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) 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 torch (flashlight) contains four cells, a lamp and a switch connected in series. (i) Draw a circuit diagram for the torch using standard electrical symbols. [3] (ii) The potential difference (p.d.) across the lamp is 6.0 V when the switch is closed. The resistance of the lamp is 5.0 Ω when lit. Calculate the current in the lamp. current = …A [2] (iii) Two lamps each of resistance 5.0 Ω are connected together in a series circuit. Calculate the combined resistance of the two lamps in series. resistance = … Ω [1] (b) Choose words from the list to complete the sentences to describe the energy transfers that occur when the torch is switched on. You may use each word once, more than once or not at all. chemical elastic electrical gravitational light nuclear sound thermal The energy stored in the cells is … potential energy. This energy is transferred into … energy which passes through the lamp. The useful energy from the lamp is … energy. Some energy is wasted as … energy. [3] (c) Solar energy is sometimes used to power torches. Solar energy is a renewable energy resource. State two other renewable energy resources. 1 … 2 … [2] (d) Fig. 3.1 shows a ray of light from a torch shining on a mirror. X Z Fig. 3.1 (i) State the name of line XZ. … [1] (ii) State what happens to the ray of light at point X on Fig. 3.1. … [1] [Total: 13]

3(a)(i) all symbols correct ; 4 cells shown (or battery symbol) ; all in series; 3 3(a)(ii) current = voltage / resistance or 6 / 5 ; = 1.2 (A) ; 2 3(a)(iii) 10.0 (Ω) ; 1 3(b) chemical electrical light thermal ;;; 3 3(c) tidal ; geothermal ; HEP ; wind ; wave ; max 2 2 3(d)(i) normal ; 1 3(d)(ii) reflection ; 1 (a)(i) To earn these three marks, you must draw a circuit diagram with all symbols correct, show four cells (or a battery symbol), and ensure all components are connected in series. (a)(ii) To earn these two marks, you must show the calculation for current as voltage/resistance (6/5) and state the correct answer of 1.2 A. (a)(iii) To earn this mark, you must correctly state the combined resistance as 10.0 Ω. (b) To earn these three marks, you must correctly fill in the blanks with 'chemical', 'electrical', 'light', and 'thermal' in the correct order. (c) To earn these two marks, you must state any two different renewable energy resources from the list provided (e.g., tidal, geothermal, HEP, wind, wave). (d)(i) To earn this mark, you must identify the line as the 'normal'. (d)(ii) To earn this mark, you must identify the phenomenon as 'reflection'.

3 (a) A torch (flashlight) contains four cells, a lamp and a switch connected in series. (i) Draw a circuit diagram for the torch using standard electrical symbols. [3] (ii) The potential difference (p.d.) across the lamp is 6.0 V when the switch is closed. The resistance of the lamp is 5.0 Ω when lit. Calculate the current in the lamp. current = …A [2] (iii) Two lamps each of resistance 5.0 Ω are connected together in a series circuit. Calculate the combined resistance of the two lamps in series. resistance = … Ω [1] (b) Choose words from the list to complete the sentences to describe the energy transfers that occur when the torch is switched on. You may use each word once, more than once or not at all. chemical elastic electrical gravitational light nuclear sound thermal The energy stored in the cells is … potential energy. This energy is transferred into … energy which passes through the lamp. The useful energy from the lamp is … energy. Some energy is wasted as … energy. [3] (c) Solar energy is sometimes used to power torches. Solar energy is a renewable energy resource. State two other renewable energy resources. 1 … 2 … [2] (d) Fig. 3.1 shows a ray of light from a torch shining on a mirror. X Z Fig. 3.1 (i) State the name of line XZ. … [1] (ii) State what happens to the ray of light at point X on Fig. 3.1. … [1] [Total: 13]

3(a)(i) all symbols correct ; 4 cells shown (or battery symbol) ; all in series; 3 3(a)(ii) current = voltage / resistance or 6 / 5 ; = 1.2 (A) ; 2 3(a)(iii) 10.0 (Ω) ; 1 3(b) chemical electrical light thermal ;;; 3 3(c) tidal ; geothermal ; HEP ; wind ; wave ; max 2 2 3(d)(i) normal ; 1 3(d)(ii) reflection ; 1 (a)(i) To earn these three marks, you must draw a circuit diagram with all standard symbols correct, show four cells (or a battery symbol), and ensure all components are connected in series. (a)(ii) To earn these two marks, you must show the calculation using the formula current = voltage / resistance (6/5) and state the correct answer of 1.2 A. (a)(iii) To earn this mark, you must state the combined resistance as 10.0 Ω. (b) To earn these three marks, you must correctly fill in the blanks with 'chemical', 'electrical', 'light', and 'thermal' in the correct order. (c) To earn these two marks, you must state two different renewable energy resources from the list provided, such as tidal, geothermal, HEP, wind, or wave. (d)(i) To earn this mark, you must identify the line as the 'normal'. (d)(ii) To earn this mark, you must identify the phenomenon as 'reflection'.

Cambridge IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences · 0654

IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences (0654) Waves past paper questions

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

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

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

Across 2020–2025, Waves accounted for 361 questions worth 1,959 marks in Cambridge IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences (0654) papers.

By year
Year	Questions	Marks
2020	60	314
2021	57	308
2022	52	311
2023	58	336
2024	61	353
2025	73	337

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Paper 1 · 94 qs
Paper 2 · 97 qs
Paper 3 · 93 qs
Paper 4 · 61 qs
Paper 5 · 8 qs
Paper 6 · 8 qs

All most-tested Co-ordinated Sciences topics

2021 Feb/Mar · Paper 3 · Q3 · 13 marks
Marking scheme
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2021 May/Jun · Paper 3 · Q3 · 13 marks
Marking scheme
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2021 May/Jun · Paper 3 · Q3 · 13 marks
Marking scheme
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2021 May/Jun · Paper 3 · Q3 · 13 marks
Marking scheme
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2021 Feb/Mar · Paper 1 · Q28 · 1 mark
Marking scheme
Mark scheme — 2021 Paper 1 Q28
Answer: B
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