Density: past paper questions

Where the questions come from

• Question 5May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  The density of oil is $0.85{\text{ g/cm}}^3$. The density of pure water is $1.00{\text{ g/cm}}^3$. The density of mercury is $13.6{\text{ g/cm}}^3$.

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• Question 5Oct/Nov 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  A student has a bottle of cooking oil. She determines the density of the cooking oil. Which apparatus does she need?

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• Question 5May/June 2026, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The table shows the densities of three liquids.

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• Question 5Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Which quantity is represented by the symbol $\rho$?

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• Question 5Oct/Nov 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Which equation is correct?

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• Question 4Oct/Nov 2025, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  Which piece of equipment is useful in determining the density of an irregularly-shaped stone?

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• Question 5Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Which equipment is used to find the density of an irregularly shaped stone?

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• Question 13May/June 2026, paper 23Multiple choice1 mark

  What happens when the temperature of a liquid increases?

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• Question 4Oct/Nov 2025, paper 21Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows one liquid floating on top of another liquid. Which statement explains why liquid P floats on top of liquid Q?

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• Question 5Oct/Nov 2024, paper 13Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  A student uses the equation $\rho =\frac{m}{V}$. Which row shows the correct meaning of these symbols?

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• Question 2May/June 2026, paper 31Structured6 marksHas a diagram

  Figure 2.1 shows a stack of eight identical discs. Describe how to obtain a value for the average thickness of one disc.

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• Question 4Oct/Nov 2025, paper 22Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Students are asked to predict the order in which three liquids, P, Q and R, will float on each other.

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• Question 5Oct/Nov 2024, paper 22Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Three liquids P, Q and R have different densities and do not mix. The liquids are placed in a measuring cylinder and allowed to settle.

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• Question 3May/June 2026, paper 32Structured8 marksHas a diagram

  A scientist determines the density of a pebble. The scientist measures the mass of the pebble. State the name of a suitable instrument for measuring the mass of a pebble.

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• Question 5Oct/Nov 2025, paper 23Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Three different liquids are poured into a tall beaker. The liquids do not mix. The liquid densities are shown in the table.

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• Question 4Oct/Nov 2024, paper 23Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  An engineer researched the density of different liquids being used as coolants.

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• Question 4Oct/Nov 2023, paper 23Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The mass of air hitting the blades of a wind turbine each second is $1.5\times {10}^4\text{ kg}$. The speed of the air is $4.0\text{ m/s}$. The density of air is $1.2{\text{ kg/m}}^3$.

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• Question 2Oct/Nov 2025, paper 31Structured6 marksHas a diagram

  Water is dripping slowly from a pipe. A student collects some drops in a measuring cylinder. Fig. 2.1 shows the water collected by the student.

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• Question 15Oct/Nov 2024, paper 23Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  A solid is heated causing it to expand.

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• Question 2Oct/Nov 2023, paper 31Structured10 marksHas a diagram

  The mass of a solid metal cylinder is $400\text{ g}$ and its volume is $52{\text{ cm}}^3$. Calculate the density of the metal.

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• Question 2May/June 2026, paper 41Structured6 marks

  A solid metal sphere has a volume of $31{\text{ cm}}^3$. The mass of the metal sphere is $87\text{ g}$. Calculate the density of the metal.

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• Question 3Oct/Nov 2025, paper 33Structured6 marks

  A scientist determines the density of a sample of sea water. Describe an experiment to determine the density of the sea water.

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• Question 3Oct/Nov 2024, paper 31Structured7 marksHas a diagram

  A student determines the density of a metal. Fig. 3.1 shows an irregularly shaped piece of the metal and some equipment. Describe how the student can find the volume of the piece of metal.

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• Question 3Oct/Nov 2023, paper 33Structured8 marksHas a diagram

  The mass of a glass bottle is 0.18 kg. Calculate the weight of the bottle.

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• Question 3May/June 2026, paper 42Structured7 marksHas a diagram

  Figure 3.1 shows an electric shower. The temperature of water as it enters the shower is 15 °C. The water is heated in the shower.

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• Question 2Oct/Nov 2025, paper 41Structured8 marksHas a diagram

  Table 2.1 contains information about the planet Mars. Table 2.1 mass: $6.4\times {10}^{23}\text{ kg}$ gravitational field strength at surface: $3.7\text{ N/kg}$ average density: $3900{\text{ kg/m}}^3$ Define gravitational field strength.

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• Question 2Oct/Nov 2024, paper 32Structured9 marksHas a diagram

  A student wants to measure the diameter of a wire. The wire is thinner than a single gradation on her ruler. She coils the wire carefully and makes 12 loops as shown in Fig. 2.1.

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• Question 1Oct/Nov 2023, paper 43Structured7 marks

  Oil of density $0.80{\text{ g/cm}}^3$ is poured gently onto the surface of water of density $1.0{\text{ g/cm}}^3$. The oil and the water do not mix. Describe and explain the final position of the oil relative to the water.

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• Question 4Oct/Nov 2025, paper 43Structured9 marksHas a diagram

  A rectangular glass tank contains $3.0{\text{ m}}^3$ of liquid. The mass of the liquid is $2800\text{ kg}$. Calculate the density of the liquid.

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• Question 5May/June 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The masses and volumes of four objects are shown. Which object floats in a liquid of density $1.4{\text{ g / cm}}^3$?

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