S3 PHYSICS

Heat
Name: _________________________

Class: S3________

Class no.: ______

Copyright @ Shun Lee Catholic Secondary School 2014/2015

Introduction
As you are about to make your final decision of what elective subjects to study in
the next three years, the physics teacher is going to provide you a solid experience
of what physics lessons will be in our school.

Our physics lessons adopt FIPPPED CLASSROOM teaching strategy. In other

subjects, you learn in lessons and do homework at home. For physics, you have
to learn at home through watching Youtube video prepared by your physics
teacher while in physics lessons, you have to finish assignments with your
classmates. In this way, teacher may have more time to do demonstration, to
clarify difficult concepts and you may also have more chance to do experiments,
and ask for help from teachers and classmates more easily when doing
assignment.

The S3 physics test and exam will follow the settings of Paper 1 in DSE*, with
MCQs and SQ. The weightings are 35% and 65% respectively. You should note
that the quality of your assignment and your class performance are also important
part of your assessment. The following table may give you a clear summary:

Term Mark Percentage

Coursework Assessment (C.A.) 30% of Term Mark
 Test 25%
 Assignment and Class Performance 5%
Examination 70% of Term Mark
 Multiple Choice Questions 24.5 % ( = 0.35*70% )
 Short Questions 45.5 % ( = 0.65*70% )

So, how to get high marks?

Easy! Watch videos and finish all check point questions before every lesson.
Bring your Exercise book. Finish all assignment with quality answers, show your
steps clearly and neatly. When your exercise book is returned, read the
feedbacks from teachers carefully. Do not leave questions unanswered, always
ask for help from your physics teachers as soon as possible! Test and
examination questions are very similar to those questions in your notes!

*For format and marks allocation of DSE physics exam, please refer to appendix.

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 Table of Contents
S3 Physics – 2014/2015 (2nd Term)

Chapter 1 - Temperature and Thermometer

1 1.1  Temperature is an objective measurement of hotness

1 1.2  Celsius Scale – an introduction

1 1.3  Calibrating a thermometer on the Celsius Scale

2 1.4  Features of liquid-in-glass thermometer

2 1.5  Mercury-in-glass and Alcohol-in-glass thermometers

3 1.6  Absolute Temperature Scale – its significance and conversion

3 1.7  Thermometer – how does it work?

3 1.8  Temperature and particle motion

Chapter 2 - Internal Energy and Heat transfer

4 2.1  Energies of particles

4 2.2  Internal energy of an object

4 2.3  Heat and energy transfer (Heating and Doing work)

4 2.4  Power – rate of energy flow

Chapter 3 - Heat capacity and specific heat capacity

5 3.1  Heat capacity [Video Expt]

5, 6 3.2  Specific heat capacity - water [Group Expt]

7 3.3  Specific heat capacity - metal cylinder

8, 9 3.4  ‘Mixture’ – Calculation

9 3.5  Importance of high specific heat capacity of water

Chapter 4 - Heat transfer by conduction

10 4.1  Energy transfer by conduction

10 4.2  Microscopic explanation of heat conduction

10 4.3  Examples of conduction and insulation

3
Chapter 1 – Temperature and thermometer
1.1 Temperature is an objective measurement of hotness
Something is hot or cold is a kind of subjective feeling. A cup of tea is cold for
you but it is hot for someone else. To compare hotness more objectively,
temperature of the object is measured by a thermometer.

You first put your fingers in two different beakers of water at different
temperatures, then put them into the same beaker of water. Your fingers will
experience different degrees of hotness. This shows that hotness is a subjective
feeling.

Source: Physics at Work (Oxford)

In the above example, if we put a thermometer in the middle beaker, it will only
measure a single temperature, although your two different fingers give you
different feelings.

Check Point :
1. Our feeling is not reliable for comparing hotness, we need to use objective
instrument such as __________________ to measure their temperatures.
Ans: thermometer
2. There are two beakers of water, A and B. The temperature of A and B are
40C and 5C. If you put your right and left hand into A and B respectively
and then both into a beaker C of tap water at 22C. You right hand will feel
________________ (hotter/colder) than the left hand.
Ans: colder

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3. Peter puts his hands into two beakers of different temperature, one being iced
water and the other being hot water. He then puts his hands into the same
tank of tap water. Which of the following is/are possible result?
(1) The hand that was in hot water would feel cold in tap water.
(2) The hand that was in iced water would feel hot in tap water.
(3) His two hands will feel different hotness in the same tank of water.
A. (1) and (2). B. (2) and (3) C. (1) and (3) D. (1), (2) and (3)
Ans: D
1.2 Celsius Scale – an introduction
There are different temperature scales used by different nations. In HK, people
use Celsius scale while in US, people use Fahrenheit Scale. Our body
temperature is 37C or 98.6F in degree Celsius and degree Fahrenheit
respectively.

Source: http://omp.gso.uri.edu/ompweb/doee/science/physical/tscale.gif

Conversion between temperature in degree Celsius and that in degree Fahrenheit

is given by:
5 9
𝐶 = 9 (F − 32) or 𝐹 = 5 𝐶 + 32

C: Celsius Temperature, F: Fahrenheit

Example:
4. Coverts 98.6F to temperature in Celsius.
5 5
𝐶 = 9 (F − 32) = 9 (98.6 − 32) = 37C Source:
http://fivejs.com/wp-content/uploads/
2010/10/celsius.jpg
5. Coverts 37C to temperature in Fahrenheit.
9 9
𝐹 = 5 𝐶 + 32 = 5 (37) + 32 = 66.6 + 32 = 98.6F

5
Check Point:
6. Read the temperature reading of the following thermometer:

Source:

https://2ecffd01e1ab3e9383f0-07db7b9624bbdf022e3b5395236d5cf8.ssl.cf4.rackcdn.com/Product-

800x800/b64b810d-60ce-4137-8f65-0878410c78ae.jpg

Reading: _____ C OR _____ F

Ans: 22, 72
7. Converts 220C to temperature in Fahrenheit.
Ans:428F
8. Coverts 400F to temperature in Celsius.
Ans:204F
Assignment:
9. Fill in the following table:

Degree Celsius / C -273 -32 0 37 100

Degree Fahrenheit / F -459.4 0 32 98.6 212

Ans: From left to right: -459.4, -32, 32, 37, 212

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1.3 Calibrating a thermometer on the Celsius Scale
The Celsius scale is defined by two fixed points; the ice point and steam point.
The ice point is defined as 0C while the steam point is defined as 100C.

An unmarked thermometer is just a closed glass tube with a liquid column inside.
A mercury-in-glass thermometer has a column of mercury trapped in a glass tube
with one end closed.

An unmarked thermometer has to be calibrated and after that it will be ready to

measure temperature.

The following explains how to calibrate a unmarked thermometer.

Experiment – Calibrating a thermometer

1. An unmarked thermometer is put into a beaker of ice-water mixture.
Record the length of liquid column (L1) and mark on the glass tube as 0C.

Modification:

Change “ice water”

to “ice-water
mixture”

Source: http://www.hk-phy.org/contextual/heat/tep/tempe/fixed_points.gif

2. Then, put the unmarked thermometer into boiling water. Record the length
of liquid column (L2) and mark on the glass tube as 100C.

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3. Lastly, divide the length between 0C and 100C into 100 equal divisions.
4. The thermometer is now ready for measuring temperature.

Source: http://www.physicsclassroom.com/Class/thermalP/u18l1b3.gif

The ice point and steam point are chosen as fixed points for Celsius scale because
they are easily re-producible.

Temperature of Ice-water mixture and steam-water mixture:

Water has three states, namely ice, water and steam. They exist at different
temperatures. Ice exists at or below 0C. Liquid water exists between 0C and
100C. And for steam, it exists at or above 100C.

So, when ice and water exist at the same time, the temperature must be _______.
This is the temperature of melting ice or ice-water mixture.
Ans: 0C
When water and steam exist at the same time, the temperature must be _______.
This is also the boiling point of water.
Ans: 100C

For a liquid-in-glass thermometer, if the length of liquid column is L0 and L100

respectively at 0C and 100C, then the unknown temperature X when the length
of liquid column is Lx is given by
𝐿𝑋 −𝐿0
𝑋=𝐿 × 100 𝐶 ………. (#)
100 −𝐿0

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In such calculation, we assume that the length of liquid column increases linearly
with temperature. The following explain the formula by graphical method:

Modification:

Change L2 to L100
Change L to Lx
Change L1 to L0
Change T to x

Source: http://okphysics.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/thermometer_2.png

Assume the length of liquid changes linearly with temperature. The slope of the
graph is given by
𝐿𝑋 −𝐿0 𝐿100 −𝐿0
𝑠𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒 = 𝑥
𝑂𝑅 100

𝐿𝑋 −𝐿0
thus 𝑋 = × 100 𝐶 which is the same as equation (#)
𝐿100 −𝐿0

If the length of liquid does not changes linearly with temperature, equation (#)
does not apply anymore.

9
Check Point:
10. Under normal condition, the temperature of ice-water mixture is
____________C. The temperature of boiling water is ____________C.
Ans: 0C, 100C
11. There are two fixed points for the Celsius temperature scale they are
A. ________________________: the temperature of ice-water mixture (or
melting ice). It is taken as _______ C.
B. ________________________: the temperature of steam-water mixture
(or boiling water). It is taken as _______ C.
Ans: ice point, 0, steam point, 100
12. To calibrate a liquid-in-glass thermometer on the Celsius Scale, an
______________ thermometer is first put into _______________ and then
into _______________ water. The _______________ of liquid column is
marked in each case and the separation between the two markings is divided
into _________ equal divisions. Each division represents a temperature
change of ________.
Ans: unmarked, melting ice, boiling, length, 100, 1C
13. An unmarked thermometer is put into ice-water mixture and boiling water in
turn, the length of liquid column is 3.2 cm and 12.6 cm respectively. It is
then put into warm water of 50C, what will be the length of liquid column?
Ans:7.9 cm
Method (1):
Apply equation (1) on the last page:

Method (2):
Change in length of liquid Change in length of liquid
= 1/2 
column from 0 to 50C column from 0C to 100C

Assignment:
14. An unmarked thermometer is put into ice-water mixture and boiling water in
turn, the length of liquid column is 2.6 cm and 8.4 cm respectively. It is then
put into hot oil and the length of liquid column becomes 12 cm, what is the
temperature of the hot oil?
Ans: 162C

10
 15. A thermometer is put into ice-water mixture and tap water at 22 C in turn,
the length of liquid column is 2.6 cm and 4.4 cm respectively. It is then put
into boiling water, what will be the length of liquid column?
Ans: 10.8 cm
16. A faulty thermometer with uniform scale (like a ruler) reads 10C and 80C
when it is placed in ice-water mixture and boiling water respectively. What
should be the true temperature when the thermometer reads 30C ?
Ans: 28.6C
17. The length of liquid column of an unmarked thermometer is 2.8 cm in
ice-water mixture. The volume of liquid in this thermometer increases with
temperature as shown below:

Volume / cm3

2.3 --

2.2 --

2.1 --

Temp / C
| | | | | |
0 20 40 60 80 100

(a) What is the volume of liquid at 0C ? _______________________

Ans: 2.15 cm3
(b) What is the volume of liquid at 25C ? _______________________
Ans: 2.35 cm3
(c) The capillary tube of the thermometer has a cross-section area (bore) of 0.015
cm2. Find the increase in length of liquid column when temperature changes
from 0C to 25C.
Ans: 13.3 cm
(d) Hence, find the length of liquid column when temperature is 25C?
Ans: 16.1 cm

11
1.4 Features of liquid-in-glass thermometer
For different purposes, different thermometers are designed. The labelled
diagram below shows different parts of a liquid-in-glass thermometer.

Source: http://schoolnet.gov.mt/physics/imEnergy/MercInGlassTh.jpg

Source: http://cdn2.miniphysics.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/laboratory-thermometer.gif

Check Point:
18. Label the diagram below using the following words:
stem, mercury column, bulb, bore

B.
A.

C.

D.

Ans: mercury column, bore, stem, bulb

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A thermometer with large bulb and thin bore may produce large change in length
of liquid column, it is a sensitive thermometer. A sensitive thermometer
produces a great change in liquid column when there is a small temperature
change.

A thermometer with a thin glass wall and mercury inside conducts heat quickly.
It produces quick respond to temperature change. When the temperature
changes, it changes its length of liquid column very quickly.

A clinical thermometer has a constriction which prevents the liquid from running
back to the bulb too quickly. This design gives more time for the nurse to read
body temperature.

Source: http://i.imgur.com/jfmYT4n.gif

Clinical Thermometer

Check Point:
19. By making two improvements of the following thermometer, draw another
thermometer which is more sensitive than the one below.

Ans: smaller bore, bigger bulb

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 1.5 Mercury-in-glass and Alcohol-in-glass thermometer
Mercury is the only metal in liquid state at room temperature. As a metal, it is a
good conductor of heat. It boils at high temperature so it is suitable to be used
in liquid-in-glass thermometer. The following table compares mercury-in-glass
and alcohol-in-glass thermometer.

Mercury-in-glass thermometer Alcohol-in-glass thermometer

Left: Alcohol  It can measure high  It can measure low

thermometer temperatures up to 357C temperatures down to -115C

Right: Mercury which is the boiling point of which is the freezing point of
thermometer mercury. alcohol.
 Quick response to temperature  Slow response to temperature
change changes
 Mercury is poisonous.  Alcohol is not poisonous.
 More expensive  Less expensive

Check Point:
20. Despite the fact that mercury-in-glass is more sensitive and it can measure
higher temperature, alcohol-in-glass thermometer is usually given to lower
form students in science lesson? Why?
Ans: Mercury is poisonous. If broken, student will breathe in mercury easily.

Assignment:
21. State and explain ONE advantage and ONE disadvantage of using
alcohol-in-glass thermometer over mercury-in-glass thermometer.
Ans: Adv: it can measure lower temperature, less dangerous, less expensive,
Disadv: slower response
22. State and explain ONE advantage and ONE disadvantage of using
mercury-in-glass thermometer over alcohol-in-glass thermometer.
Ans: Adv: it can measure higher temperature and quicker response
Disadv: more dangerous, more expensive

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1.6 Absolute Temperature Scale – its significance and conversion
Particles of substance vibrate faster at higher temperature. What if the
temperature keeps decreasing, how would the vibration of particles change?

When temperature decreases, the particles of a substance vibrate more slowly,

therefore they vibrate with a lower average kinetic energy. Therefore, the
particles will slow down their vibrations when temperature further decreases.
Scientist found that all particles stop their vibration at a temperature of -273C.
Scientist called this temperature absolute zero, or 0 K where K stands for Kelvin.

Source: http://www.avogadro.co.uk/miscellany/t-and-p/thermometers.gif

In other words, we may use absolute temperature in Kelvin(K) as a measure of

average kinetic energy of a substance. Thus, absolute temperature of a
substance is directly proportional to the average kinetic energy of its particles.

15
The following figure shows the conversion between absolute temperature and
Celsius temperature.

Check Point:
23. When the average kinetic energy of particles is reduced until it reaches a
minimum, the temperature of the object cannot be further decreased. This
temperature is called ____________________ and it is about __________C.
Ans: absolute zero, -273
24. The absolute temperature of an object represents (but not equal to)
__________________ kinetic energy of its particles.
Ans: average
25. Fill in the following table:

Degree Celsius / C -273 0 27 37

Absolute temperature /K 373

Ans: From left to right: 0, 273, 300, 310, 100

26. Which of the following is wrong? At absolute zero,
A. particles do not move, they only vibrate.
B. the average kinetic energy of particles is zero.
C. the kinetic energies of all particles are zero.
D. the temperature is the lowest in the universe.
Ans: A

16
1.7 Thermometer – how does it work?
According to kinetic theory, all matters are made up of tiny particles (atoms,
molecules or ions) which are in constantly in motion.

When a substance is hot, its particles vibrate more vigorously. In other words,
when temperature increases, average kinetic energy of particles of a substance
increases. They have larger kinetic energy on average as temperature increases.

When kinetic energy increases, particles vibrate faster. The particles will occupy
more space as they vibrate more vigorously, and thus expansion results.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/staticarchive/4e8909cebe37f6dd46758b1f5d3e55e1899e159b.gif

Note that particles do not expand, but their vibrations occupy more space at
higher temperature.

Energy transfers from hot objects to the thermometer. When the bulb of a
mercury-in-glass thermometer is put into hot water, the mercury particles gain
kinetic energy. The increase in kinetic energy of mercury particles results in
expansion and hence an increases in length of mercury thread and hence the
measured temperature.

So, temperature is a measure of average kinetic energy of the particles of the

object. When two objects have the same temperature, their average kinetic
energies of their particles are the same.

17
Check Point:
27. Choose the WRONG answer. A liquid-in-glass thermometer may measure
temperature of a substance because
A. volume of liquid changes with temperature
B. liquid expands when temperature increases.
C. length of liquid column increases with temperature.
D. glass expands more than liquid when temperature increases.
Ans: D
28. Which of the following statement is/are correct?
(1) For two objects at the same temperature, the average kinetic energies of
their particles are the same.
(2) All particles inside an object have the same kinetic energy.
(3) Particles expand at higher temperature.
A. (1) only
B. (2) only
C. (3) only
D. (1), (2) and (3)
Ans: A

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1.8 Temperature and particle motion
The following shows the arrangement of particles in solids, liquids and gases.

The arrangement and movement of particles are different at different

temperature. In general, their degree of freedom increases when temperature
increases.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMbmQzV-Ezs

Source: http://www.chem1.com/acad/webtext/states/state-images/threeStates.png

Check Point:
29. Particles in solids are in _____________ positions, so solids have fixed shape
and volume.
Ans: fixed
30. Particles in liquids may move from one position to another, but they are still
very ___________ to each other. They are not _______________ regularly.
So, liquids have fixed _____________ but no fixed _______________.
Ans: close, arranged / packed, volume, shape

19
31. Particles in gases are _______________________ from each other. There is
no force between them and so their separation may be changed easily. So,
gases have no ______________ volume. Also, the particles travel freely at
high speed in random motion. So, gases have no _______________ shape.
Ans: separated /far away, fixed, fixed

Assignment:
32. Explain why when temperature decreases, a balloon becomes smaller.
Ans: lower temp > lower average KE of particles > particles occupy
less space, gas contracts, volume reduces, balloon becomes smaller

33. If there are two substances at the same temperature, the particles of the one
with more massive particles vibrate less vigorously than the other. Why?
Ans: Same temp > same average KE of particles > lower average speed for more
massive particles as KE increases with both speed and mass
34. Gases can be compressed but liquid and solid cannot. Why?
Ans: there is separation between gas particles, but not between solid/liquid
partciels ( solid/liquid particles are in contact)

20
Chapter 2 - Internal Energy and Heat transfer

Q: Which object has more energy? An iceberg? or a piece of red-hot metal?

Source: http://www.piyaotravel.com/image/data/intro/NF-ICE/NF-ICE2.jpg

Source: http://www.saltspringphotographers.ca/images2009/ab1.jpg

An iceberg has a large number of particles. Although each particle may have
little kinetic or potential energies, the internal energy of the object (i.e. the sum of
kinetic and potential energy of particles) of an iceberg can be quite large. On the
other hand, a piece of red-hot metal does not contain many particles. Even if
each metal particle has large kinetic energy (due to its high temperature), the
internal energy of a piece of metal is much smaller than that of an iceberg.

21
2.1 Energies of particles
Particles of an object may have kinetic energy or potential energy.

When a mass is held high from the ground, it has high (gravitational) potential
energy (There are also other potential energies such as elastic potential energy
or electric potential energy, but we don’t discuss them here). When it is released,
the potential energy changes to kinetic energy. As it drops, more potential
energy is changed to kinetic energy, so it speeds up when it falls.

Source:

http://sciencelearn.org.nz/var/sciencelearn/storage/images/science-stories/harnessing-the-sun/sci-

media/images/potential-and-kinetic-energy/255523-1-eng-NZ/Potential-and-kinetic-energy.jpg

When a roller coaster runs on the rail, it has kinetic energy. Kinetic energy of the
roller coaster comes from its motion. When it runs faster, it has more kinetic
energy. On the other hand, when the roller coaster is at a higher position, it has
greater gravitational potential energy.

22
 Source: http://lab-portfolio.weebly.com/uploads/1/1/4/3/11434017/998042078.gif

Check Point:
35. Roller coaster at high position has high ________________________.
Ans: (gravitational) potential energy
36. Roller coaster travelling at high speed has high ___________________.
Ans: kinetic energy
37. Fill in the table below: (the first is done for you)
P.E. and K.E. Low Speed High Speed
High Position High PE, Low KE

Low Positon
Ans: top-right: {High PE, High KE}, bottom left: {Low PE, Low KE}, {Low PE, High KE}
38. Shade the bar chart below to show the amount of P.E. and K.E. of the roller
coaster at different points of the rail.
Ans: Note that the total mechanical energy should conserve!
PE

KE

PE

KE
PE

KE

23
2.2 Internal energy of an object
Internal energy of an object is the sum of kinetic energy and potential energy of
particles.

For particles of an object, they also possess kinetic energy and potential energy.
Kinetic energy of particles is due to particle motions. Potential energy of
particles is due to the force between them. The sum of kinetic energy and
potential energy of particles is called internal energy.

When particles vibrate faster, the average kinetic energy of particles increases.
This happens when temperature increases.

When separation between particles increases, the potential energy stored

between particles also increases. This happens when solids changes to liquid, or
when liquids changes to gases.

The following diagram shows the arrangement and motions of particles in solids,
liquids and gases. The separation between particles increases when the
substance changes from solid to liquid (e.g. when ice melts to water) or from
liquid to vapour/gases (e.g. when water vaporizes to become steam).

Source: http://2012books.lardbucket.org/books/principles-of-general-chemistry-v1.0/s14-gases.html

We see that when there is change of states (from solid to liquid to gas), the
separation between particles increases, so potential energy between particles
increases when solid melts or liquid vapourises. On the other hand, potential
energy of particles decreases when vapour condenses or liquid freezes.

24
Note that kinetic energy of particles and kinetic energy of an object are different.
The former refers to particle vibrations while the latter refers to motions of the
object.

Average kinetic energy of particles of hot Kinetic energy of water is high when the

water is high, but the kinetic energy of truck is running fast on road, but the

water is low as the pot of water does not average kinetic energy of water particle is

travel. low due to its low temperature.

Similarly, potential energy between particles is due to separation between

particles while gravitational potential energy of an object depends on its height
from the ground.

Source: Source:

http://northpennwater.org/p-55-Water-Cycle http://i.ytimg.com/vi/ASZv3tIK56k/hqdefault.jpg

Increase in average PE of particles An snowball at the top of hill has high PE

(from left to right) but its particles has low average PE

25
Check Point:
39. The sum of kinetic and potential energies of particles of an object is called
____________________ energy of the object. If there are two glasses of
water at the same temperature, the one with a __________________ mass
has a larger internal energy.
Ans: internal, larger
40. The internal energy of an object is the __________ of kinetic and potential
energy of all its particles.
Ans: sum
41. The internal energy of an object increases when the average kinetic energy of
particles increases due to increase in _____________________. The
internal energy of an object also increases when the substance changes from
__________ to liquid, or from liquid to __________, as the _______________
energy between particles increases.
Ans: temperature, solid, gas potential
42. Which of the following must be correct?
A. All solids have more internal energy than any liquid.
B. A hot object carry more internal energy than a cold object.
C. The particles of a hot object always carry more potential energy than a
cold object.
D. The particles of a hot object have higher average kinetic energy than
when the object is cold.
Ans: D

26
2.3 Heat and energy transfer (Heating and Doing work)
If you touch a piece of hot iron, it hurts. You feel hot because heat energy flows
from the hot iron to your finger.

Source: http://www.jeffjonesillustration.com/images/illustration/00446-hot-touch-warning.jpg

When there are two objects at different temperatures, the one at a higher
temperature will transfer heat to the other one until they have the same
temperature. When they have the same temperature, we say they are in
thermal equilibrium.

Source: http://www.physicsclassroom.com/Class/thermalP/u18l1d5.gif

Thermal equilibrium – if you want to know more ….

“Thermal equilibrium” means no NET exchange in heat energy between objects.
When two objects are in contact, it takes time for the heat to flow from the
hotter one to the colder one and then there will be thermal equilibrium when
their temperatures are the same. When there is thermal equilibrium, there is
still heat exchange between the objects, but there is no NET heat exchange
between them. There is still heat that flows from A to B, but the same amount
of heat flows from B to A.

27
 Source: http://www.ces.fau.edu/nasa/images/Energy/HeatTransfer.jpg

The energy transfer due to temperature difference is called heat (energy), and the
process of heat transfer is called heating. When you hold a boiling tube over a
flame, heat is transferred from the hot flame to the tube and the process is
heating. Similarly, an immersion heater also transfers heat to water by heating
as the heater is hotter than the water.

Source: http://cauldronsandcupcakes.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/rub-hands.png

Another way of energy transfer is by doing work. If you rub your hands, you will
feel warm due to the work done against friction between your hands.

28
Check Point:
43. Fill in the table below:
30000000000 kg 3 kg iron at Choice of
Iceberg 500C word
Number of particles More/Less
Internal Energy More/Less
Average kinetic energy More/Less

So, heat will be transferred from _________________ to _________________ .

Ans: More, More, Less (Left column only), iron, iceberg
44. Heat flow is due to _____________________ difference. Heat (energy)
always flows from objects at a _________________ temperature to another at
a _______________ temperature. The internal energies of the objects do
not affect the flow of heat (energy).
Ans: temperature, higher, lower

Assignment:
45. A glass of hot water at 70C is left in room temperature of 22C for 30 minutes
and finally reach thermal equilibrium.
(a) Sketch the change in temperature of water versus time. (hint: it starts
from 70C and finally reach 22C)
(b) Label on the temperature axis the temperatures 70C and 22C.
(c) What would you say about the heat loss of hot water at the beginning
and after 20 minutes?
Ans: temp. changes gradually, heat loss is higher at the beginning
46. A glass of hot lemon tea is at 40C. Many ice cubes are added in a short time
so that its temperature changes to 0C. Then, the icy lemon tea is left and
finally it returns to room temperature of 28C. Sketch the change in
temperature of lemon versus time. Mark the time when ice cubes are added
as C. Label on the temperature axis the temperatures 40C, 28C and 0C.
Ans: temp. drops drastically, then rises gradually to room temp.

29
2.4 Power – rate of energy flow
When an immersion heater heats up water, energy is transferred from heater to
water at a constant rate. An immersion heater of power 30W transfers 30J of
energy to the surrounding each second. The units of power and energy are Watt
(W) and Joule (J) respectively where 1W = 1Js-1.

Source: http://store.greatdeals.com.hk/products/electric-kettle-kenwood-kmix-sjm021

This electric kettle has a power of 2.2kW ! Therefore, it converts 2200 J of

electrical energy to heat in each second.

.
Source: http://www.klingereducational.com/images/products/preview/30325.jpg

Source: http://onlinelearns.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/s1.jpg

If the power of an electric heater is known, we may measure the time of heating
to find the energy supplied by Q = Pt.

30
Source:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FAgA6-CHYr8/S7g7t35H6ZI/AAAAAAAAAeI/yMNEbSiZtFU/s1600/power.b

mp

An electric kettle of power 1500 W converts 1500 J of electrical energy to heat

energy per second. In 7 minute, it converts 1500 x 7 x 60 J ( =63000J ) of
electrical energy to heat energy.

If the power of the heater is unsure, we may use a joulemeter to measure the
energy supplied directly.

Source: http://arihantlab.com/uploads/10611201.jpg

31
When using a joulemeter, we have to mark down its initial and final readings
before and after heating. The difference of the readings is the energy supplied.

Source: http://www.hk-phy.org/contextual/heat/tep/temch/heat_cap_water.gif

When heat is transferred from the immersion heater to the water, the
temperature of water rises. As more energy is transferred, the temperature of
water rises more.
The following is a plot of temperature of water versus time of heating in such an
experiment.

Temperature / C

Time / s

|
heater is turned off

32
Check-point:
47. When the heater is turned off, the temperature will keep rising for a short
time. Why? Explain briefly.
Ans: the heater was still hotter than the water at that time.

48. An immersion heater heats a beaker of water. Calculate the heat transferred
by a 30W heater in one minute to the surrounding.
Ans: Q = Pt = (30W) (60s) = 1800 J

49. The initial and final joulemeter readings in a heating process is 234 000 J and
345 000 J. Find the amount to energy supplied by the heater.
Ans: 345000 – 234000 = 111000 J

33
Assignment:
50. Many people use electric heater in their bath room. Calculate the energy
used by a 3000W water heater in 15 minutes.
Ans: 3000 (15)(60) = 2700000 J
51. The initial and final joulemeter readings in a heating process is 876 000 J and
123 000 J (Tricky!!). Find the amount to energy supplied by the heater.
Ans: 247000 J
52. An immersion heater of power 120 W is used to heat some water in 10
minutes. The heat loss to the surroundings in the 10 minutes interval is
about 250 J. Find the net energy gain of the water.
Ans: 71750 J
53. Draw a diagram using the following apparatus to measure the energy to heat a
cup of water using an immersion heater. (Hint: The joulemeter should be
connected to measure the heat supplied. Also put a thermometer into the
cup to measure its temperature.)

Source: http://www.bckss.edu.hk/CustomPage/26/g3.gif

Ans: Similar to diagram on P.31

54. Suppose you have the correct setup in the last question, now list the steps to
measure the heat supplied in a 3-min heating.
Ans: Take initial joulemeter reading > turn on the eater for 3 min > take final
joulemeter reading > calculate the change in joulemeter reading

34
Chapter 3 - Heat capacity and specific heat capacity
3.1 Heat capacity
When heating of water by immersion heater, we know that the temperature rise
of water increases with the amount of heat transferred. The following
experiment investigates the relationship between energy supplied E and
temperature rise T.

Experiment – Relationship between energy supplied E and temperature rise T.

Source: http://www.hk-phy.org/contextual/heat/tep/temch/heat_cap_water.gif

1. Set up the apparatus as shown above.

2. Measure the initial temperature of water.
3. Turn on the heater for 1 minute. Keep stirring during heating to ensure the
temperature in the cup is uniform.
4. Measure the maximum temperature of water after the heater is turned off.
5. Repeat step 3 several times and plot a graph of temperature rise T against
time of heating.

Result: (Fill in the result from the measurement in the video)

Initial temperature: __________
Time of heating / s
Temperature /C
Temperature Rise /C

35
If y-x graph is a
straight line passes
through the origin
as shown,
y

x
then y is directly
proportional to x,
i.e. y  x

Conclusion: The temperature rise T is directly proportional to the energy

supplied E for a fixed mass of water. Therefore, Q  T, thus we may write Q =
CT where C is a constant called heat capacity. The unit of heat capacity is JC-1.

What is the meaning of heat capacity?

A small of cup of water has a heat capacity of 250 JC-1. Thus, it absorbs 250 J of
energy when its temperature increases by 1C. And it absorbs 500 J of energy
when its temperature increases by 2C and so on.
Q = CT
Q
Thus, 𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝐶𝑎𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝐶 =
T

Check point:
55. In the above experiment, why a foam cup is used, but not a glass beaker?
Ans: foam is a better insulator of heat than glass.

56. Why is the lid necessary? What would happen to the temperature rise
without the lid?
Ans: the lid reduces heat loss. Without lid, the temperature will rise very slowly.

36
57. What is the use of the stirrer?
Ans: We use the stirrer to stir the water to ensure uniform temperature.

58. One precaution of the experiment is to ensure the heater is totally immersed
in the water when it is on. What would happen if it is not so?
Ans: The heater will be over-heated easily.

59. The temperature keeps rising for a short time after the heater is off, how
should you measure the temperature rise more accurately?
Ans: We should measure the highest temperature reached.

37
Assignment:
60. A small cup of water has heat capacity 300 JC-1 .
(a) Find the energy absorbed by the water when its temperature increases by
5C.
(b) How long does it take for an immersion heater of 20W to heat the water
to raise its temperature by 5C?
Ans: (a) 1500J, (b) 75s

61. A big piece of rock has a heat capacity of 10000 JC-1. It absorbs energy from
the sun on a sunny day at a rate of 500 W.
(a) What is its temperature rise in five minute?
(b) The temperature does not rise so much as your answer in (a), give one
possible reason.
Ans: (a) 15C, (b) there is heat loss to surroundings

62. For 0.2 kg of water, it absorbs 4200 J of energy to raise its temperature by 5C.
Find the heat capacity of 0.2 kg of water.
Ans: 840 JC-1

63. Using the information from the last question, find the heat capacity of 1 kg of
water.
Ans: 4200 JC-1

64. For 2 kg aluminium block, it absorbs 3600 J of energy to raise its temperature
by 2C. Find the heat capacity of the aluminium block.
Ans: 1800 JC-1

65. Using the information from the last question, find the heat capacity of 1 kg of
aluminium block.
Ans: 900JC-1

38
3.2 Specific heat capacity
The heat capacity of an object depends on its mass. The larger the mass, the
greater the heat capacity. If the object is a pure substance, it would be more
convenient to tell the heat capacity per kilogram of the substance.

The heat capacity per kilogram of a substance is called specific heat capacity.

Heat Capacity C Q
Specific 𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝐶𝑎𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑐 = =
mass m T

Thus, Q = mcT

The specific heat capacity of a substance is the heat capacity of 1kg of the
substance. For example, the specific heat capacity of water is 4200 Jkg-1C-1.
Thus, when the temperature of 1 kg of water increases by 1C, it absorbs 4200 J of
energy. On the other hand, when the temperature of 2 kg of water decreases by
4C, it releases 2  4  4200 J (= 33600 J) of energy.

The following table shows the specific heat capacity of other materials:

Source: http://hgphysics.com/thph/f-heat-and-h-capacity/

Note that specific heat capacity only applies to pure substances. For compound
substances, heat capacity is used instead. For example, we may talk about the
specific heat capacity of water, aluminium or alcohol, but for a electric kettle, we
usually talk about its heat capacity.

39
Experiment – Determine the specific heat capacity of water.

Source: http://www.hk-phy.org/contextual/heat/tep/temch/heat_cap_water.gif

1. Set up the apparatus as shown above.

2. Measure the initial temperature (T1) of water and initial joulemeter reading
(J1).
3. Turn on the heater until the temperature of water rises for about 8C. Keep
stirring during heating to ensure the temperature in the cup is uniform.
4. Measure the maximum temperature of water after the heater is turned off
(T2) and the final joulemeter reading (J2).
5. Calculate the specific heat capacity of water by ……

Check Point:
66. Using the above setup, the experimental value of specific heat capacity of
water is larger than its standard value of 4200 Jkg-1C-1. Give a possible
explanation.
Ans: there is heat loss to surroundings

40
67. Give a suggestion on improvement of the experimental procedure to reduce
the error as you have mentioned in the last question. Explain you answer.
Ans: add ice to water before experiment, so that there is heat gain in the
first part of the experiment.

68. Given that the specific heat capacity of water is 4200 Jkg-1C-1. Calculate the
energy absorbed by 0.4 kg of water when its temperature increases by 3C.
Ans: 5040 J

69. Three foam cups of liquid and the same mass were heated by the same
immersion heater. Their temperature rise are shown in the graph below:

Temperature / C

A B

25 -
C

23 -

21 -
Duration of
heating / second

| | | | | |
0 10 20 30 40 50

Which liquid has the highest specific heat capacity?

Ans: C

41
70. When hot water is mixed with cold water, which of the following will never
happen?
(1) The temperature of the mixture is half of that of the hot water.
(2) The average kinetic energy of the water molecules of the ‘mixture’ is half
that of the hot water.
(3) The specific heat capacity of the mixture is half that of the hot water.
A. (2) only
B. (3) only
C. (2) and (3) only
D. (1), (2) and (3)
Ans: B

Assignment:
Given that the specific heat capacity of water is 4200 Jkg-1C-1.
71. Calculate the time required for heating 10 kg of water to increase its
temperature from 25C to 40C by an electric heater of 1500 W.
Ans: 420s
72. Given that the specific heat capacity of water is 4200 Jkg-1C-1. A kettle heats
up 0.45 kg of water from 10C to 80C in 2 minutes. What is the power of
the kettle?
Ans: 1102.5W
73. Calculate the energy released by 1 kg of water when its temperature changes
from 80C to 75C. If the temperature changes in 30 seconds, find the
power of heat loss to surroundings.
Ans: 21000J, 700W
74. Calculate the energy released by a beaker of 250g water at 60C when its
temperature falls to 40C. The heat capacity of the beaker is 100JC-1.
Ans: 23000J
75. 500 g of water in a metal container is heated by an immersion heater. The
initial temperature was 22C. The heat capacity of the metal container is 200
JC-1. Find the time of heating to raise its temperature to 40C if the power
of heater is 140W.
Ans: 295.7s

42
76. The following graph shows the temperature change when 1.5 kg of a liquid is
heated by an immersion heater of power 200 W.

Temperature / C

26 -

24 -

22 -

Duration of heating / s
| | | | |
0 10 20 30 40

Calculate the specific heat capacity of the liquid.

Ans: 1333.3Jkg-1C-1

77. (Challenging) Assume the rate of energy loss to the surrounding is constant at
50W. Find the time of heating to raise the temperature of 0.8 kg of water
from 20C to 60C by an electric heater of power 300W.
Ans: 537.6s

43
 78. There are two radiators, one is oil-filled and the other is water-filled.

Source: http://www.delonghi.com/en-hk/products/comfort/portable-heating/oil-filled-radiators

The temperature of the oil and water inside the radiators change as follows:
Temperature /C

22 -

17 -

Time / min
12 -

| | | | | | | |
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

The specific heat capacity of water is 4200 JC-1kg-1 while that of oil is 2100
JC-1kg-1. The mass of oil and water are 8kg and 5 kg respectively.
(a) Oil-filled radiator is popular because it heats up the room faster. Which
curve, the solid or the dotted, is that of oil-filled radiator?
(b) Calculate the energy absorbed by the oil when its temperature increases from
17 to 22C.
(c) Calculate the energy released by oil and water respectively during the time
interval from t = 40 min to 50 min.
Ans: (a) dotted, (b) 84000J, (c) oil: 168000J water: 309750J

44
3.3 Specific heat capacity - metal cylinder
The following experiment determines the specific heat capacity of a solid
conductor such as a metal block.

Experiment – Determine the specific heat capacity of Aluminium.

Source: http://sciencecity.oupchina.com.hk

1. Set up the apparatus as shown above.

2. Put a few drops of oil into the holes for thermometer and heater to improve
thermal conduction.
3. Measure the initial temperature (T1) of water and initial joulemeter reading
(J1).
4. Turn on the heater until the temperature of metal block rises for about 8C.
5. Measure the maximum temperature of the metal block after the heater is
turned off (T2) and the final joulemeter reading (J2).
6. Calculate the specific heat capacity of metal by ……

Check Point:
79. What is the use of adding a few drops of oil into the holes for thermometer
and heater?
Ans: improves thermal contact between the block and heater/thermometer

80. The experimental value of specific heat capacity of aluminium is larger than its
standard value of 900 Jkg-1C-1. Give a possible explanation.
Ans: there is heat loss to the surroundings

45
81. Give a suggestion on improvement of the setup so as to reduce the error you
have mentioned in the last question.
Ans: use cotton wool to wrap the metal block

Assignment:
82. Compare with the last experiment, this setup has no stirrer. How does it
affect the experimental result? Can we use the same apparatus to find the
specific heat capacity of glass?
Ans: little effect on result as metal is good conductor of heat, no

83. When 7000 J of energy has been supplied to a 3 kg metal block, the
temperature of the block rises by 5C. What are the specific heat capacity
and heat capacity of the block?
Ans: 466.7Jkg-1C-1

84. With the aid of diagram, describe an experiment to measure the specific heat
capacity of a metal block. You should draw a diagram of the whole setup
including a power supply. You should also state the experimental procedure
step by step. Also, you should state clearly what measurements you will take.
And lastly you should tell how to calculate the specific heat capacity of the
metal block using the measurements.
Ans: refer to last page; measure J1, J2, T1, T2, m; find c=J2-J1/m(T2-T2)

85. (Challenging) A hot metal block of mass 2.5 kg is cooled by immersing into a
tank of water. There is 5kg of water in the tank and its temperature
increases by 8C after the hot metal block is immersed into it. Find the
energy absorbed by the water. The temperature of metal drops by 70C, find
the specific heat capacity of the metal.
Ans: 168000J; 960Jkg-1C-1

46
3.4 “Mixture” – Calculation based on conservation of energy
When hot water and cold water are mixed together, there will be heat exchange –
heat will flow from the hot water to the cold water so that their final
temperatures become the same.

Source: http://earljanphysics.weebly.com/uploads/3/0/7/2/30722999/8399543_orig.jpg

Similarly, when a piece of hot metal is dropped into cold water, there will be heat
transferred from the metal to the water so that their final temperatures are the
same. By conservation of energy, we know:

Heat loss by hot object(s) = heat gain by cold object(s)

86. Watch the video of the experiment and then state one precaution of the
experiment. Explain the importance of the precaution.
Ans: the mixing should be done rather quickly
to reduce energy loss to the surroundings.

47
Example:
87. When 0.5 kg of water at 80C is mixed with 0.2 kg of water at 20C in a foam
cup, find the final temperature.

Source:

http://www.alanpedia.com/physics_specific_heat_capacity/specific_heat_capacity_questions_

and_equation.html

Assume there is no energy loss to the surrounding, and

let the final temperature be X,
Heat loss by hot water = heat gain by cold water
(0.5) (4200) (80-X) = (0.2) (4200) (X-20)
X=…
Ans: 62.9 C

48
Check Point – 10
88. 0.15 kg of copper at 90C is put into 2 kg of water at 20C in a foam cup.
Find the final temperature.

Source: http://hgphysics.com/thph/f-heat-and-h-capacity/

Source:

http://www.alanpedia.com/physics_specific_heat_capacity/specific_heat_capacity_questions_and_

equation_clip_image004.jpg

Ans: 20.5C
Assume ….

89. 1 kg of water at 60 C is in a container which has a heat capacity of 300 Jkg-1.

When 2 kg of water at 20C is added, find the final temperature of the
mixture.
Ans: 22.23C

49
90. What is the assumption in the last two questions about mixing substance of
different temperatures?
Ans: no heat loss to the surroundings

91. If there is no heat flow between two bodies when they are in contact, the two
objects must have the same
A. Temperature
B. Internal energy
C. Heat capacity
D. Specific heat capacity
Ans: A

Assignment:
92. A 1 kg aluminium block at 90C is added to 2 kg of water at 25C.
(a) Find the final temperature of the mixture.
(b) What are the temperature changes of
i. the water and
ii. the aluminium block?
(c) Which has a larger temperature change? Why?
Ans: 36.5C; 11.5C; 53.5C; water, due to larger s.h.c.
93. A 2 kg steel block at 100C is put into some water at 20C. The temperature
of the water finally reaches 23C. What is the mass of the water?
Ans: 6.11 kg
94. A piece of 0.2 kg copper is held over a Bunsen flame for 10 minutes. It is
then dropped into a big beaker of 3 kg water at 25C
(a) Teacher says that the initial temperature of the copper block is the
temperature of the Bunsen flame. Why? Explain briefly.
(b) The final temperature is found to be 30C. Find the temperature of the
Bunsen flame.
(c) The Bunsen flame has a higher temperature than your answer in part (a).
Explain one possible source of error.
Ans: thermal equilibrium, 787.5C, heat loss to the surroundings

50
95. 1 kg of water at 20C is added to 3 kg of soup at 98C in a 2 kg aluminium
container, find the final temperature. Given that the specific heat capacity of
soup is 3500 Jkg-1C-1.
Ans: 78.145C
96. The following experiment measures the specific heat capacity of metal. The
calorimeter has a heat capacity of 50JC-1. 1 kg of water at temperature t1 =
22C is added to the calorimeter, and then a metal block of mass 0.3 kg at
temperature tb = 80C is added. The final temperature is t2 = 26C. Find
the specific heat capacity of the metal.

Source: http://www.webassign.net/kelterchem08/p5-98.gif

Ans: 1049.38 Jkg-1C-1

97. (Challenging) Sandra is making a bowl of beef ball noodle. The mass of each
beef ball is 90g. The specific heat capacity of beef is 2400 Jkg-1C-1. Sandra
puts 2 beef balls at 4C into 1.2 kg of water at 40C. After a while, she heats
the beef balls and water mixture over a stove.
(a) What is the temperature of the mixture before it is heated?
(b) If it takes 5 minutes to heat the mixture up to 90C, what is the power of
the stove?
(c) He then puts 500 g of noodles at 15C into the water. It takes another
one minute to heat the mixture up to 90C using the same setting. What
is the specific heat capacity of the noodle?
Ans: 37.16C, 123.84W, 198.144 Jkg-1C-1

51
 3.5 Importance of high specific heat capacity of water
Comparing with other liquids and many other substances, the specific heat
capacity of water is rather high. The high specific heat capacity of water means
water absorbs (releases) a large amount of energy when its temperature increases
(decreases).

As water absorbs a large amount of energy resulting in a small change in

temperature only, water is used as a coolant in air conditioning and cooling system
as it can carry a lot of energy away from the heat source.

Source: http://scarlet.unl.edu/scarlet/images/2004/20040916chiller2.jpg

When temperature of water changes, it has to absorb/release a large amount of

energy. When time is limited and thermal equilibrium cannot be reached, the
water temperature does not change so much as expected.

For example, one day in summer, the air temperature in HK changes from 25C to
35C in the morning but the sea temperature only changes from 27C to 32C.

Temperature / C
35
32
27
25 Time / hr

Solid line: air temperature, dotted line: sea temperature

52
For the same reason, the temperature change of the coastal area is less than the
inland because of the presence of the sea. Thus, the coastal area has a cooler
summer and a milder winter than the inland area.

For example, Hong Kong is a coastal city, we have a large Victoria habour and our
city is just next to the South China Sea. The plenty of water around our city
means the temperature change of our city is slow. Thus, the weather here does
not fluctuate as much as an inland city such as Nagbur.

Source: Physics at Work (Oxford)

Our body is mostly water. Our body temperature does not change too much as
water in our body have to absorb (release) a large amount of energy to produce
an increase (decrease) of body temperature. This is important to us because a
stable body temperature is necessary for many biological processes in our body..

53
 Source; http://italyplan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Diapositiva08.jpg

Assignment:

Source: http://www.brisbanehotairballooning.com.au/faqs/exam-help/140-sea-land-breezes.html

98. The diagram above shows the formation of sea breeze in day time. During
day time, the temperature of land rises and becomes __________________
than the sea. The air above the land becomes hot and rise up. Then, …..

54
Chapter 4 - Heat transfer by conduction
4.1 Energy transfer by conduction
When one end of a metal rod is heated, the heat energy is slowly transferred to
the other end of the rod. The heat transfer is by means of conduction, due to
energy exchange in the particle collisions.

Source: http://www.hk-phy.org/contextual/heat/hea/condu/conduction_e.gif

Different substances have different conductivities of heat. Those substances that

conduct heat efficiently are called good conductors of heat while those conducts
heat poor are called heat insulators.

The following compare the different conductivities of different metals.

Source: Physics at Work (Oxford)

Comparing heat onductivity of different materials

If the rods have the same diameter, the first one that has the drawing pins falling
down has the highest heat conductivity.

55
 The following table shows the relative conductivity of various materials. In
general, conductivity of metal is higher.

Material Heat Conductivity

Silver 429
Copper 338
Aluminium 237
Iron 80
Stainless steel 15.2
Glass 1
Water 0.6
Plastic (various) 0.2
Foam 0.03
Wood (various) 0.15

Video Expt 4.1a,b,c, Foam (polystyrene) 0.03

Simulation 4.1, 4.2 Air 0.03

The following experiment shows that water is a poor conductor of heat.

Source: Physics at Work (Oxford)

56
Assignment
99. A boiling tube of water is heated over a Bunsen flame as shown on the last
page. The ice at the bottom of the does not melt. What does it tell you
about the conductivity of water? Explain your answer briefly.
Ans: low, as heat does not conduct to the bottom of the tube well
100. In Chinese cuisine, hot pot is sometimes dished with ceramic pot. You may
have seen the hot pot keeps boiling for some time when it is tabled. What
does this observation tell you about the conductivity of ceramic? Is its
conductivity high or low? Explain your answer briefly.
Ans: low conductivity, as its temperature is still much higher than
its content immediately when it is removed from the stove
101. Refer to the diagram below. Compare the conductivity of materials A, B, C
and D.

Source:

http://image.slidesharecdn.com/11-140914022137-phpapp01/95/transfer-of-thermal-energy-11-63

8.jpg?cb=1410679390

Ans: Heat Conductivity of A > C > B > D

57
4.2 Microscopic explanation of heat conduction
When one end of a metal rod is heated, energy is transferred from the hot flame
to the metal particles. The average kinetic energy of those particles increases.
Those particles at the hot end vibrate faster than those at the cold end. These
faster vibrating particles collide with their neighbouring particles and transfer their
kinetic energies to the slower one.

Microscopically, by particle collision, kinetic energy of the more energetic particles

is transferred from the hot end of the rod to the other. Macroscopically, heat is
conducted from the hot end to the cold end.

Source:

http://www.schoolphysics.co.uk/age11-14/glance/Heat%20energy/Conduction_of_heat/index.html

In metals, there are also free electrons that also help the conduction of heat. As
the free electrons are free to travel inside the metal body, those energetic
electrons from the hot end may travel to the cold end directly, carrying with them
their over-average kinetic energy. When the energetic electrons collide with
atoms or other electrons, they transfer their kinetic energy to them, and increase
the temperature at that point. In this way, heat is conducted to the cold end at a
higher rate. This explains why metals are good conductors of heat.

58
4.3 Examples of conduction and insulation
Birds and mammals are warm-blooded. They have feather and hair respectively
to trap a layer of air over their body as insulator to reduce conduction of body
heat to outside, and in this way, reduce heat loss. Mammals living in cold
weather, such as polar bear, even have fur to trap a thick layer of air to reduce
heat loss.

Source:

http://www.earthrangers.com/wildwire/risk/polar-bears-have-clear-hair-so-why-do-they-look-white/

Source: https://metrouk2.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/ad_152748327-e1416837832439.jpg

Human beings also put on clothes to trap an extra layer of air over their body, as a
way to keep body heat.

Cooking utensils like cooking pots are made of metals, while their handles are
made of insulators. Some cooking pots even have a sandwich design, with a
layer of aluminium sandwich between two layers of stainless steel. The
aluminium layer conducts the heat to all parts of the pot while the stainless steel
outside layer provides strength and shiny outlook of the pot.

59
Assignment:
102. Explain briefly why a quick respond liquid-in-glass thermometer should have
thin glass wall.
Ans: thin glass wall provides better heat conduction
103. Explain why metal railing feels colder than a wooden railing even if they have
the same temperature.
Ans: metal conducts heat from our hand to the surroundings,
thus reducing the temperature of our hand quickly

Source: Source:

http://1.imimg.com/data/G/6/MY-1254661/stai http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/x/wooden-railin

nless-steel-railing_10663295_250x250.jpg g-22083311.jpg

104. If we pour boiling water into a thick glass or a milk glass bottle, the glass
often breaks. However, a thin glass does not break so easily. Explain
briefly.
Ans: glass is not a good conductor. Glass inside expands when hot water
is poured in, while the outside glass is still cold.

60
105. Explain the function of the layer of fat under the skin (subcutaneous fat) of
many animals in terms of heat conduction.

Source:

http://blog.drseymourweaver.com/dermatology-blog/aging-effects-on-subcutaneous-fat-decreased-

on-the-face-and-increased-on-the-belly/

Ans: fat is an insulator of heat, thus subcutaneous fat

reduces heat loss of our body by conduction

106. A 3-ply stew pot is claimed to allow even heat distribution. It is made of a
layer of aluminium, sandwiched between two layers of stainless steel.
Explain why the sandwich design may give an even heat distribution.

Source:

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/G/01/kitchen/cooks/B00421AYJK/B00421AYJK-core.jpg

Ans: aluminium layer conducts the heat to all parts of the pot quickly
and thus ensures even heat distribution

61
107. Baled Alaska is a dessert made of ice cream placed on a slices of sponge cake
and topped with meringue. The entire dessert is then placed in an extremely
hot oven for just long enough to firm the meringue. Putting ice cream in the
oven sound crazy but the ice-cream inside never melts. Explain why.

Source: http://chubbehface.blogspot.hk/2011/12/ice-and-fire-baked-alaska.html

Ans: Ice-cream inside does not melt as sponge cake

and meringue are good insulator of heat.
(the white surface of meringue also reflects heat radiation.

[END]

62
 被稱為自然科學之母，研究非生命體的基本現象，所建立的觀念、基

物理 本理論與知識，構成了其他科學的基礎。物理學研究宇宙的基本組成
要素：即物質、能量、空間和時間的交互作用，研究由極小的粒子至
極大的宇宙如何運作，作出解釋和預測。大學及大專學院校之理科學系、工程學系及
醫科等，都會考慮物理科的成績作為入學標準。修讀物理可從事的行業包括科學家、
工程師、教師、天文台科學主任、醫生、科研中心技術人員等等。

物理學跟數學有很密切的關係。物理定律往往須要運用算式，代數或幾何學概念表達。
然而，同學只須要有一般的數學能力已經足夠應付高中物理科。更重要是同學要有求
知的態度，合理的語文能力和開放的心懷，從物理科的觀點理解世界。

新高中物理科課程涵蓋熱學，力學，波動學，電磁學，輻射學等部 分。相比其他科目，
物理科以多元化的表述形式理解及分析抽象概念，除以文字外，算式、圖像、圖表及
列表等等都經常混合使用。於是，同學於不知不覺中學習了更有效的論述技巧，對以
後的學習以至工作都有裨益。

除了以上提及的五個必修部 分外，本校亦選定以下選修部分：「原子世界」及「能量
和能源的使用」。(課程提供的其他選修部分為「天文學和航天科學」及「醫學物理
學」)

新高中物理科的公開評核由公開考試和校本評核兩部分組成， 略見於下表：

(1) 公 開 考 試 比重 時間
試卷 一 試題 涵蓋 必 修 部分 60% 兩小時

由甲、乙兩部組成，甲部是多項選擇題，佔本科分數 21% ；乙部由短題目、結 三十分鐘

構式題目和論述題組成，佔本科分數 39% 。考生須回答試卷一的全部試題。

試卷 二 試題 涵蓋 選 修 部分 20% 一小時

多項選擇題及結構式題目，涵蓋課程內四個選修課題，各佔本科分數10%。考
生須從四個選修課題中選答其中兩個選修課題的試題。
(2) 校 本 評 核
實驗有關作業 - 指物理科的實驗工作和探究研習。中五和中六期間，教師會就 20% /
考生進行實驗和報告撰寫這兩個能力範圍進行評核。

伸延閱讀：
 教育局 http://334.edb.hkedcity.net/EN/curriculum.php
 考評局 http://www.hkeaa.edu.hk/DocLibrary/HKDSE/Subject_Information/phy/2017hkdse-e-phy.pdf

 學友社 http://www.student.hk/s4_subject_choice/curriculum/subject/phy.php

 維基百科(物理) http://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E7%89%A9%E7%90%86

63
Notes:

64
Notes:

65
Definition
P = Q/t
P – Power

Q – Energy

T – Time

C = Q / T
C – Heat Capacity

Q – Energy

T – Temperature change

c = Q/mT
c – specific heat capacity

Q – Energy

m – mass of substance

T – Temperature change

66
Question Answers / Hints Question Answers / Hints Question Answers / Hints

1 thermometer 35 Gravitational PE 73 21000J, 700W

2 Colder 36 KE 74 23000 J

3 D 37 - 75 295.7s

4 37C 38 Total unchanged! 76 1333.3 Jkg-1C-1

5 98.6F 39 Internal, larger 77 537.6 s

dotted, 84000J,
6 22, 72 40 Sum
78 168000J, 309750J
temperature, solid,
7 428F improves thermal
41 gas potential
79 contact between…
8 204F
42 D
-459.4, -32, 32, 80 heat loss …
More, More, Less
9 37, 212

Answers and Hints

43 (Left), iron, iceberg 81 Cotton wool …
10 0C, 100C temperature, higher, Metal is good
ice point, 0, 44 lower 82 conductor …
11 steam point, 100
45 Initial heat loss larger 83 466.7 Jkg-1C-1
unmarked,
Temp drops then
melting ice, boiling, 84 c=J2-J1/m(T2-T2)
46 rises
12 length, 100, 1C
Heater hotter than 85 168000J; 960Jkg-1C-1
13 7.9 cm 47 water …
86 Mix quickly …
14 16.2C 48 1800 J
87 62.9 C
15 10.8 cm 49 111000 J
88 20.5
16 28.6 50 2700000 J
89 22.23 C
2.15 cm3, 2.35 cm3,
51 247000 J
17 13.3 cm, 16.1 cm 90 No heat loss …
mercury column, 52 71750 J
91 A
18 bore, stem, bulb
53 Refer to P.31 36.5C, 11.5C,
smaller bore, bigger
92 53.5C
19 bulb 54 -
93 6.11 kg
20 poisonous … 55 foam > glass …
94 787.5C
21 - 56 reduce heat loss …
95 78.1C
22 - 57 uniform temp …
96 1049.38 Jkg-1C-1
23 Absolute zero, -273 58 overheat …
37.2C, 124W,
24 Average 59 highest temp … 97 198 Jkg-1C-1
25 0, 273, 300, 310, 100 60 1500J, 75s 98 -
26 A 61 15C,, heat loss 99 Low conductivity …
-1
27 D 62 840 JC 100 Low conductivity …
-1
28 A 63 4200 JC 101 A>C>B>D
64 1800 JC -1 Better heat
29 fixed
102 conduction …
close, arranged /
65 900 JC-1 Heat conducts
packed, volume,
66 Heat loss … 103 away …
30 shape
Glass inside
separated /far away,
67 add ice first … 104 expands …
31 fixed, fixed
68 5040J 105 Heat insulator …
32 -
69 C Al conducts heats
33 - 106 well …
70 B Good heat
34 -
71 420 107 insulation …

72 1102.5W
http://www.slcss.edu.hk/s3physics.htm