11 mark
Poly(ethenol) is a polymer used to make dissolvable plastic bags. It can be made by addition polymerisation of CH2=CH(OH).
Which structure shows a polymer chain consisting of two monomer residues?
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Syllabus Edition
First teaching 2023
First exams 2025
|
Addition Polymerisation (CIE A Level Chemistry)
Exam Questions
2 hours28 questions
21 mark
Plastic waste can be incinerated to provide heat for power stations.
Why is PVC, polyvinylchloride, removed from any plastic waste that is to be incinerated?
It does not burn easily
Its combustion products are harmful
It is easily biodegradable
It destroys the ozone layer
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31 mark
The diagram below shows 2-methylpropene, C4H8, a monomer used in the production of synthetic rubber.
What is the compound formed by 2-methylpropene when it undergoes addition polymerisation?
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41 mark
What is the repeating unit of PVC?
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11 mark
Plasticisers, resins and many other chemicals can be made synthetically by polymerisation of a variety of monomers including but-2-en-1-ol, CH3CH=CHCH2OH.
Which structure is the repeating unit in poly(but-2-en-1-ol)?
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21 mark
Which statement about PVC is incorrect?
PVC molecules are saturated
The repeat unit of PVC is –(CHClCHCl)–
Combustion of PVC waste produces a highly acidic gas
The empirical formula of PVC is the same as the empirical formula of its monomer
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31 mark
PVC is produced through the polymerisation of chloroethene.
How does the carbon-carbon bond in chloroethene compare with that in PVC?
Longer and stronger
Longer and weaker
Shorter and stronger
Shorter and weaker
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41 mark
What are the C−C−C bond angles along the polymeric chain in PVC?
Half are 109.5° and half are 120°
They are all 109.5°
They are all 120°
They are all 180°
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51 mark
The absorbent material in babies’ disposable nappies is made from the addition polymer shown.
From which monomer could this addition polymer be obtained?
HOCH2CH2CO2H
HO2CCH=CHCO2H
CH3CH(OH)CO2H
H2C=CHCO2H
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61 mark
In the addition polymerisation of alkenes, which types of bond breakage and bond formation occur?
|
Bond breakage |
Bond formation |
|
|
A B C D |
σ and π σ and π π only π only |
σ only σ and π σ only σ and π |
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71 mark
Cling film is made through the polymerisation of 1,1-dichloroethene. The product is dense with a high melting point and does not allow gases to pass through which makes it ideal for preserving food.
Which sequence appears in a short length of the polymer chain?
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[CH2CCl2CHClCHClCH2CCl2]- [CCl2CCl2CCl2CCl2CCl2CCl2]
- [CHClCHClCHClCHClCHClCHCl]
- [CH2CCl2CH2CCl2CH2CCl2]
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81 mark
Which polymer is not made when 1-hydroxyethene and propene undergo additional polymerisation?
- [CH2CH(OH)CH2CH(CH3)CH2CH(OH)CH2CH(CH3)]
- [CH2CH(CH3)CH2CH(OH)CH2CH(OH)CH2CH(CH3)]
- [CH2CH(CH3)CH2CHCH3CH(OH)CH2CH2CHCH3]
- [CH2CH(OH)CH2CH(OH)CH2CH(OH)CH2CH(OH)]
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91 mark
The diagram shows a short length of an addition polymer chain.
The polymer has a relative molecular mass of approximately 10 000.
Approximately how many monomer units are joined together in each polymer molecule?
80
160
240
320
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101 mark
The addition of four identical monomer molecules produces the naturally occurring molecule shown below.
What could be the structural formula of the monomer?
CH2=C(CH3)CH2CH3
CH3CH=CHCH=CH2
CH3CH2CH2CH=CH2
CH2=C(CH3)CH=CH2
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11 mark
Which row correctly describes what happens when poly(propene), (C3H6)n, is burned in an excess of air?
|
Moles of O2 |
Products |
|
|
A |
Poly(propene) does not burn |
|
|
B |
1½n |
3nC + 3nH2O |
|
C |
4½n |
3nCO2 + 3nH2O |
|
D |
6n |
3nCO2 + 3nH2O |
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21 mark
The following diagram represents the structure of a polymer.
By which method can this polymer be made?
|
Step 1 |
Step 2 |
|
|
A B C D |
Polymerise ethene Polymerise 1,2-dichloroethene Polymerise ethene Polymerise 1, 2-dichloroethene |
Hydration Hydrolysis Oxidation with H+ / KMnO4 Oxidation with H+ / KMnO4 |
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31 mark
Some micro-organisms naturally produce a polymer called PHB (polyhydroxy butyric acid). PHB is readily biodegradable.
What type of reaction will cause PHB to break down?
Addition
Reduction
Hydrolysis
Substitution
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