IGCSE · Physics 0625 · P6

IGCSE Physics Paper 6 · Alternative to Practical practice papers

Core & Extended · 4 questions, Q4 = planning. Each generated paper follows the 0625 Paper 6 · Alternative to Practical format, with the same number and style of questions as the real exam, and comes with a Cambridge-style mark scheme.

Alternative to Practical papers have four questions: reading instruments, completing a results table, plotting and using a graph, and a final planning question. On the harder settings, each question adds the evaluation parts that decide top grades, such as which way an error moves a result and why each step of a method is needed.

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Sample Paper 6 · Alternative to Practical questions

Question 1Structured · 13 marks

A student investigates how the extension of a spring depends on the load on it.
The top of the spring is level with the zero of a vertical metre rule. Fig. 1.1 shows the bottom of the unloaded spring. Fig. 1.2 shows it with a load of 1.0 N.

Fig. 1.1

Fig. 1.2

(a)

Record the unstretched length l₀ of the spring and the length l with the 1.0 N load, in mm.

[2]

(b)

Complete Table 1.1 by calculating the extension e = l − l₀ for each load.

F / N	l / mm	e / mm
1.0
2.0	43
3.0	50
4.0	57
5.0	63

Table 1.1

[2]

(c)

Plot a graph of e (y-axis) against F (x-axis). Draw the best-fit line.

Fig. 1.3

[4]

(d)

State whether your graph shows that e is directly proportional to F. Justify your answer.

[2]

(e)

Determine the gradient G of the line. Show clearly how you obtained the information.

[2]

(f)

Suggest one precaution to make the length readings accurate.

[1]

Show answers and mark scheme

Part	Answer and marking points	Marks
(a)	l₀ = 30 mm, l = 37 mm 30 B1 37 B1	2
(b)	e = 7, 13, 20, 27, 33 mm All extensions correct B2 B1 for at least three correct	2
(c)	See graph Axes labelled with quantity and unit, e / mm on the y-axis and F / N on the x-axis; suitable scales so the points occupy at least half the grid B1 All points plotted correctly to within half a small square (B1 for at least four correct) B2 Single, thin, well-judged best-fit line (or smooth curve) B1	4
(d)	Yes: straight line through the origin Yes (or no, consistent with their graph) B1 Straight line passing through the origin B1	2
(e)	6.65 mm/N (accept ±5%) Triangle using at least half of the line C1 6.65 mm/N A1	2
(f)	Eye level / perpendicular to the rule; wait until the spring stops moving View the rule perpendicularly at eye level, or wait for the spring to stop oscillating, or use a set square to line up B1	1

Question 2Structured · 12 marks

A student investigates how the period T of a simple pendulum depends on its length l.
She displaces the bob slightly and measures the time t for 20 complete oscillations.
Fig. 2.1 shows the stopwatch reading for l = 0.400 m.

Fig. 2.1

(a)

Record the time t shown in Fig. 2.1.

[1]

(b)

Complete Table 2.1. Calculate T = t ÷ 20 and T² for each length.

l / m	t / s	T / s	T² / s²
0.300	21.87
0.400
0.500	28.29
0.600	31.13
0.700	33.50
0.800	36.03

Table 2.1

[2]

(c)

Plot a graph of T² (y-axis) against l (x-axis). Draw the best-fit line.

Fig. 2.2

[4]

(d)

Determine the gradient G of your line.

[2]

(e)

Calculate the acceleration of free fall g using g = 4π² ÷ G.

[1]

(f)

Explain why the student timed 20 oscillations rather than one.

[1]

(g)

Suggest one other way to make the timing more accurate.

[1]

Show answers and mark scheme

Part	Answer and marking points	Marks
(a)	25.49 s 25.49 B1	1
(b)	T² = 1.196, 1.624, 2.001, 2.423, 2.806, 3.245 All T values correct B1 All T² values correct to 2 or 3 significant figures B1	2
(c)	See graph Axes labelled with quantity and unit, T² / s² on the y-axis and l / m on the x-axis; suitable scales so the points occupy at least half the grid B1 All points plotted correctly to within half a small square (B1 for at least four correct) B2 Single, thin, well-judged best-fit line (or smooth curve) B1	4
(d)	4.03 s²/m (accept 3.8 to 4.2) Large triangle (at least half the line) shown C1 4.03 A1	2
(e)	9.79 m/s² 9.79 (ecf from (d)) B1	1
(f)	Reduces the effect of reaction time / percentage uncertainty in timing Reduces (percentage) uncertainty due to reaction time B1	1
(g)	Use a fiducial marker at the centre of the swing; count from the middle of the swing Fiducial (reference) marker at the centre / start timing as bob passes centre / repeat and average B1	1

Question 3Structured · 8 marks

A student determines the density of a metal object by displacement.
Fig. 3.1 shows the water in a measuring cylinder before the object is added. Fig. 3.2 shows the level after the object is lowered fully into the water.

Fig. 3.1

Fig. 3.2

(a)

Record the volume readings V₁ and V₂.

[2]

(b)

Fig. 3.3 shows the reading on the balance when the object is placed on it. Record the mass m.

Fig. 3.3

[1]

(c)

Calculate the volume V of the object and its density ρ using ρ = m ÷ V.

[2]

(d)

Use Table 3.1 to suggest the metal.

Metal	Density / g/cm³
aluminium	2.7
titanium	4.5
iron	7.9
copper	8.9
lead	11.3

Table 3.1

[1]

(e)

State one precaution you would take to read the measuring cylinder accurately.

[1]

(f)

Suggest why the object should be lowered into the water on a thread rather than dropped.

[1]

Show answers and mark scheme

Part	Answer and marking points	Marks
(a)	V₁ = 48 cm³, V₂ = 65 cm³ 48 B1 65 B1	2
(b)	151.3 g 151.3 B1	1
(c)	V = 17 cm³, ρ = 8.9 g/cm³ V = 17 B1 ρ = 8.9 with unit B1	2
(d)	copper copper (ecf) B1	1
(e)	Eye level with the bottom of the meniscus Read the bottom of the meniscus with eye level / perpendicular to the scale B1	1
(f)	to avoid splashing water out (which would give a smaller V₂) Avoid splashing / losing water / damaging cylinder B1	1

Question 4Structured · 10 marks

A student traces the path of a ray of light through a glass block using pins P₁, P₂, P₃ and P₄.
Fig. 4.1 shows the result for an angle of incidence i = 30°. (Fig. 4.1 is drawn so that angles are accurate.)

Fig. 4.1

(a)

On Fig. 4.1, measure the angle of refraction r inside the block.

[1]

(b)

Complete Table 4.1 by calculating sin i and sin r for each angle, to 2 decimal places.

i / °	r / °	sin i	sin r
20	12
30
40	24
50	29
60	33

Table 4.1

[2]

(c)

Plot a graph of sin i (y-axis) against sin r (x-axis). Draw the best-fit line.

Fig. 4.2

[4]

(d)

Determine the gradient of your line. This is the refractive index n of the glass.

[2]

(e)

Suggest one precaution to obtain an accurate ray trace.

[1]

Show answers and mark scheme

Part	Answer and marking points	Marks
(a)	18° (±1°) 18 ± 1 B1	1
(b)	sin i: 0.34, 0.50, 0.64, 0.77, 0.87; sin r: 0.21, 0.31, 0.41, 0.48, 0.54 All sin i correct B1 All sin r correct (ecf from (a)) B1	2
(c)	See graph Axes labelled with quantity and unit, sin i on the y-axis and sin r on the x-axis; suitable scales so the points occupy at least half the grid B1 All points plotted correctly to within half a small square (B1 for at least four correct) B2 Single, thin, well-judged best-fit line (or smooth curve) B1	4
(d)	1.59 (accept ±0.05) Large triangle method shown C1 1.59 A1	2
(e)	Pins at least 5 cm apart; view the bases of the pins; thin pencil lines Pins well separated (≥5 cm) / line up bases of pins / thin pencil lines B1	1

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Original Cambridge-style practice questions written for mentorriyaz.in. These are not Cambridge past paper questions, and this site is not affiliated with or endorsed by Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Updated 2026-11-04. Paper generator · mentorriyaz.in