Cambridge IGCSE Physics 0625 — 2021 Oct/Nov Paper 1 · Variant 2
0625/12/O/N/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 · Which list places units of length in increasing order of magnitude (size)?
1 Which list places units of length in increasing order of magnitude (size)? A cm mm m B mm cm m C mm m cm D m mm cm
Mark scheme: B
More questions on Physical quantities and measurement techniques
Q2 · Which graph represents an object that is moving at constant speed?
2 Which graph represents an object that is moving at constant speed? A B distance distance 0 0 0 time 0 time C D distance distance 0 0 0 time 0 time
Mark scheme: D
Q3 · Which statement about the equation shown is correct?
3 Which statement about the equation shown is correct? W = mg A g is a force, m and W are not forces. B m is a force, g and W are not forces. C W is a force, g and m are not forces. D None of g, m and W are forces.
Mark scheme: C
Q4 · Which substance in the table has the lowest density?
4 Which substance in the table has the lowest density? substance mass / g volume / cm3 A nylon 1.2 1.0 B cotton 1.5 1.0 C olive oil 1.8 2.0 D water 2.0 2.0
Mark scheme: C
Q5 · The diagram shows a simple balance
5 The diagram shows a simple balance. The two loads, X and Y, can be moved along the beam. d X pivot Y Which graph shows how the moment produced by load Y varies as the perpendicular distance d from the pivot changes? A B moment moment 0 0 0 d 0 d C D moment moment 0 0 0 d 0 d
Mark scheme: A
Q6 · A spacecraft is travelling in space with no resultant force and no resultant moment…
6 A spacecraft is travelling in space with no resultant force and no resultant moment acting on it. Which statement about the spacecraft is correct? A Its direction is changing. B It is in equilibrium. C Its speed is decreasing. D Its speed is increasing.
Mark scheme: B
Q7 · A student carries out an investigation by pulling four different boxes across the floor
7 A student carries out an investigation by pulling four different boxes across the floor. The results are shown in the table. On which box is the most work done? frictional force needed distance moved to pull the box / N across the floor / m A 5 4 B 10 2 C 15 2 D 20 4
Mark scheme: D
Q8 · Electrical energy may be obtained from nuclear fission
8 Electrical energy may be obtained from nuclear fission. In which order is the energy transferred in this process? A nuclear fuel generator reactor and boiler turbines B nuclear fuel generator turbines reactor and boiler C nuclear fuel reactor and boiler generator turbines D nuclear fuel reactor and boiler turbines generator
Mark scheme: D
Question 9
9 A stone falls. Which row gives the energy changes? gravitational kinetic energy potential energy A decreases decreases B decreases increases C increases decreases D increases increases
Mark scheme: B
Q10 · A rope, connected to a pulley system and motor, is used to lift different objects through…
10 A rope, connected to a pulley system and motor, is used to lift different objects through different distances. The time taken to lift each object is the same. The diagrams are not to scale. Which motor requires the greatest power? A B platform platform motor motor 2 m 3 m 10 kg 5 kg C D platform platform motor motor 1 m 3 m 10 kg 2 kg
Mark scheme: A
Q11 · The diagram shows a simple mercury barometer
11 The diagram shows a simple mercury barometer. Which length is used to indicate atmospheric pressure in a simple mercury barometer? vacuum A D C B mercury
Mark scheme: C
Q12 · A liquid is evaporating
12 A liquid is evaporating. The liquid is not boiling. Which statement about the liquid is correct at an instant in time? A Any molecule can escape, and from any part of the liquid. B Any molecule can escape, but only from the liquid’s surface. C Only molecules with enough energy can escape, and only from the liquid’s surface. D Only molecules with enough energy can escape, but from any part of the liquid.
Mark scheme: C
Q13 · The temperature of the gas in a sealed container of constant volume decreases from 20 C…
13 The temperature of the gas in a sealed container of constant volume decreases from 20 C to 12 C. Which row is correct? pressure of the gas average speed of in the container the molecules of gas A decreases decreases B stays the same increases C increases stays the same D stays the same decreases
Mark scheme: A
Q14 · A long, thin bar of copper is heated gently and evenly along its length
14 A long, thin bar of copper is heated gently and evenly along its length. copper bar heat What happens to the bar? A It becomes less heavy. B It becomes longer. C It becomes shorter. D It bends at the ends.
Mark scheme: B
Q15 · A teacher makes the statement, ‘Object P has a higher thermal capacity than object Q.’…
15 A teacher makes the statement, ‘Object P has a higher thermal capacity than object Q.’ What does this statement mean? A Object P has a higher melting point than object Q. B Object P has a lower melting point than object Q. C The increase in temperature of object P is greater than that of object Q for the same increase in internal energy. D The increase in temperature of object P is smaller than that of object Q for the same increase in internal energy.
Mark scheme: D
Q16 · The diagram shows a pan used for cooking food
16 The diagram shows a pan used for cooking food. handle of pan base of pan Which row is correct for the materials used to make the base and the handle of the pan? base of pan handle of pan A good thermal conductor good thermal conductor B good thermal conductor poor thermal conductor C poor thermal conductor good thermal conductor D poor thermal conductor poor thermal conductor
Mark scheme: B
Q17 · The diagrams show two patterns produced by water waves
17 The diagrams show two patterns produced by water waves. diagram 1 diagram 2 barrier barrier Which two effects are shown in the diagrams? diagram 1 diagram 2 A reflection diffraction B reflection refraction C refraction diffraction D refraction reflection
Mark scheme: A
Q18 · Which row is not correct for a wave on the surface of water?
18 Which row is not correct for a wave on the surface of water? quantity usual unit A amplitude m B frequency Hz C wavelength D speed m / s
Mark scheme: C
Q19 · A thin, converging lens causes parallel rays of light to converge to a single point known…
19 A thin, converging lens causes parallel rays of light to converge to a single point known as the principal focus. principal focus Which statement explains this? A The light diffracts. B The light disperses. C The light reflects. D The light refracts.
Mark scheme: D
Q20 · The diagram shows a ray of light in air incident on a glass block
20 The diagram shows a ray of light in air incident on a glass block. Some of the light is refracted and some of the light is reflected. Two angles, p and q, are marked on the diagram. ray of light q air p glass Which row gives the angle of incidence and states whether total internal reflection occurs? angle of total internal incidence reflection A p no B p yes C q no D q yes
Mark scheme: C
Q21 · The letter F is reflected in a mirror
21 The letter F is reflected in a mirror. mirror What does the optical image look like? A B C D
Mark scheme: B
Q22 · Visible light, X-rays and microwaves are all components of the electromagnetic spectrum
22 Visible light, X-rays and microwaves are all components of the electromagnetic spectrum. Which statement about the waves is correct? A In a vacuum, microwaves travel faster than visible light and have a shorter wavelength. B In a vacuum, microwaves travel at the same speed as visible light and have a shorter wavelength. C In a vacuum, X-rays travel faster than visible light and have a shorter wavelength. D In a vacuum, X-rays travel at the same speed as visible light and have a shorter wavelength.
Mark scheme: D
Q23 · Which radiation has a higher frequency than red light?
23 Which radiation has a higher frequency than red light? A ultraviolet B radio waves C microwaves D infrared
Mark scheme: A
Question 24
24 What is ultrasound? A sound waves that are so loud that they damage human hearing B sound waves that are too high-pitched for humans to hear C sound waves that are too low-pitched for humans to hear D sound waves that are too quiet for humans to hear
Mark scheme: B
Q25 · Which material is magnetic?
25 Which material is magnetic? A aluminium B copper C iron D silver
Mark scheme: C
Q26 · Which circuit symbol represents a component used to measure electric current?
26 Which circuit symbol represents a component used to measure electric current? A B C D A G V
Mark scheme: A
Q27 · Four wires made of the same metal have different lengths and different diameters
27 Four wires made of the same metal have different lengths and different diameters. Which wire has the lowest resistance? length diameter A long large B long small C short large D short small
Mark scheme: C
Q28 · The diagram shows a circuit containing two resistors of resistance 1.0 and 2.0
28 The diagram shows a circuit containing two resistors of resistance 1.0 and 2.0 . A voltmeter is connected across the 1.0 resistor by connecting P to X. The reading on the voltmeter is 6.0 V. 1.0 Ω X 2.0 Ω Y P V P is moved to point Y in the circuit. What is the new reading on the voltmeter? A 3.0 V B 6.0 V C 12 V D 18 V
Mark scheme: D
Q29 · Which device is used to measure the flow of charge in an electrical circuit?
29 Which device is used to measure the flow of charge in an electrical circuit? A ammeter B voltmeter C battery D newton meter
Mark scheme: A
Q30 · Which circuit contains a fuse?
30 Which circuit contains a fuse? A B A V C D A
Mark scheme: C
Q31 · A student designs a circuit to turn on a fan when the temperature increases
31 A student designs a circuit to turn on a fan when the temperature increases. Which component does the student need to use in her circuit? A B C D
Mark scheme: D
Q32 · Two resistors, with resistances R1 and R2, are connected in parallel
32 Two resistors, with resistances R1 and R2, are connected in parallel. The resistance R1 is greater than the resistance R2. R1 R2 What is the resistance of the parallel combination? A less than either R1 or R2 B equal to R1 C equal to R2 D the average of R1 and R2
Mark scheme: A
Q33 · The diagram shows a motor connected to an a.c
33 The diagram shows a motor connected to an a.c. supply. The circuit is incomplete. X Y M Which device needs to be connected between point X and point Y to prevent the wires from overheating if a fault in the motor causes the current to get too high? A an ammeter B a fuse C a transformer D a length of thick copper wire
Mark scheme: B
Q34 · A hairdresser is using a hairdryer with a plastic casing
34 A hairdresser is using a hairdryer with a plastic casing. He notices that there is no wire attached to the earth pin of the plug. Why is an earth connection not needed? A Plastic is an insulator. B The hairdresser only touches the handle of the dryer. C The hairdryer uses a.c. so cannot give the hairdresser a shock. D Wet hands do not conduct electricity.
Mark scheme: A
Q35 · Four positions of a current-carrying coil in a magnetic field, as in a d.c
35 Four positions of a current-carrying coil in a magnetic field, as in a d.c. motor, are shown. In diagrams 2 and 4, the coil is at an angle of 45 to the field lines. 1 2 3 4 N S N S N S N S coil Which row is correct? turning effect of the forces turning effect of the forces in positions 1 and 3 in positions 2 and 4 A different different B different same C same different D same same
Mark scheme: B
Q36 · An electric drill, operating from a supply voltage of 240 V, uses a current of 3.5 A
36 An electric drill, operating from a supply voltage of 240 V, uses a current of 3.5 A. Which rating of fuse should be used to protect the drill’s cable? A 250 V B 200 V C 5 A D 3 A
Mark scheme: C
Q37 · A very important experiment improved scientists’ understanding of the structure of matter
37 A very important experiment improved scientists’ understanding of the structure of matter. The experiment involved -particles being fired at a thin, gold foil. What happened? A All the -particles were absorbed by the nuclei of the gold atoms. B All the -particles were unaffected by the gold atoms. C Some of the -particles were attracted by the neutrons in the nuclei of the gold atoms. D Some of the -particles were repelled by the protons in the nuclei of the gold atoms.
Mark scheme: D
Q38 · A sample contains 0.0016 g of a radioactive isotope
38 A sample contains 0.0016 g of a radioactive isotope. After 4.0 hours the mass of the radioactive isotope in the sample falls to 0.00080 g. What is the half-life of the radioactive isotope? A 2.0 hours B 4.0 hours C 8.0 hours D 16 hours
Mark scheme: B
Q39 · A sample of a radioactive isotope has a mass of 100 g
39 A sample of a radioactive isotope has a mass of 100 g. The half-life of the radioactive isotope is 6.0 hours. Which graph shows the decay for this isotope? A B mass of 100 mass of 100 isotope 80 isotope 80 remaining 60 remaining 60 / g 40 / g 40 20 20 0 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 101112 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 101112 time / hours time / hours C D mass of 100 mass of 100 isotope 80 isotope 80 remaining 60 remaining 60 / g 40 / g 40 20 20 0 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 101112 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 101112 time / hours time / hours
Mark scheme: C
Q40 · Which statement best describes background radiation?
40 Which statement best describes background radiation? A any harmful level of radiation B radiation that is only found in space C radiation from natural sources D radiation that is absorbed by rocks
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.
4Energy, work and power4Electric circuits3Electrical quantities3Light3Radioactivity3Electromagnetic spectrum2Forces2General properties of waves2Kinetic particle model of matter2Thermal properties and temperature2Density1Electromagnetic effects1Mass and weight1Motion1Physical quantities and measurement techniques1Pressure1Simple phenomena of magnetism1Sound1The nuclear model of the atom1Transfer of thermal energy1What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2021 Oct/Nov, Paper 1 · Variant 2. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.