# WPH15 Thermodynamics Topic Questions

> Edexcel IAL WPH15: every Thermodynamics topic question from 20 papers (2020–2026), grouped by syllabus point. 111 questions, 337 marks, with direct links…

- Canonical HTML: https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/thermodynamics/
- Markdown mirror: https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/thermodynamics/index.md

---

Edexcel IAL · Physics · WPH15 · A Level

Every WPH15 Thermodynamics topic question from the 2018–current syllabus, drawn from 20 papers (2020–2026) and grouped by syllabus point. Each row opens a page listing the exact question numbers, marks and a direct link into the paper. These are questions by topic, not full papers, so you can revise one topic at a time.

- WPH15
- 8 subtopics
- 111 topic questions
- 20 papers
- 337 tagged marks
- [Back to Thermodynamics](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/thermodynamics/)
- [All paper codes](https://www.examsci.com/topics/)

Core finding

**125 be able to use the equations … and … is the most frequently assessed subtopic in Thermodynamics, with 44 topic questions and 145 marks across 20 papers.** 130 be able to use the equation … for an ideal gas follows with 32 topic questions and 101 marks. The topic contains 8 subtopics, 111 topic questions and 337 marks in total. Rows count only the parts tagged to that subtopic, keep the same colour in both charts and repeat paper count, tagged marks and year range in the native table.

## Topic question count and mark distribution

Subtopics are on the vertical axis and sorted from highest to lowest. Only the parts whose knowledge graph matches a subtopic are counted for it, and percentages are each row's share of the tagged total in that chart. A part tagged to several subtopics is counted in each bar, so the bars are not a partition of the topic total.

### Questions by subtopic

question items

- [125 be able to use the equations $\Delta E=mc\Delta\theta$ and $\Delta E=L\Delta m$](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/thermodynamics/125-be-able-to-use-the-equations-delta-e-mc-delta-theta-and-delta-e-l-delta-m/) (20 papers) — 44 · 34.1%
- [130 be able to use the equation $pV=NkT$ for an ideal gas](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/thermodynamics/130-be-able-to-use-the-equation-pv-nkt-for-an-ideal-gas/) (20 papers) — 32 · 24.8%
- [132 be able to derive and use the equation $\frac{1}{2}m =\frac{3}{2}kT$](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/thermodynamics/132-be-able-to-derive-and-use-the-equation-frac-1-2-m-c-2-frac-3-2-kt/) (16 papers) — 19 · 14.7%
- [128 understand the concept of internal energy as the random distribution of potential and kinetic energy amongst molecules](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/thermodynamics/128-understand-the-concept-of-internal-energy-as-the-random-distribution-of-potential/) (9 papers) — 16 · 12.4%
- [129 understand the concept of absolute zero and how the average kinetic energy of molecules is related to the absolute temperature](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/thermodynamics/129-understand-the-concept-of-absolute-zero-and-how-the-average-kinetic-energy-of/) (10 papers) — 11 · 8.5%
- [126 CORE PRACTICAL 12: Calibrate a thermistor in a potential divider circuit as a thermostat](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/thermodynamics/126-core-practical-12-calibrate-a-thermistor-in-a-potential-divider-circuit-as-a/) (3 papers) — 3 · 2.3%
- [127 CORE PRACTICAL 13: Determine the specific latent heat of a phase change](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/thermodynamics/127-core-practical-13-determine-the-specific-latent-heat-of-a-phase-change/) (3 papers) — 3 · 2.3%
- [131 CORE PRACTICAL 14: Investigate the relationship between pressure and volume of a gas at fixed temperature](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/thermodynamics/131-core-practical-14-investigate-the-relationship-between-pressure-and-volume-of-a/) (1 papers) — 1 · 0.8%

### Marks by subtopic

marks

- [125 be able to use the equations $\Delta E=mc\Delta\theta$ and $\Delta E=L\Delta m$](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/thermodynamics/125-be-able-to-use-the-equations-delta-e-mc-delta-theta-and-delta-e-l-delta-m/) (20 papers) — 145 · 36.4%
- [130 be able to use the equation $pV=NkT$ for an ideal gas](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/thermodynamics/130-be-able-to-use-the-equation-pv-nkt-for-an-ideal-gas/) (20 papers) — 101 · 25.4%
- [128 understand the concept of internal energy as the random distribution of potential and kinetic energy amongst molecules](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/thermodynamics/128-understand-the-concept-of-internal-energy-as-the-random-distribution-of-potential/) (9 papers) — 48 · 12.1%
- [132 be able to derive and use the equation $\frac{1}{2}m =\frac{3}{2}kT$](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/thermodynamics/132-be-able-to-derive-and-use-the-equation-frac-1-2-m-c-2-frac-3-2-kt/) (16 papers) — 41 · 10.3%
- [129 understand the concept of absolute zero and how the average kinetic energy of molecules is related to the absolute temperature](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/thermodynamics/129-understand-the-concept-of-absolute-zero-and-how-the-average-kinetic-energy-of/) (10 papers) — 40 · 10.1%
- [126 CORE PRACTICAL 12: Calibrate a thermistor in a potential divider circuit as a thermostat](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/thermodynamics/126-core-practical-12-calibrate-a-thermistor-in-a-potential-divider-circuit-as-a/) (3 papers) — 13 · 3.3%
- [127 CORE PRACTICAL 13: Determine the specific latent heat of a phase change](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/thermodynamics/127-core-practical-13-determine-the-specific-latent-heat-of-a-phase-change/) (3 papers) — 6 · 1.5%
- [131 CORE PRACTICAL 14: Investigate the relationship between pressure and volume of a gas at fixed temperature](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/thermodynamics/131-core-practical-14-investigate-the-relationship-between-pressure-and-volume-of-a/) (1 papers) — 4 · 1.0%

## Subtopic comparison matrix

Curriculum order is by syllabus number, then alphabetically. Every row links to the matching past-paper question list.

| Subtopic | Topic questions | Papers | Marks | Years | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **[125 be able to use the equations $\Delta E=mc\Delta\theta$ and $\Delta E=L\Delta m$](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/thermodynamics/125-be-able-to-use-the-equations-delta-e-mc-delta-theta-and-delta-e-l-delta-m/)** | 44 | 20 | 145 | 2020–2026 | [Open topic questions](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/thermodynamics/125-be-able-to-use-the-equations-delta-e-mc-delta-theta-and-delta-e-l-delta-m/) |
| **[126 CORE PRACTICAL 12: Calibrate a thermistor in a potential divider circuit as a thermostat](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/thermodynamics/126-core-practical-12-calibrate-a-thermistor-in-a-potential-divider-circuit-as-a/)** | 3 | 3 | 13 | 2020–2024 | [Open topic questions](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/thermodynamics/126-core-practical-12-calibrate-a-thermistor-in-a-potential-divider-circuit-as-a/) |
| **[127 CORE PRACTICAL 13: Determine the specific latent heat of a phase change](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/thermodynamics/127-core-practical-13-determine-the-specific-latent-heat-of-a-phase-change/)** | 3 | 3 | 6 | 2020–2026 | [Open topic questions](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/thermodynamics/127-core-practical-13-determine-the-specific-latent-heat-of-a-phase-change/) |
| **[128 understand the concept of internal energy as the random distribution of potential and kinetic energy amongst molecules](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/thermodynamics/128-understand-the-concept-of-internal-energy-as-the-random-distribution-of-potential/)** | 16 | 9 | 48 | 2020–2026 | [Open topic questions](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/thermodynamics/128-understand-the-concept-of-internal-energy-as-the-random-distribution-of-potential/) |
| **[129 understand the concept of absolute zero and how the average kinetic energy of molecules is related to the absolute temperature](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/thermodynamics/129-understand-the-concept-of-absolute-zero-and-how-the-average-kinetic-energy-of/)** | 11 | 10 | 40 | 2020–2026 | [Open topic questions](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/thermodynamics/129-understand-the-concept-of-absolute-zero-and-how-the-average-kinetic-energy-of/) |
| **[130 be able to use the equation $pV=NkT$ for an ideal gas](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/thermodynamics/130-be-able-to-use-the-equation-pv-nkt-for-an-ideal-gas/)** | 32 | 20 | 101 | 2020–2026 | [Open topic questions](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/thermodynamics/130-be-able-to-use-the-equation-pv-nkt-for-an-ideal-gas/) |
| **[131 CORE PRACTICAL 14: Investigate the relationship between pressure and volume of a gas at fixed temperature](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/thermodynamics/131-core-practical-14-investigate-the-relationship-between-pressure-and-volume-of-a/)** | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2023 | [Open topic questions](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/thermodynamics/131-core-practical-14-investigate-the-relationship-between-pressure-and-volume-of-a/) |
| **[132 be able to derive and use the equation $\frac{1}{2}m =\frac{3}{2}kT$](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/thermodynamics/132-be-able-to-derive-and-use-the-equation-frac-1-2-m-c-2-frac-3-2-kt/)** | 19 | 16 | 41 | 2020–2026 | [Open topic questions](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/thermodynamics/132-be-able-to-derive-and-use-the-equation-frac-1-2-m-c-2-frac-3-2-kt/) |

## Browse every topic question

- [125 be able to use the equations $\Delta E=mc\Delta\theta$ and $\Delta E=L\Delta m$](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/thermodynamics/125-be-able-to-use-the-equations-delta-e-mc-delta-theta-and-delta-e-l-delta-m/) — 44 question items · 20 papers — 145 marks · 2020–2026
- [126 CORE PRACTICAL 12: Calibrate a thermistor in a potential divider circuit as a thermostat](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/thermodynamics/126-core-practical-12-calibrate-a-thermistor-in-a-potential-divider-circuit-as-a/) — 3 question items · 3 papers — 13 marks · 2020–2024
- [127 CORE PRACTICAL 13: Determine the specific latent heat of a phase change](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/thermodynamics/127-core-practical-13-determine-the-specific-latent-heat-of-a-phase-change/) — 3 question items · 3 papers — 6 marks · 2020–2026
- [128 understand the concept of internal energy as the random distribution of potential and kinetic energy amongst molecules](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/thermodynamics/128-understand-the-concept-of-internal-energy-as-the-random-distribution-of-potential/) — 16 question items · 9 papers — 48 marks · 2020–2026
- [129 understand the concept of absolute zero and how the average kinetic energy of molecules is related to the absolute temperature](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/thermodynamics/129-understand-the-concept-of-absolute-zero-and-how-the-average-kinetic-energy-of/) — 11 question items · 10 papers — 40 marks · 2020–2026
- [130 be able to use the equation $pV=NkT$ for an ideal gas](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/thermodynamics/130-be-able-to-use-the-equation-pv-nkt-for-an-ideal-gas/) — 32 question items · 20 papers — 101 marks · 2020–2026
- [131 CORE PRACTICAL 14: Investigate the relationship between pressure and volume of a gas at fixed temperature](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/thermodynamics/131-core-practical-14-investigate-the-relationship-between-pressure-and-volume-of-a/) — 1 question items · 1 papers — 4 marks · 2023
- [132 be able to derive and use the equation $\frac{1}{2}m =\frac{3}{2}kT$](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/thermodynamics/132-be-able-to-derive-and-use-the-equation-frac-1-2-m-c-2-frac-3-2-kt/) — 19 question items · 16 papers — 41 marks · 2020–2026

## Other topics in WPH15

- [Astrophysics and Cosmology 303 question items](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/astrophysics-and-cosmology/)
- [Nuclear Decay 178 question items](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/nuclear-decay/)
- [Oscillations 145 question items](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/oscillations/)

## Topic question rules and edge cases

**How many subtopics does Thermodynamics contain?**

This page lists 8 subtopics tagged to the current syllabus. They are ordered by syllabus number, then alphabetically, and each row opens a page of matching past-paper questions.

**How are the subtopic question and mark totals calculated?**

A multiple-choice question contributes one item and its marks to every subtopic it is tagged with. A structured question contributes one item per tagged part, and that part’s marks; untagged parts of the same question are not counted here. A part tagged to several subtopics therefore appears under each of them.

**Why do some subtopics have no numbered prefix?**

Practical-skills statements and some syllabus bullets are unnumbered. Numbered statements come first; unnumbered statements and ties are sorted alphabetically.

**Is the LaTeX rendered without JavaScript?**

Yes. Subtopics that contain formulas are converted to static KaTeX HTML during the build, and the KaTeX stylesheet is served from the same site.

---

Full page with native tables, bar charts and Practice Hub links: https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/thermodynamics/