Cambridge IGCSE™

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CO‑ORDINATED SCIENCES 0654/32

Paper 3 Theory (Core) May/June 2024

2 hours

You must answer on the question paper.

No additional materials are needed.

INSTRUCTIONS
● Answer all questions.
● Use a black or dark blue pen. You may use an HB pencil for any diagrams or graphs.
● Write your name, centre number and candidate number in the boxes at the top of the page.
● Write your answer to each question in the space provided.
● Do not use an erasable pen or correction fluid.
● Do not write on any bar codes.
● You may use a calculator.
● You should show all your working and use appropriate units.

INFORMATION
● The total mark for this paper is 120.
● The number of marks for each question or part question is shown in brackets [ ].
● The Periodic Table is printed in the question paper.

This document has 32 pages. Any blank pages are indicated.

DC (PB/CT) 331188/2
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1 (a) A student watches some scary movies.

The average pulse rate of the student is measured during each movie.

The highest pulse rate of the student is also recorded.

Table 1.1 shows the results.

Table 1.1

average pulse rate difference in

highest pulse rate
movie during the movie pulse rate
/ beats per minute
/ beats per minute / beats per minute
A 82 122 40
B 79 116 37
C 84 132 48
D 80 123 43
E 86 104 18

The student has a ‘flight or fight’ response to the movies causing adrenaline to be released.

(i) Identify the movie in Table 1.1 that results in the lowest average pulse rate.

......................... [1]

(ii) Identify the movie in Table 1.1 that results in the greatest release of adrenaline.

......................... [1]

(iii) Movie D lasts 2 hours.

Using the average pulse rate, calculate the total number of heart beats during the movie.

total = ................................................ beats [2]

(iv) Circle the target organ for adrenaline that causes the results in Table 1.1.

heart kidney ovary stomach skin

[1]

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(b) State two other effects of adrenaline on the body.

Do not include the effect on pulse rate.

1 ................................................................................................................................................

2 ................................................................................................................................................
[2]

(c) State the component of blood that transports the hormone adrenaline.

............................................................................................................................................. [1]

(d) The ‘flight or fight’ situation is a response to a change in the environment.

This is an example of one of the characteristics of living things.

(i) State the name of this characteristic.

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(ii) State the name of one other characteristic of living things.

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

[Total: 10]

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2 (a) The list gives the names of seven elements.

calcium

carbon

copper

oxygen

nitrogen

potassium

sulfur

Answer the questions about these elements.

Each element may be used once, more than once or not at all.

State which element:

(i) is in Group I of the Periodic Table.

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(ii) is in diamond.

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(iii) is 78% of clean air.

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(iv) gives a lilac flame test.

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(v) is used in electroplating.

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(vi) is used in the manufacture of sulfuric acid.

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

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(b) Atoms contain protons, neutrons and electrons.

State which of these particles:

are in shells around the nucleus ........................................

have a positive charge ........................................

have the smallest mass. ........................................

[3]

[Total: 9]

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3 (a) Doctors use ionising and non‑ionising radiations in hospitals.

(i) Table 3.1 lists some radiations.

Table 3.1

radiation ionising
alpha (α)
beta (β)
gamma (γ) ✓
ultrasound ✗
X‑rays

Put a tick (✓) in each row of Table 3.1 to show which radiations are ionising and a
cross (✗) to show which radiations are not ionising.

Two have been done for you. [2]

(ii) Describe one adverse effect of ionising radiations on living things.

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(iii) Place alpha (α), beta (β) and gamma (γ) radiations in order of their relative penetrating
ability.

most penetrating .....................................

.....................................

least penetrating .....................................

[1]

(iv) State one use of X‑rays in a hospital.

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(v) Ultrasound waves are used to scan unborn babies.

Ultrasound waves have a frequency above the maximum audible frequency for a human.

Suggest a frequency for ultrasound waves.

State the unit of your answer.

frequency = ..................................................... unit .............. [2]

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(b) (i) Gamma (γ) radiation is used in hospitals to destroy cancer cells.

Fig. 3.1 shows an incomplete electromagnetic spectrum.

Write gamma (γ) radiation in its correct place.

X‑rays microwaves radio waves

Fig. 3.1
[1]

(ii) State the region of the electromagnetic spectrum where the waves have the lowest
frequency.

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(c) A radioactive isotope of iodine, iodine‑123, is used by a doctor to examine the thyroid gland of
a patient.

The nuclide notation for the isotope is 123

53 I.

State what the numbers 123 and 53 represent.

123 ............................................................................................................................................

53 ..............................................................................................................................................
[2]

[Total: 11]

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4 (a) Fig. 4.1 is a diagram of the female reproductive system in humans.

Fig. 4.1

The boxes on the left show the letters of some of the parts in Fig. 4.1.

The boxes on the right show some functions.

Draw one line from each letter to its function.

release of female gametes

A site of fertilisation

B where fetus develops

C ring of muscle at opening of uterus

D produces semen

receives penis during sexual intercourse

[4]

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(b) A survey records the length of the menstrual cycle in a sample of females.

Fig. 4.2 shows a bar chart of the results.

14

12

10

8
number of females
6

0
23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33
length of menstrual cycle / days

Fig. 4.2

(i) State the most frequent length of the menstrual cycle shown in Fig. 4.2.

........................................ [1]

(ii) State the number of females that have a 26‑day menstrual cycle shown in Fig. 4.2.

........................................ [1]

(c) State the name of the female gamete in humans.

............................................................................................................................................. [1]

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(d) The list shows several processes that occur before the development and birth of a baby.

Put the stages in the correct order.

Two have been done for you.

fertilisation

formation of embryo

formation of zygote

implantation

release of female gamete

release of female gamete

...........................................................................

formation of zygote

...........................................................................

...........................................................................
[2]

(e) State where fertilisation occurs in plants.

............................................................................................................................................. [1]

[Total: 10]

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5 (a) Ethanol has the formula C2H5OH.

Complete Fig. 5.1 to show the structure of an ethanol molecule.

C C

Fig. 5.1
[2]

(b) Ethanol is used as a fuel.

(i) State one other use for ethanol.

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(ii) Write the word equation for the complete combustion of ethanol.

………..........…...…… + ………...........…..…… ………...........…..…… + ….……..........…..……

[2]

(iii) The combustion of ethanol is an exothermic reaction.

State what is meant by an exothermic reaction.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(c) Ethanol is made from ethene.

Ethene reacts at high temperatures with substance X in the presence of a catalyst.

(i) State the name of substance X.

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(ii) Describe the effect of a catalyst on chemical reactions.

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(iii) State one other method of making ethanol.

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

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(d) Ethanol is a liquid at room temperature.

Describe the motion and separation of the particles in ethanol.

motion .......................................................................................................................................

separation .................................................................................................................................
[2]

[Total: 11]

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6 (a) A farmer drives his tractor in a field.

Fig. 6.1 shows the forces J, K, L and M acting on the tractor as the tractor accelerates towards
the right.

M K
ground

direction of motion

Fig. 6.1

(i) State which force J, K, L or M is the weight of the tractor.

............................... [1]

(ii) Explain why force K must be greater than force M.

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(b) Fig. 6.2 shows a speed‑time graph for the tractor as it travels across the field.

Q R
6
speed
m/s
4

2
P
S
0
0 50 100 150 200
time / s

Fig. 6.2

(i) Describe the motion of the tractor during the section PQ.

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(ii) Calculate the distance travelled by the tractor during section QR.

distance = ..................................................... m [2]

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(c) The tractor pulls a tank full of water.

The mass of the water is 2500 kg.

The density of water is 1000 kg / m3.

Calculate the volume of the water.

volume = .................................................... m3 [2]

(d) Suggest two renewable sources of energy that the farmer uses to generate electricity for the
farm.

1 ................................................................................................................................................

2 ................................................................................................................................................
[2]

[Total: 9]

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7 (a) A student investigates the effect of light on an aquatic plant.

The student counts the number of bubbles of gas released in one minute by the aquatic plant
kept in the light.

The experiment is repeated with the aquatic plant kept in the dark.

Table 7.1 shows the results.

Table 7.1

environmental condition number of bubbles of gas released in one minute

light 32
dark 0

(i) Complete the sentences to explain the results shown in Table 7.1.

The aquatic plant releases more bubbles of ................................................ gas when

kept in the light.

This is because the process of ................................................ requires energy from light.

This energy is used to react the raw materials ................................................

and ................................................ .

This process takes place in plant cell structures called ................................................ .

[4]

(ii) State the name of the response that causes plants to grow towards light.

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

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(b) Fig. 7.1 is a photomicrograph of a cross‑section through a leaf.

Fig. 7.1

(i) State the name of the part labelled X in Fig. 7.1.

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(ii) State the names and functions of the two transport tissues contained in the part labelled
Y in Fig. 7.1.

name 1 ..............................................................................................................................

function ..............................................................................................................................

name 2 ..............................................................................................................................

function ..............................................................................................................................
[4]

(c) Describe the importance of nitrate ions in the synthesis of proteins.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [1]

[Total: 11]

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8 A teacher reacts sodium with water.

Hydrogen and aqueous sodium hydroxide are the products of the reaction.

(a) Balance the symbol equation for this reaction.

2Na + .........H2O ........NaOH + H2

[2]

(b) Before sodium is added to water, the water is neutral.

Aqueous sodium hydroxide is an alkali.

(i) State the pH number of pure water.

pH = ................ [1]

(ii) Suggest the pH number of the aqueous sodium hydroxide.

pH = ................ [1]

(c) The reaction between sodium and water is described as violent.

Describe the reaction between potassium and water.

Explain your answer.

reaction .....................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

explanation ...............................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................
[2]

(d) Sodium reacts with chlorine to make sodium chloride.

In this reaction, sodium atoms form sodium ions and chlorine atoms form chloride ions.

• the electronic structure of a sodium atom is 2.8.1

• the electronic structure of a chlorine atom is 2.8.7

(i) Deduce the electronic structure for a sodium ion.

...................... [1]

(ii) Deduce the electronic structure for a chloride ion.

...................... [1]

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(e) When concentrated aqueous sodium chloride is electrolysed, gases are released at each
inert electrode.

State the names of the gases released at each electrode.

gas at cathode ..........................................................................................................................

gas at anode .............................................................................................................................

[2]

[Total: 10]

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9 (a) Fig. 9.1 shows water in a steel saucepan being heated on an electric cooker.

The water boils and some of the water changes into steam.

Fig. 9.1

(i) State the main method of thermal energy transfer through:

the water ...........................................................................................................................

the saucepan. ....................................................................................................................

[2]

(ii) Describe what happens to the temperature of the water while it is boiling.

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(iii) State the boiling point of water.

..................................................... °C [1]

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(iv) Steel is a solid, water is a liquid and steam is a gas.

Complete Table 9.1 by placing ticks (✓) in the correct boxes to show which description
describes a solid, a liquid and a gas.

Table 9.1

description solid liquid gas

it takes up all the space available

it takes up the shape of its container

and has a constant volume in an
open container

it has a fixed shape

[1]

(b) The saucepan is made from steel.

Describe one difference between the magnetic properties of steel and the magnetic properties
of soft iron.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [1]

(c) The weight of the saucepan is 15 N.

Calculate the mass of the saucepan in grams.

The gravitational force on unit mass, g, = 10 N / kg.

mass = ...................................................... g [2]

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(d) The two hotplates on the cooker are connected in parallel so that each can be controlled by a
separate switch.

Complete the circuit diagram in Fig. 9.2 for the cooker hotplates.

Use the circuit symbol for a heater to represent the hotplates.

240 V

Fig. 9.2
[3]

[Total: 11]

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10 Fig. 10.1 is a diagram of the carbon cycle.

carbon dioxide
in atmosphere

X Y

carbon compounds A carbon compounds

in animals in plants

carbon compounds in
dead organisms
Z
carbon compounds in
fossil fuels

Fig. 10.1

(a) Identify the processes occurring at X, Y and Z in Fig. 10.1.

X ...............................................................................................................................................

Y ...............................................................................................................................................

Z ...............................................................................................................................................
[3]

(b) The concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is increasing.

Use Fig. 10.1 to state two ways humans could increase the removal of carbon dioxide from
the atmosphere.

1 ................................................................................................................................................

2 ................................................................................................................................................
[2]

(c) Process A occurs in food chains.

Complete the sentences to define the term food chain.

A food chain is the transfer of ......................................... from one organism to the next,

beginning with a ......................................... .

[2]

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(d) Carbon dioxide dissolves in oceans, acidifying them.

State two sources of water pollution.

1 ................................................................................................................................................

2 ................................................................................................................................................
[2]

[Total: 9]

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11 (a) Iron is a metal.

Circle three physical properties which are characteristic of metals.

good electrical conductor high melting point

low boiling point malleable

poor thermal conductor

[2]

(b) Fig. 11.1 shows a spanner made from an alloy of iron.

Fig. 11.1

The composition of the alloy is shown in Table 11.1.

Table 11.1

element percentage composition %

carbon
chromium 2
iron 95
manganese 1

(i) Calculate the percentage of carbon in the alloy.

percentage = ......................................................% [1]

(ii) The mass of the spanner is 80 g.

Calculate the mass of chromium contained in the spanner.

mass of chromium = ...................................................... g [1]

(iii) Suggest why the spanner is made from an alloy of iron and not pure iron.

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

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(c) Iron is extracted from iron oxide using carbon monoxide.

iron oxide + carbon monoxide iron + carbon dioxide

State the substance that is reduced in this reaction.

............................................................................................................................................. [1]

(d) Iron reacts with two substances to make rust.

(i) Name the element and the compound that react with iron to make rust.

element .............................................................................................................................

compound .........................................................................................................................
[2]

(ii) Barrier methods are used to stop iron rusting.

Name one substance used in a barrier method of rust prevention.

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(e) Recycling iron costs less than extracting iron from iron ore.

Suggest one other reason why iron needs to be recycled.

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [1]

[Total: 10]

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12 (a) A student investigates the motion of smoke particles in air using a microscope.

Fig. 12.1 shows the apparatus the student uses.

microscope
glass box containing
smoke particles and
air molecules bright light
from lamp

Fig. 12.1

The student sees the smoke particles moving in random directions.

This movement is caused by collisions between smoke particles and moving molecules in
the air.

Fig. 12.2 shows the path of one smoke particle observed by the student.

smoke particle

Fig. 12.2

State the name given to the motion of the smoke particles observed by the student.

............................................................................................................................................. [1]

(b) The lamp in Fig. 12.1 has a current of 0.40 A in it when the potential difference across it is
3.0 V.

Calculate the resistance of the lamp.

resistance = ...................................................... Ω [2]

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(c) The microscope in Fig. 12.1 contains lenses.

Fig. 12.3 shows a ray of light from the top of a smoke particle passing through a thin
converging lens.

smoke
particle

Fig. 12.3

(i) Draw a second ray from the top of the smoke particle to locate the position of the top of
the image.

Label the top of the image with the letter I. [2]

(ii) On Fig. 12.3, label the principal focus of the lens with the letter F. [1]

(iii) On Fig. 12.3, use a double headed arrow (↔) or (↕) to show the focal length of the lens.
[1]

(iv) Circle the two correct words or phrases that describe the image.

diminished enlarged inverted same size upright

[2]

[Total: 9]

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publisher will be pleased to make amends at the earliest possible opportunity.

To avoid the issue of disclosure of answer‑related information to candidates, all copyright acknowledgements are reproduced online in the Cambridge
Assessment International Education Copyright Acknowledgements Booklet. This is produced for each series of examinations and is freely available to download
at www.cambridgeinternational.org after the live examination series.

Cambridge Assessment International Education is part of Cambridge Assessment. Cambridge Assessment is the brand name of the University of Cambridge
Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), which is a department of the University of Cambridge.

© UCLES 2024 0654/32/M/J/24

 The Periodic Table of Elements
Group

© UCLES 2024
I II III IV V VI VII VIII
1 2

H He
hydrogen helium
Key 1 4
3 4 atomic number 5 6 7 8 9 10

Li Be atomic symbol B C N O F Ne
lithium beryllium name boron carbon nitrogen oxygen fluorine neon
7 9 relative atomic mass 11 12 14 16 19 20
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

Na Mg Al Si P S Cl Ar
sodium magnesium aluminium silicon phosphorus sulfur chlorine argon
23 24 27 28 31 32 35.5 40
19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36
K Ca Sc Ti V Cr Mn Fe Co Ni Cu Zn Ga Ge As Se Br Kr
potassium calcium scandium titanium vanadium chromium manganese iron cobalt nickel copper zinc gallium germanium arsenic selenium bromine krypton
39 40 45 48 51 52 55 56 59 59 64 65 70 73 75 79 80 84
37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54

Rb Sr Y Zr Nb Mo Tc Ru Rh Pd Ag Cd In Sn Sb Te I Xe
rubidium strontium yttrium zirconium niobium molybdenum technetium ruthenium rhodium palladium silver cadmium indium tin antimony tellurium iodine xenon
32

85 88 89 91 93 96 – 101 103 106 108 112 115 119 122 128 127 131
55 56 57–71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86

0654/32/M/J/24
lanthanoids
Cs Ba Hf Ta W Re Os Ir Pt Au Hg Tl Pb Bi Po At Rn
caesium barium hafnium tantalum tungsten rhenium osmium iridium platinum gold mercury thallium lead bismuth polonium astatine radon
133 137 178 181 184 186 190 192 195 197 201 204 207 209 – – –
87 88 89–103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118
actinoids
Fr Ra Rf Db Sg Bh Hs Mt Ds Rg Cn Nh Fl Mc Lv Ts Og
francium radium rutherfordium dubnium seaborgium bohrium hassium meitnerium darmstadtium roentgenium copernicium nihonium flerovium moscovium livermorium tennessine oganesson
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71
lanthanoids La Ce Pr Nd Pm Sm Eu Gd Tb Dy Ho Er Tm Yb Lu
lanthanum cerium praseodymium neodymium promethium samarium europium gadolinium terbium dysprosium holmium erbium thulium ytterbium lutetium
139 140 141 144 – 150 152 157 159 163 165 167 169 173 175
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103
actinoids Ac Th Pa U Np Pu Am Cm Bk Cf Es Fm Md No Lr
actinium thorium protactinium uranium neptunium plutonium americium curium berkelium californium einsteinium fermium mendelevium nobelium lawrencium
– 232 231 238 – – – – – – – – – – –

The volume of one mole of any gas is 24 dm3 at room temperature and pressure (r.t.p.).