Cambridge IGCSE Physics 0625 — 2019 Oct/Nov Paper 2 · Variant 1
0625/21/O/N/19 · 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 student measures the diameter of a pencil
1 A student measures the diameter of a pencil. Which measuring instrument will give the most precise reading? A a measuring tape B a metre rule C a micrometer screw gauge D a ruler
Mark scheme: C
More questions on Physical quantities and measurement techniques
Q2 · A light object is dropped from rest
2 A light object is dropped from rest. It falls a large distance vertically through air. How can the motion of the object be described? A constant acceleration B increasing acceleration C decreasing acceleration and then moving at terminal velocity D increasing acceleration and then moving at terminal velocity
Mark scheme: C
Q3 · A car travels at an average speed of 60 km / h for 15 minutes
3 A car travels at an average speed of 60 km / h for 15 minutes. How far does the car travel in 15 minutes? A 4.0 km B 15 km C 240 km D 900 km
Mark scheme: B
Q4 · Which quantity is a force due to a gravitational field?
4 Which quantity is a force due to a gravitational field? A density B mass C weight D volume
Mark scheme: C
Q5 · The density of air is 1.2 kg / m3
5 The density of air is 1.2 kg / m3. A room has dimensions 5.0 m × 4.0 m × 3.0 m. What is the mass of the air in the room? A 0.02 kg B 0.10 kg C 50 kg D 72 kg
Mark scheme: D
Q6 · A car is travelling around a circular track at a constant speed, as shown
6 A car is travelling around a circular track at a constant speed, as shown. In which direction is the resultant force on the car? D car C A direction of movement B
Mark scheme: B
Q7 · Two forces P and Q act on a metre rule as shown
7 Two forces P and Q act on a metre rule as shown. The metre rule is pivoted at one end. The rule starts to rotate in a clockwise direction. Q a b metre rule pivot P Which statement is correct? A P equals Q B P is less than Q C (P × a) is equal to (Q × b) D (P × a) is greater than (Q × (a + b))
Mark scheme: D
Q8 · Which statement gives a complete description of any object that is in equilibrium?
8 Which statement gives a complete description of any object that is in equilibrium? A There are no forces acting. B There is no resultant force. C There is no resultant force and no resultant turning effect. D There is no resultant turning effect.
Mark scheme: C
Q9 · Two objects X and Y move directly towards each other
9 Two objects X and Y move directly towards each other. The objects have the same mass. Object X has a velocity of 5.0 m / s to the right. Object Y has a velocity of 3.0 m / s to the left. 5.0 m / s 3.0 m / s X Y Object X and object Y collide and stick together. What is their velocity after colliding? A 1.0 m / s to the left B 1.0 m / s to the right C 4.0 m / s to the left D 4.0 m / s to the right
Mark scheme: B
Q10 · Brakes are used to slow down a moving car
10 Brakes are used to slow down a moving car. Into which form of energy is most of the kinetic energy converted as the car slows down? A chemical B elastic C thermal D sound
Mark scheme: C
Q11 · A man carries 20 tiles from the ground to the roof of a house
11 A man carries 20 tiles from the ground to the roof of a house. Each tile has a mass of 1.2 kg. The roof of the house is 15 m above the ground. How much work does the man do against gravity on the tiles in carrying them to the roof? A 36 J B 180 J C 360 J D 3600 J
Mark scheme: D
Q12 · A car is moving along a straight horizontal road
12 A car is moving along a straight horizontal road. The car has 1.6 MJ of kinetic energy. The car accelerates for 20 s until the kinetic energy of the car increases to 2.5 MJ. What is the minimum average power developed by the car engine for this acceleration? A 45 W B 205 W C 45 kW D 205 kW
Mark scheme: C
Q13 · A drawing pin (thumb tack) has a sharp point at one end and a flat surface at the other…
13 A drawing pin (thumb tack) has a sharp point at one end and a flat surface at the other end. sharp point flat surface The pin is pushed into a wooden board. How do the pressure and the force at the sharp point compare with the pressure and the force on the flat surface? force at the sharp point pressure at the sharp point A greater than on the flat surface greater than on the flat surface B greater than on the flat surface less than on the flat surface C the same as on the flat surface greater than on the flat surface D the same as on the flat surface less than on the flat surface
Mark scheme: C
Q14 · An object is 20 cm below the surface of a liquid
14 An object is 20 cm below the surface of a liquid. The density of the liquid is 1200 kg / m3. What is the pressure on the object due to the liquid? A 600 Pa B 2400 Pa C 60 000 Pa D 240 000 Pa
Mark scheme: B
Q15 · Which statement about the evaporation of a liquid is correct?
15 Which statement about the evaporation of a liquid is correct? A The least energetic molecules escape from the surface and the temperature of the liquid decreases. B The least energetic molecules escape from the surface and the temperature of the liquid increases. C The most energetic molecules escape from the surface and the temperature of the liquid decreases. D The most energetic molecules escape from the surface and the temperature of the liquid increases.
Mark scheme: C
Q16 · A bubble of gas is formed deep under water
16 A bubble of gas is formed deep under water. The bubble has a volume of 40 cm3 and the pressure inside the bubble is P. The bubble rises up through the water. The volume of the bubble increases to 56 cm3 and the pressure becomes 100 kPa. The temperature of the gas does not change. What is the initial pressure P ? A 71 Pa B 71 kPa C 140 Pa D 140 kPa
Mark scheme: D
Q17 · Which change in the design of a liquid-in-glass thermometer makes it more sensitive?
17 Which change in the design of a liquid-in-glass thermometer makes it more sensitive? A a larger liquid reservoir B a longer tube C a smaller liquid reservoir D a wider tube
Mark scheme: A
Q18 · A liquid turns into a gas
18 A liquid turns into a gas. This occurs only at one particular temperature, and the change happens throughout the liquid. What is this process called? A boiling B condensation C evaporation D fusion
Mark scheme: A
Q19 · One end of a rod of copper is placed in hot water
19 One end of a rod of copper is placed in hot water. Thermal energy travels along the rod to make the other end warmer. What is the behaviour of the copper at an atomic level that accounts for most of the transfer of thermal energy from one end to the other? A Atoms at the hot end gain kinetic energy and move towards the other end. B Atoms at the hot end expand, colliding with other atoms and transferring energy. C Free electrons at the hot end gain energy and move towards the other end, colliding with atoms along the rod. D Free electrons at the hot end gain energy from the hot water and move directly to the other end.
Mark scheme: C
Q20 · A surface is made so that it is a good source of infrared radiation
20 A surface is made so that it is a good source of infrared radiation. Which surface is not suitable? A a surface that is painted matt black B a surface that is painted white C a surface that is heated to a high temperature D a surface that has a large surface area
Mark scheme: B
Q21 · A large hill blocks the direct path between a transmitter of radio waves and a receiver…
21 A large hill blocks the direct path between a transmitter of radio waves and a receiver, as shown. transmitter hill receiver The receiver picks up the signal from the transmitter even though the radio waves do not travel through the hill. Which row is correct? A possible way A stronger signal is for this to happen is received using A diffraction round the hill. longer wavelengths. B diffraction round the hill. shorter wavelengths. C refraction round the hill. longer wavelengths. D refraction round the hill. shorter wavelengths.
Mark scheme: A
Q22 · The diagram shows the image of a clock in a plane mirror
22 The diagram shows the image of a clock in a plane mirror. Which is the actual time? A 04:15 B 04:45 C 07:15 D 07:45
Mark scheme: C
Q23 · A converging lens produces an image of an object O
23 A converging lens produces an image of an object O. The focal length of the lens is f. Which position of the object produces a virtual image? A B O O f f 2f 2f C D O O f f 2f 2f
Mark scheme: A
Q24 · The diagram shows the electromagnetic spectrum
24 The diagram shows the electromagnetic spectrum. radio γ-rays X-rays ultraviolet visible light infrared microwaves waves increasing ...................... A word is missing from the label below the spectrum. Which word is missing? A amplitude B frequency C speed D wavelength
Mark scheme: D
Q25 · Which row gives a possible set of values for the speed of sound in ice, in water and in…
25 Which row gives a possible set of values for the speed of sound in ice, in water and in steam? speed of sound speed of sound speed of sound in ice in water in steam m/s m/s m/s A 500 1500 4000 B 1500 4000 500 C 4000 500 1500 D 4000 1500 500
Mark scheme: D
Q26 · A steel bar is placed in an East-West direction for it to be demagnetised
26 A steel bar is placed in an East-West direction for it to be demagnetised. No other magnet is nearby. Which method is not suitable? A Hammering the bar. B Heating the bar to a very high temperature. C Slowly taking the bar out of a coil that carries an alternating current. D Slowly taking the bar out of a coil that carries a direct current.
Mark scheme: D
Q27 · A plastic rod is rubbed with a dry cloth
27 A plastic rod is rubbed with a dry cloth. The rod becomes positively charged. Why has the rod become positively charged? A It has gained electrons. B It has gained neutrons. C It has lost electrons. D It has lost neutrons.
Mark scheme: C
Q28 · A circuit contains a cell of electromotive force (e.m.f.) of 2.0 V
28 A circuit contains a cell of electromotive force (e.m.f.) of 2.0 V. The current in the circuit is 2.0 A. How much energy is converted by the cell in 2.0 minutes? A 2.0 J B 4.0 J C 8.0 J D 480 J
Mark scheme: D
Q29 · The circuit diagram shows a cell connected in series to a resistor and a component X
29 The circuit diagram shows a cell connected in series to a resistor and a component X. X What is component X? A bell B diode C heater D thermistor
Mark scheme: B
Q30 · Identical resistors are connected together to form arrangements X, Y and Z
30 Identical resistors are connected together to form arrangements X, Y and Z. X Y Z What is the correct order of the resistances of the arrangements from the largest to the smallest? A X → Y → Z B Y → X → Z C Z → X → Y D Z → Y → X
Mark scheme: D
Q31 · A circuit contains a cell of electromotive force (e.m.f.) 2.0 V, three resistors, three…
31 A circuit contains a cell of electromotive force (e.m.f.) 2.0 V, three resistors, three ammeters and two voltmeters. One ammeter is labelled P and one voltmeter is labelled Q. The readings on the other two ammeters and on the other voltmeter are shown. 2.0 V 2.0 A A 0.50 A A A V P 0.50 V V Q What is the reading on ammeter P and what is the reading on voltmeter Q? reading on P / A reading on Q / V A 1.5 1.5 B 1.5 2.5 C 2.5 1.5 D 2.5 2.5
Mark scheme: A
Q32 · There are two inputs and one output for the combination of logic gates shown
32 There are two inputs and one output for the combination of logic gates shown. input 1 output input 2 Which truth table represents the operation of this combination of logic gates? A B input 1 input 2 output input 1 input 2 output 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 C D input 1 input 2 output input 1 input 2 output 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 1
Mark scheme: B
Q33 · Where must a fuse be connected in a mains electric circuit?
33 Where must a fuse be connected in a mains electric circuit? A the earth wire only B the live wire only C the neutral wire only D the live wire and the earth wire
Mark scheme: B
Q34 · A student investigates the output voltage induced across a coil of wire by a bar magnet
34 A student investigates the output voltage induced across a coil of wire by a bar magnet. When will the induced voltage have the greatest value? A The student slowly moves the bar magnet into the coil of wire. B The student leaves the bar magnet stationary in the coil of wire. C The student quickly removes the bar magnet from the coil of wire. D The student places the bar magnet at rest outside the coil of wire.
Mark scheme: C
Q35 · There is a current in a wire
35 There is a current in a wire. The direction of the current is out of the page. Which diagram shows the magnetic field pattern produced? A B key wire carrying a current out of the page C D
Mark scheme: B
Q36 · A coil of wire P between the poles of a magnet
36 Diagram 1 shows a coil of wire P between the poles of a magnet. The ends of coil P are connected to a battery by slip rings. Diagram 2 shows a coil of wire Q between the poles of a different magnet. The ends of coil Q are connected to a battery by a split-ring commutator. P Q N S N S diagram 1 diagram 2 What happens to coils P and Q? coil P coil Q A continuously turns makes one quarter turn anticlockwise anticlockwise then stops B continuously turns makes one quarter turn clockwise clockwise then stops C makes one quarter turn continuously turns anticlockwise then stops anticlockwise D makes one quarter turn continuously turns clockwise then stops clockwise
Mark scheme: C
Q37 · Which diagram shows a possible structure of a neutral atom?
37 Which diagram shows a possible structure of a neutral atom? A B key proton neutron electron C D
Mark scheme: A
Q38 · The scattering of particles by a thin gold foil provided scientists with evidence for the…
38 The scattering of particles by a thin gold foil provided scientists with evidence for the nuclear atom. Which particles were scattered by the gold nuclei in the thin foil? A α-particles B β-particles C neutrons D protons
Mark scheme: A
Q39 · The diagram shows β-particles being directed between the poles of a magnet
39 The diagram shows β-particles being directed between the poles of a magnet. N β-particles S In which direction will the particles be deflected? A into the page B out of the page C towards the bottom of the page D towards the top of the page
Mark scheme: B
Q40 · Why are some radioactive sources stored in boxes made from lead?
40 Why are some radioactive sources stored in boxes made from lead? A Lead absorbs emissions from the radioactive sources. B Lead decreases the half-life of radioactive sources. C Lead increases the half-life of radioactive sources. D Lead repels emissions from the radioactive sources.
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.
4Electromagnetic effects3Energy, work and power3Forces3Electrical quantities2Kinetic particle model of matter2Light2Motion2Pressure2Radioactivity2The nuclear model of the atom2Thermal properties and temperature2Transfer of thermal energy2Density1Electrical safety1Electromagnetic spectrum1General properties of waves1Mass and weight1Momentum1Physical quantities and measurement techniques1Simple phenomena of magnetism1Sound1What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2019 Oct/Nov, Paper 2 · Variant 1. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.