3 (a) A cyclist starts from rest and accelerates for 20 s. The cyclist then travels at a constant speed of 5 m / s for 90 s. Finally the cyclist slows down and stops after a further 5 s. (i) On the grid in Fig. 3.1 draw a speed‑time graph for the cyclist’s journey. 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 20 40 60 80 100 120 speed m / s time / s Fig. 3.1 [3] (ii) Calculate the distance travelled when the cyclist is travelling at constant speed. distance = …m [2] (b) Energy from the Sun heats the black saddle of the bicycle. (i) State the method of energy transfer between the Sun and the Earth. … [1] (ii) Name the part of the Sun’s electromagnetic spectrum that is responsible for heating the saddle. … [1] (iii) The Sun also heats up the air in the bicycle tyres. This causes the pressure of the air in the tyres to increase. Describe, in terms of the motion of the air molecules, why the pressure of the air in the tyres increases as the temperature of the air increases. … … … … [2] (c) Fig. 3.2 shows a metal nut on the bicycle which is difficult to unscrew. metal nut Fig. 3.2 Fig. 3.3 shows two spanners A and B. A B Fig. 3.3 Explain why it is easier to use spanner B to unscrew the nut rather than spanner A. … … … [2] (d) The cyclist uses a plane mirror placed on his bicycle to see behind him. State two characteristics of an image seen in a plane mirror. 1 … 2 … [2] [Total: 13]

3(a)(i) section from 0–20 s line rises from (0, 0) to (20, 5) ; section from 20–110 s horizontal line from (20 ,5) to (110, 5) ; section from 110–115 s line goes down from (110, 5) to (115, 0) ; 3 3(a)(ii) (constant speed = 5 m / s and time = 90 s) no mark distance = speed × time or 90 × 5 ; = 450 (m) ; 2 3(b)(i) radiation ; 1 3(b)(ii) infrared ; 1 3(b)(iii) increased kinetic energy / speed ; more (frequent) collisions (with tyre) ; 2 3(c) B is longer ; ref to moment = force × (perpendicular) distance ; greater moment ; max 2 2 3(d) upright ; laterally inverted ; same size (as object) ; max 2 2 (a)(i) To earn marks, draw three distinct line segments: one rising from (0,0) to (20,5), one horizontal from (20,5) to (110,5), and one falling from (110,5) to (115,0). (a)(ii) To earn marks, show the calculation of distance as speed multiplied by time (90 x 5) and state the correct answer of 450 m. (b)(i) To earn the mark, state 'radiation' as the method of energy transfer. (b)(ii) To earn the mark, state 'infrared' as the part of the electromagnetic spectrum. (b)(iii) To earn marks, explain that increased temperature leads to increased kinetic energy/speed of molecules, resulting in more frequent collisions with the tyre walls.

3 (a) A student constructs a circuit containing two lamps in parallel connected across two cells in series. Each lamp is controlled by a separate switch. (i) Draw a circuit diagram for this circuit using standard electrical symbols. [3] (ii) State one advantage of connecting the lamps in parallel rather than in series. … … [1] (b) Fig. 3.1 shows a filament lamp. glass bulb, filled with gas filament metal base Fig. 3.1 (i) When the lamp is switched on, thermal energy is transferred from the filament through the metal base. Name the process that transfers the thermal energy. … [1] (ii) Suggest one part of the electromagnetic spectrum emitted by the lamp. … [1] (c) Fig. 3.2 shows a ray of light from the lamp passing through a rectangular glass block. Fig. 3.2 (i) On Fig. 3.2, label the angle of incidence with the letter i and the angle of refraction with the letter r. [2] (ii) Explain why the ray of light changes direction as it is refracted through the glass block. … … [1] [Total: 9]

3(a)(i) all symbols correct ; lamps in parallel ; both switches in correct place ; 3 3(a)(ii) if one lamp fails the other will still light / so both lamps get the full battery voltage ; 1 3(b)(i) conduction ; 1 3(b)(ii) visible light / infrared ; 1 3(c)(i) i positioned between incident ray and normal ; r positioned between refracted ray and normal ; 2 3(c)(ii) change of speed ; 1 (a)(i) To earn these marks, you must draw all symbols correctly, show the lamps connected in parallel, and place both switches in the correct positions. (a)(ii) You need to state one advantage, such as if one lamp fails the other will still light, or that both lamps receive the full battery voltage. (b)(i) This mark is awarded for correctly naming 'conduction' as the process of thermal energy transfer. (b)(ii) You must suggest either 'visible light' or 'infrared' as a part of the electromagnetic spectrum emitted. (c)(i) You earn these marks by correctly labeling 'i' between the incident ray and the normal, and 'r' between the refracted ray and the normal. (c)(ii) This mark is awarded for explaining that the change in direction is due to a change of speed.

3 (a) Fig. 3.1 shows water in a saucepan on an electric cooker. heat cooker water saucepan Fig. 3.1 State the process that transfers thermal energy through the base of the saucepan. … [1] (b) The temperature of the water is recorded as the saucepan is heated. Fig. 3.2 shows a graph of the results. 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 time / minutes 6 7 8 9 10 20 40 60 80 temperature / °C 100 110 10 30 50 70 90 Fig. 3.2 (i) State the temperature rise over the first 2 minutes. … °C [1] (ii) State how the graph shows that the water boils at 100 °C. … … … [1] (c) (i) The saucepan is made from steel. State one difference between the magnetic properties of steel and the magnetic properties of soft iron. … … … [1] (ii) The mass of steel used to make the saucepan is 900 g. The volume of the steel is 115 cm3. Calculate the density of the steel used to make the saucepan. State the units of your answer. density = … units … [3] (d) When the base of the steel saucepan is heated, the steel expands. (i) State one example where the thermal expansion of a material is useful. … … [1] (ii) State one example where the thermal expansion of a material is a problem. … … [1] [Total: 9]

3(a)(i) conduction ; 1 3(b)(i) 38 °C ; 1 3(b)(ii) temperature stops increasing ; 1 3(c)(i) (soft) iron is magnetised quickly / steel is magnetised slowly ; or (soft) iron loses its magnetism quickly / steel loses magnetism slowly ; 1 3(c)(ii) density = mass ÷ volume or mass value ÷ volume value or 900 ÷ 115 ; 7.83 ; g / cm3 ; 3 3(d)(i) (liquid in glass) thermometers / bimetallic strips ; 1 3(d)(ii) bridges / roads / overhead electricity cables etc. ; 1 (a)(i) To earn this mark, you must state 'conduction' as the process of thermal energy transfer. (b)(i) To earn this mark, you must correctly read the temperature rise from the graph for the first 2 minutes. (b)(ii) To earn this mark, you must state that the temperature stops increasing at 100 °C, indicating boiling. (c)(i) To earn this mark, you must state a correct difference in magnetic properties, such as soft iron magnetizing/demagnetizing quickly, while steel does so slowly. (c)(ii) To earn the first mark, you must show the correct formula for density or substitute the given mass and volume values. To earn the second mark, you must calculate the correct numerical value for density. To earn the third mark, you must state the correct units for density. (d)(i) To earn this mark, you must name a device used to measure temperature, such as a thermometer or bimetallic strip. (d)(ii) To earn this mark, you must provide a correct example of where thermal expansion is accounted for, such as in bridges or roads.

6 (a) An information booklet about an electric oven states that the weight of the oven is 50 kg. Explain why this statement is incorrect. … … [1] (b) The oven contains two lamps connected in parallel. One lamp has a resistance of 600 Ω and the other lamp has a resistance of 1200 Ω. Circle the correct value for the combined resistance of the two lamps connected in parallel. 400 Ω 600 Ω 900 Ω 1200 Ω 1800 Ω Explain your answer. … … [2] (c) The oven contains a fan driven by an electric motor. Fig. 6.1 shows a simple d.c. electric motor. S N brushes electric current split-ring commutator coil d.c. power supply Fig. 6.1 State two ways of increasing the turning effect on the coil. 1 … 2 … [2] (d) Fig. 6.2 shows a metal saucepan filled with water being heated. gas hob Fig. 6.2 (i) The arrow shows the start of a convection current. Draw more arrows on Fig. 6.2 to show the convection current in water. [2] (ii) When the base of the metal saucepan is heated, the metal expands. State one example where the thermal expansion of a metal is a problem. … … [1] (e) When the water is heated in the saucepan, some of the water evaporates. Eventually the temperature of the water reaches boiling point. (i) State the boiling point of water. boiling point = … °C [1] (ii) State the meaning of the term boiling point. … … [1] [Total: 10]

6(a) mass is measured in kg / weight is measured in Newtons ; 1 6(b) 400 Ω; combined resistances of two resistors in parallel is less than the resistance of either of them; 2 6(c) larger current through coil; greater magnetic field; more turns; max 2 2 6(d)(i) arrow(s) to the right and or left; arrow(s) moving downwards ; 2 6(d)(ii) railway tracks / bridges; 1 6(e)(i) 100 (°C) ; 1 6(e)(ii) the temperature at which a liquid changes into a gas ; 1 (a) To earn the mark, you must explain that mass is measured in kg, while weight is measured in Newtons. (b) To earn the marks, you must circle '400 Ω' and explain that the combined resistance of resistors in parallel is less than the resistance of either individual resistor. (c) To earn marks, you must state two ways to increase the turning effect, such as increasing the current, using a stronger magnetic field, or increasing the number of turns in the coil. (d)(i) To earn marks, you must draw arrows indicating movement to the right and/or left, and arrows indicating movement downwards. (d)(ii) To earn the mark, you must identify 'railway tracks' or 'bridges' as an application of expansion and contraction. (e)(i) To earn the mark, you must state '100 (°C)' as the boiling point of water. (e)(ii) To earn the mark, you must define boiling point as the temperature at which a liquid changes into a gas.

Cambridge IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences · 0654

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

Revise IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences (0654) — Thermal 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.

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

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

Across 2020–2025, Thermal physics accounted for 280 questions worth 1,671 marks in Cambridge IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences (0654) papers.

By year
Year	Questions	Marks
2020	42	272
2021	45	270
2022	47	292
2023	51	312
2024	46	297
2025	49	228

Most-tested subtopics

P2.3 Transfer of thermal energy960 marks
P2.1 Kinetic particle model of matter651 marks
P2.2 Thermal properties and temperature421 marks

Appears in

Paper 1 · 64 qs
Paper 2 · 60 qs
Paper 3 · 63 qs
Paper 4 · 54 qs
Paper 5 · 18 qs
Paper 6 · 21 qs

All most-tested Co-ordinated Sciences topics

2021 May/Jun · 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 · Q3 · 9 marks
Marking scheme
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2021 Feb/Mar · Paper 3 · Q6 · 10 marks
Marking scheme
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2021 Feb/Mar · Paper 1 · Q32 · 1 mark
Marking scheme
Mark scheme — 2021 Paper 1 Q32
Answer: B
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