4PH1/2P — June 2025 (Edexcel IGCSE Physics): Past Paper

A student plays a game using a single dice. The student decides to determine the density of the dice by measuring its mass and volume.

Describe how the student could accurately measure the mass of the dice.

The dice is not a regular shape. The student decides to measure the volume of the dice using a displacement method. The student places the dice into a measuring cylinder containing water. The diagram shows the water in the measuring cylinder before and after the dice is fully submerged. 50 50 40 40 30 30 20 20 10 10 before after

The measuring cylinder gives volume in units of cm³. Using the diagram, determine the volume of the dice. volume = cm³

The dice has a mass of 9.2 g. Calculate the density of the dice using the formula mass density = volume Give a suitable unit. density = unit

This question is about sound waves.

Which range of frequencies of sound waves can be heard by humans?

The table gives some statements about sound waves. Complete the table by placing a tick (✓) next to each correct statement. Statement Correct (✓) sound waves are longitudinal sound waves can travel through a vacuum sound waves are part of the electromagnetic spectrum sound waves can be reflected and refracted

An oscilloscope can be used to display a sound wave.

Give the name of the variable that is measured on the x‑axis of the oscilloscope screen.

The diagram shows the trace on an oscilloscope screen when a sound wave is detected. On the screen, draw the trace for a quieter sound wave with a lower frequency.

The photograph shows a camper van with a solar panel on its roof. The solar panel is made from lots of solar cells connected together. (Source: © kostasgr / Shutterstock) The solar panel is connected to a battery. The solar panel receives energy from the Sun to charge the battery.

Describe how energy is transferred from the Sun’s energy store to the battery’s energy store.

The petrol engine can also be used to charge the battery of the camper van. Give an advantage of using the solar panel instead of the petrol engine to charge the battery. Do not refer to cost in your answer.

The surface of the solar panel is black. Explain why black is a suitable colour for the solar panel.

The solar panel can charge the battery in the camper van with a maximum current of 15 A. Calculate the minimum time to transfer 360 000 C of charge through the battery. Use the formula charge transferred = current × time minimum time = s

The photograph shows a mechanism that can be used to open a gate. (Source: © Photimageon / Alamy Stock Photo) The diagram shows the gate mechanism when the handle is being pulled to the right. handle force F bolt 70 cm 22 cm spring pivot The bolt is connected to the handle. When the handle is pulled to the right, the bolt also moves to the right and the gate can be opened. The spring is compressed when the bolt moves to the right. When the handle is released, the spring pushes the bolt back to its original position.

When the handle is pulled to the right, the spring applies a force on the handle to the left. The vertical distance between the spring and the pivot point of the handle is 22 cm. The force from the spring is 5.2 N.

Show that the force from the spring produces a moment of approximately 1 Nm.

State what is meant by the term principle of moments.

Force F acts on the handle to keep the handle stationary so that the gate can be opened. Force F acts at a vertical distance of 70 cm from the pivot point of the handle. Calculate the magnitude of force F. magnitude of force F = N

Give two changes to this gate mechanism that would make it easier to open the gate. 1 2

A student uses this apparatus to investigate static electricity. The positively charged ball is suspended vertically on a long length of string. not to scale string positively charged ball Diagram 1

The ball is made of a material that is a good electrical conductor. Name a material that is a good electrical conductor.

Explain, in terms of the movement of charged particles, how the ball has become positively charged.

The student places a centimetre scale behind the length of string. The string lines up with the 5.0 cm mark on the scale when the ball is in its resting position, as shown in diagram 2. string centimetre scale 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 positively charged ball Diagram 2 The student brings a negatively charged polythene rod near to the right side of the ball. The ball moves, as shown in diagram 3. string centimetre scale 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 negatively charged polythene rod positively charged ball Diagram 3

Explain how the movement of the ball shows that the charge on the polythene rod is negative.

In diagram 3, the string lines up with the 7.2 cm mark on the scale. The student moves the polythene rod slightly further away from the ball. Predict a possible reading on the scale. reading = cm

The student extends the investigation by measuring the reading on the scale for rods made from different materials. As a control variable, the student charges each rod by rubbing it with a cloth the same number of times. Give two other control variables for the student’s investigation. 1 2

The bar chart shows the results of the student’s investigation. 10.0 7.5 Reading on scale 5.0 in cm 2.5 Ebonite Glass Nylon Polythene Wood Rod material

Justify the use of a bar chart to present the student’s results.

Deduce what can be concluded about the charge on each of the rods used in the investigation. Use information from the bar chart to help your answer.

This question is about gamma radiation.

Which of these statements is correct for gamma radiation?

A student uses a simulation to investigate gamma radiation. This is the student’s method.

• place a Geiger‑Muller (GM) tube a distance of 6 cm from a source of gamma radiation
• measure the count for a time of 10 seconds
• move the GM tube further away from the source and measure the count again. The student measures the count three times for each distance.

Give a reason why the student takes repeat readings.

The graph shows the student’s results. 14 000 12 000 10 000 8000 Mean count 6000 4000 2000 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 Distance in cm The student claims that the data obeys the formula count × distance² = constant Evaluate the student’s claim.

This question is about transformers.

The diagram shows a step‑down transformer. primary coil secondary coil 230 V output The table gives some data for the step‑down transformer. Input (primary) voltage 230 V Input (primary) current 1.3 A Output (secondary) current 4.0 A Number of turns on primary coil 1000 Number of turns on secondary coil 300

State the formula linking input (primary) voltage, output (secondary) voltage and the turns ratio for a transformer.

Use data from the table to calculate the output (secondary) voltage of the transformer. output (secondary) voltage = V

This transformer is not 100% efficient. The efficiency of a transformer can be calculated using the formula useful output power efficiency = × 100% total input power Calculate the efficiency of the transformer. efficiency = %

Explain how transformers are used in the efficient, large‑scale transmission of electrical energy. You may draw a diagram to help your answer.

This question is about cosmology.

Give two pieces of evidence that support the Big Bang theory. 1 2

The galaxy NGC 300 is moving away from the Earth at a speed of 1.44 × 10⁵ m/s. Hydrogen atoms in NGC 300 emit light with a reference wavelength of 4.3405 × 10⁻⁷ m. Calculate the wavelength of this light when it is detected at Earth. Give your answer to five significant figures. [speed of light in a vacuum, c = 3.00 × 10⁸ m/s] wavelength = m

Another galaxy, Centaurus A, is much further away from the Earth than NGC 300. Explain how the wavelength of light detected from hydrogen atoms in Centaurus A is different from the wavelength of light detected from hydrogen atoms in NGC 300.