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7.3 Synthetic and naturally occurring polymers

7.3 Synthetic and naturally occurring polymers

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Question 1

This question is about glass and polymers.

Reagent bottles used in laboratories can be manufactured from either borosilicate glass or poly(propene). Table 1 contains physical and economic properties of these two materials.

Table 1: Information about materials used to make reagent bottles

PropertyBorosilicate glassPoly(propene)
Temperature at which softening/melting begins (∘C^\circ\text{C}∘C)820160
FlammabilityNon-flammableFlammable
Resistance to impactBrittle (shatters easily)High impact resistance (tough)
Cost of one bottle£4.50£4.50£4.50£6.20£6.20£6.20
a.

Suggest two reasons why a laboratory technician should not use a direct flame to sterilize a poly(propene) bottle. Use Table 1.

[2]
b.

Poly(propene) bottles are more expensive than borosilicate glass bottles. Suggest one reason why using poly(propene) bottles instead of borosilicate glass bottles could save the laboratory money over time. Use Table 1.

[1]
c.

Propene (C3H6)(\text{C}_3\text{H}_6)(C3​H6​) is polymerized to make poly(propene). The displayed formula of propene is:

HH\/C ⁣ ⁣=C/\HCH3 \begin{array}{cc} \text{H} & \text{H} \\ \backslash & / \\ \text{C} & \!\!=\text{C} \\ / & \backslash \\ \text{H} & \text{CH}_3 \end{array} H\C/H​H/=C\CH3​​

Which of the following structures represents the repeating unit of poly(propene)?

  • Structure A:
[HH∣∣−C−C−∣∣HCH3]n \left[ \begin{array}{cc} \text{H} & \text{H} \\ | & | \\ -\text{C} & -\text{C}- \\ | & | \\ \text{H} & \text{CH}_3 \end{array} \right]_n ​H∣−C∣H​H∣−C−∣CH3​​​n​
  • Structure B:
[HH∣∣−C−C−∣∣HH]n \left[ \begin{array}{cc} \text{H} & \text{H} \\ | & | \\ -\text{C} & -\text{C}- \\ | & | \\ \text{H} & \text{H} \end{array} \right]_n ​H∣−C∣H​H∣−C−∣H​​n​
  • Structure C:
[FF∣∣−C−C−∣∣FF]n \left[ \begin{array}{cc} \text{F} & \text{F} \\ | & | \\ -\text{C} & -\text{C}- \\ | & | \\ \text{F} & \text{F} \end{array} \right]_n ​F∣−C∣F​F∣−C−∣F​​n​
[1]
d.

Many propene molecules join together to form poly(propene). Which two words describe a propene molecule in this polymerization process?

  • Alkane
  • Alkene
  • Catalyst
  • Monomer
  • Polymer
[2]
Markscheme

7.3 Synthetic and naturally occurring polymers Questions

  1. GCSE
  2. /Chemistry
  3. /7.3 Synthetic and naturally occurring polymers

5 exam-style questions on AQA GCSE Chemistry 7.3 Synthetic and naturally occurring polymers, covering 7.3.1 Addition polymerisation, 7.3.2 Condensation polymerisation (HT only), 7.3.3 Amino acids (HT only), and 7.3.4 DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and other naturally occurring polymers. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.

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