Cambridge IGCSE Physics 0625 — 2024 Oct/Nov Paper 1 · Variant 3
0625/13/O/N/24 · 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 uses a ruler to find the volume of water in a tank
1 A student uses a ruler to find the volume of water in a tank. She measures the lengths EF and FG. I H J K water G E F What other length does she need to measure? A FJ B FK C HI D IJ
Mark scheme: B
More questions on Physical quantities and measurement techniques
Q2 · Which statement is correct?
2 Which statement is correct? A speed = distance travelled time taken B speed = velocity in a given direction time taken C velocity = distance travelled D velocity = speed in a given direction
Mark scheme: D
Q3 · A stone falls freely from the top of a cliff
3 A stone falls freely from the top of a cliff. Air resistance may be ignored. Which graph shows how the acceleration of the stone varies with time as it falls? A B acceleration acceleration 0 0 0 time 0 time C D acceleration acceleration 0 0 0 time 0 time
Mark scheme: D
Q4 · Which statement about weight is correct?
4 Which statement about weight is correct? A It is a measure of the quantity of matter in an object. B It is the gravitational force on an object that has mass. C It is equivalent to the acceleration of free fall. D It is the gravitational force per unit mass. m .
Mark scheme: B
Q5 · A student uses the equation = V Which row shows the correct meaning of these symbols?
5 A student uses the equation = V Which row shows the correct meaning of these symbols? m V A density mass velocity B density mass volume C pressure mass volume D pressure moment velocity
Mark scheme: B
Q6 · What is the point at which the weight of an object appears to act?
6 What is the point at which the weight of an object appears to act? A the centre of gravity of the object B the density of the object C the moment of a force about a point D the pressure on the object due to its depth
Mark scheme: A
Q7 · A spring is stretched by adding loads to it
7 A spring is stretched by adding loads to it. Which diagram shows the extension–load graph for the spring? A B extension extension 0 0 0 load 0 load C D extension extension 0 0 0 load 0 load
Mark scheme: B
Q8 · The diagram shows a force of 12 N being used to push a box up a slope
8 The diagram shows a force of 12 N being used to push a box up a slope. The box is moved 8.0 m along the slope. This lifts the box through a vertical height of 2.5 m. 8.0 m 12 N 2.5 m How much work is done pushing the box from the bottom to the top of the slope? A 1.5 J B 4.8 J C 30 J D 96 J
Mark scheme: D
Q9 · Which energy resource is non-renewable?
9 Which energy resource is non-renewable? A biofuel B energy from the Sun C nuclear fuel D water behind a dam
Mark scheme: C
Q10 · What is the relationship between the power of a motor, the force exerted by the motor…
10 What is the relationship between the power of a motor, the force exerted by the motor, the distance moved by the force and the time taken? distance moved time taken A power = force B power = force distance moved time taken force time taken C power = distance moved force distance moved D power = time taken
Mark scheme: D
Q11 · How is pressure defined?
11 How is pressure defined? A area per unit force B force per unit area C mass per unit area D mass per unit volume
Mark scheme: B
Q12 · A fixed mass of gas is trapped in a cylinder with a piston
12 A fixed mass of gas is trapped in a cylinder with a piston. The volume of the gas is slowly reduced at constant temperature without any particles of gas escaping. Which statement is correct? A The force exerted by the gas on the piston will decrease because the particles move more quickly. B The force exerted by the gas on the piston will decrease because the particles move more slowly. C The force exerted by the gas on the piston will increase because the particles are hitting the piston harder. D The force exerted by the gas on the piston will increase because the particles are hitting the piston more frequently.
Mark scheme: D
Q13 · The air temperature rises from 10 C to 40 C
13 The air temperature rises from 10 C to 40 C. What is the change in temperature, expressed in kelvin? A 30 K B 50 K C 243 K D 303 K
Mark scheme: A
Q14 · Which effect is not due to thermal expansion?
14 Which effect is not due to thermal expansion? A convection currents in air B expansion of a bubble rising through a fizzy drink C expansion of a liquid in a thermometer D lengthening of overhead power lines in the summer
Mark scheme: B
Q15 · On a hot summer day, the level of the water in a pond falls
15 On a hot summer day, the level of the water in a pond falls. Which statement explains this? A The least energetic water particles escape from the surface and do not return. B The least energetic water particles escape from the surface and then return. C The most energetic water particles escape from the surface and do not return. D The most energetic water particles escape from the surface and then return.
Mark scheme: C
Q16 · The diagram shows a vacuum flask used to keep liquid hot
16 The diagram shows a vacuum flask used to keep liquid hot. vacuum hot liquid How does thermal energy pass through the vacuum? A conduction and convection only B conduction only C convection only D radiation only
Mark scheme: D
Q17 · The diagrams show two transverse waves X and Y and are to the same scale
17 The diagrams show two transverse waves X and Y and are to the same scale. wave X wave Y displacement displacement 0 0 0 position 0 position Which row is correct? wave with the wave with the largest amplitude largest wavelength A X X B X Y C Y X D Y Y
Mark scheme: B
Q18 · Which row shows an example of a transverse wave and an example of a longitudinal wave?
18 Which row shows an example of a transverse wave and an example of a longitudinal wave? transverse longitudinal A light radio B radio sound C sound water D water light
Mark scheme: B
Q19 · A ray of light is reflected from a plane mirror
19 A ray of light is reflected from a plane mirror. Which angle is the angle of reflection? A the angle between the incident ray and the normal B the angle between the incident ray and the reflected ray C the angle between the reflected ray and the normal D the angle between the reflected ray and the surface
Mark scheme: C
Q20 · A thin converging lens forms an image
20 A thin converging lens forms an image. object image F F What is the nature of this image and can it be formed on a screen? can be formed nature of image on a screen A virtual no B virtual yes C real no D real yes
Mark scheme: D
Q21 · Which diagram shows the dispersion of white light by a prism?
21 Which diagram shows the dispersion of white light by a prism? A B white violet white red red violet C D violet red white red white violet
Mark scheme: B
Q22 · Which row correctly compares microwaves and ultraviolet?
22 Which row correctly compares microwaves and ultraviolet? frequency of microwaves uses compared to ultraviolet A higher microwaves are used to heat water and ultraviolet is used to sterilise water B higher microwaves are used to sterilise water and ultraviolet is used to heat water C lower microwaves are used to heat water and ultraviolet is used to sterilise water D lower microwaves are used to sterilise water and ultraviolet is used to heat water
Mark scheme: C
Q23 · A pulse of sound is produced at the bottom of a boat
23 A pulse of sound is produced at the bottom of a boat. The sound travels through the water and is reflected from the seabed. The reflected sound reaches the boat 1.3 s after the sound was produced. The seabed is 1000 m below the boat. boat 1000 m seabed Using this information, what is the speed of sound in the water? A 770 m / s B 1300 m / s C 1500 m / s D 2600 m / s
Mark scheme: C
Q24 · The diagram shows three small compasses near to a bar magnet
24 The diagram shows three small compasses near to a bar magnet. P N S Q R Which compasses show the direction of the magnetic field due to the bar magnet? A P and Q B P only C Q and R D Q only
Mark scheme: D
Q25 · A negatively charged rod is brought close to an isolated, uncharged metal sphere
25 A negatively charged rod is brought close to an isolated, uncharged metal sphere. isolated, uncharged – negatively charged rod – metal sphere – – P Q – – What are the charges on sides P and Q of the sphere? A P and Q are both negatively charged. B P and Q are both positively charged. C P is negatively charged and Q is positively charged. D P is positively charged and Q is negatively charged.
Mark scheme: D
Q26 · The diagram shows a simple circuit
26 The diagram shows a simple circuit. A wire V The ammeter reading is 2.0 A and the voltmeter reading is 6.0 V. What is the resistance of the wire? A 0.33 B 3.0 C 8.0 D 12
Mark scheme: B
Q27 · A lamp is rated 240 V, 0.40 A
27 A lamp is rated 240 V, 0.40 A. The lamp operates at normal brightness for 1.0 min. How much energy does the lamp transfer? A 60 J B 96 J C 600 J D 5800 J
Mark scheme: D
Q28 · The diagram shows a torch containing two cells, a switch and a lamp
28 The diagram shows a torch containing two cells, a switch and a lamp. cells plastic case brass switch connecting strip lamp Which circuit diagram is correct for the torch? A B C D
Mark scheme: A
Q29 · Which symbol represents a device that contains a current-carrying coil in a magnetic…
29 Which symbol represents a device that contains a current-carrying coil in a magnetic field? A B C D M
Mark scheme: B
Q30 · The diagram shows a three-core cable connecting a three-pin socket to an electric fire…
30 The diagram shows a three-core cable connecting a three-pin socket to an electric fire with a metal frame. E P L N Q R heating element metal frame The earth, live and neutral connections of the socket are labelled E, L and N respectively. A switch is connected into the circuit. Where is a switch connected? A at either of P or R B at P only C at Q only D at R only
Mark scheme: B
Q31 · A student investigates electromagnetic induction
31 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 sensitive voltmeter. coil of wire bar magnet S N V What can she do to get a greater reading on the sensitive voltmeter? 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
Q32 · The direction of the current in a straight wire X is into the paper
32 The direction of the current in a straight wire X is into the paper. Which diagram shows the shape of the magnetic field pattern around the wire? A B C D
Mark scheme: A
Q33 · What does a step-up transformer increase?
33 What does a step-up transformer increase? A current B energy C power D voltage
Mark scheme: D
Q34 · When measuring the emissions from a radioactive rock brought into the laboratory, a…
34 When measuring the emissions from a radioactive rock brought into the laboratory, a teacher mentions that background radiation must be taken into account. What is this background radiation? A ionising radiation in the laboratory when the radioactive rock is not present B ionising radiation from the radioactive rock brought into the laboratory C infrared radiation from the Sun D infrared radiation from warm objects in the laboratory
Mark scheme: A
Q35 · How do the ionising effect and the penetrating ability of -particles compare with those…
35 How do the ionising effect and the penetrating ability of -particles compare with those of -particles and -rays? ionising penetrating effect ability A higher lower B higher higher C lower lower D lower higher
Mark scheme: A
Question 36
36 Half-life is ......1...... for the ......2...... a sample of a radioactive isotope to halve. Which words correctly complete gaps 1 and 2? 1 2 A half of the time taken nucleon number of B half of the time taken number of nuclei in C the time taken nucleon number of D the time taken number of nuclei in
Mark scheme: D
Q37 · Radioactive materials must be handled in a safe way
37 Radioactive materials must be handled in a safe way. What is not a safety procedure? A storing radioactive materials in cardboard boxes B monitoring exposure time to radioactive materials C using tongs to pick up the radioactive source D wearing protective clothing
Mark scheme: A
Q38 · The Solar System contains eight major planets
38 The Solar System contains eight major planets. What is the correct order of three of the major planets, starting with the planet furthest from the Sun? A Mercury Venus Earth B Neptune Jupiter Saturn C Neptune Mars Earth D Jupiter Saturn Uranus
Mark scheme: C
Q39 · The diagram shows a radio signal from the Earth being reflected by Pluto and returning to…
39 The diagram shows a radio signal from the Earth being reflected by Pluto and returning to the Earth. The distance between the Earth and Pluto is 0.00050 light-years. Pluto Earth What is the time taken for the radio signal to return to the Earth after being sent? A 2000 years B 1000 years C 0.0010 years D 0.00050 years
Mark scheme: C
Q40 · The Milky Way is a ......1.....
40 The Milky Way is a ......1...... made up of about a hundred ......2...... stars. Which words correctly complete gaps 1 and 2? 1 2 A galaxy billion B universe billion C galaxy thousand D universe thousand
Mark scheme: A
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.
4Electromagnetic effects3Energy, work and power3Light3Simple phenomena of magnetism3Electrical quantities2Forces2General properties of waves2Kinetic particle model of matter2Motion2The Earth and the Solar System2Thermal properties and temperature2Density1Electric circuits1Electrical safety1Electromagnetic spectrum1Mass and weight1Physical quantities and measurement techniques1Pressure1Sound1Stars and the Universe1Transfer of thermal energy1What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2024 Oct/Nov, Paper 1 · Variant 3. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.