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CAIE IGCSE Chemistry Addition and Condensation Polymers

Practise deriving monomers and repeat units, distinguishing addition from condensation polymerisation and identifying ester, amide or carbohydrate linkages.

Syllabus
2026–2028
Course
Chemistry 0620

Exam points

  • derive an addition-polymer repeat unit by opening the monomer carbon-carbon double bond
  • recover a monomer from an addition repeat unit by restoring the double bond and side groups
  • identify condensation repeat units and ester, amide or oxygen linkages from structures

Covered syllabus points

11.8.1—Polymers as large molecules built up11.8.2—Formation of poly(ethene) as an11.8.3—Plastics are made from polymers11.8.4—Properties of plastics have11.8.5—Environmental challenges caused by11.8.6—Repeat units and/or linkages in11.8.7—Deduce the structure or repeat unit of11.8.8—Deduce the structure or repeat unit of11.8.9—Differences between addition and11.8.10—And draw the structure of: (a) nylon11.8.11—PET can be converted back into11.8.12—Proteins as natural polyamides and11.8.13—And draw the structure of proteins as

11.8 Polymers question 1

[Maximum number: 1]

Part of the structure of a very large molecule is shown.

Figure for Question 11.8 Polymers question 1 — CAIE IGCSE Chemistry

Which term describes the small unit used to make this molecule?

A

hydrocarbon

B

monomer

C

polymer

D

saturated

11.8 Polymers question 2

[Maximum number: 5]

The table shows the structures of four hydrocarbons.

Table for Question 11.8 Polymers question 2 — CAIE IGCSE Chemistry

Question (a)

(a)

Compound Q undergoes polymerisation.

[ 3 ]

Question (i)

(i)

Name the polymer formed.

[ 1 ]

Question (ii)

(ii)

Complete the chemical equation to show the polymerisation of compound Q.

nCH2=CH2→n \mathrm{CH}_{2}=\mathrm{CH}_{2} \quad \rightarrow
[ 2 ]

Question (b)

(b)

Amino acids undergo polymerisation to form proteins. Part of a protein molecule with the linkages missing is shown.

Draw the linkages on the diagram. Show all of the atoms and all of the bonds.

Figure for Question (b) — CAIE IGCSE Chemistry
Figure for Question (b) — CAIE IGCSE Chemistry
Figure for Question (b) — CAIE IGCSE Chemistry
[ 2 ]

11.8 Polymers question 3

[Maximum number: 8]

There are two types of polymerisation, addition and condensation.

Question (a)

(a)

Explain the difference between these two types of polymerisation.

[ 2 ]

Question (b)

(b)

Some plastics, formed by polymerisation, are non-biodegradable.

Describe two pollution problems that are caused by non-biodegradable plastics.

[ 2 ]

Question (c)

(c)

The polymer known as PVA is used in paints and adhesives. Its structural formula is shown below.

Figure for Question (c) — CAIE IGCSE Chemistry

Deduce the structural formula of its monomer.

[ 1 ]

Question (d)

(d)

A condensation polymer can be made from the following monomers.

HOOC(CH2)4COOH and H2 N(CH2)6NH2\mathrm{HOOC}\left(\mathrm{CH}_{2}\right)_{4} \mathrm{COOH} \text { and } \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{~N}\left(\mathrm{CH}_{2}\right)_{6} \mathrm{NH}_{2}

Draw the structural formula of this polymer.

[ 3 ]
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