Cambridge IGCSE™

* 2 5 1 1 6 5 6 1 4 2 *

PHYSICS 0625/53
Paper 5 Practical Test October/November 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.

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1 In this experiment, you will determine the density of sand by two methods.

Carry out the following instructions, referring to Fig. 1.1 and Fig. 1.2.

measuring
cylinder A

sand
top-pan
balance

bench bench

Fig. 1.1 Fig. 1.2

Method 1

(a) (i) Measure the mass m1 of measuring cylinder A using the top-pan balance, as shown in
Fig. 1.1.

m1 = ............................................................ g

Pour approximately 100 cm3 of sand into measuring cylinder A.

The sand is to remain in the measuring cylinder for the rest of the experiment.
Measure the volume V1 of sand in measuring cylinder A.

V1 = ........................................................ cm3

Measure the mass m2 of measuring cylinder A and the sand using the top-pan balance,
as shown in Fig. 1.2.

m2 = ............................................................ g

Use your values of m1 and m2 to calculate the mass m3 of the sand.

m3 = ............................................................ g
[2]

(ii) Calculate a value for the density ρ1 of the sand. Use your values from (a)(i) and the
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equation ρ1 = 3. Include a unit.
V1

ρ1 = ......................................................... [2]

(iii) Describe one possible source of inaccuracy in the measurements taken in method 1. You
may assume that all measurements are taken carefully and involve good experimental
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Method 2

measuring cylinder A

water

sand

Fig. 1.3

(b) (i) Pour exactly 100 cm3 of water into measuring cylinder B.

Pour this water into measuring cylinder A, as shown in Fig. 1.3.

Wait until the water level is constant then record the reading V2 of the water level in
measuring cylinder A.

V2 = .................................................. cm3 [1]

(ii) On Fig. 1.3, draw an arrow showing the correct line of sight for reading the water level in
measuring cylinder A. [1]

(iii) Calculate another value for the density ρ2 of the sand.

m3
Use your values from (a)(i) and (b)(i) and the equation ρ2 = , where k = 100 cm3.
(V2 - k)

ρ2 = ......................................................... [2]

(c) Another student wants to determine the density of the particles in a sample of sand.

(i) Explain why method 1 would not be a suitable method for her to use.

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

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

(ii) Explain why method 2 would give a more accurate value for the density of the particles
in the sample of sand.

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2 In this experiment, you will investigate the cooling of hot water in surroundings with different
temperatures.

Carry out the following instructions, referring to Fig. 2.1 and Fig. 2.2.

thermometer

lid

beaker A
beaker B
bench

Fig. 2.1

(a) (i) Pour 100 cm3 of cold water into beaker B.

Place the thermometer in the water.

Measure, and record in the appropriate column heading of Table 2.1, the temperature θ1
of the water. [1]

(ii) Remove the thermometer from the water in beaker B.

Remove the lid from beaker A.
Place beaker A inside beaker B, as shown in Fig. 2.2, so that the water in beaker B rises
between the sides of the two beakers.

beaker B
beaker A

water

Fig. 2.2

Pour 150 cm3 of hot water into beaker A and replace the lid.
Place the thermometer in the water in beaker A.

In Table 2.1, record the temperature θA of the water at time t = 0 and immediately start
the stop-watch.

Record the temperature θA of the water at t = 30 s, 60 s, 90 s, 120 s, 150 s and 180 s.

[1]
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(b) (i) Remove the thermometer and lid from beaker A.

Remove beaker A from beaker B and empty both beakers.

Pour 50 cm3 of cold water and 50 cm3 of hot water into beaker B.
Place the thermometer in the water.

Measure, and record in the appropriate column heading of Table 2.1, the temperature θ2
of the water.
[1]

(ii) Repeat (a)(ii) for this arrangement. [2]

Table 2.1

beaker A beaker A
in cold water in warm water

θ1 = ...................°C θ2 = ...................°C
t/s θA / °C θA / °C

0
30
60
90
120
150
180

(c) Write a conclusion stating in what way the temperature of the water surrounding beaker A
affects the rate of cooling of the hot water in beaker A.
Justify your answer by reference to values from your readings.

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

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

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

............................................................................................................................................. [2]
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(d) Calculate the average cooling rate R for beaker A cooling in cold water. Use your readings for
beaker A from Table 2.1 and the equation
θA0 – θA180
R= T
where T = 180 s and θA0 and θA180 are the temperatures of the water in beaker A at t = 0 and
t = 180 s. Include the unit for the cooling rate.

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

(e) Another student repeats this experiment at the same room temperature.

State one other variable that she controls in order to obtain readings as close as possible to
your readings.

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

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

(f) During the experiment, the increase in temperature of the water surrounding beaker A affects
the results of the investigation.

Suggest one change to the experiment to reduce this effect.

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

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

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

[Total: 11]

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3 In this experiment, you will determine the focal length of a converging lens.

Carry out the following instructions, referring to Fig. 3.1.

illuminated u v screen
object
lens
lamp
bench

Fig. 3.1

(a) (i) Place the lens a distance u = 20.0 cm from the triangular illuminated object.
Place the screen near the lens.
Switch on the lamp.
Move the screen until a clear focused image of the triangular illuminated object is seen
on the screen.

Measure, and record in Table 3.1, the distance v between the lens and the screen.

Repeat the procedure for u = 30.0 cm, 40.0 cm, 50.0 cm and 60.0 cm.

Switch off the lamp.

Table 3.1

u
u / cm v / cm v

20.0
30.0
40.0
50.0
60.0
[2]

(ii) Describe a technique to obtain an image on the screen that is as sharp as possible in
this experiment.

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

..................................................................................................................................... [1]
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(b) For each distance u, calculate, and record in Table 3.1, a value for u. [1]
v
(c) Plot a graph of u / cm (y-axis) against u (x-axis). Start your graph at the origin (0,0).
v
Draw the best-fit line.

0
0

[4]

(d) (i) Determine the value u0 of u when u = 0.

v
u0 = ......................................................... [1]

(ii) The gradient of the graph is numerically equal to the focal length f of the lens.

Determine the value of f for this experiment.

Show clearly on the graph how you obtained the necessary information to determine the
gradient.
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4 A student investigates the brightness of a lamp.

Plan an experiment to investigate how the intensity (brightness) of the light produced by the lamp
is affected by the current in the lamp.

The apparatus available includes:

• a lamp and power supply

• a light meter which measures the intensity of light arriving at it
• an ammeter
• a variable resistor.

You are not required to do this experiment.

In your plan, you should:

• complete the circuit diagram in Fig. 4.1 to show the variable resistor connected to control the
current in the lamp
• state the key variables to be kept constant
• explain briefly how to do the experiment
• draw a table 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.

light meter

Fig. 4.1

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publisher will be pleased to make amends at the earliest possible opportunity.
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To avoid the issue of disclosure of answer-related information to candidates, all copyright acknowledgements are reproduced online in the Cambridge
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Assessment International Education Copyright Acknowledgements Booklet. This is produced for each series of examinations and is freely available to download
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at www.cambridgeinternational.org after the live examination series.

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