Synthetic and naturally occurring polymers (chemistry only)

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Question 13
Medium

Drainage pipes can be manufactured from clay or poly(chloroethene) (PVC).

Below is the structure of the repeating unit of poly(chloroethene):

[ClH∣∣—C—C—∣∣HH]n\left[ \begin{array}{ccccc} & \text{Cl} & & \text{H} & \\ & | & & | & \\ \text{---} & \text{C} & \text{---} & \text{C} & \text{---} \\ & | & & | & \\ & \text{H} & & \text{H} & \end{array} \right]_n​—​Cl∣C∣H​—​H∣C∣H​—​​n​

a.

Which monomer is used to produce poly(chloroethene)?

Option A HH∣∣C=C∣∣HH\begin{array}{ccc} \text{H} & & \text{H} \\ | & & | \\ \text{C} & = & \text{C} \\ | & & | \\ \text{H} & & \text{H} \end{array}H∣C∣H​=​H∣C∣H​

Option B ClH∣∣C=C∣∣HH\begin{array}{ccc} \text{Cl} & & \text{H} \\ | & & | \\ \text{C} & = & \text{C} \\ | & & | \\ \text{H} & & \text{H} \end{array}Cl∣C∣H​=​H∣C∣H​

Option C ClCl∣∣C=C∣∣HH\begin{array}{ccc} \text{Cl} & & \text{Cl} \\ | & & | \\ \text{C} & = & \text{C} \\ | & & | \\ \text{H} & & \text{H} \end{array}Cl∣C∣H​=​Cl∣C∣H​

Option D ClH∣∣C=C∣∣ClH\begin{array}{ccc} \text{Cl} & & \text{H} \\ | & & | \\ \text{C} & = & \text{C} \\ | & & | \\ \text{Cl} & & \text{H} \end{array}Cl∣C∣Cl​=​H∣C∣H​

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b.

Which process is used to make poly(chloroethene) from its monomers?

  • Cracking
  • Fractional distillation
  • Polymerisation
  • Neutralisation
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c.

Complete the sentences using terms from this list: [allotropes, composites, four, many, monomers, polymers, two]

  • Poly(chloroethene) is produced from small unsaturated molecules called ______.
  • When poly(chloroethene) is made, ______ chloroethene molecules join together.
  • These long-chain molecules are called ______.
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d.

Table 1 gives some information about drainage pipes made of clay and poly(chloroethene).

FeatureClay drainage pipesPoly(chloroethene) drainage pipes
Source of raw materialsClay (from quarrying)Crude oil and salt
Energy to make 1 m of pipe (MJ)28085
BiodegradableNoNo
RecyclableNoYes

Compare the advantages and disadvantages of using clay and poly(chloroethene) to make drainage pipes. Use Table 1 and your knowledge of life cycle assessments (LCAs).

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Synthetic and naturally occurring polymers (chemistry only) Questions

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