Cambridge IGCSE™

* 2 9 3 9 4 7 1 8 6 7 *

COMBINED SCIENCE 0653/32

Paper 3 Theory (Core) February/March 2024

1 hour 15 minutes

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 80.
● 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. Any blank pages are indicated.

DC (LK/SG) 329941/3
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1 (a) The boxes on the left show the names of some structures found in cells.

The boxes on the right describe some functions of cell structures.

Draw one straight line from each structure to its function.

structure function

controls cell activities

nucleus

site of photosynthesis

vacuole

supports the cell

[2]

(b) Sperm cells are specialised animal cells.

(i) State the part of the human male reproductive system that produces sperm.

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

(ii) Fig. 1.1 shows an image of human sperm cells as seen with a light microscope.

head of
sperm S

Fig. 1.1

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The head of sperm S in the image shown in Fig. 1.1 is 9 mm in length.

The magnification is ×2000.

Calculate the actual length of the head of sperm S.

actual length = .................................................. mm [2]

(c) Sperm fertilise the ovum inside the human female reproductive system.

(i) State the site of fertilisation in the human female reproductive system.

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

(ii) Complete the sentences to describe the development of the fertilised ovum.

Choose words from the list.

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

cervix embryo gamete

ovule uterus vagina zygote

The fertilised ovum is called the ...................................................................................... .

This fertilised ovum divides into a ball of cells called the ................................................ .

The ball of cells then implants into the wall of the .......................................................... .
[3]

[Total: 9]

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2 Lithium is an element in Group I of the Periodic Table.

(a) An atom of lithium is represented as shown.

3 Li
7
Complete Table 2.1 to show the number of protons, electrons and neutrons in one atom of 3Li.

Table 2.1

number of protons number of electrons number of neutrons

[2]

(b) Describe what happens when an atom of lithium becomes an ion of lithium.

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

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

(c) Lithium reacts slowly with oxygen at room temperature to form lithium oxide.

This reaction is exothermic.

(i) Balance the symbol equation for this reaction.

……. Li + .…... O2 ……. Li2O [1]

(ii) Circle the word that describes the reaction between lithium and oxygen.

decomposition distillation neutralisation oxidation [1]

(iii) Describe one observation that shows the reaction is exothermic.

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

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

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(d) There is an alloy that contains lithium and aluminium only.

Tick (3) one box to show which statement describes this alloy.

It contains one type of atom only.

It is a mixture.

It has the chemical properties of aluminium only.

It has the physical properties of lithium only.

[1]

(e) Aluminium is used to make cooking pans.

Suggest why lithium is not used to make cooking pans.

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

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

(f) Recycling aluminium is cheaper than producing it from its ore.

Suggest one other reason why aluminium is recycled.

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

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

[Total: 9]

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3 (a) Fig. 3.1 shows a nuclear power station.

nuclear power station

Fig. 3.1

State the process in the nuclear power station that releases energy from nuclear fuel.

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

(b) Fig. 3.2 shows four fuses connected to wires in a house.

fuse

Fig. 3.2

(i) Draw the circuit symbol for a fuse.

[1]

(ii) State the purpose of a fuse in an electrical circuit.

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

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

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(iii) Identify the electrical hazard labelled X in Fig. 3.2.

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

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

(c) An electric kettle is used to boil water in a house.

The supply voltage to the house is 240 V.

The current in the kettle when switched on is 13 A.

(i) Calculate the resistance of the kettle.

Give the unit for your answer.

resistance = .................................. unit ................ [3]

(ii) Fig. 3.3 shows a circuit diagram for the kettle and a lamp in the same room.

240 V

kettle

Fig. 3.3

When connected in parallel, the lamp and the kettle can be switched on and off
independently. If one component breaks, the other component will still work.

When they are working correctly, the current in the lamp is 1 A and the current in the
kettle is 13 A.

Explain why the kettle and the lamp must be connected in parallel and not in series for
both to work correctly.

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

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

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

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

[Total: 9]
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4 (a) Blood and blood vessels are part of the circulatory system in humans.

(i) State the component of blood involved in phagocytosis.

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

(ii) State the name of the blood vessel that transports blood from the heart to the lungs.

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

(iii) Blood transports hormones around the body.

Complete the sentences to describe hormones.

A hormone is a chemical substance produced by a ......................................................... .

Hormones alter the activity of a specific ......................................................... organ.

[2]

(b) The circulatory system transports oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.

Fig. 4.1 shows the gas exchange system in humans.

Fig. 4.1

(i) Identify the part labelled X shown on Fig. 4.1.

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

(ii) Draw a label line and the letter D to identify the diaphragm on Fig. 4.1. [1]

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(c) Water is transported through xylem vessels in plants from the roots to the leaves.

(i) Describe how the water vapour is lost from the leaves of plants.

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

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

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

(ii) State the effect of an increase in humidity on the rate of water loss from leaves.

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

[Total: 9]

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5 (a) Fig. 5.1 is a pie chart showing the composition of clean air.

Fig. 5.1

Identify the gases in clean air by completing the key for the pie chart shown in Fig. 5.1.

Key
Key

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

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

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

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

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

[3]

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(b) Carbon monoxide and the oxides of nitrogen are common pollutants in air.

State one adverse effect that each of these air pollutants causes.

carbon monoxide ......................................................................................................................

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

oxides of nitrogen .....................................................................................................................

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

(c) Carbon dioxide is a gas.

(i) Carbon dioxide forms during the thermal decomposition of calcium carbonate.
Calcium oxide is the other product.

Write the word equation for this reaction in the boxes.

[1]

(ii) Calcium carbonate reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid to form carbon dioxide.

Suggest a value for the pH of dilute hydrochloric acid.

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

(d) Hydrogen chloride, HCl , is a covalent molecule.

Complete Fig. 5.2 to show the dot-and-cross diagram for a molecule of hydrogen chloride.
Show only the electrons in the outer shells.

H Cl

Fig. 5.2
[2]

[Total: 9]

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6 Fig. 6.1 shows the forces P, Q, R and S acting on a fishing boat at sea.

S Q

Fig. 6.1

(a) The boat in Fig. 6.1 is moving forward to the right at a constant speed.

(i) State which of the forces P, Q, R or S is moving the boat forward to the right.

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

(ii) State the name of the force labelled R.

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

(iii) Explain why force Q and force S must be equal and opposite.

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

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

(b) Fig. 6.2 shows a person catching a fish.

Fig. 6.2

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The fish exerts a force of 200 N on the fishing line as it tries to swim away. The person exerts
a force of 250 N on the fishing line to pull the fish into the boat.

Determine the resultant force on the fish and the direction of the force.

force = ........................................................... N

direction of the force .................................................................................................................

[1]

(c) Fig. 6.3 shows a speed–time graph of the motion of the fish when the constant resultant force
is applied.

1.5

1.0
speed
m/s

0.5

0
0 1.0 2.0
time / s

Fig. 6.3

(i) Describe the motion of the fish between t = 0 and t = 2.0 s.

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

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

(ii) Describe what happens to the motion of the fish at 2.0 s.

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

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

(d) The body temperature of the fish is 5 °C.

The fish is put into a bucket of ice at 0 °C.

(i) Describe the effect on the ice and the effect on the temperature of the fish.

effect on the ice .................................................................................................................

effect on the temperature of the fish ..................................................................................

[2]

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(ii) The mass of the bucket is 2300 g.

The volume of ice added to the bucket is 5000 cm3.

The total mass of the bucket and the ice is 6900 g.

Calculate the density of the ice.

density = .............................................. g / cm3 [3]

[Total: 11]

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7 (a) Fig. 7.1 shows part of the carbon cycle.

carbon dioxide
in the
atmosphere
process process
C A

process C
carbon in carbon in
animals plants

process
B

Fig. 7.1

(i) Identify process B shown in Fig. 7.1.

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

(ii) Complete the word equation for process A shown in Fig. 7.1.

carbon dioxide + .................................... .................................... + ....................................

[2]

(iii) The combustion of fossil fuels has an effect on the carbon cycle.

Tick (3) one box that describes an undesirable effect of combustion.

less carbon is available for animals

the rate of food production in plants decreases

the carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere increases

more carbon is available for plants

[1]

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(b) Fig. 7.2 shows some feeding relationships between plants and animals on the African
Savanna.

lion

African
wild dog

gazelle

zebra

tree

Fig. 7.2

(i) State the name of the type of diagram shown in Fig. 7.2.

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

(ii) Use Fig. 7.2 to identify one carnivore and one tertiary consumer.

carnivore ...........................................................................................................................

tertiary consumer ..............................................................................................................

[2]

(iii) Lions eat gazelles.

Draw one arrow on Fig. 7.2 to show this relationship. [1]

(c) Trees grow from seeds.

One environmental condition needed for the successful germination of seeds is a suitable
temperature.

State one other environmental condition needed for germination.

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

[Total: 9]

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8 Ethene is an example of an alkene.

All alkenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons.

(a) Describe what is meant by unsaturated and hydrocarbon.

unsaturated ...............................................................................................................................

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

hydrocarbon ...............................................................................................................................

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

(b) Ethene is a gas at room temperature and pressure.

Describe the arrangement and motion of particles in gases.

arrangement .............................................................................................................................

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

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

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

(c) Table 8.1 shows the melting point and boiling point of ethene.

Table 8.1

melting point / °C boiling point / °C

–169 –104

Predict the state of ethene at –190 °C.

Give a reason for your answer.

state ..........................................................................................................................................

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

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

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(d) The reaction between ethene and oxygen is exothermic.

The word equation for this reaction is shown.

ethene + oxygen carbon dioxide + water

State the type of chemical reaction shown in this equation.

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

(e) Poly(ethene) is formed from ethene.

Complete the sentence about this process.

Poly(ethene) is formed by the ............................................ polymerisation of

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

[Total: 8]

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9 Fig. 9.1 shows a spacecraft approaching the planet Venus.

Fig. 9.1

(a) The spacecraft detects visible light and infrared radiation coming from Venus.

(i) Complete the sentences using words from this list.

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

electromagnetic higher longer lower

radio shorter ultraviolet X–ray

Visible light and infrared radiation are regions of the ...............................................

spectrum.

The frequency of visible light is ............................................... than the

frequency of infrared radiation. [2]

(ii) Suggest why energy is not transferred by conduction or convection through space.

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

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

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(b) The spacecraft takes 120 days to travel from the Earth to Venus.

The distance travelled from the Earth to Venus is 6.9 × 1010 km.

(i) Calculate the average speed of the spacecraft in kilometres per hour (km / h).

speed = ................................................ km / h [3]

(ii) State the energy that the spacecraft has due to its motion.

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

[Total: 7]

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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 0653/32/F/M/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
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

0653/32/F/M/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.).