Physical quantities and measurement techniques: past paper questions
Real questions on physical quantities and measurement techniques
The newest 20 of 416 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0625/31 · May/June 2026 · Q2a[3]
Describe how to obtain a value for the average thickness of one disc.
See it on the paper → - 0625/31 · May/June 2026 · Q2b[3]
Calculate the density of the disc. density = g / cm 3 (b) The mass of one disc is 24 g. The volume of the disc is 20 cm 3 .
See it on the paper → - 0625/32 · May/June 2026 · Q7b(iv)[1]
On Figure 7.2, indicate one principal focus for the converging lens. Indicate the principal focus by writing an F.
See it on the paper → - 0625/42 · May/June 2026 · Q1b(i)[1]
Complete the sentence. A vector quantity has magnitude (size) and .
See it on the paper → - 0625/42 · May/June 2026 · Q1b(ii)[2]
Draw a line under each of the quantities in the list that is a vector quantity. acceleration electric field strength energy
See it on the paper → - 0625/61 · May/June 2026 · Q1d[1]
Explain how to place the centre of object P on the 10.0 cm mark as accurately as possible. Draw a diagram to illustrate your answer.
See it on the paper → - 0625/62 · May/June 2026 · Q1a(i)[1]
Measure the length l, the width w and the height h of the wooden block in centimetres to the nearest millimetre. l = cm w = cm
See it on the paper → - 0625/62 · May/June 2026 · Q1a(ii)[1]
Calculate the volume V B of the wooden block. Use the equation: V B = cm 3 V B = l × w × h.
See it on the paper → - 0625/62 · May/June 2026 · Q1b(i)[1]
The student uses a balance to measure the mass M of the block. The balance reading is shown in Figure 1.2. block balance 16.42 g Figure 1.2 Record the mass M of the block to the nearest gram. M = g
See it on the paper → - 0625/62 · May/June 2026 · Q1b(ii)[1]
Calculate a value ρ 1 for the density of the block. Use your results from 1(a)(ii) and 1(b)(i) and the equation: ρ 1 = M . V B ρ 1 = g / cm 3 Method 2 The student is provided with two beakers, X and Y. Each beaker contains 200 cm 3 of water. The student is also provided with a measuring cylinder containing water. The m...
See it on the paper → - 0625/62 · May/June 2026 · Q1c[1]
Record the volume V 1 of water in the measuring cylinder. © Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 V 1 = cm 3 [Turn over 0625/62/M/J/26
See it on the paper → - 0625/62 · May/June 2026 · Q1d[1]
The student places the wooden block onto the surface of the water in beaker X. The level of the water in beaker X rises as the wooden block displaces water and floats. The student places beaker Y as close as possible to beaker X, as shown in Figure 1.4. block water beaker X beaker Y Figure 1.4 The student pours water f...
See it on the paper → - 0625/62 · May/June 2026 · Q1e[1]
A second value ρ 2 for the density of the block can be calculated using the equation: ρ 2 = kV V B where k = 1.0 g / cm 3 . Use your answers to 1(d) and 1(a)(ii) to calculate ρ 2 . ρ 2 = g / cm 3
See it on the paper → - 0625/62 · May/June 2026 · Q1f[1]
Two quantities can be considered to be equal within the limits of experimental accuracy if their values are within 10% of each other. State whether your values of ρ 1 from method 1 and ρ 2 from method 2 can be considered equal. Support your statement with a calculation. calculation
See it on the paper → - 0625/62 · May/June 2026 · Q1g[1]
State one technique that the student uses in 1(d) of method 2 to ensure that the levels of the water in beakers X and Y are the same.
See it on the paper → - 0625/62 · May/June 2026 · Q2a(i)[1]
Measure, on Figure 2.1, the distance d 2 in centimetres to the nearest millimetre. d 2 = cm
See it on the paper → - 0625/63 · May/June 2026 · Q1a(i)[1]
The student measures the mass m 1 of one coin. The reading on the balance is shown in Figure 1.1. g Figure 1.1 m 1 = g Record the mass of the coin to two significant figures.
See it on the paper → - 0625/63 · May/June 2026 · Q1a(ii)[1]
The student slowly lowers the five coins into a measuring cylinder until they are completely covered with water. Figure 1.2 shows the initial volume of water in the measuring cylinder. Figure 1.3 shows the final reading on the measuring cylinder after the coins have been lowered in. cm3 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 cm3 20...
See it on the paper → - 0625/63 · May/June 2026 · Q1a(iii)[1]
Calculate the volume V 1 of one coin. Use your values from 1(a)(ii) and the equation: V 1 = final reading – initial reading . 5 V 1 = cm 3
See it on the paper → - 0625/63 · May/June 2026 · Q1a(iv)[1]
Describe one technique for measuring the volume of water in the measuring cylinder to ensure an accurate reading. You may draw on Figure 1.2.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Comprehensive responses • Many candidates showed good understanding of the stopwatch display and gave the time correctly as 74.83 s. Limited responses • Some candidates did not include the one minute on the display and gave answers of 14.83 s • Some candidates rounded their answers to give an answer of 75 s.
— Examiner report, February/March 2026, 0625/32 Q2(c) (Cambridge)
Comprehensive responses • Most candidates correctly identified the maximum distance value on the distance-time graph. • Most candidates recorded the value to two significant figures. Limited responses • A few candidates misread the scale on the distance axis. • A few candidates confused the maximum distance value on the graph scale with the maximum value of distance shown by the plotted points on...
— Examiner report, February/March 2026, 0625/42 Q1(a) (Cambridge)
Comprehensive responses • Most candidates used the mass of the bear from Table 3.1 and the equation W = mg to calculate the weight of the bear. Limited responses • A few candidates made arithmetic errors in their calculation or rounding errors in the stated value of their final answer, for example, rounding 5782 to 5700 instead of 5800. • Candidates are expected to use g = 9.8 N / kg in calculati...
— Examiner report, February/March 2026, 0625/42 Q3(a)(i) (Cambridge)
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