Chemistry 9701/41 Oct Nov 2016 | Cambridge AS Level Past Papers With Mark Scheme

1. Copper and Transition Elements:
- Understanding electronic configurations of copper and copper ions.
- Describing reactions of copper ions in different oxidation states, and their complex formations with ligands like chloride, ammonia, and ethane-1,2-diamine (en).
- Identifying the shapes, colors, and types of reactions involved in complex ion formation.

2. Stereoisomerism in Complex Ions:
- Understanding stereoisomerism and drawing three-dimensional representations of isomers of complex ions.
- Exploring octahedral coordination complexes, such as the [Ni(en)₃]²⁺ ion.

3. Polymerization:
- Describing the reaction between ethane-1,2-diamine and ethanedioic acid (oxalic acid) to form a biodegradable polymer.
- Identifying the reaction type involved in polymer formation.

4. Thermal Decomposition of Copper(II) Carbonate:
- Predicting observations for the thermal decomposition of copper(II) carbonate.
- Comparing the thermal stability of Group 2 carbonates.

5. Gibbs Free Energy and Thermodynamics:
- Calculating Gibbs free energy (∆G) for reactions, using entropy (∆S) and enthalpy (∆H).
- Analyzing the spontaneity of reactions at different temperatures and the effect of entropy on the feasibility of reactions.

6. Electrochemistry and Standard Electrode Potentials:
- Understanding electrochemical cells, including half-cell reactions and calculating standard electrode potentials.
- Applying the Nernst equation to calculate electrode potentials under different conditions.

7. Titration and Chemical Analysis:
- Determining the concentration of chlorate(I) ions in bleach using titration with sodium thiosulfate.
- Identifying the role of indicators in titrations and explaining the color change at the endpoint.

8. Acid-Base Buffers:
- Describing the role of the carbonic acid-bicarbonate buffer system in maintaining blood pH.
- Calculating the pH of a patient's blood given the concentration of components in the buffer system.