Cambridge IGCSE Physics 0625 — 2025 Oct/Nov Paper 5 · Variant 1
0625/51/O/N/25 · 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 scheme14 pages
Answers below. Sit the paper first if you are practising.














Questions as text
Q1 · In this experiment, you will investigate the balancing of a metre ruler
1 In this experiment, you will investigate the balancing of a metre ruler. Refer to Fig. 1.1. 50.0 cm mark metre ruler load object Q x y 0 100 90.0 cm mark bench pivot Fig. 1.1 (a) • Place the metre ruler on the pivot at the 50.0 cm mark. • Place the object Q with its centre on the metre ruler at the 90.0 cm mark. Determine the distance y from the 50.0 cm mark to the centre of the object Q. y = .................................................... cm [2] (b) • Place the 2.0 N load on the metre ruler. • Adjust the position of the load so that the metre ruler is as near as possible to being balanced. (i) Determine the distance x from the centre of the load to the 50.0 cm mark. x = .................................................... cm [1] x (ii) Calculate the weight W of object Q, using the equation W = × 2.0 N. y Give your answer to a suitable number of significant figures for this experiment. W = ...................................................... N [2] (c) Remove the 2.0 N load from the metre ruler. Do not change the position of object Q. x Repeat the steps above, using the 3.0 N load and the equation W = × 3.0 N. y y = .......................................................... cm x = .......................................................... cm W = ............................................................ N [2] (d) State and explain whether your two values of W are equal within the limits of experimental accuracy. Refer to the values of W in your answer. statement .................................................................................................................................. explanation ................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... [2] (e) Explain how you ensure that the centre of object Q is directly over the 90.0 cm mark of the metre ruler. You may draw a diagram. ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................. [1] (f) It is difficult to find the position of the load to obtain the exact balance of the metre ruler. Explain how you try to overcome this difficulty. ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................. [1] [Total: 11]
Mark scheme: Question Answer Marks 1 40(.0) 2 given to nearest 0.1 cm 1(b)(i) x value ⩽ 50 cm 1 1(b)(ii) Correct calculation of W 2 W given to 2 or 3 significant figures 1(c) New value for x less than previous value 2 W values equal within 10% 1(d) Statement to match results 2 Explanation with (W values quoted and) matching statement and results 1(e) A diagram clearly showing a suitable approach e.g. edges of object Q symmetrically either side of 90.0 cm mark. 1 Or wording describing the method. 1(f) Repeat and average OR Move the load back and forth / slowly (to establish the range within which the balance point resides 1 or until best balance).
Q2 · In this experiment, you will investigate the resistance of a wire
2 In this experiment, you will investigate the resistance of a wire. Refer to Fig. 2.1. The circuit has been set up for you. A d B C V sliding resistance contact S wire Fig. 2.1 (a) Close the switch. Measure the current I in the circuit. Include the unit. I = ......................................................... [1] (b) Place the sliding contact on the resistance wire at a distance of 20.0 cm from B. Measure the potential difference (p.d.) V across the length d = 20.0 cm of resistance wire BC. (i) Record the values of d and V in Table 2.1. [1] Open the switch. (ii) Calculate the resistance R of 20.0 cm of the resistance wire, using the equation V R = . I Record R in Table 2.1. [1] (iii) Complete the column headings in Table 2.1. [1] Table 2.1 d / V / R / (c) Close the switch. Repeat the procedure in (b)(i) and (b)(ii) using values of d = 40.0 cm, d = 60.0 cm, d = 80.0 cm and d = 100.0 cm. [3] (d) Plot a graph of resistance R / Ω (y-axis) against length d / cm (x-axis). Draw a best-fit line. [4] [Total: 11]
Mark scheme: 2(a) I to at least 2 dp and less than 1 A 1 2(b)(i) d = 20.0 and V to at least 1 dp 1 2(b)(ii) First R value correct 1 2(b)(iii) cm, V, 1 2(c) Table completed with d = 40.0, 60.0, 80.0, 100.0 3 V values increasing Consistent 3 significant figures or consistent 4 significant figures for R 2(d) Graph: 4 Axes correctly labelled and right way round Suitable scales All plots correct to ½ small square Good line judgement, thin, continuous line
Q3 · In this experiment, you will investigate the refraction of light in the material of a…
3 In this experiment, you will investigate the refraction of light in the material of a transparent block. Use the separate ray-trace sheet provided. You may refer to Fig. 3.1 for guidance. N hole P i A Q B D C L eye Fig. 3.1 (a) • Place the transparent block, largest face down, on the ray-trace sheet supplied. The block should be approximately in the middle of the paper. • Draw and label the outline of the block ABCD. • Remove the block and draw the normal NL to the side AB at a distance 2.0 cm from A. Continue the normal so that it passes through side CD of the block. • Label the point Q where NL crosses AB. [2] (b) • Draw the line PQ at an angle i = 30° to the normal as shown in Fig. 3.1. • Place the paper on the pin board. • Place two pins P1 and P2 on line PQ at a suitable distance apart for this experiment. • Replace the block and look from the position of the eye shown in Fig. 3.1, to observe the images of P1 and P2 through side CD of the block. Adjust your line of sight until the images of P1 and P2 appear exactly one behind the other. • Place two pins P3 and P4 (at a suitable distance apart) between side CD of the block and your eye so that P3 , P4 and the images of P1 and P2 seen through the block appear exactly one behind the other. • Label the positions of P1 , P2 , P3 and P4 . • Remove the pins. [3] (c) • Draw a line through the positions of P3 and P4 . Continue the line until it meets NL and label that point E. • Label the other end of this line F. • Measure the acute angle θ between EF and the normal. An acute angle is an angle less than 90°. angle θ = ……………………….. [2] (d) Repeat the procedure in (b) and (c) using an angle of incidence i = 45° to obtain a new value of angle θ. angle θ = ……………………….. [1] (e) Tick one box to complete the sentence. To produce the most accurate ray-trace, a student places the pins P1 and P2 exactly 5.0 cm apart. less than 5.0 cm apart. more than 5.0 cm apart. [1] (f) A student plans to investigate the relationship between angle i and angle θ. The student takes more sets of readings to test the relationship. List suitable values of angle i that the student can use. ................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................. [2] Write your name, centre number and candidate number on your ray-trace sheet. Tie your ray-trace sheet into this Question Booklet between pages 6 and 7. [Total: 11]
Mark scheme: 3(a) Normal at 90° 2 2 cm ( 2 mm) from A 3(b) Incident ray at 30° 2° to left of normal 3 P1 P2 separation at least 5.0 cm Refracted ray in correct quadrant 3(c) = value correctly measured to 2° 2 = 30° 2° 3(d) New incident ray in correct quadrant and incident and refracted rays neatly drawn 1 3(e) Third box only ticked 1 3(f) At least 3 extra values (all ⩽ 90°) given 2 Range to spread over at least 30°
Q4 · A student is investigating electrical heaters that are used in the school laboratory to…
4 A student is investigating electrical heaters that are used in the school laboratory to heat beakers of water. The heaters are all 12 V heaters with the same power rating. The student thinks that some heaters are more efficient than other heaters. Plan an experiment to compare how quickly the heaters increase the temperature of water to boiling point. You are not required to do this experiment. The following apparatus is available to the student: • five electrical heaters • beakers • supply of water • 12 V power supply with suitable leads. Other apparatus normally available in a school laboratory can also be used. In your plan: • list any additional apparatus required • explain briefly how you do the investigation, including the measurements you take • state the key variables to be kept constant • draw a suitable table, with column headings, to show how to display your readings (you are not required to enter any readings in the table) • explain how you use the results to reach a conclusion. .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................... [7]
Mark scheme: 4 MP1 APPARATUS: 7 A suitable timer AND a thermometer (so same initial temp.) MP2 MEASURE time taken to heat water to boiling point MP3 INVESTIGATION: Repeat a correct investigation for other heaters TWO VARIABLES TO KEEP CONSTANT: MP4 Initial temperature of water MP5 Volume / mass / amount of water MP6 TABLE with clear columns for heater and time with unit. MP7 CONCLUSION: Construct a bar chart with heater against heating time OR compare times for each heater to see if / how / whether the heater affects the time (to reach b.p.). OR see if the differences are significant / large / beyond experimental accuracy or wtte. Q2. Additional graph notes: NOTE: The principle to apply here is ‘could I draw a significantly better line, using these points, under examination conditions?’ If the answer is definitely ‘yes’, do not award the mark. NOTE: If candidate’s scale consists of actual readings at equal intervals this will produce a perfect straight line! The only marks available in this case are the first (axes right way round and labelled). So maximum 1. If axes are wrong way round, the other 3 marks are still available. NOTE: If d plotted against V. Penalise first mark, then proceed with marking. If V plotted against R. Penalise first and third mark. But second and fourth marks available. Guidance on significant figures. Some questions are intended to assess this, and give the number of figures which are acceptable in the final answer. Where the mark scheme does not mention them, accept any number of significant figures from two upwards so long as the answer rounds to the value in the mark scheme. This includes recurring notation. Guidance on rounding errors. A rounding error in an answer should be penalised, but only where it occurs within one of the first three figures. Beyond that it may be ignored.
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 2025 Oct/Nov, Paper 5 · Variant 1. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.