Which Equation? Particle Model

✏️ Paper first! Work out every question on paper before you tap Show solution. Write down every step – the equation, the numbers with units, the rearranging and the answer with its unit. In the exam, if your final answer is wrong you can still get marks for correct working, but only if the examiner can see it.

For each question: list what you know, decide which equation to use, then use FIFA. Key choice in this topic: if the temperature changes, use ΔE = mcΔθ; if the state changes (melting, boiling) at a constant temperature, use E = mL. Data: c water = 4200 J/kg °C; L fusion of ice = 334 000 J/kg; L vaporisation of water = 2.26 × 106 J/kg.

Q1 (F) A 2.7 kg block has a volume of 0.0010 m³. Calculate its density.

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Which equation? Know mass and volume → ρ = m / V
I: ρ = 2.7 ÷ 0.0010
A: 2700 kg/m³

Q2 (F) How much energy is needed to melt 0.20 kg of ice at 0 °C?

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Which equation? Change of state, no temperature change → E = mL
I: E = 0.20 × 334 000
A: 66 800 J

Q3 (F) 2.0 kg of water is heated from 20 °C to 70 °C. How much energy is needed?

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Which equation? Temperature changes → ΔE = mcΔθ
I: ΔE = 2.0 × 4200 × 50
A: 420 000 J

Q4 (F) Oil has a density of 920 kg/m³. What is the mass of 0.50 m³ of oil?

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Which equation? Know density and volume → ρ = m / V
I: 920 = m ÷ 0.50
F: m = 920 × 0.50
A: 460 kg

Q5 (F/H) 1.13 × 106 J of energy boils away 0.50 kg of a liquid at its boiling point. Calculate its specific latent heat of vaporisation.

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Which equation? Change of state → E = mL
I: 1.13 × 106 = 0.50 × L
F: L = 1.13 × 106 ÷ 0.50
A: 2.26 × 106 J/kg

Q6 (F/H, S only) A gas at 100 kPa has a volume of 2.0 m³. It is compressed to 0.50 m³ at constant temperature. Calculate the new pressure.

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Which equation? Gas, constant temperature, pressure and volume change → pV = constant (p₁V₁ = p₂V₂)
I: 100 × 2.0 = p₂ × 0.50
F: p₂ = 200 ÷ 0.50
A: 400 kPa

Q7 (F/H) A stone has a mass of 250 g and a volume of 100 cm³. Calculate its density in kg/m³.

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Which equation? → ρ = m / V
I: ρ = 250 ÷ 100 = 2.5 g/cm³
A: × 1000 = 2500 kg/m³

Q8 (F/H) 84 000 J of energy raises the temperature of 2.0 kg of a liquid by 10 °C. Calculate the specific heat capacity.

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Which equation? Temperature change → ΔE = mcΔθ
I: 84 000 = 2.0 × c × 10
F: c = 84 000 ÷ 20
A: 4200 J/kg °C

Q9 (H) A block of ice at 0 °C has a volume of 0.020 m³ (density of ice = 920 kg/m³). How much energy is needed to melt it? Give your answer in standard form to 2 s.f.

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Which equations? Need mass first → ρ = m / V, then melting → E = mL
Step 1: m = 920 × 0.020 = 18.4 kg
Step 2: E = 18.4 × 334 000 = 6 145 600 J
A: 6.1 × 106 J

Q10 (H, S only) A syringe holds 60 cm³ of air at 100 kPa. The plunger is pushed in slowly until the pressure is 150 kPa. What is the new volume?

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Which equation? Slowly = constant temperature → pV = constant
I: 100 × 60 = 150 × V₂
F: V₂ = 6000 ÷ 150
A: 40 cm³ (units match, so no conversion needed)

Q11 (H) Water at 100 °C is heated and 3.0 × 105 J of energy is supplied. What mass of water boils away? Give your answer to 2 s.f.

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Which equation? Already at 100 °C, so it’s a change of state → E = mL
I: 3.0 × 105 = m × 2.26 × 106
F: m = 3.0 × 105 ÷ 2.26 × 106 = 0.1327…
A: 0.13 kg

Q12 (H) A 2.0 kW heater is placed in ice at 0 °C for 60 s. What mass of ice melts? Give your answer to 2 s.f.

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Which equations? Energy from the heater → E = Pt; melting → E = mL
Step 1: E = 2000 × 60 = 120 000 J
Step 2: 120 000 = m × 334 000, so m = 0.359…
A: 0.36 kg