Cambridge International AS & A Level

CHEMISTRY 9701/36
Paper 3 Advanced Practical Skills 2 October/November 2023
MARK SCHEME
Maximum Mark: 40

Published

This mark scheme is published as an aid to teachers and candidates, to indicate the requirements of the
examination. It shows the basis on which Examiners were instructed to award marks. It does not indicate the
details of the discussions that took place at an Examiners’ meeting before marking began, which would have
considered the acceptability of alternative answers.

Mark schemes should be read in conjunction with the question paper and the Principal Examiner Report for
Teachers.

Cambridge International will not enter into discussions about these mark schemes.

Cambridge International is publishing the mark schemes for the October/November 2023 series for most
Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International A and AS Level components, and some Cambridge O Level
components.

This document consists of 10 printed pages.

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9701/36 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme October/November 2023
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Generic Marking Principles

These general marking principles must be applied by all examiners when marking candidate answers. They should be applied alongside the
specific content of the mark scheme or generic level descriptors for a question. Each question paper and mark scheme will also comply with these
marking principles.

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 1:

Marks must be awarded in line with:

• the specific content of the mark scheme or the generic level descriptors for the question
• the specific skills defined in the mark scheme or in the generic level descriptors for the question
• the standard of response required by a candidate as exemplified by the standardisation scripts.

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 2:

Marks awarded are always whole marks (not half marks, or other fractions).

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 3:

Marks must be awarded positively:

• marks are awarded for correct/valid answers, as defined in the mark scheme. However, credit is given for valid answers which go beyond
the scope of the syllabus and mark scheme, referring to your Team Leader as appropriate
• marks are awarded when candidates clearly demonstrate what they know and can do
• marks are not deducted for errors
• marks are not deducted for omissions
• answers should only be judged on the quality of spelling, punctuation and grammar when these features are specifically assessed by the
question as indicated by the mark scheme. The meaning, however, should be unambiguous.

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 4:

Rules must be applied consistently, e.g. in situations where candidates have not followed instructions or in the application of generic level
descriptors.

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GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 5:

Marks should be awarded using the full range of marks defined in the mark scheme for the question (however; the use of the full mark range may
be limited according to the quality of the candidate responses seen).

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 6:

Marks awarded are based solely on the requirements as defined in the mark scheme. Marks should not be awarded with grade thresholds or
grade descriptors in mind.

Science-Specific Marking Principles

1 Examiners should consider the context and scientific use of any keywords when awarding marks. Although keywords may be present, marks
should not be awarded if the keywords are used incorrectly.

2 The examiner should not choose between contradictory statements given in the same question part, and credit should not be awarded for
any correct statement that is contradicted within the same question part. Wrong science that is irrelevant to the question should be ignored.

3 Although spellings do not have to be correct, spellings of syllabus terms must allow for clear and unambiguous separation from other
syllabus terms with which they may be confused (e.g. ethane / ethene, glucagon / glycogen, refraction / reflection).

4 The error carried forward (ecf) principle should be applied, where appropriate. If an incorrect answer is subsequently used in a scientifically
correct way, the candidate should be awarded these subsequent marking points. Further guidance will be included in the mark scheme
where necessary and any exceptions to this general principle will be noted.

5 ‘List rule’ guidance

For questions that require n responses (e.g. State two reasons …):

• The response should be read as continuous prose, even when numbered answer spaces are provided.
• Any response marked ignore in the mark scheme should not count towards n.
• Incorrect responses should not be awarded credit but will still count towards n.
• Read the entire response to check for any responses that contradict those that would otherwise be credited. Credit should not be
awarded for any responses that are contradicted within the rest of the response. Where two responses contradict one another, this
should be treated as a single incorrect response.
• Non-contradictory responses after the first n responses may be ignored even if they include incorrect science.

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6 Calculation specific guidance

Correct answers to calculations should be given full credit even if there is no working or incorrect working, unless the question states ‘show
your working’.

For questions in which the number of significant figures required is not stated, credit should be awarded for correct answers when rounded
by the examiner to the number of significant figures given in the mark scheme. This may not apply to measured values.

For answers given in standard form (e.g. a  10n) in which the convention of restricting the value of the coefficient (a) to a value between 1
and 10 is not followed, credit may still be awarded if the answer can be converted to the answer given in the mark scheme.

Unless a separate mark is given for a unit, a missing or incorrect unit will normally mean that the final calculation mark is not awarded.
Exceptions to this general principle will be noted in the mark scheme.

7 Guidance for chemical equations

Multiples / fractions of coefficients used in chemical equations are acceptable unless stated otherwise in the mark scheme.

State symbols given in an equation should be ignored unless asked for in the question or stated otherwise in the mark scheme.

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Question Answer Mark

1(a) I Unambiguous headings and units for four weighings (g), / g, in g or g next to each entry 3
• (Mass of) conical / flask + H2O2 / solution/FB 1 = W
• (Mass of) container + solid / catalyst / MnO2 / FB 2 = X
• (Mass of) container (empty / with residual MnO2) = Y
• (Mass of) conical / flask and contents (at end / after reaction / after 30 minutes) = Z

II Weighings and mass of FB 2 recorded.

• All weighings (minimum 3) recorded to same decimal places (either 2 dp or 3 dp)
• mass of FB 2, correctly calculated. (X – Y)

III: Accuracy (Q) mark in 1(a)

Award III if candidate’s mass loss (calculated to 2 dp) is within, or equal to, 25% of supervisor’s mass loss (calculated to 2
dp).
Mass loss = W + (X – Y) – Z

1(b)(i) Mass of oxygen correctly calculated 1

Mass loss = weighing 1 + mass of FB 2 added – weighing 4
= W + (X – Y) – Z
and
answer given to a minimum of 2 significant figures (sf)

1(b)(ii) Equation with state symbols 1

2H2O2(aq) → 2H2O(l) + O2(g)

1(b)(iii) Correctly uses (b)(i) to calculate [H2O2(aq)] in FB 1 2

M1: correct expression/answer for amount of O2 liberated:
n(O2) = (b)(i) / 32 mol (does not need to be evaluated)

M2: concentration of H2O2

and
answer given to 2–4 sf

[H2O2(aq)] = 40  2  answer to step 1

(final answer is approx = 2.5  (b)(i)) mol dm−3)

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Question Answer Mark

1(b)(iv) Correct use of (b)(iii) to calculate volume strength of H2O2 1

Volume strength = (b)(iii)  0.5  24.0 (= (b)(iii)  12) vol
and
answer given to 2–4 sf

1(c)(i) EITHER 1
(Continuing) effervescence shows that reaction is not complete.
OR
no (more) fizzing shows that reaction has finished / is complete.
or
mass of flask and contents is constant shows reaction is complete (owtte)

1(c)(ii) M1: Plug prevents escape of liquid droplets (owtte) 1

or plug stops solution / FB 1 fizzing out (owtte)
or plug traps aerosol formed

M2: Student is correct (must be stated explicitly) 1

and
provided that plug is pre-weighed

1(c)(iii) EITHER 1
Mass is same as listed in (a) (or value stated) and MnO2 is a catalyst
OR
MnO2 is a catalyst so its mass will not change (during the reaction)

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Question Answer Mark

2(a) I All the following data are recorded

• two burette readings and the titre for the rough titration
• initial and final burette readings for two (or more) accurate titrations

II Appropriate headings and units in the accurate titration table

and titre values recorded for accurate titrations
• initial / start and (burette) reading / volume
• final / end and (burette) reading / volume
• titre or volume / FB 3 and used / added
• unit: / cm3 or (cm3) or in cm3 (for each heading)
or cm3 unit given for each volume recorded

III All accurate burette readings are recorded to the nearest 0.05 cm3.
The requirement to record to 0.05 applies to burette readings, including 0.00 cm3 (if this was the initial reading), but it does
not apply to the titre.

IV: The final accurate titre recorded is within 0.10 cm3 of any other accurate titre.

For assessment of accuracy (Q) marks, the Examiner should round all burette readings to the nearest 0.05 cm3. Check
and correct subtractions for supervisor and candidates.
Then select the ‘best’ titres using the hierarchy:
• two (or more) accurate identical titres (ignoring any that are labelled ‘rough’), then
• two (or more) accurate titres within 0.05 cm3, then
• two (or more) accurate titres within 0.10 cm3, etc.
These best titres should be used to calculate the mean titre, expressed to nearest 0.01 cm3.
Calculate the difference (d) between the candidate’s mean titre and the supervisor’s mean titre.
Write and ring the supervisor’s value near each candidate’s table of results.
Write the value of d on each script.
Award the accuracy (Q) marks as shown below.

Award V if d ⩽ 0.80 (cm3) 7

Award VI if d ⩽ 0.50
Award VII if d ⩽ 0.30
Tolerance for low titres:
If supervisor’s titre is < 10.0 cm3, tolerances are 0.15, 0.25, 0.40 cm3.

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Question Answer Mark

2(b) Correctly calculates the mean titre. 1

• Candidate must take the average of two (or more) titres that are within a total spread of not more than 0.20 cm3.
• Working / explanation must be shown or ticks must be shown next to the two (or more) accurate readings selected.
• The mean should be quoted to 2 dp, and be rounded to nearest 0.01 cm3.
(e.g. 26.625 cm3 must be rounded to 26.63 cm3)
• Allow the mean expressed to 1 dp, if all accurate burette readings were given to 1 dp and the mean is exactly correct.
(e.g. 26.0 and 26.2 = 26.1 is allowed)
(e.g. 26.0 and 26.1 = 26.1 is wrong – should be 26.05)

2(c)(i) Answers to parts (c)(ii), (c)(iii) and (c)(iv) all quoted to 3 or 4 significant figures. 1

2(c)(ii) Correct calculation of amount of KMnO4 1

Amount of KMnO4 = vol in (b)  0.018 / 1000 mol

2(c)(iii) Correct use of (c)(ii) to calculate amount of H2O2. 1

Amount of H2O2 = 2.5  (c)(ii) mol

2(c)(iv) Correct use of (c)(iii) to calculate concn of H2O2 in FB 1. 1

[H2O2] = (c)(iii)  250 / 10  1000 / 25 = 1000  (c)(iii) mol dm−3

2(d)(i) Comparing accuracy of the two methods 1

Expt 2(a) is more accurate
and one reason (from the list below):
• Two (or more) consistent titres are obtained in 2(a)
• Mass loss in 1(a) is small, giving high(er) percentage error.
• The reaction in 2(a) has definite / sudden / sharp end / finish point
• The reaction in 1(a) is not complete (provided this agrees with answer 1(c)(i))

2(d)(ii) Errors compared 1

(Error in volume measured by burette =) 2  0.05 > 0.06

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Question Answer Mark

FB 6 is dilute HNO3; FB 8 is FeSO4(aq)

3(a)(i) Off-white / cream / yellow precipitate (formed) 1

3(a)(ii) Test for nitrogen anion 3

M1: Add (excess) NaOH + heat + aluminium
M2: Effervescence / gas / NH3 turns (red) litmus blue

Test to distinguish between nitrate and nitrite

M3: Add (a few drops of acidified) KMnO4 (manganate(VII) if name used)
and
purple colour remains / (KMnO4) is not decolourised

3(a)(iii) FB 6 is HNO3 (formula required) 1

3(b)(i) 11 Observations shown in the table 5

Test 1 (+ ammonia)
• green precipitate
• insoluble / no change in excess (ammonia)
• (precipitate / mixture) turns brown (on surface)

Test 2 (+ aq Ba2+ then HCl)

• (with Ba2+) white precipitate (not ‘off-white’: soluble in excess is a CON)
• (with acid) (ppt) is insoluble (in acid) or no change / no reaction

Test 3 (+ FB 1 then NaOH)

• (with H2O2) (solution) turns / turns yellow / light brown / pale brown
• Effervescence / bubbling (in either box)
• (Gas) relights glowing splint
• (with NaOH) red-brown / brown / rust precipitate
• Precipitate is insoluble / does not dissolve / no change in excess (NaOH)

Test 4 (KMnO4)
• (KMnO4) decolourised
or changes (from purple) to colourless / pale yellow

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Question Answer Mark

3(b)(ii) Ionic equation 2

M1: OH– is used in the equation
M2: Fe2+(aq) + 2OH–(aq) → Fe(OH)2(s)

3(b)(iii) EITHER 2
M1: Iron(II) oxidised to iron(III) / Fe2+ → Fe3+ + e– or H2O2 oxidises Fe2+
M2: (Brown) ppt is Fe(OH)3 / ppt (produced) is red-brown
OR
M1: H2O2 disproportionates or H2O2 is oxidised and reduced.
M2: Oxygen is produced
OR
M1: 2Fe2+(aq) + 2H+(aq) + H2O2(aq) → 2Fe3+(aq) + 2H2O(l)
M2: it is stated which species is oxidised / reduced

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