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Date May 2018 Marks available 1 Reference code 18M.3.sl.TZ1.4
Level SL Paper 3 Time zone TZ1
Command term State Question number 4 Adapted from N/A

Question

Both HDPE (high density polyethene) and LDPE (low density polyethene) are produced by the polymerization of ethene.

Both of these are thermoplastic polymers. Outline what this term means.

[1]
a.

Compare and contrast the structures of HDPE and LDPE.

[2]
b.i.

State one way in which a physical property of HDPE, other than density, differs from that of LDPE as a result of this structural difference.

[1]
b.ii.

The production of HDPE involves the use of homogeneous catalysts. Outline how homogeneous catalysts reduce the activation energy of reactions.

[1]
c.i.

Trace amounts of metal from the catalysts used in the production of HDPE sometimes remain in the product. State a technique that could be used to measure the concentration of the metal.

[1]
c.ii.

Suggest two of the major obstacles, other than collection and economic factors, which have to be overcome in plastic recycling.

[2]
d.

Suggest why there are so many different ways in which plastics can be classified. HDPE can, for example, be categorized thermoplastic, an addition polymer, having Resin Identification Code (RIC) 2, etc.

[1]
e.

Markscheme

soften/melt when heated

OR

can be melted and moulded

 

Accept “low melting point” OR “can be moulded when heated”.

[1 mark]

a.

both have «long» hydrocarbon chains

OR

both have chains comprising CH2 units

 

HDPE has little/no branching AND LDPE has «more» branching

 

Accept “CH2–CH2 units”.

Accept “HDPE more crystalline”.

[2 marks]

b.i.

HDPE is more rigid/less flexible

OR

HDPE has a higher melting point

OR

HDPE has greater «tensile» strength

 

Accept “HDPE has lower ductility”.

[1 mark]

b.ii.

form «temporary» activated complexes/reaction intermediates

 

Accept “consumed in one reaction/step AND regenerated in a later reaction/step”.

Accept “provides alternative mechanism”.

[1 mark]

c.i.

inductively coupled plasma/ICP spectroscopy using mass spectroscopy/mass spectrometry/MS/ICP-MS

OR

inductively coupled plasma/ICP spectroscopy using optical emission spectroscopy/OES/ICP-OES

 

Accept “atomic absorption/aa spectroscopy” or “MS/massspectroscopy/mass spectrometry”.

[1 mark]

c.ii.

Any two of:

many types «of plastics» exist

OR

«plastics» require sorting «by type»

 

«plastics» need to be separated from non-plastic materials

OR

«often» composites/moulded on/bound to non-plastic/other components

 

Accept other valid factors such as thermal decomposition of some plastics, production of toxic fumes, etc.

[2 marks]

d.

«different classifications are appropriate for» different properties/applications/purposes

[1 mark]

e.

Examiners report

[N/A]
a.
[N/A]
b.i.
[N/A]
b.ii.
[N/A]
c.i.
[N/A]
c.ii.
[N/A]
d.
[N/A]
e.

Syllabus sections

Options » A: Materials » A.5 Polymers
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