Mark Scheme (Results)

Summer 2025

Pearson Edexcel International GCSE

In Physics (4PH1) Paper 1P
Edexcel and BTEC Qualifications

Edexcel and BTEC qualifications are awarded by Pearson, the UK’s largest awarding body. We
provide a wide range of qualifications including academic, vocational, occupational and specific
programmes for employers. For further information visit our qualifications websites at
www.edexcel.com or www.btec.co.uk. Alternatively, you can get in touch with us using the details
on our contact us page at www.edexcel.com/contactus.

Pearson: helping people progress, everywhere

Pearson aspires to be the world’s leading learning company. Our aim is to help everyone progress
in their lives through education. We believe in every kind of learning, for all kinds of people,
wherever they are in the world. We’ve been involved in education for over 150 years, and by working
across 70 countries, in 100 languages, we have built an international reputation for our
commitment to high standards and raising achievement through innovation in education. Find out
more about how we can help you and your students at: www.pearson.com/uk

Summer 2025
Question Paper Log Number P78954A
Publications Code 4PH1_1P_2506_MS
All the material in this publication is copyright
© Pearson Education Ltd 2025
General Marking Guidance

• All candidates must receive the same treatment. Examiners

must mark the first candidate in exactly the same way as they
mark the last.
• Mark schemes should be applied positively. Candidates must
be rewarded for what they have shown they can do rather than
penalised for omissions.
• Examiners should mark according to the mark scheme not
according to their perception of where the grade boundaries
may lie.
• There is no ceiling on achievement. All marks on the mark
scheme should be used appropriately.
• All the marks on the mark scheme are designed to be awarded.
Examiners should always award full marks if deserved, i.e. if
the answer matches the mark scheme. Examiners should also
be prepared to award zero marks if the candidate’s response
is not worthy of credit according to the mark scheme.
• Where some judgement is required, mark schemes will
provide the principles by which marks will be awarded and
exemplification may be limited.
• When examiners are in doubt regarding the application of the
mark scheme to a candidate’s response, the team leader must
be consulted.
• Crossed out work should be marked UNLESS the candidate has
replaced it with an alternative response.
 Question
Answer Notes Marks
number
1 (a) (i) (average) speed = distance (travelled) / time allow standard symbols and 1
(taken); rearrangements e.g. s = vt
allow d, D, s, S for distance
allow s, S, v, V for speed

(ii) substitution; 3
rearrangement;
evaluation;

e.g.
2.8 = distance / 3.5
distance = 2.8 × 3.5 OR distance = speed × time
(distance =) 9.8 (m)

(b) (i) horizontal arrow drawn acting to the left; label not needed for the 1
mark but reject
contradictory arrows
ignore starting position and
length of arrow

(ii) speed / velocity will decrease; allow puck slows down, 2

decelerates
ignore kinetic energy / KE
decreases

(resultant) force is in the opposite direction to allow “it” for force

the velocity; allow alternatives to
velocity e.g. speed, motion,
travel etc.

Total for Question 1 = 7 marks

 Question
Answer Notes Marks
number
2 (a) (i) one mark for each correct row;;; reject mark for row if 3
more than one tick
shown
allow alternative
symbols instead of ticks





(ii) gravity; allow gravitational 1

(force/pull/attraction)
ignore weight,
centripetal, g, G
reject gravitational
field strength,
gravitational potential,
GPE

(b) (i) (the) Milky Way (galaxy); 1

(ii) idea that colour depends on temperature; allow idea that colour is 3
how hot/cold the star is
Antares / red is coolest; also scores MP1
allow Vega / blue-white
/ blue is hottest
full (surface) temperature order given; allow RA
e.g. in order of coolest to hottest
• Antares, Capella, Sirius B, Vega
• red, yellow, white, blue-white

(iii) supernova; −1 if order of stages is 3

incorrect or incorrect
stages named
neutron star; allow pulsar for neutron
star
black hole; allow idea that Antares
becomes black hole or
neutron star

(iv) idea that evolution depends on mass; idea that it depends on 2

relative to the Sun; the solar mass(es) of
Vega = 2 marks

Total for Question 2 = 13 marks

 Question
Answer Notes Marks
number
3 (a) (i) components are connected in series; ignore voltmeter is in 2
parallel (with the
resistor)
voltages must add up to 6(.0)V; allow voltages must add
up to battery voltage
allow 6(.0) − 3.9 = 2.1

(ii) correct substitution into V = I × R; 3

rearrangement; allow ecf from incorrect
voltage
evaluation; allow ecf from incorrect
voltage
0.0206…, 0.0134… (A)
scores 2 marks
e.g.
2.1 = current × 290
current = 2.1 / 290
(current =) 0.0072 (A) allow 0.007,
0.00724… (A)

(iii) same answer as (ii); expect 0.0072 (A) 1

allow if rounded
differently to (ii) but
still consistent

(iv) correct substitution into V = I × R; allow ecf from current 3

in (ii) or (iii)
rearrangement; allow dimensionally
correct rearrangement
using incorrect voltage
for this mark only
e.g. R = 2.1 / 0.0072
evaluation;

e.g.
3.9 = 0.0072 × R
R = 3.9 / 0.0072
(R =) 540 (Ω) allow 557, 542, 541.6…,
539, 538.5… (Ω)

(b) (i) thermistor/circuit resistance decreases (as 3

temperature increases);
current increases; allow idea of less
voltage across
thermistor
resistance of resistor is fixed/does not change AND allow idea that
V=IR (so voltmeter reading increases); battery/total voltage is
fixed/6V AND this is
shared between
thermistor and resistor
(so voltmeter reading
increases)
(ii) any three from: ignore methods 3
involving adding bulbs
to circuit etc.
MP1. place thermistor (and thermometer) into can be awarded from
beaker of water; diagram

MP2. idea of varying temperature of water /

thermistor;

MP3. measure reading on voltmeter (at different allow idea of measuring

temperatures); current or calculating
resistance (at different
temperatures)

MP4. plot graph of voltmeter reading against allow current /

temperature; resistance for voltmeter
reading

MP5. idea of using graph to read off temperature allow current /

at different voltmeter readings; resistance for voltmeter
reading

Total for Question 3 = 15 marks

 Question
Answer Notes Marks
number
4 (a) (kinetic/thermal/heat) energy; condone nuclear energy 1
condone energy as
gamma waves
ignore heat, radiation

(b) A (absorb excess neutrons); 1

B is incorrect because neutrons cannot be created

C is incorrect because fusion does not occur in a
fission reactor
D is incorrect because neutrons cannot be split

(c) C (slow down neutrons); 1

A is incorrect because this would not affect the

rate of fission
B is incorrect because this would not affect the
rate of fission
D is incorrect because faster neutrons would
reduce the rate of fission

(d) (i) idea (that radiation can) remove electrons from condone idea (that 1
atoms/molecules; radiation) turns
atoms/molecules into
(positive) ions
ignore references to α,
β, γ
reject if reference
given to gaining
electrons

(ii) idea that it is not possible to know when nuclei will allow idea that decay is 1
decay; unpredictable / has no
pattern
ignore spontaneous

(iii) idea that radiation (emitted in the reactor) is allow named harmful 3
harmful; effect e.g. cell damage,
cancer etc.
shielding absorbs radiation; allow shielding blocks
radiation
idea that amount of radiation reaching allow shielding prevents
people/workers is less/zero; radiation escaping
ignore protect people

Total for Question 4 = 8 marks

 Question
Answer Notes Marks
number
5 any six from: 6
MP1. current/coil has magnetic field; allow coil becomes an
electromagnet
allow current/coil has
electromagnetic field

MP2. interaction between (magnetic) fields; allow (magnetic) fields

overlap
ignore cutting of field
ignore current interacting
with field

MP3. (produces a) force on coil;

MP4. brushes allow (sliding) contact between allow idea that brushes
split ring/commutator/coil and wires; allow the coil to spin
without tangling
(connecting) wires

allow idea that brushes

prevent circuit being broken
/ allow a current to always
flow

MP5. split ring/commutator reverses the allow idea of swapping

direction of the current (in the coil); negative and positive
charges / terminals

MP6. (which) reverses the direction of the force

on (each side of) the coil;

MP7. current/force is reversed every half turn

(when coil is vertical);

Total for Question 5 = 6 marks

 Question
Answer Notes Marks
number
6 (a) idea that reaction time is an issue / eq; allow student (A) 1
starts/stops stopwatch
early/late
allow student (B) starts
running early/late
ignore human error,
comments relating to
time for sound to travel

(b) (i) selection of GPE = mgh; condone omitting factor 3

of 24 for this mark only
substitution; allow use of g = 9.8,
9.81
ignore POT errors from
not converting cm to m
evaluation to more than 2s.f.;

e.g.
GPE = mgh
GPE = 67 × 10 × 24 × 0.19
GPE = 3055.2 (J) allow 3055, 3060, 3100,
2994, 2997.1… (J)

(ii) evaluation of mean; 2

rounded to 3s.f.; independent mark

e.g.
mean time = (4.28 + 4.95 + 4.65) / 3 = 4.626…
mean time = 4.63 (s)

(iii) substitution into P = E/t; allow ecf from (i) and 2

(ii)
evaluation;

e.g.
power = 3055.2 / 4.63
power = 660 (W) allow 646 – 671 (W)

(c) any four from: ignore students are 4

correct / incorrect
MP1. not enough data points to make a valid allow idea that more
conclusion; students/readings are
needed

MP2. idea of testing a greater range of masses;

MP3. idea of testing masses in between values;

MP4. idea that there is a general (weak) positive allow power increases
correlation; with mass for the first
two data points
MP5. idea that one of the data points could be allow any named data
anomalous; point

MP6. if first data point considered anomalous then allow power decreases
there is a (weak) negative correlation; with increasing mass
ignoring the first data
point

MP7. idea that final three data points suggest that allow final three data
power could be independent of mass; points have
approximately same
power

MP8. person with greatest mass does not have the allow statement that
greatest power; 69kg person has the
greatest power

Total for Question 6 = 12 marks

 Question
Answer Notes Marks
number
7 (a) (i) 1

D; ( )

A is incorrect because the pressure is not equal

around the bubble
B is incorrect because the pressure above the
bubble is greater than below the bubble
C is incorrect because the pressure to the right of
the bubble is greater than to the left of the bubble

(ii) pressure decreases as bubbles get nearer to the allow RA 3

surface; allow less pressure at
smaller depth

(because) less (weight of) water above the bubble; allow RA

allow use of p=ρgh to
justify why pressure
decreases as height
decreases
with one from:
volume is inversely proportional to pressure; allow pressure × volume
= constant OR
p1V1 = p2V2
OR condone as pressure
decreases volume
increases
forces outside bubble decrease (as pressure
decreases), which leads to bubble expanding;

(b) idea that board of nails increases the area that 3

force is being applied;
pressure is less with board;
(for a given force) pressure is inversely proportional allow p = F/A
to area;

OR

idea that force on each nail is less when using board

of nails;
pressure is less with board;
(for a given area) pressure is proportional to force; allow p = F/A

Total for Question 7 = 7 marks

 Question
Answer Notes Marks
number
8 (a) oscillations / vibrations; 2
perpendicular to direction of wave/travel/energy; allow 90 degrees, right
angles for perpendicular

(b) (i) measurement of 0.9-1.1 cm; 2

use of scale factor to give 1.8-2.2 (cm); allow 2 (cm)
allow ecf if clear that
scale factor is being used

(ii) conversion of cm to m; allow ÷100 seen anywhere 3

substitution into v = f × λ; allow ecf from (i)
evaluation;
not converting cm to m
scores 2 marks max.
e.g.

2.0 cm = 0.020 m
v = 15 × 0.020
(wave speed =) 0.30 (m/s) allow 0.27 to 0.33 (m/s)
allow 0.3 (m/s)

(c) frequency is greater (at point X); 4

{wavefronts / peaks / crests} closer together; allow wavefronts more
bunched up/compressed
ignore wave is
compressed
wavelength decreases;
wave speed does not change; ignore speed of dipper

Total for Question 8 = 11 marks

 Question
Answer Notes Marks
number
9 (a) Geiger-Muller tube; allow GM tube, Geiger- 1
Muller (detector), GM
(detector), Geiger
counter

(b) any two from: 2

MP1. increase distance from source; allow stay 2m away,
don’t stand too close
MP2. idea of minimising time of exposure; allow keeping source in
metal box (when not in
use)
MP3. not pointing source at teacher/people;
MP4. handle source with tongs / wear gloves; allow idea of not
touching with bare
hands
MP5. idea of shielding between teacher and ignore lead vest / coat
source;

(c) (i) recognition that 140s is 2 half-lives; 2

correct final evaluation;

e.g.
(140 / 70 =) 2 half-lives
(840 ÷ 2 ÷ 2 =) 210 (counts per second)

(ii) correct use of 5%; 3

evaluation; 1680, 168 scores this
mark as a POT error
unit; independent mark

e.g.
activity = 840 / 0.05
(activity =) 16 800
becquerels allow Bq
condone bq, BQ

Total for Question 9 = 8 marks

 Question
Answer Notes Marks
number
10 (a) any two from: ignore comments 2
relating to electric
shock
idea that current causes a heating effect; allow rod/wire/power
supply might get hot,
prevents overheating of
the rod/wire/power
supply
ignore risk of fire
reduce risk of burns;
maintain a constant resistance for the rod;

(b) evaluation of change in mass; 4

conversion of g to kg;
substitution into W = mg; allow ecf from
incorrect/no unit
conversion
allow use of g = 9.8,
9.81
evaluation of force; ignore any minus signs

e.g.
∆m = 194.95 – 193.80 = 1.15 (g)
∆m = 0.00115 (kg)
force = 0.00115 × 10
(force =) 0.0115 (N) allow 0.01127,
0.0112815 (N)

(c) (i) all points plotted correctly to within ½ small 1

square;

(ii) continuous straight line of best fit; allow ecf from incorrect 1
plotting in (i)
reject if clearly drawn
dot to dot

(iii) straight line drawn of positive gradient; 3

line starts at same mass reading for zero current
as previous line;
line ends at 195.85 g when current is 3.00 A; to within +/− 1 small
square
e.g.

Total for Question 10 = 11 marks

 Question
Answer Notes Marks
number
11 (a) (i) energy (transferred) per unit charge (passed); allow V = E/Q only if all 1
terms defined
allow work done for
energy transferred
allow coulomb for unit
charge
ignore joules per coulomb
(equivalent to the volt)

(ii) substitution into E = Q × V; 3

rearrangement;
evaluation to at least 2s.f.;

e.g.
1.0 × 10−16 = 1.6 × 10−19 × V
V = 1.0 × 10−16 / 1.6 × 10−19
V = 625 (V)

(iii) substitution into KE = ½ × m × v2; 4

rearrangement for v2;
rearrangement for v;
evaluation; allow standard form or
decimal
2.1978… × 1014 (m/s)
scores 3 marks ...
e.g.
1.0 × 10−16 = 0.5 × 9.1 × 10−31 × v2
v2 = 2 × 1.0 × 10−16 / 9.1 × 10−31
v = √[2 × 1.0 × 10−16 / 9.1 × 10−31]
v = 1.5 × 107 (m/s) allow 1.48… × 107,
14 824 986.33 (m/s)

(b) (i) idea that humans can’t see ultraviolet; 2

fluorescent coating emits/produces visible light; allow idea that coating
produces light that
humans can see

(ii) any two from: 2

MP1. idea that mercury/ultraviolet would escape
from the tube;
MP2. UV is ionising (radiation);
MP3. named harmful effect of UV; e.g. skin cancer,
damage/mutation to skin
cells, skin burns, damage
to eyes, blindness
MP4. idea that mercury (vapour) is
poisonous/toxic/harmful;

Total for Question 11 = 12 marks

Pearson Education Limited. Registered company number 872828
with its registered office at 80 Strand, London, WC2R 0RL, United Kingdom