1. 1
   A packaging company manufactures poly(ethene) bags by polymerising large numbers of ethene molecules together, then assesses the environmental impact of the plastic waste generated.

   (a)

   Which term describes the small molecules, such as ethene, that join together to form the polymer?

   [1 mark]

   • AMonomers
   • BIsomers
   • CIsotopes
   • DCatalysts

   (b)

   Which type of polymerisation is used to form poly(ethene) from ethene monomers?

   [1 mark]

   • AFermentation polymerisation
   • BCondensation polymerisation
   • CNeutralisation polymerisation
   • DAddition polymerisation

   (c)

   State two environmental challenges associated with the disposal of plastics such as poly(ethene) bags.

   [2 marks]

   Total for question 1: 4 marks

2. 2
   A textile manufacturer produces nylon fibres by reacting a dicarboxylic acid with a diamine, then separately produces PET fibres by reacting a different dicarboxylic acid with a diol.

   (a)

   Which class of polymer is nylon?

   [1 mark]

   • APolyester
   • BPolyamide
   • CPoly(ethene)
   • DPoly(propene)

   (b)

   The manufacturer's PET fibres are formed from a dicarboxylic acid and a diol. Which type of polymer is PET?

   [1 mark]

   • AAddition polymer
   • BPolyamide
   • CPolyester
   • DProtein

   (c)

   State one key structural difference between addition polymerisation and condensation polymerisation, in terms of the number of monomer types involved and any by-product formed.

   [2 marks]

   Total for question 2: 4 marks

3. 3
   A biology teacher explains to students that silk and wool, though produced by living organisms rather than in a factory, are also polymers, built from amino acid monomers joined together. A student then asks whether these natural polymers are similar in structure to a synthetic fabric such as nylon.

   (a)

   Identify the class of natural polymer these fibres belong to, and name the type of monomer from which they are built.

   [3 marks]

   (b)

   Explain why the student's comparison between proteins and nylon is a reasonable one, referring to the type of linkage formed and the type of polymerisation involved in each case, and state one way in which the monomers used to build proteins differ from those used to build nylon.

   [4 marks]

   Total for question 3: 7 marks

4. 4
   A recycling company is developing a scheme to recover and reuse plastic drinks bottles made of PET.

   (a)

   Explain how PET is formed by condensation polymerisation, describe how it can be broken back down into its original monomers, and discuss why this recyclability makes PET more environmentally favourable than an addition polymer such as poly(ethene).

   [6 marks]

   (b)

   The recycling company also collects large volumes of poly(ethene) packaging, which cannot be broken down as easily as PET. Explain how poly(ethene) is formed by addition polymerisation from ethene, and discuss the environmental challenges this creates for its disposal, along with any alternative strategies the company might consider besides chemical recycling.

   [6 marks]

   Total for question 4: 12 marks

End of questions