Here are some WASSCE and NOVDEC preparation questions on Heat Physics (SHS level)

along with their answers.

SECTION A: OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS

(Choose the correct option for each question.)

1. Which of the following quantities is a measure of the average kinetic energy of

molecules in a substance?
A. Heat capacity
B. Latent heat
C. Temperature
D. Thermal conductivity
Answer: C. Temperature
2. Which mode of heat transfer does not require a medium?
A. Conduction
B. Convection
C. Radiation
D. Conduction and Convection
Answer: C. Radiation
3. The amount of heat required to change a unit mass of a substance from solid to
liquid at constant temperature is called?
A. Specific heat capacity
B. Latent heat of fusion
C. Latent heat of vaporization
D. Heat capacity
Answer: B. Latent heat of fusion
4. The heat energy absorbed or released by a body is given by the equation Q=mcΔTQ
= mc\Delta T. What does cc represent?
A. Heat capacity
B. Specific heat capacity
C. Latent heat
D. Density
Answer: B. Specific heat capacity
5. Which of the following materials is the best conductor of heat?
A. Wood
B. Copper
C. Glass
D. Plastic
Answer: B. Copper

SECTION B: THEORY QUESTIONS

(Solve the following questions and show all workings where applicable.)

1. A metal block of mass 2 kg is heated from 30°C to 80°C. If the specific heat capacity of
the metal is 450Jkg−1K−1450 J kg^{-1}K^{-1}, calculate the heat energy absorbed.

Solution:

Q=mcΔTQ = mc\Delta T Q=(2)(450)(80−30)Q = (2)(450)(80 - 30) Q=2×450×50Q = 2 \times

450 \times 50 Q=45000J=45kJQ = 45000 J = 45 kJ

Answer: 45 kJ

2. Explain why metals feel colder than wood at the same room temperature.

Answer:
Metals are better conductors of heat than wood. When you touch a metal, it quickly conducts
heat away from your body, making it feel colder. Wood, being a poor conductor, does not absorb
heat as quickly, so it feels warmer.

3. A 5 kg mass of water at 20°C is heated until it reaches 100°C. Given that the specific heat
capacity of water is 4200Jkg−1K−14200 Jkg^{-1}K^{-1}, calculate the heat energy
required.

Solution:

Q=mcΔTQ = mc\Delta T Q=(5)(4200)(100−20)Q = (5)(4200)(100 - 20) Q=5×4200×80Q = 5 \

times 4200 \times 80 Q=1680000J=1.68MJQ = 1680000 J = 1.68 MJ

Answer: 1.68 MJ

4. Differentiate between heat capacity and specific heat capacity.

Heat Capacity Specific Heat Capacity

The total amount of heat energy required to The amount of heat energy required to raise the
change the temperature of a body by 1°C. temperature of 1 kg of a substance by 1°C.
Unit: J/K or J/°C Unit: J/kgK or J/kg°C

SECTION C: PRACTICAL QUESTIONS

 1. Describe an experiment to determine the specific heat capacity of a metal block
using the electrical method.
Answer:

 Use a metal block with two holes: one for a thermometer and the other for a heating
coil.
 Measure the mass of the metal block.
 Insert the thermometer and record the initial temperature.
 Connect the heating coil to a power supply and switch it on for a measured time tt.
 Record the final temperature TfT_f.
 Calculate the heat supplied using Q=VItQ = VIt (Voltage × Current × Time).
 Use Q=mcΔTQ = mc\Delta T to calculate cc.

Here are **more WASSCE and NOVDEC** questions with detailed explanations on **Heat Physics (SHS
Level).**

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### **SECTION A: MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS**

6. **A substance that allows heat to pass through it easily is called a:**

A. Conductor

B. Radiator

C. Convection medium

D. Insulator

**Answer: A. Conductor**

7. **Which of the following occurs in a vacuum?**

A. Conduction

B. Convection

C. Radiation

D. Evaporation

**Answer: C. Radiation**
8. **A black surface is a good:**

A. Reflector and absorber of heat

B. Absorber and radiator of heat

C. Reflector and radiator of heat

D. Absorber and conductor of heat

**Answer: B. Absorber and radiator of heat**

9. **Which of the following is NOT a unit of heat energy?**

A. Joule

B. Calorie

C. Kelvin

D. Kilojoule

**Answer: C. Kelvin** (Kelvin is a unit of temperature, not heat energy.)

10. **Which of the following explains why land surfaces heat up faster than water bodies?**

A. Water has a lower density than land.

B. Land has a lower specific heat capacity than water.

C. Water is transparent to sunlight.

D. Land absorbs more heat radiation than water.

**Answer: B. Land has a lower specific heat capacity than water.**

---

### **SECTION B: THEORY QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS**

#### **5. Explain why cooking pots are made of metal but have wooden or plastic handles.**

**Answer:**
- Metals are **good conductors of heat**, allowing heat to be transferred quickly to the food for
efficient cooking.

- Wood and plastic are **poor conductors of heat (insulators)**, preventing heat from reaching the
handle and making it safe to hold.

---

#### **6. Calculate the final temperature of a 2 kg block of copper initially at 25°C when 30,000 J of
heat is supplied. The specific heat capacity of copper is \( 390 Jkg^{-1}K^{-1} \).**

**Solution:**

\[

Q = mc\Delta T

\]

\[

30000 = (2)(390)(T_f - 25)

\]

\[

30000 = 780(T_f - 25)

\]

\[

T_f - 25 = \frac{30000}{780}

\]

\[

T_f - 25 = 38.46

\]

\[

T_f = 63.46°C

\]

**Answer: 63.46°C**
---

#### **7. State three differences between evaporation and boiling.**

| **Evaporation** | **Boiling** |

|----------------|------------|

| Occurs at any temperature below the boiling point. | Occurs at a fixed temperature (boiling point). |

| Takes place only at the surface of the liquid. | Occurs throughout the liquid. |

| Slow process. | Rapid process. |

| No bubbles are formed. | Bubbles are formed. |

---

#### **8. Why do people feel cooler when they sweat?**

**Answer:**

When sweat evaporates from the skin, it absorbs heat from the body. This **latent heat of
vaporization** removes energy from the skin, making the body feel cooler.

---

#### **9. A 200 g block of ice at 0°C is melted to form water at 50°C. How much heat energy is
required? (Specific latent heat of fusion of ice = \( 3.34 \times 10^5 Jkg^{-1} \), Specific heat capacity of
water = \( 4200 Jkg^{-1}K^{-1} \)).**

**Solution:**

**Step 1: Heat needed to melt the ice into water at 0°C**

\[

Q_1 = mL

\]

\[

Q_1 = (0.2)(3.34 \times 10^5)

\]

\[

Q_1 = 66800 J

\]

**Step 2: Heat needed to raise the water temperature from 0°C to 50°C**

\[

Q_2 = mc\Delta T

\]

\[

Q_2 = (0.2)(4200)(50 - 0)

\]

\[

Q_2 = 42000 J

\]

**Total heat energy required:**

\[

Q = Q_1 + Q_2

\]

\[

Q = 66800 + 42000

\]

\[

Q = 108800 J = 108.8 kJ

\]

**Answer: 108.8 kJ**

---
### **SECTION C: PRACTICAL APPLICATION QUESTIONS**

#### **10. Describe an experiment to demonstrate convection in water.**

**Answer:**

**Materials Needed:**

- A beaker

- Water

- Bunsen burner

- Potassium permanganate crystals (or colored dye)

**Procedure:**

1. Fill a beaker with water.

2. Drop a few potassium permanganate crystals at the bottom.

3. Heat the water gently at the bottom of the beaker.

4. Observe how the colored water moves upwards.

**Observation:**

- The colored liquid rises as it is heated, showing that **hot water moves up while cold water sinks**.

- This process demonstrates **convection currents in liquids**.

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### **EXTRA QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE**

#### **Objective Questions**

1. Which of the following factors affects the rate of evaporation?

A. Surface area

B. Humidity
 C. Temperature

D. All of the above

**Answer: D. All of the above**

2. Why does the sea breeze occur during the day?

**Answer:**

- The land heats up faster than the sea because it has a lower **specific heat capacity**.

- Warm air above the land **rises** and cooler air from the sea moves in to replace it.

3. What is the main reason a pressure cooker cooks food faster?

**Answer:**

- It increases the **boiling point of water**, allowing food to cook at a higher temperature.

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