Chemistry 0620 · IGCSE · Polymers

Polymers — practice question

Natural polyamides are polymers formed from amino acid monomers.
(a)[1]

State the type of polymerisation reaction that takes place when natural polyamides form.

(b)[1]

State the name used for natural polyamides.

(c)[3]

Complete Fig. 6.2 so that it shows the general structure of an amino acid. Include all of the atoms and all of the bonds in the functional groups.

(d)[3]

Complete Fig. 6.4 to show the section of the natural polyamide formed when amino acids A, B and C combine. Show all atoms and all bonds in the linkages.

(e)[2]

Write the expression for $R_f$. $R_f$ =

(f(i))[1]

Explain why the baseline is drawn in pencil.

(f(ii))[1]

State the type of material used to make the colourless amino acids visible on the chromatogram in Fig. 6.6.

(f(iii))[1]

Explain why, in Fig. 6.6, only two spots appear from the mixture of three amino acids.

(f(iv))[1]

Suggest how the experiment could be altered so that all three amino acids are separated.

Worked solution & mark scheme

This 14-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: condensation polymerisation

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