Barker College Chemistry Department
Past HSC Chemistry Questions
Please click the following link for the past papers of the new syllabus: HOME | Past Hsc Chem3 (andrewchoi2.wixsite.com)
2001 - Q2
Which of the following is a major component of biomass?
(A) Cellulose
(B) Ethanol
(C) Natural gas
(D) Oil
2001 - Q4
Cellulose is a linear polymer which is a basic structural component of plant cell walls.
Which is the correct representation of part of a cellulose polymer?
2002 - Q18 (6 marks)
(a) Name the type of polymerisation shown in the following reaction: (1 mark)
(b) Assess current developments in the use of biopolymers (5 marks)
2003 - Q11
Which polymer is made by the polymerisation of methyl methacrylate?
2004 - Q2
Why is research into synthetic biopolymers attracting great interest?
(A) They decompose more easily than traditional synthetic polymers.
(B) They can be produced more cheaply than traditional synthetic polymers.
(C) They have superior physical properties compared to traditional synthetic polymers.
(D) They have superior chemical properties compared to traditional synthetic polymers.
2003 - Q17 (5 marks)
The flowchart shows the production of polyethylene.
(a) Identify Compound X. (1 mark)
(b) Describe Process Y. (3 marks)
(c) A sample of polyethylene was produced by Process Y. The following graph shows the distribution of molecular weights of polymer molecules in the sample.
Why is a range of molecular weights observed? (1 mark)
2003 - Q20 (5 marks)
Assess the suitability of biomass as a future source of energy and chemicals for industry.
2005 - Q18 (4 marks)
Assess the impact of the recent development of a named biopolymer on society and the environment.
2010 - Q30 (8 marks)
(a) Compare the process of polymerisation of ethylene and glucose. Include relevant chemical equations in your answer. (3 marks)
(b) Explain the relationship between the structures and properties of THREE different polymers from ethylene and glucose, and their uses. (5 marks)
2005 - Q2
Which of the following makes cellulose a potential raw material for the petrochemical industry?
(A) It is available in many parts of the world.
(B) It is light in weight and easy to transport.
(C) It is an organic polymer based on carbon.
(D) It is a polymer that undergoes combustion.
2011 - Q27 (5 marks)
The following extract was taken from a blog about environmental issues.
Awaiting copyright
Assess the uses of polystyrene and a named biopolymer in terms of their properties, with reference to the statements made in this blog.
2005 - Q4
Terylene (polyester) is a condensation polymer. Part of the structure of the polymer is shown.
What are the two monomers that form this polymer?
2013 - Q31 (8 marks)
(a) Construct separate flow diagrams to show the steps used in the production of polyethylene and those used in the production of a recently developed biopolymer. (5 marks)
(b) Justify the use of a recently developed biopolymer over a polymer obtained from fossil fuel. (3 marks)
2016 - Q26 (6 marks)
​
(a) Explain why cellulose is classified as a condensation polymer. (2 marks)
​
(b) Justify the need for research into biopolymers. (4 marks)
2006 - Q6
Glucose (C6H12O6) is a monomer that can form naturally occurring polymers. The approximate atomic weights for the elements which make up glucose are shown in the table.
Element Approximate atomic weight
Carbon 12
Hydrogen 1
Oxygen 16
Using data from the table, what would be the approximate molecular weight of a polymer made from 5 glucose monomers?
(A) 810
(B) 828
(C) 882
(D) 900
2007 - Q2
What type of reaction describes the polymerisation of glucose into cellulose?
(A) Addition
(B) Hydrolysis
(C) Substitution
(D) Condensation
2010 - Q1
Water is released during a polymerisation reaction. Which monomer is likely to have been involved in the reaction?
(A) Ethene
(B) Glucose
(C) Styrene
(D) Vinyl chloride
2014 - Q18
This is a representation of a segment of the polymer nylon 6,6.
2015 - Q11
Two monomers are shown.
Which of the following shows a condensation polymer that could be formed from the monomers?
