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Internal energy and energy transfers

Free AQA GCSE Physics practice questions on Internal energy and energy transfers. Sample questions below with detailed mark schemes — sign up to practise the full set with spaced repetition.

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State — 2 marks

A student heats water in a kettle. The heating element transfers energy to the water, causing its temperature to increase from 20°C to 100°C.

  1. State what is meant by internal energy. [1 mark]
  2. State how the internal energy of the water changes as it is heated from 20°C to 100°C. [1 mark]
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Explain — 4 marks

A student heats water in a metal kettle on a cooker. The water temperature increases from 20°C to 100°C. The metal handle of the kettle also becomes hot, even though it is not in direct contact with the heat source.

  1. Explain what happens to the internal energy of the water as it is heated from 20°C to 100°C. [1 mark]
  2. Explain why the metal handle of the kettle becomes hot, even though it is not in direct contact with the heat source. [2 marks]
  3. The kettle is left on the cooker after the water reaches 100°C. Explain why the temperature of the water does not increase further, even though energy is still being transferred to it. [1 mark]
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Explain — 3 marks

A student heats water in a kettle. The water temperature increases from 20°C to 100°C. During heating, some thermal energy is also transferred to the metal kettle itself, causing it to become hot to touch.

  1. Explain what happens to the internal energy of the water as it is heated in the kettle. [1 mark]
  2. The metal kettle becomes hot even though it is not in direct contact with the heating element. Explain how thermal energy is transferred through the metal kettle. [1 mark]
  3. Explain why the internal energy of both the water and the kettle increases, even though the same amount of electrical energy is supplied to the system. [1 mark]
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Define — 3 marks

A student is investigating energy transfer in a cup of hot chocolate. When the drink is first poured at 80°C, the cup feels warm to touch. Over time, the temperature decreases as the drink cools to room temperature. The student notices that the cup and the drink eventually reach the same temperature.

  1. Define internal energy. [1 mark]
  2. Define thermal energy transfer. [1 mark]
  3. Explain why the internal energy of the hot chocolate decreases as it cools to room temperature. [1 mark]
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