Lesson 6C.3

6C.3 Addition polymers and polymer waste Quiz: Pearson Edexcel Chemistry, Unit 6

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson 6C.3, Addition polymers and polymer waste: 20 multiple choice questions for the Pearson Edexcel Chemistry (9CH0), Unit 6: Organic Chemistry I, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. What is the repeat unit of poly(ethene) formed from the monomer ethene?

    • -CH2-CH2-
    • -CH=CH-
    • -CH(CH3)-CH2-
    • -CH2-CH2-CH2-

  2. Which monomer gives the repeat unit -CH(CH3)-CH2-?

    • But-1-ene, CH2=CHCH2CH3
    • Ethene, CH2=CH2
    • Propane, CH3CH2CH3
    • Propene, CH2=CHCH3

  3. What is the repeat unit of poly(chloroethene), commonly called PVC?

    • -CH2-CH2-Cl-
    • -CHCl-CHCl-
    • -CH2-CHCl-
    • -CCl2-CH2-

  4. What type of polymerisation is the formation of poly(ethene) from ethene?

    • Condensation polymerisation, releasing water
    • Substitution, replacing hydrogen atoms with other groups
    • Hydrolysis, using water to split the monomer
    • Addition polymerisation, with no small molecule lost

  5. Which method of waste polymer management releases energy as it is used?

    • Recycling into new pellets
    • Landfill with no treatment
    • Incineration
    • Burial under the sea

  6. What is a valid reason for separating waste polymers by type before recycling?

    • Mixed polymers are always more valuable than single types because they combine the strengths of each polymer
    • Different polymers have different properties and need different processing conditions
    • Separating polymers removes the need for any energy input because the sorting process is entirely passive
    • Polymers of one type cannot be melted for reuse without first being dissolved in a strong solvent

  7. Why is incineration of PVC a concern?

    • It produces toxic hydrogen chloride gas that must be removed from the exhaust
    • It releases no energy and so is inefficient as a method of disposing of plastic waste at scale
    • It produces only water vapour and carbon dioxide, which are both harmless to the environment and to health
    • It makes the polymer insoluble in water, so it stays in the landfill for many decades afterwards

  8. Which approach is used to limit the problem of polymers that persist in the environment?

    • Increasing the number of addition steps in production so that more monomer is consumed
    • Using more chlorine in the polymer structure so that the material becomes more resistant to heat
    • Making polymers that are harder and less flexible so that they resist wear and last longer in use
    • Developing biodegradable polymers that break down under natural conditions

  9. Which waste polymer treatment uses it as a raw material for producing smaller hydrocarbons?

    • Hydrogenation to form margarine
    • Fractional distillation of the polymer into gases
    • Cracking, using the polymer as a feedstock
    • Oxidation to ethanoic acid

  10. What is the monomer for the polymer with repeat unit -CF2-CF2-?

    • Difluoroethene, CHF=CHF
    • Ethene, CH2=CH2
    • Tetrafluoromethane, CF4
    • Tetrafluoroethene, CF2=CF2

  11. What is the main sustainability benefit of considering the whole life cycle of a polymer product?

    • It shows that polymers only use energy at the disposal stage
    • It guarantees that the product will never be recycled
    • It proves polymers are always more sustainable than natural materials
    • It identifies where energy and resources can be saved, from raw material to disposal

  12. Which statement about addition polymers is correct?

    • Addition polymers always release water during polymerisation, which is then removed as a by-product
    • Addition polymers can only be made from monomers that contain oxygen atoms in their structure
    • Addition polymers have the same atoms as the monomer, because no atoms are lost in polymerisation
    • Addition polymers contain only ionic bonds between the repeat units, which makes them brittle

  13. What is the name of a polymer formed from propene?

    • Polypropyne
    • Poly(propanal)
    • Poly(propene)
    • Polypropanol

  14. What is the repeat unit of poly(propene)?

    • -CH2-CH(CH3)-
    • -CH2-CH2-CH3-
    • -CH=CH-CH3-
    • -C(CH3)2-CH2-

  15. Which type of polymer is most suitable for mechanical recycling by melting and remoulding?

    • Thermoplastic polymers, which soften on heating
    • Ceramic polymers that do not melt
    • Cross-linked elastomers that decompose on heating
    • Thermosetting polymers, which cannot be softened again

  16. Why do addition polymers persist in landfill for long periods?

    • They are made from oxygen that reacts quickly with bacteria
    • Their carbon-carbon backbone is not readily broken down by microorganisms
    • They are always converted into carbon dioxide within a year
    • They contain water-soluble ionic bonds that dissolve quickly

  17. Which description best defines a biodegradable polymer?

    • A polymer that is always made from natural oils and fats extracted from plants or animals
    • A polymer that dissolves in petrol and can be recovered by distillation after use
    • A polymer that can be broken down by natural biological processes
    • A polymer that cannot be burned or recycled and so must be sent to landfill for permanent storage

  18. Which step in the life cycle of a polymer uses the most energy in many cases?

    • Production of the monomer from crude oil and its polymerisation
    • The collection of the waste bin by the council vehicle at the kerbside each week
    • The shipping of empty containers back to the factory for reuse in the next production run
    • The moment the product is opened by the user, when the packaging is first torn or cut

  19. Which compound is the monomer for the repeat unit -CH2-CHCN-?

    • Propanoic acid, CH3CH2COOH
    • Ethanenitrile, CH3CN
    • Propenenitrile, CH2=CHCN
    • Propanenitrile, CH3CH2CN

  20. A 2.80 g sample of poly(ethene) is made of repeat units -CH2-CH2- (Ar: C = 12.0, H = 1.0). How many moles of repeat units does it contain?

    • 0.0500 mol
    • 1.00 mol
    • 0.0100 mol
    • 0.100 mol

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