Chemistry Year 12 - Module 7 - Lesson 23

Polymers — Properties, Applications & Environmental Impact

Use this worksheet after reading the lesson to practise the key ideas and prove you can meet the success criteria.

Name

Date

Class

1. Key Ideas

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How chain length and cross-linking affect properties
Why molecular structure controls bulk properties

2. Success Criteria

By the end, you should be able to:

How chain length and cross-linking affect properties
Difference between thermoplastics and thermosets
Major polymer applications by type

3. Key Terms

HydrocarbonAn organic compound containing only carbon and hydrogen atoms.

Functional groupA specific atom arrangement determining characteristic chemical reactions.

Homologous seriesA family of compounds with the same functional group, differing by CH₂.

Addition polymerA polymer formed by monomers adding together without loss of atoms.

Condensation polymerA polymer formed with elimination of a small molecule such as water.

EsterificationA condensation reaction between a carboxylic acid and an alcohol forming an ester.

4. Activity: Build the Lesson Map

Use the lesson to complete the table. Keep answers brief but specific.

Prompt	Your answer
Main concept
Important example
Common mistake to avoid
How this links to the next lesson

5. Short Answer Questions

1. Explain this lesson goal in your own words: "How chain length and cross-linking affect properties". Use one specific example from the lesson.

Band 32 marks

2. Apply this idea to a new example: "Difference between thermoplastics and thermosets". Show your reasoning clearly.

Band 43 marks

3. Analyse why this idea matters for understanding Polymers — Properties, Applications & Environmental Impact: "Major polymer applications by type".

Band 54 marks

6. Extend: Apply the Idea

Band 5/65 marks

A student gives a memorised answer about Polymers — Properties, Applications & Environmental Impact but does not use evidence or reasoning.

Improve the answer by writing a stronger response that uses accurate terminology, a relevant example and a clear explanation.

7. Multiple Choice

1. What is the best first step when answering a question about Polymers — Properties, Applications & Environmental Impact?

A. Identify the key concept being tested

B. Write every fact from memory

C. Ignore the command word

D. Skip examples and evidence

2. Which answer would show stronger understanding of Polymers — Properties, Applications & Environmental Impact?

A. An answer with accurate terms and reasoning

B. A copied definition only

C. A single-word response

D. An answer with no example

3. What should you do if a question asks you to explain?

A. Link the idea to a reason or cause

B. List unrelated facts

C. Only draw a diagram

D. Write the shortest possible answer

8. Success Criteria Proof

Finish with evidence that you can do each success criterion.

Success criterion 1

Prove that you can: How chain length and cross-linking affect properties