1. 1
   A student investigates an addition polymer made from propene monomers. Each propene monomer, $CH_2=CH-CH_3$, contains one C=C double bond. The student reacts many propene molecules together under high pressure with a catalyst to form poly(propene), a plastic commonly used to make crates and ropes.

   (a)

   (a) Which type of reaction converts propene monomers into poly(propene)?

   [1 mark]

   • AAddition polymerisation
   • BCondensation polymerisation
   • CCombustion
   • DNeutralisation

   (b)

   (b) Poly(propene) is described as an addition polymer because

   [1 mark]

   • Ait contains ionic bonds between the repeating units
   • Bit forms with the loss of a water molecule for every monomer added
   • Cit is made from two different types of monomer joining alternately
   • Dit forms when repeating monomer units join together with no other product formed

   (c)

   (c) Deduce, in words, the structure of the repeating unit of poly(propene) and explain how this repeating unit relates to the structure of the propene monomer.

   [2 marks]

   Total for question 1: 4 marks

2. 2
   A manufacturer is choosing polymers for two different products: rigid window frames and non-stick frying pan coatings. They are considering poly(chloroethene) (PVC) and poly(tetrafluoroethene) (PTFE), both addition polymers made from monomers that contain a C=C double bond.

   (a)

   (a) Which monomer is used to make poly(chloroethene) (PVC)?

   [1 mark]

   • AEthene
   • BTetrafluoroethene
   • CChloroethene
   • DPropene

   (b)

   (b) PTFE is chosen for non-stick frying pan coatings mainly because it is

   [1 mark]

   • Abiodegradable within a few weeks of disposal
   • Bchemically unreactive and has a very low surface friction
   • Csoluble in water at room temperature
   • Dmade of ionic bonds that conduct electricity when molten

   (c)

   (c) PVC is rigid and durable, which makes it suitable for window frames. Explain why this property of PVC makes it appropriate for this use, and suggest one reason PVC would be unsuitable for the non-stick frying pan coating instead.

   [2 marks]

   Total for question 2: 4 marks

3. 3
   A chemist compares two polymer samples. Sample X is an addition polymer with the repeating unit -CH2-CHCl-. Sample Y is a polyester, made by reacting a monomer containing two carboxylic acid groups with a different monomer containing two alcohol groups.

   (a)

   (a) Deduce the structure of the monomer used to form sample X, and name this monomer.

   [3 marks]

   (b)

   (b) Explain how sample Y, the polyester, is formed from its two monomers, including reference to the ester link formed and the small molecule released each time a link forms.

   [4 marks]

   Total for question 3: 7 marks

4. 4
   A local council is reviewing its plastic waste policy. Most polymer waste in the area is currently sent to landfill, a smaller amount is incinerated, and there is growing pressure from residents to introduce more polymer sorting for recycling.

   (a)

   (a) Evaluate the environmental problems associated with disposing of polymer waste by landfill and by combustion.

   [6 marks]

   (b)

   (b) Explain why sorting polymers is necessary before they can be recycled, and discuss the challenges this presents for the council's waste management system.

   [6 marks]

   Total for question 4: 12 marks

End of questions