Cambridge IGCSE Physics (9-1) 0972 — 2018 Oct/Nov Paper 2 · Variant 1
0972/21/O/N/18 · 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 · The diagram shows part of a micrometer screw gauge
1 The diagram shows part of a micrometer screw gauge. 45 0 1 2 40 mm 35 30 What is the smallest reading that can be achieved using this micrometer screw gauge? A 0.0001 mm B 0.01 mm C 0.1 mm D 1 mm
Mark scheme: B
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Q2 · A small, light ball is dropped from the top of a tall building
2 A small, light ball is dropped from the top of a tall building. Which graph shows how the speed of the ball changes with time? A B speed speed 0 0 0 time 0 time C D speed speed 0 0 0 time 0 time
Mark scheme: C
Q3 · A runner runs 300 m at an average speed of 3.0 m / s
3 A runner runs 300 m at an average speed of 3.0 m / s. She then runs another 300 m at an average speed of 6.0 m / s. What is her average speed for the total distance of 600 m? A 2.0 m / s B 4.0 m / s C 4.5 m / s D 8.0 m / s
Mark scheme: B
Q4 · A helium balloon is tied to a top-pan balance
4 A helium balloon is tied to a top-pan balance. A metal block of mass 100 g is placed on the balance. The reading on the balance is 91 g. helium balloon metal block 91 g Which statement can be deduced from this experiment? A The balloon exerts a downward force of 0.09 N on the top-pan balance. B The helium has a mass of –9 g. C The helium has a mass of +9 g. D The resultant downward force on the top-pan balance is 0.91 N.
Mark scheme: D
Q5 · A liquid has a volume of 0.040 m3 and a mass of 30 000 g
5 A liquid has a volume of 0.040 m3 and a mass of 30 000 g. What is the density of the liquid? A 0.075 kg / m3 B 7.5 kg / m3 C 750 kg / m3 D 7500 kg / m3
Mark scheme: C
Q6 · A resultant force of 4.0 N acts on an object of mass 0.50 kg for 3.0 seconds
6 A resultant force of 4.0 N acts on an object of mass 0.50 kg for 3.0 seconds. What is the change in velocity caused by this force? A 4.0 m / s B 6.0 m / s C 12 m / s D 24 m / s
Mark scheme: D
Q7 · Which quantities are both vectors?
7 Which quantities are both vectors? A acceleration and force B acceleration and pressure C density and force D density and pressure
Mark scheme: A
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Q8 · A moving ball with a momentum of 25 kg m / s collides head-on with a wall
8 A moving ball with a momentum of 25 kg m / s collides head-on with a wall. wall ball It rebounds from the wall with the same speed but in the opposite direction. The time of collision is 50 ms. What is the average force exerted on the wall by the ball during the collision? A 0.50 N B 1.00 N C 500 N D 1000 N
Mark scheme: D
Q9 · Which device is designed to convert chemical energy into kinetic energy?
9 Which device is designed to convert chemical energy into kinetic energy? A an a.c. generator B a battery-powered torch C a car engine D a wind-up mechanical clock
Mark scheme: C
Q10 · An object, initially at rest, is dropped from a height of 12.0 m
10 An object, initially at rest, is dropped from a height of 12.0 m. The change in gravitational potential energy when it falls to the ground is 565 J. The frictional forces are negligible. What is its speed when it hits the ground? A 4.71 m / s B 15.5 m / s C 47.1 m / s D 240 m / s
Mark scheme: B
Q11 · A man climbs a ladder
11 A man climbs a ladder. Which two quantities can be used to calculate the useful power of the man? A the weight of the man and the time taken only B the weight of the man and the vertical distance moved only C the work done by the man and the time taken only D the work done by the man and the vertical distance moved only
Mark scheme: C
Q12 · A manometer is used to measure the pressure of a gas supply
12 A manometer is used to measure the pressure of a gas supply. manometer connection to gas supply h liquid Which change gives a greater value of height h ? A using a less dense liquid B using a more dense liquid C using a narrower tube D using a wider tube
Mark scheme: A
Q13 · A washbasin has an exit pipe covered with a plug of area 12 cm2
13 A washbasin has an exit pipe covered with a plug of area 12 cm2. A chain is attached to the centre of the plug to assist in pulling the plug away from the exit hole. The washbasin contains water to a depth of 0.080 m. The density of the water is 1000 kg / m3. chain plug What is the force acting on the plug due to the water? A 0.96 N B 800 N C 9600 N D 80 000 N
Mark scheme: A
Q14 · Apparatus being used to observe smoke particles
14 Diagram 1 shows apparatus being used to observe smoke particles. Diagram 2 shows how a smoke particle moves randomly. diagram 1 diagram 2 eye random movement microscope air molecules light and smoke particles Why do the smoke particles move randomly? A They are hit by air molecules. B They are less dense than air. C They are moved by convection currents. D They gain energy from the light.
Mark scheme: A
Q15 · The gas in a sealed container is compressed at constant temperature
15 The gas in a sealed container is compressed at constant temperature. Which graph shows how the pressure of the gas changes with its volume? A B pressure pressure 0 0 0 volume 0 volume C D pressure pressure 0 0 0 volume 0 volume
Mark scheme: D
Q16 · The distance between two electricity pylons is 60 m
16 The distance between two electricity pylons is 60 m. An engineer fits a cable of length 62 m between the pylons. Why does the engineer choose a cable that is longer than the distance between the two pylons? A to allow for contraction of the cable in cold weather B to create a slope in the cable for electrons to flow down C to keep the current low and the voltage high D to reduce magnetic fields around the cable
Mark scheme: A
Q17 · The diagram shows a liquid-in-glass thermometer
17 The diagram shows a liquid-in-glass thermometer. bulb capillary tube Which change increases the sensitivity of the thermometer? A a narrower capillary tube B a wider capillary tube C thicker glass around the bulb D thinner glass around the bulb
Mark scheme: A
Q18 · An object of mass 800 g and specific heat capacity 250 J / (kg °C) is heated
18 An object of mass 800 g and specific heat capacity 250 J / (kg °C) is heated. It absorbs 5300 J of energy. What is the increase in temperature of the object? A 0.027 °C B 17 °C C 27 °C D 17 000 °C
Mark scheme: C
Q19 · On a cold day, a shiny metal rod feels colder to the touch than a black plastic rod
19 On a cold day, a shiny metal rod feels colder to the touch than a black plastic rod. Which statement explains this observation? A The metal rod is a better absorber of infra-red radiation than the plastic rod. B The metal rod is a better thermal conductor than the plastic rod. C The metal rod is a worse absorber of infra-red radiation than the plastic rod. D The metal rod is a worse thermal conductor than the plastic rod.
Mark scheme: B
Q20 · One end of a copper bar is heated to a high temperature
20 One end of a copper bar is heated to a high temperature. Which mechanism is responsible for the transfer of thermal energy to the other end of the copper bar? A the lattice vibrations of copper ions only B the lattice vibrations of copper ions and the movement of high energy electrons along the bar C the movement of high energy copper ions along the bar D the movement of high energy electrons along the bar only
Mark scheme: B
Q21 · Plane water waves travel from a shallow region into a deeper region
21 Plane water waves travel from a shallow region into a deeper region. They travel more quickly in the deeper water. shallow water boundary wave direction deep water Which diagram shows the wave pattern in the deeper water? A B C D
Mark scheme: C
Q22 · Which statement about the image formed by a plane mirror is correct?
22 Which statement about the image formed by a plane mirror is correct? A The image is larger than the object. B The image is smaller than the object. C The image is twice as far from the mirror as the object. D The image is virtual.
Mark scheme: D
Q23 · A ray of light is incident on a glass-air surface
23 A ray of light is incident on a glass-air surface. The diagrams show the ray of light at different angles of incidence in the glass. air air air glass glass glass 40° 44° 48° What is the refractive index of the glass? A 1.35 B 1.44 C 1.50 D 1.55
Mark scheme: B
Q24 · Different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum are used for different purposes
24 Different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum are used for different purposes. Below are four statements about parts of the spectrum. statement 1: Infra-red waves are used in television remote controllers. statement 2: Radio waves are used to transmit television pictures from satellites to Earth. statement 3: Ultraviolet waves are used for intruder alarms. statement 4: X-rays are used for security checks. Which statements are correct? A 1 and 2 B 1 and 4 C 2 and 3 D 3 and 4
Mark scheme: B
Q25 · Iron is used for the core of a transformer and steel is used to make a bar magnet
25 Iron is used for the core of a transformer and steel is used to make a bar magnet. Which statement explains these uses of iron and of steel? A Iron is a magnetic material and steel is a non-magnetic material. B Iron is a permanent magnetic material and steel is a temporary magnetic material. C Iron is a temporary magnetic material and steel is a permanent magnetic material. D Iron is a non-magnetic material and steel is a magnetic material.
Mark scheme: C
Q26 · A sheet of ice floats on water
26 A sheet of ice floats on water. A source of sound S is positioned at the edge of the ice sheet. Four microphones are placed equal distances from S. Which microphone detects the sound from S first? A air B D S ice water C
Mark scheme: B
Q27 · A bar magnet is placed inside a current-carrying coil
27 A bar magnet is placed inside a current-carrying coil. The diagram shows four different experiments. 1 2 magnet slowly magnet slowly removed removed + – 3 4 current in coil current in coil slowly reduced slowly reduced + – In which experiments is the magnet demagnetised? A 1 and 2 B 1 and 3 C 2 and 4 D 3 and 4
Mark scheme: B
Q28 · The diagrams represent two different electric fields
28 The diagrams represent two different electric fields. field 1 field 2 A single electron is located in each of the fields. Which row gives the correct direction of the force on the electron and the field in which there is a larger force on it? direction of larger force the force A ↓ field 1 B ↓ field 2 C ↑ field 1 D ↑ field 2
Mark scheme: A
Q29 · The resistance of a component in a circuit is found using an ammeter and a voltmeter
29 The resistance of a component in a circuit is found using an ammeter and a voltmeter. How are the ammeter and the voltmeter connected? A the voltmeter and ammeter in parallel with the component B the voltmeter and ammeter in series with the component C the voltmeter in parallel with the component and the ammeter in series with the component D the voltmeter in series with the component and the ammeter in parallel with the component
Mark scheme: C
Q30 · The table gives data for four different electrical devices
30 The table gives data for four different electrical devices. Which device develops the greatest power? device voltage current A car headlight 12 V 3.0 A B cooling fan 110 V 0.40 A C electric spark generator 400 kV 0.10 mA D mains lamp 240 V 0.20 A
Mark scheme: D
Q31 · The circuit diagram shows a fixed resistor R and a thermistor T used in a potential…
31 The circuit diagram shows a fixed resistor R and a thermistor T used in a potential divider circuit. T R VR and VT are the potential differences across R and T respectively. What happens to VR and to VT as the temperature of the thermistor decreases? VR VT A decreases increases B increases decreases C stays the same decreases D stays the same increases
Mark scheme: A
Q32 · The circuit diagram shows a power supply connected to some circuit components
32 The circuit diagram shows a power supply connected to some circuit components. In the diagram, P and Q are the terminals of the d.c. power supply. P Q R1 A R2 Under which circumstances does the ammeter show a reading other than zero? A when P is positive or negative B the ammeter always shows a zero reading C only when P is negative D only when P is positive
Mark scheme: D
Q33 · The diagram shows a digital circuit with two inputs and one output
33 The diagram shows a digital circuit with two inputs and one output. input 1 output input 2 What describes the action of the circuit? A AND B NAND C NOR D OR
Mark scheme: C
Q34 · Either a fuse or a circuit-breaker can be used to protect electrical cables from large…
34 Either a fuse or a circuit-breaker can be used to protect electrical cables from large currents that could cause overheating. X cable live electrical Y appliance supply neutral cable When a fuse is used, where should it be connected, and when a circuit-breaker is used, where should it be connected? position position of of fuse circuit-breaker A X X B X Y C Y X D Y Y
Mark scheme: A
Q35 · There is a current of 3.0 A in a conductor
35 There is a current of 3.0 A in a conductor. The current is changed to 6.0 A in the opposite direction. Which effect does this have on the magnetic field around the conductor? A It decreases and it acts in the opposite direction. B It decreases and it acts in the same direction. C It increases and it acts in the opposite direction. D It increases and it acts in the same direction.
Mark scheme: C
Q36 · A wire is placed in a strong magnetic field
36 A wire is placed in a strong magnetic field. When a current is passed through the wire it moves upwards, as shown. S N movement The current is reversed. In which direction does the wire move? A downwards B towards the north pole C towards the south pole D upwards
Mark scheme: A
Q37 · Which diagram represents the structure of a neutral atom?
37 Which diagram represents the structure of a neutral atom? A B C D key – – – – neutron + proton + + + + + + + + – electron – – –
Mark scheme: B
Q38 · When a uranium-235 nucleus absorbs a neutron, it becomes unstable and undergoes fission
38 When a uranium-235 nucleus absorbs a neutron, it becomes unstable and undergoes fission. The fission process produces a barium (Ba) nucleus, a krypton (Kr) nucleus and 3 neutrons. The fission process is represented by the nuclear equation shown. 1 n + 235 U → 144 Ba + Kr ... + 3 n 1 0 92 56 ... 0 Which symbol represents the resulting krypton nucleus? A 89 Kr B 91 Kr C 91 Kr D 91 Kr 36 34 35 36
Mark scheme: A
Q39 · The diagram shows the paths of three different types of radiation X, Y and Z
39 The diagram shows the paths of three different types of radiation X, Y and Z. X Y Z 2 mm of 10 mm of 50 mm plastic aluminium of lead Which row correctly identifies X, Y and Z? X Y Z A α-particles β-particles γ-rays B β-particles α-particles γ-rays C β-particles γ-rays α-particles D γ-rays α-particles β-particles
Mark scheme: B
Q40 · A scientist measures the count rate of a radioactive sample in a laboratory over a period…
40 A scientist measures the count rate of a radioactive sample in a laboratory over a period of 12 weeks. The background radiation count rate in the laboratory remains constant at 20 counts per minute. The table shows the scientist’s results before the background radiation count rate is taken into account. time count rate / weeks / counts per minute 0 100 2 80 4 65 6 54 8 45 10 39 12 34 In which range does the half-life of the radioactive isotope lie? A between 4 and 6 weeks B between 6 and 8 weeks C between 8 and 10 weeks D more than 12 weeks
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.
4Energy, work and power3Thermal properties and temperature3Electrical quantities2Electromagnetic effects2Kinetic particle model of matter2Light2Motion2Physical quantities and measurement techniques2Pressure2Radioactivity2Simple phenomena of magnetism2The nuclear model of the atom2Transfer of thermal energy2Density1Electrical safety1Electromagnetic spectrum1Forces1General properties of waves1Mass and weight1Momentum1Sound1What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2018 Oct/Nov, Paper 2 · Variant 1. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.