Cambridge O Level · 5054 · Paper 1 · Multiple choice
Physics 5054/12 May/June 2021 past paper
Cambridge O Level Physics (5054) Paper 1 (Multiple choice), variant 2, May/June 2021: the question paper and its official mark scheme, 40 questions worth 40 marks, with the grade thresholds. Free to open, no account needed.
- Questions
- 40
- Marks
- 40
- Grade A from
- 27
File names: 5054_s21_qp_12 · 5054_s21_ms_12
Grade thresholds for 5054/12 May/June 2021
The minimum raw marks Cambridge set for each grade on this component (out of 40). Thresholds change every session and variant, so always compare your score with the paper you actually sat.
| A | B | C | D | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 | 22 | 17 | 15 | 13 |
Topics in this paper
Which syllabus chapters 5054/12 May/June 2021 tested, by marks. Each chapter links to every past-paper question on it.
Questions in 5054/12 May/June 2021
- Question 1
A student determines the circumference of a football. Which instrument gives a reading that is the circumference of the football? A calipers B micrometer C rule D tape
- Question 2
A coin falls from rest through the air and eventually reaches a constant speed. There is a resultant force acting on the coin due to the two forces P and Q shown in the diagram. P Q What happens to …
- Question 3
The diagrams show the forces acting on four identical solid blocks. Each arrow represents a force of …
- Question 4
A student lists three changes that affect the stopping distance of a car. 1 increasing the braking force 2 increasing the friction between the tyres and the road 3 increasing the speed of the car Which change or changes increase …
- Question 5
The diagram shows a satellite orbiting a planet at a steady speed. In which direction does the resultant force act on the satellite? planet not to scale direction of travel …
- Question 6
The gravitational field strength in space is smaller than on the Earth’s surface. A rocket is used to launch a satellite from the Earth’s surface into space. How are the mass and the weight of the satellite affected as the …
- Question 7
Air is trapped in a cylinder by a piston. The piston is moved inwards so that the volume of the air reduces. air with initial volume air with final volume piston The density of the air in the syringe at …
- Question 8
Some forces are applied at different distances from a pivot. Which diagram shows the force that produces the largest moment about the pivot? pivot …
- Question 9
The diagram shows a children’s wooden play tower. Which change to the tower makes it more stable? A making the tower narrower B making the tower taller C lowering the centre of mass D raising the centre of mass
- Question 10
Where on the graph is the limit of proportionality for an elastic solid? extension load …
- Question 11
A weight of 2.0 N is hung from a spring. The extension produced is 6.0 cm. The 2.0 N weight is removed and an 8.0 N weight is hung from the spring. The spring does not pass its limit of …
- Question 12
An object is placed at a depth d below the surface of a liquid of density . On which expression does the pressure on the object depend? …
- Question 13
The diagram shows the dimensions of a box of mass M and weight W at rest on a table. …
- Question 14
Which graph shows the relationship between the pressure and the volume of a fixed mass of gas at constant temperature? pressure …
- Question 15
The work done by a force F on a body is calculated by multiplying F by a quantity q. What is q? A the distance travelled in the direction of the force B the distance travelled perpendicular to the direction …
- Question 16
A girl lifts an object of mass 1.0 kg from the floor and puts it on a ledge 2.0 m above the floor. How much potential energy is gained by the object? [gravitational field strength …
- Question 17
A copper rod is heated at one end. Which statement describes how heat transfer occurs in the copper? A Energetic copper molecules move from the cooler end to the hotter end. B Energetic copper molecules move from the hotter end …
- Question 18
Which heat transfer processes do not require a medium? A conduction only B convection only C radiation only D conduction and radiation
- Question 19
The list shows four physical properties. mass resistance voltage volume How many of these properties can be used to measure temperature? …
- Question 20
The diagram shows a clinical thermometer. mercury constriction bore glass tube Which factor affects the sensitivity of the thermometer? A the constriction B the diameter of the bore C the length of the glass tube D the thickness of the …
- Question 21
Which statement about the thermal expansion of solids, liquids and gases is correct? A Liquids do not expand. B Liquids expand more than gases but less than solids. C Liquids expand more than solids but less than gases. D Liquids …
- Question 22
Which row describes the shape of a liquid and the arrangement of its molecules? shape arrangement of molecules A fixed not regular B fixed regular C takes shape of container not regular D takes shape of container regular
- Question 23
Air in a sealed container of fixed volume is heated. The pressure of the air increases. How do the molecules of air cause this increase in pressure? A The molecules expand and push on the container with a greater force. …
- Question 24
A ray of red light in air enters a semi-circular block. Which diagram shows the partial reflection and the refraction of the ray? …
- Question 25
An object of height 1.5 cm is placed in front of a converging lens of focal length 2.0 cm. The arrangement is shown on the full-scale ray diagram. object image object image lens lens 1 cm 1 cm What is …
- Question 26
In which optical instrument is the distance between the object and the lens less than the focal length of the lens? A camera B magnifying glass C photographic enlarger D projector
- Question 27
Which two waves are components of the electromagnetic spectrum? A light and sound B water waves and infrared C ultrasound and ultraviolet D X-rays and microwaves
- Question 28
The sound from a ship is reflected by a cliff. An echo is heard by a sailor on the ship 4.0 s after the sound is made. The speed of sound in air is …
- Question 29
Students are asked for the uses of ultrasound. Three suggested uses for ultrasound are: P cleaning jewellery Q tanning on a sunbed R obtaining an image of an unborn baby. Which suggestions are correct? A P and Q only B …
- Question 30
End X of a metal rod attracts the North pole of a compass needle. Which statement about the rod is correct? A It is made of copper that is not initially magnetised. B It is made of copper with a …
- Question 31
A positively charged rod is held close to an insulated metal sphere. The sphere is earthed as shown. ++++++ rod metal sphere earth The earth connection is removed and then the rod is removed. Which diagram shows the charges on …
- Question 32
- Question 33
In which example is the current …
- Question 34
Which graph shows the relationship between current and voltage for a filament lamp? current voltage …
- Question 35
A 100 W lamp is switched on for five hours each day for three weeks. The cost of one unit of electricity is $0.24. How much does it cost to run the lamp for this time? …
- Question 36
A three-pin mains plug contains a fuse. A device with double insulation has a cable connected to the plug. Which part of the plug is not connected to the cable? A earth pin B fuse C live pin D neutral …
- Question 37
A trolley carrying a strong magnet rolls down a ramp at constant speed. It passes through a coil as shown. trolley magnet coil An electromotive force (e.m.f.) is induced in the coil. A graph of the e.m.f. against time is …
- Question 38
A student uses a transformer to light a filament lamp using …
- Question 39
What does an alpha-particle consist of? A two electrons and four neutrons only B two protons and two neutrons only C two protons and four neutrons only D two protons, two electrons and two neutrons
- Question 40
The count rate from a radioactive source falls from 4000 counts per minute to 500 counts per minute in 72 minutes. What is the half-life of the source? A 8 minutes B 9 minutes C 18 minutes D 24 minutes
Other Physics papers from May/June 2021
- 5054/11 Multiple choice
- 5054/21 Theory
- 5054/22 Theory
- 5054/41 Alternative to Practical
- 5054/42 Alternative to Practical