2025 Specimen Paper 4

Cambridge IGCSE™ (9–1)
*0123456789*
CO-ORDINATED SCIENCES 0973/04

Paper 4 Theory (Extended) For examination from 2025
SPECIMEN PAPER 2 hours
You must answer on the question paper.
No additional materials are needed.
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.
● Take the weight of 1.0 kg to be 9.8 N (acceleration of free fall = 9.8 m / s2).
INFORMATION
● The total mark for this paper is 120.
● The number of marks for each question or part question is shown in brackets [ ].
● The Periodic Table is printed in the question paper.
This document has 30 pages. Any blank pages are indicated.
© Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2022 [Turn over

2
1 A student investigates the effect of temperature on the rate of photosynthesis in an aquatic plant.
Fig. 1.1 shows the apparatus used.
aquatic plant
Fig. 1.1
The student counts the number of bubbles of gas released in one minute.
They repeat the investigation with water at different temperatures.
Table 1.1 shows the results.
Table 1.1
temperature / °C number of bubbles

released per minute
25 5
30 25
35 38
40 55
45 71
50 40
55 25
60 0
(a) (i) Name the gas released by the aquatic plant.
....................................................................................................................................... [1]
© Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2022 0973/04/SP/25

3
(ii) Describe the results shown in Table 1.1.
Include data from Table 1.1 in your answer.
............................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................... [2]
(b) Photosynthesis is an enzyme-controlled reaction.
Explain the results between 50 and 60 °C.
....................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................... [3]
(c) The leaves of a plant are described as sources or as sinks depending on the time of the year.
Describe the difference between sources and sinks.
....................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................... [2]
(d) State the name of the carbohydrate in plants that is used:
as an energy store .....................................................................................................................
in respiration ..............................................................................................................................
to build cell walls. .......................................................................................................................

[3]
[Total: 11]
© Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2022 0973/04/SP/25 [Turn over

4
2 Measles is a transmissible disease.
Fig. 2.1 shows the number of measles antibodies in the blood after vaccination and after infection.
number of
measles
antibodies
in the
blood
time
vaccination given infection
Fig. 2.1
(a) Complete the sentences to explain the immune response seen in Fig. 2.1.
Vaccinations contain a weakened form of the ........................................ or their antigens.
The antigens stimulate an immune response by a type of white blood cell called
........................................ .
These white blood cells produce antibodies, increasing the number of antibodies in the blood.
Long-term immunity is provided by the production of ........................................ cells.
If the body becomes infected after vaccination, antibody production in the body
........................................ .
The antibodies bind to antigens with a ........................................ shape destroying them or
marking them for destruction by ........................................ .

[6]

5
(b) State the name of the type of immunity gained in Fig. 2.1.
............................................................................................................................................... [1]
(c) State two indirect ways that transmissible diseases can be transmitted.
....................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................... [2]
[Total: 9]

6
3 (a) A country introduced a law called the Endangered Species Act. It was hoped that the Act
would help to conserve species that were at risk from extinction.
Table 3.1 shows the numbers of birds from different species before and after the Act was
introduced.
Table 3.1
number of birds
species
before the Act after the Act
bald eagle 416 9789
Kirtland’s warbler 210 1415
nene goose 400 1275
peregrine falcon 324 1700
whooping crane 54 513
(i) State which species was the most at risk from extinction before the Act.
....................................................................................................................................... [1]
(ii) Calculate the percentage increase in the number of Kirtland’s warblers.
Give your answer to the nearest whole number.
percentage increase = ........................................................% [3]
(b) List three reasons why species become endangered or extinct.
1 .................................................................................................................................................
2 .................................................................................................................................................
3 .................................................................................................................................................
[3]

7
(c) The nene goose is a herbivore and the bald eagle is a carnivore.
(i) State the name of the trophic level in the food chain for the nene goose.
....................................................................................................................................... [1]
(ii) Explain why the way the nene goose feeds is more energy efficient than that of the bald
eagle.
............................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................... [3]
[Total: 11]

8
4 (a) A student investigates the effect of exercise on oxygen consumption.
The oxygen used by the student before, during and after exercise is monitored.
Fig. 4.1 is a graph of the results.
before
during exercise after exercise
exercise
oxygen
consumption
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
time / minutes
Fig. 4.1
(i) State the balanced symbol equation for the type of respiration occurring before exercise
in Fig. 4.1.
....................................................................................................................................... [2]
(ii) Use Fig. 4.1 to calculate the time taken by the student to exercise.
.......................................................................................................................... minutes [1]
(b) The shaded part of the graph represents an oxygen debt caused by a build-up of lactic acid.
(i) State where lactic acid builds up in the body during vigorous exercise.
................................................................ and ............................................................... [2]

9
(ii) Describe how the lactic acid is removed by the body.
............................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................... [3]
(c) Regular exercise reduces the risk of developing coronary heart disease (CHD).
Describe one change to a person’s diet that can reduce the risk of developing CHD.
............................................................................................................................................... [1]
[Total: 9]

10
5 (a) Fig. 5.1 shows the arrangement of the particles in the three states of matter.
solid liquid gas
Fig. 5.1
Table 5.1 shows information about the particles in the three states of matter.
Complete Table 5.1.
Table 5.1
state of
particle separation particle arrangement particle motion
matter
vibrate about fixed
solid regular
........................................ positions
liquid close together move around each other

........................................
gas far apart random

........................................
[3]
(b) Fig. 5.2 shows a cooling curve for water.
temperature
time
Fig. 5.2
(i) Write a letter G on Fig. 5.2 to show when the water is a gas and is cooling down. [1]
(ii) Write a letter F on Fig. 5.2 to show when the water is freezing. [1]

11
(iii) Explain how Fig. 5.2 shows that the water is pure rather than a mixture.
............................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................... [1]
(iv) While cooling, water vapour condenses to form liquid water.
Explain what happens to the particles when forming liquid water. Use ideas about the
kinetic particle theory in your answer.
............................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................... [2]
(c) Water is a simple molecular compound with a low melting point and a low boiling point.
Explain why the melting point and boiling point are low.
....................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................... [2]
[Total: 10]

12
6 (a) Aluminium is in Group III of the Periodic Table.
Give one reason why aluminium is often used in containers for food and drinks.
............................................................................................................................................... [1]
(b) Many metals react with dilute acids.
Complete the general equation for this reaction.
Choose words from the list below.
alloy
base
hydrogen
oxygen
salt
water
metal + acid → ........................................ + ........................................ [2]
(c) When aluminium metal reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid, aluminium atoms form aluminium
ions.
The ionic half-equation for this reaction is shown.
Al → Al 3+ + 3e–
State whether this reaction is oxidation or reduction.
Explain your answer.
....................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................... [1]

13
(d) (i) Copper reacts with oxygen to form copper(II) oxide.
State whether copper(II) oxide is an acidic oxide or a basic oxide.
Give a reason for your answer.
............................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................... [1]
(ii) Copper(II) oxide, CuO, reacts with sulfuric acid to form copper(II) sulfate and water.
Write the balanced symbol equation for this reaction.
....................................................................................................................................... [1]

14
(e) Fig. 6.1 shows the reaction pathway diagram for the reaction between copper(II) oxide and
sulfuric acid.
activation energy Ea
energy
reactants
products
progress of reaction
Fig. 6.1
(i) State whether the reaction is exothermic or endothermic.
Explain your answer.
............................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................... [1]
(ii) Define activation energy Ea.
............................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................... [2]
[Total: 9]

15
BLANK PAGE

16
7 (a) Hydrogen–oxygen fuel cells use a chemical reaction to produce electricity.
Name the only chemical product made by a hydrogen–oxygen fuel cell.
............................................................................................................................................... [1]
(b) A vehicle with a petrol (gasoline) engine produces carbon dioxide gas.
Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas.
Describe how carbon dioxide causes global warming.
....................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................... [3]
(c) Hydrogen–oxygen fuel cells do not produce carbon dioxide.
Describe one other advantage and one disadvantage of using hydrogen–oxygen fuel cells
instead of petrol (gasoline) engines to power vehicles.
advantage ..................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................
disadvantage .............................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................
[2]

17
(d) (i) A major component of petrol is the compound C7H16. C7H16 belongs to a homologous
series.
Name the homologous series.
....................................................................................................................................... [1]
(ii) C7H16 burns in oxygen to make carbon dioxide and water.
C7H16 + 11O2 → 7CO2 + 8H2O
Calculate the volume of carbon dioxide made when 2.5 g of C7H16 burns completely in
oxygen.
The molar gas volume at r.t.p. is 24 dm3.
Show your working.
volume of carbon dioxide = .................................................... dm3 [4]
[Total: 11]

18
8 (a) Magnesium chloride contains the ions Mg2+ and Cl –.
(i) State the formula for magnesium chloride.
formula = ........................................................... [1]
(ii) Magnesium chloride is a good conductor of electricity when aqueous. It does not conduct
electricity when solid.
Explain why the conductivity of magnesium chloride is different in these two states.
good conductor when aqueous ..........................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................
does not conduct electricity when solid .............................................................................
............................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................
[2]
(b) Molten magnesium chloride can be electrolysed.
Construct the balanced ionic half-equation for the reaction at the cathode.
............................................................................................................................................... [2]

19
(c) Magnesium chloride is made when magnesium reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid.
A student reacts a piece of magnesium with 40 cm3 of dilute hydrochloric acid at 20 °C. The
student measures the time taken for the reaction to finish.
The student repeats the experiment at 30 °C and 40 °C.
Explain how increasing the temperature affects the rate of reaction.
....................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................... [4]
(d) The rate of reaction between magnesium and dilute hydrochloric acid can be increased by
adding a catalyst.
State how a catalyst increases the rate of a reaction.
....................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................... [1]
[Total: 10]

20
9 (a) A car accelerates from rest with a constant acceleration of 10 m / s2 for 3.0 seconds.
(i) Define acceleration.
....................................................................................................................................... [1]
(ii) On Fig. 9.1, draw a speed–time graph for the car’s motion.
30.0
25.0
20.0
speed
m/s 15.0
10.0
5.0
0.0
0 1.0 2.0 3.0
time / s
Fig. 9.1
[2]
(iii) The mass of the car is 1750 kg.
Calculate the force required to produce an acceleration of 10 m / s2.
force = ....................................................... N [2]
(b) Acceleration is a vector quantity.
(i) State what is meant by the term vector quantity.
............................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................... [1]

21
(ii) Place ticks () in Table 9.1 to identify the quantities that are vectors.
One example has been done for you.
Table 9.1
quantity vector
acceleration 
distance
energy
gravitational field strength
mass
velocity
[2]
(c) Two lamps are connected in parallel with a 12 V battery. The lamps are identical.
Fig. 9.2 shows the circuit diagram for the lamps.
12 V
Fig. 9.2
The current in the battery is 0.60 A.
Calculate the resistance of one of the lamps.

State the unit for your answer.
resistance = .............................. unit = .......... [3]

22
(d) Each headlamp of the car contains a thin converging lens.
A converging lens can be used to form a virtual image.
Complete Fig. 9.3 to show how a converging lens forms a virtual image.
object F
F = principal focus
Fig. 9.3
[3]
[Total: 14]

23
BLANK PAGE

24
10 Fig. 10.1 shows a simple diagram of the Solar System.
Saturn
Neptune
Earth
Mercury
Sun
Venus
Uranus
Mars Jupiter
not to scale
Fig. 10.1
(a) Saturn is in orbit around the Sun.
(i) Draw an arrow (→) on Fig. 10.1 to show the direction of the force that keeps Saturn in
orbit around the Sun. [1]
(ii) State the name of the force that keeps Saturn in orbit around the Sun.
....................................................................................................................................... [1]
(iii) The mean distance between Saturn and the Sun is 1.43 × 1012 m.
It takes 11 000 Earth days for Saturn to complete one orbit of the Sun.
Calculate the orbital speed of Saturn.
orbital speed = ................................................... m / s [3]

25
(b) The Sun is a stable star formed 5 billion years ago.
Describe the formation of a stable star.
....................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................... [2]
(c) Describe what the Big Bang Theory states in terms of the formation of the Universe.
....................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................... [2]
[Total: 9]

26
11 Fig. 11.1 shows a set of traffic lights containing light-emitting diodes (LEDs).
colour of LEDs
red
amber (orange)
green
Fig. 11.1
(a) The different coloured LEDs emit light with different frequencies and wavelengths.
(i) Table 11.1 contains the frequencies and wavelengths of red, amber (orange) and green
light.
Place ticks () in Table 11.1 to identify the frequency and wavelength of the red LED.
The amber (orange) LED has been done for you.
Table 11.1
red LED amber (orange) LED

14
4.62 × 10
frequency / Hz 4.92 × 1014 
5.66 × 1014
5.30 × 10–7
wavelength / m 6.10 × 10–7 
6.50 × 10–7
[1]
(ii) Use the data in Table 11.1 for the amber (orange) LED to show that the speed of light is
3.0 × 108 m / s.
[1]

27
(b) Each LED has a potential difference of 3.6 V across it and a current of 0.025 A in it.
(i) Calculate the total power input for each LED.
total power input = ....................................................... W [2]
(ii) The LEDs have an efficiency of 40%.
Calculate the useful power output for each LED.
useful power output = ....................................................... W [2]
(c) Draw the circuit symbol for an LED.
[1]
[Total: 7]

28
12 Fig. 12.1 shows a diagram of a nuclear power station.
steam
boiler
uranium
fuel rods
steam
turbine
generator
to cooling tower
reactor
water
Fig. 12.1
(a) The nuclear power station uses nuclear fission of uranium to generate electricity.
(i) State what is meant by nuclear fission.
............................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................... [1]
(ii) Thermal energy from the nuclear fission of uranium changes water into steam in the
boiler.
Describe how the steam exerts a pressure inside the boiler.
............................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................... [2]
(iii) The pressure in the steam causes the turbine to move faster.
State the type of energy store that increases when the turbine moves faster.
....................................................................................................................................... [1]

29
(b) Fig. 12.2 shows a simple a.c. generator similar to the generator found in the power station.
permanent coil
magnet
permanent
S N magnet
output e.m.f.
Fig. 12.2
(i) A magnetic field exists between the permanent magnets.
State what is meant by a magnetic field.
............................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................... [1]
(ii) One way of increasing the output e.m.f. of the generator is to rotate the coil faster.
State two other ways of increasing the output e.m.f. of the generator.
1 .........................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................
2 .........................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................
[2]
(iii) Fig. 12.3 shows the output e.m.f. from the generator.
output e.m.f.
time
Fig. 12.3
On Fig. 12.3, sketch the output e.m.f. from the generator when the coil rotates faster. [3]
[Total: 10]
The Periodic Table of Elements
Group
I II III IV V VI VII VIII
1 2
of the University of Cambridge.

H He
hydrogen helium
Key 1 4
3 4 atomic number 5 6 7 8 9 10
Li Be atomic symbol B C N O F Ne
lithium beryllium name boron carbon nitrogen oxygen fluorine neon
7 9 relative atomic mass 11 12 14 16 19 20
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Na Mg Al Si P S Cl Ar
sodium magnesium aluminium silicon phosphorus sulfur chlorine argon
© Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2022

23 24 27 28 31 32 35.5 40
19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36
K Ca Sc Ti V Cr Mn Fe Co Ni Cu Zn Ga Ge As Se Br Kr
potassium calcium scandium titanium vanadium chromium manganese iron cobalt nickel copper zinc gallium germanium arsenic selenium bromine krypton
39 40 45 48 51 52 55 56 59 59 64 65 70 73 75 79 80 84
37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54
Rb Sr Y Zr Nb Mo Tc Ru Rh Pd Ag Cd In Sn Sb Te I Xe
rubidium strontium yttrium zirconium niobium molybdenum technetium ruthenium rhodium palladium silver cadmium indium tin antimony tellurium iodine xenon
30
85 88 89 91 93 96 – 101 103 106 108 112 115 119 122 128 127 131
55 56 57–71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86
0973/04/SP/25
lanthanoids
Cs Ba Hf Ta W Re Os Ir Pt Au Hg Tl Pb Bi Po At Rn
caesium barium hafnium tantalum tungsten rhenium osmium iridium platinum gold mercury thallium lead bismuth polonium astatine radon
133 137 178 181 184 186 190 192 195 197 201 204 207 209 – – –
87 88 89–103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118
actinoids
Fr Ra Rf Db Sg Bh Hs Mt Ds Rg Cn Nh Fl Mc Lv Ts Og
francium radium rutherfordium dubnium seaborgium bohrium hassium meitnerium darmstadtium roentgenium copernicium nihonium flerovium moscovium livermorium tennessine oganesson
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
have unwittingly been included, the publisher will be pleased to make amends at the earliest possible opportunity.
57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71
lanthanoids La Ce Pr Nd Pm Sm Eu Gd Tb Dy Ho Er Tm Yb Lu
lanthanum cerium praseodymium neodymium promethium samarium europium gadolinium terbium dysprosium holmium erbium thulium ytterbium lutetium
139 140 141 144 – 150 152 157 159 163 165 167 169 173 175
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103
actinoids Ac Th Pa U Np Pu Am Cm Bk Cf Es Fm Md No Lr
actinium thorium protactinium uranium neptunium plutonium americium curium berkelium californium einsteinium fermium mendelevium nobelium lawrencium
– 232 231 238 – – – – – – – – – – –
The volume of one mole of any gas is 24 dm3 at room temperature and pressure (r.t.p.).
reasonable effort has been made by the publisher (Cambridge University Press & Assessment) to trace copyright holders, but if any items requiring clearance
Permission to reproduce items where third-party owned material protected by copyright is included has been sought and cleared where possible. Every
Cambridge Assessment International Education is part of Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Cambridge University Press & Assessment is a department

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Cambridge IGCSE™ (9–1)

CO-ORDINATED SCIENCES 0973/04

You must answer on the question paper.

No additional materials are needed.

This document has 30 pages. Any blank pages are indicated.

© Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2022 [Turn over

Fig. 1.1 shows the apparatus used.

They repeat the investigation with water at different temperatures.

Table 1.1 shows the results.

temperature / °C number of bubbles

(a) (i) Name the gas released by the aquatic plant.

© Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2022 0973/04/SP/25

(ii) Describe the results shown in Table 1.1.

Include data from Table 1.1 in your answer.

(b) Photosynthesis is an enzyme-controlled reaction.

Explain the results between 50 and 60 °C.

Describe the difference between sources and sinks.

(d) State the name of the carbohydrate in plants that is used:

as an energy store .....................................................................................................................

to build cell walls. .......................................................................................................................

© Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2022 0973/04/SP/25 [Turn over

2 Measles is a transmissible disease.

vaccination given infection

Vaccinations contain a weakened form of the ........................................ or their antigens.

Long-term immunity is provided by the production of ........................................ cells.

The antibodies bind to antigens with a ........................................ shape destroying them or

marking them for destruction by ........................................ .

© Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2022 0973/04/SP/25

© Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2022 0973/04/SP/25 [Turn over

(ii) Calculate the percentage increase in the number of Kirtland’s warblers.

Give your answer to the nearest whole number.

percentage increase = ........................................................% [3]

(b) List three reasons why species become endangered or extinct.

© Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2022 0973/04/SP/25

© Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2022 0973/04/SP/25 [Turn over

4 (a) A student investigates the effect of exercise on oxygen consumption.

Fig. 4.1 is a graph of the results.

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

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

© Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2022 0973/04/SP/25

(ii) Describe how the lactic acid is removed by the body.

© Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2022 0973/04/SP/25 [Turn over

solid liquid gas

Complete Table 5.1.

liquid close together move around each other

gas far apart random

(b) Fig. 5.2 shows a cooling curve for water.

© Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2022 0973/04/SP/25

(iv) While cooling, water vapour condenses to form liquid water.

© Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2022 0973/04/SP/25 [Turn over

6 (a) Aluminium is in Group III of the Periodic Table.

(b) Many metals react with dilute acids.

Complete the general equation for this reaction.

Choose words from the list below.

metal + acid → ........................................ + ........................................  [2]

The ionic half-equation for this reaction is shown.

State whether this reaction is oxidation or reduction.

Explain your answer.

© Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2022 0973/04/SP/25

CO-ORDINATED SCIENCES 0973/04

© Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2022 [Turn over

metal + acid → ........................................ + ........................................ [2]

resistance = .............................. unit = .......... [3]