Cambridge IGCSE Physics 0625 — 2021 Feb/March Paper 1 · Variant 2
0625/12/F/M/21 · 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 has a measuring cylinder containing water and also has a balance
1 A student has a measuring cylinder containing water and also has a balance. Which of these could she use to find the volume of a small metal sphere? She has no other apparatus. A either the measuring cylinder containing water or the balance B the measuring cylinder containing water only C the balance only D neither the measuring cylinder nor the balance
Mark scheme: B
More questions on Physical quantities and measurement techniques
Q2 · Two rockets are launched at the same time from the surface of the Earth
2 Two rockets are launched at the same time from the surface of the Earth. The graph shows how the speeds of the rockets change with time. speed rocket P rocket Q 0 0 time Which statement about the rockets is correct? A Both rockets travel the same distance. B Rocket P accelerates and then decelerates. C Rocket P travels further than rocket Q. D Rocket Q has zero acceleration.
Mark scheme: C
Q3 · A train begins a journey from a station and travels 60 km in a time of 20 minutes
3 A train begins a journey from a station and travels 60 km in a time of 20 minutes. What is the average speed of the train? A 3.0 m / s B 5.0 m / s C 50 m / s D 60 m / s
Mark scheme: C
Question 4
4 What is weight? A a frictional force B a magnetic force C a gravitational force D an electromagnetic force
Mark scheme: C
Q5 · The diagram shows a bird in flight
5 The diagram shows a bird in flight. The bird is flying in a horizontal direction to the right. In which direction does air resistance act on the bird? A D B C
Mark scheme: D
Q6 · A small bottle has a mass of 20 g when empty
6 A small bottle has a mass of 20 g when empty. The volume of the bottle is 10 cm3. When full of liquid, the total mass is 150 g. What is the density of the liquid? A 0.50 g / cm3 B 2.0 g / cm3 C 13 g / cm3 D 15 g / cm3
Mark scheme: C
Q7 · A rocket is travelling vertically upwards
7 A rocket is travelling vertically upwards. Three vertical forces act on it. The thrust acts upwards and is equal to 100 000 N. The weight acts downwards and is equal to 80 000 N. What is the air resistance force acting on the rocket when it is travelling upwards at constant speed? A 20 000 N downwards B 20 000 N upwards C 180 000 N downwards D 180 000 N upwards
Mark scheme: A
Q8 · Which energy source boils water to make steam in power stations?
8 Which energy source boils water to make steam in power stations? A energy from tides B energy from waves C hydroelectric energy D nuclear energy
Mark scheme: D
Q9 · Two people X and Y sit on a see-saw, as shown
9 Two people X and Y sit on a see-saw, as shown. 900 N X Y NOT TO SCALE 1.5 m 400 N 300 N pivot X weighs 400 N and sits 1.5 m from the pivot. The weight of the see-saw is 300 N and acts through the pivot. When the see-saw is balanced, the pivot pushes up on the see-saw with a force of 900 N. What is the weight of person Y and how far from the pivot is he sitting? weight of Y distance from / N pivot / m A 200 1.5 B 200 3.0 C 400 1.5 D 400 3.0
Mark scheme: B
Q10 · A horizontal force pulls a box along a horizontal surface
10 A horizontal force pulls a box along a horizontal surface. The box gains 30 J of kinetic energy and 10 J of thermal energy is produced by the friction between the box and the surface. How much work is done by the force? A 10 J B 20 J C 30 J D 40 J
Mark scheme: D
Q11 · The table shows the work done and the time taken by four machines
11 The table shows the work done and the time taken by four machines. Which machine is the most powerful? work done time taken / kJ / s A 100 10 B 100 20 C 200 10 D 200 20
Mark scheme: C
Q12 · The diagram shows a manometer connected to a gas supply
12 The diagram shows a manometer connected to a gas supply. mm 500 from 400 gas supply 300 200 100 mercury 0 What is the pressure of the gas supply? A 100 mm Hg above atmospheric pressure B 100 mm Hg below atmospheric pressure C 200 mm Hg above atmospheric pressure D 200 mm Hg below atmospheric pressure
Mark scheme: C
Q13 · The diagram shows a box of dimensions 6.0 cm 8.0 cm 4.0 cm
13 The diagram shows a box of dimensions 6.0 cm 8.0 cm 4.0 cm. 6.0 cm X Z 4.0 cm Y 8.0 cm The box rests on a flat horizontal surface. On which face must the box rest in order to exert the least pressure? A face X B face Y C face Z D The pressure is the same for all the faces.
Mark scheme: A
Q14 · Air in a sealed syringe is slowly compressed by moving the piston
14 Air in a sealed syringe is slowly compressed by moving the piston. The temperature of the air stays the same. air syringe piston Which statement about the air is correct? A The pressure of the air decreases because its molecules now travel more slowly. B The pressure of the air decreases because the area of the syringe walls is now smaller. C The pressure of the air increases because its molecules now hit the syringe walls more frequently. D The pressure of the air increases because its molecules now travel more quickly.
Mark scheme: C
Q15 · In an experiment, smoke particles are suspended in air and viewed through a microscope
15 In an experiment, smoke particles are suspended in air and viewed through a microscope. The smoke particles move about with short random movements. Which of the following statements is correct? A Air particles have large masses compared to smoke particles and they move in one direction only. B Air particles have large masses compared to smoke particles and they move in random directions. C Air particles move at high speeds compared to smoke particles and they move in one direction only. D Air particles move at high speeds compared to smoke particles and they move in random directions.
Mark scheme: D
Q16 · A beaker of liquid is heated slowly so that the liquid evaporates
16 A beaker of liquid is heated slowly so that the liquid evaporates. During evaporation, from where do the more energetic molecules leave the liquid? A B liquid C D heat
Mark scheme: A
Q17 · Four samples of materials with the same dimensions are tested
17 Four samples of materials with the same dimensions are tested. Which material gives the highest rate of thermal conduction? A rubber B copper C plastic D steel
Mark scheme: B
Q18 · The diagram shows a simple type of thermometer
18 The diagram shows a simple type of thermometer. steel bar roller horizontal surface pointer The roller rests on a horizontal surface and the steel bar rests on top of the roller. When the temperature changes, the pointer rotates. Which physical property is being used to measure temperature? A the length of the pointer B the length of the roller C the length of the steel bar D the thickness of the roller
Mark scheme: C
Q19 · A piece of melting ice at 0 C and a beaker of boiling water are both in a laboratory
19 A piece of melting ice at 0 C and a beaker of boiling water are both in a laboratory. The laboratory is at 20 C. boiling water Bunsen burner melting ice heating water What is happening to the temperature of the melting ice and what is happening to the temperature of the boiling water? temperature of temperature of melting ice boiling water A constant constant B constant increasing C increasing constant D increasing increasing
Mark scheme: A
Q20 · Four metal mugs with lids each contain the same volume of hot water at the same…
20 Four metal mugs with lids each contain the same volume of hot water at the same temperature. The mugs are made from the same metal and are the same shape and size, but each has its outside surface painted with a different combination of texture and colour. Which mug radiates thermal energy at the fastest rate? A the mug painted shiny white B the mug painted dull white C the mug painted shiny black D the mug painted dull black
Mark scheme: D
Q21 · The diagram shows a wave
21 The diagram shows a wave. displacement from undisturbed position Q P 0 0 position R S along wave Which dimensions describe the properties of the wave? A P = amplitude, S = speed B P = speed, Q = wavelength C R = amplitude, Q = wavelength D R = amplitude, S = wavelength
Mark scheme: C
Q22 · What causes the change in direction when light travels from air into glass?
22 What causes the change in direction when light travels from air into glass? A The amplitude of the light changes. B The colour of the light changes. C The frequency of the light changes. D The speed of the light changes.
Mark scheme: D
Q23 · Light from a torch is incident on a plane mirror
23 Light from a torch is incident on a plane mirror. The angle of incidence is 38. What is the angle of reflection? A 38 B 52 C 76 D 142
Mark scheme: A
Q24 · A thin converging lens is used to produce a sharp image of a candle
24 A thin converging lens is used to produce a sharp image of a candle. screen image lens candle Various sharp images are produced on the screen by moving the lens and the screen backwards and forwards. Which statement is always correct? A The image is at the principal focus (focal point) of the lens. B The image is bigger than the object. C The image is closer to the lens than the object. D The image is inverted.
Mark scheme: D
Q25 · Thermal radiation is part of the electromagnetic spectrum
25 Thermal radiation is part of the electromagnetic spectrum. What is the name of this region of the spectrum? A gamma rays B infrared rays C ultraviolet rays D visible light rays
Mark scheme: B
Q26 · Which process causes a sound wave to produce an echo?
26 Which process causes a sound wave to produce an echo? A diffraction B dispersion C reflection D refraction
Mark scheme: C
Q27 · A quiet sound is produced by a loudspeaker
27 A quiet sound is produced by a loudspeaker. The pitch of the sound remains constant but the loudness of the sound is increased. Which property of the sound wave is increased? A amplitude B frequency C speed D wavelength
Mark scheme: A
Q28 · A soft-iron bar is not magnetised
28 A soft-iron bar is not magnetised. It is held close to the N pole of a magnet and then to the S pole of the same magnet. What will be the result? N pole S pole A attracts attracts B attracts repels C repels attracts D repels repels
Mark scheme: A
Q29 · A charged rod X is placed on a balance and another rod Y is brought close to it, as shown
29 A charged rod X is placed on a balance and another rod Y is brought close to it, as shown. Y X X 45.3 g 45.7 g Which combination of charges would cause the change in the balance reading shown? X Y A negative charge negative charge B negative charge positive charge C negative charge no charge D positive charge no charge
Mark scheme: A
Q30 · Three cores of different metals P, Q and R are placed inside identical coils of wire
30 Three cores of different metals P, Q and R are placed inside identical coils of wire. At least one of the metals is non-magnetic. The cores are held above some iron nails. The three diagrams show what happens when there is a current in the coils. coil + + + – – – core P Q R iron nails The three diagrams below show what happens when the current is then switched off. + + + – – – P Q R Which core metals are magnetic? A P only B R only C P and Q D Q and R
Mark scheme: D
Q31 · A length of metal wire is used as a resistor in a circuit
31 A length of metal wire is used as a resistor in a circuit. Which change to the wire results in an increase in current in the circuit? A connecting a second identical length of wire in parallel with the original wire B connecting a second identical length of wire in series with the original wire C decreasing the thickness of the wire D increasing the length of the wire
Mark scheme: A
Q32 · The diagram shows a circuit containing a power supply, a lamp and a motor
32 The diagram shows a circuit containing a power supply, a lamp and a motor. Three ammeters measure the current at different points in the circuit. The readings on the ammeters are I1, I2 and I3. ammeter reading I1 A ammeter reading I2 A ammeter reading I3 M A Which statement about the ammeter readings is correct? A All three readings are the same. B I1 is greater than I2 and is greater than I3. C I2 is greater than I1 and is greater than I3. D I3 is greater than I1 and is greater than I2.
Mark scheme: B
Q33 · A student designs a circuit to use as a dimmer switch for a lamp
33 A student designs a circuit to use as a dimmer switch for a lamp. X Y What happens to the brightness of the lamp and the potential difference (p.d.) across the lamp, when the slider is moved from X to Y? brightness of lamp p.d. across the lamp A decreases decreases B decreases increases C increases decreases D increases increases
Mark scheme: A
Q34 · Which electrical component is connected in series with an electric circuit to protect it…
34 Which electrical component is connected in series with an electric circuit to protect it from damage by a very large current? A earth wire B fuse C relay D thermistor
Mark scheme: B
Q35 · The diagram shows an electromagnet near a coil of wire connected to a voltmeter
35 The diagram shows an electromagnet near a coil of wire connected to a voltmeter. The reading on the voltmeter is zero. electromagnet coil soft iron switch V + – The switch is closed. The electromagnet magnetises quickly. What happens to the reading on the voltmeter? A It keeps increasing. B It quickly increases and stays at maximum. C It quickly increases and then decreases. D It stays on zero.
Mark scheme: C
Q36 · Which diagram represents the voltage output of a simple a.c
36 Which diagram represents the voltage output of a simple a.c. generator? A B voltage voltage 0 0 0 time 0 time C D voltage voltage 0 0 0 time 0 time
Mark scheme: B
Q37 · Three students are describing the structure of an atom
37 Three students are describing the structure of an atom. student 1 All the positively charged particles are in the nucleus. student 2 Positive electrons are in the nucleus. student 3 Negative electrons orbit around the nucleus. Which students are making a correct statement? A 1, 2 and 3 B 1 and 2 only C 1 and 3 only D 2 and 3 only
Mark scheme: C
Q38 · The symbol below describes a nuclide
38 The symbol below describes a nuclide. Which row is correct? proton nucleon number (Z) number (A) A 4 5 B 4 9 C 9 4 D 9 5
Mark scheme: B
Q39 · The diagram shows a radioactivity experiment
39 The diagram shows a radioactivity experiment. absorber counter source radiation detector When a piece of paper is used as the absorber, the count rate drops to the background count rate. Which radiation is the source emitting? A -radiation only B -radiation only C -radiation only D -radiation, -radiation and -radiation
Mark scheme: A
Q40 · The graph shows how the count rate from a radioactive sample changes with time
40 The graph shows how the count rate from a radioactive sample changes with time. 600 count rate counts / s 500 400 300 200 100 0 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 time / s What is the half-life for this sample? A 90 s B 120 s C 200 s D 400 s
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.
3Forces3Kinetic particle model of matter3Light3Simple phenomena of magnetism3Electric circuits2Electromagnetic effects2Motion2Pressure2Radioactivity2Sound2The nuclear model of the atom2Thermal properties and temperature2Transfer of thermal energy2Density1Electrical quantities1Electrical safety1Electromagnetic spectrum1General properties of waves1Mass and weight1Physical quantities and measurement techniques1What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2021 Feb/March, Paper 1 · Variant 2. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.