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IB Chemistry SL 2.4.4 Polymers Question Bank

Practise IB Chemistry SL 2.4.4 by relating polymer structure to properties, uses, recycling and environmental persistence.

Syllabus
First assessment 2025
Course
Chemistry SL
Level
SL

Exam points

  • Identify how chain structure or cross-linking changes a polymer’s melting point and flexibility.
  • Explain why thermoplastics, thermosets or elastomers have different useful properties.
  • Evaluate one environmental advantage and one disadvantage of using or recycling a plastic.

2.4.4—Polymers 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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