Organic ChemistryExam Focus

Exam Focus: Polymers

Part of PolymersGCSE Chemistry

This exam focus covers Exam Focus: Polymers within Polymers for GCSE Chemistry. Revise Polymers in Organic Chemistry for GCSE Chemistry with 20 exam-style questions and 14 flashcards. This topic appears regularly enough that it should still be part of a steady revision cycle. It is section 13 of 15 in this topic. Treat this as a marking guide for what examiners are looking for, not just a fact list.

Topic position

Section 13 of 15

Practice

20 questions

Recall

14 flashcards

🎯 Exam Focus: Polymers

very-high Drawing polymer structures (3 marks): Convert monomer to polymer — change C=C to C-C, add continuation lines, add brackets with n. All three features needed for full marks.

very-high Addition vs condensation (2 marks HT): Key distinction — addition produces only polymer; condensation produces polymer + water.

high Environmental questions (3-4 marks): Evaluate disposal methods — each has advantages and disadvantages. Must address both sides.

medium Thermosoftening vs thermosetting (2 marks HT): Difference in cross-linking explains why one can be recycled and the other cannot.

Keep building this topic

Read this section alongside the surrounding pages in Polymers. That gives you the full topic sequence instead of a single isolated revision point.

Practice 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

Quick Recall 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

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