10 free IGCSE Physics Thermal Physics questions written in the style of Cambridge Physics papers: 7 multiple-choice and 3 structured, each with its answer and mark scheme. 4 of them are A* challenge questions, built to catch the mistakes strong students still make.
This topic covers Kinetic particle model, Gases & absolute temperature, Thermal expansion, Specific heat capacity, Melting, boiling & evaporation, Transfer of thermal energy. Work through the questions below, then generate a full Thermal Physics paper with a fresh set every time.
Generate a full Thermal Physics paper →A 0.5 kg block of copper (specific heat capacity 390 J/(kg °C)) at 80 °C is dropped into 0.2 kg of water (specific heat capacity 4200 J/(kg °C)) at 15 °C. No energy is lost to the surroundings.
What is the final temperature of the water?
Answer: B
A beaker of water is left in a warm room and some of the water evaporates.
1 A larger surface area increases the rate of evaporation.
2 Blowing air across the surface decreases the rate of evaporation.
3 Evaporation can take place at any temperature.
Which statements are correct?
Answer: B
An air bubble of volume 1.0 cm³ is released by a diver 15 m below the surface of a lake. The temperature of the water is constant. Atmospheric pressure is 1.0 × 105 Pa and the density of water is 1000 kg/m³. (g = 9.8 N/kg)
What is the volume of the bubble just as it reaches the surface?
Answer: C
What is the energy needed to change 0.2 kg of ice at 0 °C into water at 25 °C?
(specific latent heat of fusion of ice = 3.34 × 105 J/kg; specific heat capacity of water = 4200 J/(kg °C))
Answer: C
Which property explains why gases fill their container?
Answer: C
Which surface is the best emitter of infrared radiation?
Answer: B
Two identical containers of hot water cool in the same room. One is painted dull black and the other is painted shiny white.
Which statement is correct?
Answer: D
Convert between the Celsius and kelvin temperature scales.
State the value of absolute zero in °C.
Convert 27 °C to kelvin.
Describe what happens to the particles of a substance as its temperature approaches absolute zero.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | −273 °C −273 °C B1 | 1 |
| (b) | 300 K 300 K B1 | 1 |
| (c) | kinetic energy approaches minimum the particles have the least possible kinetic energy (they almost stop moving) B1 | 1 |
A room is heated by a heater placed near the floor on one side of the room.
Explain why the heater is placed near the floor rather than near the ceiling.
State one way in which thermal energy is lost through the window of the room.
Double glazing has two panes of glass with a thin layer of air trapped between them. Explain why this reduces thermal energy loss.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | convection currents air next to the heater is warmed, expands and becomes less dense B1 the warm air rises B1 cooler denser air moves in and sinks, so a convection current circulates through the whole room B1 | 3 |
| (b) | conduction through the glass conduction through the glass (or radiation through the glass / convection of air at the window) B1 | 1 |
| (c) | air is a poor conductor; layer too thin for convection air is a poor conductor of thermal energy B1 the gap is thin so convection currents in the air are small B1 | 2 |
A beaker of ice at −10 °C is heated steadily until the water boils.
Sketch and describe the shape of the temperature–time graph.
Explain why the temperature does not change while the ice is melting, even though energy is still supplied.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | rises, flat at 0 °C, rises, flat at 100 °C temperature rises to 0 °C B1 stays constant at 0 °C while melting B1 rises to 100 °C and stays constant while boiling B1 | 3 |
| (b) | energy breaks bonds, not increasing KE the energy is used to break the bonds (overcome forces) between particles B1 the kinetic energy of the particles does not increase B1 | 2 |
In the 0625 syllabus, Thermal Physics covers Kinetic particle model, Gases & absolute temperature, Thermal expansion, Specific heat capacity, Melting, boiling & evaporation, Transfer of thermal energy.
This page has 10 Thermal Physics questions with answers. For more, the free generator on mentorriyaz.in builds a new Thermal Physics paper with a full mark scheme each time you click.
Riyaz Shaikh has mentored IGCSE, IB and A Level students for 15+ years, one-on-one, online and in Mumbai. The hardest questions on this site are the ones he uses to find a student's weak points.
Meet Riyaz →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