Cambridge IGCSE™

* 5 7 9 6 9 7 7 7 0 3 *

CO-ORDINATED SCIENCES 0654/31

Paper 3 Theory (Core) October/November 2021

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 24 pages.

DC (PQ/CGW) 211584/3
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1 (a) Scientists measure the length of sperm cells from different animals.

The animals are placed in size from animal A the smallest to animal F the largest.

Fig. 1.1 shows the results.

0.20

0.18

0.16

0.14

0.12
length of sperm cell /
0.10
mm

0.08

0.06

0.04

0.02

0
A B C D E F
animal

Fig. 1.1

(i) Using Fig. 1.1, state the length of a sperm cell in animal B.

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

(ii) State the animal with the shortest length of sperm.

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

(iii) State evidence from Fig. 1.1 that shows that length of sperm does not increase with size
of animal.

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

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

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(b) Plant and animal cells both contain a nucleus.

Name two other structures seen in both plant and animal cells.

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

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

(c) The boxes on the left show some of the parts of a plant cell.

The boxes on the right show the functions of the parts.

Draw lines to link each part with its function.

part of plant cell function

cell wall contains genetic material

chloroplast contains cell sap and supports the cell

nucleus site of photosynthesis

vacuole strengthens the cell

[3]

(d) Substances enter and leave cells.

Name the process by which substances enter the cells.

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

(e) Explain why muscle cells need high rates of respiration.

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

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

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

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

[Total: 11]

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2 (a) The thermal decomposition of calcium carbonate makes calcium oxide and carbon dioxide.

(i) Write the word equation for the thermal decomposition of calcium carbonate.

+
[1]

(ii) The production of lime (calcium oxide) from limestone (calcium carbonate) is one use of
limestone.

State one other use of limestone.

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

(iii) Calcium carbonate has the formula CaCO3.

State the number of different elements present in calcium carbonate.

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

(iv) Explain why the thermal decomposition of calcium carbonate is a chemical change and
not a physical change.

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

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

(v) The thermal decomposition of calcium carbonate is an endothermic reaction.

State what is meant by an endothermic reaction.

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

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

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

(b) (i) Carbon dioxide is a compound but carbon is an element.

State the difference between an element and a compound.

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

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

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

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(ii) Carbon is a solid and carbon dioxide is a gas.

Complete Table 2.1 to describe the differences between a solid and a gas.

One difference has been done for you.

Table 2.1

particle separation particle arrangement particle motion

solid vibrate about a fixed point

gas move rapidly in all directions

[2]

(c) Carbon exists in many forms including diamond and graphite.

Diamond and graphite are described as giant covalent structures.

Fig. 2.1 shows three covalent structures, A, B and C.

carbon
atom

A B C
Fig. 2.1

(i) State which structure represents diamond.

Choose from A, B or C.

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

(ii) State which structure represents graphite.

Choose from A, B or C.

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

(iii) State why the bonding between the carbon atoms in diamond is covalent and not ionic.

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

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

[Total: 12]
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3 (a) A student constructs a circuit containing two lamps in parallel connected across two cells in
series. Each lamp is controlled by a separate switch.

(i) Draw a circuit diagram for this circuit using standard electrical symbols.

[3]

(ii) State one advantage of connecting the lamps in parallel rather than in series.

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

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

(b) Fig. 3.1 shows a filament lamp.

glass bulb, filled with gas

filament

metal base

Fig. 3.1

(i) When the lamp is switched on, thermal energy is transferred from the filament through
the metal base.

Name the process that transfers the thermal energy.

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

(ii) Suggest one part of the electromagnetic spectrum emitted by the lamp.

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

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(c) Fig. 3.2 shows a ray of light from the lamp passing through a rectangular glass block.

Fig. 3.2

(i) On Fig. 3.2, label the angle of incidence with the letter i and the angle of refraction with
the letter r. [2]

(ii) Explain why the ray of light changes direction as it is refracted through the glass block.

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

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

[Total: 9]

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

D
A

Fig. 4.1

Identify the letter from Fig. 4.1 that represents the:

part where sperm is produced, ...................................................................

part which secretes the fluid that sperm swim in, ...................................................................

tube which carries both semen and urine. ...................................................................

[3]

(b) State the name of the part of the female reproductive system that releases gametes.

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

(c) The statements in Table 4.1 describe either asexual or sexual reproduction.

Complete Table 4.1 to identify the type of reproduction each statement describes.

Table 4.1

statement type of reproduction

offspring are genetically identical to each other

produces zygotes

involves the fusion of nuclei

[2]

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(d) Fig. 4.2 is a diagram representing the reproduction of a type of organism called a hydra.

Fig. 4.2

Identify if this organism is reproducing asexually or sexually.

Use evidence from Fig. 4.2 to give a reason for your answer.

type of reproduction ..................................................................................................................

reason .......................................................................................................................................

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

(e) Reproduction and respiration are characteristics of living things.

State two other characteristics of living things.

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

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

[Total: 9]

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5 (a) Iron is an element in Period 4 of the Periodic Table.

(i) Name the collection of metals in Period 4 that contains iron.

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

(ii) An atom of iron has a proton number of 26 and a nucleon number of 56.

State the number of electrons in this atom.

number of electrons ................................ [1]

(iii) Iron is obtained from iron oxide by reaction with carbon.

The word equation for the reaction is shown.

iron oxide + carbon iron + carbon dioxide

Name the substance that is reduced in this reaction.

Explain your answer.

substance reduced ............................................................................................................

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

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

(b) Steel is an alloy of iron.

(i) State what is meant by an alloy.

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

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

(ii) State why steel is used rather than pure iron for making cars.

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

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

(iii) Table 5.1 shows the percentage composition of an alloy.

Table 5.1

element percentage

copper 33

iron

nickel 60

Calculate the percentage of iron in the alloy.

percentage of iron = ..................................................... % [1]

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(c) A student investigates the rusting of iron nails.

Fig. 5.1 shows the student’s experiments.

X Y Z

dry air air and air and

water water vapour
vapour
painted nail
cotton wool
water
water
drying agent
removes water
vapour

Fig. 5.1

Table 5.2 shows the student’s observations after one week.

Complete Table 5.2 to explain the student’s observations.

Table 5.2

test-tube rusts/does not rust explanation

X does not rust

Y rusts

Z does not rust

[3]

[Total: 10]

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6 (a) Fig. 6.1 shows a copper wire connected to a battery and placed between the poles of a
strong magnet.

N
S

Fig. 6.1

When the switch is closed the wire moves upwards.

(i) Describe two ways to change the apparatus so that the wire moves downwards when
the switch is closed.

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

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

(ii) State the term that describes a flow of electrons in a metal conductor.

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

(b) A β-particle is an electron.

α-particles and β-particles are radioactive emissions released during the radioactive decay of
isotopes.

(i) State the meaning of the terms:

radioactive decay ..............................................................................................................

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

isotopes .............................................................................................................................

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

(ii) Complete the sentences below using the symbols α and β.

............ particles are less ionising than ................................ particles.

............ particles are less penetrating than ................................ particles.

[1]

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(c) A plastic ruler and a piece of cloth are both uncharged.

A student rubs the plastic ruler with the cloth.

The plastic ruler becomes positively charged.

(i) Describe in terms of electrons how the plastic ruler becomes positively charged.

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

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

(ii) State which row from Table 6.1 shows the charge on the cloth compared to the charge
on the plastic ruler.

Table 6.1

row sign of charge magnitude of charge

1 positive equal

2 positive bigger

3 positive smaller

4 negative equal

5 negative bigger

6 negative smaller

row no ................................ [1]

[Total: 9]

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7 (a) A student has two peas.

Pea A is green.

Pea B is yellow.

The colour of peas is controlled by a single gene.

• The allele for green-coloured peas is g.

• The allele for yellow-coloured peas is G.

(i) Circle two words that can be used to describe the genotype of pea A.

allele dominant heterozygous homozygous

phenotype recessive
[2]

(ii) State the two possible genotypes of pea B.

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

(b) Two pea plants are crossed.

Fig. 7.1 is an incomplete genetic diagram showing a genetic cross of two pea plants.

(i) Complete the genetic diagram in Fig. 7.1 to show the expected genotypes of the
offspring.
parental gametes

G g

G
parental .......................................... ..........................................
gametes
g
.......................................... ..........................................
[1]
Fig. 7.1

(ii) State the percentage chance of the parent plants in Fig. 7.1 producing offspring that
have the genotype gg.

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

(c) Chromosomes, DNA and genes are involved in inheritance.

(i) List these structures in order of size from smallest to largest.

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

smallest largest

(ii) State the phenotype of a person with the sex chromosomes XX.

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

[Total: 7]
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8 (a) Petroleum is a fossil fuel.

(i) Name one other fossil fuel.

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

(ii) Petroleum is separated into fractions to make it more useful.

Complete the sentences using words from the list.
Each word may be used once, more than once or not at all.

compound distillation electrolysis

filtration mixture molecule

Petroleum is a ................................ of different hydrocarbons.

Petroleum is separated by fractional ................................ . [2]

(iii) Gasoline is obtained from petroleum.

State the two products of the complete combustion of gasoline.

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

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

(b) Ethane, C2H6, is an alkane. Ethene, C2H4, is an alkene.

(i) Explain why ethene is described as an unsaturated hydrocarbon.

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

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

(ii) Describe the chemical test and the positive result for an unsaturated hydrocarbon.

test ....................................................................................................................................

result .................................................................................................................................

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

(c) Ethene molecules react together to form a polymer.

(i) Describe what happens to the ethene molecules when they form a polymer.

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

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

(ii) Name the polymer made from ethene.

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

[Total: 10]
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9 Fig. 9.1 shows a refrigerator.

freezing
compartment

Fig. 9.1

(a) The freezing compartment at the top of the refrigerator cools all the air in the refrigerator.

State the main method of thermal energy transfer used in this cooling process.

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

(b) The volume of air in the refrigerator is 210 000 cm3.

The density of air is 0.00126 g / cm3.

Calculate the mass of air in the refrigerator.

Show your working.

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

(c) A liquid-in-glass thermometer is placed inside the freezing compartment to measure a

temperature of –20 °C.

(i) Name a suitable liquid to use in the thermometer.

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

(ii) State the physical property of the liquid that varies with temperature in a liquid-in-glass
thermometer.

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

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(d) The refrigerator emits a quiet sound with a low pitch.

(i) Describe the amplitude and frequency of this sound.

amplitude ...........................................................................................................................

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

(ii) State the unit of frequency.

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

(e) The refrigerator contains two lamps connected in series.

Lamp A has a resistance of 4000 Ω and lamp B has a resistance of 5000 Ω.

(i) Calculate the combined resistance of the two lamps connected in series.

resistance = ...................................................... Ω [1]

(ii) The potential difference across the lamps is 240 V.

Use your answer to (e)(i) to calculate the current in the lamps.

Show your working.

current = ...................................................... A [2]

[Total: 11]

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

carbon dioxide
in the atmosphere

photosynthesis

industry

decomposition

dead
organisms
X

fossil fuels

Fig. 10.1

(a) Name the process occurring at X in Fig. 10.1.

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

(b) When deforestation occurs there is a build-up of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

(i) List two other negative effects of deforestation.

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

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

(ii) Stopping deforestation will reduce the build-up of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Use the information in Fig. 10.1 to suggest two other ways we can reduce the build-up
of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

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

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

2 ........................................................................................................................................

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

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(c) Table 10.1 shows some features of respiration and photosynthesis.

Place ticks (3) in the boxes to show the features of each process.

Table 10.1

process produces produces requires produces

carbon dioxide oxygen light energy carbohydrates
photosynthesis

respiration
[4]

(d) Water is one of the substances required by plants and is also lost by plants during transpiration.

(i) State the name of the vessels that transport water through a plant.

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

(ii) Complete the sentences to define the term transpiration.

Transpiration is loss of water vapour from plant ........................................................... by

evaporation of water at the surfaces of the mesophyll ......................................................

followed by diffusion of water vapour through the .............................................................

[3]

[Total: 13]

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11 (a) Table 11.1 shows the melting points of some Group I elements.

Table 11.1

element melting point / °C

lithium 181

sodium 98

potassium

rubidium 39

caesium 28

Predict the melting point of potassium.

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

(b) Potassium reacts with chlorine to make potassium chloride.

Potassium chloride is an ionic compound.

Fig. 11.1 shows the electronic structure of a potassium atom and of a chlorine atom.

potassium atom chlorine atom

Fig. 11.1

(i) Complete the diagrams in Fig. 11.2 to show the ions in potassium chloride.

+ –

potassium ion chloride ion

Fig. 11.2
[2]
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(ii) Balance the symbol equation for the reaction between potassium and chlorine.

............ K + Cl 2 ............ KCl [1]

(c) Universal indicator is added to water.

The water is neutral.

(i) State the pH of the water.

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

(ii) A teacher reacts potassium with the water.

Potassium hydroxide solution is made in the reaction.

Suggest the pH of the resulting potassium hydroxide solution and the colour of the
universal indicator.

pH ................................

colour of universal indicator ..............................................................................................

[2]

(iii) The teacher reacts lithium with water.

Compare the reactivity of lithium with the reactivity of potassium.

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

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

[Total: 8]

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12 (a) An astronaut travels to the Moon in a spacecraft.

The weight of the spacecraft at take-off is 25 000 000 N. When the spacecraft blasts off from
Earth, it is pushed upwards by a force of 32 000 000 N.

Calculate the resultant upward force on the spacecraft.

resultant force = ..................................................... N [1]

(b) The spacecraft has solar panels to gather energy from the Sun. This energy is stored in
batteries on the spacecraft.

(i) Complete the sentences to describe the energy conversion that takes place in this
process.

The Sun’s light energy is transformed into ............................ energy by the solar panels.

This energy is stored as .............................................................. energy in the batteries.

[2]

(ii) Solar energy is a renewable energy source.

State one other renewable energy source.

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

(c) The spacecraft travels 386 000 km from Earth to the Moon in 72 hours.

Calculate the average speed of the spacecraft in km / s.

Show your working.

average speed = ............................................... km / s [3]

(d) On Earth, the astronaut has a mass of 80 kg and a weight of 800 N. On the Moon the astronaut
has a mass of 80 kg and a weight of 135 N.

Describe the difference between mass and weight.

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

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

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(e) The astronaut communicates with Earth using radio waves.

(i) Fig. 12.1 shows an incomplete electromagnetic spectrum.

X-rays ultraviolet microwaves

Fig. 12.1

Place radio waves in the correct place in Fig. 12.1. [1]

(ii) Explain why it is not possible for the astronaut to communicate with Earth using sound
waves.

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

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

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

(iii) Fig. 12.2 shows a sound wave.

On Fig. 12.2 label with a double headed arrow ( or ) one wavelength of the
sound wave.

Fig. 12.2
[1]

[Total: 11]

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 The Periodic Table of Elements

© UCLES 2021
Group
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

at www.cambridgeinternational.org after the live examination series.

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
24

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

0654/31/O/N/21
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 89–103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 114 116
actinoids
Fr Ra Rf Db Sg Bh Hs Mt Ds Rg Cn Fl Lv
francium radium rutherfordium dubnium seaborgium bohrium hassium meitnerium darmstadtium roentgenium copernicium flerovium livermorium
– – – – – – – – – – – – –

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.).

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