Cambridge IGCSE Physics (9-1) 0972 — 2023 May/June Paper 1 · Variant 1
0972/11/M/J/23 · 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 · Which unit is a unit of weight?
1 Which unit is a unit of weight? A kilogram B kilojoule C kilometre D kilonewton
Mark scheme: D
Q2 · The graph represents the motion of a vehicle
2 The graph represents the motion of a vehicle. 20 speed m / s 0 0 400 time / s What is the distance travelled by the vehicle in 400 s? A 20 m B 400 m C 4000 m D 8000 m
Mark scheme: C
Q3 · The diagram shows a distance–time graph for an object moving in a straight line
3 The diagram shows a distance–time graph for an object moving in a straight line. Y 12 distance / m X 6 0 0 10 30 time / s What is the average speed between X and Y? A 0.20 m / s B 0.30 m / s C 0.40 m / s D 0.60 m / s
Mark scheme: B
Q4 · A space rocket travels to the Moon
4 A space rocket travels to the Moon. The acceleration of free fall is greater on the Earth than it is on the Moon. How do the mass and weight of the space rocket on the Moon compare with their values on the Earth? mass on the Moon weight on the Moon A less than on the Earth same as on the Earth B less than on the Earth more than on the Earth C same as on the Earth less than on the Earth D same as on the Earth more than on the Earth
Mark scheme: C
Q5 · A shopkeeper pours rice into a dish that hangs from a spring balance
5 A shopkeeper pours rice into a dish that hangs from a spring balance. He records the reading. 0 spring balance 6 1 5 2 4 3 rice dish A customer buys some pasta. The shopkeeper notices that the reading on the spring balance, with just pasta in the dish, is the same as it was with just rice in the dish. Which quantity must be the same for the rice and for the pasta? A density B temperature C volume D weight
Mark scheme: D
Q6 · A student determines the density of an irregularly shaped stone
6 A student determines the density of an irregularly shaped stone. The stone is slowly lowered into a measuring cylinder partly filled with water. measuring cylinder stone Which other apparatus does the student need to calculate the density of the irregularly shaped stone? A a balance B a thermometer C a metre rule D a stop-watch
Mark scheme: A
Q7 · Four objects are moving
7 Four objects are moving. Which object has a zero resultant force acting on it? A the object moving at a decreasing speed B the object moving at an increasing speed C the object moving at a constant speed in a circle D the object moving at a constant speed in a straight line
Mark scheme: D
Q8 · The diagram shows a uniform metre rule
8 The diagram shows a uniform metre rule. The rule is pivoted at its mid-point. A weight of 4.0 N is suspended from the rule at the 5 cm mark. The rule is held by a string at the 30 cm mark. The rule is in equilibrium. string metre rule 0 cm mark 100 cm mark 5 50 30 pivot 4.0 N What is the upward force that the string exerts on the rule? A 0.67 N B 4.0 N C 6.0 N D 9.0 N
Mark scheme: D
Q9 · An irregularly shaped metal plate is freely suspended from a point P and is in…
9 An irregularly shaped metal plate is freely suspended from a point P and is in equilibrium, as shown. Point Q is vertically below P. P Q Which statement about the position of the centre of gravity of the metal plate is correct? A It is at P. B It is at Q. C It is halfway between P and Q. D Further investigation is needed to determine its position.
Mark scheme: D
Q10 · Which row about the change of energy in the energy store must be correct?
10 Which row about the change of energy in the energy store must be correct? change of process energy store energy in store A water pumped up to a gravitational potential increases high-altitude dam energy of water B water pumped up to a kinetic energy decreases high-altitude dam of water C air passes through gravitational potential increases a wind turbine energy of air D air passes through kinetic energy increases a wind turbine of air
Mark scheme: A
Q11 · A rock of weight 50 N falls a vertical distance of 7.0 m from rest
11 A rock of weight 50 N falls a vertical distance of 7.0 m from rest. What is the change in the gravitational potential energy store of the rock? A decrease of 7.1 J B decrease of 350 J C increase of 7.1 J D increase of 350 J
Mark scheme: B
Q12 · A child runs up a set of stairs four times
12 A child runs up a set of stairs four times. The time taken for each run is recorded. Which time is measured when the child’s useful power is greatest? A 10 s B 20 s C 30 s D 40 s
Mark scheme: A
Q13 · A woman has a weight of 600 N
13 A woman has a weight of 600 N. She stands on a horizontal floor. The area of her feet in contact with the floor is 0.050 m2. What is the pressure she exerts on the floor? A 1.2 × 103 N / m2 B 2.4 × 103 N / m2 C 1.2 × 104 N / m2 D 2.4 × 104 N / m2
Mark scheme: C
Q14 · Gases, liquids and solids are made up of small particles
14 Gases, liquids and solids are made up of small particles. Which row gives the relative separation of the particles? gas liquid solid A far apart far apart far apart B far apart far apart close together C far apart close together close together D close together close together far apart
Mark scheme: C
Q15 · Which statements about evaporation of water are correct?
15 Which statements about evaporation of water are correct? 1 Evaporation causes the remaining liquid to cool. 2 During evaporation, the more energetic particles escape from the surface of the liquid. 3 Evaporation only happens at 100 °C. A 1, 2 and 3 B 1 and 2 only C 1 and 3 only D 2 and 3 only
Mark scheme: B
Q16 · Which surface is the worst absorber of infrared radiation?
16 Which surface is the worst absorber of infrared radiation? A dull black B dull white C shiny black D shiny white
Mark scheme: D
Q17 · The diagrams show graphs of displacement against time for four waves
17 The diagrams show graphs of displacement against time for four waves. All the graphs are drawn to the same scale. Which wave has the largest amplitude and the highest frequency? A B displacement displacement 0 0 0 time 0 time C D displacement displacement 0 0 0 time 0 time
Mark scheme: A
Q18 · A student draws a diagram to show the directions of a light ray reflecting off a plane…
18 A student draws a diagram to show the directions of a light ray reflecting off a plane mirror. 1 2 3 mirror What are the correct terms for the lines drawn? incident reflected normal ray ray A 1 2 3 B 1 3 2 C 2 1 3 D 2 3 1
Mark scheme: C
Q19 · An object O is placed at point P near to a thin converging lens
19 An object O is placed at point P near to a thin converging lens. The diagram shows three rays from the top of O passing through the lens. Each point F is one focal length from the centre of the lens. Each point 2F is two focal lengths from the centre of the lens. O P 2F Q F F 2F image The object O is moved to point Q on the diagram. Which type of image is produced when the object O is at point Q? A inverted and the same size as the object B inverted and enlarged C upright and the same size as the object D upright and enlarged
Mark scheme: B
Q20 · Which diagram shows the dispersion of white light by a glass prism?
20 Which diagram shows the dispersion of white light by a glass prism? A B red red red white white violet violet violet C D red red red red white violet violet white violet violet
Mark scheme: B
Q21 · Which statement is correct?
21 Which statement is correct? A A remote controller emits microwave radiation. B A remote controller emits infrared radiation. C A remote controller emits ultrasound. D A remote controller emits ultraviolet radiation.
Mark scheme: B
Q22 · Student X fires a starting pistol which produces smoke and sound
22 Student X fires a starting pistol which produces smoke and sound. Student Y is standing 100 m away and sees the smoke the instant it is produced. The speed of sound in air is 340 m / s. What is the time delay between student Y seeing the smoke and hearing the sound? A 0.29 s B 0.59 s C 1.7 s D 3.4 s
Mark scheme: A
Q23 · An unmagnetised piece of soft iron is placed close to a strong permanent magnet, as shown
23 An unmagnetised piece of soft iron is placed close to a strong permanent magnet, as shown. S N X permanent soft iron magnet What is the induced polarity of end X of the soft iron and in which direction does the magnetic force act on the soft iron? direction of force polarity of end X on the soft iron A N to the left B N to the right C S to the left D S to the right
Mark scheme: C
Q24 · A plastic rod is rubbed with a cloth
24 A plastic rod is rubbed with a cloth. plastic rod cloth The rod and the cloth both become charged as electrons move between them. The rod becomes negatively charged. Which diagram shows how the rod becomes negatively charged and shows the final charge on the cloth? A B electron electron – – movement – – – movement – – – – – + + – – + + – – + – – + – ++ + + – ++ + + + + final charge + + final charge on the cloth on the cloth C D electron electron – – – movement – – – movement – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –– – – – –– – – – – final charge – – final charge on the cloth on the cloth
Mark scheme: B
Q25 · Which particles move to cause a current in a copper wire?
25 Which particles move to cause a current in a copper wire? A copper atoms B electrons from the copper atoms C protons from the copper nuclei D neutrons from the copper nuclei
Mark scheme: B
Q26 · Four students draw a circuit diagram of the apparatus used to measure the resistance of…
26 Four students draw a circuit diagram of the apparatus used to measure the resistance of resistor R. Which circuit is correct? A B V A R R A V C D V A R R A V
Mark scheme: D
Q27 · The battery on a bicycle is connected in parallel to its lamp and bell
27 The battery on a bicycle is connected in parallel to its lamp and bell. The circuit includes two switches, S1 and S2. S1 bell S2 The cyclist closes S1 to light the lamp. She then also closes S2 to sound the bell. What happens to the current in the battery and the power output from the battery when the cyclist closes S2? current in power output the battery from the battery A increases increases B increases stays the same C stays the same increases D stays the same stays the same
Mark scheme: A
Q28 · Which symbol represents an electric heater?
28 Which symbol represents an electric heater? A B C D
Mark scheme: D
Q29 · A student connects the circuit shown
29 A student connects the circuit shown. 1 bell 2 3 4 Which switches must be closed for the bell to ring without lighting the lamp? A 1 and 2 only B 1 and 3 only C 1, 3 and 4 D 2, 3 and 4
Mark scheme: B
Q30 · A double-insulated electrical appliance must be connected safely to the electricity supply
30 A double-insulated electrical appliance must be connected safely to the electricity supply. Which statement is correct? A It must be connected with a fuse and an earth wire. B It can be connected with a fuse only. C It can be connected with an earth wire only. D It does not need a fuse or an earth wire.
Mark scheme: B
Q31 · A simple electric generator induces an electromotive force (e.m.f.)
31 A simple electric generator induces an electromotive force (e.m.f.). Which modification would increase the induced e.m.f.? A Increase the number of turns in the coil of the generator. B Increase the distance between the magnetic poles. C Reduce the strength of the magnetic field around the coil. D Reverse the direction of the magnetic field.
Mark scheme: A
Q32 · The diagram shows a vertical wire carrying a current I placed between the poles of a…
32 The diagram shows a vertical wire carrying a current I placed between the poles of a magnet. I N S What is the direction of the force on the wire exerted by the magnetic field? A from N to S B from S to N C horizontal and at right angles to the direction from N to S D parallel to the wire
Mark scheme: C
Q33 · What is an advantage of transmitting electricity at a high voltage?
33 What is an advantage of transmitting electricity at a high voltage? A It is faster. B It is safer. C Less energy is wasted. D Less equipment is needed.
Mark scheme: C
Q34 · How are positive and negative ions formed from atoms?
34 How are positive and negative ions formed from atoms? positive ion negative ion A add positive charge to the nucleus add an electron to the atom B add positive charge to the nucleus remove positive charge from the nucleus C remove an electron from the atom add an electron to the atom D remove an electron from the atom remove positive charge from the nucleus 56 26X
Mark scheme: C
Q35 · A nucleus of element X is represented as
35 A nucleus of element X is represented as . Which is an isotope of element X? 26 X 54 X 56 X 54 X A B C D 56 26 24 28
Mark scheme: B
Q36 · Which statement about the random decay of the nuclei in a sample of uranium-238 is…
36 Which statement about the random decay of the nuclei in a sample of uranium-238 is correct? A The probabilities of an alpha-particle, a beta-particle or a gamma ray being emitted from a nucleus in the sample are equal. B The probability of a nucleus in the sample decaying decreases as time passes. C The probability of a nucleus decaying in any ten minute interval is the same for all the nuclei in the sample. D The probability of a nucleus in the sample decaying increases as time passes.
Mark scheme: C
Q37 · The count rate due to a sample of a radioactive isotope is measured for 80 minutes
37 The count rate due to a sample of a radioactive isotope is measured for 80 minutes. time count rate / minutes counts / second 0 480 20 380 40 300 60 240 80 190 What is the half-life of the isotope? A 20 minutes B 40 minutes C 60 minutes D 80 minutes
Mark scheme: C
Q38 · Which planet in our Solar System is nearest to the Sun and what is the nature of the…
38 Which planet in our Solar System is nearest to the Sun and what is the nature of the planet? planet nature A Mercury rocky B Mercury gaseous C Venus rocky D Venus gaseous
Mark scheme: A
Q39 · The Sun consists mostly of two elements
39 The Sun consists mostly of two elements. What are these two elements? A helium and nitrogen B hydrogen and helium C hydrogen and oxygen D oxygen and nitrogen
Mark scheme: B
Q40 · Which statement about the Milky Way is correct?
40 Which statement about the Milky Way is correct? A It is a galaxy. B It is a group of galaxies. C It is a group of stars outside our own galaxy. D It is a group of stars which are part of our galaxy.
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 power3Forces3Light3Mass and weight3Electrical quantities2Kinetic particle model of matter2Motion2Radioactivity2Stars and the Universe2The nuclear model of the atom2Density1Electrical safety1Electromagnetic spectrum1General properties of waves1Pressure1Simple phenomena of magnetism1Sound1The Earth and the Solar System1Transfer of thermal energy1What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2023 May/June, Paper 1 · Variant 1. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.