Question 1



Most-appropriate topic codes (Cambridge IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences 0654):
• Topic B11.1 — Gas exchange (Parts a, b)
• Topic B9.4 — Transport in animals (Part c)
• Topic B10.1 — Diseases of the respiratory system (Part d)
▶️ Answer/Explanation
(a) Any two from: large surface area; thin surface; good blood supply
Gills need a large surface area to maximise the area available for gas diffusion.
They are thin, giving a short diffusion pathway between water and blood.
A good blood supply maintains a steep concentration gradient for oxygen uptake.
(b)(i) 5%
Difference = percentage in inspired air − percentage in expired air.
\( 21\% – 16\% = 5\% \)
(b)(ii) Oxygen is used up in aerobic respiration
Oxygen is required for aerobic respiration.
This releases energy for metabolic processes, so oxygen is removed from the air in the lungs and its percentage falls in expired air.
(b)(iii) Greater percentage of water vapour in expired air
Air becomes saturated with moisture as it passes through the moist lining of the respiratory tract.
This is not shown in Table 1.1 since only oxygen and carbon dioxide percentages are given.
(c) Any two from: large surface area / biconcave shape; contain haemoglobin; no nucleus
The biconcave shape increases surface area for oxygen diffusion.
Haemoglobin binds reversibly with oxygen to form oxyhaemoglobin.
The absence of a nucleus leaves more space for haemoglobin, increasing oxygen-carrying capacity.
(d)(i) COPD and coronary heart disease ticked
Smoking damages lung tissue, leading to COPD.
Smoking also damages blood vessels and increases fatty deposit build-up, leading to coronary heart disease.
Kwashiorkor, marasmus, and scurvy are caused by nutritional deficiencies, not smoking.
(d)(ii) Tar
Tar is the carcinogenic component of tobacco smoke.
It accumulates in the lungs and can cause mutations leading to cancer.
(d)(iii) Goblet cells produce mucus; mucus traps particles/pathogens; cilia move mucus away from the gas exchange surface
Goblet cells secrete mucus that lines the airways.
The sticky mucus traps dust, particles, and pathogens from tobacco smoke before they reach the alveoli.
Ciliated cells beat rhythmically, moving the mucus (with trapped particles) up and away from the gas exchange surface, typically towards the throat to be swallowed or expelled.
Question 2





- the catalytic addition of steam to ethene
- fermentation.
Most-appropriate topic codes (Cambridge IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences 0654):
• Topic C5.1 — Energetics (Parts a, b)
• Topic C11.6 — Alcohols (Part c)
▶️ Answer/Explanation
(a)(i) Fuel B releases the most energy
The temperature change is greatest for fuel B.
\( 18°C > 9°C \), and since both fuels started at the same temperature with the same mass and volume of water, the larger temperature change shows fuel B released more energy.
(a)(ii) “More energy is given out by bond making than is taken in by bond breaking” ticked
In an exothermic reaction, energy released while forming new bonds in the products exceeds the energy absorbed while breaking bonds in the reactants.
This net release of energy is why the surroundings warm up.
(b)(i) 100 kJ
Energy given out = energy of reactants − energy of products.
\( 150 \, \text{kJ} – 50 \, \text{kJ} = 100 \, \text{kJ} \)
(b)(ii) 50 kJ
Activation energy = energy of the peak (transition state) − energy of reactants.
\( 200 \, \text{kJ} – 150 \, \text{kJ} = 50 \, \text{kJ} \)
(c)(i) \(C_2H_4 + H_2O \rightarrow C_2H_5OH\)
Ethene reacts with steam in the presence of a catalyst (phosphoric acid) under high pressure.
One water molecule adds across the carbon–carbon double bond of ethene to give ethanol.
(c)(ii) Fermentation using yeast
Yeast is added to a sugar (glucose) solution.
Under anaerobic conditions (absence of air/oxygen), yeast enzymes convert the glucose into ethanol and carbon dioxide.
\( C_6H_{12}O_6 \rightarrow 2C_2H_5OH + 2CO_2 \)
Question 3

Calculate the constant deceleration of the canoe.

Calculate the area of the canoe in contact with the surface of the water.
The gravitational field strength, \(g\), is 10 N/kg.

parallel rarefaction transverse
A water wave is an example of a …………………. wave.
In a water wave the oscillations are …………………. to the direction of the wave.
Most-appropriate topic codes (Cambridge IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences 0654):
• Topic P1.6.1 — Kinetic energy (Part a(i))
• Topic P1.2 — Motion, speed-time graphs (Part a(ii), (iii))
• Topic P1.7 — Pressure (Part b)
• Topic P3.1 — General wave properties (Part c)
▶️ Answer/Explanation
(a)(i) 960 J
Kinetic energy formula: \( KE = \frac{1}{2}mv^2 \)
\( KE = \frac{1}{2} \times 120 \times (4.0)^2 = \frac{1}{2} \times 120 \times 16 = 960 \, \text{J} \)
(a)(ii) 0.7 m/s²
Change in speed: \( \Delta v = 4.0 – 0.5 = 3.5 \, \text{m/s} \)
Deceleration: \( a = \dfrac{\Delta v}{t} = \dfrac{3.5}{5.0} = 0.7 \, \text{m/s}^2 \)
(a)(iii) 
Since the deceleration is constant, the speed decreases linearly with time.
The line should start at 4.0 m/s at \(t = 0\) and end at 0.5 m/s at \(t = 5.0\) s.
(b) 2.4 m²
Weight: \( W = mg = 120 \times 10 = 1200 \, \text{N} \)
Pressure: \( P = 0.5 \, \text{kPa} = 500 \, \text{Pa} \)
Area: \( A = \dfrac{F}{P} = \dfrac{1200}{500} = 2.4 \, \text{m}^2 \)
(c)(i) Arrow drawn from crest to crest (or trough to trough)
The wavelength is the distance between two consecutive corresponding points on the wave.
A double-headed arrow should span exactly one full wave cycle, e.g. crest to adjacent crest.
(c)(ii) energy; matter; transverse; perpendicular
Waves transfer energy without transferring matter — the medium itself doesn’t travel with the wave.
A water wave is a transverse wave.
In a transverse wave, the particle oscillations are perpendicular to the direction the wave travels.
Question 4

This substance transfers light energy into ……………………. energy for the synthesis of carbohydrates.
A deficiency of magnesium ions causes the leaves to turn …………………….. .
Most-appropriate topic codes (Cambridge IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences 0654):
• Topic B6.1 — Photosynthesis and mineral nutrition (Parts a, b)
• Topic B4.1 — Biological molecules (Part c)
▶️ Answer/Explanation
(a)(i) As light intensity increases, rate of photosynthesis increases, then levels off
As the lamp moves closer (light intensity increases), the rate of photosynthesis increases: bubble count rises from 1 at 80 cm to 37 at 10 cm.
The rate levels off at distances of 20 cm and below, staying at 37 bubbles per minute, showing light is no longer the limiting factor at high intensities.
(a)(ii) To ensure carbon dioxide is not a limiting factor
Carbon dioxide is required for photosynthesis.
Providing an excess ensures only light intensity limits the rate being measured, isolating it as the sole variable under investigation.
(b) chlorophyll; chemical; yellow
Magnesium is needed to make chlorophyll, the green pigment in chloroplasts.
Chlorophyll converts light energy into chemical energy used to build carbohydrates.
Without enough magnesium, chlorophyll cannot be made, so leaves lose their green colour and turn yellow (chlorosis).
(c) Proteins
Amino acids are the building blocks that join together via peptide bonds.
Chains of amino acids form proteins, which are large molecules used for growth and repair.
Question 5

The student uses a flame test.
State what the student observes if the compound contains potassium.
Iron(II) sulfate contains iron(II) ions, \(Fe^{2+}\).
Sodium hydroxide solution is used to test for iron(II) ions.
The iron(II) ions react with \(OH^-\) ions from the sodium hydroxide solution. A precipitate of iron(II) hydroxide, \(Fe(OH)_2\), is made.
The proton number (atomic number) of magnesium is 12.

The proton number (atomic number) of oxygen is 8.
Fig. 5.3 shows the electronic structure of an oxide ion.

Most-appropriate topic codes (Cambridge IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences 0654):
• Topic C8.2 — Group I properties (Part a)
• Topic C8.4 — Transition elements (Part b)
• Topic C2.4 — Ionic bonding (Parts c, d)
▶️ Answer/Explanation
(a)(i) B
Group I metals have exactly one electron in their outermost shell.
Diagram B shows this arrangement (2, 1), matching a Group I element such as lithium.
(a)(ii) Lilac (purple) flame
Potassium compounds give a characteristic lilac flame when heated in a flame test.
This is used to confirm the presence of potassium ions in a compound.
(b)(i) Green
Iron(II) hydroxide, \(Fe(OH)_2\), forms as a green precipitate.
This distinguishes it from iron(III) hydroxide, which is reddish-brown.
(b)(ii) \(Fe^{2+}(aq) + 2OH^{-}(aq) \rightarrow Fe(OH)_2(s)\)
One iron(II) ion combines with two hydroxide ions.
Charges balance: \(2+\) and \(2 \times (1-) = 2-\), giving a neutral solid product.
(c)(i) 
Oxygen has atomic number 8, so it has 8 electrons.
These are arranged as 2 electrons in the first shell and 6 electrons in the second (outer) shell.
(c)(ii) 
Magnesium atom (2,8,2) loses its 2 outer electrons to form \(Mg^{2+}\).
The resulting ion has the electronic structure 2,8, shown with a 2+ charge on the bracket.
(c)(iii) Strong ionic bonds require a lot of energy to break
There is a strong electrostatic attraction between the oppositely charged \(Mg^{2+}\) and \(O^{2-}\) ions.
A large amount of energy is needed to overcome this strong ionic bonding, giving magnesium oxide a high melting point.
(d) \(K_2O\)
Charges must balance: \(K^+\) and \(O^{2-}\).
Two \(K^+\) ions (total charge 2+) balance one \(O^{2-}\) ion, giving the formula \(K_2O\).
Question 6


Most-appropriate topic codes (Cambridge IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences 0654):
• Topic P1.4 — Density (Part a)
• Topic P2.3.1 — Conduction (Part b)
▶️ Answer/Explanation
(a)(i) 2500 kg/m³
Volume: \( V = 0.90 \times 0.20 \times 0.16 = 0.0288 \, \text{m}^3 \)
Density: \( \rho = \dfrac{m}{V} = \dfrac{72}{0.0288} = 2500 \, \text{kg/m}^3 \)
(a)(ii) The density decreases
When the marble expands, its mass stays the same but its volume increases.
Since \( \rho = \dfrac{m}{V} \), an increase in volume with constant mass means density decreases.
(a)(iii) Particles move further apart
On heating, particles in the marble gain kinetic energy and vibrate more vigorously about their fixed positions.
This increased vibration pushes neighbouring particles further apart on average, causing the solid to expand.
(b)(i) Conduction occurs through particle vibrations passed between particles
Particles at the warmer end vibrate and collide with neighbouring particles.
This transfers vibrational (kinetic) energy from particle to particle through the marble, without the particles themselves moving from place to place.
(b)(ii) Thermal energy is conducted away from the hand
Marble is a good conductor of heat.
When you touch it, thermal energy is quickly moved away from the hand into the marble, so the hand loses heat rapidly and feels cold.
Question 7
A scientist adds 2 g of yeast to 250 cm³ of glucose solution and leaves the mixture for 10 days.
Each day, at the same time, he records the volume of carbon dioxide produced in one hour.
Fig. 7.1 shows the results.

Explain with reference to enzymes why no carbon dioxide is produced.
Complete Table 7.1 by placing ticks (✓) to show the correct products of each type of respiration.
One has been done for you.

A student writes an incorrect definition of diffusion.
Circle the two words that are not correct.
Most-appropriate topic codes (Cambridge IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences 0654):
• Topic B12.1 — Respiration (Parts a, b, c)
• Topic B2.2 — Movement in and out of cells (Part d)
▶️ Answer/Explanation
(a)(i) Day 3
The graph shows the highest volume of carbon dioxide produced (35 cm³) occurs on day 3.
This corresponds to the greatest rate of anaerobic respiration.
(a)(ii) Glucose is used up
Glucose is the substrate required for anaerobic respiration.
As the yeast consumes the glucose over time, less substrate remains, so the rate of respiration and carbon dioxide production falls.
(b) Enzymes are denatured by boiling
Boiling breaks the bonds that maintain the enzyme’s tertiary structure.
The active site changes shape and is no longer complementary to the substrate, so the enzyme can no longer catalyse respiration, and no \(CO_2\) is produced.
(c) 
Aerobic respiration in humans produces carbon dioxide and water as end products.
Anaerobic respiration in humans produces lactic acid (no \(CO_2\) or water).
Anaerobic respiration in yeast produces carbon dioxide and ethanol (ethanol not listed in the table).
(d) “total” and “up” are incorrect
Diffusion is the net movement of particles, not the total movement.
Particles move down a concentration gradient (high to low concentration), not up.
Question 8


State whether the scientist is correct.
Explain your answer.
Barium sulfate, \(BaSO_4\), and sodium chloride, \(NaCl\), are made.
Construct the balanced symbol equation for this reaction.
Suggest the pH of the rainwater produced.
Fig. 8.1 shows some dot-and-cross diagrams.

noble rusting
Increased concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere contribute to ………………. .
Most-appropriate topic codes (Cambridge IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences 0654):
• Topic C10.1 — Water treatment (Part a)
• Topic C12.5 — Identification of ions and gases (Part b)
• Topic C3.1 — Stoichiometry (Part c)
• Topic C7.1 — Acids, bases and pH (Part d)
• Topic C2.5 — Covalent bonding (Part e)
• Topic C10.2 — Air pollution (Part f)
▶️ Answer/Explanation
(a) Filtration — traps finer particles using sand; Chlorination — kills microbes
Filtration through sand removes fine suspended solids that settling alone would not remove.
Chlorination adds chlorine, which kills harmful microbes/pathogens to make the water safe to drink.
(b) The scientist is not correct
A cream precipitate with silver nitrate indicates bromide ions, not chloride ions (chloride gives a white precipitate).
The white precipitate with barium chloride confirms sulfate ions are present.
So the water contains sulfate ions, but not chloride ions as the scientist assumed.
(c) \(BaCl_2 + Na_2SO_4 \rightarrow BaSO_4 + 2NaCl\)
Barium and sulfate ions swap partners with sodium and chloride ions in this double decomposition reaction.
Balancing sodium and chloride requires a coefficient of 2 in front of NaCl.
(d) Any pH between 3 and 7 (weakly acidic, e.g. pH 5–6)
Dissolved carbon dioxide forms a weak acid, carbonic acid, in rainwater.
This gives rainwater a pH below 7 but above strongly acidic values, typically around pH 5–6.
(e)(i) Diagram C
In \(CO_2\), carbon forms two double bonds, one with each oxygen atom.
Diagram C correctly shows two shared pairs of electrons (one dot, one cross) between carbon and each oxygen.
(e)(ii) Covalent bonding
Covalent bonds form when atoms share pairs of electrons.
In \(CO_2\), carbon shares two pairs of electrons with each oxygen atom, forming two double covalent bonds.
(f) greenhouse; climate change
Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas, trapping heat in the atmosphere.
Rising \(CO_2\) concentrations enhance the greenhouse effect, contributing to climate change.
Question 9

Fig. 9.2 shows the results plotted as a graph.

The source which only emits α-particles also measures a count rate of 200 per minute at a distance of 0 m.
On Fig. 9.2, draw a line to show the results the teacher obtains when using the source which emits only α-particles.

State the name of this device.
Most-appropriate topic codes (Cambridge IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences 0654):
• Topic P5.2.1 — Radioactivity, penetrating power (Part a)
• Topic P4.2.5 — Efficiency and power (Part b(i))
• Topic P4.3.2 — Transformers (Part b(ii))
▶️ Answer/Explanation
(a)(i) As distance increases, count rate decreases
Count rate falls rapidly as distance increases from the source.
The decrease is steepest at short distances and levels off (approaches zero) at larger distances.
(a)(ii) Beta particles are ionising and count rate is near zero at 2 m
Beta particles are ionising radiation and can damage cells or DNA if absorbed by the body.
From the graph, the count rate is almost zero beyond about 50 cm, so at 2 m away exposure to beta particles is negligible, keeping the students safe.
(a)(iii) Curve starting at 200 counts/min, dropping sharply to near zero within a very short distance
Alpha particles have very low penetrating power in air compared to beta particles.
The line should start at 200 counts per minute at 0 m and fall to almost zero within just a few centimetres, lying below the beta curve at all other distances.
(b)(i) 52 W
Useful power output = efficiency × power input.
\( P_{output} = 0.80 \times 65 = 52 \, \text{W} \)
(b)(ii) Step-down transformer
The device reduces potential difference from a higher value (230 V) to a lower value (19.5 V).
This function is performed by a step-down transformer.
Question 10
The allele for albinism is recessive, a.
The allele for no albinism is dominant, A.
Fig. 10.1 is a pedigree diagram showing the inheritance of albinism.


Most-appropriate topic codes (Cambridge IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences 0654):
• Topic B16.1 — Monohybrid inheritance (Part a)
• Topic B15.2 — Sexual and asexual reproduction (Part b)
▶️ Answer/Explanation
(a) 
Person P does not have albinism but produces an affected child, so P must carry a hidden recessive allele: genotype \(Aa\) (heterozygous).
From the diagram, P is shown as an unfilled square, i.e. male without albinism — wait, checking the key: P is unfilled and square-shaped, meaning male without albinism; however the mark scheme links P to “is female without albinism,” so P should be read as the unfilled circle (female) per the pedigree.
Person Q is shown fully filled (has albinism), so Q’s genotype must be homozygous recessive \(aa\).
(b)(i) Egg cell (ovum)
The female sex cell (gamete) in humans is called the egg cell or ovum.
(b)(ii) 23
Sperm cells are haploid gametes, containing half the normal chromosome number.
Human body cells have 46 chromosomes, so a sperm cell has 23.
(b)(iii) 2
A human body cell is diploid and contains two sex chromosomes.
These are either XX (female) or XY (male).
(b)(iv) 1
Asexual reproduction involves only one parent.
Offspring are produced by mitosis from a single parent, without fusion of gametes.
Question 11


Table 11.1 shows some information about carbon-12.
Complete the table for carbon-14.

Complete the definition of relative atomic mass.
Choose words from the list. Each word may be used once, more than once or not at all.
element formula mass
\([A_r: \text{C}, 12]\)
Most-appropriate topic codes (Cambridge IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences 0654):
• Topic C2.6 — Giant covalent structures (Parts (a), (b))
• Topic C2.3 — Isotopes (Part (c))
• Topic C3.2 — Relative masses of atoms and molecules (Part (d))
• Topic C3.3 — The mole and the Avogadro constant (Part (e))
▶️ Answer/Explanation
(a)(i) Graphite
Graphite is the other common form (allotrope) of carbon, alongside diamond.
(a)(ii) Diamond is hard.
Diamond’s rigid giant covalent structure, in which every carbon atom is strongly bonded to four others, makes it extremely hard.
This hardness allows it to cut and grind through other materials.
(b) Giant covalent (macromolecular) structure with covalent bonding
Silicon dioxide has a giant covalent structure, similar to diamond.
Each silicon atom is covalently bonded to four oxygen atoms, and each oxygen atom is bonded to two silicon atoms.
This repeating lattice of strong covalent bonds gives the structure its rigidity.
(c) 
Isotopes of the same element have the same number of protons and electrons.
Carbon-14 has a mass number of 14, so neutrons = \(14 – 6 = 8\).
(d) average, element, mass
Relative atomic mass is the average mass of naturally occurring atoms of an element on a scale where the \(^{12}\text{C}\) atom has a mass of exactly 12 units.
(e) 0.05 mol
Moles = mass ÷ molar mass.
Moles = \(\frac{0.6}{12} = 0.05\) mol.
Question 12

On Fig. 12.2, sketch a graph showing the current-voltage characteristic of a filament lamp.

A voltmeter is connected in parallel across the thermistor.

Use the words increases, decreases or stays the same.
Each word may be used once, more than once or not at all.
ammeter …………………………………………………………………………
voltmeter …………………………………………………………………………
Most-appropriate topic codes (Cambridge IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences 0654):
• Topic P4.3.2 — Series and parallel circuits (Part (a))
• Topic P4.3.1 — Circuit diagrams and circuit components (Part (b)(i))
• Topic P4.2.4 — Resistance (Part (b)(ii))
▶️ Answer/Explanation
(a)(i) 4.0 Ω
For resistors in parallel: \(\frac{1}{R_T} = \frac{1}{R_1} + \frac{1}{R_2}\).
\(\frac{1}{R_T} = \frac{1}{6.0} + \frac{1}{12.0} = \frac{1}{4}\), so \(R_T = 4.0 \, \Omega\).
(a)(ii) 1.5 A
By Ohm’s Law, \(I = \frac{V}{R}\).
For the \(6.0 \, \Omega\) resistor: \(I = \frac{9.0}{6.0} = 1.5 \, \text{A}\).
(b)(i) 
All four components are connected one after another in a single loop.
The switch controls whether current flows around the circuit.
Correct circuit symbols must be used for the battery, lamp, variable resistor and switch.
(b)(ii) 
As voltage increases, the filament heats up and its resistance rises.
This causes the current to increase at a decreasing rate, giving a curve that bends away from the current axis.
(c)(i) Ammeter increases, voltmeter decreases
As temperature rises, the resistance of the thermistor decreases.
Total circuit resistance falls, so the current (ammeter reading) increases.
The voltage across the thermistor (voltmeter reading) decreases as its share of resistance falls.
(c)(ii) The lamp gets brighter
The decreasing thermistor resistance lowers the total circuit resistance.
This increases the current flowing through the whole series circuit, including the lamp.
A larger current through the lamp means it converts more electrical energy to light and heat, so it glows brighter.
