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IGCSE Physics 0625 Paper 5 Practice Paper (Practical Test) – 40 marks, 1 hour 15 minutes, with answers and mark scheme
IGCSE Physics practice – Practical Test
An original practice paper written to the Cambridge IGCSE Physics 0625 Paper 5 format: Practical Test, 4 questions, 20 parts, 40 marks and 1 hour 15 minutes. All questions are original and are not past paper questions or an official mark scheme.
Paper at a glance
| Paper | Component | Time | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 5 | Practical Test | 1 hour 15 minutes | 40 marks |
Questions
Total: 40 marks · 1 hour 15 minutes · calculator allowed
Question 1 · Extension of a spring and load [10]
(a) Name the instrument used to measure the natural length of the spring and state how the scale should be read to reduce error. [1]
(b) The natural length is 12.0 cm. With loads of 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 N the lengths are 14.0, 16.0, 18.0 and 20.0 cm. State the four extensions in cm. [2]
(c) Use the 4.0 N reading to calculate the spring constant k in N/m. [3]
(d) Assuming the elastic limit is not exceeded, predict the extension and the total length with a 5.0 N load. [2]
(e) State two precautions that would improve the accuracy of this experiment. [2]
Question 2 · Period of a simple pendulum [10]
(a) Name the instrument used to time 20 oscillations and state the smallest reading it gives. [1]
(b) With a length of 0.800 m, 20 oscillations take 36.0 s. Calculate the period T and the frequency f. [2]
(c) Use T = 2π√(l/g) and the data above to calculate the acceleration of free fall g. [3]
(d) With a length of 0.600 m, 20 oscillations take 31.0 s. State the new period and describe how the period changes when the length is reduced. [2]
(e) State two ways of making the timing more reliable. [2]
Question 3 · Voltage-current relationship of a resistor [10]
(a) State how the voltmeter should be connected across the resistor. [1]
(b) When the current is 0.40 A the voltage is 4.8 V. Calculate the resistance. [2]
(c) The other readings are 0.20 A at 2.4 V, 0.30 A at 3.6 V and 0.50 A at 6.0 V. Show that the resistor is ohmic. [3]
(d) What power is dissipated by the resistor at 0.50 A? [2]
(e) Why should the circuit be switched off between readings? [2]
Question 4 · Density by displacement [10]
(a) Name the instrument used to measure the mass of the metal block. [1]
(b) The water level in the measuring cylinder rises from 50.0 cm3 to 60.0 cm3. Calculate the volume of the block. [2]
(c) The block has a mass of 78.0 g. Calculate its density in g/cm3 and in kg/m3. [3]
(d) If the cylinder can only be read to the nearest 1 cm3, calculate the maximum percentage error in the volume and state how it affects the density. [2]
(e) State two precautions that reduce the error in this experiment. [2]
Answers and marking scheme
| Part | Answer | Marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1(a) | A metre rule; the eye must be level with the scale to avoid parallax. | 1 mark: metre rule. | 1 |
| 1(b) | Extension = length – 12.0, giving 2.0, 4.0, 6.0 and 8.0 cm. | 1 mark: method (length minus 12.0). 1 mark: all four values correct. |
2 |
| 1(c) | Extension 8.0 cm = 0.080 m; k = F/e = 4.0 / 0.080 = 50 N/m. | 1 mark: converts 8.0 cm to 0.080 m. 1 mark: substitutes into k = F/e. 1 mark: answer 50 N/m with unit. |
3 |
| 1(d) | k is constant: extension = 5.0 / 50 = 0.10 m = 10.0 cm, so total length = 12.0 + 10.0 = 22.0 cm. | 1 mark: extension 10.0 cm. 1 mark: total length 22.0 cm. |
2 |
| 1(e) | Read the scale with the eye level with the mark (no parallax); add loads gently and stay within the elastic limit; record the natural length before loading. Any two. | 1 mark: avoid parallax / eye level with the scale. 1 mark: stay within the elastic limit / add loads gently. |
2 |
| 2(a) | A stopwatch (timer), smallest reading 0.1 s. | 1 mark: stopwatch. | 1 |
| 2(b) | T = 36.0 / 20 = 1.8 s; f = 1 / 1.8 = 0.56 Hz. | 1 mark: T = 1.8 s. 1 mark: f = 0.56 Hz (accept 0.556). |
2 |
| 2(c) | Rearranged: g = 4π²l / T²; substitution gives g = 4π² x 0.800 / 1.8² = 31.6 / 3.24 = 9.75 m/s². | 1 mark: correct rearrangement g = 4π²l/T². 1 mark: substitutes 0.800 and 1.8². 1 mark: answer 9.7-9.8 m/s². |
3 |
| 2(d) | T = 31.0 / 20 = 1.55 s; when the length is reduced the period decreases (1.55 s < 1.8 s). | 1 mark: T = 1.55 s. 1 mark: period decreases as length decreases. |
2 |
| 2(e) | Time 20 oscillations rather than one and divide; repeat and average; use a fiducial mark at the lowest point of the swing. Any two. | 1 mark: time many oscillations in total. 1 mark: repeat and average / fiducial mark at the centre. |
2 |
| 3(a) | In parallel with the resistor. | 1 mark: in parallel. | 1 |
| 3(b) | R = V/I = 4.8 / 0.40 = 12.0 Ω. | 1 mark: uses R = V/I. 1 mark: answer 12.0 Ω. |
2 |
| 3(c) | Working each pair: 2.4/0.20 = 12.0, 3.6/0.30 = 12.0, 4.8/0.40 = 12.0 and 6.0/0.50 = 12.0 Ω, so the resistance is constant and the component is ohmic. | 1 mark: any two pairs correct. 1 mark: all four pairs give 12.0 Ω. 1 mark: constant resistance, so it is ohmic. |
3 |
| 3(d) | P = VI = 6.0 x 0.50 = 3.0 W. | 1 mark: uses P = VI. 1 mark: answer 3.0 W. |
2 |
| 3(e) | Current heats the resistor, which changes its resistance and spoils the V-I relationship, and it avoids overheating the component. | 1 mark: prevents the resistor heating up. 1 mark: heating changes resistance / damages the component. |
2 |
| 4(a) | A balance (electronic balance), reading to 0.1 g. | 1 mark: balance. | 1 |
| 4(b) | Volume = 60.0 – 50.0 = 10.0 cm3. | 1 mark: method (final minus initial). 1 mark: answer 10.0 cm3. |
2 |
| 4(c) | Density = 78.0 / 10.0 = 7.8 g/cm3, which is 7.8 x 1000 = 7800 kg/m3. | 1 mark: uses density = mass / volume. 1 mark: 7.8 g/cm3. 1 mark: 7800 kg/m3. |
3 |
| 4(d) | Maximum error = 1 / 10.0 x 100% = 10%; the density is calculated from the same readings, so it also carries about 10% error. | 1 mark: 10%. 1 mark: the density is also uncertain by about 10%. |
2 |
| 4(e) | Lower the block slowly on a thin thread to avoid splashing and air bubbles; read the bottom of the meniscus with the eye level; repeat and average. Any two. | 1 mark: avoid splashing / bubbles (lower slowly). 1 mark: read at eye level with the meniscus / repeat readings. |
2 |
Timing plan
| Section | Suggested time | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Questions 1-2 | 36 min | 20 marks |
| Questions 3-4 | 39 min | 20 marks |
| Checking | remaining time | – |
Common pitfalls
- Calculations written without working lose every method mark.
- Explanations that list key words without a cause-and-effect sentence.
- Missing units or no conversion: cm to m, g/cm3 to kg/m3.
- Practical answers that say “be careful” without stating what to do.
Frequently asked questions
Who is this paper for?
Students taking IGCSE Physics 0625, especially those without a school laboratory who need to practise practical skills on paper.
Does the answer booklet include a mark scheme?
Yes. Every part lists its marking points so you can mark yourself or a tutor can mark point by point.
Can I print it?
Yes, both the question paper and the answer booklet are A4 PDFs ready to print.
Originality statement: every question, data set and context in this paper was written by TutorZone. It is not a Cambridge IGCSE Physics 0625 past paper or an official mark scheme.
This paper is not an IGCSE Physics 0625 past paper; only the structure and mark distribution follow the official Paper 5 (Practical Test) format.
