4PH1/1PR — June 2026 (Edexcel IGCSE Physics): Past Paper

The diagram shows the orbits of some of the objects in the solar system. D A Not to scale B C

Give the names of objects A, B, C and D. A B C D

The Sun is a main sequence star. Describe the future evolution of the Sun after it leaves the main sequence.

This question is about magnetism.

A student draws a diagram of the magnetic field between two bar magnets with north poles facing each other. The student has made two mistakes in the diagram. S N N S

Identify the mistakes in the student’s diagram. You may draw on the diagram to help your answer.

Give the name of a piece of equipment that can be used to show the direction of a magnetic field.

Which of these will not experience a magnetic force when at rest in a magnetic field?

A teacher demonstrates magnetism by placing a strong magnet above some small nails made from steel. The steel nails are attracted to the magnet and stick to it. The teacher removes the steel nails from the magnet and puts the magnet away. A student observes that the steel nails are attracted to each other and stick together, even though the magnet is no longer present. Explain this observation.

Photograph 1 shows a water bath with its plastic lid. Water is placed in the water bath. The water bath heats the water and then keeps the water at a constant temperature. Photograph 1

The water bath is connected to mains electricity. Mains electricity provides alternating current (a.c.). Describe what is meant by the term alternating current (a.c.).

720 000 J of energy is transferred to the heating element in the water bath in a time of 30 minutes. Calculate the power of the heating element. power = W

A technician switches on the water bath before a science lesson so that the water has enough time to reach a temperature of 60 °C. The technician also covers the water bath with the plastic lid, as shown in photograph 2. Photograph 2 Explain why the lid reduces the time taken for the water in the water bath to reach a temperature of 60 °C.

This question is about microwaves.

Diagram 1 represents a microwave. Displacement Distance Diagram 1

Add a labelled arrow to diagram 1 to show the amplitude of the microwave.

Add a labelled arrow to diagram 1 to show the wavelength of the microwave.

A teacher demonstrates microwaves using a microwave transmitter and a microwave receiver. Diagram 2 shows the demonstration viewed from above. microwave microwave transmitter receiver direction of microwaves Diagram 2 The table gives some information about the microwaves produced by the transmitter. Speed of microwaves 3.0 × 108 m/s Frequency of microwaves 1.0 × 1010 Hz

The transmitter emits microwaves that travel towards the receiver. State the number of complete waves received by the receiver in one second. number =

The teacher positions the receiver so that the distance between the receiver and the transmitter is equal to 15 wavelengths. Calculate the distance between the receiver and the transmitter. distance = m

The teacher changes the position of the receiver and adds a metal sheet to the demonstration, as shown in diagram 3. microwave transmitter metal direction of microwaves sheet microwave receiver Diagram 3 Microwaves are detected by the receiver. Suggest why the microwaves are detected. You should add to diagram 3 to help your answer.

This question is about electric current.

Which of these particles flow in an electric current in solid metallic conductors?

What is the definition of electric current?

A student investigates how the current in a series circuit varies as the number of resistors in the circuit changes. This is the student’s method. Step 1 build a series circuit using a 6 V battery, a 12 Ω resistor, an ammeter, a switch and connecting wires Step 2 close the switch and measure the current using the ammeter Step 3 add another 12 Ω resistor into the series circuit and repeat step 2 The student repeats this method for a total of six 12 Ω resistors connected in series.

Identify the independent variable, the dependent variable and a control variable in the student’s investigation. independent variable dependent variable control variable

Give a reason why the student includes the switch in the circuit.

Draw a suitable circuit diagram showing how the components in the method should be connected to measure the current in a series circuit containing two 12 Ω resistors. The 6 V battery has been drawn for you. 6V

The table shows the student’s results. Number of resistors Current in A 1 0.50 2 0.25 3 0.17 4 0.13 5 0.10 6 0.08 Describe the relationship between the number of resistors and the current in the circuit.

Discuss whether a bar chart or a line graph is most appropriate for displaying the results of this investigation.

This question is about nuclear fusion.

In which of these does nuclear fusion take place naturally?

Describe the process of nuclear fusion.

Explain the conditions required for nuclear fusion.

A student does an experiment to determine the density of air.

The student completely fills a large bucket with water and places the bucket in a large tray. The student then inflates a balloon with air and seals the balloon. The inflated balloon is then pushed into the bucket so that it is completely submerged in the water. Water is displaced from the bucket and is collected in the tray, as shown by the diagram. balloon bucket water before submerging tray after submerging

The volume of water collected in the tray is equal to the volume of the inflated balloon. Describe how the student could accurately measure the volume of water collected in the tray.

Give a reason why the measured volume of water in the tray may be different from the volume of the inflated balloon.

The student removes the inflated balloon from the bucket and dries the balloon. The student places the inflated balloon on a sensitive balance and measures the mass of the inflated balloon. The student then bursts the balloon. Describe how the student should use the burst balloon to determine the mass of air that was inside the inflated balloon.

The table shows the student’s results. Volume of water displaced by 4350 cm³ inflated balloon Mass of air inside balloon 5.42 g Calculate the density of air using the student’s results. Give your answer to 3 significant figures and give a suitable unit. density = unit

Give two ways of testing the reliability of the density value obtained from the student’s results. 1 2

This question is about gases.

The graph shows how the average kinetic energy of a single gas molecule varies with the temperature of the gas, measured in °C. Average kinetic energy –300 –200 –100 0 100 200 300 Temperature in C Use the graph to explain why there is an absolute zero of temperature.

Diagram 1 shows a sample of gas in a syringe. gas molecules Diagram 1 The volume of the gas is increased so that it is double its original volume, as shown in diagram 2. gas molecules Diagram 2 Explain how the pressure of the gas changes when the volume of the gas is doubled. Assume the temperature of the gas remains constant.

Another sample of gas has a temperature of 100 °C and a pressure of 140 kPa. The gas is cooled and its temperature decreases by 65 °C. The volume of the gas does not change. Calculate the new pressure of the gas. new pressure = kPa

This question is about refraction.

Diagram 1 shows the refraction of a ray of blue light as it passes from air through a triangular glass prism. ray of blue light air glass prism Diagram 1

Use a protractor to determine the angle of incidence at the point where the ray of blue light enters the prism. angle of incidence = degrees

Show that the refractive index of the glass the prism is made from is about 1.5

The refractive index of red light in glass is lower than the refractive index of blue light in glass. Complete diagram 2 by continuing the path of the ray of red light as it passes through the glass prism and into the air. The ray of red light has the same angle of incidence as the original ray of blue light. The dashed line shows the path of the blue light. ray of red light air glass prism Diagram 2

A student obtains data for the refractive index of glass using different wavelengths of light. The student plots this graph using the data. 1.55 1.54 1.53 Refractive index 1.52 1.51 1.50 3 × 10–7 4 × 10–7 5 × 10–7 6 × 10–7 7 × 10–7 8 × 10–7 Wavelength in m

Give a reason why the student does not start the scales on the graph at zero.

The student thinks one of the data points is anomalous. Draw a circle around the anomalous data point.

Draw the curve of best fit on the graph.

This question is about beta particles.

What is a beta particle?

A beta particle can be produced during radioactive decay. When a neutron decays into a proton, a beta particle is produced. Complete the nuclear equation for this process. n → p + β

The diagram shows a beta particle slowing down as it travels through a thin sheet of aluminium. 3.2 × 107 m/s 2.5 × 107 m/s beta particle thin sheet of aluminium

The table gives some statements about the sheet of aluminium after the beta particle has travelled through it. Place ticks (ü) in the table to show whether each statement is correct or incorrect. Statement Correct Incorrect the sheet of aluminium is now radioactive the sheet of aluminium has been contaminated by the beta particle the sheet of aluminium has been irradiated by the beta particle

Just before travelling through the sheet of aluminium, the beta particle has a speed of 3.2 × 10⁷ m/s. Just after travelling through the sheet of aluminium, the beta particle has a speed of 2.5 × 10⁷ m/s. The sheet of aluminium has a thickness of 0.60 mm. Show that the magnitude of the acceleration of the beta particle as it travels through the sheet of aluminium is about 3 × 10¹⁷ m/s².

The beta particle has a mass of 9.1 × 10–31 kg. Calculate the decrease in the kinetic energy of the beta particle as it travels through the sheet of aluminium. decrease in kinetic energy = J

Sky diving is a sport that involves jumping out of an aeroplane high above the ground.

Diagram 1 shows a sky diver just after they jump out of an aeroplane. Diagram 1

The weight of the sky diver is 850 N. Calculate the mass of the sky diver. Use the formula weight = mass × gravitational field strength mass = kg

After falling for a short period of time, an upward force of 250 N acts on the sky diver due to air resistance. Calculate the acceleration of the sky diver when the upward force is 250 N. acceleration = m/s²

Diagram 2 shows the sky diver after they have opened a parachute to decrease their speed so that they land safely on the ground. Diagram 2 The velocity‑time graph shows how the speed of the sky diver changes from the instant the parachute opens. Velocity in m/s 0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 Time in s

Explain how the acceleration of the sky diver changes after the parachute opens. You should refer to the graph in your answer.

Use the graph to estimate the distance the sky diver falls in the first 4.0 s after the parachute opens. distance = m