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A LevelChemistryCambridge (CIE)Exam Questions20. PolymerisationAddition Polymerisation

Addition Polymerisation (Cambridge (CIE) A Level Chemistry): Exam Questions

Exam code: 9701

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Addition Polymerisation

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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?

  • 3-8-e-1a
  • 3-8-e-1b
  • 3-8-e-1c
  • 3-8-e-1d

Choose your answer

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

Choose your answer

31 mark

The diagram below shows 2-methylpropene, C4H8, a monomer used in the production of synthetic rubber.

3-8-e-3

What is the compound formed by 2-methylpropene when it undergoes addition polymerisation?

  • 3-8-e-3a
  • 3-8-e-3b
  • 3-8-e-3c
  • 3-8-e-3d

Choose your answer

41 mark

What is the repeating unit of PVC?

  • 3-8-e-5a
  • 3-8-e-5b
  • 3-8-e-5c
  • 3-8-e-5d

Choose your answer

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)? 

  • 3-8-m-1a
  • 3-8-m-1b
  • 3-8-m-1c
  • 3-8-m-1d

Choose your answer

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

Choose your answer

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

Choose your answer

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°

Choose your answer

51 mark

The absorbent material in babies’ disposable nappies is made from the addition polymer shown.

3-8-cie-ial-chemistry-diagram-q5medium

From which monomer could this addition polymer be obtained?

  • HOCH2CH2CO2H

  • HO2CCH=CHCO2H

  • CH3CH(OH)CO2H

  • H2C=CHCO2H

Choose your answer

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

    Choose your answer

    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?

    • minus[CH2CCl2CHClCHClCH2CCl2]minus

    • minus[CCl2CCl2CCl2CCl2CCl2CCl2]minus

    • minus[CHClCHClCHClCHClCHClCHCl]minus

    • negative sign[CH2CCl2CH2CCl2CH2CCl2]minus

    Choose your answer

    81 mark

    Which polymer is not made when 1-hydroxyethene and propene undergo additional polymerisation?

    • negative sign[CH2CH(OH)CH2CH(CH3)CH2CH(OH)CH2CH(CH3)]minus

    • negative sign[CH2CH(CH3)CH2CH(OH)CH2CH(OH)CH2CH(CH3)]minus

    • minus[CH2CH(CH3)CH2CHCH3CH(OH)CH2CH2CHCH3]minus

    • minus[CH2CH(OH)CH2CH(OH)CH2CH(OH)CH2CH(OH)]minus

    Choose your answer

    91 mark

    The diagram shows a short length of an addition polymer chain.

    3-8-cie-ial-chemistry-diagram-q9medium

    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

    Choose your answer

    101 mark

    The addition of four identical monomer molecules produces the naturally occurring molecule shown below.

    3-8-cie-ial-chemistry-diagram-q10medium

    What could be the structural formula of the monomer?

    • CH2=C(CH3)CH2CH3

    • CH3CH=CHCH=CH2

    • CH3CH2CH2CH=CH2

    • CH2=C(CH3)CH=CH2

    Choose your answer

    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

      Choose your answer

      21 mark

      The following diagram represents the structure of a polymer.

      3-8-h-3

      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

        Choose your answer

        31 mark

        Some micro-organisms naturally produce a polymer called PHB (polyhydroxy butyric acid). PHB is readily biodegradable.

        3-8-cie-ial-chemistry-diagram-q5hard

        What type of reaction will cause PHB to break down?

        • Addition

        • Reduction

        • Hydrolysis

        • Substitution

        Choose your answer