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Leaving Cert Physics: Heat transfer

How often Heat transfer comes up on the Physics papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

HL Asked on 5 of the last 10 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2026.

OL Asked on 8 of the last 10 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2026. most years

June 2027 is the first exam on the new Physics course. These come from the 2016–2026 papers, so read them as a guide.

Heat transfer, Higher Level(6 marks)

Quick ones on Heat transfer.

(a)Name the three ways in which heat can be transferred.
  1. Conduction, convection and insulation
  2. Conduction, convection and radiation
  3. Radiation, reflection and refraction
(b)Which method of heat transfer needs no medium?
  1. Convection
  2. Conduction
  3. Radiation
(c)Why can a heat pump deliver more heat energy to a house than the electrical energy it uses?
  1. Most of the heat is taken from the outside air or ground
  2. It turns electrical energy into more than its own energy
  3. It breaks the law of conservation of energy
Show the answers

(a) Conduction, convection and radiation

(b) Radiation

(c) Most of the heat is taken from the outside air or ground

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Heat transfer.

Higher Level

Asked on 5 of the last 10 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2026.

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2026Q13
2025Not asked
2024Q6(d)
2023Q6(b)
2022Not asked
2021Q9
2019Not asked
2018Q5(c)
2017Not asked
2016Not asked

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Heat transfer questions

Heat transfer, 3 marks

What does the U-value of a wall measure?

  1. The energy needed to raise the temperature of 1 m² of the wall by 1 K
  2. The total heat stored in each square metre of the wall at a given inside temperature
  3. The rate of heat transfer per square metre per kelvin of temperature difference
Show the answer

The rate of heat transfer per square metre per kelvin of temperature difference

The unit is W m⁻² K⁻¹. A low U-value means good insulation, so cavity wall insulation and double glazing both lower it.

Heat transfer, 2 marks

What does a heat pump do?

  1. Moves heat from a warmer place to a colder place with no energy input
  2. Uses work to move heat from a colder place to a warmer place
  3. Creates heat energy from nothing, so it needs no power supply
Show the answer

Uses work to move heat from a colder place to a warmer place

Heat flows naturally from hot to cold. A heat pump uses electrical work to move heat "uphill", e.g. from outside air into a house.

Ordinary Level

Asked on 8 of the last 10 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2026. most years

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2026Q8
2025Q11
2024Q6(d), Q6(g)
2023Q9
2022Not asked
2021Q11
2019Not asked
2018Q7, Q12(c)
2017Q5(d)
2016Q5(e)

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Heat transfer questions

Heat transfer, 2 marks

Define convection.

  1. Heat transfer from particle to particle without the material moving
  2. Heat transfer by electromagnetic waves
  3. Heat transfer through a fluid by the movement of the fluid itself
Show the answer

Heat transfer through a fluid by the movement of the fluid itself

Warm fluid expands, becomes less dense and rises, and cooler fluid sinks to take its place. This sets up a convection current.

Heat transfer, 2 marks

Which surface is the best absorber and emitter of heat radiation?

  1. A glossy white surface
  2. A dull black surface
  3. A shiny silver surface
Show the answer

A dull black surface

Dull black surfaces absorb and give out radiation best. Shiny surfaces reflect it, which is why a vacuum flask is silvered.

Heat transfer, 2 marks

Why is copper used for the base of a saucepan?

  1. It is a good conductor of heat
  2. It is a poor conductor of heat
  3. It reflects heat radiation
Show the answer

It is a good conductor of heat

Metals such as copper conduct heat quickly from the hob to the food. Handles are made of plastic or wood because they are poor conductors.

Other Physics topics

All of Leaving Cert Physics