IGCSE Physics 0625 Paper 42, May/June 2026

Figure 1.1 shows a speed–time graph for a car journey. State the motion of the car between: A and B .............................................................................................................................. C and D ............................................................................................................................. D and E .............................................................................................................................

Calculate the distance travelled between time = 0 and time = 18s. distance = ...................................................... m

Velocity is a vector quantity. Complete the sentence. A vector quantity has magnitude (size) and ........................................ .

Draw a line under each of the quantities in the list that is a vector quantity. acceleration electric field strength energy mass time weight

A satellite is in a circular orbit around the Earth. State the direction of the force acting on the satellite.

A rocket is used to carry the satellite into space. The initial mass of the rocket and satellite is $1.5\times {10}^4\text{ kg}$. The initial force provided by the rocket is $1.9\times {10}^5\text{ N}$. Calculate the initial acceleration of the rocket. acceleration = ................................................ ${\text{m/s}}^2$

A large balloon filled with helium floats in the Earth’s atmosphere. Explain, in terms of particles, how the helium gas exerts a pressure on the inside of the balloon.

The temperature of the air at the balloon’s highest point above the Earth is 228 K. Determine, in °C, the temperature of the air at this height. temperature = ..................................................... °C

The water flows through the shower at a rate of $0.0045{\text{ m}}^3\mathrm{/}\text{min}$. Show that the mass of water that leaves the shower in 4.0 min is 18 kg.

Calculate the energy required to increase the temperature of 18 kg of water from 15 °C to 38 °C. energy = ....................................................... J

The energy in 3(a)(ii) is transferred to the water in 4.0 min. Calculate the power transferred to the water. power = ..................................................... W

At another time, the temperature of the water leaving the shower is higher. The power supplied to the water remains constant. Suggest one reason for this increase in temperature.

Define ‘impulse’ in words.

A student jumps from the top of a low wall to the ground. The mass of the student is 55 kg. As the student reaches the ground, her speed is 4.6 m/s. The student stops moving 0.95 s after her feet first touch the ground. Calculate the resultant force exerted on the student as she stops moving. resultant force = ...................................................... N

As the student lands, she bends her knees. Explain how this prevents the student from being injured. Use ideas about force, momentum and time in your answer.

Another student stands on the ground. The area in contact with the ground is $380{\text{ cm}}^2$. The weight of the student is 530 N. Calculate the pressure exerted by the student on the ground. State the unit. pressure = ............................... unit = ...............

On a hot day, a student wets his skin with cold water. The water on the student’s skin evaporates. Explain, in terms of particles, why the student’s skin temperature decreases.

Figure 5.1 shows wet clothes on a line in the open air. Water evaporates from the clothes. State two factors which affect the rate of evaporation of the water. 1 ................................................................................................................................ 2 ................................................................................................................................

Complete the definition of the ‘principal focus’ of a lens. The principal focus of a lens is a point on the principal axis where .......................................... ................................................................................................................................................... .............................................................................................................................................

Figure 6.1 is a full-scale diagram of a converging lens and an object O. The two points labelled F show the positions of the focal points. On Figure 6.1, draw two rays to locate the position of the image. Label the image I.

Visible light is one region of the electromagnetic spectrum. State the name of the region of the electromagnetic spectrum which has the lowest frequency.

Figure 7.1 shows a simplified diagram of a loudspeaker. Complete the sentences to describe and explain how a loudspeaker produces sound. A changing magnetic field is produced by the ............................................. in the coil. This magnetic field interacts with the magnetic field due to the ............................................. . This causes the cone to vibrate. The vibration of the ............................................. transfers energy to a student as sound.

A sound of frequency 440 Hz is produced by the loudspeaker. The speed of the sound is 340 m/s. Calculate the wavelength of this sound. State the unit. wavelength = .................................. unit ...............

Define ‘ultrasound’.

Complete the definition of an ‘electric field’. An electric field is a region where ............................................. experiences ............................................. .

Figure 8.1 shows two parallel, oppositely charged metal plates. On Figure 8.1, draw four field lines to show the pattern and the direction of the electric field between the two parallel plates.

Figure 8.2 shows an electric circuit that includes a thermistor, component X and a relay. The relay operates a lamp. Identify component X.

The temperature increases. The lamp lights. Complete the sentences to explain, in terms of potential difference (p.d.) and resistance, why the lamp lights. When the temperature of the thermistor increases, the ............................................. of the thermistor ............................................. . This causes the p.d. across the ............................................. to increase. The magnetic field produced by the relay coil ............................................. . The relay coil attracts ............................................. , which causes the lamp to light.

The current in the lamp is 3.2 A. Calculate the charge that flows through the lamp in 120 s. charge = ...................................................... C

State one similarity and one difference in the composition of the nuclei of atoms of different isotopes of the same element. similarity ............................................................................................................................ difference ...........................................................................................................................

When a tree dies, no new carbon-14 is absorbed by the tree. A tree contains $16\mu \text{g}$ of carbon-14 when it dies. Carbon-14 has a half-life of 5700 years. On Figure 9.1, sketch a graph to show how the mass of carbon-14 in the tree decreases during the first 15 000 years after the tree dies. Show your working and label the axes with suitable values for one point on the graph.

Complete the sentence about radiation. Ionising nuclear radiation that is always present in the environment is known as ........................................ radiation.

State one source that makes a significant contribution to the ionising nuclear radiation that is always present in the environment.

Nuclear fission is the process used to transfer energy in a nuclear reactor in a power station. Describe the process which occurs when heavy nuclei undergo fission in a power station.

Complete the sentences to describe how energy is used to generate electricity in a nuclear power station. Thermal energy is used to heat ........................................ to produce ........................................ at high pressure. This drives a ........................................ connected to a generator.

State one advantage and one disadvantage of the use of nuclear energy to generate electricity compared with the use of light from the Sun (solar cells). advantage ......................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... disadvantage ..................................................................................................................... ...........................................................................................................................................

Radiation from the Sun is not the source of energy for nuclear energy. State one other energy resource which does not have the Sun as its main source of energy.

Figure 11.1 shows some statements about the Earth and the approximate time taken for the events described in these statements to take place. Draw a line from each statement to the correct time taken. One has been completed for you.

The planet Jupiter orbits the Sun. The average radius of the orbit of Jupiter is $7.78\times {10}^8\text{ km}$. The average orbital speed of Jupiter is $4.70\times {10}^4\text{ km/h}$. Show that the orbital period of Jupiter is 11.9 years.

Define a ‘light-year’ in words.

A distant galaxy is $1.6\times {10}^8\text{ light-years}$ away from the Earth. The current estimate for the Hubble constant is $2.2\times {10}^{-18}\text{ per second}$. Calculate the speed at which this galaxy moves away from the Earth. Give your answer in m/s. speed = .................................................. m/s