THE INDIAN PUBLIC SCHOOL
0625/PHYSICS/THERMAL PHYSICS WS
1 A solar panel is mounted on the roof of a house. Fig. 4.1 shows a section through part of the
solar panel.
sunlight
trapped
air copper pipe,
painted black
water
glass sheet
insulating metal backing sheet,
material painted black
Fig. 4.1
A pump makes water flow through the copper pipes. The water is heated by passing through the
solar panel.
(a) Select and explain three features of the solar panel that maximise the final temperature of
the water.
[4]
(b) During one day, 250 kg of water is pumped through the solar panel. The temperature of this
water rises from 16 °C to 38 °C.
The water absorbs 25 % of the energy incident on the solar panel. The specific heat capacity
of water is 4200 J / (kg °C).
Calculate the energy incident on the solar panel during that day.
energy = [4]
(c) The solar panel in Fig. 4.1 is designed to heat water.
A person is deciding whether to install solar panels on her house.
List and explain three pieces of information she needs to consider in order to make her
decision.
[4]
(d) The Sun releases energy as a result of nuclear fusion.
State the meaning of nuclear fusion.
[2]
[Total: 14]
2 (a) (i) State two ways in which the molecular structure of a liquid is different from the molecular
structure of a solid.
1. .......................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
2. .......................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
[2]
(ii) Explain, in terms of energy, the process which takes place as a solid at its melting point
changes into a liquid at the same temperature.
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................... [1]
(b) During a severe snowstorm, a layer of snow (ice crystals) forms on the body of an animal in a
field. The snow and the surrounding air are at 0 °C. The snow begins to melt.
(i) The mass of snow that falls on the animal is 1.65 kg. The specific latent heat of fusion of
snow is 330 000 J / kg.
Calculate the thermal energy needed to melt this snow.
thermal energy = ............................................... [2]
(ii) The animal derives energy from its food to maintain its body temperature.
State the energy change that takes place.
...................................................................................................................................... [1]
[Total: 6]
3(a)
(a) On a hot day, sweat forms on the surface of a person’s body and the sweat evaporates.
Explain, in terms of the behaviour of molecules,
(i) the process of evaporation,
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
(ii) how this process helps the body to cool down.
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
[3]
(b) The temperature of a person of mass 60 kg falls from 37.2 °C to 36.7 °C.
(i) Calculate the thermal energy lost from the body. The average specific heat capacity
of the body is 4000 J / (kg °C).
thermal energy lost = .................................................. [2]
(ii) The cooling of the body was entirely due to the evaporation of sweat.
Calculate the mass of sweat which evaporated. The specific latent heat of
vaporisation of sweat is 2.4 × 106 J / kg.
mass = .................................................. [2]
[Total: 7]
