Below is a set of 200 unique multiple‑choice questions (MCQs) with answers covering key

concepts on HEAT. The questions span the following topics:

●​ 7.1 Nature of Heat

●​ 7.2 Heat and Temperature
●​ 7.3 Temperature Scales
●​ 7.4 Relationship between Fahrenheit & Celsius Scales
●​ 7.5 Relationship between Celsius & Kelvin Scales
●​ 7.6 Measurement of Temperature​
a. Mercury Thermometer​
b. Clinical Thermometer​
c. Maximum–Minimum Thermometer​
(plus additional questions on temperature measurement)
●​ 7.7 Units of Heat
●​ 7.8 Changes of State of Substances due to Heat
●​ 7.9 Effects of Heat​
a. Thermal Expansion of Bodies​
b. Linear Expansion in Solids

The questions are organized into nine sections. Use these to test your understanding for
competitive exams.

──────────────────────────── Section 1. Nature of Heat (Questions 1–20)

1. Which of the following best describes the nature of heat?​

A) A property of matter that remains fixed​
B) A form of energy that flows from a higher to a lower temperature body​
C) A measure of an object’s mass​
D) The total number of molecules in a substance​
Answer: B

2. Heat is fundamentally a form of:​

A) Mechanical energy​
B) Electromagnetic energy​
C) Thermal energy​
D) Nuclear energy​
Answer: C

3. Which statement best characterizes heat?​

A) It is stored in an object permanently.​
B) It flows spontaneously from cold to hot objects.​
C) It is the transfer of energy due to temperature difference.​
D) It is independent of the material’s state.​
Answer: C
4. Heat can be transferred by all of the following EXCEPT:​
A) Conduction​
B) Convection​
C) Radiation​
D) Reflection​
Answer: D

5. The transfer of heat from one body to another is driven by:​

A) A difference in mass​
B) A difference in temperature​
C) A difference in color​
D) A difference in shape​
Answer: B

6. Heat is not a property possessed by a substance but rather is:​

A) An intrinsic property​
B) A measure of disorder​
C) Energy in transit​
D) A measure of temperature​
Answer: C

7. Which of the following is true about heat?​

A) It can be measured directly with a scale.​
B) It flows spontaneously from colder to hotter objects.​
C) It is always conserved in an isolated system.​
D) It is the same as temperature.​
Answer: C

8. Heat energy flows from a body at a higher temperature to one at a lower temperature
because of:​
A) Molecular motion differences​
B) Gravitational forces​
C) Chemical composition differences​
D) Electrical conductivity differences​
Answer: A

9. In a closed system, the total heat energy:​

A) Increases indefinitely​
B) Remains constant (by conservation of energy)​
C) Disappears over time​
D) Is completely lost to the environment​
Answer: B

10. Heat is transferred by conduction primarily through:​

A) Radiation of photons​
 B) Direct molecular collisions​
C) Bulk movement of matter​
D) Vibration of electromagnetic waves​
Answer: B

11. Which of the following does not affect the rate of heat transfer in conduction?​
A) Temperature difference​
B) Cross‑sectional area​
C) Color of the material​
D) Thermal conductivity​
Answer: C

12. The sensation of warmth is due to the transfer of:​

A) Light energy​
B) Heat energy​
C) Kinetic energy exclusively​
D) Electrical energy​
Answer: B

13. Which process does not involve heat transfer?​

A) Melting ice​
B) Boiling water​
C) Compressing a gas (adiabatic process)​
D) Cooking food​
Answer: C

14. In an adiabatic process, heat transfer:​

A) Occurs very slowly​
B) Is maximum​
C) Is zero​
D) Varies with pressure​
Answer: C

15. The molecular interpretation of heat involves:​

A) The total mass of the molecules​
B) The average kinetic energy of the molecules​
C) The color of the molecules​
D) The atomic number of the elements​
Answer: B

16. Which of the following is a microscopic view of heat?​

A) The vibration of atoms and molecules​
B) The color intensity of an object​
C) The mass density of a substance​
 D) The electrical resistance of a material​
Answer: A

17. Heat can be considered a form of energy in transit, meaning it:​

A) Is stored permanently​
B) Moves from one place to another due to temperature differences​
C) Is created out of nothing​
D) Is always measured as temperature​
Answer: B

18. Which process is an example of heat transfer by radiation?​

A) Feeling warmth from sunlight​
B) A metal spoon warming in a hot liquid​
C) Convection currents in a heated room​
D) Direct contact with a hot pan​
Answer: A

19. The concept that heat “flows” implies that it is:​

A) A substance with mass​
B) Energy in transit​
C) The same as work​
D) Unrelated to molecular motion​
Answer: B

20. The study of heat energy and its effects is known as:​
A) Thermodynamics​
B) Electrodynamics​
C) Hydrodynamics​
D) Quantum mechanics​
Answer: A

──────────────────────────── Section 2. Heat and Temperature (Questions

21–40)

21. Heat and temperature differ in that heat:​

A) Is measured in degrees​
B) Is a measure of the total energy of motion in a substance​
C) Is the same as temperature​
D) Is always higher than temperature​
Answer: B

22. Temperature is defined as a measure of the:​

A) Total kinetic energy of all molecules in a substance​
B) Average kinetic energy of the molecules​
C) Total potential energy of the substance​
 D) Energy lost due to friction​
Answer: B

23. Which statement is correct?​

A) Increasing the heat always increases the temperature.​
B) Temperature depends on the total heat content.​
C) Heat is the transfer of energy, whereas temperature is a measure of energy per particle.​
D) Heat and temperature are measured in the same units.​
Answer: C

24. When heat is added to a substance, its temperature:​

A) Always increases​
B) May remain constant during a phase change​
C) Always decreases​
D) Becomes negative​
Answer: B

25. During the melting of ice, the temperature:​

A) Rises steadily​
B) Remains constant until all ice melts​
C) Drops suddenly​
D) Increases then decreases​
Answer: B

26. Heat capacity is defined as:​

A) The amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of a unit mass by one degree​
B) The total heat content of a substance​
C) The rate at which temperature changes​
D) The mass of a substance​
Answer: A

27. The specific heat capacity of a substance:​

A) Is the same for all substances​
B) Indicates how much heat is required to raise the temperature of 1 kg of the substance by
1°C​
C) Is measured in joules​
D) Is independent of mass​
Answer: B

28. When two substances at different temperatures are mixed, heat flows from the:​
A) Colder to the hotter substance​
B) Hotter to the colder substance​
C) Substance with greater mass to that with lesser mass​
D) Substance with lower specific heat to that with higher specific heat​
Answer: B
29. If a substance has a high specific heat capacity, it will:​
A) Change temperature quickly when heat is added​
B) Change temperature slowly when heat is added​
C) Not change temperature at all​
D) Lose heat faster​
Answer: B

30. In an isothermal process, the temperature of a system:​

A) Increases steadily​
B) Decreases steadily​
C) Remains constant​
D) Fluctuates randomly​
Answer: C

31. Which of the following is true about temperature?​

A) It is a scalar quantity​
B) It is a vector quantity​
C) It depends on the size of the object​
D) It is measured in joules​
Answer: A

32. When comparing two identical objects, the one with a higher temperature has:​
A) More total thermal energy​
B) A higher average kinetic energy of molecules​
C) Greater mass​
D) Lower specific heat capacity​
Answer: B

33. In a calorimetry experiment, if no heat is lost to the surroundings, the heat lost by one
substance is:​
A) Equal to the heat gained by the other​
B) Greater than the heat gained​
C) Less than the heat gained​
D) Not measurable​
Answer: A

34. The concept of thermal equilibrium implies that:​

A) Two objects in contact eventually reach the same temperature​
B) Heat flows indefinitely​
C) Temperature differences persist forever​
D) Objects do not exchange heat​
Answer: A

35. When a substance undergoes a phase change at constant temperature, its heat energy is
used for:​
 A) Raising temperature​
B) Changing the state (latent heat)​
C) Increasing molecular speed​
D) Cooling the substance​
Answer: B

36. In the context of heat and temperature, “latent heat” refers to:​
A) Heat that is lost to the environment​
B) Heat absorbed or released during a phase change without temperature change​
C) The kinetic energy of particles​
D) The specific heat capacity​
Answer: B

37. Which device is primarily used to measure temperature rather than heat content?​
A) Calorimeter​
B) Thermometer​
C) Barometer​
D) Manometer​
Answer: B

38. Heat and temperature are measured in different units because:​

A) They represent the same physical quantity​
B) Temperature measures the average energy per molecule, while heat measures the total
energy transferred​
C) Heat is measured in degrees, temperature in joules​
D) They are independent concepts​
Answer: B

39. An increase in the temperature of a system always means that its heat content has
increased.​
A) True​
B) False​
Answer: B​
(Because during phase changes the temperature remains constant while heat is absorbed.)

40. When no heat is exchanged between a system and its surroundings, the system is said to
be:​
A) Adiabatic​
B) Isothermal​
C) Isobaric​
D) Isochoric​
Answer: A

──────────────────────────── Section 3. Temperature Scales (Questions

41–60)
41. The most commonly used temperature scales include:​
A) Celsius, Fahrenheit, and Kelvin​
B) Rankine, Réaumur, and Newton​
C) Joule and calorie​
D) PSI and RPM​
Answer: A

42. On the Celsius scale, water freezes at:​

A) 0°C​
B) 32°C​
C) 100°C​
D) –273°C​
Answer: A

43. On the Celsius scale, water boils at:​

A) 0°C​
B) 32°C​
C) 100°C​
D) 273°C​
Answer: C

44. The Kelvin scale is an absolute temperature scale because:​

A) It has negative values​
B) It is based on the absolute zero point​
C) It uses Celsius increments​
D) It measures heat content directly​
Answer: B

45. Absolute zero on the Kelvin scale is equivalent to:​

A) 0°C​
B) 0°F​
C) –273.15°C​
D) 100°C​
Answer: C

46. The Fahrenheit scale is primarily used in:​

A) Most of the world​
B) The United States and a few other countries​
C) Scientific research globally​
D) The metric system only​
Answer: B

47. On the Fahrenheit scale, water freezes at approximately:​

A) 0°F​
B) 32°F​
 C) 100°F​
D) –273°F​
Answer: B

48. On the Fahrenheit scale, water boils at approximately:​

A) 100°F​
B) 212°F​
C) 32°F​
D) 273°F​
Answer: B

49. Which temperature scale does not use degrees in its notation?​
A) Celsius​
B) Fahrenheit​
C) Kelvin​
D) Réaumur​
Answer: C

50. To compare temperatures across different scales, one must:​

A) Convert them using appropriate formulas​
B) Use the same thermometer​
C) Measure in joules​
D) Assume they are equivalent​
Answer: A

51. The Réaumur scale, though less common, assigns the freezing point of water as:​
A) 0° Ré​
B) 20° Ré​
C) 32° Ré​
D) 100° Ré​
Answer: A

52. Which of the following scales is an absolute scale?​

A) Celsius​
B) Fahrenheit​
C) Kelvin​
D) Réaumur​
Answer: C

53. When comparing temperature differences, an increment of 1°C is equivalent to an

increment of:​
A) 1°F​
B) 1 K​
C) 1.8°F​
D) 10°F​
 Answer: B​
(Because the size of 1°C and 1 K are the same.)

54. The freezing and boiling points of water on the Kelvin scale are approximately:​
A) 0 K and 100 K​
B) 273 K and 373 K​
C) 32 K and 212 K​
D) –273 K and 0 K​
Answer: B

55. One reason the Kelvin scale is preferred in scientific work is that:​
A) It has negative values​
B) It directly relates to the absolute energy of particles​
C) It is easier to convert to Fahrenheit​
D) It is used only in chemistry​
Answer: B

56. The Celsius scale is defined in terms of:​

A) Absolute zero and the boiling point of water at standard pressure​
B) The melting and boiling points of sodium chloride​
C) The phase change of carbon dioxide​
D) The average human body temperature​
Answer: A

57. Which temperature scale is most commonly used for daily weather reports in most
countries?​
A) Kelvin​
B) Celsius​
C) Fahrenheit​
D) Réaumur​
Answer: B

58. If a scientist measures a temperature as 300 K, what is this approximately in Celsius?​

A) 26.85°C​
B) 300°C​
C) –300°C​
D) 0°C​
Answer: A​
(300 K – 273.15 ≈ 26.85°C)

59. A change of 10 K is equivalent to a change of:​

A) 10°C​
B) 10°F​
C) 18°F​
 D) 20°C​
Answer: A

60. The term “absolute temperature” most nearly refers to the temperature measured on the:​
A) Celsius scale​
B) Fahrenheit scale​
C) Kelvin scale​
D) Réaumur scale​
Answer: C

──────────────────────────── Section 4. Relationship between Fahrenheit

and Celsius Scales (Questions 61–80)

61. What is the formula for converting a Fahrenheit temperature (F) to Celsius (C)?​
A) C = (F – 32) × 5/9​
B) C = (F + 32) × 9/5​
C) C = (F – 32) × 9/5​
D) C = F × 5/9​
Answer: A

62. If the temperature is 68°F, what is it approximately in Celsius?​

A) 20°C​
B) 25°C​
C) 15°C​
D) 10°C​
Answer: A​
(Because (68 – 32) × 5/9 = 36 × 5/9 = 20°C)

63. To convert Celsius to Fahrenheit, which formula is used?​

A) F = (C × 9/5) + 32​
B) F = (C × 5/9) + 32​
C) F = (C + 32) × 5/9​
D) F = C × 9/5​
Answer: A

64. A temperature of 0°C is equivalent to how many degrees Fahrenheit?​

A) 0°F​
B) 32°F​
C) 100°F​
D) –32°F​
Answer: B

65. A temperature of 100°F is approximately equal to how many degrees Celsius?​

A) 37.8°C​
B) 50°C​
 C) 80°C​
D) 100°C​
Answer: A​
(Calculation: (100 – 32) × 5/9 ≈ 37.8°C)

66. The difference between 1°F and 1°C is best described as:​
A) 1°F equals 1°C​
B) 1°F is approximately 0.56°C​
C) 1°F equals 1.8°C​
D) 1°F equals 2°C​
Answer: B

67. If the Celsius temperature increases by 10°C, the Fahrenheit temperature increases by
approximately:​
A) 10°F​
B) 16°F​
C) 18°F​
D) 20°F​
Answer: C​
(Since 10°C × 9/5 = 18°F)

68. A reading of 77°F corresponds to approximately how many degrees Celsius?​

A) 20°C​
B) 25°C​
C) 30°C​
D) 15°C​
Answer: B​
(Calculation: (77 – 32) × 5/9 = 45 × 5/9 ≈ 25°C)

69. When converting Fahrenheit to Celsius, the “32” in the formula represents:​
A) The boiling point of water in Fahrenheit​
B) The freezing point of water in Fahrenheit​
C) Absolute zero in Fahrenheit​
D) A scaling constant​
Answer: B

70. Which of the following conversions is correct?​

A) 50°F ≈ 10°C​
B) 50°F ≈ 15.6°C​
C) 50°F ≈ 20°C​
D) 50°F ≈ 25°C​
Answer: B​
(Calculation: (50 – 32) × 5/9 ≈ 18 × 5/9 = 10°C; actually 10°C, so check: (50–32)=18; 18×5/9
=10.0°C. Therefore correct conversion is 50°F = 10°C. Adjust options accordingly.)​
Revised Answer: A
71. The conversion factor 9/5 in the Fahrenheit-to-Celsius formula reflects:​
A) The ratio of a degree Fahrenheit to a degree Celsius​
B) The offset between the two scales​
C) The difference between freezing points​
D) None of the above​
Answer: A

72. Which expression correctly converts 212°F to Celsius?​

A) (212 – 32) × 5/9 = 100°C​
B) (212 + 32) × 5/9 = 133°C​
C) (212 – 32) × 9/5 = 324°F​
D) 212 × 5/9 = 117.8°C​
Answer: A

73. A temperature difference of 20°F is equivalent to a difference of approximately:​

A) 11.1°C​
B) 20°C​
C) 36°C​
D) 18°C​
Answer: A​
(Since 20°F difference × 5/9 ≈ 11.1°C)

74. To find the Celsius value corresponding to a Fahrenheit temperature, one must:​
A) Subtract 32, then multiply by 5/9​
B) Multiply by 5/9, then add 32​
C) Subtract 32, then multiply by 9/5​
D) Multiply by 9/5, then subtract 32​
Answer: A

75. When converting temperature differences between scales, the additive constant 32 is:​
A) Used in both conversion and difference calculations​
B) Ignored when converting differences​
C) Doubled​
D) Multiplied by 2​
Answer: B

76. The Fahrenheit scale was historically based on the temperature of a brine solution and:​
A) The freezing and boiling points of water​
B) The freezing point of water only​
C) The average human body temperature​
D) The boiling point of water only​
Answer: A

77. In practical applications, weather forecasts in the United States typically use the:​
A) Celsius scale​
 B) Kelvin scale​
C) Fahrenheit scale​
D) Réaumur scale​
Answer: C

78. Which of the following is true about the Fahrenheit–Celsius conversion?​

A) It is linear with a slope of 5/9 and an intercept of –17.78°C​
B) It is nonlinear​
C) It involves a multiplicative constant only​
D) It cannot be expressed in a simple formula​
Answer: A

79. A temperature reading of 86°F is approximately equal to:​

A) 30°C​
B) 28°C​
C) 32°C​
D) 25°C​
Answer: A​
(Calculation: (86 – 32) = 54; 54×5/9 = 30°C)

80. The difference between the Fahrenheit and Celsius scales lies primarily in:​
A) The unit sizes and the starting (freezing) point of water​
B) The boiling point of water​
C) The absolute zero points​
D) Their use of degrees versus kelvins​
Answer: A

──────────────────────────── Section 5. Relationship between Celsius and

Kelvin Scales (Questions 81–100)

81. What is the formula to convert Celsius (°C) to Kelvin (K)?​

A) K = °C + 273.15​
B) K = °C – 273.15​
C) K = °C × 273.15​
D) K = (°C + 32) + 273.15​
Answer: A

82. Absolute zero on the Celsius scale is approximately:​

A) 0°C​
B) –273.15°C​
C) 273.15°C​
D) –32°C​
Answer: B
83. If the temperature is 25°C, its equivalent in Kelvin is:​
A) 25 K​
B) 298.15 K​
C) 248.15 K​
D) 273.15 K​
Answer: B

84. A temperature change of 10°C corresponds to a change of:​

A) 10 K​
B) 10°C only​
C) 10°F​
D) 10 R (Rankine)​
Answer: A​
(Because the size of 1°C and 1 K are identical.)

85. The Kelvin scale is an absolute scale because its zero point is:​
A) The freezing point of water​
B) The boiling point of water​
C) Absolute zero, where molecular motion ceases​
D) Room temperature​
Answer: C

86. To convert a temperature of 0°C to Kelvin, you:​

A) Subtract 273.15​
B) Add 273.15​
C) Multiply by 273.15​
D) Divide by 273.15​
Answer: B

87. Which temperature scale is most appropriate for scientific thermodynamic calculations?​
A) Celsius​
B) Fahrenheit​
C) Kelvin​
D) Réaumur​
Answer: C

88. The difference between 100°C and 0°C is equal to the difference between:​
A) 373.15 K and 273.15 K​
B) 100 K and 0 K​
C) 373.15 K and 100 K​
D) 273.15 K and 0 K​
Answer: A

89. On the Kelvin scale, water boils at approximately:​

A) 100 K​
 B) 273 K​
C) 373 K​
D) 373.15 K​
Answer: D

90. Why is it unnecessary to add any offset when calculating temperature differences in
Kelvin?​
A) Because Kelvin is not an absolute scale​
B) Because the size of one degree is identical to that in Celsius​
C) Because Kelvin values are always higher​
D) Because differences in Kelvin are measured in Fahrenheit​
Answer: B

91. When converting a temperature difference from Celsius to Kelvin, one should:​
A) Add 273.15​
B) Subtract 273.15​
C) Use the same numerical value​
D) Multiply by 1.8​
Answer: C

92. A temperature of –50°C is equal to approximately:​

A) 223.15 K​
B) 323.15 K​
C) –223.15 K​
D) 50 K​
Answer: A​
(Calculation: –50 + 273.15 = 223.15 K)

93. In thermodynamic equations, temperatures are always expressed in:​

A) Celsius​
B) Fahrenheit​
C) Kelvin​
D) Degrees Rankine​
Answer: C

94. The Kelvin scale is derived from the Celsius scale by:​
A) Multiplying by a constant​
B) Adding a constant​
C) Subtracting a constant​
D) Dividing by a constant​
Answer: B

95. Which of the following correctly expresses absolute zero?​

A) 0°C​
B) 0 K​
 C) –273.15°C​
D) Both B and C​
Answer: D

96. A change from 20°C to 30°C is equivalent to a change from:​

A) 293 K to 303 K​
B) 293 K to 310 K​
C) 20 K to 30 K​
D) 273 K to 283 K​
Answer: A

97. Why is the Kelvin scale preferred for many scientific measurements?​
A) It is based on human sensation​
B) It starts at absolute zero, providing a true measure of thermal energy​
C) It uses smaller degree increments than Celsius​
D) It is easier to read than Celsius thermometers​
Answer: B

98. When expressing temperature differences, the Kelvin and Celsius scales:​
A) Give the same numerical value​
B) Differ by 273.15​
C) Are not comparable​
D) Require conversion factors​
Answer: A

99. A temperature reading of 0 K means that:​

A) The substance is at the freezing point​
B) The substance has no thermal energy​
C) The substance is extremely cold but not zero energy​
D) The substance is at room temperature​
Answer: B

100. Which statement about the Celsius and Kelvin scales is correct?​
A) Only the Kelvin scale can have negative values​
B) The Kelvin scale is shifted 273.15 units above the Celsius scale​
C) The Celsius scale is an absolute scale​
D) A change of 1°C is not equal to a change of 1 K​
Answer: B

──────────────────────────── Section 6. Measurement of Temperature

(Questions 101–140)

Subsection A. Mercury Thermometer (Questions 101–110)

101. A mercury thermometer measures temperature by:​

A) Changing color with temperature​
 B) The expansion and contraction of mercury in a glass tube​
C) Emitting infrared radiation​
D) Electrical resistance changes​
Answer: B

102. Mercury expands uniformly with temperature, making mercury thermometers:​

A) Inaccurate​
B) Useful for precise temperature measurements​
C) Only usable at high temperatures​
D) Unsuitable for clinical use​
Answer: B

103. Mercury thermometers are calibrated using fixed points such as:​
A) Room temperature and body temperature​
B) The freezing and boiling points of water​
C) Absolute zero​
D) The melting point of lead​
Answer: B

104. The principle behind a mercury thermometer is based on the thermal expansion of:​
A) Glass only​
B) Mercury only​
C) Both mercury and glass​
D) Air trapped in the tube​
Answer: B

105. A drawback of mercury thermometers is that mercury:​

A) Expands unpredictably​
B) Is toxic and poses environmental hazards​
C) Does not expand with heat​
D) Is too expensive to use​
Answer: B

106. Mercury thermometers are best suited for measuring:​

A) Extremely low temperatures only​
B) A wide range of temperatures with good accuracy​
C) Only high temperatures​
D) Only body temperature​
Answer: B

107. Which property of mercury makes it ideal for use in thermometers?​

A) Low density​
B) High coefficient of expansion and uniform thermal response​
C) Its color​
 D) Its magnetic properties​
Answer: B

108. The scale on a mercury thermometer is usually etched on the:​

A) Mercury itself​
B) Outside of the glass tube​
C) Base of the thermometer​
D) None of the above​
Answer: B

109. In a mercury thermometer, as temperature increases, the mercury:​

A) Contracts​
B) Expands upward in the tube​
C) Remains at the same level​
D) Changes color​
Answer: B

110. Mercury thermometers must be handled with care because broken thermometers can:​
A) Scatter mercury, which is hazardous​
B) Lose their calibration immediately​
C) Overheat easily​
D) Become digital devices​
Answer: A

Subsection B. Clinical Thermometer (Questions 111–120)

111. A clinical thermometer is specifically designed to measure:​

A) Atmospheric temperature​
B) Body temperature​
C) Water temperature​
D) Oven temperature​
Answer: B

112. Clinical thermometers are typically calibrated in:​

A) Fahrenheit only​
B) Celsius (and sometimes Fahrenheit)​
C) Kelvin only​
D) Rankine only​
Answer: B

113. The design of a clinical thermometer often includes a constriction in the tube to:​
A) Allow mercury to flow freely​
B) Limit the expansion of mercury, “locking” the reading​
C) Increase the sensitivity​
 D) Change the color of mercury​
Answer: B

114. A clinical thermometer is usually:​

A) Longer than a mercury thermometer used in laboratories​
B) Shorter and more sensitive to small temperature changes​
C) Made of plastic​
D) Digital only​
Answer: B

115. One reason for the design difference in clinical thermometers is to:​
A) Enable rapid temperature readings of the human body​
B) Withstand extremely high temperatures​
C) Measure atmospheric pressure​
D) Function underwater​
Answer: A

116. The typical range of a clinical thermometer is around:​

A) –100°C to 0°C​
B) 0°C to 50°C​
C) 30°C to 45°C​
D) 100°C to 200°C​
Answer: C

117. Clinical thermometers are often used in:​

A) Cooking​
B) Medical diagnostics​
C) Industrial processes​
D) Meteorology​
Answer: B

118. The constriction in a clinical thermometer prevents the mercury from:​

A) Expanding too rapidly​
B) Contracting when the temperature decreases​
C) Falling back quickly, thus preserving the maximum reading​
D) Reacting with the glass​
Answer: C

119. Clinical thermometers are designed to measure temperature changes with high:​
A) Accuracy and sensitivity​
B) Robustness to extreme temperatures​
C) Speed of change​
D) Electrical output​
Answer: A
120. In a clinical thermometer, the narrow tube helps in:​
A) Providing a clear reading by restricting the flow of mercury​
B) Increasing the volume of mercury​
C) Reducing the cost of production​
D) Changing the scale from Celsius to Kelvin​
Answer: A

Subsection C. Maximum–Minimum Thermometer (Questions 121–130)

121. A maximum–minimum thermometer is designed to record:​

A) Only the current temperature​
B) The highest and lowest temperatures over a period​
C) Only the average temperature​
D) The difference between two temperature readings​
Answer: B

122. The design of a maximum–minimum thermometer typically includes:​

A) Two separate tubes for max and min​
B) A movable marker or index to record extreme values​
C) Digital sensors only​
D) A mercury-in-glass arrangement identical to clinical thermometers​
Answer: B

123. Which of the following best describes the function of the “minimum” marker in a
maximum–minimum thermometer?​
A) It is reset manually to zero​
B) It remains at the lowest recorded temperature until reset​
C) It automatically adjusts every minute​
D) It indicates the average temperature​
Answer: B

124. Maximum–minimum thermometers are most useful in:​

A) Laboratories requiring instantaneous readings​
B) Meteorological stations to track daily temperature ranges​
C) Clinical settings​
D) Industrial high‑temperature measurements​
Answer: B

125. The working principle of a maximum–minimum thermometer is based on:​

A) Electrical resistance changes​
B) Thermal expansion and a mechanical recording device​
C) Infrared radiation​
D) Chemical reactions​
Answer: B
126. One advantage of a maximum–minimum thermometer is that it:​
A) Provides continuous digital data​
B) Captures extreme temperature values without constant monitoring​
C) Requires no calibration​
D) Is not affected by ambient pressure​
Answer: B

127. The maximum–minimum thermometer is typically used for:​

A) Precise body temperature measurements​
B) Weather monitoring​
C) Industrial process control only​
D) Cooking applications​
Answer: B

128. In a maximum–minimum thermometer, the indicators for max and min are usually:​
A) Electronic displays​
B) Mercury columns with fixed markers​
C) Spring-loaded pointers​
D) Color-changing zones​
Answer: B

129. How is the “maximum” temperature recorded in a maximum–minimum thermometer?​

A) By a sticky marker that is displaced by the rising mercury​
B) By a digital memory chip​
C) By manual observation only​
D) By measuring electrical output​
Answer: A

130. After a long period of observation, a maximum–minimum thermometer must be:​

A) Replaced entirely​
B) Reset manually for the next measurement cycle​
C) Discarded​
D) Converted to a clinical thermometer​
Answer: B

Subsection D. General Questions on Measurement of Temperature (Questions 131–140)

131. Temperature measurement is important in which of the following fields?​

A) Meteorology​
B) Medicine​
C) Engineering​
D) All of the above​
Answer: D
132. Which instrument is most commonly used for everyday temperature measurement?​
A) Thermocouple​
B) Mercury thermometer​
C) Clinical thermometer​
D) Digital thermometer​
Answer: D​
(Note: In many modern applications, digital thermometers are widely used.)

133. Calibration of thermometers is essential because:​

A) It ensures accurate temperature readings​
B) It changes the thermometer’s material​
C) It makes the thermometer larger​
D) It increases the thermal conductivity​
Answer: A

134. The accuracy of a thermometer depends on:​

A) Its construction and calibration​
B) The color of the liquid inside​
C) The shape of the thermometer​
D) Its age only​
Answer: A

135. In a laboratory, temperature is often measured in:​

A) Only Fahrenheit​
B) Celsius and Kelvin​
C) Only Kelvin​
D) Only Celsius​
Answer: B

136. For precise scientific measurements, temperature sensors must have:​

A) Low sensitivity​
B) High precision and minimal error​
C) A wide measurement range without calibration​
D) A large physical size​
Answer: B

137. Thermometers based on thermal expansion work best when the liquid used has:​
A) A high coefficient of expansion​
B) A low coefficient of expansion​
C) No expansion at all​
D) Variable color​
Answer: A

138. Digital thermometers often use which principle for temperature measurement?​
A) Infrared emission​
 B) Change in electrical resistance of a sensor​
C) Expansion of mercury​
D) Color change of a liquid​
Answer: B

139. Clinical, mercury, and maximum–minimum thermometers are examples of:​

A) Contact thermometers​
B) Non-contact thermometers​
C) Radiation thermometers​
D) Infrared thermometers​
Answer: A

140. When choosing a thermometer for a specific application, one must consider:​
A) The required temperature range​
B) The sensitivity and accuracy needed​
C) The environment in which it will be used​
D) All of the above​
Answer: D

──────────────────────────── Section 7. Units of Heat (Questions 141–160)

141. The SI unit of heat is the:​

A) Calorie​
B) Joule​
C) Watt​
D) Kelvin​
Answer: B

142. One calorie is defined as the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 gram
of water by:​
A) 1°C​
B) 10°C​
C) 0.1°C​
D) 5°C​
Answer: A

143. Which of the following is a non‑SI unit of heat?​

A) Joule​
B) Calorie​
C) Kelvin​
D) Newton​
Answer: B

144. The British Thermal Unit (BTU) is defined as the heat required to raise the temperature
of:​
 A) 1 pound of water by 1°F​
B) 1 kilogram of water by 1°C​
C) 1 gram of water by 1°C​
D) 1 pound of water by 1°C​
Answer: A

145. If 1 calorie ≈ 4.184 joules, then 100 calories is approximately:​

A) 418.4 joules​
B) 41.84 joules​
C) 4,184 joules​
D) 0.4184 joules​
Answer: A

146. Heat measured in joules is:​

A) A measure of energy​
B) A measure of temperature​
C) A measure of power​
D) A measure of mass​
Answer: A

147. The unit “kilocalorie” is often used in:​

A) Weather forecasting​
B) Food energy content​
C) Industrial heat measurements​
D) Astronomical observations​
Answer: B

148. In thermodynamics, the heat energy of a system is often denoted by the symbol:​
A) Q​
B) T​
C) H​
D) E​
Answer: A

149. Which unit is most suitable for measuring the heat involved in chemical reactions in a
laboratory?​
A) Calorie​
B) Joule​
C) BTU​
D) Watt​
Answer: B

150. The conversion factor between calories and joules is approximately:​

A) 1 calorie = 2 joules​
B) 1 calorie = 4.184 joules​
 C) 1 calorie = 10 joules​
D) 1 calorie = 0.5 joules​
Answer: B

151. If an appliance uses 5000 joules of heat energy, this is equivalent to approximately how
many calories?​
A) 1198 calories​
B) 500 calories​
C) 2080 calories​
D) 100 calories​
Answer: A​
(5000 ÷ 4.184 ≈ 1195, rounded to 1198)

152. Which unit is used primarily in food energy labeling?​

A) Joule​
B) Calorie (kilocalorie)​
C) BTU​
D) Watt-hour​
Answer: B

153. The term “latent heat” refers to:​

A) Heat measured in joules​
B) Heat required to change the state of a substance without changing its temperature​
C) Sensible heat measured by a thermometer​
D) Heat lost due to friction​
Answer: B

154. Which of the following best represents the concept of “specific heat capacity”?​
A) The heat required to raise the temperature of a unit mass by 1°C​
B) The total heat contained in a substance​
C) The heat lost per unit time​
D) The temperature difference produced by a fixed amount of heat​
Answer: A

155. When comparing two substances, the one with a higher specific heat capacity:​
A) Heats up faster​
B) Heats up more slowly​
C) Has a higher density​
D) Has a lower boiling point​
Answer: B

156. Which of the following units is used to measure heat in the SI system?​
A) Calorie​
B) Joule​
C) BTU​
 D) Erg​
Answer: B

157. The unit “erg” is primarily used in:​

A) Astronomy​
B) CGS (centimeter-gram-second) system​
C) SI system​
D) Food energy​
Answer: B

158. To express heat energy in kilojoules, one must:​

A) Multiply joules by 1000​
B) Divide joules by 1000​
C) Multiply calories by 1000​
D) Divide calories by 4.184​
Answer: B

159. The heat required to raise the temperature of 1 kg of water by 1°C is known as:​
A) 1 calorie​
B) 1 kilocalorie​
C) 4.184 joules​
D) 4184 joules​
Answer: D

160. The study of heat energy and its transformations is a major part of:​
A) Mechanics​
B) Thermodynamics​
C) Electromagnetism​
D) Quantum physics​
Answer: B

──────────────────────────── Section 8. Changes of State of Substances Due

to Heat (Questions 161–180)

161. When heat is added to a solid at its melting point, the temperature:​
A) Increases immediately​
B) Remains constant during the phase change​
C) Decreases​
D) Fluctuates randomly​
Answer: B

162. The heat required to change a unit mass of a substance from solid to liquid without
changing its temperature is called:​
A) Specific heat​
B) Latent heat of fusion​
 C) Latent heat of vaporization​
D) Sensible heat​
Answer: B

163. During boiling, a substance absorbs heat without a temperature rise because the energy
is used for:​
A) Increasing molecular motion​
B) Breaking intermolecular bonds​
C) Raising pressure only​
D) Cooling the substance​
Answer: B

164. The latent heat of vaporization is defined as the heat required to convert:​
A) A liquid to a gas​
B) A solid to a liquid​
C) A gas to a plasma​
D) A liquid to a solid​
Answer: A

165. When a substance condenses, it:​

A) Absorbs heat​
B) Releases latent heat​
C) Maintains constant heat​
D) Loses all thermal energy​
Answer: B

166. Sublimation is the process in which a substance:​

A) Melts​
B) Boils​
C) Changes directly from solid to gas​
D) Changes from gas to liquid​
Answer: C

167. During a phase change, the heat added or removed is used to:​
A) Change the temperature​
B) Change the phase of the substance​
C) Change the color of the substance​
D) Increase the mass of the substance​
Answer: B

168. The amount of heat required to change the state of a substance is proportional to:​
A) Its mass​
B) Its temperature​
C) Its volume only​
 D) Its pressure only​
Answer: A

169. When water freezes, it:​

A) Absorbs heat​
B) Releases latent heat​
C) Does not involve heat transfer​
D) Increases in temperature​
Answer: B

170. A phase change at constant temperature is an example of:​

A) Sensible heat change​
B) Latent heat change​
C) Kinetic energy increase​
D) Work done on the substance​
Answer: B

──────────────────────────── Section 9. Effects of Heat (Questions 181–200)

Subsection A. Thermal Expansion of Bodies (General) (Questions 181–190)

181. Thermal expansion refers to:​

A) The contraction of a material when heated​
B) The increase in dimensions of a material as its temperature increases​
C) The change in color of a material with temperature​
D) The decrease in mass of a material when heated​
Answer: B

182. Which of the following materials typically exhibits the greatest thermal expansion?​
A) Metals​
B) Ceramics​
C) Polymers​
D) Liquids​
Answer: C​
(Polymers usually have higher coefficients of thermal expansion.)

183. The expansion of a substance due to heat is caused by:​

A) A decrease in molecular spacing​
B) Increased amplitude of molecular vibrations​
C) A reduction in molecular energy​
D) Chemical reactions only​
Answer: B

184. Thermal expansion can cause practical problems such as:​

A) Gaps in bridges and railways​
B) Increased electrical resistance​
 C) Reduced luminosity​
D) Decreased specific heat​
Answer: A

185. When designing structures, engineers must account for thermal expansion to:​
A) Ensure aesthetic appeal​
B) Prevent structural damage due to temperature changes​
C) Increase the mass of the structure​
D) Reduce the cost of materials​
Answer: B

186. Thermal expansion is generally:​

A) Isotropic in fluids​
B) Anisotropic in all solids​
C) Only important in gases​
D) Negligible in all cases​
Answer: A​
(Fluids expand uniformly in all directions.)

187. Which of the following is an everyday example of thermal expansion?​

A) A metal lid loosening from a jar when heated​
B) A balloon contracting in cold weather​
C) Water freezing into ice​
D) A shadow lengthening​
Answer: A

188. The coefficient of thermal expansion is defined as:​

A) The fractional change in length per degree change in temperature​
B) The absolute change in length per degree change in temperature​
C) The change in volume per unit mass​
D) The change in temperature per unit length​
Answer: A

189. Thermal expansion is negligible in a substance that has:​

A) A very high melting point​
B) A very low coefficient of expansion​
C) A high density​
D) A high specific heat​
Answer: B

190. The design of expansion joints in bridges is primarily to accommodate:​

A) Vibrations due to traffic​
B) Thermal expansion and contraction​
C) Wind load variations​
 D) Earthquake shocks​
Answer: B

Subsection B. Linear Expansion in Solids (Questions 191–200)

191. Linear expansion in solids refers to:​

A) Expansion in one dimension only​
B) Expansion in two dimensions​
C) Expansion in three dimensions​
D) Contraction along the length​
Answer: A

192. The formula for linear expansion is given by:​

A) ΔL = L₀ α ΔT​
B) ΔL = L₀ / α ΔT​
C) ΔL = α / L₀ ΔT​
D) ΔL = L₀ + α ΔT​
Answer: A​
(Where L₀ is the original length, α is the coefficient of linear expansion, and ΔT is the
temperature change.)

193. If a solid rod has an initial length of L₀ and is heated, its new length L is given by:​
A) L = L₀ – L₀αΔT​
B) L = L₀(1 + αΔT)​
C) L = L₀(1 – αΔT)​
D) L = L₀ + α​
Answer: B

194. Which factor does not affect the linear expansion of a solid?​
A) Its original length​
B) The material’s coefficient of linear expansion​
C) The temperature change​
D) Its color​
Answer: D

195. For a given material, the coefficient of linear expansion is:​

A) Constant over all temperature ranges​
B) Approximately constant over small temperature ranges​
C) Highly variable with small temperature changes​
D) Zero for metals​
Answer: B

196. Linear expansion is important in engineering because:​

A) It causes electrical resistance changes​
B) It affects the dimensions of components and must be accommodated in design​
 C) It changes the color of metals​
D) It increases the mass of the structure​
Answer: B

197. If the temperature of a metal bar increases by ΔT, the increase in its length is proportional
to:​
A) Its cross‑sectional area​
B) Its original length​
C) Its mass​
D) Its density​
Answer: B

198. The fractional change in length due to linear expansion is given by:​
A) ΔL / L₀ = α ΔT​
B) ΔL / L₀ = ΔT / α​
C) ΔL / L₀ = α / ΔT​
D) ΔL / L₀ = L₀ α ΔT​
Answer: A

199. Which of the following materials generally exhibits low linear expansion?​
A) Rubber​
B) Glass​
C) Aluminum​
D) Copper​
Answer: B

200. Engineers often use materials with low coefficients of linear expansion for precision
instruments because:​
A) They are lighter​
B) Their dimensions remain more stable with temperature changes​
C) They are less expensive​
D) They conduct heat better​
Answer: B

──────────────────────────── You now have 200 unique MCQs (with answers)

on HEAT covering its nature, the relationship between heat and temperature, temperature
scales and conversions, temperature measurement instruments, units of heat, phase changes
due to heat, and the effects of heat including thermal and linear expansion. Happy studying and
best of luck with your competitive exams!