temperature.
[2]
(b)
The e.m.f. is 2.95 mV when the hot junction is placed in a liquid. Use Table 3.1 to determine the temperature of the liquid in kelvin.
[2]
(c)
State why the e.m.f. of a thermocouple can be used to measure temperature.
[1]
(d)
Explain why two thermometers based on different physical properties can disagree at temperatures other than the fixed points.
[2]
(e)
A 0.150 kg block of metal is heated from 20.0 °C to 70.0 °C using 3.38 kJ of energy. Calculate its specific heat capacity.
[2]
Show answers and mark scheme
Part
Answer and marking points
Marks
(a)
temperature scale independent of any substance; zero at absolute zero
a scale that does not depend on the property of any particular substance B1 with zero at absolute zero, where a system has minimum internal energy B1
2
(b)
343 K
2.95 ÷ 0.042 = 70.2 °C C1 343 K A1
2
(c)
e.m.f. varies with temperature
the e.m.f. changes (measurably and continuously) as the temperature changes B1
1
(d)
properties do not vary linearly in the same way
each scale assumes its property varies linearly with temperature between the fixed points B1 the properties do not vary in exactly the same (linear) way, so readings differ B1
2
(e)
450 J kg−1 K−1
c = E ÷ (mΔθ) = 3375 ÷ (0.150 × 50.0) C1 450 J kg−1 K−1A1
2
Question 4Structured · 9 marks
This question is about temperature scales and thermometers.
(a)
Explain what is meant by thermal equilibrium.
[2]
(b)
Explain why the thermodynamic temperature scale does not depend on the property of any particular substance.
[2]
(c)
Convert −196 °C and 373.15 K to the other scale.
[2]
(d)
Compare a thermocouple with a liquid-in-glass thermometer for measuring the rapidly changing temperature of a small object.
[3]
Show answers and mark scheme
Part
Answer and marking points
Marks
(a)
no net transfer of thermal energy; same temperature
two objects are in thermal equilibrium when there is no net transfer of thermal energy between them B1 they are at the same temperature B1
2
(b)
based on absolute zero and triple point, theoretical
it is defined theoretically, with absolute zero (0 K) and the triple point of water (273.16 K) as fixed points B1 it does not rely on a measurable property of a substance B1
2
(c)
77 K; 100 °C
77 K B1 100 °C B1
2
(d)
thermocouple: small heat capacity, fast response, small size, remote reading; liquid-in-glass: slow, large
thermocouple has a small thermal capacity so responds quickly B1 it is small so affects the object little and can be read remotely / recorded B1 a liquid-in-glass thermometer responds slowly and has larger thermal capacity B1
3
Question 5Structured · 4 marks
Thermodynamic temperature does not depend on the property of any particular substance.
(a)
State what is meant by absolute zero.
[1]
(b)
Convert 37.0 °C to kelvin.
[1]
(c)
Explain why two thermometers based on different physical properties may give different readings at the same temperature.
[2]
Show answers and mark scheme
Part
Answer and marking points
Marks
(a)
temperature at which particles have minimum energy
the temperature at which a substance has minimum internal energy B1
1
(b)
310.15 K
310.15 K B1
1
(c)
properties vary non-linearly differently
the physical properties do not vary linearly with temperature in the same way B1 they only agree at the fixed points B1
2
Question 6Structured · 2 marks
(a)
State what is meant by the term thermal equilibrium.
[1]
(b)
State what is meant by the term specific latent heat.
[1]
Show answers and mark scheme
Part
Answer and marking points
Marks
(a)
No net transfer of thermal energy between objects
No net transfer of thermal energy between objects B1
1
(b)
Energy required per unit mass to change state without temperature change
Energy required per unit mass to change state without temperature change B1
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Original Cambridge-style practice questions written for mentorriyaz.in. These are not Cambridge past paper questions, and this site is not affiliated with or endorsed by Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Updated 2026-11-04. Paper generator · mentorriyaz.in