UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL EXAMINATIONS

GCE Advanced Subsidiary Level and GCE Advanced Level

MARK SCHEME for the May/June 2008 question paper

9701 CHEMISTRY
9701/32 Paper 32 (Advanced Practical Skills 2), maximum raw mark 40

Mark schemes must be read in conjunction with the question papers and the report on the
examination.

• CIE will not enter into discussions or correspondence in connection with these mark schemes.

CIE is publishing the mark schemes for the May/June 2008 question papers for most IGCSE, GCE
Advanced Level and Advanced Subsidiary Level syllabuses and some Ordinary Level syllabuses.

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GCE A/AS LEVEL – May/June 2008 9701 32

Generic Mark Scheme for Papers 31 and 32

Skill Breakdown of marks

Manipulation, 16 marks Successful collection of data and observations 8 marks

measurement and
Quality of measurements and observations 4 marks
observation
Decisions relating to measurements or observations 4 marks
Presentation of 12 marks Recording data and observations 5 marks
data and
Display of calculation and reasoning 3 marks
observations
Data layout 4 marks
Analysis, 12 marks Interpretation of data or observations and identifying 6 marks
conclusions and sources of error
evaluation
Drawing conclusions 5 marks
Suggesting improvements 1 mark

Statement Bank

MANIPULATION, MEASUREMENT AND OBSERVATION (MMO)

Successful collection of data and observations (Collection)

C1 Set up apparatus correctly

C2 Follow instructions given in the form of written instructions or diagrams
C3 Use apparatus to collect an appropriate quantity of data or observations, including subtle
differences in colour, solubility or quantity of materials
C4 Make measurements using pipettes, burettes, measuring cylinders, thermometers, and other
common laboratory apparatus

Quality of measurements or observations (Quality)

Q1 Make accurate and consistent measurements and observations

Decisions relating to measurements or observations (Decisions)

De1 Decide how many tests or observations to perform

De2 Make measurements that span a range and have a distribution appropriate
to the experiment
De3 Decide how long to leave experiments running before making readings
De4 Identify where repeated readings or observations are appropriate
De5 Replicate readings or observations as necessary
De6 Identify where confirmatory tests are appropriate and the nature of such
tests

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PRESENTATION OF DATA AND OBSERVATIONS (PDO)

Recording of data and observations (Recording)

R1 Present numerical data, values or observations in a single table of results

R2 Draw up the table in advance of taking readings/making observations so that they do not have to
copy up their results
R3 Include in the table of results, if necessary, columns for raw data, for calculated values and for
analyses or conclusions
R4 Use column headings that include both the quantity and the unit and that conform to accepted
scientific conventions
R5 Record raw readings of a quantity to the same degree of precision and observations to the same
level of data

Display of calculation and reasoning (Display)

Di1 Show their working in calculations, and the key steps in their reasoning
Di2 Use the correct number of significant figures for calculated quantities

Data layout (Layout)

L1 Choose a suitable and clear method of presenting the data, e.g. tabulations, graph or mixture of
methods of presentation
L2 Use the appropriate presentation medium to produce a clear presentation of the data
L3 Select which variables to plot against which and decide whether the graph should be drawn as a
straight line or a curve
L4 Plot appropriate variables on clearly labelled x- and y-axes
L5 Choose suitable scales for graph axes
L6 Plot all points or bars to an appropriate accuracy
L7 Follow the ASE recommendations for putting lines on graphs

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ANALYSIS, CONCLUSIONS AND EVALUATION (ACE)

Interpretation of data or observations and identify sources of error (Interpretation)

I1 Describe the patterns and trends shown by tables and graphs

I2 Describe and summarise the key points of a set of observations
I3 Find an unknown value by using co-ordinates or intercepts on a graph
I4 Calculate other quantities from data, or calculate the mean from replicate values, or make other
appropriate calculations
I5 Determine the gradient of a straight line
I6 Evaluate the effectiveness of control variables
I7 Identify the most significant sources of error in an experiment
I8 Estimate, quantitatively, the uncertainty in quantitative measurements
I9 Express such uncertainty in a measurement as an actual or percentage error
I10 Show an understanding of the distinction between systematic errors and random errors

Drawing conclusions (Conclusions)

Con1 Draw conclusions from an experiment, giving an outline description of the main features of the
data, considering whether experimental data supports a given hypothesis, and making further
predictions
Con2 Draw conclusions from interpretations of observations, data and calculated values
Con3 Make scientific explanations of the data, observations and conclusions that they have described

Suggesting Improvements (Improvements)

Imp1 Suggest modifications to an experimental arrangement that will improve the accuracy of the
experiment or the accuracy of the observations that can be made
Imp2 Suggest ways in which to extend the investigation to answer a new question
Imp3 Describe such modifications clearly in words or diagrams

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Skill Total Breakdown of marks Question 1 Question 2

marks
Statement Marks
Manipulation, 16 marks Successful
measurement collection of data C 8 2 6
and and observations
observation
(MMO) Quality of
measurements Q 4 3 1
and observations
Decisions relating
to measurements De 4 1 3
of observations
Presentation of 12 marks Recording data or
R 5 5 0
data and observations
observations
(PDO) Display of
calculation and Di 3 3 0
reasoning
Data layout L 4 4 0
Analysis, 12 marks Interpretation of
conclusions data or
and evaluation observations and I 6 5 1
(ACE) identifying
sources of error

Drawing Con 5 1 4
conclusions

Suggesting Imp 1 1 0
improvements

Total 25 15

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Question Sections Statement Indicative material Mark

1 (a) PDO Di1 Shows working in both halves of the calculation. 1
Display

ACE I4 Correctly calculates to 3 or 4 significant figures.

Interpretation 31.45 cm3 of acid for Na2CO3, and
19.84 or 19.85 cm3 of acid for NaHCO3 1 [2]
o
(b) MMO C4 All temperatures recorded are to nearest 0.5 C. 1
Collection

PDO L1 Records temperature readings and ∆T for each

Layout of the 3 mixtures clearly but not necessarily
systematically. 1
PDO R1 All data presented in a single table. 1
Recording
R4 Each column/row has appropriate heading and
unit. 1
For units accept only one of the following:
/ oC, (oC) or
temperature in degrees Celsius/Centigrade. [4]
(c) MMO De2 Chooses one mixture containing between
Decisions (1.01 g and 2.49 g) of sodium carbonate and
another mixture containing between (2.51 g and
3.99 g) of sodium carbonate.
The total volume in each tube must be
between 4.90 g and 5.10 g.
Do not award this mark if completely different
masses are used in (d). 1 [1]
(d) MMO C2 Records three balance readings and two
Collection masses of solid for at least one tube.
Allow masses of solid alone if use of tare facility
has been stated. 1
PDO R2 Award this mark if it appears that a table has
Recording been prepared before any data is entered. Do
not award the mark if the experiment has clearly
been performed, rough values jotted down and
then entered into the table. 1
R4 Correct column headings/units given
( /g, (g) or mass in grams)
Unit must be given but do not penalise an error
in the form of unit displayed if already penalised
in (b). 1

R5 All masses (and weighings) recorded to at least

1 decimal place and all showing the same
precision of measurement. (all to 1 dp or all to 2
dp, etc). 1 [4]
The Supervisor should have provided data for all five experiments. Plot the Supervisor’s results on the graph
page of the Supervisor’s script. Draw the “best-fit” straight line and use this to compare with temp change for
candidates’ mixtures in section (e).
Where no Supervisor data exists for FB 5 and FB 6 plot the three values for FB 2, FB 3 and FB 4.

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(e) MMO Check subtractions, etc. and compare the ∆T

Quality values for tubes FB 5 and FB 6 with the values
from the Supervisor’s graph.
Where the contents of the tube(s) do not total
5.00 g – scale (to the nearest 0.5 oC) the
temperature change(s) for 5.00 g.

5.00
× temperature change
mass in tube
Q1 Give two marks if the closer of these two values
Q1 is within 1.0 oC of the value from the
Supervisor’s graph.
Give one of these two marks for a value with a
difference of (1.0+ - 2.0) oC. 2 [2]
(f) PDO L5 Graph plotted has suitable scales:
Layout -10 oC to (+10 oC) on the y-axis,
0 – (100%) on the x-axis
Do not award this mark if the scale is not easy to
read. 1

L6 All points plotted to within ½ small square in

either direction and in the correct square.
Plotted points must be for the actual increase or
decrease in temperature recorded. Be aware of
some candidates changing the sign for the
temperature change. 1

MMO L7 An appropriate straight line is drawn passing

Quality close to most of the points and extrapolated to
cut the y-axis. 1

Q1 From a minimum of three points

Give one mark if none of the candidate’s points
is further than 0.5 oC from the “best-fit” line that
would be drawn by the Examiner. (Do NOT
draw line). 1
The candidate must have plotted all five points
for this mark to be awarded. [4]
(g) ACE I3 Correctly reads the value of the intercept within
Interpretation ½ small square. (See guidelines on acceptable
plotting/reading points from a graph in (f)).
Decimal points need not be shown for 19.00cm3
or for 20.00 cm3. 1 [1]

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(h) ACE I4 (i) Shows expression or calculates.

Interpretation (35 x 4.3 x ∆T)
Ignore any sign, but note if value given is
in J or kJ. 1

I4 (ii) Shows correct expression for or correctly

calculates ∆H (in kJ mol-1), with correct
sign.

answer to (i) above 1

∆H =
(5 / 84)

PDO Di1 Shows working in both sections of the 1

Display calculation.

Di2 Candidate answer evaluated correct to 3

significant figures.
For the award of this mark the answer to (i)
above and a mole quantity must have been
used in the calculation. 1 [4]

(i) ACE I7 Identifies the most significant source of error in

Interpretation the experiment.
acid spray/“frothing”/loss of solution
heat loss/gain (explained)
thermometers only able to read to 1 °C
Ignore any reference to parallax or to residual
solid.
Apply (+/-) rule to multiple answers. 1 [1]

(j) ACE Imp1 Suggests an appropriate method of reducing the

Improvements error identified in (i). Ignore parallax.
use of a larger/deeper container

use of a lid to stop convection, a “thermos”

flask to reduce all forms of heat loss,
additional insulation to reduce conduction

thermometers graduated at less than 1 °C –

not just “more accurate”, accept digital
thermometers 1 [1]

(k) ACE Con 1 Provides supporting evidence, from

Conclusions experimental data, for or against the method
used to calculate ∆H.
e.g. graph is a straight line;
points lie close to line (of best fit);
results are consistent. 1 [1]

[Total: 25]

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FB 7 (0.1 mol dm-3) MnSO4, FB 8 (0.10 mol dm-3) MgSO4, FB 9 (0.005 mol dm-3) CaCl2
2 (a) MMO De1 Selects, as the two reagents:
Decisions barium chloride, Ba2+(aq) or solution containing
Ba2+ followed by hydrochloric acid
or
barium chloride, Ba2+(aq) or solution containing
Ba2+ and
lead nitrate, Pb2+(aq) or solution containing Pb2+. 1

MMO C3 Records for FB 7 and for FB 8:

Collection white precipitate with BaCl2 insoluble in HCl
or
white ppt with barium chloride and with lead
nitrate.

The C3 mark requires correct observations for

two reagents unless BaCl2 used as a single
reagent. 1 [2]
(b) MMO De1 Selects, as the two reagents:
Decisions silver nitrate, Ag+(aq) or solution containing Ag+
followed by (aqueous) ammonia
or
silver nitrate, Ag+(aq) or solution containing Ag+
and lead nitrate, Pb2+(aq) or solution containing
Pb2+. 1

MMO C3 Records for FB 9

Collection white precipitate with AgNO3 soluble in ammonia
or
white ppt with silver nitrate and with lead nitrate. 1 [2]

In parts (a) and (b)

(i) Where all three reagents have been selected allow two out of three correct observations.
(ii) If ion is given with no state symbol or reference to the ion being in solution - penalise once
only.
(iii) Ignore incorrect formulae for reagents if intention is clear.

(c) MMO C3 Records white or off-white ppt insoluble in excess 1

Collection for FB 7 and FB 8, no ppt with FB 9.
Ignore haziness with FB 9 and sodium hydroxide.

C3 Records precipitate turning (light) brown with FB 7. 1 [2]

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(d) MMO C3 Records white or off-white ppt insoluble in excess

Collection for FB 7 and FB 8, no ppt with FB 9.
Do not ignore haziness with FB 9 and ammonia.
Do not accept a dash against FB 9. 1

The mark for ppt turning (light) brown may be

given here if not already given in (c).

MMO Q1 In (c) and (d) records off-white ppt for FB 7, and

Quality white ppt with FB 8. 1 [2]

(e) ACE Con2 Identifies solution FB 9 (no other solution may be

Conclusion selected) and two ions from:
Ba2+, Ca2+ and NH4+ (or a Group I cation).
If a white precipitate is recorded, the only correct
selection is Ca2+ and Ba2+. 1

MMO De1 Ca2+/NH4+

Decisions Candidate heats solution with NaOH and tests for
ammonia gas.

Ca2+/Ba2+
Candidate adds dichromate(VI) and looks for
precipitate.

Ba2+/NH4+
Candidate performs either of the tests above. 1

In any of the distinguishing tests above, the

intention to test for a gas or look for a precipitate
may be found anywhere in (e), e.g. in the
observations.
ACE I2 Explains how lack of ammonia gas confirms Ca2+
Interpretation and eliminates NH4+
or
no ppt with dichromate confirms Ca2+ and
eliminates Ba2+. 1 [3]

De1 mark above:

If there is a white ppt, soluble in excess NaOH in either FB 8 or FB 9, allow this solution to be
selected and allow Pb2+ or Al3+ as ions present in the solution.
Award a suitable test for Pb2+ - with I – / Cr2O72- / HCl or NaCl.
(Do NOT allow BaCl2 as the source of the chloride ion because of possible sulphate precipitate.)
The choice of Pb2+ of Al3+ may NOT be carried forward to the conclusions in (f).

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(f) Allow named compounds or chemically correct

formulae as well as ions.

ACE Con2 Identifies Mn2+ as the cation in FB 7 and explains

Conclusions the observations leading to that conclusion.
Minimum observation for Mn2+ is:
(i) off-white ppt with NaOH and with ammonia
(ii) off-white ppt, insoluble in excess, with NaOH
Mark the FB 9 or with ammonia
conclusion,
consequentially (iii) off-white ppt, turning brown with NaOH or
from the selection with ammonia 1
of ions in (e) and
the tests carried out Con2 Identifies Mg2+ as the cation in FB 8 and explains
on those ions. Ba2+ the observations leading to that conclusion.
and NH4+ could fit Minimum observation for Mg2+ is a white ppt
observations given.
(insoluble in excess) with NaOH and with
ammonia. 1

Con2 Identifies Ca2+ in FB 9 and explains the two

observations leading to that conclusion.
The minimum observations for Ca2+ are

(i) no ppt with NaOH or

(ii) no ammonia gas on heating with NaOH or

(iii) no precipitate with dichromate. 1 [3]

(g) MMO C3 Records:

Collection off-white ppt turning brown/black in first test
and
brown/black ppt in second test (no initial off-white
ppt). 1 [1]

[Total: 15]

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