Cambridge O Level · 5054 · Paper 2 · Theory

Physics 5054/21 May/June 2026 past paper

Cambridge O Level Physics (5054) Paper 2 (Theory), variant 1, May/June 2026: the question paper and its official mark scheme, 9 questions worth 80 marks. Free to open, no account needed.

Questions: 9
Marks: 80

Open the question paper Mark scheme

File names: 5054_s26_qp_21 · 5054_s26_ms_21

Topics in this paper

Which syllabus chapters 5054/21 May/June 2026 tested, by marks. Each chapter links to every past-paper question on it.

Chapter	Questions	Marks
Kinetic particle model of matter	1	10
Electromagnetic spectrum	1	10
Radioactivity	1	10
General wave properties	1	9
Electric circuits	1	9
Motion	1	8
Energy, work & power	1	8
Electromagnetic effects	1	8
Earth & the Solar System	1	8

Questions in 5054/21 May/June 2026

Question 1Motion · 8 marks
A bus starts a journey with a uniform acceleration for the first …
Question 2Energy, work & power · 8 marks
Figure 2.1 shows a waterfall. P Q Figure 2.1 (a) The speed of the water flow at points P and Q is the same. (i) Describe the transfers of energy that occur as the water moves from point P to …
Question 3Kinetic particle model of matter · 10 marks
A syringe containing air is connected to a pressure sensor in a school laboratory as shown in Figure 3.1. plunger syringe cylinder air pressure sensor Figure 3.1 The pressure of the air in the syringe cylinder is …
Question 4Electromagnetic spectrum · 10 marks
(a) All electromagnetic waves transfer energy. State two other properties that are the same for all electromagnetic waves. …
Question 5General wave properties · 9 marks
Figure 5.1 shows a ripple tank used by a student. support wooden bar elastic bands water Figure …
Question 6Electric circuits · 9 marks
Figure 6.1 shows two identical car headlamps connected in parallel to the 12 V battery of a car. The lamps are filament lamps. 12 V Figure 6.1 The switch is closed, and both lamps operate at normal brightness. (a) The …
Question 7Electromagnetic effects · 8 marks
Figure 7.1 shows a bathroom heater connected to …
Question 8Radioactivity · 10 marks
A radioactive source emits alpha particles, beta particles and gamma radiation. (a) The radiation emitted from the radioactive source causes ionisation. (i) State one harmful effect of ionising radiation on living things. (ii) An alpha particle passes close to an …
Question 9Earth & the Solar System · 8 marks
Table 9.1 gives data about some of the planets in the Solar system. Table 9.1 planet distance from Sun / km orbital period / days mass of planet / kg average density kg / m3 Mercury …

Other Physics papers from May/June 2026

Questions students ask

Where can I get the 5054/21 May/June 2026 mark scheme?

Open the mark scheme above - it is the official Cambridge scheme for this exact paper (5054_s26_ms_21), and on a wide screen it sits beside the question you are reading.

Which topics came up in 5054/21 May/June 2026?

Mostly Kinetic particle model of matter, Electromagnetic spectrum, Radioactivity. The full list is in the table above.

Do I need an account to open 5054/21 May/June 2026?

No. Every paper opens for free without signing in. A free account also saves your pen marks and records your score against the grade thresholds.