Organic ChemistryVery High Exam FrequencyAQA

Polymers

Revise Polymers in Organic Chemistry for GCSE Chemistry with 20 exam-style questions and 14 flashcards. This is a very high-frequency exam topic, so it is worth revising until the core ideas feel automatic.

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The Giant Molecules That Shape Our World

Introduction 2

What are Polymers?

Deep Dive 3

Addition Polymerisation of Ethene

Diagram 4

Addition Polymerisation

Deep Dive 5

How Addition Polymerisation Works at the Molecular Level

How It Works 6

Drawing Polymer Structures

Deep Dive 7

Properties of Polymers

Deep Dive 8

Types of Polymers & Condensation Polymerisation (Higher Tier)

Higher Tier 9

Environmental Impact of Polymers

Key Facts 10

Key Definitions

Definitions 11

Common Misconceptions

Misconceptions 12

Memory Aid: ADD vs CONDENSE

Memory Aid 13

Exam Focus: Polymers

Exam Focus 14

Exam Tips: Polymers

Exam Tips 15

Knowledge Organiser: Polymers

Summary

Sample Flashcards

What is a polymer?

A large molecule made up of many repeating units (monomers) joined together

What is a monomer?

A small molecule that can be joined together to form a polymer

Exam questions for Polymers

What type of monomers are needed for addition polymerisation?

A. Molecules with two alcohol groups
B. Molecules with a carbon-carbon double bond (C=C)
C. Molecules with a carboxyl group (-COOH) only
D. Molecules with an amine group (-NH₂)

1 markfoundation

Explain how addition polymerisation works. Include the role of the double bond.

3 marksstandard

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