Polymers: past paper questions

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• Question 36May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Nylon and poly(ethene) are formed by polymerisation reactions. Which other products, if any, are formed during the two polymerisation reactions?

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• Question 36Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The structures of X and Y are shown. What is the structure of the polymer formed when X and Y react together?

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• Question 37Oct/Nov 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Polymer X is an addition polymer. The monomer used to make X is but-1-ene. Polymer Y is a condensation polymer.

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• Question 7May/June 2026, paper 21Structured7 marksHas a diagram

  Proteins are natural condensation polymers. Figure 7.1 shows a section of a protein. Define the term condensation in the phrase condensation polymerisation.

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• Question 36Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows the repeat unit of a polymer. Which row shows the monomer and type of polymerisation involved in making this polymer?

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• Question 7Oct/Nov 2024, paper 21Structured14 marksHas a diagram

  Propanoic acid can be represented by the formula ${\text{CH}}_3{\text{CH}}_2\text{COOH}$. Propanoic acid reacts with methanol, ${\text{CH}}_3\text{OH}$, to produce an ester. Name the ester formed and draw its displayed formula.

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• Question 5Oct/Nov 2023, paper 21Structured10 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 5.1 shows the displayed formula of compound A. Draw a circle around the functional group on Fig. 5.1 that is also present in alkenes.

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• Question 7May/June 2026, paper 22Structured9 marks

  Chloroethene is a monomer used to make poly(chloroethene). The displayed formula of chloroethene is shown. Draw the structure of poly(chloroethene).

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• Question 7Oct/Nov 2025, paper 21Structured13 marksHas a diagram

  Ethene is used to make ethanol and poly(ethene). Fig. 7.1 shows the displayed formula of ethene. Alkenes such as ethene are manufactured from hydrocarbons such as ${\mathrm{C}}_{12}{\mathrm{H}}_{26}$.

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• Question 7Oct/Nov 2024, paper 22Structured14 marksHas a diagram

  Esters are represented by the formula ${\mathrm{C}}_n{\mathrm{H}}_{2n}{\mathrm{O}}_2$. State the name given to a formula such as ${\mathrm{C}}_n{\mathrm{H}}_{2n}{\mathrm{O}}_2$.

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• Question 5Oct/Nov 2023, paper 22Structured10 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 5.1 shows the displayed formula of compound A. On Fig. 5.1, draw a circle around the functional group that reacts with aqueous bromine.

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• Question 7Oct/Nov 2025, paper 22Structured8 marksHas a diagram

  PET is a polyester. It is a condensation polymer. Fig. 7.1 shows the two monomers needed to make PET.

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• Question 37May/June 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows the partial structure of a polymer. Which pair of reagents is used to form this polymer?

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• Question 10May/June 2023, paper 21Structured6 marksHas a diagram

  PVC and poly(propene) are polymers made by a reaction called addition polymerisation. The diagram in Fig. 10.1 shows the structure of PVC. Draw the structure of the monomer used to make PVC.

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• Question 37May/June 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The structure of a condensation polymer is shown. Which two monomers form this polymer?

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• Question 9May/June 2024, paper 21Structured8 marks

  Polymers are made by either an addition reaction or a condensation reaction. Describe the differences between addition and condensation polymerisation.

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• Question 10May/June 2023, paper 22Structured7 marksHas a diagram

  Proteins and PET are polymers made by a reaction called condensation polymerisation. The diagram in Fig. 10.1 shows the structure of a section of a protein. Draw the general structure of the amino acid monomers used to make proteins.

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• Question 8May/June 2025, paper 21Structured11 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 8.1 shows the displayed formula of methylbut-2-enoate. Fig. 8.1 Methylbut-2-enoate is an unsaturated ester. Explain why methylbut-2-enoate is unsaturated.

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• Question 9May/June 2024, paper 22Structured8 marksHas a diagram

  Polymers are made by either an addition reaction or a condensation reaction. Fig. 9.1 shows the equation for the reaction used to prepare a polymer. The monomer is both an alcohol and a carboxylic acid.

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• Question 8May/June 2025, paper 22Structured10 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 8.1 shows the displayed formula of compound A. Compound A is both a saturated alcohol and a saturated ester. Explain why compound A is saturated.

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