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SingaporeCombined ScienceQuick questions
Physics: Waves, Electricity and Magnetism
Quick questions on Thermal physics and heat explained: O-Level Combined Science
6short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is conduction?Show answer
Conduction is the transfer of thermal energy through a material without the material moving. Particles vibrate more when heated and pass energy to neighbours; in metals, free electrons carry energy quickly, which is why metals are good conductors. Non-metals, liquids and gases conduct poorly and act as insulators.
What is convection?Show answer
Convection happens in liquids and gases. When part of a fluid is heated it expands, becomes less dense, and rises; cooler, denser fluid sinks to take its place, setting up a convection current that carries energy. This is how a room warms above a heater.
What is radiation?Show answer
Thermal radiation is the transfer of energy by infrared waves and needs no particles, so it works through a vacuum (this is how the Sun's energy reaches Earth). Dark, dull surfaces emit and absorb radiation well; shiny, light surfaces reflect it.
What is q1?Show answer
State the difference between temperature and thermal energy. [2 marks]
What is q2?Show answer
Explain why metals are good conductors of heat. [2 marks]
What is q3?Show answer
Explain why the temperature of pure ice stays at while it is melting. [2 marks]
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