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O-LevelPhysicsThermal Physics5054/32 · Oct/Nov 2024 · Q46 Marks

Water is heated from room temperature to its boiling temperature in a glass beaker. Plan an experiment to investigate if the time taken for the water to reach its boiling temperature depends on the diameter of the water surface exposed to the air. You are provided with: • a supply of cold water • a set of glass beakers of different sizes • a Bunsen burner, tripod and gauze • a measuring cylinder. You may use any other common laboratory apparatus. You are not required to do this investigation. 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 draw a conclusion. You may include a labelled diagram if you wish.

  1. Water is heated from room temperature to its boiling temperature in a glass beaker. Plan an experiment to investigate if the time taken for the water to reach its boiling temperature depends on the diameter of the water surface exposed to the air. You are provided with: • a supply of cold water • a set of glass beakers of different sizes • a Bunsen burner, tripod and gauze • a measuring cylinder. You may use any other common laboratory apparatus. You are not required to do this investigation. 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 draw a conclusion. You may include a labelled diagram if you wish. [6][6]

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2024). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

  1. [6] MP1 additional apparatus: stopwatch and ruler / measuring tape (and thermometer)
  2. MP2 method: measure/record/note the diameter of beaker
  3. MP3 (heat and) measure the time to bring the water to the boil and repeat for the other beakers
  4. MP4 control variables: any one from: mass / volume / amount of (cold) water / same initial or cold water temperature / keep Bunsen burner flame constant
  5. MP5 table: columns for diameter / d and time / t
  6. MP5 table: with units for both
  7. MP6 processing and conclusion: plot a graph of diameter against time OR compare the results in the table to see if/how the diameter of the beaker affects the time taken to boil the water

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About this question

Topic
Thermal Physics, O-Level Physics (syllabus 5054). Structured question, 6 marks.
Source
O-Level Physics, Oct/Nov 2024 Paper 3 Variant 2, question 4.

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