Cambridge IGCSE Physics 0625 — 2020 Oct/Nov Paper 2 · Variant 2
0625/22/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 · The diagram shows a measuring device
1 The diagram shows a measuring device. 35 0 1 30 mm For which measurement is this device suitable? A diameter of a cylinder of aluminium of about 20 cm B distance between two molecules of zinc C length of a rod of iron of about 1 m D thickness of a sheet of copper of about 1.5 mm
Mark scheme: D
More questions on Physical quantities and measurement techniques
Q2 · The graph shows how the speed of an object varies with time
2 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
Q3 · A concrete block falls vertically from an aeroplane
3 A concrete block falls vertically from an aeroplane. The concrete block falls into the sea and sinks. Which graph shows the vertical motion of the concrete block? A B speed speed 0 0 0 time 0 time C D speed speed 0 0 0 time 0 time
Mark scheme: C
Q4 · Which quantity is weight an example of?
4 Which quantity is weight an example of? A acceleration B force C mass D pressure
Mark scheme: B
Q5 · Which statement about the mass of an object is correct?
5 Which statement about the mass of an object is correct? A It changes when the object is lifted further from the ground. B It is the gravitational force on the object. C It is zero if the object is in orbit around the Earth. D It resists any change in motion of the object.
Mark scheme: D
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 · The diagram shows a beam lying on the ground
7 The diagram shows a beam lying on the ground. End Q is lifted from the ground by the force F. End P of the beam remains on the ground. 3.0 m 1.0 m F P Q G ground beam The length of the beam is 3.0 m and its weight is 600 N. The centre of mass of the beam at G is 1.0 m from end P. What is the size of the force F when it just raises end Q from the ground? A 200 N B 300 N C 400 N D 600 N
Mark scheme: A
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 · A footballer kicks a stationary football
9 A footballer kicks a stationary football. His foot is in contact with the ball for 0.050 s. The mass of the ball is 0.40 kg. The speed of projection of the ball is 25 m / s. What is the average force exerted on the ball by his foot? A 0.32 N B 0.50 N C 200 N D 1300 N
Mark scheme: C
Q10 · A woman of mass 50 kg has 81 J of kinetic energy
10 A woman of mass 50 kg has 81 J of kinetic energy. What is her speed? A 1.3 m / s B 1.6 m / s C 1.8 m / s D 3.2 m / s
Mark scheme: C
Q11 · What is the source of the Sun’s energy?
11 What is the source of the Sun’s energy? A chemical reactions in the Sun’s core B -emissions in the Sun’s core C nuclear fission in the Sun’s core D nuclear fusion in the Sun’s core
Mark scheme: D
Q12 · To calculate the power produced by a force, the size of the force must be known
12 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 the time for which the moves the object force acts on the object 0 OW D> «x KM & «x \ x key Jv = needed X = not needed
Mark scheme: A
Q13 · A research submarine is at a depth of 10 000 m below the surface of the sea
13 A research submarine is at a depth of 10 000 m below the surface of the sea. The average density of the water above the submarine is 1030 kg / m3. The atmospheric pressure at the surface of the sea is 103 000 Pa. How many times greater is the pressure due to the sea water than the atmospheric pressure? A 10 B 100 C 1000 D 100 000
Mark scheme: C
Q14 · The diagram shows a mercury barometer
14 The diagram shows a mercury barometer. Which height is used as a measurement of atmospheric pressure? D mercury C B A
Mark scheme: C
Q15 · A student splashes water on to her face
15 A student splashes water on to her face. Here are three statements about the effects. P The water uses energy to evaporate. Q The water gains energy from the student. R The face of the student cools. Which statements are correct? A P and Q only B P and R only C Q and R only D P, Q and R
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 · A student writes three statements about thermocouples
17 A student writes three statements about thermocouples. 1 They have a small thermal capacity. 2 They respond very slowly to temperature changes. 3 They can measure temperatures above 500 C. Which statements are correct? A 1 only B 2 only C 1 and 3 D 2 and 3
Mark scheme: C
Q18 · Four blocks are made from different metals
18 Four blocks are made from different metals. Each block is heated for five minutes with an identical heater. Assume there is no energy loss from the blocks. The table gives the masses of the blocks and the temperature rises. Which metal has the highest specific heat capacity? mass of block / kg temperature rise / C A 2.0 5.0 B 2.0 9.0 C 4.0 5.0 D 4.0 9.0
Mark scheme: A
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 · Four solid spheres made of the same metal are heated to the same temperature
20 Four solid spheres made of the same metal are heated to the same temperature. Which sphere initially loses thermal energy by radiation at the greatest rate? A diameter of 10 cm with a dull surface B diameter of 10 cm with a shiny surface C diameter of 5 cm with a dull surface D diameter of 5 cm with a shiny surface
Mark scheme: A
Q21 · Which row correctly describes light waves?
21 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
Q22 · A radio transmitter broadcasts at a frequency of 200 kHz
22 A radio transmitter broadcasts at a frequency of 200 kHz. What is the wavelength of these radio waves? A 6.7 10–4 m B 1.5 m C 1.5 103 m D 1.5 106 m
Mark scheme: C
Q23 · An optical lever is a very sensitive device for detecting small rotations
23 An optical lever is a very sensitive device for detecting small rotations. A lamp sends a narrow beam of light on to a small plane mirror attached to a shaft whose rotation is to be measured. The operation of the device is shown in plan view. scale just scale just above lamp above lamp lamp shaft lamp small mirror mirror The beam from the lamp reflects from the mirror to give a small spot of light on a scale placed just above the lamp. The shaft and mirror rotate through 1°. The spot of light moves along the scale. The table shows the angle @ through which the reflected beam rotates and the conditions required for high sensitivity. Which row is correct? to achieve high sensitivity the lamp and scale need to be as close to the mirror as possible the lamp and scale need to be as far from the mirror as possible the lamp and scale need to be as close to the mirror as possible the lamp and scale need to be as far from the mirror as possible
Mark scheme: D
Q24 · A student draws a diagram to illustrate the different sections of a longitudinal wave
24 A student draws a diagram to illustrate the different sections of a longitudinal wave. Which labelled section is a rarefaction? A B D C
Mark scheme: B
Q25 · The diagram shows white light passing through a prism
25 The diagram shows white light passing through a prism. red violet white light Which description of what happens as the light passes into the prism is correct? A The speed of the red light is less than the speed of the violet light and the red light is the least refracted. B The speed of the red light is greater than the speed of the violet light and the red light is the least refracted. C The speed of the violet light is less than the speed of the red light and the violet light is the least refracted. D The speed of the violet light is greater than the speed of the red light and the violet light is the least refracted.
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 piece of steel is slightly magnetised
27 A piece of steel is slightly magnetised. It is hit several times with a hammer. What effect will this have on the steel? the steel is parallel to the steel is at right-angles a strong magnetic field to a weak magnetic field A it becomes magnetised more strongly it becomes magnetised more strongly B it becomes magnetised more strongly it loses its magnetism C it loses its magnetism it becomes magnetised more strongly D it loses its magnetism it loses its magnetism
Mark scheme: B
Q28 · A student sets up four experiments using bar magnets and other metal objects
28 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
Q29 · Which diagram represents the strength and direction of the magnetic field around a…
29 Which diagram represents the strength and direction of the magnetic field around a current-carrying conductor? (The direction of the current is into the page.) A B C D
Mark scheme: C
Q30 · Which quantity is defined as the energy transferred by a cell in driving unit charge…
30 Which quantity is defined as the energy transferred by a cell in driving unit charge around a complete circuit? A current B electromotive force (e.m.f.) C power D resistance
Mark scheme: B
Q31 · There is a current in a variable resistor when a potential difference (p.d.) is applied…
31 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
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 · Which combination of logic gates gives the truth table shown?
33 Which combination of logic gates gives the truth table shown? inputs output X Y Z 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 A B X X Z Z Y Y C D X X Z Z Y Y
Mark scheme: B
Q34 · The diagram shows an a.c
34 The diagram shows an a.c. generator used to power a lamp. The coil rotates in a clockwise direction. rotation of coil coil I X Y Which magnetic poles are X and Y? X Y A N pole N pole B N pole S pole C S pole N pole D S pole S pole
Mark scheme: B
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 coil of wire wrapped around a soft-iron rod
36 The diagram shows a coil of wire wrapped around a soft-iron rod. The wire is connected to a d.c. power supply as indicated. The apparatus is in a region which is totally shielded from the Earth’s magnetic field. + – soft-iron rod P A small compass needle is placed at point P. In which direction does the N pole of the compass needle point? A towards the bottom of the page B towards the left of the page C towards the right of the page D towards the top of the page
Mark scheme: C
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 · The diagram shows a beam of -particles passing through a strong electric field
39 The diagram shows a beam of -particles passing through a strong electric field. + β-particles – In which direction will the -particles be deflected? A upwards towards the top of the page B downwards towards the bottom of the page C into the plane of the page D out of the plane of the page
Mark scheme: A
Q40 · Which equation represents the B-decay of lead-209?
40 Which equation represents the B-decay of lead-209? A B “ePb + je > 73,8 “32D + je > “9, Tl aePb > “3,Bi + Je oe 2P b > oT 1 + Je
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.
4Electric circuits3Energy, work and power3General properties of waves3Thermal properties and temperature3Forces2Light2Mass and weight2Motion2Pressure2Radioactivity2Simple phenomena of magnetism2The nuclear model of the atom2Transfer of thermal energy2Density1Electrical quantities1Kinetic particle model of matter1Momentum1Physical quantities and measurement techniques1Sound1What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2020 Oct/Nov, Paper 2 · Variant 2. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.