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Past papersCambridge 9701

9701 AS & A Level Chemistry: past papers

613 papers from 2008 to 2025, with 53 questions sorted by syllabus topic.

Chemical energetics Paper 4 · 4 questions

Lattice energy and Born–Haber cycles2
  1. 9701/42 · Oct/Nov 2024Question 214 marks

    Hydration enthalpies of Na⁺, Mg²⁺ and Al³⁺, an energy cycle for the lattice energy of MgCl₂, entropy, and ΔG for a dissolving salt.

  2. 9701/42 · May/June 2024Question 113 marks

    Solubility of Group 2 sulfates, what controls lattice energy, and a Born-Haber cycle for potassium sulfide.

Revise the lesson: Lattice energy and Born–Haber cycles
Entropy and Gibbs free energy3
  1. 9701/42 · May/June 2025Question 38 marks

    What entropy is, entropy changes at melting and boiling, and ΔG for reducing iron(III) oxide.

  2. 9701/42 · Oct/Nov 2024Question 214 marks

    Hydration enthalpies of Na⁺, Mg²⁺ and Al³⁺, an energy cycle for the lattice energy of MgCl₂, entropy, and ΔG for a dissolving salt.

  3. 9701/42 · May/June 2024Question 35 marks

    ΔG for burning carbon disulfide and the temperature at which a reaction stops being feasible.

Revise the lesson: Entropy and Gibbs free energy

Electrochemistry Paper 4 · 5 questions

Electrode potentials and cells5
  1. 9701/42 · May/June 2025Question 217 marks

    Reactions and colours of cobalt(II) complexes, d-orbital splitting in a tetrahedral complex, and using E⦵ values for hydrogen peroxide as oxidant and reductant.

  2. 9701/42 · Oct/Nov 2024Question 114 marks

    First-order kinetics and half-life, how transition metals catalyse (Haber process, catalytic converters, NO₂ with SO₂), and predicting reactions from E⦵ values.

  3. 9701/42 · May/June 2024Question 29 marks

    Decomposition of Group 1 nitrates, a manganate(VII) back-titration, and E⦵ values for the disproportionation of manganate(VI).

  4. 9701/42 · May/June 2024Question 613 marks

    Conjugate pairs and pKa, preparing an ethanoate buffer and its pH, and a fuel cell.

  5. 9701/42 · Oct/Nov 2023Question 318 marks

    Vanadium and iron electrode potentials, predicting reactions, cell potentials, and finding the Avogadro constant by electrolysis.

Revise the lesson: Electrode potentials and cells
Electrolysis calculations1
  1. 9701/42 · Oct/Nov 2023Question 318 marks

    Vanadium and iron electrode potentials, predicting reactions, cell potentials, and finding the Avogadro constant by electrolysis.

Revise the lesson: Electrolysis calculations

Equilibria Paper 4 · 6 questions

pH, Ka and buffers5
  1. 9701/42 · May/June 2025Question 18 marks

    Thermal decomposition of Group 2 nitrates and the pH of a strontium hydroxide solution.

  2. 9701/42 · May/June 2025Question 512 marks

    Conjugate acid-base pairs, Ka calculations for a weak acid, and buffers.

  3. 9701/42 · Oct/Nov 2024Question 319 marks

    pH and Ksp of calcium hydroxide, the common ion effect, solubility of Group 2 sulfates, conjugate pairs and the pH of an ethanoate buffer.

  4. 9701/42 · May/June 2024Question 613 marks

    Conjugate pairs and pKa, preparing an ethanoate buffer and its pH, and a fuel cell.

  5. 9701/42 · Oct/Nov 2023Question 211 marks

    A benzoic acid and sodium benzoate buffer: pH and concentrations, and the Ksp and solubility of magnesium benzoate.

Revise the lesson: pH, Ka and buffers
Kp, Ksp and partition3
  1. 9701/42 · Oct/Nov 2024Question 319 marks

    pH and Ksp of calcium hydroxide, the common ion effect, solubility of Group 2 sulfates, conjugate pairs and the pH of an ethanoate buffer.

  2. 9701/42 · Oct/Nov 2023Question 211 marks

    A benzoic acid and sodium benzoate buffer: pH and concentrations, and the Ksp and solubility of magnesium benzoate.

  3. 9701/42 · Oct/Nov 2023Question 56 marks

    Thermal decomposition of Group 2 ethanedioates, and a manganate(VII) titration to find solubility.

Revise the lesson: Kp, Ksp and partition

Reaction kinetics Paper 4 · 4 questions

Rate equations and orders4
  1. 9701/42 · May/June 2025Question 410 marks

    Orders of reaction, rate-determining steps and mechanisms, and finding a rate constant from a rate graph.

  2. 9701/42 · Oct/Nov 2024Question 114 marks

    First-order kinetics and half-life, how transition metals catalyse (Haber process, catalytic converters, NO₂ with SO₂), and predicting reactions from E⦵ values.

  3. 9701/42 · May/June 2024Question 59 marks

    Finding a rate equation and rate constant from initial-rate data, and the mechanism of ozone breakdown.

  4. 9701/42 · Oct/Nov 2023Question 110 marks

    Iodination of propanone: orders from the rate equation, a zero-order graph, and a suggested four-step mechanism.

Revise the lesson: Rate equations and orders

Group 2 Paper 4 · 4 questions

Group 2: thermal stability and solubility4
  1. 9701/42 · May/June 2025Question 18 marks

    Thermal decomposition of Group 2 nitrates and the pH of a strontium hydroxide solution.

  2. 9701/42 · Oct/Nov 2024Question 319 marks

    pH and Ksp of calcium hydroxide, the common ion effect, solubility of Group 2 sulfates, conjugate pairs and the pH of an ethanoate buffer.

  3. 9701/42 · May/June 2024Question 113 marks

    Solubility of Group 2 sulfates, what controls lattice energy, and a Born-Haber cycle for potassium sulfide.

  4. 9701/42 · Oct/Nov 2023Question 56 marks

    Thermal decomposition of Group 2 ethanedioates, and a manganate(VII) titration to find solubility.

Revise the lesson: Group 2: thermal stability and solubility

Chemistry of transition elements Paper 4 · 8 questions

Transition element properties5
  1. 9701/42 · Oct/Nov 2024Question 114 marks

    First-order kinetics and half-life, how transition metals catalyse (Haber process, catalytic converters, NO₂ with SO₂), and predicting reactions from E⦵ values.

  2. 9701/42 · Oct/Nov 2024Question 412 marks

    Cobalt aqua ions with hydroxide, a complex with a tridentate ligand and d-orbital splitting, and a manganate(VII) titration to find a formula.

  3. 9701/42 · May/June 2024Question 29 marks

    Decomposition of Group 1 nitrates, a manganate(VII) back-titration, and E⦵ values for the disproportionation of manganate(VI).

  4. 9701/42 · May/June 2024Question 414 marks

    Variable oxidation states, the shape of a d orbital, copper(II) complexes with ligands, why [Ag(NH₃)₂]⁺ is colourless, and stereoisomers of a ruthenium complex.

  5. 9701/42 · Oct/Nov 2023Question 610 marks

    Monodentate ligands, why transition elements form complexes, and geometry and isomerism of rhodium, gold and nickel complexes.

Revise the lesson: Transition element properties
Complex ions, ligands and colour6
  1. 9701/42 · May/June 2025Question 217 marks

    Reactions and colours of cobalt(II) complexes, d-orbital splitting in a tetrahedral complex, and using E⦵ values for hydrogen peroxide as oxidant and reductant.

  2. 9701/42 · Oct/Nov 2024Question 412 marks

    Cobalt aqua ions with hydroxide, a complex with a tridentate ligand and d-orbital splitting, and a manganate(VII) titration to find a formula.

  3. 9701/42 · Oct/Nov 2024Question 56 marks

    Stability constants of nickel complexes with ammonia and 1,2-diaminoethane, and the chelate effect.

  4. 9701/42 · May/June 2024Question 414 marks

    Variable oxidation states, the shape of a d orbital, copper(II) complexes with ligands, why [Ag(NH₃)₂]⁺ is colourless, and stereoisomers of a ruthenium complex.

  5. 9701/42 · Oct/Nov 2023Question 48 marks

    EDTA as a polydentate ligand, stability constants, and colours of copper complexes.

  6. 9701/42 · Oct/Nov 2023Question 610 marks

    Monodentate ligands, why transition elements form complexes, and geometry and isomerism of rhodium, gold and nickel complexes.

Revise the lesson: Complex ions, ligands and colour
Reactions of aqua ions3
  1. 9701/42 · May/June 2025Question 217 marks

    Reactions and colours of cobalt(II) complexes, d-orbital splitting in a tetrahedral complex, and using E⦵ values for hydrogen peroxide as oxidant and reductant.

  2. 9701/42 · Oct/Nov 2024Question 412 marks

    Cobalt aqua ions with hydroxide, a complex with a tridentate ligand and d-orbital splitting, and a manganate(VII) titration to find a formula.

  3. 9701/42 · May/June 2024Question 414 marks

    Variable oxidation states, the shape of a d orbital, copper(II) complexes with ligands, why [Ag(NH₃)₂]⁺ is colourless, and stereoisomers of a ruthenium complex.

Revise the lesson: Reactions of aqua ions

An introduction to A Level organic chemistry Paper 4 · 2 questions

Optical isomerism and chirality2
  1. 9701/42 · May/June 2025Question 711 marks

    Enantiomers of an amine, basicity of amines, forming amides, and addition vs condensation polymers.

  2. 9701/42 · Oct/Nov 2024Question 812 marks

    Optical isomers of serine, racemic mixtures, and proton and carbon-13 NMR of amino acids.

Revise the lesson: Optical isomerism and chirality

Hydrocarbons Paper 4 · 4 questions

Benzene and electrophilic substitution4
  1. 9701/42 · May/June 2025Question 619 marks

    Nitration of methylbenzene, why phenol reacts more easily, reactions of 2-nitrophenol, relative acidities, and functional groups in a drug.

  2. 9701/42 · Oct/Nov 2024Question 711 marks

    Chlorination of benzene: the catalyst and the electrophilic substitution mechanism.

  3. 9701/42 · May/June 2024Question 79 marks

    Synthesis of methyl red: nitration and directing effects, reducing a nitro group, diazotisation and coupling.

  4. 9701/42 · Oct/Nov 2023Question 711 marks

    Making benzoic acid from benzene, carbon-13 NMR of methylbenzene, and reactions of benzoic acid.

Revise the lesson: Benzene and electrophilic substitution

Hydroxy compounds Paper 4 · 1 question

Phenol1
  1. 9701/42 · May/June 2025Question 619 marks

    Nitration of methylbenzene, why phenol reacts more easily, reactions of 2-nitrophenol, relative acidities, and functional groups in a drug.

Revise the lesson: Phenol

Carboxylic acids and derivatives Paper 4 · 4 questions

Acyl chlorides and acylation4
  1. 9701/42 · Oct/Nov 2024Question 612 marks

    Reactions of ethanedioic acid (acyl chloride formation, oxidation, acidity) and making a polyester from benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid.

  2. 9701/42 · May/June 2024Question 912 marks

    Acidity of chlorinated acids, acyl chlorides from thionyl chloride, a polyester, and identifying a compound from tests and proton NMR.

  3. 9701/42 · Oct/Nov 2023Question 711 marks

    Making benzoic acid from benzene, carbon-13 NMR of methylbenzene, and reactions of benzoic acid.

  4. 9701/42 · Oct/Nov 2023Question 914 marks

    Making diethylamine, relative basicity of amines, azo dyes, and amide formation with ethanoyl chloride.

Revise the lesson: Acyl chlorides and acylation

Nitrogen compounds Paper 4 · 7 questions

Phenylamine, amides and azo dyes5
  1. 9701/42 · May/June 2025Question 619 marks

    Nitration of methylbenzene, why phenol reacts more easily, reactions of 2-nitrophenol, relative acidities, and functional groups in a drug.

  2. 9701/42 · May/June 2025Question 711 marks

    Enantiomers of an amine, basicity of amines, forming amides, and addition vs condensation polymers.

  3. 9701/42 · May/June 2024Question 79 marks

    Synthesis of methyl red: nitration and directing effects, reducing a nitro group, diazotisation and coupling.

  4. 9701/42 · May/June 2024Question 816 marks

    Basicity of phenylamine, benzylamine and ammonia, bromination, amides, isoelectric points and electrophoresis of amino acids.

  5. 9701/42 · Oct/Nov 2023Question 914 marks

    Making diethylamine, relative basicity of amines, azo dyes, and amide formation with ethanoyl chloride.

Revise the lesson: Phenylamine, amides and azo dyes
Amino acids, peptides and DNA3
  1. 9701/42 · May/June 2025Question 99 marks

    A dipeptide from serine and lysine, isoelectric points and separating amino acids by electrophoresis.

  2. 9701/42 · Oct/Nov 2024Question 812 marks

    Optical isomers of serine, racemic mixtures, and proton and carbon-13 NMR of amino acids.

  3. 9701/42 · May/June 2024Question 816 marks

    Basicity of phenylamine, benzylamine and ammonia, bromination, amides, isoelectric points and electrophoresis of amino acids.

Revise the lesson: Amino acids, peptides and DNA

Polymerisation Paper 4 · 4 questions

Condensation polymers4
  1. 9701/42 · May/June 2025Question 711 marks

    Enantiomers of an amine, basicity of amines, forming amides, and addition vs condensation polymers.

  2. 9701/42 · Oct/Nov 2024Question 612 marks

    Reactions of ethanedioic acid (acyl chloride formation, oxidation, acidity) and making a polyester from benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid.

  3. 9701/42 · May/June 2024Question 912 marks

    Acidity of chlorinated acids, acyl chlorides from thionyl chloride, a polyester, and identifying a compound from tests and proton NMR.

  4. 9701/42 · Oct/Nov 2023Question 812 marks

    Polylactic acid as a condensation polymer, proton NMR of lactic acid, and gas-liquid chromatography.

Revise the lesson: Condensation polymers

Organic synthesis Paper 4 · 2 questions

Multi-step synthesis2
  1. 9701/42 · Oct/Nov 2024Question 612 marks

    Reactions of ethanedioic acid (acyl chloride formation, oxidation, acidity) and making a polyester from benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid.

  2. 9701/42 · May/June 2024Question 79 marks

    Synthesis of methyl red: nitration and directing effects, reducing a nitro group, diazotisation and coupling.

Revise the lesson: Multi-step synthesis

Analytical techniques Paper 4 · 5 questions

NMR spectroscopy5
  1. 9701/42 · May/June 2025Question 86 marks

    Carbon-13 and proton NMR of an ester: reference, solvent, number of peaks and splitting.

  2. 9701/42 · Oct/Nov 2024Question 812 marks

    Optical isomers of serine, racemic mixtures, and proton and carbon-13 NMR of amino acids.

  3. 9701/42 · May/June 2024Question 912 marks

    Acidity of chlorinated acids, acyl chlorides from thionyl chloride, a polyester, and identifying a compound from tests and proton NMR.

  4. 9701/42 · Oct/Nov 2023Question 711 marks

    Making benzoic acid from benzene, carbon-13 NMR of methylbenzene, and reactions of benzoic acid.

  5. 9701/42 · Oct/Nov 2023Question 812 marks

    Polylactic acid as a condensation polymer, proton NMR of lactic acid, and gas-liquid chromatography.

Revise the lesson: NMR spectroscopy
Chromatography techniques1
  1. 9701/42 · Oct/Nov 2023Question 812 marks

    Polylactic acid as a condensation polymer, proton NMR of lactic acid, and gas-liquid chromatography.

Revise the lesson: Chromatography techniques