Cambridge IGCSE™

* 3 8 5 2 3 6 8 7 3 3 *

PHYSICS 0625/53
Paper 5 Practical Test May/June 2023

1 hour 15 minutes

You must answer on the question paper.

You will need: The materials and apparatus listed in the confidential instructions

INSTRUCTIONS
● Answer all questions.
● Use a black or dark blue pen. You may use an HB pencil for any diagrams or graphs.
● Write your name, centre number and candidate number in the boxes at the top of the page.
● Write your answer to each question in the space provided.
● Do not use an erasable pen or correction fluid.
● Do not write on any bar codes.
● You may use a calculator.
● You should show all your working and use appropriate units.

INFORMATION
● The total mark for this paper is 40.
● The number of marks for each question or part question is shown in brackets [ ].

For Examiner’s Use

Total

This document has 12 pages. Any blank pages are indicated.

DC (RW/CT) 316342/2
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1 In this experiment, you will determine the mass MR of a metre ruler using a balancing method.

Carry out the following instructions, referring to Fig. 1.1.

load a b metre ruler

bench

5.0 cm mark pivot 50.0 cm mark

Fig. 1.1

(a) (i) Place a load of mass M = 20 g with its centre at the 5.0 cm mark of the metre ruler.

Explain briefly how you make sure that the centre of the load is at the 5.0 cm mark.
You may draw a diagram if it helps your explanation.

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(ii) Place the metre ruler on the pivot. Adjust the position of the metre ruler on the pivot until
the metre ruler is as near as possible to being balanced. Check that the position of the
centre of the load remains at the 5.0 cm mark.

Record, in Table 1.1, the scale reading p on the ruler at the position of the pivot.

Calculate, and record in Table 1.1:

• The distance a between the 5.0 cm mark and the pivot.

Use your value of p and the equation a = p – 5.0.
• The distance b between the 50.0 cm mark and the pivot.
Use your value of p and the equation b = 50.0 – p.

Repeat this procedure for values of M = 40 g, 60 g, 80 g and 100 g.

[2]

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Table 1.1

b
M/g p / cm a / cm b / cm
a
20

40

60

80

100

b
(b) For each value of M, calculate and record in Table 1.1 the value . [1]
a
b
(c) Plot a graph of M / g (y-axis) against (x-axis).
a
Draw the best-fit line.

[4]

(d) (i) Determine the gradient G of the graph. Show clearly on the graph how you obtained the
necessary information.

G = ......................................................... [1]

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(ii) The mass MR of the metre ruler is numerically equal to G.

Write down the value of MR in this experiment. Include the unit.

MR = ......................................................... [1]

(e) The determination of MR by this method assumes that the centre of mass of the metre ruler is
at the 50.0 cm mark.

A student finds that the centre of mass of his metre ruler is at the 48.7 cm mark.

Suggest how he changes the procedure in (a)(ii) to allow for this.

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[Total: 11]

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2 In this experiment, you will investigate circuits containing different combinations of resistors.
Fig. 2.1 shows circuit A which has been set up for you.

Carry out the following instructions, referring to Fig. 2.1.

U 3Ω

P Q

Fig. 2.1

(a) Circuit A

Close the switch.

Measure, and record in Table 2.1, the potential difference (p.d.) V across resistor U.

Measure, and record in Table 2.1, the current I in the circuit.

Open the switch.

Table 2.1

circuit V/V I /A R/Ω

[1]

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(b) Circuit B

Connect a second 3 Ω resistor between terminals P and Q so that it is in parallel with the first
3 Ω resistor, as shown in Fig. 2.2. The rest of the circuit must remain as in Fig. 2.1.

3Ω

P 3Ω Q

Fig. 2.2

Close the switch.

Measure, and record in Table 2.1, the potential difference (p.d.) V across resistor U.

Measure, and record in Table 2.1, the current I in the circuit.

Open the switch.

[1]

(c) Circuit C

Connect a third 3 Ω resistor between terminals P and Q so that it is in parallel with the other
3 Ω resistors, as shown in Fig. 2.3. The rest of the circuit must remain as in Fig. 2.1.

3Ω

3Ω
P Q
3Ω

Fig. 2.3

Close the switch.

Measure, and record in Table 2.1, the potential difference (p.d.) V across resistor U.

Measure, and record in Table 2.1, the current I in the circuit.

Open the switch.

[1]

(d) (i) Calculate, and record in Table 2.1, the resistance R of resistor U for each combination of
resistors.
V
Use your readings from Table 2.1 and the equation R = .
I

[3]

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(ii) A student suggests that the values of R should be the same.

State whether your results support this suggestion. Justify your statement by reference
to values from your results.

statement ..........................................................................................................................

justification ........................................................................................................................

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[2]

(e) A student determines the resistance of resistor U using a variable resistor to control the
current in the circuit.

(i) Briefly explain one advantage of using a variable resistor for this purpose rather than the
procedure carried out in (a), (b) and (c).

...........................................................................................................................................

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(ii) Draw the circuit symbol for a variable resistor.

[1]

(f) Another student suggests that potential difference and current for resistor U are proportional.

State how a graph of potential difference against current for resistor U can confirm this
suggestion.

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............................................................................................................................................. [1]

[Total: 11]

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3 In this experiment, you will investigate the reflection of light by two mirrors.

Carry out the following instructions, using the separate ray-trace sheet provided.
You may refer to Fig. 3.1 for guidance.

ray-trace sheet

hole

F
6 cm

50° 50° N
mirror mirror
V i
E G

A
eye

Fig. 3.1

(a) • Mark and label a point F approximately in the centre of your ray-trace sheet.
• Draw a 5 cm long line FV, from point F, as shown in Fig. 3.1.
• Draw two lines, FG and FE, each 9 cm long and at 50° either side of FV, as shown in
Fig. 3.1.
• Draw a normal to line FG, crossing FG at a point N, 6 cm from F.
• Label the lower end of the normal with the letter L.
• Draw a line NA, as shown in Fig. 3.1, 8 cm long and at an angle θ1 = 15° to NG.
[2]

(b) • Place the plane mirrors on lines FG and FE, with their reflecting surfaces facing inwards,
as shown in Fig. 3.1.
• Place two pins, P1 and P2, on line NA, a suitable distance apart for accurate ray tracing.
• Label the positions of P1 and P2.
• View the images of P1 and P2 from the direction indicated by the eye in Fig. 3.1.
• Place two pins, P3 and P4, a suitable distance apart, so that pins P3 and P4, and the
images of P1 and P2, all appear one behind the other.
• Label the positions of P3 and P4.
• Remove the mirrors and pins from the ray-trace sheet.
[1]
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(c) • Draw a line joining P3 and P4. Extend this line 10 cm above FE.
• Label the lower end of this line with the letter B. Label the upper end with the letter R.
[1]

(d) (i) • Draw a new line NA, 8 cm long and at an angle θ2 = 40°.
• Repeat the steps in (b).
• Draw a line joining the new positions of P3 and P4. Extend this line until it crosses
BR.
• Label the lower end of this line with the letter C. Label the upper end with the letter T.
[2]

(ii) Measure the acute angle α between lines BR and CT. (An acute angle is less than 90°.)

α = ........................................................° [1]

(iii) A student thinks that there is a relationship between angle α and the values of angle θ1
from (a) and angle θ2 from (d)(i).

State what your results suggest that relationship could be. Justify your answer by
reference to values from your results.

statement ..........................................................................................................................

justification ........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................
[2]

(e) Suggest one precaution to take in this type of experiment to ensure accurate results.

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............................................................................................................................................. [1]

(f) Suggest one reason why different students, all doing this experiment carefully, may not
obtain identical results.

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............................................................................................................................................. [1]

[Total: 11]

Tie your ray-trace sheet into this booklet between pages 8 and 9.

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4 A student investigates the rate of cooling of hot water in a container which has a lid.

Plan an experiment which will enable him to compare the effect of lids of different thicknesses on
the rate of cooling.

The apparatus available includes:

• a beaker
• a supply of hot water
• insulating material from which lids can be cut.

You are not required to do the experiment.

In your plan, you should:

• list any additional apparatus needed

• explain briefly how to do the experiment, including the measurements to take so that the rate
of cooling can be determined
• state the key variables to keep constant
• draw a table, or tables, with column headings, to show how to display the readings (you are
not required to enter any readings in the table)
• explain how to use the readings to reach a conclusion.

You may draw a diagram if it helps to explain your plan.

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