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Chemistry 9701/33 October/November 2025: question paper and mark scheme

Cambridge AS & A Level Chemistry (9701), Paper 3 Advanced Practical Skills 1, October/November 2025. Read both free below, or download them. Done the paper? Get it marked by AI against this mark scheme.

9701_w25_qp_339701_w25_ms_339701/33/O/N/25

Paper
Paper 3 Advanced Practical Skills 1
Total marks
40
Time
2 hours
Questions
3
Code on the paper
9701/33/O/N/25
9701_w25_ms_33.pdf

9701/33 mark scheme, question by question

Each question as it's printed, and the mark scheme's points for it, as text. Diagrams, tables and graphs are in the PDFs above.

Question 115 marks

Question

The thiosulfate ion, S2O32–, decomposes when an acid is added. S2O32–(aq) + 2H+(aq) S(s) + SO2(aq) + H2O(l) The rate of this reaction can be investigated by measuring how long it takes for the solid sulfur forming to obscure the print on the insert. You will investigate how the concentration of the thiosulfate ion affects the rate of the reaction. Note: A small amount of sulfur dioxide gas may be formed in the experiment. It is very important that you avoid inhaling any fumes. As soon as each experiment is complete, add the reaction mixture to the quenching bath and rinse the beaker thoroughly. FA 1 is 0.100 mol dm–3 sodium thiosulfate, Na2S2O3. FA 2 is 2.00 mol dm–3 hydrochloric acid, HCl. (a) Method Experiment 1 • Fill a burette with FA 1. • Run 40.00 cm3 of FA 1 into the 100 cm3 beaker. • Use the 25 cm3 measuring cylinder to measure 10.0 cm3 of FA 2. • Add the FA 2 to the FA 1 in the beaker and start timing immediately. • Stir the mixture once and place the beaker on the printed insert. • View the printing on the insert from above through the solution. • Stop timing when the print on the insert becomes obscured. • Record this reaction time to the nearest second in the space for results. • Empty the contents of the beaker into the quenching bath. • Rinse and dry the beaker so it is ready to use in Experiment 2. Experiment 2 • Refill the burette with FA 1. • Fill the second burette with distilled water. • Run 20.00 cm3 of FA 1 into the 100 cm3 beaker. • Run 20.00 cm3 of distilled water into the same beaker. • Use the 25 cm3 measuring cylinder to measure 10.0 cm3 of FA 2. • Add the FA 2 to the FA 1 in the beaker and start timing immediately. • Stir the mixture once and place the beaker on the printed insert. • View the printing on the insert from above through the solution. • Stop timing when the print on the insert becomes obscured. • Record this reaction time to the nearest second in the space for results. • Empty the contents of the beaker into the quenching bath. • Rinse and dry the beaker so it is ready to use in the next experiment. * 0000800000004 * DFD 4 Experiments 3–5 • Carry out three further experiments to investigate how using different volumes of FA 1 affects the reaction time. Note: the combined volumes of FA 1 and distilled water must always be 40.00 cm3. Do not use a volume of FA 1 that is less than 15.00 cm3. Record all your results in a table. You should include the volume of FA 1, the volume of distilled water, the reaction time and the reaction rate for each of your five experiments. The rate of reaction can be calculated using the following formula. 1000 rate = reaction time Results I II III IV V VI VII VIII [8] (b) (i) On the grid in Fig. 1.1, plot the rate (y-axis) against the volume of FA 1 (x-axis). Start each axis at the origin (0, 0). Ring any anomalous points. Draw a line of best fit. * 0000800000005 * DFD 5 Fig. 1.1 I II III [3] * 0000800000006 * DFD 6 (ii) Use your graph in Fig. 1.1 to determine the time it would take for the print to be obscured if 7.50 cm3 of FA 1, 32.50 cm3 of water and 10.0 cm3 of FA 2 had been used. Show clearly on the graph how you worked out your answer. time for printing to be obscured = …… s [2] (c) A student carries out the same method as given in (a) but using a different concentration of acid. The student’s calculated values for the rate are plotted on the grid in Fig. 1.2. rate vs volume of FA 1 60 50 40 rate 30 20 10 0 0.00 5.00 10.00 15.00 20.00 25.00 30.00 35.00 40.00 45.00 volume of FA 1 Fig. 1.2 State whether the student’s results show that the rate is directly proportional to the volume of FA 1 used. Explain your answer. …… [2] [Total: 15] * 0000800000007 * DFD 7 * 0000800000008 * DFD 8

Mark scheme

1(a) I Five experiments completed 1 AND Table to show Volume of FA 1, Volume of water, Time and Rate II Correct units for all data 1 Volume: / cm3 OR (cm3) OR in cm3 OR cm3 by each volume Time: / s OR (s) OR in s OR s by each time Rate: / s–1 OR (s–1) OR in s–1 OR s–1 by each rate III All times recorded to nearest second 1 AND Volumes of FA 1 and water both given 2 d.p. ending with 0 or 5 IV Three additional experiments with volume FA 1 ⩾ 15.00 cm3, < 40.00 cm3 and no volume closer than 5.00 cm3 to 1 another volume. AND Volumes of water chosen so that total volume = 40.00 cm3 for additional experiments. V Correctly calculates rate for all experiments and shown to 2 – 4 s.f. 1 VI Award if all times recorded increase with decreasing volume of FA 1. 1 Examiner corrects time for VFA1 = 40.00 cm3 and VFA1 = 20.00 cm3 to the nearest s then calculates t 20 / t 40 to 2 d.p. VII Award if candidate’s ratio is within the range 1.80 to 2.30. 1 VIII Award if candidate’s ratio is within the range 1.90 to 2.20. 1 1(b)(i) l Unambiguous labelled axes with rate on the y-axis and volume of FA 1 on the x-axis OR correct units 1 AND suitable linear scales starting at (0,0). II Points plotted correctly. 1 III Line of best fit drawn, straight line or smooth curve, that ignores anomalous results identified by the candidate. 1 1(b)(ii) M1 Correct line(s) drawn 2 AND Rate correctly read within half a small square. M2 1000 / rate AND correctly calculates answer to 2 – 4 s.f. 1(c) M1 Correct line of best fit 2 M2 (Rate and volume of FA 1 are) not directly proportional as the (straight) line / data / results does not / do not pass through the origin / (0,0) OR M1 unavailable for line of best fit through the origin. M2 (Rate and volume of FA 1 are) directly proportional as the (straight) line / data / results pass through the origin / (0,0)

Question 211 marks

Question

When hydrated sodium thiosulfate is dissolved in water the temperature of the liquid changes. You will carry out an experiment to determine the enthalpy change, ΔH, when one mole of hydrated sodium thiosulfate dissolves in water. FA 3 is hydrated sodium thiosulfate, Na2S2O3•5H2O. (a) Method • Support the cup in the 250 cm3 beaker. • Use the 50 cm3 measuring cylinder to transfer 30.0 cm3 of distilled water into the cup. • Measure the temperature of the water in the cup. Record this in the space for results. • Weigh the container with FA 3. Record the mass. • Tip all the FA 3 into the cup. • Stir the mixture until the minimum temperature is obtained. Record this temperature. • Weigh the container with any residual FA 3. Record the mass. • Calculate and record the mass of FA 3 added. • Calculate and record the temperature change. Results I II III IV [4] (b) Calculations (i) Calculate the amount, in mol, of hydrated sodium thiosulfate added. amount of Na2S2O3•5H2O = …… mol [1] (ii) Calculate the energy change, in J, in your experiment. energy change = …… J [1] * 0000800000009 * DFD 9 (iii) Calculate the enthalpy change, ΔH, in kJ mol−1, when 1.00 mol of hydrated sodium thiosulfate dissolves in water. Show your working. ΔH = …… …… kJ mol−1 sign value [1] (c) The value calculated in (b)(iii) can be used to determine the enthalpy change, ΔHr , for the following reaction. Na2S2O3(s) + 5H2O(l) Na2S2O3•5H2O(s) Outline the method of one further experiment you would need to carry out to obtain the data necessary to calculate the value of ΔHr . Show how you would use your results from this experiment and (b)(iii) to calculate ΔHr . Do not carry out your experiment. method …… calculation …… [4] [Total: 11] * 0000800000010 * DFD 10 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. If a solid is heated, a hard-glass test-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 6 correct unambiguous headings shown, with units, in list / table 1 • (mass of) container + FA 3 / solid / Na2S2O3•5H2O • (mass of) container (empty OR with residual FA 3) • (mass of) FA 3 / solid / Na2S2O3•5H2O OR mass used OR mass added • initial temperature / thermometer reading • lowest / minimum / final temperature / thermometer reading • temperature change / decrease Mass units: /g OR in g OR (g) OR g by every reading Temperature units: / °C OR in °C OR (°C) OR °C by every reading II All readings shown to appropriate precision 1 • all four balance / thermometer readings shown • both thermometer readings to .0 OR .5 • both weighings consistently to either 2 d.p. OR to 3 d.p. III Subtractions correctly calculated 1 • mass of solid correct AND temperature change correct IV ΔT is within 1.0 ºC of expected temperature change for the mass used 1 2(b)(i) Correctly calculates 1 amount of FA 3 = mass FA 3 in 2(a) / 248.2 mol AND answer given to 2–4 s.f. 2(b)(ii) Correctly calculates 1 energy change = 30 × 4.18 × ΔT J AND answer given to 2 – 4 sf 2(b)(iii) Correctly uses 1 (b)(ii) / (b)(i) × 1000 AND plus sign shown AND answer given to 2 – 4 sf 2(c) M1 repeating experiment with Na2S2O3 OR adding Na2S2O3 in water 4 M2 any two from: • known volume of water • known mass of solid • measuring the temperature change. M3 indicating that use of Hess’s law is needed M4 ΔHr = ΔH from their additional experiment – (b)(iii) FA 4 is acidified Fe2(SO4)3(aq); FA 5 is Al 2(SO4)3(aq); FA 6 is HCOOH(aq); FA 7 is CH3CH(OH)CH3(l)

Question 314 marks

Question

Half-fill the 250 cm3 beaker with water and place it on a tripod and gauze. Heat the water until boiling then switch off your Bunsen burner. This will be your hot water bath for use in (b)(i). Start (a)(i) while the water is heating. (a) FA 4 is an aqueous solution containing three ions. One ion is not listed in the Qualitative analysis notes. FA 5 is an aqueous solution containing two ions. The cation in FA 5 is listed in the Qualitative analysis notes. The anions in both FA 4 and FA 5 contain sulfur. (i) Carry out the following tests using a 1 cm depth of either FA 4 or FA 5 in a test-tube. Record your observations in Table 3.1. * 0000800000011 * DFD 11 Table 3.1 observations test FA 4 FA 5 Test 1 Add aqueous sodium hydroxide. Test 2 Add aqueous ammonia. Test 3 Add aqueous sodium carbonate. Test 4 Add aqueous barium chloride or aqueous barium nitrate. Test 5 Add acidified aqueous potassium manganate(VII). [5] (ii) From your observations in (a)(i), deduce the identities of the ions present in FA 4 and FA 5. Give the formula of each ion in Table 3.2. If you are unable to identify an ion write ‘unknown’. Table 3.2 ions present FA 4 FA 5 cations anions [3] * 0000800000012 * DFD 12 (b) (i) Both FA 6 and FA 7 are one of propan-1-ol, propan-2-ol, methanoic acid or ethanoic acid. You will carry out tests to investigate the identities of FA 6 and FA 7. For each test use a 1 cm depth of FA 6 or FA 7 in a test-tube. Record your observations in Table 3.3. Table 3.3 observations test FA 6 FA 7 Test 1 Add a few drops of acidified aqueous potassium manganate(VII), then place the test-tube in the hot water bath. Test 2 Add a 2 cm depth of aqueous iodine followed by drops of aqueous sodium hydroxide until the colour just disappears. If no reaction is visible, place the test-tube in the hot water bath. Test 3 Add aqueous sodium carbonate. [3] (ii) From your observations in (b)(i) deduce the identities of FA 6 and FA 7. Give reasons for your answers. FA 6 is …… reasons …… FA 7 is …… reasons …… [2] * 0000800000013 * DFD 13 (c) A student carrying out a similar set of tests identifies two unknown compounds to be ethanol and propanoic acid. Write an equation for the reaction between these two compounds. …… [1] [Total: 14] * 0000800000014 * DFD 14 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+ * 0000800000015 * DFD 15 3 Tests for gases gas test and test result ammonia, NH3 turns damp red litmus paper blue carbon dioxide, CO2 gives a white ppt. with limewater hydrogen, H2 ‘pops’ with a lighted splint oxygen, O2 relights a glowing splint 4 Tests for elements element test and test result iodine, I2 gives blue-black colour on addition of starch solution Important values, constants and standards molar gas constant R = 8.31 J K–1 mol–1 Faraday constant F = 9.65 × 104 C mol–1 Avogadro constant L = 6.02 × 1023 mol–1 electronic charge e = –1.60 × 10–19 C molar volume of gas Vm = 22.4 dm3 mol–1 at s.t.p. (101 kPa and 273 K) Vm = 24.0 dm3 mol–1 at room conditions ionic product of water Kw = 1.00 × 10–14 mol2 dm–6 (at 298 K (25 °C)) specific heat capacity of water c = 4.18 kJ kg–1 K–1 (4.18 J g–1 K–1) The Periodic Table of Elements Group 1 2 13 14 15 16 17 18 1 2 H He hydrogen helium Key 1.0 4.0 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 6.9 9.0 relative atomic mass 10.8 12.0 14.0 16.0 19.0 20.2 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Na Mg Al Si P S Cl Ar sodium magnesium aluminium silicon phosphorus sulfur chlorine argon 23.0 24.3 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 27.0 28.1 31.0 32.1 35.5 39.9 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 DFD 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 at www.cambridgeinternational.org after the live examination series. 39.1 40.1 45.0 47.9 50.9 52.0 54.9 55.8 58.9 58.7 63.5 65.4 69.7 72.6 74.9 79.0 79.9 83.8 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 85.5 87.6 88.9 91.2 92.9 95.9 – 101.1 102.9 106.4 107.9 112.4 114.8 118.7 121.8 127.6 126.9 131.3 16 55 56 57–71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 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 132.9 137.3 178.5 180.9 183.8 186.2 190.2 192.2 195.1 197.0 200.6 204.4 207.2 209.0 – – – 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 138.9 140.1 140.9 144.2 – 150.4 152.0 157.3 158.9 162.5 164.9 167.3 168.9 173.1 175.0 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 – 232.0 231.0 238.0 – – – – – – – – – – – Assessment International Education Copyright Acknowledgements Booklet. This is produced for each series of examinations and is freely available to download To avoid the issue of disclosure of answer-related information to candidates, all copyright acknowledgements are reproduced online in the Cambridge

Mark scheme

3(a)(i) 2 * = 1 mark (round down). Max 5 marks. 5 observations test FA 4 FA 5 1 red-brown / brown ppt white ppt * + NaOH(aq) AND soluble in excess * insoluble in excess * 2 red-brown / brown ppt white ppt + NH3(aq) AND AND insoluble in excess * insoluble in excess * 3 fizzing * white ppt * + Na2CO3(aq) gas gives white ppt with fizzing * limewater * gas gives white ppt with red-brown ppt * limewater (award if not awarded for FA 4) 4 white ppt AND white ppt * + BaCl 2(aq) / Ba(NO3)2(aq) 5 stays purple / no change AND stays purple / no change * + H+ / KMnO4(aq) 3(a)(ii) 3 ions FA 4 FA 5 cations Fe3+; H+ Al 3+ anions SO42− SO42− 5 ions correct = 3 marks 3 or 4 ions correct = 2 marks 2 ions correct = 1 mark 3(b)(i) 2 * = 1 mark (round down) 3 observations test FA 6 FA 7 1 (turns paler pink) (purple fades slightly) + H+ / KMnO4(aq) and warm decolourises / turns colourless / decolourises / turns colourless / turns (pale) yellow * turns (pale) yellow * 2 no change * ppt * that is (pale) yellow * + I2(aq) + NaOH (and warm) 3 fizzing * no change * + Na2CO3(aq) 3(b)(ii) M1 (FA 6 is) methanoic acid because it produces CO 2 / reacts with sodium carbonate 2 AND it can be oxidised / it reacts with KMnO4 M2 (FA 7 is) propan-2-ol as it gives a ppt in test 2 OR gives a positive tri-iodomethane/iodoform test OR has the −CH(OH)CH3 group 3(c) Correct equation 1 CH3CH2COOH + CH3CH2OH → CH3CH2COOCH2CH3 + H2O OR C2H5COOH + C2H5OH → C2H5COOC2H5 + H2O

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On this page, free: the mark scheme for AS & A Level Chemistry 9701/33, October/November 2025 (9701_w25_ms_33), and the question paper (9701_w25_qp_33), to read or download, with each question's marking points written out underneath.

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Chemistry 9701/33 for October/November 2025 is out of 40 marks, with 2 hours to answer it, across 3 questions.

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Yes. Upload your answers to 9701/33/O/N/25 as a PDF or photos, and CIE Buddy marks every question against this paper's official mark scheme, using Cambridge's marking rules. You get your score, each lost mark explained on your own script, and the topics to revise. It's a guide, not an official Cambridge grade.