Cambridge Professional Development

Marking feedback

Paper 41

Script A: 76/80 marks

5(b) (ii) 1 marks

Candidate has made a simple conclusion, using the graph to state that a lower temperature gives a greater
yield. Marking points are separate therefore one mark awarded M2.

5 (d) (i) 1 mark

Only the first marking point is clearly stated.

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5 (d) (ii) 2 marks

M3 is not clearly stated. There is an important omission of the idea that MORE particles have the minimum
activation energy.

6 (d) (i) 0 marks

This is not a molecular formula. 0 marks. Candidates often confuse structural, molecular, empirical and
general formulae.

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Script B: 44/80 marks

1(f) 1 mark

The ideal answer is CH4 / methane. Here the candidate has given SO2. Although not specifically taught on the
syllabus there is evidence to suggest that SO2 is a gas that contributes to climate change and therefore SO2
has to be an ‘allowable’ answer to this question therefore 1 mark awarded.

3(c) (i) 0 marks, (ii) 1 mark (iii) 1 mark

The candidate has set the working out very clearly for all three part questions. (i) is incorrect, but notice that,
as the working for (ii) and (iii) is fully correct, ECF (error carried forward) can be applied and full marks for (ii)
and (iii) may be given.

5(b) (i) 0 marks

The candidate has the idea that the number of molecules is important but has not clearly stated ‘amounts’ or
‘numbers’ in their answer.

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5 (c) (ii) 1 mark

This is a ‘not benefit of the doubt’ situation (NBOD). The level of the line goes just above the original, so the
second marking point M2 was not given.

6 (a) (ii) 0 marks

When discussing properties of homologous series it is important to distinguish between physical and
chemical properties. Chemical properties do not all show a trend with size. Physical properties are not all
similar. This candidate has not used the terms ‘physical’ or ‘chemical’ and so the answer is incomplete.

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Script C: 19/80 marks

1f 1 mark (see script B for reasoning)

4 (c) (ii) 2 marks

The electrons are not ‘on’ the shell for sulfur, but the arrangement of electrons is correct. For teaching
purposes, a teacher may insist that the electrons are drawn correctly, but this answer was accepted as
correct.

5 (b) (ii) 0 marks

Although this candidate also states lower yield higher temperature their answer is confusing and the first part
of the conclusion is incorrect which negates the marks.

5 (c) 1 mark

M2 awarded. M1 not awarded as it initially follows the x axis suggesting that before the experiment had
started the concentration of HI was increasing, which is incorrect.

5 (d) (ii) 0 marks

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Although this answer states that the rate will increase, there is no mention of particles having more energy or
moving faster so M1 is not complete so no marks were given.

6 (a) (ii) 0 mark.

Alcohol would have been accepted as CnH2n+1OH but this answer has a + sign before the OH which is
incorrect.

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Paper 53

Script D: 38/40 marks

This candidate has been given all four marks. Notice that for M2 and M3 ‘correctly’ recording results includes
attention to precision. This candidate has correctly recorded all values to one decimal place and recognises
the importance of the 0 after the decimal point. 4 marks.

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1 (b)

This answer is an application of BOD (benefit of the doubt) because the best fit curve takes in all of the
points. It would have been appropriate to draw a smoother curve if the curve did not touch point 3 or 4
exactly, as at this point the curve deviates. However, this was considered just enough to match the criteria for
a smooth best fit curve. 4 marks.

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1 (e) 2 marks

General answers such as ‘do a repeat’ are not always accepted. The intention is for candidates to describe
specific improvements, such as to insulate the apparatus against heat loss. However, in this case, the
candidate has stated not only to take further readings, but that these should be averaged. The explanation
also explains why this may lead to improved accuracy.
This answer approach was given a discretionary 2 marks. Instructions to accept such an answer was
circulated as additional guidance to examiners.
Such an answer is excluded from the main mark scheme because the ‘ideal’ answer should be more specific;
the answer given on the scheme communicates to teachers the level of response expected. 2 marks.

2(c) (i) 1 mark

This answer is correct, but it is important to note that ‘stays clear’ alone would not be marked as correct. The
mark has been given for ‘no change’ or ‘stays colourless’. Candidates should use the word ‘colourless’ rather
than ‘clear’ to describe an observation.

2(h) 2 marks

This answer was given 2 marks, again from additional guidance given to examiners. The ‘ideal’ answer would
be to identify the positive (transition metal or iron) and negative ion. This is the answer shown in the mark
scheme. However, during the practical experiment candidates may well have seen condensation when they
heated Q, so recognising that it is a hydrated compound is relevant and correct.

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Paper 63
Script E: 33/40 marks
2(d) (ii) 2 marks

‘Increasing the chance of successful collisions’ does not match the wording of M2 ‘more frequent collisions’.
The idea of more frequent collisions or particles colliding more often is the idea that should be taught.
However, in this case ‘chances of successful collisions’ was accepted as alternative wording.

3 (b) 2 marks

When asked for observations, candidates need to say what they would observe. ‘Gas is produced’ is not an
observation. Candidates needed to state observations such as ‘bubbles’ or fizzing’ for M1.

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Script F: 16/40 marks
2 (b) 3 marks

The ‘curve’ mark M4 was not given, because the curve is not smooth. It appears to be a straight line between
the first and second plotted points.

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2 (d) (ii) 0 marks

This answer has a major omission. Notice that the question asks specifically for the answer to be ‘in terms of
particles’. The candidate’s answer does not refer to particles.

4 1 mark

Notice that there are three possible methods on the mark scheme. This answer correctly states that fractional
distillation will separate limonene and ethanol M5, method 1. The candidate has used the information in the
last column of the table to suggest this as an appropriate choice of method. However, the answer does not
give any details about the method, so does not ‘plan the experiment’. Further, information in the middle
column of the table has not been used (indeed the candidate appears to think that sodium carbonate is
present in solution). Solid sodium carbonate has not been separated. This is, therefore, only a partial answer,
leading to 1 mark.

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Script G: 21/40

2(d) (ii) 0 marks

This answer attempts to explain how the results show that the rate is greatest (because the time is shortest)
rather than giving an explanation of the chemistry ‘in terms of particles. Although the candidate has made true
and correct statements, they do not answer the question asked.

3 (e) 1 mark

This candidate has correctly identified that the solid contains a chloride. However, no positive ion is identified.
The pink colour of Q indicates that the solid is a transition metal compound. M2 (1) mark.

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4 0 marks

This answer does not discuss separating the mixture. The candidate has started with the individual
components of the mixture and appears to be testing the properties of each substance. This shows a
misunderstanding of the question and so no marking points are matched. 0 marks.

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Script H: 22/40

1 (d) 0 marks

This answer shows a misunderstanding that copper can be obtained by a physical separation process rather
than a chemical process. 0 marks.

2 (d) (ii) 1 mark

M1 awarded for ‘particles become more active because they gain energy’.
4 0 marks

This answer appears to start from the individual substances rather than the mixture, showing a
misunderstanding of the question. Although fractional distillation is mentioned, it appears to be being used on
pure limonene, so this marking point was not given. This is an example of a situation where the words within
a marking point are stated but the meaning of what is written does not make sense.

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