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IB Chemistry SL 2.4.4 Polymers Questions

Use real exam questions to connect polymer structure with flexibility, thermal behaviour, plastic use and environmental impact.

Syllabus
First assessment 2025
Course
Chemistry SL
Level
SL

Exam points

  • Relate polymer chain structure—branching, stereoregularity, packing or cross-linking—to melting point, flexibility and mechanical behaviour.
  • Explain how thermoplastics, thermosets and elastomers differ through intermolecular forces, covalent cross-links, plasticizers and reheating behaviour.
  • Evaluate a plastic or bioplastic use by linking its properties to recycling, biodegradability, energy demand and environmental consequences.

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Study 2.4.4—Polymers conceptsOpen the corresponding Concept lesson for explanations, examples and exam connections.

IB Chemistry SL 2.4.4 Polymers Questions question 1

[Maximum number: 3]

Chlorine occurs in Group 7, the halogens.

Question (a)

(a)

Chloroethene, H2C=CHCl\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{C}=\mathrm{CHCl}, the monomer used in the polymerization reaction in the manufacture of the polymer poly(chloroethene), PVC, can be synthesized in the following two-stage reaction pathway.

Stage 1: C2H4( g)+Cl2( g)→ClCH2CH2Cl(g)\quad \mathrm{C}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{4}(\mathrm{~g})+\mathrm{Cl}_{2}(\mathrm{~g}) \rightarrow \mathrm{ClCH}_{2} \mathrm{CH}_{2} \mathrm{Cl}(\mathrm{g})

Stage 2: ClCH2CH2Cl(g)→H2C=CHCl(g)+HCl(g)\quad \mathrm{ClCH}_{2} \mathrm{CH}_{2} \mathrm{Cl}(\mathrm{g}) \rightarrow \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{C}=\mathrm{CHCl}(\mathrm{g})+\mathrm{HCl}(\mathrm{g})

[ 3 ]

Question (i)

(i)

State one use of the plastic PVC.

[ 1 ]

Question (ii)

(ii)

Suggest why monomers are often gases or volatile liquids whereas polymers are solids.

[ 2 ]
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