Cambridge IGCSE Physics 0625 — 2020 Oct/Nov Paper 1 · Variant 2
0625/12/O/N/20 · 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 volumes of three liquids using three different measuring cylinders
1 A student measures the volumes of three liquids using three different measuring cylinders. cm3 40 30 cm3 cm3 2.0 4.0 20 1.5 3.0 1.0 2.0 10 0.5 1.0 1 2 3 The table shows the volumes recorded by the student. measuring volume cylinder / cm3 1 1.2 2 2.2 3 25 Which readings are correctly recorded? A 1, 2 and 3 B 1 and 2 only C 1 and 3 only D 1 only
Mark scheme: C
More questions on Physical quantities and measurement techniques
Q2 · A car driver measures the time taken to complete four separate journeys
2 A car driver measures the time taken to complete four separate journeys. In which journey does the driver have the greatest average speed? distance / km time / h A 60 2 B 60 3 C 120 3 D 120 4
Mark scheme: C
Q3 · The graph shows how the speed of an object varies with time
3 The graph shows how the speed of an object varies with time. speed 0 P Q time Which row describes the motion of the object at times P and Q? P Q A at rest accelerating B at rest decelerating C moving with constant speed accelerating D moving with constant speed decelerating
Mark scheme: C
Q4 · A stone has a weight of 4.1 N
4 A stone has a weight of 4.1 N. What is the mass of the stone? A 0.41 kg B 2.4 kg C 4.1 kg D 41 kg
Mark scheme: A
Q5 · Which quantity is weight an example of?
5 Which quantity is weight an example of? A acceleration B force C mass D pressure
Mark scheme: B
Q6 · A rectangular metal block is 20 cm long
6 A rectangular metal block is 20 cm long. The cross-sectional area of the block is 25 cm2. The mass of the block is 4000 g. What is the density of the metal? A 0.13 g / cm3 B 0.32 g / cm3 C 8.0 g / cm3 D 2000 g / cm3
Mark scheme: C
Q7 · A force of 4.0 N acts on a beam as shown
7 A force of 4.0 N acts on a beam as shown. beam x pivot 4.0 N The line of action of the force is a distance x from a pivot. The moment of this force about this pivot is 8.0 N cm. What is distance x? A 0.50 cm B 2.0 cm C 12 cm D 32 cm
Mark scheme: B
Q8 · The diagram shows a stand
8 The diagram shows a stand. The stand holds a heavy mass above the bench. heavy mass stand bench base Which two changes would definitely make the stand more stable? A Lower the mass and make the base narrower. B Lower the mass and make the base wider. C Raise the mass and make the base narrower. D Raise the mass and make the base wider.
Mark scheme: B
Q9 · Two wind farms supply electrical energy to consumers in different ways
9 Two wind farms supply electrical energy to consumers in different ways. Wind farm 1 supplies energy directly to consumers and for every 1000 J of energy extracted from the wind, 360 J is transferred to consumers as electrical energy. Wind farm 2 stores electrical energy in batteries and then supplies energy from the batteries to the consumer. For every 1000 J of energy extracted from the wind, 270 J is transferred to consumers as electrical energy. Which statement about the two wind farms is correct? A Wind farm 1 is less reliable and less efficient than wind farm 2. B Wind farm 1 is less reliable but more efficient than wind farm 2. C Wind farm 1 is more reliable but less efficient than wind farm 2. D Wind farm 1 is more reliable and more efficient than wind farm 2.
Mark scheme: B
Question 10
10 Work is done. Which physical quantity is transferred? A distance B energy C force D temperature
Mark scheme: B
Q11 · To calculate the power produced by a force, the size of the force must be known
11 To calculate the power produced by a force, the size of the force must be known. What else needs to be known to calculate the power? the distance that the force moves the object the time for which the force acts on the object 0 0O WwW > v v x x v x v x key Jv = needed X = not needed
Mark scheme: A
Q12 · The diagram shows a mercury barometer
12 The diagram shows a mercury barometer. Which height is used as a measurement of atmospheric pressure? D mercury C B A
Mark scheme: C
Q13 · A man who weighs 540 N stands with both feet on the ground
13 A man who weighs 540 N stands with both feet on the ground. The area of contact between one foot and the ground is 0.015 m2. What is the pressure exerted on the floor by the man? A 1800 N / m2 B 3600 N / m2 C 18 000 N / m2 D 36 000 N / m2
Mark scheme: C
Q14 · On a warm day, a driver checks the air pressure in a car tyre
14 On a warm day, a driver checks the air pressure in a car tyre. At night, the temperature drops and the air pressure in the tyre decreases. There are no air leaks in the tyre. Why does the pressure decrease? A The air molecules in the tyre move more slowly. B The air molecules in the tyre stop moving. C The volume of the air in the tyre decreases. D The volume of the air in the tyre increases.
Mark scheme: A
Q15 · Wet clothes are put out on a line to allow the water in the clothes to evaporate
15 Wet clothes are put out on a line to allow the water in the clothes to evaporate. Which type of weather would cause the water to evaporate most quickly? A a cold day with no wind B a cold day with wind C a hot day with no wind D a hot day with wind
Mark scheme: D
Q16 · A bimetallic strip is used to control the temperature of electrical appliances
16 A bimetallic strip is used to control the temperature of electrical appliances. It is made of two different metals fixed together. The diagram shows the shape of the bimetallic strip before and after heating. metal P metal Q before heating after heating Which statement is correct? A Metal P contracts more than metal Q on heating. B Metal Q contracts more than metal P on heating. C Metal P expands more than metal Q on heating. D Metal Q expands more than metal P on heating.
Mark scheme: C
Q17 · Samples of four different substances are heated in turn by the same heater, for the same…
17 Samples of four different substances are heated in turn by the same heater, for the same time duration and in the same conditions. The increase in temperature for each sample is recorded in the table. Which sample has the highest thermal capacity? temperature sample rise / C A aluminium 6.0 B copper 8.0 C mercury 10.0 D water 5.0
Mark scheme: D
Q18 · Thermal energy is supplied at the same rate to four bars made from different materials
18 Thermal energy is supplied at the same rate to four bars made from different materials. thermal X Y energy After several minutes, there is a temperature difference between X and Y for each bar. Which statement identifies the bar with the greatest temperature difference between points X and Y, and gives the correct reason? A copper because it is a good conductor of thermal energy B lead because it is the densest metal C plastic because it is a poor conductor of thermal energy D wood because it is a good conductor of thermal energy
Mark scheme: C
Q19 · A scientist measures the air temperature at different heights from the floor in a cave
19 A scientist measures the air temperature at different heights from the floor in a cave. The results are recorded in the table. height / m temperature / C 0 10 10 11 20 13 30 14 40 16 Why does altering the height affect the temperature of the air? A The molecules in warm air have less energy than the molecules in cool air. B The molecules in cool air are further apart than the molecules in warm air. C Warm air is less dense than cool air. D Cool air rises above warm air.
Mark scheme: C
Q20 · Which row correctly describes light waves?
20 Which row correctly describes light waves? wave type direction of vibrations A longitudinal parallel to direction of wave travel B longitudinal perpendicular to direction of wave travel C transverse parallel to direction of wave travel D transverse perpendicular to direction of wave travel
Mark scheme: D
Q21 · Waves travel across the surface of water
21 Waves travel across the surface of water. What is meant by the amplitude of the wave? A the maximum distance of a water particle from its mean position B how far the wave travels every second C the number of waves passing a point every second D the distance between the top of consecutive waves
Mark scheme: A
Q22 · Which diagram shows the image correctly formed by reflection?
22 Which diagram shows the image correctly formed by reflection? A B object image object image mirror mirror C D object image object image mirror mirror
Mark scheme: D
Q23 · A man sees a stone at the bottom of a pool of water
23 A man sees a stone at the bottom of a pool of water. Which path could be taken by light from the stone to the man? man A B C D air water stone
Mark scheme: B
Q24 · White light can be split into different colours by passing it through a prism
24 White light can be split into different colours by passing it through a prism. What is the name of this process? A diffraction B dispersion C reflection D total internal reflection
Mark scheme: B
Q25 · Which type of radiation does a remote controller use to send its instructions to a TV set?
25 Which type of radiation does a remote controller use to send its instructions to a TV set? A -rays B infrared radiation C ultraviolet radiation D X-rays
Mark scheme: B
Q26 · A police car with its siren sounding is stationary in heavy traffic
26 A police car with its siren sounding is stationary in heavy traffic. A pedestrian notices that, although the loudness of the sound produced does not change, the pitch varies. Which row describes the amplitude and the frequency of the sound? amplitude frequency A constant constant B constant varying C varying constant D varying varying
Mark scheme: B
Q27 · A student sets up four experiments using bar magnets and other metal objects
27 A student sets up four experiments using bar magnets and other metal objects. The N and S poles of the bar magnets are labelled N and S. 1 2 S N S N S N iron 3 4 S N copper S N N S Which pairs attract each other? A 1 and 2 B 1 and 3 C 2 and 4 D 3 and 4
Mark scheme: A
Q28 · A student uses three small plotting compasses to investigate the magnetic field around a…
28 A student uses three small plotting compasses to investigate the magnetic field around a bar magnet. Which diagram shows the directions in which the compass needles point? A B N S N S C D N S N S
Mark scheme: A
Q29 · A polythene rod is charged negatively by rubbing it with a cloth
29 A polythene rod is charged negatively by rubbing it with a cloth. Which statement explains why the rod has become charged? A The rod has gained electrons. B The rod has gained protons. C The rod has lost electrons. D The rod has lost protons.
Mark scheme: A
Q30 · There is a current in a variable resistor when a potential difference (p.d.) is applied…
30 There is a current in a variable resistor when a potential difference (p.d.) is applied across it. In which situation is the current increased? A Decrease the p.d. and keep the resistance the same. B Decrease the p.d. and increase the resistance. C Keep the p.d. the same and decrease the resistance. D Keep the p.d. the same and increase the resistance.
Mark scheme: C
Q31 · The circuit shown includes a battery, three lamps X, Y and Z and three switches S1, S2…
31 The circuit shown includes a battery, three lamps X, Y and Z and three switches S1, S2 and S3. lamp X S1 S2 lamp Y S3 lamp Z Lamp X is off but lamps Y and Z are lit. Which switches are closed? A S1 and S2 only B S1 and S3 only C S2 and S3 only D S1, S2 and S3
Mark scheme: C
Q32 · A student uses four ammeters P, Q, R and S to measure the current in different parts of…
32 A student uses four ammeters P, Q, R and S to measure the current in different parts of the circuit shown. P Q A A R A S A Which two ammeters read the largest current? A P and Q B P and R C R and Q D R and S
Mark scheme: A
Q33 · An electrical appliance is powered from a mains supply
33 An electrical appliance is powered from a mains supply. The appliance normally uses a current of 3 A, but the current briefly rises to 4 A at the instant the appliance is switched on. The cable to the appliance is designed for currents up to 6 A. A fuse is used to protect the circuit. What should be the rating of the fuse? A 1 A B 3 A C 5 A D 13 A
Mark scheme: C
Q34 · A student investigates electromagnetic induction
34 A student investigates electromagnetic induction. She moves the N pole of a magnet quickly towards a coil of wire. There is a reading on the galvanometer. coil of wire bar magnet S N What can she do to get a greater reading on the galvanometer? A Hold the bar magnet stationary inside the coil. B Move the bar magnet slowly away from the coil. C Use a coil of wire with fewer turns on it. D Use a stronger bar magnet.
Mark scheme: D
Q35 · A transformer is needed to convert a supply of 240 V a.c
35 A transformer is needed to convert a supply of 240 V a.c. into 4800 V a.c.. NP NS 240 V a.c. 4800 V a.c. Which pair of coils would be suitable for this transformer? number of turns number of turns on primary coil NP on secondary coil NS A 50 1 000 B 240 48 000 C 480 24 D 2000 100
Mark scheme: A
Q36 · The diagram shows a wire carrying a current in the direction shown
36 The diagram shows a wire carrying a current in the direction shown. The wire is between the poles of a magnet. A force is produced on the wire out of the page. wire N S direction of current The wire and magnet are now put into different arrangements X, Y and Z. The arrow shows the direction of the current in each case. X Y Z N S S N S N In which arrangements is the force on the wire out of the page? A X only B X and Y C X and Z D Z only
Mark scheme: D
Q37 · Which statement is correct for the nucleus of any atom?
37 Which statement is correct for the nucleus of any atom? A The nucleus contains electrons, neutrons and protons. B The nucleus contains the same number of protons as neutrons. C The nucleus has a total charge of zero. D The nucleus is very small compared with the size of the atom.
Mark scheme: D
Q38 · The symbol represents a nucleus of zinc
38 The symbol represents a nucleus of zinc. Which row gives the numbers of protons and neutrons in this nucleus? number of number of protons neutrons A 30 38 B 30 68 C 38 30 D 38 68
Mark scheme: A
Q39 · Three types of radiation are -radiation, -radiation and -radiation
39 Three types of radiation are -radiation, -radiation and -radiation. Which statement is correct? A -radiation is less ionising than -radiation. B -radiation is less ionising than -radiation. C -radiation produces no ionisation. D -radiation is more ionising than -radiation.
Mark scheme: D
Q40 · The graph shows the radioactive decay curve of a substance
40 The graph shows the radioactive decay curve of a substance. 1000 count rate counts / s 750 500 250 0 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 time / years What is the half-life of this substance? A 0.5 years B 5 years C 15 years D 30 years
Mark scheme: B
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.
3Energy, work and power3Light3Electric circuits2Electrical quantities2Forces2General properties of waves2Kinetic particle model of matter2Mass and weight2Motion2Pressure2Radioactivity2Simple phenomena of magnetism2The nuclear model of the atom2Thermal properties and temperature2Transfer of thermal energy2Density1Electrical safety1Electromagnetic spectrum1Physical quantities and measurement techniques1Sound1What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2020 Oct/Nov, Paper 1 · Variant 2. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.