Question Answer Marks Guidance

1 (a) NOTE: First 3 marks are ONLY available from an expression Note: rate and [NO] are any correct pair of readings from
using [NO]2 the graph,
Units are marked independently The [NO] below are the most commonly seen.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For these [NO] values, these are the ONLY rates allowed
Using values ON THE CURVE in CORRECT expression 1
mark [NO] rate k k
Use of any two correct values for rate and [NO] from graph 1.0 × 10–4 0.1 × 10–4 to 50000 5.0 × 104
e.g. for 5.0 × 10–4 and 4.2 × 10–4, 0.2 × 10–4 100000 1.0 × 105
4.2 × 10–4 2.0 × 10–4 0.6 × 10–4 to 75000 7.5 × 104
k=
(2.0 × 10–2) × (5.0 × 10–4)2 0.7 × 10–4 87500 8.8 × 104
3.0 × 10–4 1.5 × 10–4 83333 8.3 × 104
OR 4.2 × 10 = k (2.0 × 10 ) × (5.0 × 10 ) 
–4 –2 –4 2 4.0 × 10–4 2.7 × 10–4 84375 8.4 × 104
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5.0 × 10–4 4.2 × 10–4 84000 8.4 × 104
Calculation of k 2 marks 6.0 × 10–4 6.0 × 10–4 83333 8.3 × 104
7.0 × 10–4 8.2 × 10–4 83673 8.4 × 104

FOR 1 MARK IF OTHER values are given, mark using the same
k calculated correctly from values obtained from graph principle. If any doubt, contact TL.
BUT NOT in standard form AND/OR more than 2 SF
6.0 × 10–4 NOTE: IGNORE any numbers used from tangents
e.g. k = 
(2.0 × 10–2) × (6.0 × 10–4)2 = 83333.33 --------------------------------------------------------------------------­
SPECIAL CASES that ALLOW ECF for calculation of k
OR FOR 2 MARKS from ONLY ONE of the following (2 marks)
k calculated correctly from values obtained from graph 1. Powers of 10 incorrect or absent in initial k expression
AND in standard form AND TO 2 SF 2. [H2]2[NO] used instead of [H2][NO]2
e.g. k = 83333.33 gives 8.3 × 104  3. Any value within ±0.2 of actual values from graph
------------------------------------------------------------------------­
------------------------------------------------------------------
4 ALLOW units in any order, e.g. mol–2 dm6 s–1
UNITS FOR 1 MARK:
dm6 mol–2 s–1 

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Question Answer Marks Guidance
(b) (i)
ALLOW 1 mark for two upward sloping curves starting at
H
origin
rate
L
AND upper curve labelled H and lower curve labelled L

NOTE: ALLOW some leeway for lines starting from origin

ALLOW straight line not drawn with ruler,

0,0
[H2(g)]
i.e. is a straight line rather than a curve
One straight upward line AND starting at 0,0 

2nd straight upward line starting at 0,0 and steeper

AND ALLOW similar labelling as long as it is clear which line is
Steeper line labelled H OR less steep line labelled L  2 which

(b) (ii) increases  1

(c) MARK INDEPENDENTLY

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ALLOW curve touching y axis

ALLOW curve touching x axis

[H2(g)]

0,0
time

Downward curve 
ALLOW Two half lives are the same
Half life is constant  2
IGNORE ‘regular’ half life (not necessarily the same)

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Question Answer Marks Guidance
(d) (i) H2 + N2O → N2 + H2O  1 ONLY correct answer
DO NOT ALLOW multiples
(d) (ii) Steps 1 AND Step 2 together give 2NO + H2  1 ALLOW Step 1 AND Step 2 together give species in same
ratio as in rate equation

ALLOW rate-determining step/slow step for Step 2

ALLOW H2 reacts with N2O2 which is formed from 2NO

NOTE: The response must link Step 1 with Step 2

Steps can be referenced from the species in each step

Total 11

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 Question Answer Marks Guidance
2 (a) (i) 5 OR 5th (order)  1

(a) (ii) (stoichiometry in) rate equation does not match ALLOW moles/ions/species/particles/molecules/atoms
(stoichiometry) in overall equation  throughout (i.e. emphasis on particles)

IGNORE more reactants in overall equation

Collision unlikely with more than 2 ions/species/particles  2 If number of species is stated, ALLOW 3–5 only
(rate equation contains 5 ions)

DO NOT ALLOW negative ions would repel

(there is a mixture of positive and negative ions)
IGNORE more than two reactants collide
(not related to rate equation)
(b)
ALLOW lines starting close to 0,0

ALLOW 2nd order line with ‘straight’ section early or late as long
as an upward curve is seen between.

[ H+(aq) ] / mol dm–3

Straight upward line
AND Curve with increasing gradient,
starting at 0,0  AND starting at 0,0  2

(c) (i) 5.4(0)  IGNORE sign

614.4(0)  2 ALLOW 614 OR 610

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(c) (ii) FIRST, CHECK THE ANSWER ON ANSWER LINE ALLOW ECF from incorrect initial rates if 1st experimental results
IF answer = 6.7  108 OR 670000000 dm12 mol–4 s–1, have not been used. (Look to 4(c)(i) to check)
award 3 marks i.e. IF other rows have been used, then calculate the rate
IF answer = 6.7  108 OR 670000000 with incorrect units, constant from data chosen.
award 2 marks

k to >2 SF: 666666666.7  For k, ALLOW 1 mark for the following:

OR 6.6  108 recurring
k to 2 SF: 6.7  108 OR 670000000  6.6  108
2 SF answer for k BUT one power of 10 out
i.e. 6.7  109 OR 6.7  107

units: dm12 mol–4 s–1  3 ALLOW units in any order, e.g. mol–4 dm12 s–1
(c) (iii) FULL ANNOTATIONS MUST BE USED
(Ka =) 10–3.75 OR 1.78  10–4 (mol dm–3)  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For ALL marks, ALLOW 2 SF up to calculator value correctly
[H+] = 1.78  104  0.0200 rounded 1.77827941  10–4
= 1.89  10–3 (mol dm–3)  ALLOW 103.75  0.0200 for first marking point
ALLOW 1.88  10–3 (mol dm–3)

initial rate = 6.7  108 x 0.01 x 0.0152 x (1.89 x 10–3)2 ALLOW ECF from calculated [H+(aq)] and calculated answer for
= 5.33  10–3 to 5.38  10–3 (mol dm–3 s–1) k from 4(c)(ii)
OR 5.3  10–3 to 5.4  10–3 (mol dm–3 s–1)  3
e.g. If no square root taken,
Actual value will depend on amount of acceptable rounding in [H+] = 3.56 x 10–6 mol dm–3
steps and whether figures kept in calculator even if rounding is and rate = 1.91 x 10–8 OR 1.9 x 10–8 by ECF
written down.
ALLOW any value in range given above.

Total 13

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 Question
uest er Marks Guidance
3 (a) (i) Time for concentration (of reactant) to fall to half original value 1 ALLOW time for concentration to fall by half
 DO NOT ALLOW concentration of product to fall by half
ALLOW mass OR amount as alternative to concentration

ALLOW time for reactant/substance/atoms to decrease by

half

(ii) At least two half-lives correctly shown on graph 2 ALLOW half-life in range 50–56 s
AND half-life stated as approx. 54 s  ALLOW half-life shown on graph
Care: Initial concentration is ~5.8 and NOT 6.0

1st order has a constant half-life  For constant half-life,

ALLOW ‘half lives are the same’, ‘two half-lives are 54 s’,
etc.

ALLOW 2 tangents drawn, one at half conc of first

AND evidence that gradient (≡ rate) halves

(iii) No change  1

(b) (i) Tangent 3 Annotate tangent on graph

On graph, tangent drawn to curve at t ~ 40 s 

Calculation of rate from the tangent drawn Note: This mark can only be awarded from a tangent
5.2 ALLOW ECF for tangent drawn at different time from 40 s
e.g. rate = = 0.045 OR 4.5 x 10–2  ALLOW ±10% of gradient of tangent drawn
116
ALLOW 2 SF up to calculator value
ALLOW trailing zeroes, e.g. 0.04 for 0.040
Units
mol dm–3 s–1  IGNORE ‘–‘ sign for rate
Independent mark
Note: IF candidate calculates rate via ln 2 method (shown
in (ii), consult with TL)

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Question
uest er Marks Guidance
(b) (ii) 2 0.045
From 0.045, k = = 0.013
answer to (b)(i) 3.45
k= 
3.45 ALLOW concentration range 3.4–3.5
ALLOW use of unrounded calculator answer from (b)(i)
even if different from answer given on (b)(i) answer line
units: s–1  Many will keep this value in calculator for (b)(ii)
Independent mark
ALLOW k = ln 2/t1/2 = 0.693/half life from (a)(iii)
For 54 s, k = 0.693/54 = 0.013
ALLOW 2 SF up to calculator value

(c) water is in excess 1 IGNORE water does not affect the rate
OR
concentration of H2O is very large/does not change 

Total 10

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Question
Quest er Mark Guidance
4 ANNOTATE ALL Q3 WITH TICKS AND CROSSES, etc
Evidence of at least two half-lives measured on graph OR
within text (would need evidence of two half-lives)  MARK ON GRAPH OR IN TEXT

Any half-life value stated in range 180–220 s LOOK FOR STATEMENT ON GRAPH OR WITHIN TEXT
OR constant half-life  ALLOW almost constant half-life
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st order  Note: Response may use an alternative approach from half-life
Note: This is only correct response for order (ie no ECF). for the 1st two marks based on gradients of tangents:
If not stated separately, this mark can be awarded from a 1st mark would be awarded for evidence of two tangents
rate equation, e.g. rate = k[Br2]1 OR rate = k[Br2] drawn on graph
2nd mark would be awarded for stating that
Evidence of tangent on graph drawn to line at t = 0 s  ratio of concentrations = ratio of rates,
e. e.g. gradient of tangent at 0.010 mol dm–3 has twice the value
of gradient of tangent at 0.005 mol dm–3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

MARK TANGENTS ON GRAPH

ALLOW some leeway but tangent must coincide with part of
curve that is ‘straight’ (ie between [Br2] = 0.010–0.009 and
4 MUST NOT cross the curve

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Quest
Question er Mark Guidance
0.010 ALLOW values from 1 SF (0.00004 OR 4 x 10–5) up to
rate = = 0.000040 OR 4.0 x 10–5  calculator value, correctly rounded
250
0.010 0.010
ALLOW range ~ to :
units: mol dm–3 s–1  160 300
i.e. ALLOW a calculated gradient in the range
6 x 10–5 – 3 x 10–5 from a tangent drawn at t = 0

IF tangent is drawn on graph at a different time or incorrectly

(e.g. crossing curve), then mark rate calculation by ECF using
2 the gradient of the tangent drawn by the candidate (ie not the
range above).
IF no tangent is drawn ALLOW a value in the range above
ONLY
Credit only attempts at tangents, not just a random straight line

IGNORE a ‘– sign’
rate DO NOT ALLOW rate = k[Br], ie Br instead of Br2
rate = k[Br2] OR k =  DO NOT ALLOW just k[Br2],
[Br2 ]
ie ‘rate =’ OR ‘r =’ must be present

Calculation of k is from candidate’s calculated initial rate

calculated value for rate
k = calculated result from  0.000040
0.010 3 From 0.00004, k = = 4 x 10–3 s
0.010
units: s–1 
Note:
IF order with respect to Br2 has been shown as 2nd order, then
mark this part by ECF,
e.g. if Br2 shown to be 2nd order, rate = k[Br2]2
calculated value for rate
k = calculated result from
0.0102
units: dm3 mol–1 s–1 OR mol–1 dm3 s–1

Note: Units mark must correspond to the candidate’s stated

rate equation, NOT an incorrectly rearranged k expression
Total 9
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Question Expected Answers Marks Additional Guidance
5 a BrO3–
+ 5Br + 6H+  3Br2 + 3H2O 
–
1 ALLOW multiples
b 1 ANNOTATIONS MUST BE USED
graph: Both explanation and 1st order required for mark

Straight/diagonal line through origin OR 0,0 DO NOT ALLOW diagonal line OR straight line OR constant
AND gradient on its own (no mention of origin OR 0,0)
1st order with respect to BrO3– 
ALLOW ‘As BrO3– doubles, rate doubles’ AND 1st order
ALLOW rate is proportional to concentration AND 1st order

initial rates data: 4

When [Br–] is doubled, rate  2  Mark order and explanation independently
1st order with respect to Br–  Mark order first, then explanation

When [H+]  2, rate  4 (22) 

2nd order with respect to H+ 
Rate equation 1 ALLOW ECF from candidate’s orders above
rate = k [BrO3–] [Br–] [H+]2 

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Question Expected Answers Marks Additional Guidance
Calculation of rate constant (3 marks) 3 ANNOTATIONS MUST BE USED

k= te Calculation can be from any of the experimental runs –

[BrO3–][Br–][H+]2 they all give the same value of k

OR 1.19 × 10–5 ALLOW mol–3 dm9 s–1

(5.0 × 10 )(1.5 × 10–1)(3.1 × 10–1)2  ALLOW 1.6510579  10–2 and correct rounding to 1.7  10–2
–2

Correct numerical answer subsumes previous marking

= 1.7  10–2 OR 1.65  10–2  dm9 mol–3 s–1  point
238
DO NOT ALLOW fraction:
14415
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLOW ECF from incorrect rate equation.
Examples are given below for 1st line of initial rates data.
IF other rows have been used, then calculate the rate constant
from data chosen.
Example 1: 1st order with respect to H+
rate = k [BrO3–] [Br–] [H+]
k= rate
[BrO3–][Br–][H+]
OR 1.19 × 10–5
(5.0 × 10 )(1.5 × 10–1)(3.1 × 10–1) 
–2

= 5.1  10–3 OR 5.12  10–3  dm6 mol–2 s–1 

ALLOW 5.11827957  10–3 and correct rounding to 5.1  10–3
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Example 2: Zero order with respect to BrO3–
rate = k [Br–] [H+]2
k= rate
[Br–][H+]2
OR 1.19 × 10–5
(1.5 × 10–1)(3.1 × 10–1)2 
= 8.3  10–4 OR 8.26  10–4  dm6 mol–2 s–1 
ALLOW 8.255289629  10–4 and correct rounding to 8.3  10–4
Total 10

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Question Expected answers Marks Additional guidance
6 a ANNOTATIONS MUST BE USED
graph:
Rate does not change with concentration ALLOW (straight) line with zero gradient AND zero-order
AND zero-order with respect to I2  ALLOW horizontal line AND zero-order
IGNORE just ‘constant line’ OR just ’straight line’
initial rates data: also fits 1st order
Mark independently

When [(CH3)2CO] × 2, rate × 2 (21)  CARE with comparisons in opposite direction

1st order with respect to (CH3)2CO  ALLOW [(CH3)2CO] × 0.5, rate × 0.5 (0.51)

When [HCl] x 2.5, rate × 2.5  ALLOW [HCl] × 0.4, rate × 0.4 (0.41)
1st order with respect to HCl  ALLOW H+ for HCl

CARE: Comparison of Experiments 1 and 3 may be valid

despite BOTH concentrations changing

Rate equation and rate constant: ALLOW ECF from incorrect orders
In rate equation, square brackets are required

rate = k[(CH3)2CO(aq)] [HCl(aq)]  rate = k[(CH3)2CO(aq)][HCl(aq)][I2(aq)]0

rate ALLOW H+ for HCl
k= OR IGNORE state symbols, even if wrong
[(CH3 )2 CO(aq)] [HCl(aq)]
2.10  10 –9

(1.50  10 –3 )  (2.00  10 –2 )

= 7(.00) × 10–5 OR 0.00007(00) 

ALLOW ECF for units ‘correct’ for incorrect expression
units: dm3 mol1 s1  9 used to calculate k, e.g. upside down or wrong orders
[(CH3 )2 CO(aq)] [H+ (aq)]
 units: mol s dm3 
rate

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Question Expected answers Marks Additional guidance
b step 1: H2(g) + ICl(g)  State symbols NOT required
LHS of step 1 

 HCl(g) + HI(g) 2nd mark can ONLY be awarded provided that

step 2: HI(g) + ICl(g)  HCl(g) + I2(g)  1st mark has been awarded
products of step 1 AND step 2  2  step 1 AND step 2 add up to the overall equation.

e.g. ALLOW  H2ICl(g)

step 2: H2ICl(g) + ICl(g)  2HCl(g) + I2(g)

In step 2, ALLOW inclusion of extra species on both

sides of the equation only if they cancel,
e.g. HI(g) + HCl(g) + ICl(g)  2HCl(g) + I2(g)

Total 11

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 Question Answer Mark Guidance
7 (a) FIRST, CHECK THE ANSWER ON ANSWER LINE
IF answer = 8.3 × 104 OR 83333 award 2 marks ALLOW 1 mark for 8.3 × 10x with no working
THEN IF units are dm6 mol2 s1, award 1 further (power of 10 is error)
mark
rate 3.6  102
k= OR
[H2 (g)] [NO(g)]2
(1.2  102 )  (6.0  10 3 )2
 2 ALLOW 2 SF up to calculator value of 8.33333333 × 104
correctly rounded
= 8.3 × 104 OR 83000 OR 83333 
ALLOW ECF for calculated answer from incorrectly rearranged
k expression but not for units
(Marked independently see below)

units: dm6 mol2 s1  1 ALLOW dm6, mol–2 and s–1 in any order, eg mol2 dm6 s1
DO NOT ALLOW other units
(Rate equation supplied on paper – not derived from data )

(b) (i) effect on rate × 2  1 ALLOW ‘doubles’ OR rate = 7.2 x 10–2 (mol dm–3 s–1)

(ii) effect on rate × ¼ OR x 0.25  1 ALLOW ‘a quarter’ OR decrease by ¼ OR decrease by 0.25

OR rate decreases by 4 OR decrease by 75%
OR rate = 0.9 × 10–2 (mol dm–3 s–1)

DO NOT ALLOW just 0.52 of rate OR rate decreases by 22

(iii) effect on rate × 64  1 ALLOW rate = 2.3(04) (mol dm–3 s–1)

DO NOT ALLOW just ‘increases by 4 and then by 16 / 42
OR increases by 43

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Question Answer Mark Guidance
(c) (i) (initial) rate increases BOTH points required for mark
AND ALLOW rate increases AND concentration increases
more frequent collisions OR more collisions per For concentration increases, ALLOW particles closer together
second/time  1 OR less space between particles

DO NOT ALLOW just more collisions OR collisions more likely

(ii) rate constant does not change  1

(d) step 1: H 2 (g) + 2 NO(g)  N 2 O(g) + H 2 O(g) State symbols NOT required
LHS of step one 

step 2: H 2 (g) + N 2 O(g)  N 2 (g) + H 2 O(g) For ‘rest of equations’,

rest of equations for step 1 AND step 2  2 This mark can only be awarded if 1st mark can be awarded

ALLOW other combinations of two steps that together give the

overall equation (shown above part in scoris window), eg
step 1:  N 2 (g) + ½ O 2 (g) + H 2 O(g)
step 2: H 2 (g) + ½ O 2 (g)  H 2 O(g)

step 1:  H 2 O 2 (g) + N 2 (g)

step 2: H 2 (g) + H 2 O 2 (g)  2H 2 O(l)

There may be others with species, such as H 2 N 2 O 2 and HNO.

Provided the two steps add up to give the overall equation
AND charges balance, the 2nd mark can be awarded

Total 10

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