O-Level Physics Thermal Practical Handbook (Energy Transfer & Calorimetry)
Download printable cheat-sheet (CC-BY 4.0)30 Nov 2025, 00:00 Z
Reviewed by
Chee Wei Jie·Academic Advisor (Physics)
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TL;DR
SEAB’s 2026 6091 syllabus calls out energy-transfer investigations, heat-capacity measurements, and latent-heat determinations as recurring Paper 3 tasks (SEAB syllabus PDF).
Planning marks emphasise insulation strategy, control variables (initial temperature, mass, heating duration), and quantified safety precautions.
ACE marks depend on energy-balance calculations, justified assumptions (no heat loss, constant specific heat), and realistic improvements such as better insulation or stirrer upgrades.
Keep Your Physics Practical Stack On Track
Use our O-Level Physics Experiments hub to find companion drills for every Paper 3 skill before you attempt these walkthroughs.
1 | Thermal experiments highlighted by SEAB
- Item 7 requires you to investigate factors affecting energy transfer through conduction, convection, or radiation - expect comparative setups (shiny vs dull, thick vs thin insulation) (SEAB 6091 syllabus PDF).
- Items 8 and 9 cover calorimetry routines: determining heat capacities and latent heat of substances, often via electrical heating coils or steam condensation (same source).
- Thermal tasks commonly embed partial planning prompts, so rehearse variable identification, insulation controls, and risk commentary (hot water, electrical heaters).
| Investigation focus | Key measurements | Typical sources of error |
| Energy transfer comparison | Initial and final temperatures, mass of medium, timing of heating/cooling phases. | Heat loss to surroundings, thermometer response time, uneven surface finish between test samples. |
| Heat capacity of solids | Heater voltage/current, heating duration, mass of sample, temperature rise. |
