Specimen Paper Answers

Paper 3: Practical Test

Cambridge O Level Physics
5054
For examination from 2023

Version 1
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Contents

Contents .............................................................................................................................. 3
Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 4
Assessment at a glance ....................................................................................................... 5
Question 1 ........................................................................................................................... 6
Question 2 ......................................................................................................................... 12
Question 3 ......................................................................................................................... 16
Question 4 ......................................................................................................................... 22
Specimen Paper Answers

Introduction
The main aim of this booklet is to exemplify standards for those teaching Cambridge O Level Physics 5054,
and to show examples of very good answers.
In this booklet, we have provided answers for all questions with examiner comments. These exercises
require candidates to answer questions on experimental skills and candidates are awarded maximum of 40
marks for this paper and the mark scheme provides the answers required to gain the marks.
Each question and answer is followed by an examiner comment on the candidates answer. Additionally, the
examiner has set out a number of common mistakes that occur when candidates answer the questions. In
this way, it is possible to understand what candidates have done to gain their marks and how they could
improve their answers and avoid errors.
The mark schemes for the Specimen Papers are available to download from the School Support Hub at
www.cambridgeinternational.org./support

2023 Specimen Paper 3 Mark Scheme

2023 Specimen Paper 3 Confidential Instructions

Past exam resources and other teaching and learning resources are available on the School Support Hub
www.cambridgeinternational.org/support

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 Specimen Paper Answers

Assessment at a glance

The syllabus for Cambridge O Level Physics 5054 is available at www.cambridgeinternational.org

All candidates take three papers. Candidates will be eligible for grades A* to E.

Paper 1: Multiple Choice Paper 2: Theory

1 hour 1 hour 45 minutes
40 Marks 30% And 80 Marks 50%
40 four-option multiple-choice questions Short-answer and structured questions
Externally assessed Externally assessed

Practical assessment

Paper 3: Practical Test Paper 4: Alternative to Practical

1 hour 30 minutes 1 hour
40 Marks 20% Or 40 Marks 20%
Questions will be based on the experimental Questions will be based on the experimental
skills in Section 4 skills in Section 4
Externally assessed Externally assessed

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Specimen Paper Answers

Question 1

Question 1(a)(i)

3.7 

Mark awarded = 1 out of 1

Examiner comment
This response is within the acceptable range. This response scores 1 mark.

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 Specimen Paper Answers

Question 1(b)

3.7
3.2
2.9
2.6
2.4
2.3
2.2

Mark awarded = 1 out of 1

Examiner comment
There are six more readings, decreasing in magnitude and all recorded to the same number of decimal
places. This response scores 1 mark.

Common mistakes
Candidates sometimes don’t give whole number readings to a consistent number of decimal places e.g. the
voltmeter reading for 8 cm³ might incorrectly be given as 3.

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Specimen Paper Answers

Question 1(c)

Mark awarded = 2 out of 2

Examiner comment
All the values from the table are correctly plotted. The curve of best fit always has a negative gradient and
the points balanced between being above and below the curve. This response scores 2 marks.

Common mistakes
The vertical axis does not need to begin at zero.

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 Specimen Paper Answers

Question 1(d)(i)

Mark awarded = 1 out of 1

Examiner comment
Tangent drawn to line at 5 cm³. This response scores 1 mark.

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Specimen Paper Answers

Question 1(d)(ii)

∆y 3.1-2.0
= =
∆x 2.4-9.4

-0.16 

Mark awarded = 2 out of 2

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 Specimen Paper Answers

Examiner comment
Two pairs of (x,y) values read correctly from the tangent line with ∆𝑥𝑥 > 5. This response scores 2 marks.

Common mistakes
Candidates sometimes take points that are too close together: they should be encouraged to use as large a
triangle as possible. Candidates sometimes adjust their line to go through a plotted point rather than taking
the time to read a more appropriate point using the scale. This frequently ends up with answers to
calculations outside the allowed range.

Question 1(e)

Check for zero error on the voltmeter. 

Mark awarded = 1 out of 1

Examiner comment
This response gives one of the possible correct answers on the mark scheme. This response scores 1 mark.

Question 1(f)

The amount of daylight entering the room might not be the same. 

The distance between the light bulb and the LDR might not be the same. 

Mark awarded = 2 out of 2

Examiner comment
This response gives two of the correct answers on the mark scheme. This response scores 2 marks.

Total mark awarded = 10 out of 10

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Specimen Paper Answers

Question 2

Question 2(a)

The weight is placed on the clamp to stop it falling over. 

The apparatus is not hanging over the edge of the bench where it could be

knocked over. 

Mark awarded = 2 out of 2

Examiner comment
This response gives two of the ideas on the mark scheme. It also goes on to explain why both precautions
are needed. This response scores 2 marks.

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 Specimen Paper Answers

Question 2(b)

Mark awarded = 2 out of 2

Examiner comment
This question requires a sketch graph. There is no need to place a scale on the vertical axis, but the lines
should be qualitatively correct in comparison with each other. This response scores 2 marks.

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Specimen Paper Answers

Question 2(c)(i)

25.0 

36.2 

Mark awarded = 2 out of 2

Examiner comment
Two measurements are recorded with the same resolution as the ruler – i.e. to the nearest mm. This
response scores 2 marks.

Question 2(c)(ii)

25.0×25.0
f = 25.0+25.0 = 

12.5 

Mark awarded = 2 out of 2

Examiner comment
Substitution of distances measured in (c)(i) and evaluation. This response scores 2 marks.

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 Specimen Paper Answers

Question 2(d)(i)

It is not possible to get a sharp image. 

Mark awarded = 1 out of 1

Examiner comment
The candidate is correct.

Question 2(d)(ii)

Use a taller stand so the lamp can be moved further from the paper. 

Mark awarded = 1 out of 1

Examiner comment
The candidate is correct.

Total mark awarded = 10 out of 10

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Specimen Paper Answers

Question 3

Question 3(a)(i)

3.8  cm 

99  g 

Mark awarded = 1 out of 1

Examiner comment
Direct measurement. This response scores 1 mark.

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 Specimen Paper Answers

Question 3(a)(ii)

1 m minus half the diameter of the masses.

Mark awarded = 1 out of 1

Examiner comment
The centre of the masses on the ruler is found by subtracting half the diameter from the length of the ruler.
This response scores 1 mark.

Question 3(a)(iii)

Bench stops at 87.9 cm

Masses start at 3.8 cm.

87.9-3.8=84.1 cm
Add half diameter of masses

3.8
84.1+ =
2

86.0 

Mark awarded = 2 out of 2

Examiner comment
In this response the candidate has clearly labelled what they have measured and shown their working. Two
measurements have been taken from the ruler and used to find the distance from the edge of the bench to
the left side of the masses. Half the diameter of the masses was added. This response scores 2 marks.

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Specimen Paper Answers

Question 3(b)(i)

10.44
=
20

0.52 

Mark awarded = 2 out of 2

Examiner comment
By showing the division by 20 this candidate has shown they have recorded a time for 20 oscillations. This
response scores 2 marks.

Question 3(b)(ii)

L/cm T for 20/s T for 1

86 10.44 0.52
76 8.82 0.44
66 7.45 0.37
56 6.81 0.34

46 5.37 0.27

Mark awarded = 2 out of 3

Examiner comment
This response shows 5 plausible sets of data with the correct trend. However, the candidate has not included
the unit in each column heading. This response scores 2 marks.

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 Specimen Paper Answers

Question 3(c)

The oscillation is too quick so it’s really hard to count the right number of

oscillations. 

Mark awarded = 1 out of 1

Examiner comment
This response has referred to the oscillation being too quick rather than the period of oscillation being too
short but the candidate has conveyed their understanding sufficiently with the second half of their sentence.
This response scores 1 mark.

Question 3(d)

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Mark awarded = 3 out of 4

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 Specimen Paper Answers

Examiner comment
The candidate has the axes the correct way around and has labelled the axes. Suitable, uniformly increasing
scales are chosen. The graph covers 5 large squares horizontally and 6 vertically. All points are plotted
correctly. However, the line of best fit is not correct as there are no points above the line and three below.
This response scores 3 marks.

Common mistakes
Common mistakes include: the graph not occupying a large enough portion of the graph paper due to a poor
choice of scale; non-linear scales; large blobs used to plot the points rather than fine crosses; a long line of
best fit that is not straight because it was drawn with a 15 cm ruler laid down twice.

Total mark awarded = 12 out of 14

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Specimen Paper Answers

Question 4

Question 4

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 Specimen Paper Answers

I will fill the copper container with hot water and measure its starting temperature with

the thermometer. I will start the stopwatch. After 10 minutes I will stop the stopwatch

and measure the end temperature of the water. I will need to keep the volume of the

water and the starting temperature of the water constant.

Metal Container Start End temperature Temperature

temperature /°C /°C decrease /°C

Using the two temperatures I measured I will calculate the temperature decrease after

10 minutes. The air gap with the largest temperature decrease has the largest rate of

cooling of the hot water.

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Specimen Paper Answers

Mark awarded = 5 out of 6

Examiner comment
The method for one measurement is explained correctly. However, there is no mention of changing the
independent variable by using different outer containers. Two variables to keep constant are given. The table
is correct, and the conclusion is appropriate. This response scores 5 marks.
Common mistakes
A common mistake is not to discuss how the independent variable in the investigation will be changed. The
candidate should have said that their method should be repeated with 5 larger outer containers.

Total mark awarded = 5 out of 6

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