Physical quantities and measurement techniques: past paper questions
Real questions on physical quantities and measurement techniques
The newest 20 of 93 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0972/31 · May/June 2026 · Q2a[3]
(a) Describe how to obtain a value for the average thickness of one disc. dace .......... [3]
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · May/June 2026 · Q2b[3]
(b) The mass of one disc is 24g. The volume of the disc is 20cm*. Calculate the density of the disc. Censity .......... g/cm? [3]
See it on the paper → - 0972/32 · May/June 2026 · Q3a[1]
The scientist measures the mass of the pebble. State the name of a suitable instrument for measuring the mass of a pebble.
See it on the paper → - 0972/32 · May/June 2026 · Q3b[8]
The scientist measures the volume of the pebble. The scientist has a measuring cylinder, a beaker containing water and a displacement can, as shown in Figure 3.1. beaker containing water measuring cylinder . 9 oy displacement can sve < \y [ bench top Figure 3.1 Describe how to determine the volume of the pebble, using...
See it on the paper → - 0972/42 · May/June 2026 · Q1b(i)[1]
(i) Complete the sentence. vector quantity magnitude (Size) .......... [1]
See it on the paper → - 0972/42 · 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 mass time weight
See it on the paper → - 0972/61 · May/June 2026 · Q1d[1]
Explain how to place the centre of object P on the 10.0cm mark as accurately as possible. Draw a diagram to illustrate your answer.
See it on the paper → - 0972/62 · May/June 2026 · Q1a(i)[1]
(a) (i) Measure the length Ul, the width w and the height h of the wooden block in centimetres to the nearest millimetre. eect ..........
See it on the paper → - 0972/62 · 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. oe | balance 16.42g Figure 1.2 Record the mass M of the block to the nearest gram.
See it on the paper → - 0972/62 · May/June 2026 · Q2a(i)[1]
Measure, on Figure 2.1, the distance d, in centimetres to the nearest millimetre.
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · October/November 2025 · Q2a(i)[1]
A student collects some drops in a measuring cylinder. Fig. 2.1 shows the water collected by the student. cm 3 25 15 water 10 5 Fig. 2.1 Determine the volume of water in the measuring cylinder. 20 volume of water = cm 3
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · October/November 2025 · Q2a(ii)[3]
A teacher plans to measure the average volume of one drop of water. The teacher collects some drops of water as they fall into a different measuring cylinder. All the drops of water are the same volume. Here is the teacher’s data: number of drops of water = 120 volume of water in the measuring cylinder = 24 cm 3 volume...
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · October/November 2025 · Q2a[1]
Define gravitational field strength.
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · October/November 2025 · Q2b(i)[2]
An object has a weight of 42 N at the surface of the Earth. Calculate the weight of the object at the surface of Mars. weight =
See it on the paper → - 0972/61 · October/November 2025 · Q1c[1]
State and explain whether your two values of W are equal within the limits of experimental accuracy. Refer to the values of W in your answer. statement explanation
See it on the paper → - 0972/61 · October/November 2025 · Q1d[1]
Explain how you ensure that the centre of object Q is directly over the 90.0 cm mark of the metre ruler. You may draw a diagram.
See it on the paper → - 0972/61 · October/November 2025 · Q1e[1]
It is difficult to find the position of the load to obtain the exact balance of the metre ruler. Explain how you try to overcome this difficulty.
See it on the paper → - 0972/61 · October/November 2025 · Q1f[2]
pivot 49 50 51 metre ruler Fig. 1.2 Fig. 1.2 shows the metre ruler balanced on the pivot with no loads. The balance point shows the position of the centre of mass of the metre ruler. Determine the distance d between the 50.0 cm mark on the metre ruler and the centre of mass. d = Show your working.
See it on the paper → - 0972/32 · May/June 2025 · Q3a[4]
A student determines the weight W of a metal block by using a 1.5 N load and a uniform metre ruler. She places the centre of the uniform metre ruler on a pivot. 0.44 m load 0.21 m pivot 1.5 N metal block W uniform metre ruler Fig. 3.1 (not to scale) She moves the metal block and the 1.5 N load until the uniform metre r...
See it on the paper → - 0972/32 · May/June 2025 · Q6a(ii)[1]
Suggest a value for the reading on thermometer Y. thermometer Y reading = °C
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
There were many successful answers which usually started with a statement of the principle of moments, and so set the method up for a correct calculation. A noticeable number of candidates, having successfully calculated a value for the weight of 3.1428…N, gave a final incorrect answer of 3.2 N or 3.5 N instead of the correct answer, to 2 significant figures, of 3.1 N. Weaker candidates attempted...
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0972/32 Q3(a) (Cambridge)
Only stronger candidates recognised that the temperature must be above room temperature but below 24 °C.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0972/32 Q6(a)(ii) (Cambridge)
Most candidates gained at least partial credit, correctly interpreting the data provided in the table to identify planet A as the planet that an object would fall fastest on. Candidates’ explanations for this needed to relate the increased gravitational field strength to an increase in the force or acceleration of the object. Stronger candidates usually gave good explanations.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0972/42 Q10(a)(iii) (Cambridge)
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