Topic 12: Polymer Chemistry
1. The following flow chart shows the change of latex to vulcanised rubber through
steps I and II.
I Solid natural II Vulcanised
Latex rubber natural rubber
Acid S2Cl2
Diagram 1
a) (i) Step 1 involves the coagulation of latex to form solid natural rubber. State how step
I is carried out in the laboratory.
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[1 mark]
(ii) State two properties of natural rubber.
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[2 marks]
b) Step II involves the vulcanisation of rubber. State how step II is carried out.
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[3 marks]
c) (i) Draw the structural formulae of unvulcanised and vulcanised natural rubber.
Unvulcanised natural rubber Vulcanised natural rubber [2 marks]
(ii) Based on the structural formula in (c), state the structural change that takes place
when natural rubber is vulcanised.
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[2 marks]
2. a) The following are six examples of polymers in our daily lives.
Polythene Natural rubber
Starch Protein
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) Polypropene
From these examples, identify two natural polymers and two synthetic polymers.
Natural Polymer: _____________________________________________________
Synthetic Polymer: ___________________________________________________
[2 marks]
b) Diagram 2.1 shows the pipe and raincoat made from the same type of polymer,
polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
Diagram 2.1
PVC pipe Raincoat
i. What is meant by polymer?
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[1 mark]
ii. State the monomer for polyvinyl chloride.
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[1 mark]
iii. Draw the structural formula for this monomer.
[1 mark]
iv. State one advantage of using the water pipe made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
compared to that of iron.
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[1 mark]
c) Diagram 2.2 shows plastic cups and plastic bags. Plastic cups and plastic bags are
made from synthetic polymer, polythene.
Diagram 2.2
i. State the name of the monomer for polythene.
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[1 mark]
ii. Draw the structural formula for this monomer
[1 mark]
iii. State the environmental pollution problems caused by synthetic polymers.
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[2 mark]
3. a) Compare and contrast thermoplastic polymers and thermoset polymers in the
spaces provided in the Table 1.
Thermoplastic Thermoset
Polymer produced from addition
polymerisation
After it has set, it would no longer
change its shape when heated or
cooled
Less strong compared to thermoset
plastic
Opaque materials
Table 1 [4 marks]
b) i) Synthetic rubber includes styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), neoprene and
silicone rubber. Name their respective monomers.
Synthetic rubber Monomers
Styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR)
Neoprene
Silicone rubber
[3 marks]
ii) Give an advantage and disadvantage of synthetic rubber compared to natural
rubber.
Advantage: ___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Disadvantage: _________________________________________________
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[2 marks]
4. Latex can be extracted from rubber tree for the uses in various rubber productions.
a) Diagram 3.1 shows the latex become soft solid after a rubber tapper left the liquid
latex in the cup for a few days
Diagram 3.1
Explain why this situation occurs. [5 marks]
b) Diagram 5.2 shows the effects of ethanoic acid and ammonia solution on the
coagulation of latex.
(i) Draw the structural formula of rubber and state the name of its monomer.
[2 marks]
8.00 AM 8.05 AM
Latex +ethanoic acid Solid latex
8.00 AM 2.00 PM
Latex + ammonia solution Liquid latex
Diagram 3.2
Explain the following;
(ii) Acid will coagulate latex whereas alkali will prevent coagulation of latex.
Discuss this statement starting from the initial molecules of rubber in latex.
[8 marks]
(iii) Vulcanisation process can enhance the elasticity of natural rubber. Discuss
the way to obtain vulcanised rubber.
[5 marks]
5. a) Latex is a natural polymer. Table 2 shows the results for experiment A and
experiment B to study the coagulation of latex when added with substance X and
substance Y.
Experiment A Experiment B
Latex + Latex +
substance X substance Y
Observation after 30 s: Observation after 30 s:
Latex coagulates Latex did not coagulate
Table 2
Based on the observations in Table 2,
(i) Name and draw the structural formula of monomer for natural rubber in
experiments A and B. [2 marks]
(ii) Suggest suitable examples for substance X and substance Y. Compare
the effects of substance X and substance Y in the coagulation of latex.
[8 marks]
b) (i) State the differences between addition polymerisation and condensation
polymerisation. Give an example for each polymer formed. [6 marks]
(ii) Name and draw the structural formula for the monomers of PVC and Teflon.
[4 marks]
6. a) Differentiate between thermoplastic polymers and elastomers. Give example for
each polymer. [4 marks]
b) Draw the structure of monomers for the following polymers:
i. Polythene
ii. PVC
iii. Teflon [6 marks]
c) Compare and contrast between thermoplastic polymer and thermoset polymer.
Give two examples for each type of polymer.
[10 marks]
7. a) The physical properties of rubber can be changed by vulcanisation. Define
vulcanisation. [1 mark]
b) Describe the properties of vulcanised rubber. [5 marks]
c) (i) Explain the coagulation of latex. [5 marks]
(ii) Explain the prevention of coagulation of latex. [2 marks]
d) Natural rubber is a kind of natural polymer.
(i) State other two natural polymers and two synthetic polymers. [4 marks]
(ii) What is the monomer of natural rubber? Draw the structural formulae
of the monomer. [2 marks]
Paper 3 : Practical Test
Table 1 shows the observation of the experiment to investigate the difference in
properties between natural rubber and vulcanised rubber.
Rubber P Rubber Q
Initial length (cm)
Length with 200 g
weight (cm)
Length after weight
is withdrawn (cm)
Table 1
Based on Table 1, plan an experiment in the laboratory to investigate the elasticity or
strength of unvulcanised and vulcanised rubber.
1. State the variables for this experiment.
a) Manipulated variable: _______________________________________________
b) Responding variable: ________________________________________________
[2 marks]
2. Write the procedure of the experiment that explains the method to handle the
variables.
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[4 marks]
3. Draw the set-up of apparatus for the experiment.
[3 marks]
4. State one hypothesis of the experiment.
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2 marks]
5. Identify the type of rubber P and rubber O.
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[2 marks]
6. Based on Table 1, explain the observations for rubber P and rubber O.
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[2 marks]
