5

2 The IGCSE class is investigating the oscillation of a pendulum. For

Examiner’s
The apparatus is set up as shown in Fig. 2.1. Use

clamp

bob

one complete
oscillation

Fig. 2.1 Fig. 2.2

The height h of the pendulum bob above the bench is measured and recorded.

This is repeated, to obtain a total of five different values of h, by shortening the string of the
pendulum but without changing the height of the clamp.

For each value of h, the pendulum bob is pulled to one side by a small distance, as shown in
Fig. 2.2.

The pendulum is then released and the time t for 10 complete oscillations is measured and
recorded.

(a) Describe a precaution which the IGCSE students might have taken in order to measure
h as accurately as possible. You may draw a diagram.

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

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

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

© UCLES 2013 0625/63/M/J/13 [Turn over

 6

(b) Figs. 2.3 to 2.7 are scale diagrams showing the height h of the pendulum bob above the For
bench for each of the five experiments. Examiner’s
Use

bench

Fig. 2.3 Fig. 2.4 Fig. 2.5 Fig. 2.6 Fig. 2.7

(i) Measure, and record in Table 2.1, the height h in each experiment.

(ii) The diagrams are drawn to 1/5 scale.

Calculate, and record in Table 2.1, the actual heights H of the pendulum bob above
the bench. [2]

Table 2.1

h /cm H /cm t /s T /s T 2/s 2

Fig. 2.3 14.01

Fig. 2.4 12.39

Fig. 2.5 10.85

Fig. 2.6 8.93

Fig. 2.7 6.30

© UCLES 2013 0625/63/M/J/13

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(c) (i) For each value of height h, calculate the time T for one complete oscillation, using For
t . Record these values in Table 2.1.
the equation T = –– Examiner’s
10 Use

(ii) Calculate the values of T 2 and record these in the table. [1]

(d) Plot a graph of T 2 / s 2 (y-axis) against H / cm (x-axis).

[4]

(e) Determine the gradient G of the graph.

Show clearly on the graph how you obtained the necessary information.

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

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(f) One of the students wishes to carry out the experiment again to obtain results which are For
more reliable. Examiner’s
Use

Describe one change she might make to the method to achieve this.

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

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

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

[Total: 10]

© UCLES 2013 0625/63/M/J/13

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5 The IGCSE class is determining the focal length of a lens. For

Examiner’s
The apparatus is shown in Fig. 5.1. Use

illuminated
object screen
u

lens

Fig. 5.1

A student places the lens a distance u = 25.0 cm from an illuminated object of height 1.5 cm.
She moves the screen until a sharply focused image of the object is seen on the screen.
1
She measures the height h of the image on the screen. She calculates .
h
She repeats the procedure using a range of u values. Her results are shown in Table 5.1.

Table 5.1

1 1
u / cm h / cm
h cm

25.0 2.2 0.45

30.0 1.5 0.67

35.0 1.1 0.91

40.0 0.9 1.1

45.0 0.8 1.3

© UCLES 2013 0625/62/M/J/13

 15

1 1 For
(a) Plot a graph of u / cm (y-axis) against (x-axis). You do not need to begin the axes
h cm Examiner’s
at the origin (0,0). Use

[5]

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

G = ........................................ [2]

G
(c) Calculate the focal length f of the lens, using the equation f = cm. Give your answer
1.5
to a suitable number of significant figures for this experiment.

f = ........................................ [2]

© UCLES 2013 0625/62/M/J/13 [Turn over

 16

(d) State two precautions that you would take in this experiment in order to obtain reliable For
results. Examiner’s
Use

1. ......................................................................................................................................

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

2. ......................................................................................................................................

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

[Total: 11]

Permission to reproduce items where third-party owned material protected by copyright is included has been sought and cleared where possible. Every
reasonable effort has been made by the publisher (UCLES) to trace copyright holders, but if any items requiring clearance have unwittingly been included, the
publisher will be pleased to make amends at the earliest possible opportunity.

University of Cambridge International Examinations is part of the Cambridge Assessment Group. Cambridge Assessment is the brand name of University of
Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), which is itself a department of the University of Cambridge.

© UCLES 2013 0625/62/M/J/13

 6

3 The IGCSE class is investigating the resistance of a wire.

The circuit used is shown in Fig. 3.1.

SRZHUVRXUFH

l
$ %
&

Fig. 3.1

(a) A student measures the potential difference V across different lengths l of the wire AB and
the current I in the wire. The wire AB is 1.00 m long. The readings are shown in Table 3.1.
V
Calculate the resistance R of each length l of the wire AB, using the equation R = . Record
I
the values of R in the table.

Table 3.1

l / cm V/V I/A R/Ω

10.0 0.36 0.73

20.0 0.70 0.71

30.0 1.10 0.73

40.0 1.45 0.73

50.0 1.80 0.72

[2]

© UCLES 2014 0625/61/O/N/14

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(b) Plot a graph of R / Ω (y-axis) against l / cm (x-axis). Start both axes at the origin (0,0).

0
0
[5]

(c) State whether your graph shows that the resistance R is proportional to the length l. Justify
your answer by reference to the graph.

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

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

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

(d) Suggest how you could further test your statement in (c), using the same apparatus.

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

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

[Total: 10]

© UCLES 2014 0625/61/O/N/14 [Turn over

 2

1 A student investigates the balancing of a metre rule.

Fig. 1.1 shows the arrangement.

object Q
50.0 cm mark metre rule
load
x
0 100

weight P 90.0 cm mark

pivot bench

Fig. 1.1

(a) The student places the metre rule on the pivot at the 50.0 cm mark. He places an object Q on
the metre rule with its centre at the 90.0 cm mark. He places a load of weight P = 2.0 N on the
metre rule and adjusts the position of the load so that the metre rule is as near as possible to
being balanced.

He measures the distance x from the centre of the load to the pivot.

He repeats the procedure using loads of weight P = 3.0 N, 4.0 N, 5.0 N and 6.0 N. All the
values of P and x are recorded in Table 1.1.

Table 1.1

1 1
P/N x / cm
x cm

2.0 40.0

3.0 27.0

4.0 20.0

5.0 15.9

6.0 13.3

1
Calculate, and record in Table 1.1, the values of . [2]
x

© UCLES 2020 0625/61/M/J/20

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1 1
(b) Plot a graph of P / N (y-axis) against (x-axis). Start both axes at the origin (0,0).
x cm

[4]

1
(c) In this experiment, xmax , the maximum possible value for x is 50.0 cm. Calculate .
xmax

1 1
= .....................................................
xmax cm

Use the graph to determine the minimum value of P required to balance the metre rule in this
experiment. Show clearly on the graph how you determined this value.

minimum value of P = ..................................................... [2]

© UCLES 2020 0625/61/M/J/20 [Turn over

 7

2 Some students are investigating the resistance of a power supply.

They are using the circuit shown in Fig. 2.1.

power supply

P Q
A
resistance wire

crocodile clip

Fig. 2.1

(a) (i) A student connects the crocodile clip to the resistance wire at positions which give
particular values of the potential difference V between terminals P and Q. He measures
the current I in the circuit for each position.

On Fig. 2.1, draw a voltmeter connected to measure the potential difference V between
terminals P and Q. [1]

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 8

(ii) Fig. 2.2 shows the ammeter reading for a value of V = 2.2 V.

0.4 0.6
0.2 0.8
0 1.0
A

Fig. 2.2

Read, and record in Table 2.1, this value of I.

Table 2.1

I /A V/V

2.2

0.47 2.0

0.55 1.8

0.69 1.6

0.76 1.4
[1]

(b) Plot a graph of V / V (y-axis) against I / A (x-axis).

[4]

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 9

(c) (i) Determine the gradient M of the line you have drawn.

Show clearly on the graph how you obtained the necessary information.

M = .......................................................... [1]

(ii) The gradient M is numerically equal to the resistance R of the power supply.

Write down the resistance R to a suitable number of significant figures for this experiment.

R = .......................................................... [2]

(d) Suggest one practical reason why the crocodile clip should not be connected to very short
lengths of resistance wire in order to obtain smaller potential differences.

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

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

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

(e) In this type of experiment, it is possible to change the potential difference by using a variable
resistor rather than using different lengths of a resistance wire.

In the space below, draw the standard circuit symbol for a variable resistor.

[1]

[Total: 11]

© UCLES 2017 0625/63/M/J/17 [Turn over

 12

5 An IGCSE student is investigating shadows.

The apparatus she is using is shown in Fig. 5.1.

The object and the screen are square, with dimensions as shown in Fig. 5.1.

lamp object
screen
1.5 cm 8.0 cm

Fig. 5.1

She places the object at a distance d from the centre of the lamp so that it produces a shadow on
the screen.

For various values of d, she measures the width w and height h of the shadow and records them in
Table 5.1.

For each distance d, she calculates a value s, the average side length of the shadow, using her
readings for w and h and the equation s = w + h .
2
(a) Fig. 5.2 shows the shadow produced on the screen when d = 35 cm. The shadow and screen
are shown full size.

w
screen

h
shadow

Fig. 5.2

© UCLES 2014 0625/63/M/J/14

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(i) Measure, and record in Table 5.1, the width w and the height h of the shadow.

Table 5.1

d / cm w / cm h / cm s / cm
55 1.7 1.7 1.7
45 2.0 2.0 2.0
35
25 3.8 3.9 3.9
20 4.4 4.6 4.5
15 5.8 6.2 6.0
[2]

(ii) Calculate, and record in the table, the value of s when d = 35 cm.

(iii) The object is square in shape. State a practical reason why it is useful to calculate s
rather than just rely on w or h to show the size of the shadow.

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

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

(b) Plot a graph of s / cm (y-axis) against d / cm (x-axis).

[5]

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 14

(c) A value of d = 20 cm has been inserted between d = 25 cm and d = 15 cm. This does not
follow the pattern of the gaps of 10 cm between the other distances.

Explain why it is useful to have this value when drawing the line on the graph.

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

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

(d) A student suggests that the distance between the lamp and the object in this experiment
should be no less than 15 cm.

From your observations of the readings and the apparatus being used, give a reason why this
is a sensible suggestion.

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

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

[Total: 10]

© UCLES 2014 0625/63/M/J/14

 5

2 A student is using a forcemeter and a set of different loads to determine the weight of a metre rule.

She is using the apparatus shown in Fig. 2.1.

forcemeter

metre rule load

bench

Fig. 2.1

(a) Fig. 2.2 shows the position of the load on the metre rule. The load is always at this position on
the rule.

load
64

65

66

67

68

69

70

71

72

73

74

75

Fig. 2.2 (not full size)

Determine the scale reading on the metre rule at which the centre of the load is located.
Show your working.

scale reading = .....................................................cm [2]

© UCLES 2016 0625/63/M/J/16 [Turn over

 6

(b) The student measures the force F indicated by the forcemeter for different loads placed on
the rule.

Figs. 2.3 (a)–(e) show the scale of the forcemeter for values of load L = 1.00 N, 2.00 N, 3.00 N,
4.00 N and 5.00 N.

N N N N N
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4

5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5

(a) (b) (c) (d) (e)

Fig. 2.3

In Table 2.1, record the value of F for each load.

Table 2.1

L/N F/N

1.00

2.00

3.00

4.00

5.00
[2]

© UCLES 2016 0625/63/M/J/16

 7

(c) Plot a graph of F / N (y-axis) against L / N (x-axis). Start your graph at the origin (0,0).

[4]

(d) (i) Determine the value y of the intercept of the line on the F axis.

y = ...........................................................[1]

(ii) The weight W of the metre rule is numerically equal to 2y.

Write down a value for W to a suitable number of significant figures for this experiment.

W = ...........................................................[2]

(e) Assuming that the procedure is carried out carefully, suggest a possible source of inaccuracy
in this experiment.

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

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

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

[Total: 12]

© UCLES 2016 0625/63/M/J/16 [Turn over

 6

3 The IGCSE class is determining the resistance of a fixed resistor in a circuit. For
Examiner’s
The circuit is shown in Fig. 3.1. Use

power
source

A
resistance
R d wire

Fig. 3.1

(a) A student places the sliding contact on the resistance wire at a distance d = 10.0 cm
from point A. He measures the current I in the circuit and the p.d. V across the resistor
R. He repeats the procedure using d values of 30.0 cm, 50.0 cm, 70.0 cm and 90.0 cm.

The readings are shown in Table 3.1.

Table 3.1

V/V I/A

10.0 1.7 1.13

30.0 1.3 0.87

50.0 1.0 0.67

70.0 0.8 0.53

90.0 0.7 0.47

(i) Complete the column headings in the table.

© UCLES 2012 0625/61/M/J/12

 7

(ii) Plot a graph of V / V (y-axis) against I / A (x-axis). You do not need to include the For
origin (0, 0) on your graph. Examiner’s
Use

[5]

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

G = ................................................. [3]

(b) The gradient G of the graph is numerically equal to the resistance R of the resistor R.

Write a value for the resistance R to a suitable number of significant figures for this
experiment.

R = ................................................. [2]

[Total: 10]

© UCLES 2012 0625/61/M/J/12 [Turn over

 2

1 A student is investigating moments using a balancing method.

Fig. 1.1 shows the apparatus.

metre rule
P Q
a b
0 100 bench
w

pivot

Fig. 1.1

(a) The student places the metre rule, without the loads, on the pivot and adjusts its position
so that the metre rule is as near as possible to being balanced. She keeps the rule at this
position on the pivot throughout the experiment.

Explain briefly why this position on the pivot may not be exactly at the 50.0 cm mark of the
rule.

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

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

(b) She places a load P on the metre rule so that the edge that is furthest from the pivot is exactly
at the 10.0 cm mark on the rule.

She measures the distance a between this edge of the load P and the pivot, as shown in
Fig. 1.1.

She places a load Q on the metre rule and adjusts the position of load Q so that the metre
rule is as near as possible to being balanced.

She measures the distance b between the centre of load Q and the pivot, as shown in
Fig. 1.1.

She repeats the procedure, with the edge of the load P that is furthest from the pivot at the
15.0 cm, 20.0 cm, 25.0 cm and 30.0 cm marks. All the readings are shown in Table 1.1.

Table 1.1

a / cm b / cm
38.0 44.5
33.0 38.5
28.0 33.6
23.0 27.2
18.0 22.0

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 3

Plot a graph of a / cm (y-axis) against b / cm (x-axis). Start both axes at the origin (0,0).

[4]

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

G = ........................................................ [2]

(d) Determine the intercept C on the x-axis of the graph. This is the value of b when a = 0.

C = ........................................................ [1]

(e) On Fig. 1.2, measure the width w of the load P.

Fig. 1.2

w = ........................................................ [1]

© UCLES 2019 0625/62/M/J/19 [Turn over

 4

(f) Another student suggests that the value of the intercept C should be equal to half the width
w of the load P. State whether the results support the suggestion. Justify your answer by
reference to the results.

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

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

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

(g) Suggest one practical reason why it is difficult to obtain accurate values for a and for b.

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

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

[Total: 12]

© UCLES 2019 0625/62/M/J/19

 8

4 The IGCSE class is investigating the formation of images by a lens.

Fig 4.1 shows the apparatus.

illuminated
object screen
lens

u v

Fig. 4.1

A student places the screen about 1.0 m from the illuminated object. He places the lens between
the object and the screen at a distance u = 0.200 m from the object. He adjusts the position of the
screen until a clearly focused image is formed on the screen. He records the distance v between
the centre of the lens and the screen. He repeats the procedure using different values of u. The
readings are shown in Table 4.1.

Table 4.1

u/m v/m /
1 1
u m /
1 1
v m
0.200 0.596 5.00 1.68

0.300 0.304 3.33 3.29

0.400 0.244 2.50 4.10

0.500 0.214 2.00 4.67

0.600 0.198 1.67 5.05

(a) State and briefly explain one precaution you would take in order to obtain reliable
measurements in this experiment.

precaution .................................................................................................................................

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

explanation ...............................................................................................................................

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

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

© UCLES 2011 0625/63/O/N/11

 9

1 1
/ 1 1
/
(b) Plot the graph of v m (y-axis) against u m (x-axis). Both axes must start at 0 and extend
to 7.0.

[4]

(c) (i) Use the graph to find the intercept on the y-axis.

intercept on the y-axis = ...............................................................

(ii) Use the graph to find the intercept on the x-axis.

intercept on the x-axis = ...............................................................

[2]

[Total: 7]

© UCLES 2011 0625/63/O/N/11 [Turn over

 2

1 A student is investigating the stretching of a spring.

The apparatus is shown in Fig. 1.1.

clamp

spring
l0

Fig. 1.1

(a) On Fig. 1.1, measure the unstretched length l 0 of the spring. Record l 0 in the first row of
Table 1.1. [1]

(b) The student hangs a load L of 1.0 N on the spring and measures the new length l of the spring.
She repeats the measurements using loads of 2.0 N, 3.0 N, 4.0 N and 5.0 N. The readings are
shown in Table 1.1.

(i) For each set of readings, calculate the extension e of the spring using the equation
e = (l – l 0). Record the values of e in the table.

Table 1.1

L/N l / mm e / mm

0.0 0

1.0 59

2.0 64

3.0 69

4.0 74

5.0 78
[1]

(ii) Explain briefly one precaution that you would take in order to obtain reliable readings.

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

.......................................................................................................................................[1]
© UCLES 2016 0625/62/M/J/16
 3

(c) Plot a graph of e / mm (y-axis) against L / N (x-axis).

[4]

(d) The student removes the load from the spring and hangs an unknown load X on the spring.
She measures the length l of the spring.

72 mm
l = ...............................................................

(i) Calculate the extension e of the spring.

e = .......................................................... [1]

(ii) Use the graph to determine the weight W of the load X. Show clearly on the graph how
you obtained the necessary information.

W = .......................................................... [2]

[Total: 10]

© UCLES 2016 0625/62/M/J/16 [Turn over