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Heat Questions - GCSE Level

Q1. A student had read about a glacier that had been covered in insulating material. The idea was to slow down the rate at which the glacier melts in the summer.

She investigated this idea using the apparatus shown in the diagram.

 

(a) These are the steps taken by the student.

Measure 30 cm3 of cold water into a boiling tube.

Place the boiling tube 25 cm from an infra red lamp.

Record the temperature of the water.

Switch on the infra red lamp.

Record the temperature of the water every minute for 5 minutes.

Repeat with boiling tubes covered in different insulating materials.

(i) Why did she use an infra red lamp? (1 mark)

(ii) Name one control variable in this investigation. (1 mark)

(iii) Give one advantage of using a temperature sensor and data logger instead of a glass thermometer to measure temperature. (1 mark)

(b) The results of the investigation are shown in the graph.

(i) Why did the student use a boiling tube with no insulation? (1 mark)

(ii) From her results, what should she recommend is used to insulate the glacier? (1 mark)

(iii) Explain why the insulation recommended by the student will reduce the heat transfer from the Sun to the glacier. (2 marks)

(c) Explain, in terms of particles, how heat is transferred through the glass wall of a boiling tube. (2 marks)

(9 marks total)