Cambridge IGCSE Physics 0625 — 2025 Oct/Nov Paper 1 · Variant 3
0625/13/O/N/25 · 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 girl uses a ruler to measure the length of a metal rod
1 A girl uses a ruler to measure the length of a metal rod. The end of the ruler is damaged, so she places one end of the rod at the 1 cm mark, as shown. metal rod damaged end 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 cm How long is the metal rod? A 43 mm B 46 mm C 53 mm D 56 mm
Mark scheme: B
More questions on Physical quantities and measurement techniques
Q2 · Four balls with different masses are dropped from the heights shown
2 Four balls with different masses are dropped from the heights shown. Air resistance can be ignored. Which ball has the greatest average speed? A B C D 1.0 kg 2.0 kg 3.0 kg 4.0 m 4.0 kg 3.0 m 2.0 m 1.0 m ground
Mark scheme: D
Q3 · An arrow travels horizontally in a straight line at constant speed
3 An arrow travels horizontally in a straight line at constant speed. In which direction does the weight of the arrow act? C direction of motion B D A ground
Mark scheme: A
Q4 · Which piece of equipment is useful in determining the density of an irregularly-shaped…
4 Which piece of equipment is useful in determining the density of an irregularly-shaped stone? A stop-watch B metre ruler C measuring cylinder D voltmeter
Mark scheme: C
Q5 · Four load–extension graphs are shown for a spring
5 Four load–extension graphs are shown for a spring. Which graph shows that the load is proportional to the extension? A B load load 0 0 0 extension 0 extension C D load load 0 0 0 extension 0 extension
Mark scheme: A
Q6 · A man holds a ladder in four different positions, pivoting around his shoulder
6 A man holds a ladder in four different positions, pivoting around his shoulder. The weight of the ladder causes a moment about the man’s shoulder. In which position is the moment greatest? A B C D
Mark scheme: B
Q7 · A child has four blocks of wood in the shapes of the letters A, M, T and X
7 A child has four blocks of wood in the shapes of the letters A, M, T and X. The blocks have equal heights and thicknesses. At their widest parts, their widths are equal. The child stands the four blocks the right way up on a flat table. Which block is most likely to fall over when the block is slightly knocked? A letter A B letter M C letter T D letter X
Mark scheme: C
Q8 · When an object falls freely due to gravity, energy that was stored as gravitational…
8 When an object falls freely due to gravity, energy that was stored as gravitational potential energy is transferred to the kinetic energy store. How is the energy transferred in this process? A by electrical work B by electromagnetic waves C by heating D by mechanical work
Mark scheme: D
Q9 · A woman pushes a mower across a lawn
9 A woman pushes a mower across a lawn. Which quantities does the woman use to calculate the work she does? A distance, force and time B distance and force only C distance and time only D force and time only
Mark scheme: B
Q10 · A steel knife needs a cutting edge with a small surface area
10 A steel knife needs a cutting edge with a small surface area. What is the reason for this? A A small surface area increases the pressure. B A small surface area increases the density of the steel. C A small surface area prevents the cutting edge from rusting. D A small surface area prevents the knife from becoming magnetised.
Mark scheme: A
Q11 · When a hot gas cools, its internal energy decreases
11 When a hot gas cools, its internal energy decreases. What causes this? A a decrease in the average kinetic energy of the gas particles B a decrease in the gravitational potential energy of the gas particles C an increase in the average speed of the gas particles D an increase in the average distance of separation of the gas particles
Mark scheme: A
Q12 · The temperature of an object is 37 °C
12 The temperature of an object is 37 °C. What is the temperature of the object in kelvin? A –236 K B 7.4 K C 236 K D 310 K
Mark scheme: D
Q13 · The diagram shows part of a railway track
13 The diagram shows part of a railway track. Each section of the railway track is separated by a gap. sections of railway track gap Why are these gaps necessary? A The tracks contract on cold days. B The tracks contract on warm days. C The tracks expand on cold days. D The tracks expand on warm days.
Mark scheme: D
Q14 · A test-tube contains a volume of 1.0 cm3 of liquid water at a temperature of 100 °C
14 A test-tube contains a volume of 1.0 cm3 of liquid water at a temperature of 100 °C. The liquid water boils to form a volume of 1600 cm3 of steam. What is the reason for the large increase in volume? A Steam particles are bigger than water particles. B The average distance between the particles is much greater in the steam. C The particles do not move until the water turns into a gas. D There are more steam particles than there were water particles.
Mark scheme: B
Q15 · When a liquid is exposed to the air, the more-energetic particles escape from the surface…
15 When a liquid is exposed to the air, the more-energetic particles escape from the surface of the liquid. What is the name of this process? A boiling B condensation C convection D evaporation
Mark scheme: D
Q16 · The diagram shows a hot-water tank
16 The diagram shows a hot-water tank. The tank has a heater, X, halfway up the tank. hot water out heater X cold water in Heater X is switched on. Which row states the main processes by which thermal energy is transferred to the water above the heater and to the water below the heater? thermal energy transfer to thermal energy transfer to the water above the heater the water below the heater A conduction conduction B conduction convection C convection conduction D convection convection
Mark scheme: C
Q17 · The handle of a metal cooking pan is made from wood
17 The handle of a metal cooking pan is made from wood. What is a reason for making the handle from wood? A to increase thermal energy transfer by conduction B to increase thermal energy transfer by convection C to reduce thermal energy transfer by conduction D to reduce thermal energy transfer by convection
Mark scheme: C
Q18 · A student observes waves travelling across the surface of water
18 A student observes waves travelling across the surface of water. The diagram shows two pieces of wood resting in shallow water of constant depth. Straight parallel wavefronts approach the pieces of wood, as shown. wavefront wood gap wood The gap between the pieces of wood is 2.0 cm wide. The wavefronts are 3.0 cm apart. What is the appearance of the wavefronts after they pass through the gap? A semicircular and 2.0 cm apart B semicircular and 3.0 cm apart C straight and 2.0 cm apart D straight and 3.0 cm apart
Mark scheme: B
Q19 · P-waves and S-waves are produced in the ground during an earthquake
19 P-waves and S-waves are produced in the ground during an earthquake. Which statement about these waves is correct? A Only P-waves are transverse waves. B Only P-waves are longitudinal waves. C Both P-waves and S-waves are longitudinal waves. D Both P-waves and S-waves are transverse waves.
Mark scheme: B
Q20 · A ray of light is incident on a plane mirror
20 A ray of light is incident on a plane mirror. A student measures the angle of incidence i and the angle of reflection r. incident i r reflected ray ray The student varies the angle of incidence and then plots a graph of r against i. What does the graph look like? A B C D r r r r 0 0 0 0 0 i 0 i 0 i 0 i
Mark scheme: C
Q21 · A ray of light passes from air into a block of glass
21 A ray of light passes from air into a block of glass. The critical angle is 42°. Which statement is correct? A The angle of incidence is the angle between the ray of light and the surface of the glass block. B The angle of incidence is always bigger than 42°. C The angle of refraction cannot be less than 42°. D The angle of refraction is smaller than the angle of incidence.
Mark scheme: D
Q22 · A converging lens is used to produce a real image of a 2 cm high object
22 A converging lens is used to produce a real image of a 2 cm high object. The image is 4 cm high. Which ray diagram shows how the lens forms the image? A B lens lens object object F F F F image image C D lens lens object object F F F F image image
Mark scheme: C
Q23 · White light can be split into different colours by passing it through a prism
23 White light can be split into different colours by passing it through a prism. What is the name of this process? A diffraction B dispersion C reflection D total internal reflection
Mark scheme: B
Q24 · A sound wave with a frequency of 25 000 Hz travels through air with a speed of 340 m / s
24 A sound wave with a frequency of 25 000 Hz travels through air with a speed of 340 m / s. Why can a human not hear the sound? A The frequency is too low. B The frequency is too high. C The speed is too low. D The speed is too high.
Mark scheme: B
Q25 · A drummer hits a drum harder to make a louder sound without changing the pitch of the…
25 A drummer hits a drum harder to make a louder sound without changing the pitch of the sound. Which statement describes the change in properties of the sound as the drummer hits the drum harder? A Only the amplitude of the sound increases. B Only the frequency of the sound decreases. C Both the amplitude and the frequency of the sound increase. D Both the amplitude and the frequency of the sound decrease.
Mark scheme: A
Q26 · A metal sphere is attached to the top of an insulated rod
26 A metal sphere is attached to the top of an insulated rod. A negatively charged rod is held close to one side of the metal sphere. The other side of the metal sphere is earthed. Which diagram shows the distribution of charge on the metal sphere? A B – + – –– – –– –– –– –– + – C D ++ + –– –– + –– + –– + + +
Mark scheme: D
Q27 · A student writes three statements about electric current
27 A student writes three statements about electric current. 1 Electric current is a flow of charge. 2 Electric current in a circuit is measured using a voltmeter. 3 The direction of an alternating current (a.c.) continually changes. Which statements are correct? A 1, 2 and 3 B 1 and 2 only C 1 and 3 only D 2 and 3 only
Mark scheme: C
Q28 · Electromotive force (e.m.f.) is defined in terms of the energy supplied in driving which…
28 Electromotive force (e.m.f.) is defined in terms of the energy supplied in driving which physical quantity around a complete circuit? A charge B resistance C potential difference (p.d.) D power
Mark scheme: A
Q29 · A student measures the resistance of a wire
29 A student measures the resistance of a wire. Which two measurements must the student make? A length and current B potential difference (p.d.) and current C cross-sectional area and power D potential difference (p.d.) and diameter
Mark scheme: B
Q30 · There is a current of 2.0 A in a resistor of resistance 8.0
30 There is a current of 2.0 A in a resistor of resistance 8.0 . What is the potential difference (p.d.) across the resistor? A 0.25 V B 4.0 V C 8.0 V D 16 V
Mark scheme: D
Q31 · There is a current of 2.0 A in a resistor for a time of 30 s
31 There is a current of 2.0 A in a resistor for a time of 30 s. The potential difference (p.d.) across the resistor is 12 V. How much energy is transferred in the resistor? A 1.25 J B 5.0 J C 180 J D 720 J
Mark scheme: D
Q32 · The circuit symbol for an ammeter is a circle with a letter A in it
32 The circuit symbol for an ammeter is a circle with a letter A in it. The symbol for a fuse is a rectangle with a central line. Which pair of circuit symbols is also one involving a circle followed by one involving a rectangle? A a lamp and a cell B a motor and a thermistor C a switch and a heater D a voltmeter and a battery
Mark scheme: B
Q33 · Which component is not needed when using an appliance that is double-insulated?
33 Which component is not needed when using an appliance that is double-insulated? A earth wire B fuse C live wire D neutral wire
Mark scheme: A
Q34 · A vertical wire passes through a hole in a piece of card
34 A vertical wire passes through a hole in a piece of card. A plotting compass is placed on the card. There is no current in the circuit. wire card plotting compass Which diagram shows the plotting compass when the switch is closed? A B C D
Mark scheme: C
Q35 · Which description of the structure of an atom is correct?
35 Which description of the structure of an atom is correct? A a negatively charged nucleus with negatively charged electrons around it B a negatively charged nucleus with positively charged electrons around it C a positively charged nucleus with negatively charged electrons around it D a positively charged nucleus with positively charged electrons around it
Mark scheme: C
Q36 · Alpha, beta and gamma emissions are compared
36 Alpha, beta and gamma emissions are compared. Alpha radiation is the ......1...... ionising as it has the ......2...... electric charge. Which words correctly complete the sentence? 1 2 A least largest B least smallest C most largest D most smallest
Mark scheme: C
Q37 · A student collects data for a new radioactive substance
37 A student collects data for a new radioactive substance. 800 000 700 000 count rate 600 000 counts / s 500 000 400 000 300 000 200 000 100 000 0 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 time / s Using the graph, what is the approximate half-life of the substance? A 1400 s B 2000 s C 100 000 s D 800 000 s
Mark scheme: A
Q38 · Four rocky planets orbit the Sun
38 Four rocky planets orbit the Sun. Which list shows these planets in order of increasing distance from the Sun? A Earth Mars Mercury Venus B Venus Earth Mars Mercury C Mercury Venus Earth Mars D Mars Mercury Venus Earth
Mark scheme: C
Q39 · In which given region of the electromagnetic spectrum does the Sun radiate the least of…
39 In which given region of the electromagnetic spectrum does the Sun radiate the least of its energy? A infrared B microwave C ultraviolet D visible
Mark scheme: B
Q40 · Light from distant galaxies is redshifted when it is observed from Earth
40 Light from distant galaxies is redshifted when it is observed from Earth. Which property of the light increases when light is redshifted? A amplitude B frequency C speed D wavelength
Mark scheme: D
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.
5Light4Forces3Kinetic particle model of matter3Energy, work and power2General properties of waves2Radioactivity2Sound2Thermal properties and temperature2Transfer of thermal energy2Density1Electric circuits1Electrical safety1Electromagnetic effects1Electromagnetic spectrum1Mass and weight1Motion1Physical quantities and measurement techniques1Pressure1Simple phenomena of magnetism1Stars and the Universe1The Earth and the Solar System1The nuclear model of the atom1What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2025 Oct/Nov, Paper 1 · Variant 3. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.