AQA A Level Chemistry
AQA A Level Chemistry 3.3.12 Polymers Exam Questions
Free AQA A Level Chemistry exam questions for 3.3.12 Polymers, with a mark scheme for every pack. Covers condensation polymers including polyesters and polyamides, repeat units, intermolecular forces, biodegradability and disposal of polymers.
3.3.12 Polymers exam questions
1 question pack of real past exam questions, each with its mark scheme. Do not stop after a few: answer as many as you can without notes, then mark every answer with the mark scheme. The more questions you do, the more quickly you will spot how examiners ask about each idea.
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About AQA A Level Chemistry 3.3.12 Polymers
This A Level topic on the AQA course compares condensation polymers with the addition polymers met in 3.3.4. You need to explain how polyesters and polyamides form from diols, dicarboxylic acids or diacyl dichlorides and diamines, draw repeat units for examples such as Terylene, nylon 6,6 and Kevlar, and explain how hydrogen bonding between chains affects properties. You also explain why condensation polymers can be hydrolysed and are biodegradable while addition polymers are not, and weigh up landfill, incineration and recycling as methods of disposal. Examiners commonly ask you to draw repeat units, identify monomers from a polymer and evaluate disposal methods.
What you need to know
- Condensation polymerisation Monomers with two functional groups join, releasing a small molecule such as water or HCl each time a link forms.
- Polyesters Formed from a diol and a dicarboxylic acid (or diacyl dichloride). Terylene is made from ethane-1,2-diol and benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid and has ester links.
- Polyamides Formed from a diamine and a dicarboxylic acid (or diacyl dichloride). Nylon 6,6 is made from hexane-1,6-diamine and hexanedioic acid. Kevlar is made from benzene-1,4-diamine and benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid and is very strong because of hydrogen bonds between chains.
- Intermolecular forces Hydrogen bonding between N-H and C=O groups in polyamides, and dipole-dipole forces in polyesters, give strong attractions between chains and so high strength and melting points.
- Biodegradability Ester and amide links are polar, so they can be attacked by nucleophiles and hydrolysed by acids, bases and enzymes. Addition polymers have non-polar C-C and C-H bonds and are inert.
- Disposal Landfill is cheap but uses land and polymers last a long time. Incineration releases energy but produces CO2 and possibly toxic gases. Recycling saves raw materials and energy but needs collection and sorting.
Common mistakes in 3.3.12 Polymers
- Drawing repeat units with H and OH still on the ends. The repeat unit shows only the linking group and extension bonds.
- Getting the number of carbon atoms wrong in nylon 6,6. Both the diamine and the diacid have six carbons.
- Writing the amide link the wrong way round or missing the C=O. The link is -CONH-.
- Calling poly(ethene) a condensation polymer. It forms by addition with no small molecule lost.
- Saying condensation polymers are biodegradable because they are 'natural'. The reason is the polar ester or amide links that can be hydrolysed.
Try three 3.3.12 Polymers exam-style questions
1. Give the repeat unit of nylon 6,6 and name its two monomers. (3 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
-NH(CH2)6NHCO(CH2)4CO- with extension bonds; hexane-1,6-diamine; hexanedioic acid (or hexanedioyl dichloride).
2. Explain why polyesters can be broken down by hydrolysis but poly(ethene) cannot. (2 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
Polyesters contain polar ester links with a δ+ carbon that can be attacked by nucleophiles such as water or hydroxide ions; poly(ethene) contains only non-polar C-C and C-H bonds, so it is unreactive.
3. Give one advantage and one disadvantage of disposing of waste polymers by incineration. (2 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
Advantage: energy released can generate electricity (or reduces landfill); disadvantage: produces CO2, which contributes to global warming (or toxic gases such as HCl from PVC).
3.3.12 Polymers FAQs
What does AQA A Level Chemistry 3.3.12 Polymers cover?
It covers condensation polymers such as polyesters and polyamides, their repeat units and monomers, hydrogen bonding between chains, biodegradability, and methods of disposing of polymers.
Which paper is 3.3.12 Polymers examined in?
It is examined in Paper 2, and Paper 3 can also include it.
How do I find the monomers from a polymer repeat unit?
Break each ester or amide link, then add OH to the C=O side and H to the O or N side. Check that each monomer has two functional groups, one at each end.
