Change of state: Edexcel International GCSE Physics questions

Every Edexcel International GCSE Physics exam question on Change of state (specification points 5.8–5.14), 2019–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

All 81 questions on Change of state, as a list

November 2024, Paper 2, Q5(a) (5 marks): Describe a suitable method the student could use to determine the specific heat capacity of the liquid. (5)
November 2024, Paper 2, Q5(b)(i) (1 mark): What is happening to the liquid between points P and Q on the graph? (1) A melting B freezing C boiling D condensing
November 2024, Paper 2, Q5(b)(ii) (1 mark): Use the graph to determine the change in temperature of the liquid after 15 minutes of heating. (1) temperature difference = °C
November 2024, Paper 2, Q5(b)(iii) (3 marks): The power of the heater is 48 W and the mass of the liquid is 0.53 kg. Calculate the specific heat capacity of the liquid. (3) specific heat capacity = J / kg °
November 2024, Paper 2, Q6(b) (3 marks): The tap is used to put some water in a bucket. Describe the arrangement and motion of the water particles in liquid water. You may draw a diagram to help your a
June 2024, Paper 2, Q8(b)(iii) (3 marks): Calculate the mass of water being heated. Assume that all the energy is transferred to the thermal store of the water. [for water, specific heat capacity = 4200
June 2024, Paper 2, Q8(c)(i) (2 marks): Describe the arrangement of particles in a gas. (2)
June 2024, Paper 2, Q8(c)(ii) (2 marks): Describe two differences between evaporation and boiling. (2)
June 2024 (R), Paper 2, Q3(a) (4 marks): Complete the diagram by drawing the arrangement of particles in a liquid and the arrangement of particles in a solid. The first particle in each box has been dr
June 2024 (R), Paper 2, Q3(b) (3 marks): The initial temperature of the sample of liquid gallium is 80 °C. The freezing temperature of gallium is 30 °C. The final temperature of the solid gallium is 20
November 2023, Paper 2, Q3(a) (6 marks): Describe how a student could use this apparatus to determine the specific heat capacity of water. Include details of any additional equipment needed in your ans
November 2023, Paper 2, Q3(b)(i) (3 marks): The table shows the student’s results. energy transferred to the thermal 54 000 store of the water in J mass of water in kg 0.56 temperature change of water in
November 2023, Paper 2, Q3(b)(ii) (2 marks): Give two reasons why the energy from the heater is not all retained in the thermal store of the water. (2) 1 2
November 2023, Paper 2, Q5(b)(i) (1 mark): The graph shows five stages, A, B, C, D and E, of the cooling process. State which stages of the cooling process show a change of state. (1)
November 2023, Paper 2, Q5(b)(ii) (2 marks): Describe the differences in the arrangement of particles when the sample is in a gas state (steam) and a solid state (ice). You may draw a diagram to help your
November 2023, Paper 2, Q5(b)(iii) (3 marks): Explain whether or not the energy in the kinetic store of the particles changes when the sample is changing state. (3)
June 2023, Paper 2, Q2(a) (2 marks): The temperature of the chocolate bar is 5 °C. Describe the arrangement and motion of the particles inside the chocolate bar. (2)
June 2023, Paper 2, Q2(b)(i) (2 marks): Describe the motion of the particles in the chocolate when the chocolate is at a temperature of 45 °C. (2)
June 2023, Paper 2, Q2(b)(ii) (1 mark): Which of these is used to measure the temperature of the chocolate? (1) A balance B ruler C stopwatch D thermometer
June 2023, Paper 2, Q2(b)(iii) (3 marks): Use the axes to sketch a graph of how the temperature of the chocolate changes with time when it is heated from 5 °C to 45 °C. (3) 45 35 Temperature 25 in °C 15
June 2023, Paper 2, Q8(a) (5 marks): A scientist wants to determine the specific heat capacity of concrete. The diagram shows some of the equipment they could use. 12 V A V lid insulating material
June 2023, Paper 2, Q8(b) (2 marks): Explain the advantage of the concrete having a high specific heat capacity when it is used to heat water in the heating system. (2)
June 2023 (R), Paper 2, Q5(a) (3 marks): State what is meant by the term specific heat capacity. (3)
June 2023 (R), Paper 2, Q5(b)(i) (3 marks): Using this data, show that the specific heat capacity of the solid stearic acid is approximately 4 J / g °C. (3)
June 2023 (R), Paper 2, Q5(b)(ii) (1 mark): The true value for the specific heat capacity of solid stearic acid is 2.3 J / g °C. Give a reason for the difference between the value in (i) and the true valu
January 2023, Paper 2, Q2(a) (3 marks): Compare the arrangement of particles in a solid with the arrangement of particles in a liquid. You may draw a diagram to help your answer. (3)
January 2023, Paper 2, Q2(b) (2 marks): Describe the difference in the movement of particles in a solid compared with the movement of particles in a liquid. (2)
January 2023, Paper 2, Q2(c) (3 marks): After the ice cube has melted, the liquid water increases in temperature. The water has a mass of 16 g and a specific heat capacity of 4200 J/kg °C. Calculate t
January 2023 (R), Paper 2, Q6(a) (5 marks): A student does an investigation to find the specific heat capacity of water. This is the list of equipment they use. • heater with a power output of 50 W • powe
January 2023 (R), Paper 2, Q6(b)(i) (3 marks): Calculate the energy transferred from the boiler to 75 kg of water to raise the temperature of the water from 16 °C to 65 °C. [for water, specific heat capacity
January 2023 (R), Paper 2, Q6(b)(ii) (3 marks): The radiators transfer energy from the water to the air in the house. The temperature of the water in the heating system decreases by 4 °C due to heat transferr
June 2022, Paper 2, Q7(a) (2 marks): State what is meant by the term specific heat capacity. (2)
June 2022, Paper 2, Q7(b) (2 marks): A student uses this method to measure the specific heat capacity of water. • place an aluminium block of known mass in an oven at a temperature of 220 °C • plac
June 2022, Paper 2, Q7(c)(i) (1 mark): When the water reaches its maximum temperature, the water and aluminium block are in thermal equilibrium. State the temperature of the aluminium block as it rea
June 2022, Paper 2, Q7(c)(ii) (1 mark): Calculate the temperature change of the water when it has been heated to its maximum temperature. (1) temperature change of water = °C
June 2022, Paper 2, Q7(c)(iii) (3 marks): The water gains 190 000 J of energy in its thermal store as it is heated to its maximum temperature. Calculate the specific heat capacity of water. (3) specific
June 2022, Paper 2, Q7(d) (4 marks): After finishing the experiment, the student removes the aluminium block and places the container of water into a freezer. The water loses energy at a constant r
June 2022 (R), Paper 2, Q4(a) (3 marks): The sample of water has a mass of 0.45 kg. Calculate the energy required to increase the temperature of the water from 16 °C to 100 °C. [specific heat capacity
June 2022 (R), Paper 2, Q4(b)(i) (1 mark): Use the graph to determine the time taken from when the water started to boil to when the water stopped boiling. (1) time taken = minutes
June 2022 (R), Paper 2, Q4(b)(ii) (3 marks): The heater used to heat the water has a power rating of 2200 W. Calculate the energy required to boil all of the water. (3) energy = J
June 2022 (R), Paper 2, Q4(c) (1 mark): Give a reason why the liquid water should be stirred during the heating. (1)
June 2022 (R), Paper 2, Q4(d) (4 marks): When water boils, the liquid water becomes a gas called steam. Describe the changes in arrangement and motion of the molecules in liquid water and the molecules
January 2022, Paper 2, Q2(a) (3 marks): Describe the arrangement and motion of particles in a solid. You may draw a diagram to help your answer. (3)
January 2022, Paper 2, Q2(b) (3 marks): A solid changes state by melting at a certain temperature. For phosphorus, this change of state occurs at 44 °C. Sketch how the temperature of a sample of phosp
January 2022, Paper 2, Q9(a) (1 mark): State a safety precaution the student should take. (1)
January 2022, Paper 2, Q9(b)(i) (2 marks): Show that the energy gained by the water is approximately 3000 J. (2)
January 2022, Paper 2, Q9(b)(ii) (3 marks): Calculate the temperature change of the nail. (3) Temperature change = °C
January 2022, Paper 2, Q9(b)(iii) (1 mark): Give a reason why the calculated temperature change of the nail is lower than the actual temperature change. (1)
November 2021, Paper 2, Q3(a) (2 marks): Melting is the process that occurs when a solid changes into a liquid. Using ideas about particles, describe the process of melting. (2)
November 2021, Paper 2, Q3(b)(i) (2 marks): Explain how heating the flask increases the temperature of the air inside the flask. (2)
June 2021, Paper 1, Q6(b)(i) (2 marks): Describe the relationship between temperature and time when the container is full of water. (2)
June 2021, Paper 1, Q6(b)(ii) (3 marks): Explain the differences between the two curves on the graph. (3)
June 2021, Paper 2, Q5(a) (5 marks): Describe how the student could use their apparatus to help determine the specific heat capacity of the substance. You should give details of any additional appa
June 2021, Paper 2, Q5(b)(i) (1 mark): Use the graph to determine the melting point of this substance. (1) melting point = °C
June 2021, Paper 2, Q5(b)(ii) (2 marks): Describe, in terms of particles, what is happening in the substance when the graph line is horizontal. (2)
June 2021, Paper 2, Q5(b)(iii) (2 marks): Suggest why the two non-horizontal lines on the graph have different gradients. (2)
January 2021 (R), Paper 2, Q1(a)(i) (1 mark): Which section of the graph shows when the substance is melting? (1) A PQ B QR C RS D ST
January 2021 (R), Paper 2, Q1(a)(ii) (1 mark): Which section of the graph shows when all the substance is a solid? (1) A PQ B QR C RS D ST
January 2021 (R), Paper 2, Q1(a)(iii) (1 mark): Draw particles in the box to show the arrangement of particles when the substance is a gas. (1)
January 2021 (R), Paper 2, Q1(a)(iv) (1 mark): Which of these statements best describes the motion of particles in a gas? (1) A they vibrate about fixed points B they are stationary C they slide past each ot
January 2021 (R), Paper 2, Q1(b)(i) (1 mark): Name a piece of apparatus that could be used to measure the temperature of the substance. (1)
January 2021 (R), Paper 2, Q1(b)(ii) (1 mark): Determine the boiling point of this substance. (1) boiling point = °C
January 2021 (R), Paper 2, Q1(c) (3 marks): The substance has a mass of 1.2 kg. Calculate the energy required to raise the temperature of the substance from 10 °C to 37 °C. [assume specific heat capacity
November 2020, Paper 2, Q1(a)(i) (2 marks): The diagram shows the arrangement of particles in solid nitrogen. Draw the arrangement of particles in liquid nitrogen. (2) solid liquid
November 2020, Paper 2, Q1(a)(ii) (1 mark): Describe the motion of the particles in liquid nitrogen. (1)
November 2020, Paper 2, Q1(b)(i) (1 mark): Give a safety precaution the teacher should take when pouring the liquid nitrogen. (1)
November 2020, Paper 2, Q1(c) (3 marks): Over time, the liquid nitrogen warms up and changes state from a liquid into a gas. Describe the changes to the arrangement and motion of particles when the liq
November 2020, Paper 2, Q6(b) (4 marks): The electric circuits inside the spacecraft are cooled by 4.5 kg of water. The initial temperature of the water is 35 oC. The thermal store of the water increas
November 2020 (R), Paper 2, Q5(b)(ii) (4 marks): A mass of 1100 kg of cold water is in the solar panels at an initial temperature of 20 °C. Calculate the final temperature of this water after it has been heate
November 2020 (R), Paper 2, Q5(b)(iii) (1 mark): Give a reason why the actual final temperature of the water will be lower than the calculated value. (1)
November 2020 (R), Paper 2, Q6(a) (3 marks): The fuel can be a solid, a liquid or a gas. Describe the motion of particles in a solid, a liquid and a gas. (3) solid liquid gas
November 2020 (R), Paper 2, Q6(b)(ii) (2 marks): The temperature-time graph shows how the temperature of the water changes as it is heated in the furnace at a constant rate. Temperature Time Explain how the gr
January 2020 (R), Paper 2, Q5(a)(i) (3 marks): Sketch a graph on the axes to show how the temperature changes with time. Assume that the rate of energy transfer from the heater to the ice cubes is constant.
January 2020 (R), Paper 2, Q5(a)(ii) (1 mark): Suggest a precaution the student should take to obtain high quality data. (1)
January 2020 (R), Paper 2, Q5(b) (3 marks): During the experiment the heater transfers 2500 J of energy to the beaker. The beaker has a specific heat capacity of 880 J / kg °C and a mass of 48 g. Calculat
June 2019, Paper 2, Q6(a)(iii) (4 marks): Calculate the temperature of the water after 22 minutes. (4) temperature = °C
June 2019, Paper 2, Q9(b) (3 marks): Ice melts at a temperature of 0 °C. On the axes, sketch how the temperature of the ice cube changes as it rises from a temperature of –10 °C to a temperature of
June 2019, Paper 2, Q9(c) (2 marks): Explain the changes that occur when a solid melts. Refer to particles in your answer. (2)
June 2019 (R), Paper 2, Q2(b)(i) (2 marks): Describe the arrangement of particles in liquids and in gases. You may use diagrams to help your answer. (2)
June 2019 (R), Paper 2, Q5(a)(i) (1 mark): Determine the time it takes to heat the stearic acid until it reaches its melting point. (1) time = s
June 2019 (R), Paper 2, Q5(b) (4 marks): The mass of stearic acid used in the investigation is 0.45 kg. The stearic acid gains 39 kJ of energy when it is heated to its melting point. Calculate the spec

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