CAMBRIDGE IGCSE PHYSICS
Cambridge International Certificate / Syllabus code 0625
Why choose Cambridge IGCSE Physics?
Cambridge IGCSE Physics is accepted by universities and employers as proof of knowledge
and understanding of physics. Successful candidates gain lifelong skills, including:
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confidence in a technological world, with an informed interest in scientific matters
an understanding of how scientific theories and methods have developed, and
continue to develop, as a result of groups and individuals working together
an understanding that the study and practice of Physics/science are affected and
limited by social, economic, technological, ethical and cultural factors
an awareness that the application of Physics/science in everyday life may be both
helpful and harmful to the individual, the community and the environment
knowledge that science overcomes national boundaries and that the language of
science, used correctly and thoroughly, is universal
an understanding of the usefulness (and limitations) of scientific method, and its
application in other subjects and in everyday life
a concern for accuracy and precision
an understanding of the importance of safe practice
improved awareness of the importance of objectivity, integrity, enquiry, initiative and
inventiveness
an interest in, and care for, the environment
an excellent foundation for advanced study in pure sciences, in applied science or in
science-dependent vocational courses
Assessment at a glance: Syllabus code 0625
Cambridge IGCSE Physics candidates are awarded grades ranging from A* to G.
Candidates expected to achieve grades D, E, F or G, study the Core Curriculum only
and are eligible for grades C to G.
Candidates expected to achieve grade C or higher should study the Extended
Curriculum, which comprises the Core and Supplement Curriculums; these
candidates are eligible for all grades from A* to G.
All candidates must enter for three papers.
Aims
The aims of the syllabus listed below describe the educational purposes of this examination. The aims of
the syllabus are the same for all students and are not listed in order of priority. The aims are:
1. to provide a worthwhile educational experience for all candidates, through well designed studies
of Experimental and practical science, whether or not they go on to study science beyond this
level
2. to enable candidates to acquire sufficient understanding and knowledge to:
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become confident citizens in a technological world, to take or develop an informed
interest in scientific matters
recognise the usefulness, and limitations, of scientific method and to appreciate its
applicability in other disciplines and in everyday life
be suitably prepared for studies beyond IGCSE in pure sciences, in applied sciences or in
science dependent vocational courses
3. to develop abilities and skills that
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are relevant to the study and practice of physics
are useful in everyday life
encourage safe practice
encourage effective communication
4. to develop attitudes relevant to physics such as
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concern for accuracy and precision
objectivity
integrity
enquiry
initiative
inventiveness
5. to stimulate interest in, and care for, the environment
6. to promote an awareness that
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scientific theories and methods have developed, and continue to develop, as a result of cooperative activities of groups and individuals
the study and practice of science are subject to social, economic, technological, ethical and
cultural influences and limitations
the applications of science may be both beneficial and detrimental to the individual, the
community and the environment
science transcends national boundaries and that the language of science, correctly and
rigorously applied, is universal
Assessment objectives
The three Assessment Objectives (AOs) in Cambridge IGCSE Physics are:
A: Knowledge with understanding
B: Handling information and problem solving
C: Experimental skills and investigations
A description of each assessment objective follows.
A: Knowledge with understanding
Candidates should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
1. scientific phenomena, facts, laws, definitions, concepts, theories
2. scientific vocabulary, terminology, conventions (including symbols, quantities and units)
3. scientific instruments and apparatus, including techniques of operation and aspects of safety
4. scientific quantities and their determination
5. Scientific and technological applications with their social, economic and environmental
implications.
Curriculum content defines the factual material that candidates may be required to recall and explain.
Candidates will also be asked questions which require them to apply this material to unfamiliar contexts
and to apply knowledge from one area of the syllabus to knowledge of a different syllabus area. Questions
testing these objectives will often begin with one of the following words: define, state, describe, explain
(using your knowledge and understanding) or outline).
B: Handling information and problem solving
In words or using other written forms of presentation (e.g. symbolic, graphical and numerical), candidates
should be able to:
1. locate, select, organise and present information from a variety of sources
2. translate information from one form to another
3. manipulate numerical and other data
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use information to identify patterns, report trends and draw inferences
present reasoned explanations of phenomena, patterns and relationships
make predictions and hypotheses
Solve problems, including some of a quantitative nature.
Questions testing these skills may be based on information that is unfamiliar to candidates,
requiring them to apply the principles and concepts from the syllabus to a new situation, in a
logical, reasoned or deductive way.
Questions testing these skills will often begin with one of the following words: predict, suggest,
calculate or determine.
C: Experimental skills and investigations
Candidates should be able to:
1. know how to use techniques, apparatus, and materials (including following a sequence of
instructions, where appropriate)
2. make and record observations and measurements
3. interpret and evaluate experimental observations and data
4. Plan investigations, evaluate methods and suggest possible improvements (including the
selection of techniques, apparatus and materials).
Assessment objectives and their weighting in the components
Curriculum themes
The curriculum is divided into five themes which have been designed to develop an understanding of the
theory and practical applications of physics in real life situations:
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General Physics
Thermal Physics
Properties of Waves, including Light and Sound
Electricity and Magnetism
Atomic Physics
The full IGCSE Physics syllabus can be downloaded from the CIE website.
www.cie.org.uk/qualifications/academic/middlesec/igcse/subjects
Other information
Mathematical requirements
Candidates may use calculators in all parts of the exam.
Candidates should be able to:
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add, subtract, multiply and divide
use averages, decimals, fractions, percentages, ratios and reciprocals
recognise and use standard notation
use direct and inverse proportion
use positive, whole number indices
draw charts and graphs from given data
interpret charts and graphs
choose suitable scales and axes for graphs
make approximate evaluations of numerical expressions
recognise and use the relationship between length, surface area and volume and their units on
metric scales
use usual mathematical instruments (ruler, compasses, protractor, set square)
understand the meaning of angle, curve, circle, radius, diameter, square, parallelogram, rectangle
and diagonal
solve equations of the form x = yz for any one term when the other two are known
Recognise and use points of the compass (N, S, E, W).