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Synthetic and naturally occurring polymers: AQA GCSE Chemistry questions

Every AQA GCSE Chemistry exam question on 4.7.3 Synthetic and naturally occurring polymers, 2018–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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1,744 questions

  1. Q07.1

    June 2025 · Paper 2 Higher

    2 marks4.7.3 Synthetic and naturally occurring polymers
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2 Higher, question 07.1: Name compound A and compound B. [2 marks] A B

  2. Q07.2

    June 2025 · Paper 2 Higher

    1 mark4.7.3 Synthetic and naturally occurring polymers
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2 Higher, question 07.2: Compound A and compound B react to produce a condensation polymer. Name the type of condensation polymer produced from compound A and compound B. [1 mark]

  3. Q07.3

    June 2025 · Paper 2 Higher

    1 mark4.7.3 Synthetic and naturally occurring polymers
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2 Higher, question 07.3: Name the small molecule lost when molecules of compound A and of compound B react. [1 mark] Glycine is an amino acid. Glycine can produce condensation polymers.

  4. Q07.4

    June 2025 · Paper 2 Higher

    1 mark4.7.3 Synthetic and naturally occurring polymers
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2 Higher, question 07.4: Name the type of condensation polymer produced when glycine polymerises. [1 mark]

  5. Q07.5

    June 2025 · Paper 2 Higher

    1 mark4.7.2 Reactions of alkenes and alcohols4.7.3 Synthetic and naturally occurring polymers
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2 Higher, question 07.5: Complete Figure 5 to show the displayed structural formula of glycine. [1 mark] Figure 5

  6. Q07.6

    June 2025 · Paper 2 Higher

    1 mark4.7.3 Synthetic and naturally occurring polymers
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2 Higher, question 07.6: Which polymer is produced when different amino acids are combined in the same chain? [1 mark] Tick () one box. Cellulose DNA Protein Starch

  7. Q07.7

    June 2025 · Paper 2 Higher

    3 marks4.7.3 Synthetic and naturally occurring polymers
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2 Higher, question 07.7: Complete the equation for the production of poly(tetrafluoroethene) from tetrafluoroethene. [3 marks]

  8. Q08.3

    June 2024 · Paper 2 Higher

    1 mark4.7.2 Reactions of alkenes and alcohols4.7.3 Synthetic and naturally occurring polymers
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 2 Higher, question 08.3: Figure 9 is a repeat of Figure 8. Figure 9 Draw a circle around the ester functional group on Figure 9. [1 mark]

  9. Q08.5

    June 2024 · Paper 2 Higher

    2 marks4.7.3 Synthetic and naturally occurring polymers
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 2 Higher, question 08.5: Many molecules of compound A join together to form polymer B. Complete the displayed formula equation which represents this reaction. [2 marks]

  10. Q08.6

    June 2024 · Paper 2 Higher

    1 mark4.7.3 Synthetic and naturally occurring polymers
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 2 Higher, question 08.6: What type of polymer is polymer B? [1 mark] Tick () one box. Addition polymer Condensation polymer DNA Protein

  11. Q04.5

    June 2024 · Paper 2 Foundation

    2 marks4.7.3 Synthetic and naturally occurring polymers
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 2 Foundation, question 04.5: The glucose produced during photosynthesis can form naturally occurring polymers. Which two are naturally occurring polymers that can be produced from glucose?

  12. Q04.6

    June 2024 · Paper 2 Foundation

    1 mark4.7.3 Synthetic and naturally occurring polymers4.3.1 Chemical measurements, conservation of mass and the quantitative interpretation of chemical equations
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 2 Foundation, question 04.6: What is the approximate relative formula mass (Mr) of the DNA molecule in standard form? [1 mark] Tick () one box. 1.4 × 109 1.4 × 1010 1.4 × 1011 1.4 × 1012

  13. Q04.7

    June 2024 · Paper 2 Foundation

    1 mark4.7.3 Synthetic and naturally occurring polymers
    Mark scheme (PDF)
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 2 Foundation, question 04.7: What is the approximate relative formula mass (Mr) of each polymer chain in the DNA molecule? [1 mark] Tick () one box. 70 000 000 000 140 000 000 000 280 000

  14. Q04.8

    June 2024 · Paper 2 Foundation

    1 mark4.7.3 Synthetic and naturally occurring polymers
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 2 Foundation, question 04.8: Complete the sentence. [1 mark] The shape of a DNA molecule is a double .

  15. Q04.9

    June 2024 · Paper 2 Foundation

    1 mark4.7.3 Synthetic and naturally occurring polymers
    Mark scheme (PDF)
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 2 Foundation, question 04.9: How many different nucleotides are present in a molecule of DNA? [1 mark] Tick () one box. 1 2 3 4

  16. Q06.4

    June 2024 · Paper 2 Foundation

    1 mark4.7.3 Synthetic and naturally occurring polymers
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 2 Foundation, question 06.4: Chloroethene can be used to produce a polymer called poly(chloroethene). The displayed structural formula of chloroethene is Which represents the structure of p

  17. Q06.5

    June 2024 · Paper 2 Foundation

    3 marks4.7.3 Synthetic and naturally occurring polymers
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 2 Foundation, question 06.5: Determine the simplest whole number ratio of the density of poly(chloroethene) : density of poly(ethene). [3 marks] Simplest whole number ratio = :

  18. Q06.6

    June 2024 · Paper 2 Foundation

    1 mark4.7.3 Synthetic and naturally occurring polymers4.10.3 Using materials
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 2 Foundation, question 06.6: Poly(ethene) and poly(chloroethene) can both be used to make pipes. Suggest why neither polymer is suitable for pipes carrying steam at a temperature of 300 °C.

  19. Q08.1

    June 2023 · Paper 2 Higher

    1 mark4.7.3 Synthetic and naturally occurring polymers
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2 Higher, question 08.1: Draw a circle around the functional group on the displayed structural formula that allows chloroethene to produce an addition polymer. [1 mark]

  20. Q08.2

    June 2023 · Paper 2 Higher

    3 marks4.7.3 Synthetic and naturally occurring polymers
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2 Higher, question 08.2: Complete the equation for the production of poly(chloroethene) from chloroethene. [3 marks]
All 51 questions on Synthetic and naturally occurring polymers, as a list
  1. June 2025, Paper 2 Higher, Q07.1 (2 marks): Name compound A and compound B. [2 marks] A B
  2. June 2025, Paper 2 Higher, Q07.2 (1 mark): Compound A and compound B react to produce a condensation polymer. Name the type of condensation polymer produced from compound A and compound B. [1 mark]
  3. June 2025, Paper 2 Higher, Q07.3 (1 mark): Name the small molecule lost when molecules of compound A and of compound B react. [1 mark] Glycine is an amino acid. Glycine can produce condensation polymers.
  4. June 2025, Paper 2 Higher, Q07.4 (1 mark): Name the type of condensation polymer produced when glycine polymerises. [1 mark]
  5. June 2025, Paper 2 Higher, Q07.5 (1 mark): Complete Figure 5 to show the displayed structural formula of glycine. [1 mark] Figure 5
  6. June 2025, Paper 2 Higher, Q07.6 (1 mark): Which polymer is produced when different amino acids are combined in the same chain? [1 mark] Tick () one box. Cellulose DNA Protein Starch
  7. June 2025, Paper 2 Higher, Q07.7 (3 marks): Complete the equation for the production of poly(tetrafluoroethene) from tetrafluoroethene. [3 marks]
  8. June 2024, Paper 2 Higher, Q08.3 (1 mark): Figure 9 is a repeat of Figure 8. Figure 9 Draw a circle around the ester functional group on Figure 9. [1 mark]
  9. June 2024, Paper 2 Higher, Q08.5 (2 marks): Many molecules of compound A join together to form polymer B. Complete the displayed formula equation which represents this reaction. [2 marks]
  10. June 2024, Paper 2 Higher, Q08.6 (1 mark): What type of polymer is polymer B? [1 mark] Tick () one box. Addition polymer Condensation polymer DNA Protein
  11. June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q04.5 (2 marks): The glucose produced during photosynthesis can form naturally occurring polymers. Which two are naturally occurring polymers that can be produced from glucose?
  12. June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q04.6 (1 mark): What is the approximate relative formula mass (Mr) of the DNA molecule in standard form? [1 mark] Tick () one box. 1.4 × 109 1.4 × 1010 1.4 × 1011 1.4 × 1012
  13. June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q04.7 (1 mark): What is the approximate relative formula mass (Mr) of each polymer chain in the DNA molecule? [1 mark] Tick () one box. 70 000 000 000 140 000 000 000 280 000
  14. June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q04.8 (1 mark): Complete the sentence. [1 mark] The shape of a DNA molecule is a double .
  15. June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q04.9 (1 mark): How many different nucleotides are present in a molecule of DNA? [1 mark] Tick () one box. 1 2 3 4
  16. June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q06.4 (1 mark): Chloroethene can be used to produce a polymer called poly(chloroethene). The displayed structural formula of chloroethene is Which represents the structure of p
  17. June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q06.5 (3 marks): Determine the simplest whole number ratio of the density of poly(chloroethene) : density of poly(ethene). [3 marks] Simplest whole number ratio = :
  18. June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q06.6 (1 mark): Poly(ethene) and poly(chloroethene) can both be used to make pipes. Suggest why neither polymer is suitable for pipes carrying steam at a temperature of 300 °C.
  19. June 2023, Paper 2 Higher, Q08.1 (1 mark): Draw a circle around the functional group on the displayed structural formula that allows chloroethene to produce an addition polymer. [1 mark]
  20. June 2023, Paper 2 Higher, Q08.2 (3 marks): Complete the equation for the production of poly(chloroethene) from chloroethene. [3 marks]
  21. June 2023, Paper 2 Higher, Q08.4 (1 mark): The amino acid beta-alanine has the formula H2NCH2CH2COOH Beta-alanine polymerises to produce a polypeptide and a small molecule. Name the small molecule produc
  22. June 2023, Paper 2 Higher, Q08.5 (2 marks): An amino acid can be represented as: The relative formula mass (Mr) of this amino acid is 75 Calculate the relative formula mass of the section of this amino ac
  23. June 2023, Paper 2 Higher, Q08.6 (1 mark): Draw a circle around the repeating unit in the polymer in Figure 6. [1 mark]
  24. June 2023, Paper 2 Higher, Q08.7 (1 mark): Suggest the identity of this polymer. [1 mark]
  25. June 2023, Paper 2 Higher, Q08.8 (1 mark): Give the general name for the four different monomers which make up the structure shown in Figure 7. [1 mark]
  26. June 2023, Paper 2 Higher, Q08.9 (1 mark): Name the shape of the structure shown in Figure 7. [1 mark]
  27. June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q02.1 (2 marks): Suggest two reasons why a Bunsen burner should not be used to heat a liquid in a poly(propene) beaker. Use Table 1. [2 marks] 1 2
  28. June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q02.2 (1 mark): Poly(propene) beakers are more expensive than borosilicate glass beakers. Suggest one reason why using poly(propene) beakers instead of borosilicate glass beake
  29. June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q02.5 (1 mark): Which structure is the repeating unit of poly(propene)? [1 mark] Tick () one box.
  30. June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q02.6 (3 marks): Poly(propene) is produced in three stages: • Stage 1: separating large alkane molecules from crude oil • Stage 2: producing propene molecules from large alkane
  31. June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q02.7 (2 marks): A molecule of hexene contains a double carbon–carbon bond. Many hexene molecules join together to form poly(hexene). Which two words describe a hexene molecule
  32. June 2022, Paper 2 Higher, Q01.1 (2 marks): The addition polymer poly(butene) has the displayed structural formula: Poly(butene) is produced from the monomer butene. Complete Figure 2 to show the displaye
  33. June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q08.1 (2 marks): The addition polymer poly(butene) has the displayed structural formula: Poly(butene) is produced from the monomer butene. Complete Figure 10 to show the display
  34. November 2021, Paper 2 Higher, Q04.1 (2 marks): Poly(ethene) is produced from ethene. Figure 3 shows part of the displayed structural formula equation for the reaction. Complete Figure 3. [2 marks] Figure 3
  35. November 2021, Paper 2 Higher, Q04.5 (1 mark): Draw a circle on Figure 5 around an alcohol functional group. [1 mark]
  36. November 2021, Paper 2 Higher, Q04.6 (1 mark): Complete Table 2 to show the formula of the small molecule produced when: • monomer A reacts with monomer B • monomer A reacts with monomer C. [1 mark] Table 2
  37. November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q03.4 (1 mark): Figure 3 shows the displayed structural formula of poly(chloroethene). Figure 3 Which monomer is used to make poly(chloroethene)? [1 mark] Tick () one box.
  38. November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q07.2 (1 mark): Poly(propene) is a polymer. What is the name of the monomer used to produce poly(propene)? [1 mark] Tick () one box. Propane Propanoic acid Propanol Propene
  39. November 2020, Paper 2 Higher, Q07.6 (1 mark): Hexanedioic acid and ethanediol join together to produce a polyester. Ethanoic acid and ethanol join together in the same way to produce an ester. Which is the
  40. November 2020, Paper 2 Higher, Q09.2 (2 marks): Glucose is produced when algae photosynthesise. Name two naturally occurring polymers produced from glucose. [2 marks] and
  41. November 2020, Paper 2 Higher, Q09.3 (1 mark): How many functional groups are there in the molecule in Figure 6? [1 mark] Tick () one box. 1 2 3 4
  42. November 2020, Paper 2 Higher, Q09.4 (1 mark): Glycine reacts by condensation polymerisation to produce a polypeptide and one other substance. Name the other substance produced. [1 mark]
  43. November 2020, Paper 2 Higher, Q09.5 (2 marks): Scientists think that algae may have used gases in Earth’s early atmosphere. Algae need an element to produce the molecule in Figure 6 which is not present in w
  44. November 2020, Paper 2 Higher, Q09.6 (3 marks): The development and function of algae are controlled by a naturally occurring polymer. Figure 7 represents the shape and structure of this polymer. Figure 7 Des
  45. November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q06.3 (2 marks): Complete the sentences. [2 marks] The name for very large molecules such as poly(propene) is . The name of the alkene used to produce poly(propene) is .
  46. November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q06.5 (1 mark): What type of bond joins the atoms in a molecule of poly(propene)? [1 mark] Tick () one box. Covalent Ionic Metallic
  47. June 2018, Paper 2 Higher, Q06.1 (1 mark): Polyesters are produced when monomers join together and lose a small molecule. Name the small molecule lost. [1 mark]
  48. June 2018, Paper 2 Higher, Q06.2 (3 marks): Poly(propene) is produced from propene. Complete the structure of poly(propene) in the equation. [3 marks]
  49. June 2018, Paper 2 Higher, Q06.4 (4 marks): Evaluate the suitability of poly(propene) and polyester for firefighter uniforms. [4 marks]
  50. Specimen, Paper 2 Higher, Q06.1 (2 marks): Draw the bonds to complete the displayed formulae of ethene and poly(ethene) in the equation. [2 marks]
  51. Specimen, Paper 2 Higher, Q06.2 (4 marks): Polyesters are made by a different method of polymerisation. The equation for the reaction to produce a polyester can be represented as: Compare the polymerisat

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