O Level Chemistry 5070 · Organic chemistry · 11.8

Polymers: past paper questions

34 real questionsasked in 8 of the last 10 exam series2019–2025usually: Draw, Name, Explain, Complete, State

Real questions on polymers

The newest 20 of 34 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.

5070/21 · October/November 2025 · Q7c(i)[2]
Draw the structure of poly(ethene). Your structure should show two repeat units. (i)
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5070/22 · October/November 2025 · Q7a[2]
Name the two types of monomer shown in Fig. 7.1.
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5070/21 · May/June 2025 · Q8c(i)[2]
Draw the structure of this addition polymer. Include at least two repeat units.
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5070/22 · May/June 2025 · Q8d(i)[2]
Draw the structure of one repeat unit of this condensation polymer.
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5070/22 · May/June 2025 · Q8d(ii)[1]
An equal number of moles of the monomers D and E are reacted to make the condensation polymer. The total mass of the monomers D and E is 80 g. There is a 100% yield. Explain why the mass of the condensation polymer made is less than 80 g.
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5070/21 · October/November 2024 · Q7b(i)[3]
Complete the diagram in Fig. 7.2 to show the structure of two repeat units of this polyamide. Show all of the atoms and all of the bonds in the linkages.
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5070/21 · October/November 2024 · Q7b(ii)[2]
Polyamides are polymers. State the meaning of the term polymer.
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5070/21 · October/November 2024 · Q7b(iii)[1]
Polyamides are condensation polymers. State one difference between condensation polymerisation and addition polymerisation.
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5070/22 · October/November 2024 · Q7c(i)[3]
Complete the diagram in Fig. 7.2 to show the structure of two repeat units of this polyester. Show all of the atoms and all of the bonds in the linkages.
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5070/22 · October/November 2024 · Q7c(ii)[1]
Name the type of polymerisation in this reaction.
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5070/22 · October/November 2024 · Q7d[2]
PET is a plastic. Describe the chemical processes involved in converting used PET into a new plastic.
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5070/21 · May/June 2024 · Q9a[2]
Describe the differences between addition and condensation polymerisation.
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5070/22 · May/June 2024 · Q9a(i)[1]
Name the type of linkage that bonds the repeat units to one another in this polymer.
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5070/22 · May/June 2024 · Q9a(ii)[1]
Explain how the equation shows that the polymer is made by a condensation reaction.
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5070/22 · May/June 2024 · Q9b[3]
A polymer contains 10.8% carbon, 17.1% fluorine and 72.1% bromine by mass. Calculate the empirical formula of this polymer. empirical formula
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5070/22 · May/June 2024 · Q9c(i)[1]
Explain why there is an accumulation of plastics in the oceans. Use ideas about the properties of plastics.
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5070/22 · May/June 2024 · Q9c(ii)[2]
Explain why the disposal of plastics causes an environmental challenge.
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5070/21 · October/November 2023 · Q5c[2]
Fig. 5.2 shows the structure of compound B. H H H C C Cl C H H Fig. 5.2 Compound B can be polymerised. Draw two repeat units of the polymer formed when compound B is polymerised.
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5070/22 · May/June 2023 · Q10a(ii)[1]
Proteins are polyamides. Name one other polyamide.
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5070/21 · October/November 2021 · Q8d(i)[1]
State the name of the type of polymerisation that occurs.
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What examiners said

Candidates found this very difficult. Many gave structures including a C=C double bond, CH3 in the chain backbone or had 2-valent hydrogen atoms or no continuation bonds. Some omitted the question.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 5070/21 Q5(c) (Cambridge)

The most popular correct answer given was nylon. Common misconceptions included carbohydrates, DNA and fats.
— Examiner report, May/June 2023, 5070/22 Q10(a)(ii) (Cambridge)

Many candidates recognised that addition polymerisation occurs. Candidates who referred to additional polymerisation were not given credit.
— Examiner report, October/November 2021, 5070/21 Q8(d)(i) (Cambridge)

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Practise polymers

In the syllabus

11.8 Polymers

Define polymers as large molecules built up from many smaller molecules called monomers
Identify the repeat units and / or linkages in addition polymers and in condensation polymers
Deduce the structure or repeat unit of an addition polymer from a given alkene and vice versa
Deduce the structure or repeat unit of a condensation polymer from given monomers and vice versa, limited to: (a) polyamides from a dicarboxylic acid and a diamine (b) polyesters from a dicarboxylic acid and a diol
Describe the differences between addition and condensation polymerisation
State that plastics are made from polymers
Describe how the properties of plastics have implications for their disposal
Describe the environmental challenges caused by plastics, limited to: (a) disposal in land fill sites (b) accumulation in oceans (c) formation of toxic gases from burning
Describe and draw the structure of: (a) nylon, a polyamide O O O O O C C N N C C N N C H H H H (b) PET, a polyester O O O O C C O O C C O O The full name for PET, polyethylene terephthalate, is not required
State that PET can be converted back into monomers and re-polymerised
Describe proteins as natural polyamides and that they are formed from amino acid monomers with the general structure: R H O N C C H O H H where R represents different types of side-chain
Describe and draw the structure of proteins as: H O H O N C N C N C H O

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