Cambridge IGCSE Physics 0625 — 2018 May/June Paper 2 · Variant 1
0625/21/M/J/18 · 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 scheme3 pages
Answers below. Sit the paper first if you are practising.
Questions as text
Q1 · A length of cotton is measured between two points on a ruler
1 A length of cotton is measured between two points on a ruler. cotton cm 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 When the length of cotton is wound closely around a pen, it goes round six times. six turns of cotton pen What is the distance once round the pen? A 2.2 cm B 2.6 cm C 13.2 cm D 15.6 cm
Mark scheme: A
More questions on Physical quantities and measurement techniques
Q2 · When does an object falling vertically through the air reach terminal velocity?
2 When does an object falling vertically through the air reach terminal velocity? A when the acceleration of the object becomes negative B when the acceleration of the object is equal to g C when the air resistance equals the weight of the object D when the air resistance is greater than the weight of the object
Mark scheme: C
Q3 · A car is moving along a straight, level road, with a constant acceleration
3 A car is moving along a straight, level road, with a constant acceleration. Which graph shows the motion of the car? A B distance distance 0 0 0 time 0 time C D speed speed 0 0 0 time 0 time
Mark scheme: D
Question 4
4 Diagram 1 shows a beam balance. A beaker with a wire loop balances the standard masses. The beaker is then removed and hung from a spring. The spring extends by 5.0 cm, as in diagram 2. diagram 1 diagram 2 beam beaker with spring standard balance wire loop masses attached beaker with wire loop attached The experiment is repeated with the same apparatus on the Moon, where the acceleration of free fall is less than on Earth. Which statement describes what happens on the Moon? A The beam balance is balanced and the spring extends by 5.0 cm. B The beam balance is balanced and the spring extends by less than 5.0 cm. C The right-hand balance pan is higher and the spring extends by 5.0 cm. D The right-hand balance pan is higher and the spring extends by less than 5.0 cm.
Mark scheme: B
Q5 · An object always has mass but does not always have weight
5 An object always has mass but does not always have weight. What must be present and acting on the mass for it to have weight? A a gravitational field B a set of scales C displaced water D friction due to air resistance
Mark scheme: A
Q6 · A force acting on a moving ball causes its motion to change
6 A force acting on a moving ball causes its motion to change. This force stays constant. What makes the force produce a greater change in the motion of the ball? A decreasing the total mass of the ball B increasing the temperature of the ball C using a ball with a hollow centre but the same mass D using a different material for the ball so that it has a lower density but the same mass
Mark scheme: A
Q7 · A balloon and a mass are attached to a rod that is pivoted at P
7 A balloon and a mass are attached to a rod that is pivoted at P. balloon 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 P cm mass The balloon is filled with helium, a gas less dense than air, so that it applies an upward force on the rod. The rod is horizontal and stationary. Which action causes the rod to rotate clockwise? A Move both the balloon and mass 10 cm to the left. B Move both the balloon and mass 10 cm to the right. C Move both the balloon and mass to the 25 cm mark. D Move the balloon to the 20 cm mark and the mass to the 30 cm mark.
Mark scheme: B
Q8 · A car is moving in a straight line on a level road
8 A car is moving in a straight line on a level road. Its engine provides a forward force on the car. A second force of equal size acts on the car due to resistive forces. Which statement describes what happens? A The car changes direction. B The car moves at a constant speed. C The car slows down. D The car speeds up.
Mark scheme: B
Q9 · Which expression gives the momentum of an object?
9 Which expression gives the momentum of an object? A mass × acceleration B mass × gravitational field strength C mass × velocity D 1 × mass × (velocity)2 2
Mark scheme: C
Q10 · As energy is transferred into different forms, it eventually becomes dissipated
10 As energy is transferred into different forms, it eventually becomes dissipated. What does this mean? A All the energy disappears. B The energy finally changes into every possible form of energy. C The energy spreads out among the objects and their surroundings. D The total amount of energy becomes less.
Mark scheme: C
Q11 · A ball of mass 1.2 kg is dropped from a height of 30 m
11 A ball of mass 1.2 kg is dropped from a height of 30 m. As it falls, 25% of its initial gravitational potential energy is transferred to thermal energy. What is the kinetic energy of the ball just before it hits the ground? A 27 J B 90 J C 270 J D 360 J
Mark scheme: C
Q12 · A girl hangs by her hands from a bar in the gymnasium
12 A girl hangs by her hands from a bar in the gymnasium. She pulls herself up until her chin is level with the bar. The mass of the girl is 48 kg. She pulls herself up through a distance of 0.25 m. She does this in 2.0 s. What is the useful power she uses to pull herself up? A 6.0 W B 24 W C 60 W D 240 W
Mark scheme: C
Q13 · Four identical beakers are filled with equal volumes of liquids P or Q, as shown
13 Four identical beakers are filled with equal volumes of liquids P or Q, as shown. Liquid P is more dense than liquid Q. At which point is the pressure the least? liquid P B liquid Q D A C
Mark scheme: D
Q14 · An oil tank has a base of area 2.5 m2 and is filled with oil to a depth of 1.2 m
14 An oil tank has a base of area 2.5 m2 and is filled with oil to a depth of 1.2 m. The density of the oil is 800 kg / m3. What is the force exerted on the base of the tank due to the oil? A 960 N B 2400 N C 9600 N D 24 000 N
Mark scheme: D
Q15 · When molecules of a gas rebound from a wall of a container, the wall experiences a…
15 When molecules of a gas rebound from a wall of a container, the wall experiences a pressure. What is the cause of this pressure? A the change in energy of the molecules B the change in momentum of the molecules C the change in power of the molecules D the change in speed of the molecules
Mark scheme: B
Q16 · A student wishes to calibrate a mercury-in-glass thermometer with a °C scale
16 A student wishes to calibrate a mercury-in-glass thermometer with a °C scale. Which values should she use for the lower fixed point and for the upper fixed point? lower fixed point upper fixed point A melting point of ice boiling point of mercury B melting point of ice boiling point of water C melting point of mercury boiling point of mercury D melting point of mercury boiling point of water
Mark scheme: B
Q17 · Which statements about boiling and about evaporation are both correct?
17 Which statements about boiling and about evaporation are both correct? boiling evaporation A takes place only at the surface takes place only at the surface B takes place only at the surface takes place throughout the liquid C takes place throughout the liquid takes place only at the surface D takes place throughout the liquid takes place throughout the liquid
Mark scheme: C
Q18 · On a cold day, a metal front-door knob X and a similar plastic knob Y are at the same…
18 On a cold day, a metal front-door knob X and a similar plastic knob Y are at the same temperature. Why does X feel cooler to the touch than Y? A X convects thermal energy better than Y. B X is a better thermal conductor than Y. C X is a better insulator than Y. D X is a better radiator of thermal energy than Y.
Mark scheme: B
Q19 · Light travels at a speed of 2.0 × 108 m / s in a glass block
19 Light travels at a speed of 2.0 × 108 m / s in a glass block. In the glass, the wavelength of the light is 4.0 × 10–7 m. What is the frequency of the light? A 2.0 × 10–15 Hz B 1.3 × 10–2 Hz C 80 Hz D 5.0 × 1014 Hz
Mark scheme: D
Q20 · Which arrow on the graph shows the amplitude of the wave?
20 Which arrow on the graph shows the amplitude of the wave? displacement B A C 0 0 distance D
Mark scheme: B
Q21 · Scout P signals to scout Q on the other side of a valley by using a mirror to reflect the…
21 Scout P signals to scout Q on the other side of a valley by using a mirror to reflect the Sun’s light. Sun’s scout P light mirror scout Q Which mirror position allows the Sun’s light to be reflected to scout Q? A B C D mirror Sun’s Sun’s Sun’s Sun’s light light light light
Mark scheme: A
Q22 · A prism is made from transparent plastic
22 A prism is made from transparent plastic. In this plastic, light travels at 0.80 c, where c is its speed in air. Light enters one face of the prism at right-angles as shown. NOT TO SCALE θ The light just escapes from the sloping face of the prism. What is angle θ ? A 37° B 39° C 51° D 53°
Mark scheme: D
Q23 · The Sun emits infra-red radiation and light
23 The Sun emits infra-red radiation and light. Light from the Sun reaches the Earth in 8 minutes. Which row gives correct information about the infra-red radiation? wavelength of time taken for infra-red infra-red radiation radiation to reach Earth A longer than wavelength of light 8 minutes B longer than wavelength of light much less than 8 minutes C shorter than wavelength of light 8 minutes D shorter than wavelength of light much more than 8 minutes
Mark scheme: A
Q24 · A dolphin has a range of audible frequencies of 150 Hz–150 kHz
24 A dolphin has a range of audible frequencies of 150 Hz–150 kHz. Which range of frequencies can be heard both by humans with good hearing and by dolphins? A 20 Hz–150 Hz B 20 Hz–150 kHz C 20 kHz–150 kHz D 150 Hz–20 kHz
Mark scheme: D
Q25 · A permanent magnet is placed close to a bar of soft iron
25 A permanent magnet is placed close to a bar of soft iron. permanent S N P Q soft iron bar magnet What are the polarities of end P and of end Q? end P end Q A N N B N S C S N D S S
Mark scheme: C
Q26 · A steel magnet is placed inside a coil of wire
26 A steel magnet is placed inside a coil of wire. Which method is used to demagnetise the magnet? A connect the coil to an a.c. power supply B connect the coil to an a.c. power supply and slowly remove the magnet from the coil C connect the coil to a d.c. power supply D connect the coil to a d.c. power supply and slowly remove the magnet from the coil
Mark scheme: B
Q27 · The electromotive force (e.m.f.) of a rechargeable battery is 6.0 V
27 The electromotive force (e.m.f.) of a rechargeable battery is 6.0 V. What does this mean? A 6.0 J is the maximum energy the battery can provide in 1.0 s. B 6.0 J is the total energy the battery can provide before it has to be recharged. C 6.0 J of energy is provided by the battery to drive a charge of 1.0 C around a complete circuit. D 6.0 J of energy is provided by the battery to drive a current of 1.0 A around a complete circuit.
Mark scheme: C
Q28 · A student measures the potential difference across a device and the current in the device
28 A student measures the potential difference across a device and the current in the device. Which calculation gives the resistance of the device? A current + potential difference B current ÷ potential difference C potential difference ÷ current D potential difference × current
Mark scheme: C
Q29 · A water heater is connected to a 230 V supply and there is a current of 26 A in the heater
29 A water heater is connected to a 230 V supply and there is a current of 26 A in the heater. It takes 20 minutes to heat the water to the required temperature. How much energy is supplied by the heater? A 6.0 × 103 J B 1.0 × 104 J C 1.2 × 105 J D 7.2 × 106 J
Mark scheme: D
Q30 · Which electrical symbol represents a diode?
30 Which electrical symbol represents a diode? A B C D
Mark scheme: B
Q31 · A student sets up this circuit
31 A student sets up this circuit. What is the purpose of the circuit? A to allow a lamp to be made dimmer or brighter as required B to amplify the sound of a voice C to light a lamp in the dark D to sound a bell when the temperature rises
Mark scheme: D
Q32 · The diagram shows two voltmeters P and Q connected to a potential divider
32 The diagram shows two voltmeters P and Q connected to a potential divider. V voltmeter P X V voltmeter Q The sliding connection at point X is moved towards the top of the diagram. What happens to the reading on P and to the reading on Q? reading on P reading on Q A decreases decreases B decreases increases C increases decreases D increases increases
Mark scheme: B
Q33 · The diagram represents a digital circuit using a NOR gate and an AND gate
33 The diagram represents a digital circuit using a NOR gate and an AND gate. X NOR AND Y output Z What is the truth table for this circuit? A B C D X Y Z output X Y Z output X Y Z output X Y Z output 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1
Mark scheme: B
Q34 · Which statement about electromagnetic induction is correct?
34 Which statement about electromagnetic induction is correct? A A strong magnet that is held stationary near a stationary conductor causes a greater effect than a weak magnet. B The effect occurs when a magnet and a conductor are both moved with the same speed and in the same direction. C The effect occurs when a magnet is moved away from a nearby conductor. D The effect only occurs when a magnet is moved towards a conductor.
Mark scheme: C
Q35 · The diagram shows a current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field
35 The diagram shows a current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field. Which arrow shows the direction of the force acting on the conductor? A S N D B C
Mark scheme: A
Q36 · Power losses in transmission cables are reduced by increasing the transmission voltage
36 Power losses in transmission cables are reduced by increasing the transmission voltage. What is the explanation for this reduction? A The current decreases, reducing thermal energy losses. B The current increases, increasing the flow of charge. C The resistance of the cable increases, reducing the current. D The resistance of the cable decreases.
Mark scheme: A
Q37 · In the atomic model, an atom consists of a central mass, orbited by much smaller particles
37 In the atomic model, an atom consists of a central mass, orbited by much smaller particles. orbiting central particle mass What is the name of the central mass and of the orbiting particles? central mass orbiting particles A neutron α-particles B neutron electrons C nucleus α-particles D nucleus electrons
Mark scheme: D
Q38 · Nuclear fusion is a reaction that takes place in stars
38 Nuclear fusion is a reaction that takes place in stars. Which row describes this reaction? action of atomic nuclei energy A an atomic nucleus splits into absorbed two or more smaller nuclei B an atomic nucleus splits into released two or more smaller nuclei C atomic nuclei join together absorbed to form a larger nucleus D atomic nuclei join together released to form a larger nucleus
Mark scheme: D
Q39 · The diagram shows emissions from a source passing into the electric field between two…
39 The diagram shows emissions from a source passing into the electric field between two charged plates. + + + + + + + + + + source – – – – – – – – – – What is emitted by this source? A neutrons and γ-rays only B α-particles and β-particles only C α-particles and γ-rays only D β-particles and γ-rays only
Mark scheme: C
Q40 · The graph shows how the count rate registered by a counter near to a sample of a…
40 The graph shows how the count rate registered by a counter near to a sample of a radioactive isotope changes over a period of a few days. The background count rate is 5 counts per minute. 50 count rate 40 counts / minute 30 20 10 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 time / days What is the half-life of the isotope? A 2.0 days B 2.5 days C 3.0 days D 4.0 days
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.
4Electrical quantities3Electromagnetic effects3Energy, work and power3Forces3General properties of waves2Kinetic particle model of matter2Light2Mass and weight2Motion2Pressure2Radioactivity2Simple phenomena of magnetism2Electromagnetic spectrum1Momentum1Physical quantities and measurement techniques1Sound1Stars and the Universe1The nuclear model of the atom1Thermal properties and temperature1Transfer of thermal energy1What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2018 May/June, Paper 2 · Variant 1. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.