IGCSE Physical Science (0652) — October–November 2023, Paper 21

40 questions · every question answerable online with instant point-by-point AI marking against the official mark scheme.

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Question 1 · 1 mark · States of matter / diffusion

The relative molecular mass of carbon dioxide is 44. The relative molecular mass of oxygen is 32. Which statement about the rate of diffusion of these gases at the same…

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Question 2 · 1 mark · Measurement

The diagram shows a piece of apparatus. [A measuring cylinder is shown.] What is measured using this apparatus? A mass B temperature C time D volume

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Question 3 · 1 mark · Experimental techniques / chromatography

Mixture X is separated into its components W and Y by chromatography. E is the distance between the base line and Y. F is the distance between the base line and the top of the…

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Question 4 · 1 mark · Atomic structure / isotopes

An isotope of sodium is represented as ²³₁₁Na. Which row represents a different isotope of sodium? electrons neutrons protons A 11 13 11 B 12 12 12 C 13 12 13 D 23 12 23

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Question 5 · 1 mark · Atomic structure

The numbers of protons, neutrons and electrons in particles W, X, Y and Z are shown. particle number of protons number of neutrons number of electrons W 17 18 17 X 17 20 17 Y 17…

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Question 6 · 1 mark · Giant covalent structures

Three statements about diamond and graphite are listed. 1 They are different solid forms of the same element. 2 They each conduct electricity. 3 They have atoms that form four…

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Question 7 · 1 mark · Chemical formulae and equations

Ammonia reacts with oxygen to produce substance X and water. An incomplete equation is shown. 4NH₃ + 5O₂ → X + 6H₂O What is the formula of X? A N₂ B NO C NO₂ D N₂O

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Question 8 · 1 mark · Stoichiometry / relative molecular mass

The formulae of three substances are shown. 1 NO₂ 2 C₂H₅OH 3 C₃H₈ Which substances have a relative molecular mass of 46? A 1, 2 and 3 B 1 and 2 only C 1 only D 2 only

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Question 9 · 1 mark · Electrolysis

Which row describes what happens to the ions at each electrode during electrolysis? anode cathode A gain of electrons loss of electrons B gain of electrons gain of electrons C…

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Question 10 · 1 mark · Energetics of a reaction

The energy level diagram for a reaction is shown. [An energy level diagram with reactants at a higher energy than products. The curve rises to a peak (activation energy) before…

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Question 11 · 1 mark · Rate of reaction

The rate of reaction between marble chips and hydrochloric acid is investigated. The equation is shown. CaCO₃(s) + 2HCl(aq) → CaCl₂(aq) + H₂O(l) + CO₂(g) Which conditions give the…

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Question 12 · 1 mark · Redox reactions

Lead is extracted from its ore using carbon monoxide. The equation is shown. PbO + CO → Pb + CO₂ Which statement explains what happens to the lead atoms and carbon atoms in the…

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Question 13 · 1 mark · Acids and bases

Hydrogen chloride reacts with water as shown. HCl + H₂O → Cl⁻ + H₃O⁺ Which statement about this reaction is correct? A Hydrogen chloride is acting as an acid because it accepts a…

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Question 14 · 1 mark · Oxides / acids and bases

Zinc oxide reacts with both dilute nitric acid and aqueous sodium hydroxide. Which type of oxide is zinc oxide? A acidic B amphoteric C basic D neutral

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Question 15 · 1 mark · Periodic Table

Elements in the Periodic Table are arranged in groups. Which statements about the groups are correct? 1 The group number of an element is equal to the number of occupied electron…

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Question 16 · 1 mark · Identification of ions

Chloride ions are identified using aqueous silver nitrate. Before aqueous silver nitrate is added, the pH of the mixture must be below 7. Which substance is added to aqueous…

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Question 17 · 1 mark · Air and greenhouse gases

Gas X is a carbon-containing greenhouse gas which has no effect on limewater. Which statement about gas X is correct? A It is a gas formed during respiration. B It is the main…

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Question 18 · 1 mark · Fuels / combustion

What are the products of the complete combustion of methane? A carbon monoxide and hydrogen B carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and water C carbon dioxide and water only D carbon…

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Question 19 · 1 mark · Alkenes / addition reactions

The formula of but-2-ene is CH₃CH=CHCH₃. But-2-ene is reacted separately with steam and with bromine. Which row identifies the structures of the products of these reactions? [A…

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Question 20 · 1 mark · Alcohols / ethanol

Liquid X has the properties shown. • It is colourless. • It is flammable. • It can be made by the reaction of ethene with steam. • The complete combustion of X produces carbon…

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Question 21 · 1 mark · Measurement

Which quantity is measured using a micrometer screw gauge? A the diameter of a thin wire B the mass of an atom C the small current in a circuit D the wavelength of a light wave

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Question 22 · 1 mark · Motion / speed-time graphs

The diagram shows a speed–time graph for a bus. At which labelled point is the bus moving with constant speed? [A speed–time graph. The curve rises with increasing speed (points A…

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Question 23 · 1 mark · Moments / turning effect

A pivot is placed under the 50 cm mark of a uniform metre rule. A 40 g mass is placed at the 20 cm mark. [A uniform metre rule balanced on a pivot at the 50 cm mark. A 40 g mass…

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Question 24 · 1 mark · Pressure

A solid cube of mass 50 kg rests on a horizontal surface. The length of each side of the cube is 50 cm. The gravitational field strength is 10 N / kg. What is the pressure on the…

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Question 25 · 1 mark · Energy, work and power

A student wishes to calculate his useful power output as he runs up some stairs. He measures the time he takes to run up the stairs. He can determine his power output if he knows…

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Question 26 · 1 mark · Energy resources

Which energy source is a store of gravitational potential energy? A coal B geothermal C hydroelectric D nuclear

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Question 27 · 1 mark · Thermal expansion

A solid, a liquid and a gas all have the same volume. They are all heated through the same temperature increase and they all expand. Which state of matter expands the least and…

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Question 28 · 1 mark · Thermometers

The diagram shows a liquid-in-glass thermometer. [A liquid-in-glass thermometer is shown, labelled with the capillary, the liquid, the glass tube, the bulb and the scale.] Which…

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Question 29 · 1 mark · Thermal energy transfer

How is heat transferred through a vacuum? A by conduction only B by convection only C by radiation only D by conduction and radiation

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Question 30 · 1 mark · Lenses

The diagram shows an object in front of a converging lens. Each of the two points marked F is a principal focus (focal point) of the lens. The lens forms an image of the object.…

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Question 31 · 1 mark · Electromagnetic waves / speed of light

Light from the Sun takes 8.3 minutes to reach the Earth through the vacuum of space. What is the distance between the Sun and the Earth? A 6.0 × 10⁵ m B 3.6 × 10⁷ m C 2.5 × 10⁹ m…

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Question 32 · 1 mark · Sound

What is the nature of a sound wave and in which direction do the particles vibrate in this type of wave? nature of sound wave direction of vibration of particles A longitudinal…

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Question 33 · 1 mark · Sound / audible range

A vibrating object produces waves of different frequencies in air. Which frequency is that of a sound wave that a human with normal hearing can hear? A 2.5 Hz B 1000 Hz C 25 000…

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Question 34 · 1 mark · Magnetism / electromagnets

Which metal is used to make the core of an electromagnet and what is a property of an electromagnet? metal used for core property of electromagnet A soft iron it can be switched…

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Question 35 · 1 mark · Current and charge

In 2.0 hours, a charge of 5000 C flows at a constant rate past a point in a circuit. What is the current in the circuit? A 0.69 A B 42 A C 2500 A D 10 000 A

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Question 36 · 1 mark · Electrical safety / fuses

A lamp is in a circuit that is protected by a 1 A fuse. The lamp is switched on and it lights normally. The 1 A fuse is now replaced with a 5 A fuse. What happens when the lamp is…

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Question 37 · 1 mark · d.c. motor

What is the purpose of the split-ring commutator in a d.c. motor? A to prevent the current in the coil from becoming too large B to reverse the current in the coil every half-turn…

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Question 38 · 1 mark · Isotopes / nuclear notation

One isotope of iodine can be written as ¹³¹₅₃I. Which row describes a different isotope of iodine? atomic number mass number A 52 131 B 52 132 C 53 131 D 53 132

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Question 39 · 1 mark · Radioactivity / deflection in fields

The first diagram shows a beam of alpha-particles entering an electric field. The second diagram shows a beam of alpha-particles entering a magnetic field. [First diagram: a…

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Question 40 · 1 mark · Radioactivity / half-life

The background count recorded by a detector in a laboratory is 40 counts per minute. When a radioactive source is brought close to the detector, the count rate becomes 840 counts…

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