Cambridge IGCSE Physics 0625 — 2016 Oct/Nov Paper 2 · Variant 1
0625/21/O/N/16 · 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 paper16 pages
Mark scheme2 pages
Answers below. Sit the paper first if you are practising.
Questions as text
Q1 · The graph shows how the distance travelled by a vehicle changes with time
1 The graph shows how the distance travelled by a vehicle changes with time. S distance Q R P 0 0 time Which row describes the speed of the vehicle in each section of the graph? P to Q Q to R R to S A constant zero constant B constant zero decreasing C increasing constant decreasing D increasing zero constant
Mark scheme: A
Q2 · A stone falls freely from the top of a cliff
2 A stone falls freely from the top of a cliff. Air resistance may be ignored. Which graph shows how the acceleration of the stone varies with time as it falls? A B acceleration acceleration 0 0 0 time 0 time C D acceleration acceleration 0 0 0 time 0 time
Mark scheme: D
Q3 · A car travels along a horizontal road in a straight line
3 A car travels along a horizontal road in a straight line. The driver presses the accelerator to increase the speed of the car. The speed-time graph for the car is shown. 30 speed m / s 20 10 0 0 5 10 15 20 time / s What is the acceleration of the car? A 0.50 m / s2 B 1.00 m / s2 C 1.50 m / s2 D 2.00 m / s2
Mark scheme: A
Q4 · A spaceship approaches the Earth from deep space
4 A spaceship approaches the Earth from deep space. Near the Earth, a force on the spaceship causes it to have weight. This causes it to change its speed and direction. Which type of force causes the spaceship’s weight, and which property of the spaceship resists its change in speed and direction? force that property that resists change in causes weight speed and direction A gravitational mass B gravitational volume C magnetic mass D magnetic volume
Mark scheme: A
Q5 · The diagrams show an empty rectangular box, and the same box filled with liquid
5 The diagrams show an empty rectangular box, and the same box filled with liquid. The box has a mass of 60 g when empty. When filled with liquid, the total mass of the box and the liquid is 300 g. empty box box filled with liquid 60 g 300 g The density of the liquid is 1.2 g / cm3. What is the volume of the liquid in the box? A 50 cm3 B 200 cm3 C 250 cm3 D 300 cm3
Mark scheme: B
Q6 · An object travels in a circular path at constant speed
6 An object travels in a circular path at constant speed. Which statement about the object is correct? A It has changing kinetic energy. B It has changing momentum. C It has constant velocity. D It is not accelerating.
Mark scheme: B
Q7 · Which diagram shows the magnitude and direction of the resultant R of the two forces F1…
7 Which diagram shows the magnitude and direction of the resultant R of the two forces F1 and F2? A B C D F1 F1 F1 F1 R R R R F2 F2 F2 F2
Mark scheme: A
Q8 · Two cars, P and Q, have different masses and different speeds as shown
8 Two cars, P and Q, have different masses and different speeds as shown. mass mass 1000 kg 500 kg speed speed 10 m / s 20 m / s car P car Q Which row correctly compares the momentum and the kinetic energy of P with the momentum and the kinetic energy of Q? momentum kinetic energy A P greater than Q P equal to Q B P equal to Q P equal to Q C P equal to Q P less than Q D P less than Q P greater than Q
Mark scheme: C
Q9 · A car of mass 800 kg travels over a hill of height h
9 A car of mass 800 kg travels over a hill of height h. hill h NOT TO SCALE By travelling to the top of the hill, the car gains 40 000 J of gravitational potential energy. The gravitational field strength g is 10 N / kg. What is the height h of the hill? A 5.0 m B 20 m C 50 m D 500 m
Mark scheme: A
Q10 · A lamp has a power input of 5.0 W
10 A lamp has a power input of 5.0 W. It wastes 1.0 W of power heating the surroundings. What is the efficiency of the lamp? A 20% B 50% C 80% D 120%
Mark scheme: C
Q11 · The box contains the names of eight different energy resources
11 The box contains the names of eight different energy resources. natural gas geothermal solar waves hydroelectric oil wind coal How many of these energy resources are renewable? A 3 B 4 C 5 D 6
Mark scheme: C
Q12 · The diagram shows a dam holding back water
12 The diagram shows a dam holding back water. 65 m water dam The depth of the water is 65 m. The density of the water is 1000 kg / m3. The gravitational field strength g is 10 N / kg. What is the pressure exerted at the base of the dam due to the water? A 15.4 Pa B 154 Pa C 65 000 Pa D 650 000 Pa
Mark scheme: D
Q13 · Air is trapped in a cylinder by a piston
13 Air is trapped in a cylinder by a piston. The original volume of the trapped air is V and the original pressure of the trapped air is P. The piston is pushed to the left. The temperature of the gas does not change. before piston is pushed in after piston is pushed in piston cylinder 25 50 25 50 trapped air trapped air What is the new volume and what is the new pressure of the trapped air? new volume new pressure P A 2V 2 B 2V 2P V P C 2 2 V D 2P 2
Mark scheme: D
Q14 · When a liquid evaporates, some of its molecules escape from the surface and the…
14 When a liquid evaporates, some of its molecules escape from the surface and the temperature of the liquid changes. Which row describes the escaping molecules and the change in temperature of the liquid? temperature of escaping molecules the liquid A less energetic goes down B less energetic goes up C more energetic goes down D more energetic goes up
Mark scheme: C
Q15 · A gas at a constant temperature is in a container of fixed volume
15 A gas at a constant temperature is in a container of fixed volume. The gas exerts a pressure on the walls of the container. The pressure is caused by the gas molecules striking the walls. Which statement about the gas molecules when they strike the walls is correct? A The average kinetic energy of the gas molecules changes. B The average momentum of the gas molecules changes. C The average speed of the gas molecules changes. D The chemical energy of the gas molecules changes.
Mark scheme: B
Q16 · A piece of melting ice at 0 °C and a beaker of boiling water are both in a laboratory
16 A piece of melting ice at 0 °C and a beaker of boiling water are both in a laboratory. The laboratory is at 20 °C. boiling water melting ice Bunsen burner heating water What is happening to the temperature of the melting ice and what is happening to the temperature of the boiling water? temperature of temperature of melting ice boiling water A constant constant B constant increasing C increasing constant D increasing increasing
Mark scheme: A
Q17 · The diagram shows a liquid-in-glass thermometer
17 The diagram shows a liquid-in-glass thermometer. glass bulb tube stem °C –10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 liquid liquid thread Which feature would give a thermometer with an increased range? A a smaller internal diameter of the tube containing the liquid thread B a thinner glass bulb C a larger length of the tube and stem D a larger volume of the liquid
Mark scheme: C
Q18 · A copper container of mass 0.20 kg contains 0.10 kg of water
18 A copper container of mass 0.20 kg contains 0.10 kg of water. The specific heat capacity of copper is 385 J / (kg °C) and the specific heat capacity of water is 4200 J / (kg °C). How much energy, in joules, is needed to raise the temperature of the copper container and the water by 10 °C? A (0.20 × 385 × 10) – (0.10 × 4200 × 10) B (0.20 × 385 × 10) + (0.10 × 4200 × 10) 4200 + 385 C (0.10 + 0.20) × × 10 2 D (0.10 + 0.20) × (4200 + 385) × 10
Mark scheme: B
Q19 · The thermal transfer of energy through a copper rod involves electrons
19 The thermal transfer of energy through a copper rod involves electrons. A second process is also involved. What is this method of thermal energy transfer, and what is the second process? method second process A conduction density change B conduction lattice vibration C convection density change D convection lattice vibration
Mark scheme: B
Q20 · The diagrams show four spherical objects at the same temperature
20 The diagrams show four spherical objects at the same temperature. Two of the objects are small and two are large. Two of the objects are white and two are black. Which object emits infra-red radiation at the greatest rate? A B C D
Mark scheme: D
Q21 · The diagram represents plane wavefronts being diffracted by passing through a gap in a…
21 The diagram represents plane wavefronts being diffracted by passing through a gap in a barrier. barrier wavefronts gap Which pair of changes must increase the amount of diffraction that occurs? A decrease the wavelength and decrease the size of the gap B decrease the wavelength and increase the size of the gap C increase the wavelength and decrease the size of the gap D increase the wavelength and increase the size of the gap
Mark scheme: C
Q22 · An image is formed by a plane mirror
22 An image is formed by a plane mirror. A second image is formed by a lens used as a magnifying glass. Which row states the nature of each of these images? plane mirror magnifying glass A real real B real virtual C virtual real D virtual virtual
Mark scheme: D
Q23 · Light travelling at a speed of 3.0 × 108 m / s strikes the surface of a glass block and…
23 Light travelling at a speed of 3.0 × 108 m / s strikes the surface of a glass block and undergoes refraction as it enters the block. The diagram shows a ray of this light before and after it enters the block. 55° glass block 33° What is the speed of light in the glass? A 1.8 × 108 m / s B 2.0 × 108 m / s C 4.5 × 108 m / s D 5.0 × 108 m / s
Mark scheme: B
Q24 · Radiation from which part of the electromagnetic spectrum is used in the remote…
24 Radiation from which part of the electromagnetic spectrum is used in the remote controller for a television? A infra-red waves B microwaves C radio waves D ultraviolet waves
Mark scheme: A
Q25 · A girl notices that, when she shouts into a cave, she hears an echo
25 A girl notices that, when she shouts into a cave, she hears an echo. Which wave property causes the echo? A diffraction B dispersion C reflection D refraction
Mark scheme: C
Q26 · The diagrams represent the displacement in four different sound waves
26 The diagrams represent the displacement in four different sound waves. All the diagrams are drawn to the same scale. Which diagram represents the sound with the highest pitch? A B displacement displacement 0 time 0 time 0 0 C D displacement displacement 0 time 0 time 0 0
Mark scheme: D
Q27 · A student suggests three methods for demagnetising a piece of steel
27 A student suggests three methods for demagnetising a piece of steel. 1 placing it in an east-west direction and hammering it hard 2 placing it in an east-west direction and heating it until red hot 3 removing it slowly from a coil carrying alternating current Which of the methods will demagnetise the piece of steel? A 1 only B 2 only C 3 only D 1, 2 and 3
Mark scheme: D
Q28 · In two separate experiments, a magnet is brought near to an unmagnetised iron bar
28 In two separate experiments, a magnet is brought near to an unmagnetised iron bar. This causes the bar to become magnetised. experiment 1 N magnet S X iron bar experiment 2 S magnet N iron bar Y Which magnetic pole is induced at X and at Y? pole induced at X pole induced at Y A N N B N S C S N D S S
Mark scheme: A
Q29 · A polythene rod is rubbed with a cloth
29 A polythene rod is rubbed with a cloth. The rod becomes positively charged because of the movement of charged particles. Which row gives the name of these charged particles, and the direction in which they move? charged direction of particles movement A electrons from cloth to rod B electrons from rod to cloth C protons from cloth to rod D protons from rod to cloth
Mark scheme: B
Q30 · The diagram shows a lamp in a circuit
30 The diagram shows a lamp in a circuit. P Which change to the circuit would increase the current in the lamp? A adding another resistor in parallel with the one in the circuit B adding another resistor in series with the one in the circuit C decreasing the electromotive force (e.m.f.) of the battery in the circuit D moving the lamp to point P in the circuit
Mark scheme: A
Q31 · A 12.0 Ω resistor and a 6.0 Ω resistor are connected in parallel
31 A 12.0 Ω resistor and a 6.0 Ω resistor are connected in parallel. Another 6.0 Ω resistor is then connected in series with the parallel combination. 12.0 Ω 6.0 Ω 6.0 Ω What is the combined resistance of all three resistors? A 8.0 Ω B 10 Ω C 15 Ω D 24 Ω
Mark scheme: B
Q32 · The circuit shows a 12 V battery connected to a lamp of resistance 3.0 Ω
32 The circuit shows a 12 V battery connected to a lamp of resistance 3.0 Ω. 12 V How much energy is transferred to the surroundings by the lamp in 2.0 minutes? A 48 J B 96 J C 2880 J D 5760 J
Mark scheme: D
Q33 · The diagram shows a circuit containing a battery, a resistor with high resistance, a…
33 The diagram shows a circuit containing a battery, a resistor with high resistance, a switch and a lamp. 12 V battery 12 V resistor lamp Initially the switch is open. What happens to the lamp when the switch is closed? A It glows more brightly. B It glows less brightly. C It goes out. D Its brightness does not change.
Mark scheme: A
Q34 · This is the truth table for a logic gate
34 This is the truth table for a logic gate. input 1 input 2 output 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 Which symbol represents the logic gate? A B C D
Mark scheme: C
Q35 · Why is a fuse used in an electrical circuit?
35 Why is a fuse used in an electrical circuit? A so that the current can have only one value B to prevent the current becoming too large C to provide a path to earth if a fault occurs D to save electrical energy
Mark scheme: B
Q36 · An electric current can produce a heating effect and a magnetic effect
36 An electric current can produce a heating effect and a magnetic effect. Which row shows the effect that a relay uses and one application of a relay? effect used by a relay one application of a relay A heating effect allowing a small current to switch on a large current B heating effect changing the voltage of an a.c. supply C magnetic effect allowing a small current to switch on a large current D magnetic effect changing the voltage of an a.c. supply
Mark scheme: C
Q37 · A very important experiment improved scientists’ understanding of the structure of matter
37 A very important experiment improved scientists’ understanding of the structure of matter. The experiment involved α-particles being fired at a thin gold foil. What happened? A All the α-particles were absorbed by the nuclei of the gold atoms. B All the α-particles were unaffected by the gold atoms. C Some of the α-particles were attracted by the neutrons in the nuclei of the gold atoms. D Some of the α-particles were repelled by the protons in the nuclei of the gold atoms.
Mark scheme: D
Q38 · What is meant by nuclear fusion?
38 What is meant by nuclear fusion? A the emission of an electron from a nucleus B the emission of two protons from a nucleus C the joining together of two nuclei D the splitting of a nucleus into two smaller nuclei
Mark scheme: C
Q39 · A nucleus undergoes radioactive decay
39 A nucleus undergoes radioactive decay. The proton number increases by one. The nucleon number does not change. Which particle has been emitted in this decay? A a neutron B a proton C an α-particle D a β-particle
Mark scheme: D
Q40 · Radioactive source S emits α-particles, β-particles and γ-rays
40 Radioactive source S emits α-particles, β-particles and γ-rays. A detector is placed 5 cm away from S. A thin sheet of paper is placed as shown in the diagram. thin sheet of paper S detector 5 cm Which emissions from the source can be detected? A α-particles and β-particles only B α-particles and γ-rays only C β-particles and γ-rays only D α-particles, β-particles and γ-rays
Mark scheme: C
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.
4Energy, work and power4Kinetic particle model of matter3Motion3Thermal properties and temperature3Electrical quantities2Light2Radioactivity2Simple phenomena of magnetism2Sound2The nuclear model of the atom2Transfer of thermal energy2Density1Electrical safety1Electromagnetic effects1Electromagnetic spectrum1Forces1General properties of waves1Mass and weight1Momentum1Pressure1What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2016 Oct/Nov, Paper 2 · Variant 1. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.