3 (a) X-rays and γ-radiation are both forms of ionising radiation used in hospitals. (i) State one adverse effect of ionising radiation on the human body. … … [1] (ii) State one use of X-rays in a hospital. … [1] (iii) Fig. 3.1 shows an incomplete electromagnetic spectrum. Write γ-radiation and X-rays in their correct positions in Fig. 3.1. ultraviolet infrared radio waves Fig. 3.1 [2] (iv) State one property that is the same for all electromagnetic waves. … … [1] (b) A radioactive isotope is used in medical tests as a radioactive tracer. Fig. 3.2 shows the results of an experiment to measure how the radioactivity of the isotope changes with time. activity of isotope / counts per second time / hours 0 0 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 200 400 600 800 1000 Fig. 3.2 Use Fig. 3.2 to determine the half-life of the isotope in hours. Show your working. half-life = … hours [2] (c) Ultrasound waves are also used in hospitals. Ultrasound waves are sound waves with a frequency greater than the highest audible frequency of a human. (i) State the meaning of the term frequency. … … [1] (ii) Suggest a frequency for ultrasound waves. State the unit of your answer. frequency = … unit … [2] (iii) An ultrasound wave travels 21 cm in 0.00025 s. Calculate the speed of the ultrasound wave in m / s. speed = … m / s [3] [Total: 13]

3(a)(i) cancer / mutation; 1 3(a)(ii) detecting broken bones / CT scanning; 1 3(a)(iii) gamma X-rays UV infrared radio γ – radiation in 1st box from left; X – rays in 2nd box from left; 2 3(a)(iv) travel at same speed (in vacuo); 1 3(b) evidence of using data; 6 (hours) ; 2 3(c)(i) number of waves passing a fixed point per second; 1 3(c)(ii) above 20 000 ; Hz; 2 3(c)(iii) 0.21m seen; speed = distance / time or 0.21 / 0.00025; = 840 m / s ; 3

3 (a) An astronomer on Earth is able to see the Moon even though the Moon does not emit visible light. State one property of visible light that enables observation of the Moon. … … [1] (b) Visible light is part of the electromagnetic spectrum. Place visible light in the correct place in the incomplete electromagnetic spectrum in Fig. 3.1. X-rays ultraviolet microwaves Fig. 3.1 [1] (c) (i) Light rays from the Moon travel at 3 × 105 km / s to reach the astronomer on Earth. The distance travelled is 400 000 km. Calculate the time taken for the light rays to travel from the Moon to the Earth. time = … s [2] (ii) Explain why sound waves are unable to travel from the Moon to the Earth. … … [1] (d) The astronomer uses lenses in a telescope to look at the Moon. Fig. 3.2 shows rays of light passing through a lens. image object Fig. 3.2 (i) On Fig. 3.2 label the focal length of the lens with a double headed arrow (↔). [1] (ii) On Fig. 3.2 label the principal focus of the lens with the letter F. [1] (e) An astronaut on the Moon is exposed to ionising background radiation. (i) State one effect of ionising radiation on the human body. … … [1] (ii) Suggest one source of background radiation on the Moon. … … [1] [Total: 9]

3(a) reflection ; 1 3(b) (visible) light in middle box ; 1 3(c)(i) time = distance ÷ speed or 400 000 ÷ 3 × 105 ; = 1.33 (s) ; 2 3(c)(ii) sound (waves) cannot travel through a vacuum / need a medium to travel through ; 1 3(d)(i) arrow showing distance from centre of lens to point labelled F ; 1 3(d)(ii) F labelled as either point marked with a dot on the axis of the lens; 1 3(e)(i) cancer / mutation etc. ; 1 3(e)(ii) cosmic radiation ; 1 To earn the mark for (a), state 'reflection'. For (b), place 'visible light' in the middle box of the spectrum. For (c)(i), show the calculation (distance ÷ speed) and provide the correct answer of 1.33 s. For (c)(ii), explain that sound waves cannot travel through a vacuum or require a medium. For (d)(i), draw an arrow from the center of the lens to the focal point (F) on the axis. For (d)(ii), label the focal point (F) with a dot on the axis.

6 (a) Fig. 6.1 shows a copper wire connected to a battery and placed between the poles of a strong magnet. N S Fig. 6.1 When the switch is closed the wire moves upwards. (i) Describe two ways to change the apparatus so that the wire moves downwards when the switch is closed. 1 … 2 … [2] (ii) State the term that describes a flow of electrons in a metal conductor. … [1] (b) A β-particle is an electron. α-particles and β-particles are radioactive emissions released during the radioactive decay of isotopes. (i) State the meaning of the terms: radioactive decay … … isotopes … … [3] (ii) Complete the sentences below using the symbols α and β. … particles are less ionising than … particles. … particles are less penetrating than … particles. [1] (c) A plastic ruler and a piece of cloth are both uncharged. A student rubs the plastic ruler with the cloth. The plastic ruler becomes positively charged. (i) Describe in terms of electrons how the plastic ruler becomes positively charged. … … [1] (ii) State which row from Table 6.1 shows the charge on the cloth compared to the charge on the plastic ruler. Table 6.1 row sign of charge magnitude of charge 1 positive equal 2 positive bigger 3 positive smaller 4 negative equal 5 negative bigger 6 negative smaller row no … [1] [Total: 9]

6(a)(i) reverse battery polarity / current ; reverse magnet polarity ; 2 6(a)(ii) current ; 1 6(b)(i) (radioactive decay is the process by which) an unstable (atomic ) nucleus ; loses energy / emits radiation ; (isotopes are) – atoms of the same element that have same proton number and different nucleon number ; 3 6(b)(ii) β particles are less ionising than α particles and α particles are less penetrating than β particles ; 1 6(c)(i) loses electrons ; 1 6(c)(ii) row 4 ; 1 (a)(i) To earn these marks, you must describe two ways to reverse the wire's movement: either reverse the battery polarity/current or reverse the magnet polarity. (a)(ii) This mark is awarded for stating 'current' as the term for a flow of electrons. (b)(i) You need to define radioactive decay as an unstable atomic nucleus losing energy or emitting radiation, and isotopes as atoms of the same element with the same proton number but different nucleon numbers. (b)(ii) This mark is awarded for stating that beta particles are less ionising than alpha particles and alpha particles are less penetrating than beta particles. (c)(i) You earn this mark by stating that the atom loses electrons. (c)(ii) You must identify row 4 as the correct row.

9 (a) Choose words from the list below to complete the sentences that describe the energy changes occurring when a wind turbine is used. Each word may be used once, more than once or not at all. electrical kinetic light potential thermal sound The kinetic energy of the wind is transferred to the … energy of the moving rotor blades of the wind turbine. The useful output energy from the wind turbine is … energy. The wind turbine makes sound energy which is unwanted. Another unwanted form of energy made by wind turbines is … energy. [2] (b) State one advantage of using wind rather than coal to generate electricity. … … [1] (c) (i) One disadvantage of wind turbines is they give out very low frequency sound waves. State what is meant by the frequency of a wave. … … [1] (ii) The frequency of the sound waves produced is very low. A healthy human ear can only just hear this sound. Suggest a value for this frequency. … Hz [1] (d) Magnets are used in the generators of wind turbines. Fig. 9.1 shows a bar magnet. S N Fig. 9.1 On Fig. 9.1, draw the pattern and direction of the magnetic field lines around the magnet. [2] (e) Another method of generating electricity is to use nuclear fission in a nuclear power station. During nuclear fission, α‑particles, β‑particles and γ‑rays may be released from atoms. (i) Complete Table 9.1 to show the properties of α‑particles, β‑particles and γ‑rays. Table 9.1 radiation ionising ability nature penetrating ability α‑particle high helium nucleus β‑particle medium medium γ‑ray electromagnetic wave [3] (ii) Describe what happens to the nucleus of an atom during nuclear fission. … … [1] [Total: 11]

9(a) kinetic electrical thermal ;; 2 9(b) does not use up a fossil fuel ; does not produce CO2 / cause global warming etc. ; renewable ; AVP ; max 1 1 9(c)(i) number of waves produced per second / passing a fixed point per second ; 1 9(c)(ii) in range from 20 Hz to 50 Hz ; 1 9(d) correct field lines ; arrows from N to S ; 2 9(e)(i) α – low penetrating ability ; β – electron ; γ – low ionising ability and high penetrating ability ; 3 9(e)(ii) splits ; 1 For (a), fill in the blanks with 'kinetic', 'electrical', and 'thermal' in order. For (b), state one advantage such as 'does not use up a fossil fuel', 'does not produce CO2', or 'renewable'. For (c)(i), define frequency as the 'number of waves produced per second' or 'passing a fixed point per second'. For (c)(ii), state a frequency in the range of 20 Hz to 50 Hz. For (d), draw correct magnetic field lines and include arrows pointing from North to South. For (e)(i), describe alpha as having 'low penetrating ability', beta as an 'electron', and gamma as having 'low ionising ability and high penetrating ability'. For (e)(ii), state that the nucleus 'splits'.

Cambridge IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences · 0654

IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences (0654) Nuclear physics past paper questions

Revise IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences (0654) — Nuclear physics with real Cambridge past-paper questions grouped by topic, each shown with its marking scheme. Working one topic at a time targets exactly the skill each question tests.

95 free questions from 2016–2021, each with its marking scheme. Open the full topical bank to filter by subtopic, paper, and year.

Nuclear physics in IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences 0654 exams, 2020–2025

Across 2020–2025, Nuclear physics accounted for 165 questions worth 891 marks in Cambridge IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences (0654) papers.

By year
Year	Questions	Marks
2020	20	135
2021	26	118
2022	25	157
2023	32	161
2024	32	148
2025	30	172

Most-tested subtopics

P5.2 Radioactivity809 marks
P5.1 The nucleus249 marks

Appears in

Paper 1 · 42 qs
Paper 2 · 40 qs
Paper 3 · 43 qs
Paper 4 · 39 qs
Paper 6 · 1 q

All most-tested Co-ordinated Sciences topics

2021 Feb/Mar · Paper 3 · Q3 · 13 marks
Marking scheme
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2021 Oct/Nov · Paper 3 · Q3 · 9 marks
Marking scheme
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2021 Oct/Nov · Paper 3 · Q6 · 9 marks
Marking scheme
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2021 Oct/Nov · Paper 3 · Q9 · 11 marks
Marking scheme
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2021 Feb/Mar · Paper 1 · Q40 · 1 mark
Marking scheme
Mark scheme — 2021 Paper 1 Q40
Answer: B
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