Cambridge IGCSE Physics 0625 — 2017 May/June Paper 1 · Variant 1
0625/11/M/J/17 · 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 scheme3 pages
Answers below. Sit the paper first if you are practising.
Questions as text
Q1 · A stopwatch is used to time a runner in a race
1 A stopwatch is used to time a runner in a race. The diagrams show the stopwatch at the start and at the end of the race. start end min s 1/100 s min s 1/100 s How long did the runner take to run the race? A 70.00 seconds B 110.00 seconds C 115.20 seconds D 155.20 seconds
Mark scheme: A
More questions on Physical quantities and measurement techniques
Q2 · On Earth, a ball is dropped and falls 2.0 m in a vacuum
2 On Earth, a ball is dropped and falls 2.0 m in a vacuum. The acceleration of the ball at 1.0 m is 10 m / s2. 0 m ball 0.5 m 1.0 m 1.5 m 2.0 m What is the acceleration of the ball at 0.5 m? A 5.0 m / s2 B 10 m / s2 C 15 m / s2 D 20 m / s2
Mark scheme: B
Q3 · The speed-time graph represents a motorcycle journey
3 The speed-time graph represents a motorcycle journey. In which part of the graph is the acceleration equal to zero? 40 speed m / s C 30 B 20 D 10 A 0 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 time / s
Mark scheme: C
Q4 · A sealed plastic bottle containing a hollow glass sphere and a steel ball
4 Diagram 1 shows a sealed plastic bottle containing a hollow glass sphere and a steel ball. Diagram 2 shows the same bottle after it has been shaken. Diagram 3 shows the same bottle after it has been shaken again until the broken glass is in tiny pieces. sealed plastic bottle hollow glass tiny pieces broken steel ball sphere steel ball steel ball of broken glass glass diagram 1 diagram 2 diagram 3 The mass of the bottle and contents in diagram 1 is m1. The mass of the bottle and contents in diagram 2 is m2. The mass of the bottle and contents in diagram 3 is m3. Which statement gives the correct relation between m1, m2 and m3? A m1 is equal to m2 and m2 is equal to m3. B m1 is greater than m2 and m2 is greater than m3. C m1 is less than m2 and m2 is greater than m3. D m1 is less than m2 and m2 is less than m3.
Mark scheme: A
Q5 · A student is weighed on laboratory scales
5 A student is weighed on laboratory scales. Which row about weight and mass is correct? unit of weight unit of mass A kg kg B kg N C N kg D N N
Mark scheme: C
Q6 · A measuring cylinder containing only water is placed on an electronic balance
6 A measuring cylinder containing only water is placed on an electronic balance. A small, irregularly shaped stone is now completely immersed in the water. The diagrams show the equipment before and after the stone is immersed. measuring cm3 cm3 cylinder 100 100 90 90 80 80 70 70 60 60 50 50 40 40 stone water 30 30 20 20 10 10 balance g g before the stone after the stone is immersed is immersed What is the density of the material of the stone? A 1.7 g / cm3 B 3.3 g / cm3 C 4.5 g / cm3 D 8.7 g / cm3
Mark scheme: C
Q7 · A boat is travelling at a steady speed in a straight line across the surface of a lake
7 A boat is travelling at a steady speed in a straight line across the surface of a lake. Which statement about the boat is correct? A The resultant force on the boat is in the direction of motion. B The resultant force on the boat is in the opposite direction to its motion. C The resultant force on the boat is vertically downwards. D The resultant force on the boat is zero.
Mark scheme: D
Q8 · The diagram shows three uniform, solid wooden blocks with a square cross-sectional area…
8 The diagram shows three uniform, solid wooden blocks with a square cross-sectional area resting on a horizontal table. P Q R table Which list puts the blocks in order from the least stable to the most stable? A P → Q → R B P → R → Q C R → P → Q D R → Q → P
Mark scheme: A
Q9 · Energy resources are used to generate electricity
9 Energy resources are used to generate electricity. Which resource is renewable and does not release carbon dioxide when being used to produce electricity? A biomass B nuclear C oil D wind
Mark scheme: D
Q10 · A student does some simple exercises
10 A student does some simple exercises. In which exercise is the most work done? A B lifting pushing through through 1 m 1 m against a frictional force of 4 N 1 kg 1 kg C D lifting pulling through through 2 m 2 m against a frictional force of 2 N 2 kg 2 kg
Mark scheme: C
Q11 · The diagram shows a box of dimensions 6.0 cm × 8.0 cm × 4.0 cm
11 The diagram shows a box of dimensions 6.0 cm × 8.0 cm × 4.0 cm. 6.0 cm X Z 4.0 cm Y 8.0 cm The box rests on a flat horizontal surface. On which face must the box rest to exert the least pressure? A face X B face Y C face Z D The pressure is the same for all the faces.
Mark scheme: A
Q12 · Two identical fish tanks are filled to the same level with water
12 Two identical fish tanks are filled to the same level with water. One tank contains fresh water. The other tank contains sea-water. Sea-water is more dense than fresh water. Which fish experiences the greatest pressure? A B C D fresh water sea-water
Mark scheme: D
Q13 · A student has a syringe which has its open end sealed
13 A student has a syringe which has its open end sealed. The syringe is completely filled with a certain substance, as shown in diagram 1. The student pushes the piston of the syringe in as far as possible, as shown in diagram 2. syringe piston sealed end diagram 1 diagram 2 What is in the syringe? A a gas and a liquid B a solid and a liquid C a liquid only D a solid only
Mark scheme: A
Q14 · When a microscope is used to look at smoke particles in air, Brownian motion is observed
14 When a microscope is used to look at smoke particles in air, Brownian motion is observed. What causes the smoke particles to move at random? A Smoke particles are hit by air molecules. B Smoke particles are moved by convection currents in the air. C Smoke particles have different weights and fall at different speeds. D Smoke particles hit the walls of the container.
Mark scheme: A
Q15 · The diagram shows a metal foot bridge located in the Sahara desert where the temperature…
15 The diagram shows a metal foot bridge located in the Sahara desert where the temperature is much less at night than during the day. The ends of the bridge are firmly fixed to the sides of a narrow valley. The solid line shows the bridge during the coldest part of the night. Which dotted line shows the bridge at the hottest part of the day? A B C D
Mark scheme: A
Q16 · Equal masses of two different liquids are put into identical beakers
16 Equal masses of two different liquids are put into identical beakers. Liquid 1 is heated for 100 s and liquid 2 is heated for 200 s by heaters of the same power. Each liquid has the same rise in temperature. different liquids of same mass liquid 1 liquid 2 heating time = 100 s heating time = 200 s Which statement is correct? A Each beaker of liquid has the same thermal capacity. B Each beaker of liquid receives the same energy. C Liquid 1 receives more energy than liquid 2. D The thermal capacity of liquid 1 is less than the thermal capacity of liquid 2.
Mark scheme: D
Q17 · It is a warm and humid day
17 It is a warm and humid day. A glass contains an iced drink. Water starts to form on the outside of the glass. What is the name of the effect by which the water forms? A condensation B conduction C convection D evaporation
Mark scheme: A
Q18 · A copper bar and a wooden bar are joined
18 A copper bar and a wooden bar are joined. A piece of paper is wrapped tightly around the join. The bar is heated strongly at the centre for a short time, and the paper goes brown on one side only. wood paper copper heat Which side goes brown, and what does this show about wood and copper? brown side wood copper A copper conductor insulator B copper insulator conductor C wood conductor insulator D wood insulator conductor
Mark scheme: D
Q19 · Four identical metal plates are painted either black or white and have either a dull or a…
19 Four identical metal plates are painted either black or white and have either a dull or a shiny surface. They are heated to the same temperature. Which plate radiates thermal energy at the greatest rate? A the plate that is dull and black B the plate that is dull and white C the plate that is shiny and black D the plate that is shiny and white
Mark scheme: A
Q20 · What causes the change in direction when light travels from air into glass?
20 What causes the change in direction when light travels from air into glass? A The amplitude of the light changes. B The colour of the light changes. C The frequency of the light changes. D The speed of the light changes.
Mark scheme: D
Q21 · The diagram shows rays of light passing through a converging lens
21 The diagram shows rays of light passing through a converging lens. Which labelled arrow represents the focal length of the lens? C A B D
Mark scheme: D
Q22 · Which diagram shows what happens when a ray of white light passes through a prism?
22 Which diagram shows what happens when a ray of white light passes through a prism? A B spectrum white white light light spectrum C D spectrum white white light light spectrum
Mark scheme: D
Q23 · The diagrams show four sources of waves
23 The diagrams show four sources of waves. Which source produces longitudinal waves? A B C D stick pushed up radio loudspeaker lamp and down in water transmitter
Mark scheme: C
Q24 · The table shows different types of wave in the electromagnetic spectrum
24 The table shows different types of wave in the electromagnetic spectrum. radio micro- infra-red visible ultraviolet gamma X-rays waves waves waves light waves rays Where do all the waves travel at the same speed? A in a vacuum B in diamond C in glass D in water
Mark scheme: A
Q25 · A fire alarm is not loud enough and the pitch is too low
25 A fire alarm is not loud enough and the pitch is too low. An engineer adjusts the alarm so that it produces a louder note of a higher pitch. What effect does this have on the amplitude and on the frequency of the sound? amplitude frequency A larger greater B larger smaller C smaller greater D smaller smaller
Mark scheme: A
Q26 · In a child’s toy, a metal rod is used to lift metal fish out of a toy pond
26 In a child’s toy, a metal rod is used to lift metal fish out of a toy pond. The fish are magnetically attracted to the end of the rod. There is no magnetic force between the fish. metal rod toy pond metal fish What are possible materials from which the fish and the rod are made? fish rod A aluminium soft iron B aluminium steel C soft iron soft iron D soft iron steel
Mark scheme: D
Q27 · Which diagram shows the pattern of magnetic field lines around a bar magnet?
27 Which diagram shows the pattern of magnetic field lines around a bar magnet? A B N S N S C D N S N S
Mark scheme: D
Q28 · A student rubs a plastic rod with a cloth
28 A student rubs a plastic rod with a cloth. The rod becomes positively charged. What has happened to the rod? A It has gained electrons. B It has gained protons. C It has lost electrons. D It has lost protons.
Mark scheme: C
Q29 · The circuit shows a 2.0 Ω resistor and a 1.0 Ω resistor connected to a 12 V battery
29 The circuit shows a 2.0 Ω resistor and a 1.0 Ω resistor connected to a 12 V battery. 12 V 2.0 Ω 1.0 Ω What is the current in the 2.0 Ω resistor? A 4.0 A B 6.0 A C 24 A D 36 A
Mark scheme: A
Q30 · A computer engineer wants the speed of a fan to increase automatically when the…
30 A computer engineer wants the speed of a fan to increase automatically when the temperature inside a computer rises. The engineer knows that a larger current causes the fan to turn more quickly. fan motor power M supply X computer Which component should be placed at X to make this happen? A a relay B a thermistor C a transformer D a variable resistor
Mark scheme: B
Q31 · The diagram shows a power supply with a constant electromotive force (e.m.f.)
31 The diagram shows a power supply with a constant electromotive force (e.m.f.). It is connected to a voltmeter, a variable resistor and two identical lamps, P and Q. Both lamps are lit. V P Q The resistance of the variable resistor is increased. The voltmeter reading remains unchanged. What happens to the brightness of the lamps? lamp P lamp Q A brighter brighter B dimmer dimmer C dimmer unchanged D unchanged unchanged
Mark scheme: D
Q32 · A student connects a variable potential divider (potentiometer) circuit
32 A student connects a variable potential divider (potentiometer) circuit. R T V 12 V S As the sliding terminal T is moved from R to S, what happens to the reading on the voltmeter? A It decreases from 12 V to 0 V. B It increases from 0 V to 12 V. C It remains at 0 V. D It remains at 12 V.
Mark scheme: B
Q33 · A light-dependent resistor (LDR) and a resistor R are connected in a series circuit
33 A light-dependent resistor (LDR) and a resistor R are connected in a series circuit. Light falls on the LDR. A R The brightness of the light falling on the LDR decreases. What happens to the resistance of the LDR and what happens to the reading on the ammeter? resistance reading on of LDR ammeter A decreases decreases B decreases increases C increases decreases D increases increases
Mark scheme: C
Q34 · A circuit-breaker is designed to protect a circuit which usually carries a current of 2 A
34 A circuit-breaker is designed to protect a circuit which usually carries a current of 2 A. The time taken to break the circuit depends on the current, as shown in the graph. 0.16 time taken 0.14 to break the circuit / s 0.12 0.10 0.08 0.06 0.04 0.02 0 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 current / A What happens when the current in the circuit is 2 A and what happens when the current is 18 A? when the current is 2 A when the current is 18 A A the circuit breaks in less than 0.01 s the circuit breaks in less than 0.01 s B the circuit breaks in less than 0.01 s the circuit does not break C the circuit does not break the circuit breaks in less than 0.01 s D the circuit does not break the circuit does not break
Mark scheme: C
Q35 · The diagram shows a transformer with primary coil P and secondary coil S
35 The diagram shows a transformer with primary coil P and secondary coil S. The input potential difference across coil P is VP. The output potential difference across coil S is VS. The number of turns in coil P is NP. The number of turns in coil S is NS. core input P S output Which equation relates the input and output voltages to the numbers of turns in P and in S? V = N A P P V N S S B VP × VS = NP × NS V = N C P S V N S P V = N D P P V ( N + N ) S P S
Mark scheme: A
Q36 · What is the purpose of a relay?
36 What is the purpose of a relay? A to change a large voltage into a small voltage B to change a small voltage into a large voltage C to use a large current to switch on a small current D to use a small current to switch on a large current
Mark scheme: D
Q37 · Which row gives the relative charge of an electron, a neutron and a proton?
37 Which row gives the relative charge of an electron, a neutron and a proton? electron neutron proton A –1 0 –1 B –1 0 +1 C +1 –1 0 D +1 0 +1
Mark scheme: B
Q38 · An element has two isotopes
38 An element has two isotopes. Which row compares the numbers of particles in the nuclei of the atoms of these isotopes? number of number of number of neutrons protons nucleons A different the same different B different the same the same C the same different different D the same different the same
Mark scheme: A
Q39 · A hospital doctor is using a source of γ-rays for a medical treatment
39 A hospital doctor is using a source of γ-rays for a medical treatment. Each diagram shows a view from above of the treatment room. Which diagram shows the best way to protect the doctor and staff in the corridor from the γ-rays? A B dense dense source concrete concrete source doctor of γ-rays of γ-rays wooden wooden door door corridor corridor doctor C D dense dense concrete concrete doctor source source of γ-rays wooden of γ-rays door corridor wooden corridor doctor door
Mark scheme: D
Q40 · A sample of radioactive isotope is decaying
40 A sample of radioactive isotope is decaying. The nuclei of which atoms will decay first? A It is impossible to know because radioactive decay is random. B It is impossible to know unless the age of the material is known. C The atoms near the centre will decay first because they are surrounded by more atoms. D The atoms near the surface will decay first because the radiation can escape more easily.
Mark scheme: A
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.
5Kinetic particle model of matter3Light3Electromagnetic effects2Energy, work and power2Forces2Mass and weight2Motion2Pressure2Radioactivity2Simple phenomena of magnetism2The nuclear model of the atom2Thermal properties and temperature2Transfer of thermal energy2Density1Electrical quantities1Electrical safety1Electromagnetic spectrum1General properties of waves1Physical quantities and measurement techniques1Sound1What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2017 May/June, Paper 1 · Variant 1. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.