Condensation polymerisation

Name compound A and compound B.

Compound A and compound B react to produce a condensation polymer.

Name the type of condensation polymer produced from compound A and compound B.

Name the small molecule lost when molecules of compound A and of compound B react.

Glycine is an amino acid.

Glycine can produce condensation polymers.

Name the type of condensation polymer produced when glycine polymerises.

Complete Figure 5 to show the displayed structural formula of glycine.

Which polymer is produced when different amino acids are combined in the same chain?

Tick (✓) one box.

The polymer poly(tetrafluoroethene) is produced from the monomer tetrafluoroethene (C₂F₄).

Complete the equation for the production of poly(tetrafluoroethene) from tetrafluoroethene.

Poly(tetrafluoroethene) is a thermosoftening polymer.

Some other polymers are thermosetting polymers.

Describe the structure of a thermosetting polymer.

This question is about poly(ethene) and polyesters.

Poly(ethene) is produced from ethene. Figure 3 shows part of the displayed structural formula equation for the reaction. Complete Figure 3.

Poly(ethene) is a thermosoftening polymer. Suggest why poly(ethene) is easier to recycle than thermosetting polymers.

Ethene produces different forms of poly(ethene). How can different forms of poly(ethene) be produced from ethene?

Two different forms of poly(ethene) are:

• high density poly(ethene) (HDPE)

• low density poly(ethene) (LDPE).

Figure 4 represents part of the structures of HDPE and LDPE.

Figure 4

Explain why HDPE has a higher density than LDPE.

Figure 5 shows three monomers, A, B and C. Monomer A can react with monomer B and with monomer C to produce polyesters.

Figure 5

Draw a circle on Figure 5 around an alcohol functional group.

Complete Table 2 to show the formula of the small molecule produced when:

• monomer A reacts with monomer B

• monomer A reacts with monomer C.

This question is about algae. A student:

• placed algae in water containing dissolved carbon dioxide

• shone bright light on the algae.

Gas bubbles were collected as the algae photosynthesised.

Describe a test that would identify the gas collected. Give the result of the test.

Glucose is produced when algae photosynthesise. Name two naturally occurring polymers produced from glucose.

Figure 6 shows the displayed structural formula of an amino acid called glycine.

Figure 6

How many functional groups are there in the molecule in Figure 6 ? Tick (✓) one box.

Glycine reacts by condensation polymerisation to produce a polypeptide and one other substance. Name the other substance produced.

Scientists think that algae may have used gases in Earth’s early atmosphere. Algae need an element to produce the molecule in Figure 6 which is not present in water or carbon dioxide. Which two gases from Earth’s early atmosphere could have provided this element?

The development and function of algae are controlled by a naturally occurring polymer. Figure 7 represents the shape and structure of this polymer.

Describe the shape and structure of this polymer.

Figure 5 shows a surfer on a surfboard.

Surfboards are made from polymers.

Surfboards have a poly(styrene) core and an outer skin.

Figure 6 shows the displayed structural formula of poly(styrene).

Figure 7 shows an incomplete displayed structural formula of the monomer styrene.

Complete Figure 7.

The outer skin of surfboards contains a polyester.

Two monomers, A and B, are needed to make the polyester.

Figure 8 shows how these two monomers are represented.

Figure 8

Monomer A
Monomer B

Name the functional group in monomer B.

Monomers A and B join together to produce a polyester and a small molecule.

Name the small molecule.

Why does this type of polyester melt when it is heated?

The outer skin of surfboards is a composite material.

The composite material contains glass fibres surrounded by a polyester.

Draw one line from each material to the description of that material.

Material
Description of the material

The outer skin makes the surfboard more expensive.

Suggest two reasons why an outer skin is added to the poly(styrene) core.

This question is about polymers.

Polyesters are produced when monomers join together and lose a small molecule. Name the small molecule lost.

Poly(propene) is produced from propene. Complete the structure of poly(propene) in the equation.

Carpets are made from:

• poly(propene)

• wool

• a mixture of poly(propene) and wool.

Poly(propene) wears out more slowly than wool. A mixture of poly(propene) and wool to make carpets is more sustainable than using just poly(propene) or just wool. Suggest why.

Polymer fibres are used to make firefighter uniforms. Table 3 shows some properties of two polymer fibres.

Evaluate the suitability of poly(propene) and polyester for firefighter uniforms.