An ice cube taken from the freezer will rise in temperature, but when it reaches room temperature, it will remain at this temperature. Explain why this happens.

Imagine you've just made a cup of coffee when someone phones you. You know this conversation will take some time. Using your knowledge of thermal radiation and specific heat capacity, decide, and then explain, whether you should put your milk in before you answer the phone or after, so that the coffee is hottest when you drink it.

The heat sink around the processor in a computer is often piece of aluminium. It is needed to remove thermal energy from the processor whilst the processor is in operation. State and explain two design features that make it an effective emitter of thermal radiation, to allow the processor to remain cool enough to function properly.

Figure shows a vacuum flask, which is very good at reducing the transfer of thermal energy into or out of the contents, which are put in the flask. Use your knowledge of the ways that thermal energy transfer occurs to explain how the flask is effective.