Cambridge IGCSE Physics 0625 — 2015 Oct/Nov Paper 1 · Variant 2
0625/12/O/N/15 · 40 questions · 40 marks · ≈45 min
The question paper and its mark scheme, free to read here and free to download. This is Cambridge’s own paper, exactly as it was sat.
Question paper20 pages
Mark scheme2 pages
Answers below. Sit the paper first if you are practising.
Questions as text
Q1 · The diagram shows a measuring cylinder used to measure the volume of a small stone
1 The diagram shows a measuring cylinder used to measure the volume of a small stone. cm3 cm3 50 50 40 40 30 30 20 20 10 10 stone What is the volume of the stone? A 8 cm3 B 9 cm3 C 14 cm3 D 26 cm3
Mark scheme: A
More questions on Physical quantities and measurement techniques
Q2 · The table shows the readings on a car speedometer at 5 second intervals
2 The table shows the readings on a car speedometer at 5 second intervals. speed time / s km / h 0 0 5 30 10 50 15 60 20 65 Which row describes the speed and the acceleration of the car? speed acceleration A decreasing zero B decreasing not zero C increasing zero D increasing not zero
Mark scheme: D
Q3 · A car travels along the route PQRST in 30 minutes
3 A car travels along the route PQRST in 30 minutes. S 5 km Q 10 km T 5 km 10 km R P What is the average speed of the car? A 10 km / hour B 20 km / hour C 30 km / hour D 60 km / hour
Mark scheme: D
Q4 · Which statement about mass or weight is correct?
4 Which statement about mass or weight is correct? A Mass is a force. B Mass is measured in newtons. C Weight is a force. D Weight is measured in kilograms.
Mark scheme: C
Q5 · Two cylinders are made of the same metal
5 Two cylinders are made of the same metal. Both cylinders have the same cross-sectional area but one is longer than the other. cylinder 1 cylinder 2 Which quantity is the same for both cylinders? A density B mass C resistance D volume
Mark scheme: A
Q6 · A heavy beam rests on two supports
6 A heavy beam rests on two supports. The diagram shows the only three forces F1, F2 and F3 acting on the beam. F1 F2 beam support support F3 The beam is in equilibrium. Which statement is correct? A All the forces are equal in size. B The resultant force on the beam is in the opposite direction to the resultant turning effect. C The resultant force on the beam is zero and the resultant turning effect on the beam is zero. D The total upward force is twice the total downward force.
Mark scheme: C
Q7 · The diagrams show four solid cones
7 The diagrams show four solid cones. The centre of mass of each cone is marked by a point labelled M. Which cone is the most stable? A B C D M M M M
Mark scheme: D
Q8 · A car is stationary at the top of a hill with the engine switched off
8 A car is stationary at the top of a hill with the engine switched off. The brakes are released and the car rolls down the hill. At which labelled point does the car have the greatest kinetic energy? Ignore friction. A B D C
Mark scheme: C
Q9 · Electrical energy may be obtained from nuclear fission
9 Electrical energy may be obtained from nuclear fission. In which order is the energy transferred in this process? A nuclear fuel → generator → reactor and boiler → turbines B nuclear fuel → generator → turbines → reactor and boiler C nuclear fuel → reactor and boiler → generator → turbines D nuclear fuel → reactor and boiler → turbines → generator
Mark scheme: D
Q10 · The table gives four forces and the surface area on which each force acts
10 The table gives four forces and the surface area on which each force acts. Which row gives the largest pressure on the surface? force / N area / m2 A 20 2 B 40 2 C 20 4 D 40 4
Mark scheme: B
Q11 · What does a barometer measure?
11 What does a barometer measure? A the current in a circuit B the density of a liquid C the pressure of air D the temperature of an object
Mark scheme: C
Q12 · The diagrams represent the molecules in two different states of matter
12 The diagrams represent the molecules in two different states of matter. The arrows show the motion of the molecules. molecule state 1 state 2 What is state 1, and what is state 2? state 1 state 2 A gas liquid B gas solid C liquid gas D liquid solid
Mark scheme: B
Q13 · A swimmer feels cold after leaving warm water on a warm, windy day
13 A swimmer feels cold after leaving warm water on a warm, windy day. Why does she feel cold even though the air is warm? A The less energetic water molecules on her skin escape quickly. B The more energetic water molecules on her skin do not escape quickly. C The water on her skin does not evaporate quickly enough to keep her warm. D The water on her skin evaporates quickly and cools her skin.
Mark scheme: D
Q14 · A circular metal disc is heated
14 A circular metal disc is heated. Which quantity decreases? A its density B its diameter C its thickness D its volume
Mark scheme: A
Q15 · A block of copper and a block of lead are heated
15 A block of copper and a block of lead are heated. The internal energy of each block increases by the same amount. The block of copper has a lower thermal capacity than the block of lead. Which conclusion can be made from this information? A The temperature increase of the copper is greater than the temperature increase of the lead. B The temperature increase of the copper is the same as the temperature increase of the lead. C The temperature increase of the copper is less than the temperature increase of the lead. D The melting point of copper is lower than the melting point of lead.
Mark scheme: A
Q16 · In a refrigerator, the cooling unit can be fitted either at the top or at the bottom
16 In a refrigerator, the cooling unit can be fitted either at the top or at the bottom. In an oven, the heater can be fitted either at the top or at the bottom. Which row shows the best position for the cooling unit and the best position for the heater? cooling unit heater A bottom bottom B bottom top C top bottom D top top
Mark scheme: C
Q17 · A girl is outdoors
17 A girl is outdoors. She warms her hands by holding them near a fire, as shown. hands fire How does the heat from the fire reach her hands? A conduction only B convection and conduction C convection and radiation D radiation only
Mark scheme: D
Q18 · The diagram represents a water wave
18 The diagram represents a water wave. 4 m 2 m Which row shows the amplitude and the wavelength of the wave? amplitude / m wavelength / m A 1 2 B 1 4 C 2 2 D 2 4
Mark scheme: A
Q19 · The diagram represents circular wavefronts coming from point S
19 The diagram represents circular wavefronts coming from point S. The wavefronts strike a barrier and are reflected so that they appear to come from point S1. S S1 barrier Which diagram shows the reflected wavefronts? S S1 A S S1 B S S1 C S S1 D
Mark scheme: D
Q20 · A plane mirror is fitted to a wall
20 A plane mirror is fitted to a wall. Which statement about the image formed by the mirror is correct? A The image is real. B The image is left to right (laterally inverted). C The image is smaller than the object. D The image is upside down.
Mark scheme: B
Q21 · A student draws a diagram representing three rays of light from point P passing through a…
21 A student draws a diagram representing three rays of light from point P passing through a converging lens. Each point labelled F is a principal focus of the lens. lens P ray X F F ray Y ray Z Which of the rays has the student drawn correctly? A ray X and ray Y B ray X and ray Z C ray Y only D ray Z only
Mark scheme: B
Q22 · Which group contains only electromagnetic waves?
22 Which group contains only electromagnetic waves? A light waves, radio waves, γ-rays B light waves, radio waves, sound waves C light waves, sound waves, γ-rays D radio waves, sound waves, γ-rays
Mark scheme: A
Q23 · Two sounds X and Y are produced by loudspeakers
23 Two sounds X and Y are produced by loudspeakers. The amplitude and frequency of each sound wave is given in the table. amplitude / mm frequency / Hz X 1.3 475 Y 2.0 235 How does sound Y compare with sound X? A Y is louder and has a higher pitch. B Y is louder and has a lower pitch. C Y is quieter and has a higher pitch. D Y is quieter and has a lower pitch.
Mark scheme: B
Q24 · Sounds are produced by vibrating objects
24 Sounds are produced by vibrating objects. A certain object vibrates but a person nearby cannot hear any sound. Which statement could explain why nothing is heard? A The amplitude of the sound waves is too large. B The frequency of the vibration is too high. C The sound waves are transverse. D The speed of the sound waves is too high.
Mark scheme: B
Q25 · Which statement about a permanent bar magnet is correct?
25 Which statement about a permanent bar magnet is correct? A It is made from a soft magnetic material. B It repels a non-magnetic material. C Its field lines cross each other where the magnetic field is strong. D Its N-pole repels the N-pole of another magnet.
Mark scheme: D
Q26 · Which procedure may be used to demagnetise a steel bar?
26 Which procedure may be used to demagnetise a steel bar? A cooling it in a freezer for several hours B earthing it with a copper wire for several seconds C removing it slowly from a coil carrying an alternating current (a.c.) D rubbing it in one direction with a woollen cloth
Mark scheme: C
Q27 · Two plastic rods P and Q are both negatively charged
27 Two plastic rods P and Q are both negatively charged. Rod P hangs freely. Y X rod P rod Q The end of rod Q is brought near to end X of rod P, and then near to end Y of rod P. What happens to the rods in each position? near end X near end Y A they attract they attract B they attract they repel C they repel they attract D they repel they repel
Mark scheme: D
Q28 · Which circuit shows a voltmeter measuring the p.d
28 Which circuit shows a voltmeter measuring the p.d. across a resistor? A B V V C D V V
Mark scheme: B
Q29 · A student has four pieces of resistance wire made of the same material
29 A student has four pieces of resistance wire made of the same material. Each piece is connected in turn between the terminals X and Y in the circuit. X Y In which wire is the current the largest? length of wire / m diameter of wire / mm A 0.5 0.5 B 0.5 1.0 C 1.0 0.5 D 1.0 1.0
Mark scheme: B
Q30 · A student connects the circuit shown
30 A student connects the circuit shown. 1 2 3 4 Which switches must be closed for both the bell to ring and the lamp to light? A 1 and 4 only B 2 and 3 only C 1, 2 and 3 only D 1, 2, 3 and 4
Mark scheme: C
Q31 · Two resistors are connected in parallel
31 Two resistors are connected in parallel. 20 Ω 30 Ω Which value could be the resistance of the combination? A 12 Ω B 20 Ω C 25 Ω D 50 Ω
Mark scheme: A
Q32 · The circuit contains a variable potential divider PQ, a lamp and a voltmeter
32 The circuit contains a variable potential divider PQ, a lamp and a voltmeter. power supply + – P Q sliding contact V The sliding contact of the potential divider is moved towards end Q. What happens to the brightness of the lamp and what happens to the voltmeter reading? brightness of lamp voltmeter reading A becomes brighter decreases B becomes brighter increases C does not change decreases D does not change increases
Mark scheme: C
Q33 · Four lamps are each labelled '60 W 230 V'
33 Four lamps are each labelled '60 W 230 V'. In which circuit are the lamps connected so that they operate at normal brightness? A B C D 230 V 230 V 230 V 230 V
Mark scheme: B
Q34 · A fuse is used to protect an electric circuit
34 A fuse is used to protect an electric circuit. Which diagram shows where the fuse should be connected? A B live live neutral neutral C D live live neutral neutral
Mark scheme: A
Q35 · A transformer has 2400 turns on its primary coil and 200 turns on its secondary coil
35 A transformer has 2400 turns on its primary coil and 200 turns on its secondary coil. primary coil secondary coil 2400 turns 200 turns output voltage 240 V What input voltage is needed to give an output voltage of 240 V? A 12 V B 20 V C 240 V D 2880 V
Mark scheme: D
Q36 · A current-carrying coil in a magnetic field experiences a turning effect
36 A current-carrying coil in a magnetic field experiences a turning effect. power supply + – N S coil How can the turning effect be increased? A Increase the number of turns on the coil. B Reduce the size of the current. C Reverse the direction of the magnetic field. D Use thinner wire for the coil.
Mark scheme: A
Q37 · A beam of cathode rays enters an electric field between two charged plates
37 A beam of cathode rays enters an electric field between two charged plates. Which diagram shows a path that the rays could take? A B – – cathode cathode rays rays + + C D – – cathode cathode rays rays + +
Mark scheme: B
Q38 · Radioactive carbon-14 decays into nitrogen by emitting a β-particle
38 Radioactive carbon-14 decays into nitrogen by emitting a β-particle. The equation below represents the decay. 14 C → N 14 7 + β Q 0 P What are the values of P and Q? P Q A 6 1 B 6 –1 C 8 1 D 8 –1
Mark scheme: B
Q39 · A student investigates how the radiation from a radioactive source changes with time
39 A student investigates how the radiation from a radioactive source changes with time. The table shows the results from the detector used by the student. time / count rate / minutes counts per minute 0 340 2.0 180 4.0 100 6.0 60 8.0 40 The experiment is repeated by many other students, who also measure the count rate every two minutes. The half-life of the source is known to be exactly 2.0 minutes. Why is the measured count rate always greater than half the previous value? A Radioactive emissions occur randomly with time. B The detector used is very close to the source. C There is background radiation present. D The radioactive source is decaying.
Mark scheme: C
Q40 · The nuclide notation for radium-226 is 226 Ra
40 The nuclide notation for radium-226 is 226 Ra . 88 How many electrons orbit the nucleus of a neutral atom of radium-226? A 0 B 88 C 138 D 226
Mark scheme: B
What was in this paper
The subtopics covered by these 40 questions, and how many questions each got. Open one in a new tab to see every Cambridge question on it.
5Electrical quantities2Electromagnetic effects2Energy, work and power2Forces2General properties of waves2Kinetic particle model of matter2Light2Motion2Pressure2Radioactivity2Simple phenomena of magnetism2Sound2The nuclear model of the atom2Thermal properties and temperature2Transfer of thermal energy2Density1Electrical safety1Electromagnetic spectrum1Mass and weight1Physical quantities and measurement techniques1What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2015 Oct/Nov, Paper 1 · Variant 2. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.