Cambridge IGCSE Physics 0625 — 2017 May/June Paper 2 · Variant 2
0625/22/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 · What is the most accurate and precise method to measure the thickness of a coin?
1 What is the most accurate and precise method to measure the thickness of a coin? A Use a micrometer screw gauge. B Use a ruler and look at the scale perpendicularly. C Use a top pan balance. D Use the displacement method with water in a measuring cylinder.
Mark scheme: A
More questions on Physical quantities and measurement techniques
Q2 · A student determines the average speed of a bubble rising through a liquid at constant…
2 A student determines the average speed of a bubble rising through a liquid at constant speed. When the student starts the stopwatch the bubble is at position P. After 2.0 s the bubble is at position Q. bubble 18 Q 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 P 26 cm 27 bubble What is the speed of the bubble between P and Q? A 3.2 cm / s B 3.7 cm / s C 6.4 cm / s D 7.4 cm / s
Mark scheme: B
Q3 · The diagram shows the speed-time graph for a toy car travelling in a straight line
3 The diagram shows the speed-time graph for a toy car travelling in a straight line. 4.0 speed m / s 3.0 2.0 1.0 0 0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 time / s What is the acceleration of the car during the first two seconds and what is the total distance that it travels? acceleration total m / s2 distance / m A 0.50 10 B 0.50 20 C 2.0 10 D 2.0 20
Mark scheme: C
Q4 · In which pair are both quantities measured in newtons?
4 In which pair are both quantities measured in newtons? A force and pressure B force and weight C mass and pressure D mass and weight
Mark scheme: B
Q5 · The masses of a measuring cylinder before and after pouring some liquid into it are shown…
5 The masses of a measuring cylinder before and after pouring some liquid into it are shown in the diagram. cm3 cm3 200 200 100 100 liquid mass = 80 g mass = 180 g What is the density of the liquid? 100 g / cm3 100 g / cm3 180 g / cm3 180 g / cm3 A B C D 120 140 120 140
Mark scheme: B
Q6 · A spring which obeys Hooke’s Law has an unstretched length of 10 cm
6 A spring which obeys Hooke’s Law has an unstretched length of 10 cm. A load of 20 N is hung from the spring. The new length of the spring is 36 cm. What is the spring constant k of the spring? A 0.56 N / cm B 0.77 N / cm C 1.3 N / cm D 1.8 N / cm
Mark scheme: B
Q7 · A car travels forwards along a straight horizontal road
7 A car travels forwards along a straight horizontal road. Only the horizontal forces acting on it are shown. air resistance and friction driving force The length of each arrow represents the size of each force. How do these forces affect the motion of the car? A The car moves at constant speed. B The car moves backwards. C The car slows down. D The car’s forward speed increases.
Mark scheme: C
Q8 · The diagram shows a wooden beam of weight 20 N
8 The diagram shows a wooden beam of weight 20 N. The centre of mass of the beam is labelled M. There is a pivot at one end of the beam. The beam is kept horizontal by an upward force, F. F 2.0 m 1.2 m pivot M wooden beam 20 N What is the magnitude of F ? A 12 N B 20 N C 30 N D 33 N
Mark scheme: A
Q9 · A ball of mass 2.0 kg is travelling at a speed of 12 m / s
9 A ball of mass 2.0 kg is travelling at a speed of 12 m / s. It moves towards an object of mass 3.0 kg which is at rest. 12 m / s 3.0 kg at rest 2.0 kg The ball hits the object and sticks to it. Which row gives the total momentum, and the speed of both objects immediately after the collision? total momentum speed kg m / s m / s A 0 4.8 B 0 8.0 C 24 4.8 D 24 8.0
Mark scheme: C
Q10 · An object falls from a height of 5.0 m
10 An object falls from a height of 5.0 m. Air resistance can be ignored. As it hits the ground the object has 750 J of kinetic energy. What is its mass? A 15 kg B 50 kg C 75 kg D 150 kg
Mark scheme: A
Q11 · An electric generator produces an electromotive force (e.m.f.) of 200 V and produces a…
11 An electric generator produces an electromotive force (e.m.f.) of 200 V and produces a current of 3.0 A in a circuit. The generator is driven by an engine with a power of 2.4 kW. What is the efficiency of the generator? A 2.8% B 25% C 28% D 36%
Mark scheme: B
Q12 · The diagrams show athletes training by stretching springs
12 The diagrams show athletes training by stretching springs. Each spring has the same stiffness. Which athlete does the most work? A B one spring stretched one spring stretched by 0.60 m by 0.80 m C D two springs stretched two springs stretched by 0.60 m by 0.80 m
Mark scheme: D
Q13 · Four different liquids are poured into four containers
13 Four different liquids are poured into four containers. The diagrams show the depth and the density of liquid in each container. In which container is the pressure on its base the greatest? A B C D 40 cm 30 cm 20 cm 10 cm liquid density liquid density liquid density liquid density = 3.1 g / cm3 = 1.2 g / cm3 = 1.3 g / cm3 = 0.8 g / cm3
Mark scheme: C
Q14 · Brownian motion is observed when using a microscope to look at smoke particles in air
14 Brownian motion is observed when using a microscope to look at smoke particles in air. 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 · A student blows air through a liquid using a straw
15 A student blows air through a liquid using a straw. This causes the liquid to evaporate quickly and therefore to cool. Which statement explains why the remaining liquid cools? A Slower-moving molecules are carried away by the air bubbles. B The air molecules conduct heat from the liquid. C The air sets up convection currents in the liquid. D The molecules with most energy leave the liquid.
Mark scheme: D
Q16 · What is meant by the specific latent heat of fusion of ice?
16 What is meant by the specific latent heat of fusion of ice? A the energy needed to change unit mass of ice into water at constant temperature B the energy needed to change unit volume of ice into water at constant temperature C the energy needed to produce unit temperature increase of unit mass of ice D the energy needed to produce unit temperature increase of unit volume of ice
Mark scheme: A
Q17 · Equal masses of two different liquids are put into identical beakers
17 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
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 · Different waves hit barriers with different sized gaps
19 Different waves hit barriers with different sized gaps. The waves will diffract. In which diagram does the greatest spreading occur? A B barrier barrier gap 2.0 cm gap 2.0 cm wavelength wavelength 2.0 cm 1.0 cm C D barrier barrier gap 3.0 cm gap 3.0 cm wavelength wavelength 2.0 cm 1.0 cm
Mark scheme: B
Q20 · The incomplete ray diagram shows two rays of light that have passed from one point on an…
20 The incomplete ray diagram shows two rays of light that have passed from one point on an object through a thin converging lens. left lens right object rays of light Which type of image is formed, and on which side of the lens is it formed? type of image which side of lens A real on the left B real on the right C virtual on the left D virtual on the right
Mark scheme: C
Q21 · Which diagram shows what happens when a ray of white light passes through a prism?
21 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
Q22 · Light travels in a vacuum and then enters a glass block
22 Light travels in a vacuum and then enters a glass block. The speed of the light in the glass block is 2.0 × 108 m / s. Which statement about the speed of light is correct? A The speed in a vacuum is 1.5 times the speed in the glass. B The speed in the glass is the same as the speed in a vacuum. C The speed in the glass is 1.5 times the speed in a vacuum. D The speed in the glass is 1.0 × 108 times the speed in a vacuum.
Mark scheme: A
Q23 · A fire alarm is not loud enough and the pitch is too low
23 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
Q24 · A student demagnetises a magnetised steel bar
24 A student demagnetises a magnetised steel bar. He places the bar in a solenoid connected to a power supply. He then removes the bar from the solenoid. Which row indicates the most effective way of demagnetising the bar? type of speed to power supply remove bar A a.c. fast B a.c. slow C d.c. fast D d.c. slow
Mark scheme: B
Q25 · A magnet near a coil of wire is attracted to the coil only when there is a current in the…
25 A magnet near a coil of wire is attracted to the coil only when there is a current in the coil. Which statement explains this force of attraction? A The coil of wire has its own gravitational field. B The coil of wire is made from soft iron. C The current in the coil of wire creates a magnetic field. D The current in the coil of wire induces a charge on the magnet.
Mark scheme: C
Q26 · What is wrong with this labelled diagram of a permanent magnet?
26 What is wrong with this labelled diagram of a permanent magnet? iron disc N S A The cross-section should be rectangular. B The length should be greater than the diameter. C The magnet should be made of steel. D The N-pole and the S-pole should be reversed.
Mark scheme: C
Q27 · A student tests the electrical conduction of four materials
27 A student tests the electrical conduction of four materials. aluminium iron plastic silver Which materials conduct electricity? A aluminium, iron and silver only B aluminium and silver only C iron, silver and plastic only D plastic only
Mark scheme: A
Q28 · What is the unit of charge?
28 What is the unit of charge? A ampere B coulomb C ohm D volt
Mark scheme: B
Q29 · An isolated metal sphere is positively charged
29 An isolated metal sphere is positively charged. It is then brought near to another isolated metal sphere that is neutral. + + + + + + + + + + positively charged + + neutral metal sphere metal sphere What happens to the charges on the neutral sphere as the positively charged sphere is brought close to it? A Some positive charges move to the left and some negative charges move to the right. B Some positive charges move to the right and some negative charges move to the left. C Some positive charges move to the right, but the negative charges do not move. D The positive charges do not move, but some negative charges move to the left.
Mark scheme: D
Q30 · Which diagram is the current-voltage (I-V) characteristic graph for a metallic conductor…
30 Which diagram is the current-voltage (I-V) characteristic graph for a metallic conductor at constant temperature? A B C D I I I I 00 00 00 00 V V V V
Mark scheme: D
Q31 · Four circuits each contain a 6 V battery, a diode, an ammeter and a lamp
31 Four circuits each contain a 6 V battery, a diode, an ammeter and a lamp. None of the components is faulty. Which circuit shows a possible ammeter reading? A B A A reading = 1.0 A reading = 0 A C D A A reading = 1.0 A reading = –1.0 A
Mark scheme: A
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 What happens to the reading on the voltmeter as the sliding terminal T is moved from R to S? 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 · The diagram shows an electric circuit
33 The diagram shows an electric circuit. 20 Ω 0.40 A 10 Ω What is the potential difference (p.d.) across the LDR? A 4.0 V B 8.0 V C 25 V D 50 V
Mark scheme: B
Q34 · What does the symbol shown represent?
34 What does the symbol shown represent? A an AND gate B a NOR gate C a NOT gate D an OR gate
Mark scheme: B
Q35 · What is the purpose of a relay?
35 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
Q36 · Which device uses a split-ring commutator?
36 Which device uses a split-ring commutator? A a d.c. motor B a relay C a transformer D an a.c. generator
Mark scheme: A
Q37 · Which particle has a negative charge?
37 Which particle has a negative charge? A an alpha particle B an electron C a neutron D a proton
Mark scheme: B
Q38 · A type of nuclear reaction takes place in stars
38 A type of nuclear reaction takes place in stars. Which row describes this type of reaction? nuclear reaction nuclei formed energy transfer A fission larger than original nuclei released B fission smaller than original nuclei absorbed C fusion larger than original nuclei released D fusion smaller than original nuclei absorbed
Mark scheme: C
Q39 · A sample of radioactive isotope is decaying
39 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
Q40 · A sample of a radioactive isotope emits particles at a rate of 240 per minute
40 A sample of a radioactive isotope emits particles at a rate of 240 per minute. After 48 hours the rate of emission has decreased to 15 per minute. What is the half-life of the radioactive material? A 4.0 hours B 8.0 hours C 12 hours D 16 hours
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.
4Electrical quantities3Electromagnetic effects3Energy, work and power3Forces3Light3Simple phenomena of magnetism3Thermal properties and temperature3Motion2Radioactivity2Density1General properties of waves1Kinetic particle model of matter1Mass and weight1Momentum1Physical quantities and measurement techniques1Pressure1Sound1Stars and the Universe1The nuclear model of the atom1Transfer of thermal energy1What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2017 May/June, Paper 2 · Variant 2. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.