Cambridge O Level · 5054 · Paper 1 · Multiple choice
Physics 5054/12 May/June 2023 past paper
Cambridge O Level Physics (5054) Paper 1 (Multiple choice), variant 2, May/June 2023: 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
- 29
File names: 5054_s23_qp_12 · 5054_s23_ms_12
Grade thresholds for 5054/12 May/June 2023
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | 23 | 17 | 15 | 12 |
Topics in this paper
Which syllabus chapters 5054/12 May/June 2023 tested, by marks. Each chapter links to every past-paper question on it.
Questions in 5054/12 May/June 2023
- Question 1
In an experiment, a ball is rolled down a curved track that is about half a metre long. 0.5 m Which measuring device is used to measure the length accurately? A metre rule B micrometer C stop-watch D tape measure
- Question 2
Which row describes acceleration, displacement, distance and speed? acceleration displacement distance speed A scalar scalar vector scalar B scalar vector scalar vector C vector scalar vector vector D vector vector scalar scalar
- Question 3
What is the size of the resultant of the two forces shown? …
- Question 4
The curved line on the distance–time graph shows the motion of a toy car. The straight line is the tangent to the curve at 10 s. distance / m time …
- Question 5
The diagrams show four balances, …
- Question 6
A spacecraft carries a probe to Mars where the gravitational field strength is …
- Question 7
A student determines the density of a liquid. Which equipment does the student use? A a balance and a ruler B a balance and a measuring cylinder C a beaker and a measuring cylinder D a ruler and a beaker
- Question 8
Newton’s third law describes a pair of forces. Which row shows whether the two forces are of the same type and whether they act on the same object? the types of forces in the pair the objects on which they …
- Question 9
The stopping distance of a car is the sum of the thinking distance and the braking distance. Which factors affect the braking distance? speed of car tiredness of driver condition of road …
- Question 10
A load–extension graph for a spring is shown. load extension …
- Question 11
A uniform beam is pivoted at its midpoint. An object weighing 40 N is placed on the beam 20 cm to the left of the pivot as shown. 20 cm 40 N pivot object left right Which force and position …
- Question 12
A worker pulls a rope with a force P through a distance d in the direction of the force as shown. This causes a block of weight W to move vertically upwards through a height h. d pulley rope …
- Question 13
A battery is connected in a circuit to light a lamp. What is the energy store in the battery? A chemical B electrostatic C gravitational D kinetic
- Question 14
What is a property of both liquids and gases? A They always fill their containers. B They are incompressible. C They can flow. D They have particles in fixed positions.
- Question 15
In an experiment, the volume of a gas in a cylinder is measured as the pressure of the gas is increased. gas cylinder piston The values obtained are shown. pressure P / Pa …
- Question 16
The diagrams show examples of thermal expansion. P expansion of liquid in a thermometer Q R expansion of the long metal beams supporting a roof expansion of a tight lid on a glass container walls free end on rollers fixed …
- Question 17
Which statement about copper explains why it is a better thermal conductor than glass? A Atomic vibration is passed on to neighbouring copper atoms slowly. B Atoms move through the copper and pass on kinetic energy. C There are density …
- Question 18
Which statement describes the transfer of thermal energy in a liquid by convection? A A decrease in its density causes the heated liquid to rise. B Free electrons carry energy large distances through the liquid. C Infrared radiation passes through …
- Question 19
Which characteristics describe the image formed by a vertical plane mirror? A real and upside down B virtual and upright C real and larger than the object D virtual and smaller than the object
- Question 20
A ray of light passes into a block of transparent material as shown. 35 60 What is the refractive index of the transparent material? …
- Question 21
The diagrams show light incident on the straight edge of a semi-circular glass block after passing through it. Which diagram shows refraction and an angle i equal to the critical angle of the glass? …
- Question 22
Which radioactive isotope can be used for measuring cracks or flaws in metal components? A americium-241, an alpha emitter with a half-life of 432 years B cobalt-60, a gamma emitter with a half-life of 5 years C radium-223, an alpha …
- Question 23
Ultrasound is a type of sound wave that is not audible to a healthy human ear. Which range of frequencies contains only ultrasound? A 30 Hz–3.0 kHz B 300 Hz–30 kHz C 3.0 kHz–3.0 MHz D 30 kHz–30 MHz
- Question 24
What proves that a metal bar is a permanent magnet? A It attracts both ends of a compass needle. B It attracts one end of another magnet. C It conducts electricity. D It repels one end of another magnet.
- Question 25
The diagram shows a bar magnet and four labelled arrows. Which arrow shows the direction of the magnetic field at the point where the arrow is shown? …
- Question 26
A shoe becomes positively charged by friction when it rubs against a carpet. What happens as the shoe becomes charged? A Negative electrons are transferred to the carpet. B Negative electrons are transferred to the shoe. C Positive electrons are …
- Question 27
A metal conductor is connected between the positive and negative terminals of a battery. Which row gives the direction of movement of the particles that flow in the conductor and their name? direction of movement name of particles A from …
- Question 28
Three identical cells are connected in parallel to a resistor. What is the advantage of using three cells in parallel rather than using a single cell? A Each cell produces more energy. B Each cell supplies more charge. C Each …
- Question 29
A student has three 15 resistors. She connects the resistors together in different arrangements. What is the minimum resistance and what is the maximum resistance of the arrangements that the student can produce? minimum resistance / maximum resistance …
- Question 30
The circuit diagram shows a variable resistor R connected in parallel to the lower section of a potential divider. …
- Question 31
The power consumption of a microwave oven is 1500 W. The cost of 1.0 kW h of electrical energy is 24 cents. What is the cost of using the microwave oven for 10 minutes? A 6 cents B 36 cents …
- Question 32
A coil of wire above a magnet is dropped. As the coil falls over the magnet, an e.m.f. is induced across the coil. …
- Question 33
The results of the alpha-particle scattering experiment give evidence for which of the following? A nuclear fusion B radioactive decay C the existence of isotopes D the size of the nucleus
- Question 34
A nucleus of an isotope of cobalt is represented by the symbol Co. 59 27 What is the composition of this nucleus? number of protons number of neutrons …
- Question 35
The only stable isotope of gold, Au, has 79 protons and 118 neutrons in a nucleus of an atom. How many elecrons are there in a neutral atom of this isotope? …
- Question 36
A sample of a radioactive isotope with a very long half-life is placed next to a detector. Sheets of different materials are inserted, one at a time, between the radioactive sample and the detector. The background count rate is subtracted …
- Question 37
In a fission reactor, which particle causes a uranium-235 nucleus to split? A alpha-particle B gamma ray C neutron D proton
- Question 38
What is the purpose of moderators in nuclear reactors? A to absorb all the neutrons in order to stop the chain reaction B to produce more neutrons in order to create a chain reaction C to remove thermal energy in …
- Question 39
In which region of the electromagnetic spectrum does the Sun radiate the most energy? A infrared region B microwave region C radio wave region D X-ray region
- Question 40
Four of the stages in the life cycle of a star, until it becomes a red giant, are shown. W Inward force of gravitational attraction is balanced by an outward force from its centre. X Internal gravitational collapse produces an …
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