Polymers: past paper questions
Real questions on polymers
The newest 20 of 46 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0971/42 · May/June 2025 · Q6e(iii)[2]
Draw the structure of one repeat unit of the polymer formed when compound B undergoes addition polymerisation.
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · October/November 2024 · Q5d(i)[1]
Suggest the name of the polymer formed from propene.
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · October/November 2024 · Q5d(ii)[3]
Draw part of this polymer molecule to show three repeat units.
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · October/November 2024 · Q5d(iii)[1]
State the type of polymerisation propene undergoes. Question 6 starts on the next page.
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · October/November 2024 · Q6a(i)[1]
On Fig. 6.1, draw a circle around one amide linkage. (i)
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · October/November 2024 · Q6a(ii)[2]
Complete Fig. 6.2 to show the structures of the two monomers needed to make the polymer in Fig. 6.1. Show all of the atoms and all of the bonds in the functional groups.
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · October/November 2024 · Q6a(iii)[1]
Name the other product formed in this polymerisation.
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · October/November 2024 · Q6a(iv)[1]
State the term given to natural polyamides.
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · October/November 2024 · Q6a(v)[1]
Name the type of monomers which are used to make natural polyamides.
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · October/November 2024 · Q6a(vi)[3]
One of the monomers which forms part of a natural polyamide has three carbon atoms. Complete Fig. 6.3 to show the displayed formula of this monomer. C H
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · October/November 2024 · Q6b(i)[2]
Name the two types of monomer molecules needed to make polyesters. and
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · October/November 2024 · Q6b(ii)[3]
Draw part of the structure of PET which shows two repeat units. Show all of the atoms and all of the bonds in the linkages.
See it on the paper → - 0971/41 · May/June 2024 · Q7b[3]
Fig. 7.1 shows a section of polymer Q. CH 3 CH 3 CH 3 CH 3 C C C C H H H H Fig. 7.1 ● Draw the displayed formula of the monomer that forms polymer Q. ● Name the monomer used to form polymer Q.
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · October/November 2023 · Q6d(ii)[1]
State the name given to the natural polyamides formed from amino acid monomers. [Total: 11]
See it on the paper → - 0971/41 · May/June 2023 · Q7b(iv)[2]
Compound A can be used as a single monomer to produce two different polymers. Draw one repeat unit of the addition polymer formed from compound A.
See it on the paper → - 0971/41 · May/June 2023 · Q7b(v)[1]
Compound A can be converted into a dicarboxylic acid. Name the type of condensation polymer formed from a dicarboxylic acid and a diol. [Total: 12]
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · May/June 2023 · Q6d(i)[1]
Circle one repeat unit of this polymer.
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · May/June 2023 · Q6d(ii)[2]
Draw the structures of the monomers which make up PET. Draw the functional groups using displayed formulae.
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · May/June 2023 · Q6d(iii)[1]
State the type of polymerisation used in making PET. [Total: 7]
See it on the paper → - 0971/31 · May/June 2022 · Q1a(iv)[1]
the monomer used to produce poly(ethene)
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
This was a challenging question for many candidates who often did not remove the double bond from the monomer unit or attempted to form a chain of 4 carbon atoms. Some candidates showed two carbon atoms, each with 4 bonds, joined by a single bond and with continuation bonds but often had poor connectivity to the COOH groups.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0971/42 Q6(e)(iii) (Cambridge)
This was answered reasonably well. There was no requirement for brackets or –n when drawing a repeat unit. Many answers contained carbon–carbon double bonds. Connectivity issues involving the two carbon atoms in the main polymer chain being bonded to –COOH and –CH2OH.
— Examiner report, May/June 2023, 0971/41 Q7(b)(iv) (Cambridge)
Candidates found this challenging. Common answers included esters and named polymers such as Terylene, PET and polyamides.
— Examiner report, May/June 2023, 0971/41 Q7(b)(v) (Cambridge)
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