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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1
1 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?

  • Poly(ethenol) polymer chain showing two repeat units: −CH(OH)−CH₂−CH(OH)−CH₂−, with pendant hydroxyl groups on alternating carbons
  • Polymer chain with a pendant hydroxyl group on the second carbon and a C−O ether linkage at the chain end: −CH₂−CH(OH)−CH₂−CH₂−O−
  • Polymer chain with oxygen atoms in the main backbone: −O−CH₂−CH₂−O−CH₂−CH₂−, indicating ether linkages within the chain
  • Polymer chain with terminal hydroxyl groups at both chain ends rather than pendant hydroxyl groups: −CH₂−CH₂−OH and −CH₂−CH₂−OH−

Choose your answer

2
1 mark

Plastic waste can be incinerated to provide energy.

Which statement explains why poly(chloroethene), PVC, is removed from the waste before incineration?

  • It destroys the ozone layer

  • It does not burn easily

  • It is easily biodegradable

  • Its combustion products are harmful

Choose your answer

3
1 mark

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

Displayed formula of 2-methylpropene: CH₂=C(CH₃)₂ with a C=C double bond, two hydrogen atoms on C1, and two methyl groups on C2

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

  • Addition polymer repeat unit with 3-carbon backbone: bracketed −CH2−CH(CH3)−CH2− with subscript n, showing a methyl pendant group on the central carbon
  • Addition polymer repeat unit: bracketed −CH(CH3)−CH(CH3)− with subscript n, showing one methyl group on each carbon of the 2-carbon backbone (repeat unit of poly(but-2-ene))
  • Addition polymer repeat unit: bracketed −CH2−C(CH3)2− with subscript n, showing two methyl groups on the second carbon (correct repeat unit for poly(2-methylpropene))
  • Incorrect polymer structure retaining the C=C double bond: bracketed unit showing C=C with two methyl groups on the right carbon and subscript n

Choose your answer

4
1 mark

What is the repeat unit of PVC, poly(chloroethene)?

  • Skeletal formula of poly(chloroethene) (PVC) repeat unit: 2-carbon chain with one chlorine substituent on the second carbon (−CH₂−CHCl−), shown with continuation bonds at both ends
  • Skeletal formula of polymer repeat unit with one chlorine atom on each of the two adjacent carbons (−CHCl−CHCl−): repeat unit of poly(1,2-dichloroethene), shown with continuation bonds
  • Skeletal formula of polymer unit incorrectly retaining a C=C double bond with one chlorine substituent on one carbon, shown with continuation bonds
  • Skeletal formula of polymer unit incorrectly retaining a C=C double bond with two chlorine atoms, one on each carbon of the double bond, shown with continuation bonds

Choose your answer

1
1 mark

But-2-en-1-ol, CH3CH=CHCH2OH, is a monomer that undergoes addition polymerisation.

Which structure is the repeat unit in poly(but-2-en-1-ol)?

  • Polymer unit incorrectly retaining the C=C double bond: −CH(CH₃)=C(CH₂OH)− with methyl pendant on one carbon and hydroxymethyl (CH₂OH) on the other, shown with continuation bonds
  • Polymer unit with a 4-carbon backbone and a pendant hydroxyl group on the third carbon: −CH₂−CH₂−CH(OH)−CH₂−, shown with continuation bonds
  • Polymer unit with a 4-carbon backbone and a terminal hydroxyl group at the chain end: −CH₂−CH₂−CH₂−CH₂−OH, shown with continuation bonds
  • Repeat unit of poly(but-2-en-1-ol): −CH(CH₃)−CH(CH₂OH)− with a 2-carbon backbone, methyl pendant on one carbon and hydroxymethyl (CH₂OH) pendant on the other, shown with continuation bonds

Choose your answer

2
1 mark

Which statement about PVC, poly(chloroethene), is not correct?

  • Combustion of PVC waste produces a highly acidic gas

  • PVC molecules are saturated

  • The empirical formula of PVC is the same as the empirical formula of its monomer

  • The repeat unit of PVC is −(CHClCHCl)−

Choose your answer

3
1 mark

PVC is produced by the addition polymerisation of chloroethene.

Which row correctly describes the carbon-carbon bond in chloroethene compared with the carbon-carbon bond in PVC?

Bond length

Bond strength

A

Longer

Stronger

B

Longer

Weaker

C

Shorter

Stronger

D

Shorter

Weaker

    Choose your answer

    4
    1 mark

    What are the C−C−C bond angles along the polymeric chain in PVC?

    • All approximately 109.5°

    • All approximately 120°

    • All approximately 180°

    • Approximately half are 109.5° and half are 120°

    Choose your answer

    5
    1 mark

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

    Section of a poly(prop-2-enoic acid) chain showing alternating CH₂ and CH groups in the backbone with a CO₂H carboxylic acid pendant group on each CH carbon, with continuation bonds at both ends

    Which monomer is used to make this polymer?

    • CH2=CHCO2H

    • CH3CH(OH)CO2H

    • HOCH2CH2CO2H

    • HO2CCH=CHCO2H

    Choose your answer

    6
    1 mark

    In the addition polymerisation of alkenes, which row identifies the types of bond breakage and bond formation that occur?

    Bond breakage

    Bond formation

    A

    π only

    σ and π

    B

    π only

    σ only

    C

    σ and π

    σ and π

    D

    σ and π

    σ only

      Choose your answer

      7
      1 mark

      1,1-Dichloroethene undergoes addition polymerisation to form a polymer used in cling film.

      Which sequence appears in a short length of the polymer chain?

      • −CCl2CCl2CCl2CCl2CCl2CCl2−

      • −CH2CCl2CH2CCl2CH2CCl2−

      • −CH2CCl2CHClCHClCH2CCl2−

      • −CHClCHClCHClCHClCHClCHCl−

      Choose your answer

      8
      1 mark

      Which polymer is not made when ethenol and propene undergo addition polymerisation?

      • −CH2CH(CH3)CH2CH(OH)CH2CH(OH)CH2CH(CH3)−

      • −CH2CH(CH3)CH2CHCH3CH(OH)CH2CH2CHCH3−

      • −CH2CH(OH)CH2CH(CH3)CH2CH(OH)CH2CH(CH3)−

      • −CH2CH(OH)CH2CH(OH)CH2CH(OH)CH2CH(OH)−

      Choose your answer

      9
      1 mark

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

      Short section of addition polymer chain showing six consecutive backbone carbons, each bearing one H atom above and one OH group below, with dashed bonds at both ends indicating the chain continues

      The polymer has a relative molecular mass of 9600.

      Approximately how many monomer units are joined together in each polymer molecule?

      • 80

      • 160

      • 240

      • 320

      Choose your answer

      10
      1 mark

      A naturally occurring compound is formed by the addition polymerisation of four identical monomer molecules, as shown.

      Cyclic naturally occurring addition polymer formed from four identical monomer units, showing a ring structure with alternating C=C double bonds and four pendant CH3 methyl groups around the ring

      Which structural formula represents the monomer?

      • CH2=C(CH3)CH2CH3

      • CH2=C(CH3)CH=CH2

      • CH3CH2CH2CH=CH2

      • CH3CH=CHCH=CH2

      Choose your answer

      1
      1 mark

      Which row correctly describes what happens when poly(propene), (C3H6)~n~, is burned in an excess of air?

      Moles of O2

      Products

      A

      3.0n

      3nCO + 3nH2O

      B

      1.5n

      3nC + 3nH2O

      C

      4.5n

      3nCO2 + 3nH2O

      D

      9.0n

      3nCO2 + 3nH2O

        Choose your answer

        2
        1 mark

        The structure of a polymer is shown.

        Displayed formula of a polymer chain section in which every backbone carbon carries a pendant hydroxyl group: −CH(OH)−CH(OH)−CH(OH)−CH(OH)−CH(OH)−CH(OH)−, shown with dashed continuation bonds at both ends

        Which row identifies step 1 and step 2 to make this polymer?

        Step 1

        Step 2

        A

        Polymerise 1,2-dichloroethene

        Hydrolysis

        B

        Polymerise 1,2-dichloroethene

        Oxidation with H+ / KMnO4

        C

        Polymerise ethene

        Hydration

        D

        Polymerise ethene

        Oxidation with H+ / KMnO4

          Choose your answer

          3
          1 mark

          Some micro-organisms produce the naturally occurring polymer PHB (polyhydroxybutyric acid), shown below.

          Structural formula of the PHB (polyhydroxybutyric acid) repeat unit: −[O−CH(CH₃)−CH₂−C(=O)]n, showing an ester linkage within a 4-carbon backbone with a methyl side group, with subscript n

          Which type of reaction would break down PHB?

          • Addition

          • Hydrolysis

          • Reduction

          • Substitution

          Choose your answer