The Cambridge International AS & A Level Chemistry 9701 is a qualification offered by the Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) board. It is a two-year course typically taken by students aged 16-19 that provides an in-depth study of the principles of chemistry and their applications. The syllabus covers topics such as the mole concept and chemical calculations, atomic structure, bonding, energetics, equilibria, kinetics, redox processes, organic chemistry, and inorganic chemistry.
Successful completion of the course can lead to a range of university and career opportunities, including chemistry, chemical engineering, and related fields. The assessment of the course typically includes a combination of written exams and practical assessments. The syllabus is regularly updated to reflect the latest developments in the field of chemistry and to ensure that students receive a relevant and up-to-date education.
Cambridge International AS & A Level Chemistry 9701 syllabus for 2022, 2023 and 2024
Cambridge International AS & A Level Chemistry 9701 Paper 1
- Multiple Choice 1 hour 15 minutes
- 40 marks
- 40 multiple-choice questions
- Questions are based on the AS Level syllabus content.
- Externally assessed
- 31% of the AS Level
- 15.5% of the A Level
AS Level subject content
Topic 2: Atoms, molecules and stoichiometry
Topic 3: Chemical bonding
- 3.1 Electronegativity and bonding
- 3.2 Ionic bonding
- 3.3 Metallic bonding
- 3.4 Covalent bonding and coordinate (dative covalent) bonding
- 3.5 Shapes of molecules
- 3.6 Intermolecular forces, electronegativity and bond properties
- 3.7 Dot-and-cross diagrams
Topic 4: States of matter
- 4.1 The gaseous state: ideal and real gases and $p V=n R T$
- 4.2 Bonding and structure
- 4.3 Density and pressure
Topic 5: Chemical energetics
- 5.1 Enthalpy change, $\Delta H$
- 5.2 Hess’s Law
Topic 6: Electrochemistry
- 6.1 Redox processes: electron transfer and changes in oxidation number (oxidation state)
Topic 7: Equilibria
- 7.1 Chemical equilibria: reversible reactions, dynamic equilibrium
- 7.2 Brønsted–Lowry theory of acids and bases
- 7.3 Doppler effect for sound waves
- 7.4 Electromagnetic spectrum
- 7.5 Polarisation
Topic 8: Reaction kinetics
- 8.1 Rate of reaction
- 8.2 Effect of temperature on reaction rates and the concept of activation energy
- 8.3 Homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts
Topic 9: The Periodic Table: chemical periodicity
- 9.1 Periodicity of physical properties of the elements in Period 3
- 9.2 Periodicity of chemical properties of the elements in Period 3
- 9.3 Chemical periodicity of other elements
Topic 10: Group 2
- 10.1 Similarities and trends in the properties of the Group 2 metals, magnesium to barium, and their
compounds - 10.2 Kirchhoff’s laws
- 10.3 Potential dividers
Topic 11: Group 17
- 11.1 Physical properties of the Group 17 elements
- 11.2 The chemical properties of the halogen elements and the hydrogen halides
- 11.3 Some reactions of the halide ions
- 11.4 The reactions of chlorine
Topic 12: Nitrogen and sulfur
- 12.1 Nitrogen and sulfur
Topic 13: An introduction to AS Level organic chemistry
- 13.1 Formulae, functional groups and the naming of organic compounds
- 13.2 Characteristic organic reactions
- 13.3 Shapes of organic molecules; $\sigma$ and $\pi$ bonds
- 13.4 Isomerism: structural and stereoisomerism
Topic 14: Hydrocarbons
- 14.1 Alkanes
- 14.2 Alkenes
Topic 15: Halogen compounds
- 15.1 Halogenoalkanes
Topic 16: Hydroxy compounds
- 16.1 Alcohols
Topic 17: Carbonyl compounds
- 17.1 Aldehydes and ketones
Topic 18: Carboxylic acids and derivatives
- 18.1 Carboxylic acids
- 18.2 Esters
Topic 19:Nitrogen compounds
- 19.1 Primary amines
- 19.2 Nitriles and hydroxynitriles
Topic 20: Polymerisation
- 20.1 Addition polymerisation
Topic 21: Organic synthesis
- 21.1 Organic synthesis
Topic 22: Analytical techniques
- 22.1 Infrared spectroscopy
- 22.2 Mass spectrometry
Cambridge International AS & A Level Chemistry 9701 Paper 2
- AS Level Structured Questions 1 hour 15 minutes
- 60 marks
- Structured questions
- Questions are based on the AS Level syllabus content.
- Externally assessed
- 46% of the AS Level
- 23% of the A Level
AS Level subject content
Topic 1: Atomic structure
- 1.1 Particles in the atom and atomic radius
- 1.2 Isotopes
- 1.3 Electrons, energy levels and atomic orbitals
- 1.4 Ionisation energy
Topic 2: Atoms, molecules and stoichiometry
- 2.1 Relative masses of atoms and molecules
- 2.2 The mole and the Avogadro constant
- 2.3 Formulae
- 2.4 Reacting masses and volumes (of solutions and gases)
Topic 3: Chemical bonding
- 3.1 Electronegativity and bonding
- 3.2 Ionic bonding
- 3.3 Metallic bonding
- 3.4 Covalent bonding and coordinate (dative covalent) bonding
- 3.5 Shapes of molecules
- 3.6 Intermolecular forces, electronegativity and bond properties
- 3.7 Dot-and-cross diagrams
Topic 4: States of matter
- 4.1 The gaseous state: ideal and real gases and $p V=n R T$
- 4.2 Bonding and structure
- 4.3 Density and pressure
Topic 5: Chemical energetics
- 5.1 Enthalpy change, $\Delta H$
- 5.2 Hess’s Law
Topic 6: Electrochemistry
- 6.1 Redox processes: electron transfer and changes in oxidation number (oxidation state)
Topic 7: Equilibria
- 7.1 Chemical equilibria: reversible reactions, dynamic equilibrium
- 7.2 Brønsted–Lowry theory of acids and bases
- 7.3 Doppler effect for sound waves
- 7.4 Electromagnetic spectrum
- 7.5 Polarisation
Topic 8: Reaction kinetics
- 8.1 Rate of reaction
- 8.2 Effect of temperature on reaction rates and the concept of activation energy
- 8.3 Homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts
Topic 9: The Periodic Table: chemical periodicity
- 9.1 Periodicity of physical properties of the elements in Period 3
- 9.2 Periodicity of chemical properties of the elements in Period 3
- 9.3 Chemical periodicity of other elements
Topic 10: Group 2
- 10.1 Similarities and trends in the properties of the Group 2 metals, magnesium to barium, and their
compounds - 10.2 Kirchhoff’s laws
- 10.3 Potential dividers
Topic 11: Group 17
- 11.1 Physical properties of the Group 17 elements
- 11.2 The chemical properties of the halogen elements and the hydrogen halides
- 11.3 Some reactions of the halide ions
- 11.4 The reactions of chlorine
Topic 12: Nitrogen and sulfur
- 12.1 Nitrogen and sulfur
Topic 13: An introduction to AS Level organic chemistry
- 13.1 Formulae, functional groups and the naming of organic compounds
- 13.2 Characteristic organic reactions
- 13.3 Shapes of organic molecules; $\sigma$ and $\pi$ bonds
- 13.4 Isomerism: structural and stereoisomerism
Topic 14: Hydrocarbons
- 14.1 Alkanes
- 14.2 Alkenes
Topic 15: Halogen compounds
- 15.1 Halogenoalkanes
Topic 16: Hydroxy compounds
- 16.1 Alcohols
Topic 17: Carbonyl compounds
- 17.1 Aldehydes and ketones
Topic 18: Carboxylic acids and derivatives
- 18.1 Carboxylic acids
- 18.2 Esters
Topic 19:Nitrogen compounds
- 19.1 Primary amines
- 19.2 Nitriles and hydroxynitriles
Topic 20: Polymerisation
- 20.1 Addition polymerisation
Topic 21: Organic synthesis
- 21.1 Organic synthesis
Topic 22: Analytical techniques
- 22.1 Infrared spectroscopy
- 22.2 Mass spectrometry
Cambridge International AS & A Level Chemistry 9701 Paper 4
- A Level Structured Questions 2 hour
- 100 marks
- Structured questions
- Questions are based on the A Level syllabus content; knowledge of material from the AS Level syllabus content will be required.
- Externally assessed
- 38.5% of the A Level
A Level subject content
Topic 23: Chemical energetics
- 23.1 Lattice energy and Born-Haber cycles
- 23.2 Enthalpies of solution and hydration
- 23.3 Entropy change, $\Delta S$
- 23.4 Gibbs free energy change, $\Delta G$
Topic 24: Electrochemistry
- 24.1 Electrolysis
- 24.2 Standard electrode potentials $E^{\ominus}$; standard cell potentials $E_{\text {cell }}^{\ominus}$ and the Nernst equation
Topic 25: Equilibria
- 25.1 Acids and bases
- 25.2 Partition coefficients
Topic 26: Reaction kinetics
- 26.1 Simple rate equations, orders of reaction and rate constants
- 26.2 Homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts
Topic 27: Group 2
- 27.1 Similarities and trends in the properties of the Group 2 metals, magnesium to barium, and their
compounds
Topic 28: Chemistry of transition elements
- 28.1 General physical and chemical properties of the first row of transition elements, titanium to copper
- 28.2 General characteristic chemical properties of the first set of transition elements, titanium to copper
- 28.3 Colour of complexes
- 28.4 Stereoisomerism in transition element complexes
- 28.5 Stability constants, $K_{\text {stab }}$
Topic 18: An introduction to A Level organic chemistry
- 29.1 Formulae, functional groups and the naming of organic compounds
- 29.2 Characteristic organic reactions
- 29.3 Shapes of aromatic organic molecules; $\sigma$ and $\pi$ bonds
- 29.4 Isomerism: optical
Topic 30: Hydrocarbons
- 30.1 Arenes
Topic 31: Halogen compounds
- 31.1 Halogen compounds
Topic 32: Hydroxy compounds
- 32.1 Alcohols
- 32.2 Phenol
Topic 33: Carboxylic acids and derivatives
- 33.1 Carboxylic acids
- 33.2 Esters
- 33.3 Acyl chlorides
Topic 34: Nitrogen compounds
- 34.1 Primary and secondary amines
- 34.2 Phenylamine and azo compounds
- 34.3 Amides
- 34.4 Amino acids
Topic 35: Polymerisation
- 35.1 Condensation polymerisation
- 35.2 Predicting the type of polymerisation
- 35.3 Degradable polymers
Topic 36: Organic synthesis
- 36.1 Organic synthesis
Topic 37: Analytical techniques
- 37.1 Thin-layer chromatography
- 37.2 Gas / liquid chromatography
- 37.3 Carbon-13 NMR spectroscopy
- 37.4 Proton $\left({ }^1 \mathrm{H}\right)$ NMR spectroscopy