Chapter 11 – Transfer of Thermal Energy | MCQs | Class 10 Physics 2026 PECTAA

📝 Multiple Choice Questions (1–7)

11.1 Which method of heat transfer requires direct contact between particles?

A) Convection B) Radiation C) Conduction D) Evaporation

✅ Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Conduction is the process by which heat is transferred through direct contact between particles in a material, without any actual movement of the material.

11.2 What causes convection currents in liquids and gases?

A) The continuous movement of particles in all directions B) The rising of warm regions and sinking of cooler regions C) The conduction of heat through the medium D) The reflection of heat waves

✅ Correct Answer: B
Explanation: When a liquid or gas is heated, it becomes less dense and rises, and cooler fluid from the surrounding area moves in to take its place.

11.3 The natural phenomenon caused by convection currents is:

A) earthquakes B) land and sea breezes C) magnetic fields D) solar eclipses

✅ Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Land and sea breezes are caused by convection. During the day, the land heats up faster than the sea, creating a sea breeze. At night, the land cools down more quickly than the sea, creating a land breeze.

11.4 How does heat transfer occur through radiation?

A) Through direct contact between objects B) Through the movement of heated fluid C) Through electromagnetic waves without needing a medium D) Through the absorption of water molecules

✅ Correct Answer: C
Explanation: In radiation, heat transfer occurs through electromagnetic waves without requiring a medium.

11.5 The surface which absorbs and emits the most radiation is:

A) smooth and shiny surfaces B) dark and rough surfaces C) transparent and thin surfaces D) polished and white surfaces

✅ Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Dull and dark-coloured surfaces are very good at absorbing and emitting infrared radiation. Rough surfaces absorb and emit radiation better.

11.6 What is the role of the greenhouse effect in Earth's temperature regulation?

A) It allows all heat to escape into space B) It blocks heat from entering the atmosphere C) It traps heat to maintain a stable temperature D) It causes immediate cooling of Earth's surface

✅ Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The greenhouse effect refers to the process by which the Earth's atmosphere traps some of the Sun's heat, maintaining a temperature that is suitable for life.

11.7 The Sun's heat reaches the Earth:

A) through conduction between air particles B) through convection in space C) through radiation via electromagnetic waves D) through reflection by the moon

✅ Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The Sun's heat does not reach the Earth through conduction or convection, as there is no medium between the Sun and Earth's atmosphere. Instead, heat is transferred via radiation.

📊 Answer Key with Explanations

Q. No	Correct Answer	Explanation
11.1	(C) Conduction	Conduction is the process by which heat is transferred through direct contact between particles in a material, without any actual movement of the material.
11.2	(B) The rising of warm regions and sinking of cooler regions	When a liquid or gas is heated, it becomes less dense and rises, and cooler fluid from the surrounding area moves in to take its place.
11.3	(B) land and sea breezes	Land and sea breezes are caused by convection. During the day, the land heats up faster than the sea, creating a sea breeze. At night, the land cools down more quickly than the sea, creating a land breeze.
11.4	(C) Through electromagnetic waves without needing a medium	In radiation, heat transfer occurs through electromagnetic waves without requiring a medium.
11.5	(B) dark and rough surfaces	Dull and dark-coloured surfaces are very good at absorbing and emitting infrared radiation. Rough surfaces absorb and emit radiation better.
11.6	(C) It traps heat to maintain a stable temperature	The greenhouse effect refers to the process by which the Earth's atmosphere traps some of the Sun's heat, maintaining a temperature that is suitable for life.
11.7	(C) through radiation via electromagnetic waves	The Sun's heat does not reach the Earth through conduction or convection, as there is no medium between the Sun and Earth's atmosphere. Instead, heat is transferred via radiation.

Q. No

Correct Answer

Explanation

11.1

Conduction is the process by which heat is transferred through direct contact between particles in a material, without any actual movement of the material.

11.2

(B) The rising of warm regions and sinking of cooler regions

When a liquid or gas is heated, it becomes less dense and rises, and cooler fluid from the surrounding area moves in to take its place.

11.3

(B) land and sea breezes

Land and sea breezes are caused by convection. During the day, the land heats up faster than the sea, creating a sea breeze. At night, the land cools down more quickly than the sea, creating a land breeze.

11.4

In radiation, heat transfer occurs through electromagnetic waves without requiring a medium.

11.5

(B) dark and rough surfaces

Dull and dark-coloured surfaces are very good at absorbing and emitting infrared radiation. Rough surfaces absorb and emit radiation better.

11.6

The greenhouse effect refers to the process by which the Earth's atmosphere traps some of the Sun's heat, maintaining a temperature that is suitable for life.

11.7

The Sun's heat does not reach the Earth through conduction or convection, as there is no medium between the Sun and Earth's atmosphere. Instead, heat is transferred via radiation.

📐 Key Concepts Covered in MCQs

Conduction: Heat transfer through direct contact between particles

Convection: Heat transfer through fluid movement (liquids and gases)

Radiation: Heat transfer through electromagnetic waves (no medium required)

💡 Exam Tip:

For MCQs, focus on understanding key differences between conduction, convection, and radiation. Remember that radiation does not require a medium, convection occurs only in fluids, and dark/rough surfaces are best absorbers and emitters of radiation.

Unit 11: Transfer of Thermal Energy

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