Cambridge A Level Chemistry 9701 — 2022 Feb/March Paper 3 · Variant 3
9701/33/F/M/22 · 3 questions · 40 marks · ≈45 min
The question paper and its mark scheme, free to read here and free to download. This is Cambridge’s own paper, exactly as it was sat.
Question paper12 pages












Mark scheme11 pages
Answers below. Sit the paper first if you are practising.











Questions as text
Q1 · You will determine the concentration of sulfuric acid by reaction with a known…
1 You will determine the concentration of sulfuric acid by reaction with a known concentration of sodium hydroxide using a thermometric method. The equation for the reaction is shown. 2NaOH(aq) + H2SO4(aq) → Na2SO4(aq) + 2H2O(l) FA 1 is 1.90 mol dm–3 sodium hydroxide, NaOH. FA 2 is dilute sulfuric acid, H2SO4. (a) Method ● Place the cup in the 250 cm3 beaker. ● Use the 25 cm3 measuring cylinder to transfer 25.0 cm3 of FA 1 into the cup. ● Place the thermometer into the solution in the cup and record its temperature in the table of results. ● Fill a burette with FA 2. ● Run 5.00 cm3 of FA 2 into the solution in the cup. ● Stir the mixture and record the highest temperature reached. ● Repeat adding 5.00 cm3 volumes of FA 2 into the solution in the cup until 45.00 cm3 has been added. Record the highest temperature reached after each addition. Results volume of FA 2 added / cm3 0.00 5.00 10.00 15.00 20.00 temperature of solution / °C volume of FA 2 added / cm3 25.00 30.00 35.00 40.00 45.00 temperature of solution / °C [3] (b) (i) Plot a graph of temperature (y-axis) against volume of acid added (x-axis) on the grid provided. Select a scale on the y-axis to include a temperature 4.0 °C above the highest temperature you recorded. Label any points you consider to be anomalous. Draw two lines of best fit, one for the rise in temperature and one for after the maximum temperature has been reached. Extrapolate the two lines so they intersect. [4] volu . (iii) Calculate the concentration of sulfuric acid in FA 2. concentration of H2SO4 = .............................. mol dm–3 [1] (c) A student carrying out the same procedure used the results from their graph to determine the enthalpy of neutralisation for the reaction. H+(aq) + OH–(aq) → H2O(l) (i) State how the student used their graph to determine the value of ∆T for use in the equation q = mc∆T. ............................................................................................................................................. ....................................................................................................................................... [1] (ii) The student correctly calculated the value of ∆H for the reaction as ∆H = –55.2 kJ mol–1. The theoretical value for given in the student’s textbook is –57.6 kJ mol–1. Calculate the percentage error in the student’s result compared with the theoretical value. percentage error = .............................. % [1] (iii) Suggest why the student’s result was less negative than the theoretical value. Explain your answer. ............................................................................................................................................. ....................................................................................................................................... [1] [Total: 12]
Mark scheme: 1(a) 10 thermometer readings recorded, all to .0 or .5 ºC AND at least one reading at .0 and one at .5 1 Examiner calculates supervisor’s greatest ΔT (= Tmax – Tinitial) and writes it ringed on each candidate script. Examiner calculates candidate’s ΔT at the same volume then calculates the difference, δ, from the supervisor value. 2 Award 2 marks if δ ⩽ 1.5 °C for ΔT 10.5–15.0 Award 1 mark if 1.5 °C < δ ⩽ 2.0 °C ΔT 10.5–15.0 1(b)(i) Temperature on y-axis and volume of FA 2 on the x-axis AND some numbers for scales AND with unambiguous names or units 1 Linear scales chosen so that the graph occupies more than half the available length for both axes 1 All points recorded accurately plotted 1 Two lines of best fit drawn and extrapolated AND Lines must give a sharp intersection at a temperature equal to or higher than the highest recorded temperature 1 1(b)(ii) Correct volume from intersection to 1 or 2 dp 1 1(b)(iii) Correct expression with answer to 2 – 4 sf Concentration = 25 1.9 2 × × (b)(ii) 1 1(c)(i) ΔT = T at intercept – initial T from table OR ΔT = T at intercept – T at intersect on y-axis 1 Question Answer Marks 1(c)(ii) Correctly calculates % error = 4.167, 4.17 or 4.2% 1 1(c)(iii) One of: • temperature started dropping between additions (of acid)/ heat loss so ΔT low(er) (than it should be) • maximum temperature at intersection is lower (than it should be) as insufficient readings near end point • alkali volume less than 25 cm3 as measuring cylinder used. 1
More questions on Reacting masses and volumes (of solutions and gases)
Q2 · Solid sodium sulfite is often provided as the hydrated salt, Na2SO3•xH2O, where x is an…
2 Solid sodium sulfite is often provided as the hydrated salt, Na2SO3•xH2O, where x is an integer. You will determine x by using a solution of this sodium sulfite and reacting it with an excess of aqueous iodine. Na2SO3(aq) + I2(aq) + H2O(l) → Na2SO4(aq) + 2I–(aq) + 2H+(aq) The amount of iodine remaining will be determined by titration using a known concentration of sodium thiosulfate, Na2S2O3. I2(aq) + 2S2O32–(aq) → 2I–(aq) + S4O62–(aq) FA 3 is a solution containing 31.50 g dm–3 of hydrated sodium sulfite, Na2SO3•xH2O. FA 4 is 0.100 mol dm–3 iodine, I2. FA 5 is 0.100 mol dm–3 sodium thiosulfate, Na2S2O3. FA 6 is starch indicator. (a) Method ● Pipette 10.0 cm3 of FA 3 into a conical flask. ● Pipette 25.0 cm3 of FA 4 into the same flask. ● Swirl the flask to mix the contents. ● Fill the second burette with FA 5. ● Add FA 5 to the flask until the mixture is yellow. ● Add approximately 10 drops of FA 6. ● Complete the rough titration by adding FA 5 until the mixture is colourless. ● Record your burette readings in the space below. The rough titre is .............................. cm3. ● Carry out as many accurate titrations as you think necessary to obtain consistent results. ● Make sure any recorded results show the precision of your practical work. ● Record, in a suitable form below, all of your burette readings and the volume of FA 5 added in each accurate titration. I II III IV V VI VII [7] (b) From your accurate titration results, calculate a suitable mean value to use in your calculations. Show clearly how you obtain the mean value. 10.0 cm3 of FA 3 plus 25.0 cm3 of FA 4 required .............................. cm3 of FA 5. [1] (c) Calculations (i) ive your answers to (c)(ii), (iii) and (iv) to an appropriate number of significant figures. [1] (ii) Use your answer to (b) to calculate the amount, in mol, of sodium thiosulfate, FA 5, required to react with the excess iodine which remained in the conical flask. amount of Na2S2O3 = .............................. mol Hence calculate the amount, in mol, of iodine, FA 4, remaining in the conical flask. amount of I2 remaining = .............................. mol [1] (iii) Calculate the amount, in mol, of iodine, FA 4, added to the conical flask. amount of I2 added = .............................. mol Hence calculate the amount, in mol, of iodine that reacted with the 10.0 cm3 of sodium sulfite, FA 3. amount of I2 that reacted with Na2SO3 = .............................. mol [1] (iv) Use your final answer to (c)(iii) and the information on page 5 to calculate the amount, in mol, of sodium sulfite present in 1.00 dm3 of FA 3. amount of Na2SO3 in 1.00 dm3 = .............................. mol [1] (v) Use your answer to (c)(iv) to calculate the value of x in Na2SO3•xH2O. x = .............................. [2] (d) A student suggests that sodium carbonate should be added to each mixture of sodium sulfite and iodine in the conical flask before titrating with sodium thiosulfate. State whether you agree with the student. Explain your answer. .................................................................................................................................................... .............................................................................................................................................. [1] [Total: 15] Qualitative analysis For each test you should record all your observations in the spaces provided. Examples of observations include: ● colour changes seen ● the formation of any precipitate and its solubility (where appropriate) in an excess of the reagent added ● the formation of any gas and its identification (where appropriate) by a suitable test. You should record clearly at what stage in a test an observation is made. Where no change is observed you should write ‘no change’. Where reagents are selected for use in a test, the name or correct formula of the element or compound must be given. If any solution is warmed, a boiling tube must be used. Rinse and reuse test-tubes and boiling tubes where possible. No additional tests should be attempted.
Mark scheme: 2(a) I The following data must be shown: • burette readings and titre for rough titration • 2 × 2 ‘box’ showing both accurate burette readings. 1 II Headings and units correct for accurate titration table and headings match readings. • initial / start AND (burette) reading / volume + unit • final / end AND (burette) reading / volume + unit • titre OR volume / FA 4 AND used / added + unit 1 III All accurate burette readings given to the nearest 0.05 1 IV The final accurate titre recorded is within 0.10 cm3 of any other accurate titre. 1 Accuracy marks Check and correct titre subtractions where necessary. Exclude any titre from the calculation for the mean where final burette reading is greater than 50(.00). Examiner selects the best titres for calculating the mean, using the hierarchy: 2 identical titres, titres within 0.05 cm3, titres within 0.10 cm3 etc. Examiner subtracts (corrected) candidate’s titre from Supervisor’s titre. Write and ring Supervisor’s value next to the accurate titration table of each candidate, also candidate mean value (calculated by examiner) and δ. Award V if δ ⩽ 0.50 cm3 Award VI if δ ⩽ 0.30 cm3 Award VII if δ ⩽ 0.20 cm3 3 2(b) Candidate must average two (or more) titres that are all within 0.20 cm3 AND give the answer to 2 dp. AND working must be shown or ticks must be put next to the two (or more) accurate titres selected. 1 2(c)(i) All final answers for (c)(ii), (c)(iii), (c)(iv) are to 3–4 sf 1 Question Answer Marks 2(c)(ii) Correctly calculates amount of (n) Na2S2O3 = 0.1 × (b) / 1000 mol AND n(I2) = ans / 2 1 2(c)(iii) Correctly calculates initial amount of (n) I2 = 2.5(0) × 10−3 mol AND n(I2) that reacted = 2.5(0) × 10−3 – final answer to (ii) 1 2(c)(iv) Correctly uses amount of (n) Na2SO3 = final answer to (iii) × 100 mol 1 2(c)(v) M1 Correctly uses Mr Na2SO3•xH2O = 31.5(0) / (c)(iv) AND Mr Na2SO3 = 126.1 1 M2 n(H2O) = (answer above – 126.1)/18 AND answer is a (correctly rounded) integer OR M1 mass(Na2SO3) = (c)(iv) × 126.1 AND mass(H2O) = 31.5(0) – answer above M2 n(H2O) = mass above / 18 AND x = n(H2O) / n(Na2SO3) AND answer is a (correctly rounded) integer 1 Question Answer Marks 2(d) agree: Na2CO3 would neutralise acid (formed in reaction between sulfite and iodine which would react with the thiosulfate) / some thio would (otherwise) react with the acid (formed) OR disagree: (no advantage) as the reaction of thio with acid is slow OR disagree: (no advantage) as Na2CO3 will react with iodine (so less to react with thio) 1
More questions on Reacting masses and volumes (of solutions and gases)
Q3 · FA 7 and FA 8 are solutions containing a total of three cations and two anions
3 FA 7 and FA 8 are solutions containing a total of three cations and two anions. Two of the cations and both of the anions are listed in the Qualitative analysis notes. (a) (i) Carry out the following tests and record your observations. Use a fresh 1 cm depth of solution in a test-tube for each test. observations test FA 7 FA 8 Test 1 Add a 1 cm depth of dilute nitric or hydrochloric acid and allow to stand for 2 minutes, then add a few drops of aqueous barium nitrate or aqueous barium chloride. Test 2 Add a few drops of acidified aqueous potassium manganate(VII). Test 3 Add a few drops of aqueous iron(III) chloride and allow to stand for 1 minute. [4] (ii) From your test results, give the formulae of the anions present in FA 7 and FA 8. If the tests do not allow you to positively identify an anion, write ‘unknown’. anion in FA 7 = .............................. anion in FA 8 = .............................. [2] (b) (i) Select reagents for tests to identify as many of the cations as possible in FA 7 and FA 8. Carry out your tests and record your reagents, conditions and observations. [4] (ii) From your test results, give the formulae of as many cations as possible in FA 7 and FA 8. If the tests do not allow you to positively identify a cation, write ‘unknown’. FA 7 contains .............................. . FA 8 contains .............................. . [2] (iii) Write an ionic equation for one reaction you observed in (b)(i). Include state symbols. ....................................................................................................................................... [1] [Total: 13] Qualitative analysis notes 1 Reactions of cations cation reaction with NaOH(aq) NH3(aq) aluminium, Al 3+(aq) white ppt. soluble in excess white ppt. insoluble in excess ammonium, NH4+(aq) no ppt. – ammonia produced on warming barium, Ba2+(aq) faint white ppt. is observed unless no ppt. [Ba2+(aq)] is very low calcium, Ca2+(aq) white ppt. unless [Ca2+(aq)] is very no ppt. low chromium(III), Cr3+(aq) grey-green ppt. soluble in excess grey-green ppt. insoluble in excess giving dark green solution copper(II), Cu2+(aq) pale blue ppt. insoluble in excess pale blue ppt. soluble in excess giving dark blue solution iron(II), Fe2+(aq) green ppt. turning brown on green ppt. turning brown on contact with air contact with air insoluble in excess insoluble in excess iron(III), Fe3+(aq) red-brown ppt. insoluble in excess red-brown ppt. insoluble in excess magnesium, Mg2+(aq) white ppt. insoluble in excess white ppt. insoluble in excess manganese(II), Mn2+(aq) off-white ppt. rapidly turning brown off-white ppt. rapidly turning brown on contact with air on contact with air insoluble in excess insoluble in excess zinc, Zn2+(aq) white ppt. soluble in excess white ppt. soluble in excess 2 Reactions of anions anion reaction carbonate, CO32– CO2 liberated by dilute acids chloride, Cl –(aq) gives white ppt. with Ag+(aq) (soluble in NH3(aq)) bromide, Br –(aq) gives cream / off-white ppt. with Ag+(aq) (partially soluble in NH3(aq)) iodide, I–(aq) gives pale yellow ppt. with Ag+(aq) (insoluble in NH3(aq)) nitrate, NO3–(aq) NH3 liberated on heating with OH–(aq) and Al foil nitrite, NO2–(aq) NH3 liberated on heating with OH–(aq) and Al foil; decolourises acidified aqueous KMnO4 sulfate, SO42–(aq) gives white ppt. with Ba2+(aq) (insoluble in excess dilute strong acids); gives white ppt. with high [Ca2+(aq)] sulfite, SO32–(aq) gives white ppt. with Ba2+(aq) (soluble in excess dilute strong acids); decolourises acidified aqueous KMnO4 thiosulfate, S2O32–(aq) gives off-white / pale yellow ppt. slowly with H+
Mark scheme: 3(a)(i) FA 7 FA 8 Test 1 + H+ (slow formation of) white / off-white / cream / pale yellow ppt * no change / no (visible) reaction / no ppt* + Ba2+ no change (provided ppt reported with H+) / ppt remains / insoluble * white ppt * Test 2 + MnO4− purple to colourless / KMnO4 decolourises* no change / no (visible) reaction / stays purple * Not ‘no ppt’ alone Test 3 + FeCl3 purple colour fades / turns colourless (on standing) * no change / no (visible) reaction / solution stays yellow * 2 x * = 1 mark 4 Question Answer Marks 3(a)(ii) FA 7 = S2O32− 1 FA 8 = SO42− 1 3(b)(i) selects NaOH and NH3 AND uses both NaOH and NH3 to excess / warms at least one NaOH mixtures 1 FA 7 FA 8 + NaOH no change / no (visible) reaction / no ppt * white ppt * soluble in excess * + warm no change to (red) litmus / * ignore no reaction ignore bubbling gas / NH3 turns (red) litmus blue * + NH3 Ignore white ppt * insoluble in excess * 2 x * = 1 mark (round down) 3 3(b)(ii) M1 FA 8 = Al3+ from fully correct observations OR FA 8 = NH4+ from litmus turning blue M2 FA 7 is unknown and both ions in FA 8 correct 2 Question Answer Marks 3(b)(iii) One of: Al3+(aq) + 3OH−(aq) → Al(OH)3(s) Al(OH)3(s) + OH−(aq) → [Al(OH)4]−(aq) NH4+(aq) + OH−(aq) → NH3(g) + H2O(l) Allow ecf from (b)(ii) on incorrect cations 1
What was in this paper
The subtopics covered by these 3 questions, and how many questions each got. Open one in a new tab to see every Cambridge question on it.
What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2022 Feb/March, Paper 3 · Variant 3. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.