Home / iGCSE Physics (0625) 2.3.2 Convention Paper 3 -Exam Style Questions- New Syllabus

iGCSE Physics (0625) 2.3.2 Convention Paper 3 -Exam Style Questions- New Syllabus

Question

Fig. 6.1 shows a wood burner in a cabin. The wood burner keeps the inside of the cabin warm when it is cold outside.
(a) Explain how thermal energy from the wood burner warms the cabin by convection.
Use your ideas about the density of air. You may draw on Fig. 6.1 as part of your answer.
(b) (i) The outer surface of the chimney is dull and black.
Explain how the dull black surface helps to warm the cabin.
(ii) There is shiny foil on the wall.
Explain how the shiny foil helps to warm the cabin.

Most-appropriate topic codes (Cambridge IGCSE Physics 0625):

Topic 2.3.2 — Convection (Part (a))
Topic 2.3.3 — Radiation (Parts (b)(i), (b)(ii))

▶️ Answer/Explanation

(a)
For the correct answer:
(heated air) expands
(becomes) less dense
less dense air rises OR denser air sinks

Air heated by the wood burner expands and becomes less dense than the surrounding cooler air. This less dense, warmer air rises, while denser, cooler air sinks to replace it near the burner. This continuous circulation of air, known as a convection current, transfers thermal energy throughout the cabin, warming the space.

(b)(i)
For the correct answer:
(dull black is) best / better / good emitter owtte of radiation / infrared

Dull, black surfaces are excellent emitters of thermal radiation (infrared). The chimney efficiently radiates heat energy from the hot gases inside it out into the room, warming the cabin air and surfaces directly.

(b)(ii)
For the correct answer:
(shiny foil is) best / better / good reflector of radiation / infrared

Shiny, light-coloured surfaces are poor emitters but very good reflectors of thermal radiation. The foil reflects infrared radiation emitted from the wood burner and chimney back into the cabin, preventing it from being absorbed and lost through the wall.

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