Syllabus Edition

First teaching 2023

First exams 2025

|

Addition Polymerisation (CIE AS Chemistry)

Exam Questions

2 hours28 questions
11 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?

  • 3-8-e-1a

  • 3-8-e-1b

  • 3-8-e-1c

  • 3-8-e-1d

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21 mark

Plastic waste can be incinerated to provide heat for power stations.

Why is PVC, polyvinylchloride, removed from any plastic waste that is to be incinerated?

  • It does not burn easily

  • Its combustion products are harmful

  • It is easily biodegradable

  • It destroys the ozone layer

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31 mark

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

3-8-e-3

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

  • 3-8-e-3a

  • 3-8-e-3b

  • 3-8-e-3c

  • 3-8-e-3d

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41 mark

What is the repeating unit of PVC?

  • 3-8-e-5a

  • 3-8-e-5b

  • 3-8-e-5c

  • 3-8-e-5d

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11 mark

Plasticisers, resins and many other chemicals can be made synthetically by polymerisation of a variety of monomers including but-2-en-1-ol, CH3CH=CHCH2OH.

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

  • 3-8-m-1a

  • 3-8-m-1b

  • 3-8-m-1c

  • 3-8-m-1d

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21 mark

Which statement about PVC is incorrect?

  • PVC molecules are saturated 

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

  • Combustion of PVC waste produces a highly acidic gas

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

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31 mark

PVC is produced through the polymerisation of chloroethene.

How does the carbon-carbon bond in chloroethene compare with that in PVC?

  • Longer and stronger

  • Longer and weaker

  • Shorter and stronger

  • Shorter and weaker

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41 mark

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

  • Half are 109.5° and half are 120°

  • They are all 109.5°

  • They are all 120°

  • They are all 180°

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51 mark

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

3-8-cie-ial-chemistry-diagram-q5medium

From which monomer could this addition polymer be obtained?

  • HOCH2CH2CO2H

  • HO2CCH=CHCO2H

  • CH3CH(OH)CO2H

  • H2C=CHCO2H

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61 mark

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

 

Bond breakage

Bond formation

A

B

C

D

σ and π

σ and π

π only

π only

σ only

σ and π

σ only

σ and π

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    71 mark

    Cling film is made through the polymerisation of 1,1-dichloroethene. The product is dense with a high melting point and does not allow gases to pass through which makes it ideal for preserving food.

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

    • minus[CH2CCl2CHClCHClCH2CCl2]minus

    • minus[CCl2CCl2CCl2CCl2CCl2CCl2]minus

    • minus[CHClCHClCHClCHClCHClCHCl]minus

    • negative sign[CH2CCl2CH2CCl2CH2CCl2]minus

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    81 mark

    Which polymer is not made when 1-hydroxyethene and propene undergo additional polymerisation?

    • negative sign[CH2CH(OH)CH2CH(CH3)CH2CH(OH)CH2CH(CH3)]minus

    • negative sign[CH2CH(CH3)CH2CH(OH)CH2CH(OH)CH2CH(CH3)]minus

    • minus[CH2CH(CH3)CH2CHCH3CH(OH)CH2CH2CHCH3]minus

    • minus[CH2CH(OH)CH2CH(OH)CH2CH(OH)CH2CH(OH)]minus

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    91 mark

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

    3-8-cie-ial-chemistry-diagram-q9medium

    The polymer has a relative molecular mass of approximately 10 000.

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

    • 80

    • 160

    • 240

    • 320

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    101 mark

    The addition of four identical monomer molecules produces the naturally occurring molecule shown below.

    3-8-cie-ial-chemistry-diagram-q10medium

    What could be the structural formula of the monomer?

    • CH2=C(CH3)CH2CH3

    • CH3CH=CHCH=CH2

    • CH3CH2CH2CH=CH2

    • CH2=C(CH3)CH=CH2

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    11 mark

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

     

    Moles of O2

    Products

    A

    Poly(propene) does not burn

    B

    n

    3nC + 3nH2O

    C

    n

    3nCO2 + 3nH2O

    D

    6n

    3nCO2 + 3nH2O

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      21 mark

      The following diagram represents the structure of a polymer.

      3-8-h-3

      By which method can this polymer be made?

       

      Step 1

      Step 2

      A

      B

      C

      D

      Polymerise ethene

      Polymerise 1,2-dichloroethene

      Polymerise ethene

      Polymerise 1, 2-dichloroethene

      Hydration

      Hydrolysis

      Oxidation with H+ / KMnO4

      Oxidation with H+ / KMnO4

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        31 mark

        Some micro-organisms naturally produce a polymer called PHB (polyhydroxy butyric acid). PHB is readily biodegradable.

        3-8-cie-ial-chemistry-diagram-q5hard

        What type of reaction will cause PHB to break down?

        • Addition

        • Reduction

        • Hydrolysis

        • Substitution

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