Cambridge IGCSE Physics 0625 — 2024 Oct/Nov Paper 5 · Variant 1
0625/51/O/N/24 · 4 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 paper12 pages












Mark scheme8 pages
Answers below. Sit the paper first if you are practising.








Questions as text
Q1 · In this experiment, you will investigate the period of a pendulum
1 In this experiment, you will investigate the period of a pendulum. Refer to Fig. 1.1 and Fig. 1.2. support support d x bob floor one complete oscillation Fig. 1.1 Fig. 1.2 A pendulum has been set up for you as shown in Fig. 1.1. Do not change the height of the support. (a) • Adjust the length of the pendulum until the distance d measured from the bottom of the support to the centre of the bob is 90.0 cm. • Displace the bob slightly and release it so that it swings. Fig. 1.2 shows one complete oscillation of the pendulum. • Measure, and record in Table 1.1, the time t for 10 complete oscillations. • Calculate, and record in Table 1.1, the period T of the pendulum. The period is the time for one complete oscillation. • Calculate T 2 and record in Table 1.1. [2] Table 1.1 d / cm t / s T / s T 2 / s2 90.0 45.0 (b) Repeat the procedure in (a) using a distance d = 45.0 cm. [3] (c) Explain why timing 10 oscillations gives a more accurate result for the period T than timing 1 oscillation. ................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................. [1] (d) Describe one technique that you use to improve accuracy when measuring the distance d. You may draw a diagram to help your description. ................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................. [1] (e) Describe one technique that you use to improve accuracy when measuring the time t for 10 oscillations. ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................. [1] (f) Measure the distance x between the bottom of the support and the floor. Give your answer to the nearest cm. x = ................................................... cm [1] (g) A student plans to plot a graph of T 2 against d. Suggest suitable values of d that the student can use to obtain measurements that are sufficient for this task. ................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................. [2] [Total: 11]
Mark scheme: Question Answer Marks 1(a) (For d = 90.0 cm): 18 (s) < t < 20 (s) 1 T = t / 10 1 1(b) (For d = 45.0 cm): 13 (s) < t < 14 (s) 1 T2 correct 1 Both T2 to either 2, 3 or 4 significant figures 1 1(c) Errors at beginning and / or end of timing less significant 1 1(d) Correct use of set-square or similar aid OR rule close to bob 1 1(e) Counting down 1 OR use of fiducial marker OR counting as pendulum passes vertical 1(f) 100 (cm) < x < 200 (cm) 1 1(g) At least 3 additional values 1 All within distance x with a minimum value of 25 cm 1
More questions on Physical quantities and measurement techniques
Q2 · In this experiment, you will investigate the cooling of water in a metal can
2 In this experiment, you will investigate the cooling of water in a metal can. Refer to Fig. 2.1. thermometer metal can bench Fig. 2.1 (a) Use the thermometer to measure room temperature θ R. θ R = .......................................................... [1] (b) (i) Pour 200 cm3 of hot water into the metal can. Place the thermometer in the hot water in the can. Record in Table 2.1 the temperature θ of the hot water at time t = 0. Immediately start the stop‑watch. Continue recording the temperature in Table 2.1 at 30 s intervals until you have seven sets of readings. [2] (ii) Complete the column headings in Table 2.1. Table 2.1 t / θ/ 0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 [1] (c) Plot a graph of temperature θ (y‑axis) against time t (x‑axis). Label your axes appropriately. You do not need to start the y‑axis at 0. Draw the best‑fit curve. [4] (d) A student states that the average rate of cooling of the water decreases as the temperature of the water approaches room temperature. State whether your graph line supports this suggestion. Explain your answer by reference to the shape of the graph line. statement .................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................... explanation ............................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................. [2] (e) Explain why it is good practice to read the thermometer scale at right angles to the reading. ................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................. [1] [Total: 11]
Mark scheme: 2(a) Realistic room temperature 1 2(b)(i) Temperatures decreasing as time passes 1 All temperatures to at least 1°C 1 2(b)(ii) °C, min 1 2(c) Graph: Axes correctly labelled and right way round 1 Suitable scales 1 All plots correct to ½ small square 1 Good line judgement, thin, continuous line 1 2(d) Statement to match graph line 1 Explanation to match statement and line. 1 2(e) Avoids line-of-sight / parallax error 1
Q3 · In this experiment, you will investigate the image produced by a lens
3 In this experiment, you will investigate the image produced by a lens. Refer to Fig. 3.1 and Fig. 3.2. illuminated object u v screen lens bench Fig. 3.1 (not to scale) hO Fig. 3.2 (not to scale) (a) Measure the height hO of the illuminated object in your experiment. (Fig. 3.2 shows the height to be measured on your illuminated object.) hO = ......................................................... [2] (b) • Place the lens a distance u = 25.0 cm from the illuminated object. • Move the screen slowly until a clearly focused image is formed on the screen. • Measure the distance v between the centre of the lens and the screen. v = ................................................... cm [1] uv (c) Calculate the focal length f of the lens using the equation f = (u+v) Give your answer to three significant figures and include the unit. f = ......................................................... [3] (d) The object is brighter than the image. Complete the sentences to describe two other ways in which the image seen on the screen is different from the object. 1. The image is ....................................................................... 2. The image is ....................................................................... [2] (e) Repeat the steps in (b) and (c) using a distance u = 30.0 cm. v = ......................................................... cm f = ......................................................... [2] (f) State and explain whether your results in (c) and (e) for the focal length f are equal within the limits of experimental accuracy. ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................. [1] [Total: 11]
Mark scheme: 3(a) 1.3 < hO < 1.7 1 cm (mm in case of 13 < hO < 17) 1 3(b) v 30 cm 1 3(c) 13.0 < f < 17.0 1 Unit: cm 1 3 significant figures, with correct rounding 1 3(d) Upside down / inverted 1 Magnified / larger / enlarged 1 3(e) v 25 cm 1 Both f values within 10% of each other 1 3(f) Statement matches results (expect YES) 1 Same within 10%
Q4 · A student investigates the current required to melt different fuse wires
4 A student investigates the current required to melt different fuse wires. Fig. 4.1 shows part of the circuit the student uses. The following equipment is also available: • fuse wires with a selection of different diameters and metals (all with the same length) • metre ruler • ammeter • variable resistor. fuse wire Fig. 4.1 Plan an experiment to investigate how one factor affects the current required to melt a fuse wire. You are not required to do this investigation. You do not need to write about safety precautions. In your plan: • state the variable that you choose to investigate • complete the circuit diagram on Fig. 4.1 • explain briefly how to do the investigation • state one key variable to keep constant • draw a table, or tables, with column headings, to display the readings (you are not required to enter any readings in the table) • explain how to use your results to reach a conclusion. .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................... [7]
Mark scheme: 4 MP1 1 CIRCUIT: Ammeter and variable resistor both shown in series with test wire and with correct symbols. MP2 1 METHOD MARK 1: Adjust current / variable resistor until wire melts / current stops. Take current reading. MP3 1 THE CHOSEN VARIABLE: metal used or diameter MP4 1 METHOD MARK 2: Repeat with other metal(s) or other diameter(s) MP5 1 VARIABLE TO KEEP CONSTANT: Diameter of wire or metal used, provided it is not the variable chosen for MP3 MP6 1 TABLE with clear columns for current with unit A and for their chosen variable, with correct unit if appropriate. MP7 1 CONCLUSION: Plot graph of current against diameter OR bar chart of current against metal OR compare the readings to see if the chosen variable affects the current at which the fuse wire melts
What was in this paper
The subtopics covered by these 4 questions, and how many questions each got. Open one in a new tab to see every Cambridge question on it.
What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2024 Oct/Nov, Paper 5 · Variant 1. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.