Free Cambridge A Level Chemistry Notes (9701): Topic-by-Topic
You can get free Cambridge A Level Chemistry notes for every 9701 topic on the Tutopiya Learning Portal, with a quiz for each topic. The table below links each topic straight to its notes and quiz, and marks whether it is AS or A Level content. Use the notes to learn the content, then check yourself with the quiz and past papers.
Key takeaways
- Free topic notes and quizzes for Cambridge International A Level Chemistry (9701) are below, in syllabus order.
- Check whether each topic is AS or A Level content, because papers are split by level.
- Notes alone rarely secure an A or A*. Combine them with active recall and timed past papers.
- Other free sources, such as ZNotes and Physics & Maths Tutor, work well alongside the portal.
9701 at a glance
| Paper | Level | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1: Multiple Choice | AS | 40 multiple-choice questions on AS content |
| Paper 2: AS Level Structured Questions | AS | Structured questions on AS content |
| Paper 3: Advanced Practical Skills | AS | Laboratory practical |
| Paper 4: A Level Structured Questions | A Level | Structured questions on A Level content, drawing on AS knowledge |
| Paper 5: Planning, Analysis and Evaluation | A Level | Written paper on experimental design and data |
Free Cambridge A Level Chemistry notes by topic
| Topic | Level | Covers | Free notes | Start a quiz |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atomic Structure | AS | Particles in the atom and atomic radius, Isotopes, Electrons, energy levels and atomic orbitals, Ionisation Energy | Free notes | Quiz |
| Atoms, molecules and stoichiometry | AS | Relative masses of atoms and molecules, The mole and the Avogadro constant, Formulae, Reacting masses and volumes (of solutions and gases) | Free notes | Quiz |
| Chemical Bonding | AS | Electronegativity and bonding, Ionic bonding, Metallic bonding, Covalent bonding and coordinate (dative covalent) bonding, Shapes of molecules, Intermolecular forces, electronegativity and bond properties and 1 more | Free notes | Quiz |
| States of Matter | AS | The gaseous state: ideal and real gases and pV = nRT, Bonding and structure | Free notes | Quiz |
| Chemical Energetics | AS | Enthalpy change, ΔH, Hess’s Law, Lattice energy and Born-Haber cycles, Enthalpies of solution and hydration, Entropy change, ΔS, Gibbs free energy change, ΔG | Free notes | Quiz |
| Electrochemistry | AS | Redox processes: electron transfer and changes in oxidation number (oxidation state), Electrolysis, Standard electrode potentials E ⦵ ; standard cell potentials E ⦵ cell and the Nernst equation | Free notes | Quiz |
| Equilibria | AS | Chemical equilibria: reversible reactions, dynamic equilibrium, Brønsted–Lowry theory of acids and bases, Acids and bases, Partition coefficients | Free notes | Quiz |
| Reaction Kinetics | AS | Rate of Reaction, Effect of temperature on reaction rates and the concept of activation energy, Homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts, Simple rate equations, orders of reaction and rate constants | Free notes | Quiz |
| The Periodic Table: chemical periodicity | AS | Periodicity of physical properties of the elements in Period 3, Periodicity of chemical properties of the elements in Period 3, Chemical periodicity of other elements | Free notes | Quiz |
| Group 2 | AS | Similarities and trends in the properties of the Group 2 metals, magnesium to barium, and their compounds | Free notes | Quiz |
| Group 17 | AS | Physical properties of the Group 17 elements, The chemical properties of the halogen elements and the hydrogen halides, Some reactions of the halide ions, The reactions of chlorine | Free notes | Quiz |
| Nitrogen and sulfur | AS | Nitrogen and sulphur | Free notes | Quiz |
| An introduction to AS Level organic chemistry | AS | Formulae, functional groups and the naming of organic compounds, Characteristic organic reactions, Shapes of organic molecules; σ and π bonds, Isomerism: structural and stereoisomerism | Free notes | Quiz |
| Hydrocarbons | AS | Alkanes, Alkenes, Arenes | Free notes | Quiz |
| Halogen compounds | AS | Halogenoalkanes, Halogen Compounds | Free notes | Quiz |
| Hydroxy compounds | AS | Alcohols, Hydroxy compounds, Phenols | Free notes | Quiz |
| Carbonyl compounds | AS | Aldehydes and ketones | Free notes | Quiz |
| Carboxylic acids and derivatives | AS | Carboxylic acids, Esters, Acyl chlorides | Free notes | Quiz |
| Nitrogen compounds | AS | Primary amines, Nitriles and hydroxynitriles, Primary and secondary amines, Phenylamine and azo compounds, Amides, Amino acids | Free notes | Quiz |
| Polymerisation | AS | Addition polymerisation, Condensation Polymerisation, Predicting the type of polymerisation, Degradable polymers | Free notes | Quiz |
| Organic synthesis | AS | Organic synthesis | Free notes | Quiz |
| Analytical techniques | AS | Infrared spectroscopy, Mass spectrometry, Thin-layer chromatography, Gas /liquid chromatography, Carbon-13 NMR spectroscopy, Proton (1 H) NMR spectroscopy | Free notes | Quiz |
| Group 2 - II | A Level | Similarities and trends in the properties of the Group 2 metals, magnesium to barium, and their compounds | Free notes | Quiz |
| Chemistry of transition elements | A Level | General physical and chemical properties of the first row of transition elements, titanium to copper, General characteristic chemical properties of the first set of transition elements, titanium to copper, Colour of complexes, Stereoisomerism in transition element complexes, Stability constants, Kstab | Free notes | Quiz |
| An introduction to A Level organic chemistry | A Level | Formulae, functional groups and the naming of organic compounds, Characteristic organic reactions, Shapes of aromatic organic molecules; σ and π bonds, Isomerism: optical | Free notes | Quiz |
| Organic Synthesis | A Level | Organic synthesis | Free notes | Quiz |
The whole syllabus is on the Cambridge International A Level Chemistry portal page. Not sure where to start? Try the diagnostic challenge to find your weakest topics first.
What good Chemistry notes look like
- Mechanisms need diagrams. Organic notes should show curly arrows, intermediates and conditions for every reaction.
- Keep a reactions map. A one-page map of how functional groups convert into each other is the fastest organic synthesis revision tool.
- Practise calculations from notes. Moles, energetics and equilibrium calculations only stick if you work examples.
How to revise with free notes
- Start from the syllabus. Tick off each topic in the table as you finish its notes.
- Read, then close the notes. Write down everything you remember, then check what you missed.
- Take the topic quiz. A quick quiz after each topic shows whether the content has stuck.
- Move to past papers. Practise exam questions for that topic, then full timed papers closer to the exam.
- Mark with the mark scheme. Compare your wording with the mark scheme and add missing key terms to your notes.
Common mistakes
- Learning organic reactions without conditions and reagents
- Skipping Paper 5 planning practice because it has no lab
- Copying definitions loosely when the mark scheme needs exact wording
Other free Chemistry sources
- ZNotes: free, condensed student-written notes for many Cambridge A Level subjects. See our ZNotes alternatives for A Level.
- Physics & Maths Tutor (PMT): free notes and topic questions for many subjects. See PMT alternatives for A Level.
- Past papers: free from the exam board and archive sites. See PapaCambridge alternatives for A Level.
- Your exam board: the syllabus or specification, specimen papers and examiner reports show exactly what is assessed.
Topic deep dives on our blog
- Characteristic Organic Reactions in Cambridge International A Level Chemistry (9701)
- Stereoisomerism In Transition Element Complexes in Cambridge International A Level Chemistry (9701)
- Periodicity Of Physical Properties Of The Elements In Period 3 in Cambridge International A Level Chemistry (9701)
When notes aren’t enough
If the same topics keep costing marks, a one-to-one tutor who teaches 9701 can find the gap quickly. Tutopiya tutors set their own rates, plans start from 4 hours a month, and the trial lesson is free with no card required.
Related
- Save My Exams alternative for Cambridge A Level Chemistry
- 9701 exam trends
- Free A Level notes for every subject
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Frequently asked questions
Where can I get free Cambridge A Level Chemistry notes? +
The Tutopiya Learning Portal has free notes and a quiz for every 9701 topic, linked in the table on this page. ZNotes, Physics & Maths Tutor and the exam board's own materials are other useful free sources.
Which Cambridge A Level Chemistry topics are AS and which are A Level? +
In the 9701 syllabus, topics 1 to 22 (atomic structure through analytical techniques) are AS content. The later topics, including transition elements and further organic chemistry, are A Level content examined in Paper 4.
Are free notes enough for an A* in Cambridge A Level Chemistry? +
Rarely on their own. Use notes to learn the content, then test yourself with quizzes and timed past papers, and compare your answers with mark schemes.
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