Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) · CHEMISTRY · Chapter
Synthetic Polymers
107 practice questions
Topics covered
Practice questions
91–100 of 107
Question 91
2 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Describe how polylactic acid (PLA) is produced from its monomer, lactic acid.
Question 92
4 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Polyesters are condensation polymers that are more biodegradable than many addition polymers.
(a)[1 mark]State what is meant by a condensation polymerisation reaction.
(b)[3 marks]With reference to chemical bonding, explain why polyesters can be biodegraded more easily than addition polymers.
Question 93
3 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Lactic acid has the formula . When making a biodegradable polyester such as polylactic acid (PLA), lactic acid monomers react with each other to form a long polymer chain.
Explain, using your knowledge of its structure, how lactic acid can form a biodegradable polyester like PLA from a single type of monomer.
Question 94
2 marks · Hard
Answer and see the solution →Describe how the biodegradable polyester polylactic acid (PLA) can be made from its monomer, lactic acid. In your answer, state the name of both the process and the type of chemical reaction involved.
Question 95
5 marks · Hard
Answer and see the solution →Polyesters, such as polylactic acid (PLA), often biodegrade more rapidly than addition polymers like poly(ethene).
Answer the following questions about their biodegradability.
(a)[1 mark]Explain what is meant by 'biodegradable polyester'.
(b)[1 mark]State what is meant by an 'ester linkage' in the context of polyester structure.
(c)[3 marks]Compare the biodegradability of polyesters (such as PLA) and addition polymers (such as poly(ethene)).
Explain why polyesters with ester linkages are more biodegradable, referring to the chemical structure and environmental breakdown processes.
Question 96
2 marks · Hard
Answer and see the solution →Lactic acid is the monomer for polylactic acid (PLA). What is the displayed (structural) formula for the part of a PLA chain that is actually repeated in the polymer? Describe or draw the repeat unit of PLA, indicating the ester linkage.
Question 97
5 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →Poly(chloroethene) is better known as PVC and is used for making pipes and insulation.
(a)[2 marks]Describe briefly how an addition polymer such as poly(chloroethene) is prepared from its monomer.
(b)[1 mark]Draw the structural formula of the monomer used to make poly(chloroethene).
(c)[2 marks]The displayed formula of a polymer chain is shown below:
Deduce the name and displayed formula of the alkene monomer used to make this polymer.
Question 98
5 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →The polymer poly(propene) is produced by the addition polymerisation of propene.
(a)[2 marks]Draw the displayed formula of the repeat unit of poly(propene).
(b)[1 mark]Write the displayed formula of the monomer used to make poly(propene).
(c)[2 marks]How many propene molecules would be needed to form a polymer chain containing 3000 carbon atoms?
Question 99
5 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →Poly(chloroethene), also known as PVC, is a common synthetic polymer.
(a)[1 mark]State the name of the monomer used to produce poly(chloroethene).
(b)[2 marks]Describe what occurs to the double bond during addition polymerisation of this monomer.
(c)[2 marks]Deduce and draw the displayed formula of the repeat unit of poly(chloroethene), showing all atoms with their bonds clearly.
Question 100
5 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →Poly(pent-1-ene) is a synthetic addition polymer made from the monomer pent-1-ene.
(a)[2 marks]Draw the displayed formula of the repeat unit of poly(pent-1-ene).
(b)[2 marks]State the name and displayed formula of the monomer used to make poly(pent-1-ene).
(c)[1 mark]Give the type of polymerisation occurring and briefly explain what happens to the double bond in the monomer during the reaction.