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7.3 Synthetic and naturally occurring polymers

7.3 Synthetic and naturally occurring polymers

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Question 2

This question is about glass and polymers.

Beakers can be made from soda-lime glass or poly(ethene). Table 1 shows information about these materials.

Table 1: Information about materials used to make beakers

PropertySoda-lime glassPoly(ethene)
Temperature at which softening/melting begins (∘C)(^\circ\text{C})(∘C)700115
FlammabilityDoes not burnBurns
Resistance to impactShattersTough
Cost of one beaker£1.20£1.20£1.20£1.80£1.80£1.80
a.

Suggest two reasons why a Bunsen burner should not be used to heat a liquid in a poly(ethene) beaker. Use Table 1.

[2]
b.

Poly(ethene) beakers are more expensive than soda-lime glass beakers. Suggest one reason why using poly(ethene) beakers instead of soda-lime glass beakers could save a science department money over time. Use Table 1.

[1]
c.

Ethene (C2H4)(\text{C}_2\text{H}_4)(C2​H4​) is polymerized to make poly(ethene). The displayed formula of ethene is:

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

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

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

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

  • Alkane
  • Alkene
  • Catalyst
  • Monomer
  • Polymer
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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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