Polymers (Edexcel GCSE Chemistry)

Higher Only

The following molecule can undergo addition polymerisation.

What is the correct repeat unit?

	☐	A
	☐	B
	☐	C
	☐	D

Figure 10 shows information about a glass, a ceramic, a polymer and a metal.

*polymers soften, rather than melt, when heated.

Figure 10

Figure 11 shows part of a household wire that connects a kettle to a plug.

Figure 11

Explain, using information from Figure 10, why the ceramic is a suitable material to make a cup that will contain a hot drink of tea or coffee.

Figure 12

Complete the structure of a molecule of the monomer used to make this polymer by adding the missing covalent bonds.

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(6)

Polyesters can be made by condensation polymerisation. Ethanediol can react with butanedioic acid (a carboxylic acid containing two -COOH groups) to make a polymer.

Which of the following is a correct repeat unit for this polymer?

	☐	A
	☐	B
	☐	C
	☐	D

Figure 4 shows information about a ceramic and a metal.

Figure 4

The ceramic, rather than the metal, is a more suitable material for washbasins.

Give a reason for this, using a property from Figure 4.

Poly(propene) is an example of a polymer.

The structure of a poly(propene) molecule is shown in Figure 5.

Figure 5

This polymer is made from a monomer.

Draw the structure of the monomer molecule showing all covalent bonds.

A layer of poly(chloroethene) (PVC) is used to surround the copper in electrical cables.

Explain why poly(chloroethene) is a suitable material for this purpose.

Higher Only

Some polymers are polyesters.

What type of reaction takes place when polyesters are formed?

Higher Only

The repeating unit in a polyester molecule is shown in Figure 6.

Figure 6

Which of the following is not true about DNA?

Polymer molecules can be made by joining together large numbers of small molecules called monomers.

Plastics are polymers.

State two problems caused by the disposal of polymers.

A molecule of propene has the structure shown in Figure 6.

Which of the following shows the structure of part of a poly(propene) molecule?

Calculate the relative formula mass of the poly(propene) molecule made from joining together 24600 molecules of propene, C₃H₆.

Give your answer to three significant figures.

The structure of a polymer is shown below.

What is the correct monomer?

	☐	A
	☐	B
	☐	C
	☐	D

Figure 16 shows the structure of a molecule of dichloroethene.

Figure 16

(1)

	☐	A
	☐	B
	☐	C
	☐	D

Dichloroethene is produced from ethene and chlorine.

In the overall reaction, ethene reacts with chlorine and forms dichloroethene and hydrogen chloride.

Complete the balanced equation for the overall reaction.

C₂H₄ + 2Cl₂ → C₂H₂Cl₂ + .................

Poly(dichloroethene) was used to wrap food to keep it fresh.

Explain one property that a plastic food wrapping must have.

An industrial process uses 500 tonnes of dichloroethene.
In the process only 96.5% of the dichloroethene molecules react.

Calculate the mass of dichloroethene that has not reacted.

Give your answer to two significant figures.

Which of the following statements about polymers is NOT correct?

This question is about polymers.

(1)

(2)

Poly(chloroethene) is a polymer made from chloroethene.
A molecule of chloroethene is shown in Figure 20.

Figure 20

(1)

(3)

(1)

(3)

Polymers are large molecules made by linking together many smaller molecules called monomers.

Which of the following does NOT show the correct monomer name and corresponding polymer name.

A student carried out an experiment to prove that candle wax, a hydrocarbon, produces carbon dioxide and water vapour when it burns.
The equipment used is shown in Figure 11

Figure 11

The gas produced from the burning candle is drawn through the apparatus.
The limewater turned milky showing that carbon dioxide had been formed.

A small amount of a colourless liquid condensed in boiling tube X.
The student claimed that this proved that burning candle wax produced water.
The teacher said the apparatus had been set up incorrectly and therefore this conclusion about water was not valid.

Explain how the student could modify the equipment to prove that water is produced by burning candle wax.

Higher Only

Polymers are addition or condensation polymers.

Polymers can be formed by using the monomers shown in Figure 12.

Figure 12

Explain, using appropriate monomers from Figure 12, how different polymers can be formed.

An alcohol A, with molecular formula C₂H₅OH is oxidised to a compound B with molecular formula C₂H₄O_2.

Higher Only

Figure 3 shows the structure of two monomers.

monomer A	monomer B
HO CH2 CH2 OH	HOOC CH2 CH2 COOH

Figure 3

Some polymerisation reactions produce ammonia as a waste product.

A student is given a sample of pure, dry ammonia gas.

The student suggests the following method to test for ammonia gas.

This test for ammonia will not work.

Give two changes that should be made to this test for it to work.

change 1 ...........................................................

change 2 ............................................................

Alcohols can be dehydrated.

Complete the balanced equation for the dehydration of butan‐1‐ol by drawing the structures of the two products in the boxes. Name the two products.

Polythene is a polymer used to make plastic bags.

It is formed from the monomer, ethene, shown in Figure 1. 

Figure 1

Crude oil can be used as a raw material to produce polythene. 

Describe how polythene is produced from crude oil.

You should include the name of each process in your answer. 

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Higher Only

Polyester is also formed by a polymerisation reaction. 

Figure 2 shows the structures of two monomers. 

Figure 2 

These react to form a polyester. Part of its structure is shown in Figure 3. 

Figure 3 

Higher Only

Polythene and the polyester in part c) are not made from the same method of polymerisation 

Describe the differences between the polymerisation reaction used to make polythene to the reaction used to make polyester. 

A molecule of hydrocarbon X, C₄H₈ is shown in Figure 1. 

Figure 1

(1)

C₄H₈  +   ...............................................   →   ...............................................

(2)

Draw the repeating unit of the addition polymer formed when hydrocarbon X undergoes polymerisation. 

Figure 2 shows the arrangement of atoms in a molecule of an alcohol.

Figure 2

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(1)

Higher Only

Polyesters can be formed when an alcohol reacts with a carboxylic acid. 

These are known as condensation polymers. 

Figure 3 shows the repeating unit of a polyester formed when a carboxylic acid reacts with an alcohol. 

Figure 3

This question is about polyesters.

A polyester is made from the monomers shown in Figure 1. 

Which homologous series does ethanediol belong to?

Give the formula that represents the functional group of butanedioic acid.

Higher Only

Part of the structure formed by the polyester is shown in Figure 2. 

Draw the remaining bonds to complete the diagram.

Figure 2

Higher Only

A small molecule is also produced during the formation of this polyester.

Name the small molecule.