Oct/Nov 2025

Which measuring device is used to find the volume of water in a cup?

Physical quantities and measurement techniques

Which case is not described by the equation $P=\frac{F}{A}$?

Pressure

A substance is heated. It changes state from liquid to gas. When this gas is cooled, it changes first into a liquid and then into a solid. What is the sequence of changes of state for this substance?

Kinetic particle model of matter

A glass bottle filled with warm air is closed with a screw cap and then placed in cold water. The glass bottle’s contraction may be ignored. Which quantity stays unchanged as it cools?

Kinetic particle model of matter

A gas is kept in a container with fixed volume. The gas temperature is raised. What happens to the gas particles?

Kinetic particle model of matter

When one end of a shiny metal rod is heated, the far end soon becomes hot. Which statement explains why the far end soon becomes hot?

Transfer of thermal energy

Vacuum flasks are commonly made with silvered walls to reduce heat loss from the contents. Why are the walls silvered?

Transfer of thermal energy

The temperature of the air in the atmosphere surrounding us rises. Which row states how the air’s density changes, and which type of thermal energy transfer happens because of this change?

Transfer of thermal energy

A student sketches a diagram to illustrate two different properties of a water wave. The arrows indicate the directions of the waves. Which two wave properties are represented in the diagram?

General properties of waves

A seismic wave has vibrations that run parallel to the direction in which it travels. What type of wave is this, and what is the name given to this seismic wave?

General properties of waves

A person is positioned $1.0\,\text{m}$ in front of a plane mirror. The mirror is then moved away from the person at a speed of $1.0\,\text{m/s}$. Which statement is correct?

Light

The diagrams present distance-time graphs for four objects. Which object is travelling at an increasing speed?

Motion

A light ray travels from air into a rectangular transparent block. What is the angle of refraction?

Light

The diagram illustrates how a thin converging lens forms an image. Which terms are used to describe the image?

Light

Objects of value are often given a security mark using a special ink. In visible light, this ink is not visible. It becomes visible when it is exposed to the correct type of electromagnetic waves. Which type of electromagnetic waves is used for this kind of security marking?

Electromagnetic spectrum

A siren produces a sound. As time goes on, the sound gets louder and the pitch rises. What happens to the amplitude and to the frequency of the sound wave being emitted?

Sound

A plotting compass is set at position X close to a bar magnet. The diagram indicates the direction in which the compass points. Which diagram shows the direction in which a plotting compass at position Y points?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

A student strokes a plastic rod with a cloth. Electrons transfer from the cloth onto the rod. Which statement about the rod is correct?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

Which formula is used to calculate electrical resistance?

Electrical quantities

The diagram illustrates part of an electric circuit. The voltmeter shows a reading of $16\,\text{V}$. The current in the resistor is $8.0\,\text{A}$. A charge of one coulomb passes from P to Q through the resistor. What amount of energy is transferred in the resistor?

Electrical quantities

What is the total resistance of a $3.0\,\Omega$ resistor and a $6.0\,\Omega$ resistor when they are connected in parallel?

Electric circuits

A $5.0\,\Omega$ resistor is joined in series to a $10\,\Omega$ resistor. The current in the $5.0\,\Omega$ resistor is constant. Which statement about the two resistors is correct?

Electric circuits

A space station is travelling in orbit above Earth, and an astronaut is inside it. Inside the space station, the acceleration of free fall is $7.5\,\text{m s}^{-2}$. On Earth, the acceleration of free fall is $9.8\,\text{m s}^{-2}$. Which row gives the correct values for the astronaut’s mass and weight in the space station?

Mass and weight

Which statement describes the point at which the switch in an electric lamp is connected?

Electric circuits

The diagram illustrates a magnet approaching a coil of wire. As the magnet moves closer to the coil of wire, an electromotive force (e.m.f.) is induced. Students are asked to identify one modification that would raise the size of the induced e.m.f. Three modifications are suggested. Which of these changes, by itself, will increase the size of the induced e.m.f.?

Electromagnetic effects

What can be used to determine the pattern and direction of the magnetic field produced by the current in a straight wire?

Electromagnetic effects

Which statement correctly describes the structure of an atom?

The nuclear model of the atom

A radioactive source is positioned $20\,\text{mm}$ in front of a detector. The count rate from the source is $2000\,\text{counts/minute}$. When a thin sheet of paper is placed between the source and the detector, the count rate remains at $2000\,\text{counts/minute}$. When a sheet of aluminium $5\,\text{mm}$ thick is placed between the source and the detector, the count rate falls to $1200\,\text{counts/minute}$. Which radioactive emissions are being emitted by the source?

Radioactivity

Which type of radiation is detected by a detector attached to a counter?

Radioactivity

A sample of a radioactive isotope has 100 nuclei of that isotope. The graph shows how many nuclei of this isotope are left in the sample as time goes on. What is the half-life of the radioactive isotope?

Radioactivity

A teacher carries out an experiment to measure radiation passing through a lead sheet. Three students propose ways the teacher can lower the danger to her health. Which students are correct?

Radioactivity

The diagram shows three objects, X, Y and Z, in space. Object Y goes around object X. Object Z goes around object Y. Which kinds of object are X, Y and Z?

The Earth and the Solar System

Which of the following statements about the Sun is correct?

Stars and the Universe

A student is asked to predict if a solid will float in a liquid. What information does the student need?

Density

What is the name of the galaxy in which the Sun is found?

Stars and the Universe

Which characteristic of an object remains unchanged when a force acts on the object?

Forces

A car is moving along a straight horizontal road. The speed-time graph is shown. In which labelled section of the journey is the resultant force on the car zero?

Motion

Which list includes only energy stores?

Energy, work and power

What information is required in order to calculate the work done by a force acting on an object?

Energy, work and power

Various energy resources are employed to generate electricity on a small island. The chart presents the percentages of each energy resource used in 2000 and in 2024. Which row correctly describes any change in the percentage for 2024 when compared with 2000?

Energy, work and power

An athlete is running on a circular track. The stop-watch readings used to record the athlete’s time are: after one lap: 1 min 37 s, after two laps: 2 min 59 s, after three laps: 4 min 18 s. What time was taken for the athlete to complete the third lap?

Motion

Which unit measures pressure?

Pressure

A kettle containing boiling water changes water into steam at 100^{\circ}C. In comparison with the water lost by boiling, how do the mass and the volume of the steam formed compare?

Kinetic particle model of matter

Which row gives two properties of a solid?

Kinetic particle model of matter

Air is enclosed in a cylinder by a piston. The piston is forced inward. The air’s volume decreases. The air’s temperature remains unchanged. Which row shows how the average speed of the air molecules and the average distance between them change?

Kinetic particle model of matter

The chart gives the boiling points of four different liquids at standard atmospheric pressure. Which one is water?

Thermal properties and temperature

Rods that all have the same shape and size are pushed through corks into an empty tank. Every rod is coated with a layer of solid wax with a low melting point. Hot water is then poured into the tank, as shown. After some time, part of the wax melts. On which rod will the wax melt first?

Transfer of thermal energy

Which method of thermal transfer takes place when the density of part of a liquid decreases and the liquid rises upward?

Transfer of thermal energy

Which surface reflects infrared radiation most effectively?

Transfer of thermal energy

Water surface waves move faster where the water is deeper. A stone is released at point X into a pool whose depth changes from place to place. The diagram shows the first three wavefronts on the surface of the pool. Between X and which labelled point is the water most likely to be deepest?

General properties of waves

The table shows details of seismic waves. Which row is correct?

General properties of waves

The diagram illustrates a ruler being used to measure the length of a row of ball-bearings. Which expression represents the average diameter of a ball-bearing?

Physical quantities and measurement techniques

A plane mirror reflects light. The angle between the incident ray and the reflected ray is $68^{\circ}$. What is the angle of incidence?

Light

The diagram illustrates a ray of red light passing through a transparent prism. Normals to the prism surfaces are shown at the points where the ray touches the prism surfaces. The direction of the incident ray is adjusted until total internal reflection is just about to occur at one of the surfaces. Which angle must then be equal to the critical angle?

Light

The diagram illustrates an image formed by a converging lens. Which statement correctly describes the image that is formed?

Light

Which list gives the colours in the visible spectrum arranged in order of increasing wavelength?

Light

Which sections of the electromagnetic spectrum finish the list of uses? Mobile phones use ........1....... . Security scanners use ......2...... . Intruder alarms use ......3...... .

Electromagnetic spectrum

A student puts a loudspeaker in each of four sealed jars. In which jar will the student be unable to hear any sound from the loudspeaker?

Sound

Soft iron and steel are magnetic materials. What are permanent magnets and temporary magnets constructed from?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

A negatively charged plastic rod is moved close to an isolated, uncharged metal sphere and kept there. What happens when the metal sphere is earthed?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

Which statement best defines direct current in a circuit?

Electrical quantities

Potential difference (p.d.) is the ............ work done per unit charge as it moves through a component. Which word fills the gap?

Electrical quantities

Which statement regarding acceleration is correct?

Motion

A resistor carries a current $I$ for a duration $t$. The potential difference (p.d.) across the resistor is $V$. Which equation shows the energy $E$ transferred by the resistor?

Electrical quantities

A student sets up four circuits, and each one has a fuse. In one circuit, the fuse melts and both lamps in that circuit switch off. In which circuit does the fuse melt and both lamps switch off?

Electric circuits

The diagram depicts a coil of insulated wire wound around a soft-iron rod. As shown, the wire is linked to a d.c. power supply. The apparatus is situated in a region that is completely screened from the Earth's magnetic field. A small compass needle is positioned at point P. In which direction does the N pole of the compass needle point?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

Which components are employed to make an efficient simple transformer?

Electromagnetic effects

An isotope of carbon is represented by the nuclide notation $^{14}_{6}\mathrm{C}$. What particles are present in the nucleus of one atom of this isotope?

The nuclear model of the atom

When the count rate from a radioactive source is measured, background radiation is allowed for. Which option contains only examples of nuclear background radiation?

Radioactivity

Strontium-89 is a radioactive beta-emitter used in the treatment of bone cancers. A strontium chloride solution is injected into patients and builds up in their bones. Which statement concerning this treatment is not correct?

Radioactivity

A strontium isotope undergoes decay by $\beta$ emission. Its activity decreases to $\frac{1}{8}$ of the starting value in 87 hours. What is the isotope's half-life?

Radioactivity

What produces the Moon's phases?

The Earth and the Solar System

The Sun is a star that emits energy towards the Earth. Which parts of the electromagnetic spectrum account for most of the Sun’s radiation received on the Earth?

Electromagnetic spectrum

A body with a mass of 6.0 kg is at rest on the surface of a planet. On this planet, $g=20\,\text{N/kg}$. What is the weight of the body on this planet?

Mass and weight

Light arriving from distant galaxies is seen to have a greater wavelength than the light that was emitted initially. This is known as redshift. What conclusion do astronomers draw about distant galaxies from this observation?

Stars and the Universe

What quantity is denoted by the symbol $\rho$?

Density

A person is in a lift. The lift is descending at a steady speed. Which statement about the force from the lift floor on the person’s feet is correct?

Forces

Which unit is used for the moment of a force?

Forces

A stone has a gravitational energy store of 46 J. As the stone falls through air, 21 J of work is done against air resistance. What is the increase in the kinetic energy store of the stone during this fall?

Energy, work and power

When work is done, which physical quantity is being transferred?

Energy, work and power

A girl is using a ruler to find the length of a metal rod. Because the end of the ruler is damaged, she positions one end of the rod at the 1 cm mark, as shown. What is the length of the metal rod?

Physical quantities and measurement techniques

A steel knife requires a cutting edge with a small surface area. What is the reason for having this?

Pressure

As a hot gas cools, its internal energy falls. What is the reason for this?

Kinetic particle model of matter

The temperature of an object is $37\,^{\circ}\mathrm{C}$. What is the temperature of the object in kelvin?

Thermal properties and temperature

The diagram illustrates part of a railway track. A gap separates each section of the track. Why are these gaps needed?

Thermal properties and temperature

A test-tube holds $1.0\,\mathrm{cm}^3$ of liquid water at $100\,^{\circ}\mathrm{C}$. The liquid water boils and becomes $1600\,\mathrm{cm}^3$ of steam. What causes the large increase in volume?

Kinetic particle model of matter

When a liquid is left in contact with the air, the particles with the greatest energy leave from its surface. What is the name of this process?

Kinetic particle model of matter

The diagram depicts a hot-water tank. A heater, X, is positioned halfway up the tank. Heater X is turned on. Which row gives the main processes by which thermal energy is transferred to the water above the heater and to the water below the heater?

Transfer of thermal energy

The handle on a metal cooking pan is made of wood. What is one reason for choosing wood for the handle?

Transfer of thermal energy

A student notices waves moving across the water surface. The diagram shows two pieces of wood lying in shallow water of uniform depth. Straight, parallel wavefronts are shown approaching the pieces of wood. The gap between the pieces of wood is $2.0\,\mathrm{cm}$ wide. The wavefronts are $3.0\,\mathrm{cm}$ apart. What will the wavefronts look like after they pass through the gap?

General properties of waves

During an earthquake, P-waves and S-waves are generated in the ground. Which statement about these waves is correct?

General properties of waves

Four balls of different masses are released from the heights shown. Air resistance may be ignored. Which ball has the highest average speed?

Motion

A ray of light strikes a plane mirror. A student determines the angle of incidence $i$ and the angle of reflection $r$. The student changes the angle of incidence and then draws a graph of $r$ against $i$. What would this graph look like?

Light

A beam of light travels from air into a glass block. The critical angle is $42^{\circ}$. Which statement is correct?

Light

A converging lens is employed to form a real image from an object that is $2\text{ cm}$ tall. The image measures $4\text{ cm}$ in height. Which ray diagram shows the way the lens produces the image?

Light

White light can be separated into its different colours by letting it pass through a prism. What is this process called?

Light

A wave of sound has a frequency of $25\,000\text{ Hz}$ and moves through air at a speed of $340\text{ m s}^{-1}$. Why is this sound inaudible to a human?

Sound

A drummer strikes a drum with greater force to produce a louder sound without altering the pitch. Which statement describes how the sound properties change when the drum is hit more strongly?

Sound

A metal sphere is fixed at the top of an insulated rod. A negatively charged rod is brought near one side of the metal sphere. The opposite side of the metal sphere is connected to earth. Which diagram shows how the charge is distributed on the metal sphere?

Electrical quantities

A student makes three statements about electric current. Which of the statements are correct?

Electrical quantities

Electromotive force (e.m.f.) is defined by the energy supplied to move which physical quantity around a complete circuit?

Electrical quantities

A student determines the resistance of a wire. Which two quantities must the student measure?

Electrical quantities

An arrow moves horizontally along a straight path at constant speed. In what direction does its weight act?

Mass and weight

A resistor has a resistance of $8.0\,\Omega$ and carries a current of $2.0\text{ A}$. What is the potential difference (p.d.) across the resistor?

Electrical quantities

A resistor carries a current of $2.0\text{ A}$ for $30\text{ s}$. The potential difference (p.d.) across it is $12\text{ V}$. Calculate the energy transferred in the resistor.

Electrical quantities

An ammeter is shown by a circle containing the letter A. A fuse is represented by a rectangle with a line through the middle. Which pair of circuit symbols also consists first of a circle and then of a rectangle?

Electric circuits

Which component is unnecessary when using a double-insulated appliance?

Electrical safety

A vertical wire goes through a hole in a card. A plotting compass is positioned on the card. No current flows in the circuit. When the switch is closed, which diagram shows the plotting compass?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

Which account of the structure of an atom is correct?

The nuclear model of the atom

A comparison is made between alpha, beta and gamma emissions. Alpha radiation is the .....1..... ionising because it possesses the .....2..... electric charge. Which words finish the sentence correctly?

Radioactivity

A student gathers data for a new radioactive substance. From the graph, what is the substance’s approximate half-life?

Radioactivity

There are four rocky planets that orbit the Sun. Which list gives these planets in order of increasing distance from the Sun?

The Earth and the Solar System

In which specified region of the electromagnetic spectrum does the Sun emit the least energy?

Electromagnetic spectrum

Which item of equipment is useful for finding the density of an irregularly shaped stone?

Density

When light from distant galaxies is observed on Earth, it is redshifted. Which property of the light becomes larger when redshift occurs?

Light

A spring is shown in four load-extension graphs. Which graph indicates that load is proportional to extension?

Forces

A man supports a ladder in four separate positions as it turns about his shoulder. Because of the ladder’s weight, a moment acts around the man’s shoulder. In which position is the moment largest?

Forces

A child owns four wooden blocks shaped like the letters A, M, T and X. Each block is the same height and thickness. At their widest points, all the blocks have the same width. The child places the four blocks upright on a flat table. Which block is most likely to topple if it is nudged slightly?

Forces

When an object is falling freely under gravity, the energy that was previously stored in the gravitational potential energy store is transferred to the kinetic energy store. By what process does this energy transfer happen?

Energy, work and power

A woman pushes a mower over a lawn. Which quantities does the woman use to work out the work she does?

Energy, work and power