11 mark
Why do addition polymers not biodegrade easily?
| ☐ | A | They are inert | |
| ☐ | B | They contain ionic bonding | |
| ☐ | C | They are unsaturated molecules | |
| ☐ | D | They have high density |
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Synthetic polymers (Edexcel IGCSE Chemistry)
Exam Questions
2 hours15 questions
21 mark
Which of the following statements about polymers is NOT correct?
| ☐ | A | Polymers can be recycled but it is a difficult and expensive process | |
| ☐ | B | Addition polymers are unsaturated as they are made by combining molecules which contain a carbon double bond | |
| ☐ | C | Poly(ethene) is formed by the addition polymerisation of ethene monomers | |
| ☐ | D | Incinerating polymers contributes to climate change |
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31 mark
The structure of a polymer is shown below.
What is the correct monomer?
| ☐ | A | ||
| ☐ | B | ||
| ☐ | C | ||
| ☐ | D |
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41 mark
Which statement is the correct description of a polymer?
| ☐ | A | The atoms within a monomer | |
| ☐ | B | A large saturated hydrocarbon | |
| ☐ | C | A large molecule made from many small molecules | |
| ☐ | D | A large unsaturated molecule |
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5a1 mark
This question is about ethene, the structure of which is shown below.
Why is this molecule described as unsaturated?
5b3 marks
Ethene can undergo a polymerisation reaction.
Complete the sentences using the words in the box.
|
During polymerisation, ____________________ ethene molecules join together to form the large molecule, __________________.
These large molecules are called ___________________
5c2 marks
Complete the repeat unit of the polymer formed by ethene.
5d1 mark
Separate: Chemistry Only
Poly(ethene) is an addition polymer. Polyesters are a different type of polymer that form from two monomers and produce water.
Tick (✓) one box to show what type of polymer polyesters form.
| Condensation | |
| Addition | |
| Substitution |
5e1 mark
Separate: Chemistry Only
Biopolyesters are a specific type of polyester that are synthesised from sugar and plant oils.
Give an advantage of using biopolyesters instead of synthetic polyesters.
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11 mark
The following molecule can undergo addition polymerisation.
What is the correct repeat unit?
| ☐ | A | ||
| ☐ | B | ||
| ☐ | C | ||
| ☐ | D |
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2a
3 marks
3 marksPoly(chloroethene) is a polymer.
It is made from its monomer, chloroethene.
Chloroethene has the percentage composition by mass
C = 38.4% H = 4.8% Cl = 56.8%
Show, by calculation, that the empirical formula of chloroethene is C2H3Cl
2b5 marks
The molecular formula of chloroethene is also C2H3Cl
Chloroethene can be prepared by a two‐stage process.
In stage 1, ethene reacts with chlorine in the presence of an iron(III) chloride catalyst to form dichloroethane.
The reaction is exothermic.
C2H4 + Cl2 → C2H4Cl2
i)
Give the formula of iron(III) chloride.
(1)
ii)
State the purpose of using a catalyst.
(1)
iii)
State the meaning of the term exothermic.
(1)
iv)
What type of reaction occurs in stage 1 between ethene and chlorine?
| ☐ | A | addition | |
| ☐ | B | displacement | |
| ☐ | C | neutralisation | |
| ☐ | D | substitution |
(1)
v)
In stage 2, dichloroethane decomposes into chloroethene and hydrogen chloride.
Give a chemical equation for this reaction.
Give a chemical equation for this reaction.
(1)
2c5 marks
i)
Draw the displayed formula of
- chloroethene
- the repeat unit of poly(chloroethene)
| chloroethene | repeat unit of poly(chloroethene) |
(3)
ii)
Draw a dot‐and‐cross diagram to represent a molecule of chloroethene.
Show only the outer electrons of each atom.
Show only the outer electrons of each atom.
(2)
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3a4 marks
This question is about alkenes and polymers.
Ethene (C2H4) can be represented by different types of formula.
i)
Complete the table by giving the missing information.
(2)
| Molecular formula | C2H4 |
| Empirical formula | |
| General formula |
ii)
Ethene is a member of the homologous series of alkenes.
All members of the same homologous series have the same general formula.
Give two other characteristics of a homologous series.
All members of the same homologous series have the same general formula.
Give two other characteristics of a homologous series.
(2)
1. ............................................................................
2. ............................................................................
3b8 marks
Ethene is used to make poly(ethene).
i)
State the type of polymerisation used to form poly(ethene).
(1)
ii)
Complete the equation for the polymerisation of ethene.
(2)
iii)
Poly(ethene) is used to make plastic bags.
Corn starch from plants can also be used to make polymers for plastic bags.
The table gives some information about poly(ethene) and polymers made from corn starch.
Corn starch from plants can also be used to make polymers for plastic bags.
The table gives some information about poly(ethene) and polymers made from corn starch.
| Polymers | Polymers from corn starch | |
| Cost per tonne | £1500 | £3700 |
| Relative strength | 100 | 50 |
| Time to decompose | estimated 450 years | 3-6 months |
Use the information in the table and your knowledge to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using poly(ethene) to make plastic bags.
(5)
3c1 mark
The diagram shows the repeat unit of another polymer.
Draw the displayed formula of the monomer used to make this polymer.
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41 mark
Separate: Chemistry Only
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 |  |
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5a2 marks
Poly(propene) is an example of a polymer.
The structure of a poly(propene) molecule is shown in below.
This polymer is made from a monomer.
Draw the structure of the monomer molecule showing all covalent bonds.
5b2 marks
A layer of poly(chloroethene) (PVC) is used to surround the copper in electrical cables.
Suggest why poly(chloroethene) is a suitable material for this purpose.
5c1 mark
Separate: Chemistry Only
Some polymers are polyesters.
What type of reaction takes place when polyesters are formed?
| ☐ | A | addition | |
| ☐ | B | condensation | |
| ☐ | C | neutralisation | |
| ☐ | D | precipitation |
5d3 marks
Separate: Chemistry Only
The repeating unit in a polyester molecule is shown below.
i)
This polymer is made from two different monomers.
Draw a molecule of each monomer showing all covalent bonds.
Draw a molecule of each monomer showing all covalent bonds.
(2)
ii)
Give the name or formula of the small molecule formed when the monomer molecules react to form an ester link.
(1)
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1a4 marks
i)
Organic compounds can exist as isomers.
Explain what is meant by the term isomers.
(2)
ii)
Organic compound Q reacts with bromine, without the presence of ultraviolet radiation, to form the compound C4H8Br2.
Draw the displayed formulae of two isomers of Q.
|
a a a a a a |
(2)
1b5 marks
An acrylic polymer can be formed from molecules with this structure.
i)
A student describes the molecule as an unsaturated hydrocarbon.
Explain whether this is a correct description.
(2)
ii)
Name the type of polymerisation that occurs in the formation of the polymer.
(1)
iii)
Complete the equation for the polymerisation reaction.
(2)
1c6 marks
6 marksOctane is a compound in petrol.
The equation for the complete combustion of octane is
C8H18 + 12.5O2 → 8CO2 + 9H2O
i)
The fuel tank of a car contains 50.0 dm3 of octane.
Calculate the mass, in kg, of carbon dioxide formed if all the octane in the fuel
tank undergoes complete combustion.
[mass of 1 dm3 of octane = 700 g]
mass = ................................................kg
(5)
ii)
State an environmental problem caused by carbon dioxide.
(1)
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2a2 marks
Polymers can be classified as addition polymers or condensation polymers.
An addition polymer can be formed from the monomer CH2=CHCl
i)
Name this monomer.
(1)
ii)
Name the addition polymer formed from this monomer.
(1)
2b1 mark
The diagram shows the repeat unit of a different addition polymer.
Draw the displayed formula of the monomer used to make this polymer.
2c3 marks
Separate: Chemistry Only
Polyesters are condensation polymers.
The structures of two monomers that are used to make a polyester are:
i)
Draw the structure of the repeat unit of the polyester formed from these two monomers.
(2)
ii)
Identify the small molecule formed when these two monomers form the polyester.
(1)
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3a3 marks
Ethene can be used as a starting point in the manufacture of poly(chloroethene).
Stage 1 involves the formation of 1,2-dichloroethane and can happen by two different methods.
- Both methods form 1,2-dichloroethane
- Method 1 involves the reaction of chlorine with ethene.
- Method 2 reacts ethene with hydrogen chloride and oxygen and forms a second product.
Use chemical equations to compare the two methods.
3b4 marks
Stage 2 in the manufacture of poly(chloroethene) from ethene involves the thermal decomposition of 1,2-dichloroethane. Stage 3 involves the polymerisation of the stage 2 product to form poly(chloroethene).
i)
Draw the displayed formula of the organic product of stage 2.
(2)
ii)
Describe the organic product of stage 2.
(2)
3c1 mark
Stage 3 involves the formation of poly(chloroethene).
State the type of polymerisation that occurs in stage 3.
3d3 marks
Two ways of disposing of polymers such as poly(chloroethene) are:
- burying them in landfill sites
- burning them to release heat energy
Discuss the environmental problems caused by these two methods of disposal.
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4a2 marks
Separate: Chemistry Only
Polymerisation is the reaction of monomer molecules to form polymer chains.
The diagram shows the formation of a polyester.
Explain why this is classed as a condensation reaction.
4b2 marks
Separate: Chemistry Only
Condensation polymers are commonly formed by the esterification reaction of a diol monomer and a dicarboxylic acid monomer.
The repeat unit of a polyester is
Give the displayed formula of each of the two monomers needed to form this polyester.
4c2 marks
Separate: Chemistry Only
The structures of two organic compounds that react together to form a polymer are shown.
Give the repeat unit of the polymer formed.
4d1 mark
Separate: Chemistry Only
State one advantage of biopolyesters.
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5a5 marks
The homologous series of alkenes can be converted into polymers.
i)
Draw the displayed formulae of the first two members of the homologous series of alkenes.
(2)
ii)
Use your answer to part (ii) to explain why these compounds are in the same homologous series.
(3)
5b3 marks
Separate: Chemistry Only
The diagram shows a range of organic compounds with the general formula C4H8.
Identify the compounds that cannot form polymers. Explain your answer.
5c2 marks
Compound D can be polymerised to form the polymer poly(2-methylpropene).
Complete the equation for this polymerisation reaction. 
5d2 marks
The diagram shows the repeat unit of the polymer formed by compound E.
i)
Give the empirical formula of the polymer.
(1)
ii)
Identify another compound from part (b) that can form this polymer.
(1)
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