Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) · CHEMISTRY · Chapter
Synthetic Polymers
107 practice questions
Topics covered
Practice questions
1–10 of 46 · Normal
Question 1
2 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →State the name of the monomer used to make poly(chloroethene). Draw the displayed formula of the repeat unit of poly(chloroethene).
Question 2
4 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Poly(ethene) is made from ethene by addition polymerisation.
(a)[1 mark]Describe the conditions required for the polymerisation of ethene.
(b)[2 marks]Write the chemical equation, using displayed formulae, for the formation of poly(ethene) from ethene.
(c)[1 mark]Explain why nothing else is produced in this reaction.
Question 3
3 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Explain why the preparation of addition polymers such as poly(ethene) does not produce any waste products. State one advantage and one disadvantage of this.
Question 4
4 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →The table below shows information about three addition polymers and the number of carbon atoms in their repeat units.
Polymer Monomer Number of C atoms in repeat unit Poly(ethene) ethene 2 Poly(propene) propene 3 Poly(chloroethene) chloroethene 2 (a)[1 mark]Which polymer in the table has a repeat unit containing the highest number of carbon atoms? Explain your answer.
(b)[2 marks]Draw the repeat unit for poly(propene).
(c)[1 mark]Name the monomer used to make poly(chloroethene).
Question 5
1 mark · Normal
Answer and check →Which statement about the preparation of poly(ethene) by addition polymerisation is correct?
- A.The monomers react and produce water as a by-product.
- B.The reaction requires a catalyst.
- C.The polymerisation uses up all atoms from the ethene monomers.
- D.It forms poly(ethene) and carbon dioxide.
Question 6
2 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Give the name of the addition polymer formed from tetrafluoroethene, and draw its repeat unit using displayed formulae.
Question 7
4 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Addition polymers such as poly(chloroethene) are made from small molecules called monomers.
(a)[1 mark]Name the type of reaction used to make poly(chloroethene).
(b)[1 mark]Describe the role of an initiator in the preparation of addition polymers.
(c)[1 mark]Draw the structure of chloroethene, the monomer used to make poly(chloroethene).
(d)[1 mark]State one use of poly(chloroethene).
Question 8
3 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →A monomer with the formula (chloroethene) undergoes addition polymerisation to form poly(chloroethene).
Calculate the relative molecular mass (Mr) of one repeat unit of poly(chloroethene).
Show your working, including the atomic masses you use, and draw the displayed formula of the repeat unit.
(a)[2 marks]Calculate the relative molecular mass (Mr) of one repeat unit of poly(chloroethene). Use these atomic masses: C = 12, H = 1, Cl = 35.5.
(b)[1 mark]Draw the displayed formula of one repeat unit of poly(chloroethene).
Question 9
2 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Poly(butene) is a polymer formed by the addition polymerisation of butene (CH2=CHCH2CH3).
State:
(a)[1 mark]the name of the monomer used to make poly(butene)
(b)[1 mark]the type of bond in butene that allows it to undergo addition polymerisation
Question 10
4 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →A new polymer, poly(2-chloropropene), is formed from the alkene 2-chloropropene (CH2=CClCH3).
(a)[1 mark]Draw the displayed formula of the monomer, 2-chloropropene.
(b)[2 marks]Show the displayed formula of the repeat unit of poly(2-chloropropene). Indicate continuation bonds at both ends.
(c)[1 mark]State the type of polymerisation that occurs.