Cambridge IGCSE Physics 0625 — 2021 May/June Paper 1 · Variant 1
0625/11/M/J/21 · 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.



Paper as text
Question paper, page 1
This document has 16 pages. IB21 06_0625_11/3RP © UCLES 2021 [Turn over *2448346913* Cambridge IGCSE™ PHYSICS 0625/11 Paper 1 Multiple Choice (Core) May/June 2021 45 minutes You must answer on the multiple choice answer sheet. You will need: Multiple choice answer sheet Soft clean eraser Soft pencil (type B or HB is recommended) INSTRUCTIONS There are forty questions on this paper. Answer all questions. For each question there are four possible answers A, B, C and D. Choose the one you consider correct and record your choice in soft pencil on the multiple choice answer sheet. Follow the instructions on the multiple choice answer sheet. Write in soft pencil. Write your name, centre number and candidate number on the multiple choice answer sheet in the spaces provided unless this has been done for you. Do not use correction fluid. Do not write on any bar codes. You may use a calculator. Take the weight of 1.0 kg to be 10 N (acceleration of free fall = 10 m / s2). INFORMATION The total mark for this paper is 40. Each correct answer will score one mark. Any rough working should be done on this question paper.
Question paper, page 2
2 © UCLES 2021 0625/11/M/J/21 1 The diagram shows a stone of irregular shape. Which property of the stone can be found by lowering it into a measuring cylinder half-filled with water? A length B mass C volume D weight 2 Two stones of different weights fall at the same time from a table. Air resistance may be ignored. What will happen and why? what will happen why A Both stones hit the floor at the same time. Acceleration of free fall is constant. B Both stones hit the floor at the same time. They fall at constant speed. C The heavier stone hits the floor first. Acceleration increases with weight. D The heavier stone hits the floor first. Speed increases with weight. 3 The distance–time graph for a motorway journey is shown. 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 distance / km time / min What is the average speed for the journey? A 50 km / h B 67 km / h C 70 km / h D 83 km / h
Question paper, page 3
3 © UCLES 2021 0625/11/M/J/21 [Turn over 4 Diagram 1 shows a sealed plastic bottle containing a hollow glass sphere and a steel ball. Diagram 2 shows the same bottle after it has been shaken. Diagram 3 shows the same bottle after it has been shaken again until the broken glass is in tiny pieces. sealed plastic bottle steel ball hollow glass sphere steel ball broken glass steel ball tiny pieces of broken glass diagram 1 diagram 2 diagram 3 The mass of the bottle and contents in diagram 1 is m1. The mass of the bottle and contents in diagram 2 is m2. The mass of the bottle and contents in diagram 3 is m3. Which statement gives the correct relation between m1, m2 and m3? A m1 is equal to m2 and m2 is equal to m3. B m1 is greater than m2 and m2 is greater than m3. C m1 is less than m2 and m2 is greater than m3. D m1 is less than m2 and m2 is less than m3. 5 On Mars, the acceleration of free fall g is 3.7 m / s2. What is the weight of a 2.0 kg mass on Mars? A 0.54 N B 1.9 N C 7.4 N D 20 N 6 The mass of an empty flask is 34 g. The volume of liquid added to the flask is 20 cm3. The total mass of the flask and the liquid is 50 g. What is the density of the liquid? A 0.80 g / cm3 B 1.25 g / cm3 C 2.50 g / cm3 D 4.20 g / cm3
Question paper, page 4
4 © UCLES 2021 0625/11/M/J/21 7 The diagram shows a solid object on a flat surface, with two forces acting on the object. 3 N 4 N What is the resultant force on the object? A 1 N to the left B 1 N to the right C 7 N to the left D 7 N to the right 8 The extension–load graph for a spring is shown. The unstretched length of the spring is 17.0 cm. 3 2 1 0 0 1 2 3 4 load / N extension / cm When an object is suspended from the spring, the length of the spring is 19.2 cm. What is the weight of the object? A 1.4 N B 1.6 N C 2.6 N D 3.0 N 9 Which situation involves no work being done and no energy being transferred? A a car skidding to a stop on a road B a crane lifting a load C a heavy load hanging from a strong bar D a student dragging a big box over a rough floor
Question paper, page 5
5 © UCLES 2021 0625/11/M/J/21 [Turn over 10 A student suggests that there are several ways of transferring energy to a small, stationary block of iron on a smooth table. He makes the following suggestions. 1 Heat it. 2 Shine light on it. 3 Pass a current through it. Which suggestions are correct? A 1 and 2 only B 1 and 3 only C 2 and 3 only D 1, 2 and 3 11 Two men, X and Y, try to move identical heavy boxes, P and Q. Man X tries to push box P along the floor. The box does not move because an object is in the way. Man Y lifts box Q from the floor onto a shelf. box P box Q man X man Y direction of force direction of force object shelf Which man does the most work on their box, and which box gains the most energy? man doing most work box gaining most energy A X P B X Q C Y P D Y Q 12 A book has a mass of 400 g. The surface of the book in contact with a table has dimensions 0.10 m 0.20 m. The gravitational field strength g is 10 N / kg. What is the pressure exerted on the table due to the book? A 0.08 N / m2 B 8.0 N / m2 C 20 N / m2 D 200 N / m2
Question paper, page 6
6 © UCLES 2021 0625/11/M/J/21 13 A mercury barometer is used to measure atmospheric pressure. Which distance gives a measure of the atmospheric pressure? B D C A 14 Air trapped in a sealed bottle increases in temperature. Which row shows the changes that occur to the trapped air? pressure of the air average speed of molecules in the air A decreases decreases B decreases increases C increases decreases D increases increases
Question paper, page 7
7 © UCLES 2021 0625/11/M/J/21 [Turn over 15 Very small pollen grains are suspended in water. A bright light shines from the side. When looked at through a microscope, small specks of light are seen to be moving in a random, jerky manner. bright light pollen grains in water microscope eye What are the moving specks of light? A pollen grains being hit by other pollen grains B pollen grains being hit by water molecules C water molecules being hit by other water molecules D water molecules being hit by pollen grains 16 Why are small gaps left between the metal rails of a railway track? A to allow for expansion of the rails on a hot day B to allow for contraction of the rails on a hot day C to allow for expansion of the rails on a cold day D to allow for contraction of the rails on a cold day 17 All thermometers require a physical property that changes with temperature. Which property would not be suitable for use in a thermometer? A pressure B volume C electrical resistance D mass
Question paper, page 8
8 © UCLES 2021 0625/11/M/J/21 18 The thermal capacity of object Y is greater than that of object Z. What is a consequence of this? A Object Y needs less thermal energy to melt it than object Z. B Object Y needs less thermal energy to raise its temperature by 1 C than object Z. C Object Y needs more thermal energy to melt it than object Z. D Object Y needs more thermal energy to raise its temperature by 1 C than object Z. 19 Two students carry out different experiments to compare the abilities of different metals to conduct thermal energy. heat metal bar melted wax strip experiment 1 heat metal bar pin experiment 2 wax In experiment 1, the bar is heated for one minute and the length of wax strip that melts is measured. In experiment 2, the bar is heated and the time taken for the pin to drop off is measured. What happens to each of these measurements when a better conductor of thermal energy is tested? length of melted wax strip time taken for the pin to drop A decreases decreases B decreases increases C increases decreases D increases increases 20 In which substances is convection a method of thermal energy transfer? A air and water only B air only C air, water and wood D water only
Question paper, page 9
9 © UCLES 2021 0625/11/M/J/21 [Turn over 21 The diagram represents a wave on a rope. Y X rope Which type of wave is shown and which labelled arrow shows the wavelength of the wave? type of wave wavelength A longitudinal X B longitudinal Y C transverse X D transverse Y 22 The diagrams show water waves in three different situations. The arrows show the direction of travel of the waves. 1 2 3 What does each diagram show? 1 2 3 A diffraction reflection refraction B diffraction refraction reflection C reflection diffraction refraction D reflection refraction diffraction
Question paper, page 10
10 © UCLES 2021 0625/11/M/J/21 23 The diagram shows a narrow beam of light incident on a glass-air boundary. Some of the light emerges along the surface of the glass and some is reflected back into the glass. glass air Which row is correct? this is an example of total internal reflection angle is the critical angle A no yes B no no C yes no D yes yes 24 An object is placed in front of a thin converging lens. The diagram shows the paths of two rays from the top of the object. object converging lens An image of the object is formed on a screen to the right of the lens. How does this image compare with the object? A It is larger and inverted. B It is larger and the same way up. C It is smaller and inverted. D It is smaller and the same way up.
Question paper, page 11
11 © UCLES 2021 0625/11/M/J/21 [Turn over 25 A student is asked to give two uses of four different types of electromagnetic radiation. In which row are both the uses correct? radiation use 1 use 2 A radio sterilising medical equipment mobile phone masts B microwaves mobile phones sterilising medical equipment C infrared remote controllers intruder alarms D X-rays security in airports intruder alarms 26 The diagrams represent the waves produced by four sources of sound. The scales are the same for all the diagrams. Which sound has the highest frequency? A B C D time time time time
Question paper, page 12
12 © UCLES 2021 0625/11/M/J/21 27 Diagram 1 shows a small compass needle with its poles marked. It is not near any magnetic materials. Diagram 2 shows a bar magnet with its poles marked. The compass needle is placed at point P. N N S P S diagram 1 diagram 2 In which direction will the N pole of the compass needle point? A to the left B to the right C down the page D up the page 28 Which diagram shows the pattern and direction of the magnetic field lines around a bar magnet? N S A N S B N S C N S D
Question paper, page 13
13 © UCLES 2021 0625/11/M/J/21 [Turn over 29 A student rubs a plastic rod with a cloth. The rod becomes positively charged. What has happened to the rod? A It has gained electrons. B It has gained protons. C It has lost electrons. D It has lost protons. 30 The circuit diagram shows a cell connected to an ammeter and two resistors. A 6.0 V 3.0 Ω 5.0 Ω What is the current in the circuit? A 0.75 A B 1.3 A C 12 A D 48 A 31 The diagram shows an electrical circuit. component X component Y Which row describes what happens when the temperature rises? resistance of component X potential difference (p.d.) across component Y A decreases decreases B decreases increases C increases decreases D increases increases
Question paper, page 14
14 © UCLES 2021 0625/11/M/J/21 32 Diagram 1 shows a resistor connected in a circuit. Diagram 2 shows an identical resistor connected in parallel with the first one. diagram 1 diagram 2 What is the combined resistance of the two resistors? A greater than in the circuit of diagram 1 B less than in the circuit of diagram 1 C the same as in the circuit of diagram 1 D zero 33 The current in a lamp connected on its own to the mains supply is 0.60 A. A table decoration has three of these lamps connected in parallel. Which rating of fuse is suitable to protect this circuit? A 0.2 A B 0.6 A C 1.0 A D 5.0 A 34 A solenoid is connected to a very sensitive ammeter. A rod is inserted into one end of the solenoid. The ammeter shows that there is a small electric current in the solenoid while the rod is moving. solenoid rod A Which rod is being inserted? A a heated copper rod B a magnetised steel rod C an uncharged nylon rod D a radioactive uranium rod
Question paper, page 15
15 © UCLES 2021 0625/11/M/J/21 [Turn over 35 The diagram shows a transformer. There are 460 turns on the primary coil and 24 turns on the secondary coil. The primary voltage is 230 V. primary coil secondary coil iron core What is the secondary voltage? A 2.0 V B 12 V C 48 V D 4400 V 36 A class is designing a d.c. motor. To achieve a greater turning effect, three suggestions are made. 1 Have a larger current in the coil of the motor. 2 Have a stronger magnet in the motor. 3 Put a larger number of turns on the coil. Which suggestions will help to increase the turning effect? A 1, 2 and 3 B 1 and 2 only C 1 and 3 only D 2 and 3 only 37 The charge on a proton is e. What is the charge on an electron and what is the charge on a neutron? electron neutron A e e B e 0 C – e – e D – e 0
Question paper, page 16
16 Permission to reproduce items where third-party owned material protected by copyright is included has been sought and cleared where possible. Every reasonable effort has been made by the publisher (UCLES) to trace copyright holders, but if any items requiring clearance have unwittingly been included, the publisher will be pleased to make amends at the earliest possible opportunity. To avoid the issue of disclosure of answer-related information to candidates, all copyright acknowledgements are reproduced online in the Cambridge Assessment International Education Copyright Acknowledgements Booklet. This is produced for each series of examinations and is freely available to download at www.cambridgeinternational.org after the live examination series. Cambridge Assessment International Education is part of the Cambridge Assessment Group. Cambridge Assessment is the brand name of the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), which itself is a department of the University of Cambridge. © UCLES 2021 0625/11/M/J/21 38 The nuclide notation of the isotope strontium-90 is 90 38Sr . Which statement is correct? A A nucleus of strontium-90 has 38 neutrons. B A nucleus of strontium-90 has 52 neutrons. C A nucleus of strontium-90 has 90 electrons. D A nucleus of strontium-90 has 90 neutrons. 39 Which statement about -particles and -rays is correct? A -particles are a form of electromagnetic radiation. B -particles penetrate materials more easily than -rays. C The emission of an -particle produces a nucleus of a different element. D -rays are more ionising than -particles. 40 The graph shows the activity of a radioactive source over a period of time. 120 90 60 30 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 activity counts / s time / minutes What is the half-life of the source? A 1.0 minute B 2.0 minutes C 2.5 minutes D 4.0 minutes
Mark scheme, page 1
This document consists of 3 printed pages. © UCLES 2021 [Turn over Cambridge IGCSE™ PHYSICS 0625/11 Paper 1 Multiple Choice (Core) May/June 2021 MARK SCHEME Maximum Mark: 40 Published This mark scheme is published as an aid to teachers and candidates, to indicate the requirements of the examination. Mark schemes should be read in conjunction with the question paper and the Principal Examiner Report for Teachers. Cambridge International will not enter into discussions about these mark schemes. Cambridge International is publishing the mark schemes for the May/June 2021 series for most Cambridge IGCSE™, Cambridge International A and AS Level components and some Cambridge O Level components.
Mark scheme, page 2
0625/11 Cambridge IGCSE – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED May/June 2021 © UCLES 2021 Page 2 of 3 Question Answer Marks 1 C 1 2 A 1 3 A 1 4 A 1 5 C 1 6 A 1 7 B 1 8 D 1 9 C 1 10 D 1 11 D 1 12 D 1 13 B 1 14 D 1 15 B 1 16 A 1 17 D 1 18 D 1 19 C 1 20 A 1 21 D 1 22 D 1 23 A 1 24 A 1 25 C 1 26 D 1 27 B 1 28 C 1
Mark scheme, page 3
0625/11 Cambridge IGCSE – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED May/June 2021 © UCLES 2021 Page 3 of 3 Question Answer Marks 29 C 1 30 A 1 31 B 1 32 B 1 33 D 1 34 B 1 35 B 1 36 A 1 37 D 1 38 B 1 39 C 1 40 B 1
What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2021 May/June, Paper 1 · Variant 1. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.