🧪 Chemistry · Class 12 · NEET & JEE
Polymers - Practice Questions with Answers 75 free MCQs on Polymers, each with its own worked answer and explanation. Large molecules made of repeating monomer units. Covers addition and condensation polymerisation, natural and synthetic polymers (nylon, PVC, Bakelite, natural rubber), and their real-world industrial applications.
Take the timed Polymers chapterwise test → 75 practice questions on Polymers , sorted Easy → Hard. Try each one first, then open its answer page for the worked explanation. Want the full theory first? Read the Polymers notes .
Addition vs Condensation Polymerisation Addition (e.g. polythene) n (CH₂=CH₂) → -[-CH₂-CH₂-]ₙ- No atoms lost - monomers just join at the double bond Condensation (e.g. Nylon-6,6) HOOC-R-COOH + H₂N-R'-NH₂ → -[-CO-R-CO-NH-R'-NH-]ₙ- + n H₂O A small molecule (water here) is eliminated at EVERY linking step Addition polymerisation simply links monomers containing a double bond with nothing left over, while condensation polymerisation joins two different monomers through a reaction (often forming an ester or amide bond) that releases a small molecule like water at each step.
Easy - 25 questions Q5.
Orlon (acrilan), used for making sweaters and blankets, is a polymer of:
A AcrylonitrileB Vinyl chlorideC StyreneD EtheneShow answer & explanation →
Q6.
What is a polymer?
A A large molecule made of repeating smaller unitsB A single small molecule with little repeating structural motifC A compound formed mainly from metallic lattice bondingD A compound held together largely by ionic attractionShow answer & explanation →
Q8.
Which polymer is used to make plastic bottles (PET)?
A Polyethylene terephthalateB Polyethylene as frequently observed in practiceC Polystyrene in many documented casesD PVC according to conventional understandingShow answer & explanation →
Q10.
Which polymer is commonly known as Teflon?
A Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)B Polypropylene, made from propene monomer unitsC Polyethylene, made from ethene monomer unitsD Polystyrene, made from styrene monomer unitsShow answer & explanation →
Q14.
Thermoplastic polymers can be:
A Softened and reshaped on heatingB Rarely melted in routine practiceC Mainly used once overall in most casesD Cross-linked permanently under typical conditionsShow answer & explanation →
Q15.
Thermosetting polymers:
A Set permanently on heating and cannot be reshapedB Melt and flow freely on heating, like thermoplasticsC Dissolve largely in water once cross-linkedD Usually remain optically transparent after curingShow answer & explanation →
Q16.
Bakelite is made from:
A Phenol and formaldehydeB Ethylene and propyleneC Styrene and butadieneD Nylon and polyesterShow answer & explanation →
Q17.
The process of converting monomers into polymers is called:
A PolymerisationB HydrolysisC EsterificationD DehydrationShow answer & explanation →
Q21.
Which polymer is used in making bulletproof vests?
A Kevlar (poly-p-phenylene terephthalamide)B Nylon, a polyamide formed from hexamethylenediamine and adipic acidC Polypropylene, an addition polymer of propeneD Teflon, a fluorinated addition polymer of tetrafluoroethyleneShow answer & explanation →
Q22.
Buna-S is a copolymer of:
A Butadiene and styreneB Butadiene and acrylonitrileC Isoprene and isobutyleneD Ethylene and propyleneShow answer & explanation →
Q23.
Addition polymers are formed by:
A Repeated addition of monomers with double bonds, no byproductB Stepwise condensation of monomers with loss of water according to standard textbooksC Cross-linking of pre-formed linear chains alone in general practiceD Ionic bonding between charged monomer units as frequently describedShow answer & explanation →
Q24.
Condensation polymers are formed with loss of:
A Small molecules like water or HClB Oxygen gas released during the linking stepC Carbon dioxide released during esterificationD No byproduct at all, unlike step-growth systemsShow answer & explanation →
Medium - 25 questions Q26.
In the preparation of Buna-S, butadiene and styrene are copolymerised in the presence of:
A SulphurB SodiumC NickelD OxygenShow answer & explanation →
Q27.
The elasticity of natural rubber arises because its polyisoprene chains have the:
A Trans configurationB Alternating cis and trans unitsC Cis configurationD Fully aromatic backboneShow answer & explanation →
Q28.
Vulcanisation increases the strength and elasticity of rubber by introducing:
A Ester linkages between chainsB Hydrogen bonds within a chainC Amide linkages across chainsD Sulphur cross-links between chainsShow answer & explanation →
Q29.
The biodegradable polymer nylon-2-nylon-6 is made from the monomers:
A Glycine and amino caproic acidB Adipic acid and hexamethylenediamineC Lactic acid and glycolic acidD Hydroxybutyric and hydroxyvaleric acidShow answer & explanation →
Q30.
The high tensile strength of fibres such as nylon and terylene is due to strong intermolecular:
A Van der Waals forcesB Hydrogen bondingC Metallic bondingD Coordinate bondingShow answer & explanation →
Q31.
What is the degree of polymerisation?
A Number of monomer units in a polymer chainB Molecular weight of the polymer in general practiceC Temperature of polymerisation as frequently describedD Rate of polymerisation in most textbook accountsShow answer & explanation →
Q32.
Nylon-6,6 is made from:
A Hexamethylenediamine and adipic acidB CaprolactamC Ethylene glycol and terephthalic acidD Styrene and butadieneShow answer & explanation →
Q33.
Nylon-6 is made from:
A Caprolactam (ring-opening polymerisation)B Hexamethylenediamine and adipic acidC StyreneD Ethylene glycolShow answer & explanation →
Q34.
Buna-N (Nitrile rubber) is a copolymer of:
A Butadiene and acrylonitrileB Butadiene and styreneC Isoprene and isobutyleneD Ethylene and propyleneShow answer & explanation →
Q35.
High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is produced using:
A Ziegler-Natta catalystB Free radical initiatorC Ionic catalystD Acid catalystShow answer & explanation →
Q36.
Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) has a:
A Branched chain structureB Linear chain structureC Cross-linked structureD Ring structureShow answer & explanation →
Q38.
What type of linkage connects monomers in polyesters?
A Ester bond (-COO-)B Amide bond (-CONH-)C Ether bond (-O-)D Carbon-carbon bondShow answer & explanation →
Q39.
Glyptal is a polyester made from:
A Ethylene glycol and phthalic acidB Adipic acid and hexamethylenediamineC Glycerol and phthalic acidD Styrene and butadieneShow answer & explanation →
Q40.
What is a copolymer?
A Polymer made from two or more different monomersB Polymer with mainly one type of monomer during normal conditionsC A cross-linked polymer as generally observedD A biodegradable polymer in typical laboratory settingsShow answer & explanation →
Q41.
Chain-growth polymerisation involves:
A Addition of monomers to a growing reactive chain endB Stepwise condensation of all monomers present in the mixtureC Cross-linking of pre-existing linear polymer chainsD Intramolecular cyclisation of the monomer before linkingShow answer & explanation →
Q42.
Melamine-formaldehyde resin is used in:
A Unbreakable crockery and laminatesB Flexible food packaging films requiring low rigidityC Bulletproof vests requiring high tensile fibre strengthD Electrical wire insulation requiring high flexibilityShow answer & explanation →
Q43.
Which property of Teflon makes it non-stick?
A Very low surface energy due to strong C-F bondsB Its unusually high melting point near 327°CC Its relatively high density compared to other plasticsD An extensively cross-linked three-dimensional networkShow answer & explanation →
Q44.
What are the monomers of Dacron (Terylene)?
A Ethylene glycol and terephthalic acidB Ethylene glycol and adipic acidC Hexamethylenediamine and adipic acidD CaprolactamShow answer & explanation →
Q46.
Which polymer is biodegradable?
A PHBV (polyhydroxybutyrate-co-valerate)B Polyethylene, a stable addition polymer resistant to microbial attackC PVC, a chlorinated polymer resistant to enzymatic breakdownD Nylon-6,6, a synthetic polyamide resistant to hydrolysis in soilShow answer & explanation →
Q47.
ABS plastic (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) is a:
A TerpolymerB HomopolymerC Copolymer of two monomersD Natural polymerShow answer & explanation →
Q48.
What is the role of the initiator in free-radical polymerisation?
A Generates free radicals to start the chain reactionB Terminates the chain by combining with the growing radical endC Increases molecular weight by adding extra monomer units directlyD Lowers the temperature required to sustain the reactionShow answer & explanation →
Q49.
Cross-linking in a polymer:
A Increases rigidity and reduces solubilityB Decreases the melting point by disrupting chain packingC Increases flexibility by allowing chains to slide past each otherD Increases solubility by exposing more polar groups to solventShow answer & explanation →
Q50.
Which monomer is used to make polystyrene?
A Styrene (vinylbenzene)B Ethylene under usual circumstancesC Propylene according to most researchersD Acrylonitrile in the majority of cases studiedShow answer & explanation →
Hard - 25 questions Q51.
Elastomers are polymers in which the polymer chains are held together by:
A Strong hydrogen bondsB Rigid covalent networksC Weak forces and few cross-linksD Strong dipole-dipole forcesShow answer & explanation →
Q52.
Based on intermolecular forces, polymers are classified into all of the following EXCEPT:
A Thermosetting polymersB ElastomersC FibresD Condensation polymersShow answer & explanation →
Q53.
Which pair correctly lists an addition polymer and a condensation polymer, in that order?
A Polythene and Nylon-6,6B Nylon-6,6 and PolytheneC Bakelite and TeryleneD PVC and PolytheneShow answer & explanation →
Q54.
The monomer of PMMA (Perspex/Plexiglas), used for lenses and lamp covers, is:
A Methyl acrylateB Methyl methacrylateC Vinyl acetateD AcrylonitrileShow answer & explanation →
Q56.
In the Ziegler-Natta catalyst system, which two components are essential?
A TiCl<sub>4</sub> and Al(C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>5</sub>)<sub>3</sub>B FeCl<sub>3</sub> and BF<sub>3</sub>C BF<sub>3</sub> and H<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub>D TiCl<sub>4</sub> and H<sub>2</sub>OShow answer & explanation →
Q57.
Tacticity of a polymer refers to:
A Spatial arrangement of pendant groups along the chainB The statistical distribution of molecular weights across all chainsC The degree of cross-linking between adjacent polymer chainsD The rate at which monomer units are consumed during synthesisShow answer & explanation →
Q58.
Isotactic polypropylene differs from atactic polypropylene in that it is:
A Highly crystalline and has higher melting pointB Largely amorphous and optically transparentC Far more soluble in common organic solventsD A copolymer containing a second distinct monomer unitShow answer & explanation →
Q59.
Step-growth polymerisation requires bifunctional monomers. High molecular weight is achieved only at:
A Very high conversion (>99%) of functional groupsB Low conversion of around 20% of the functional groupsC Moderate conversion near 50% of the functional groups presentD Any conversion level, since chain length is independent of conversionShow answer & explanation →
Q60.
PHBV is a biodegradable polymer. The two monomer units present are:
A 3-Hydroxybutyrate and 3-hydroxyvalerateB Ethylene glycol and valeric acidC Caprolactam and valerolactamD Glycerol and valeric acidShow answer & explanation →
Q61.
The glass transition temperature (Tg) of a polymer is the temperature at which:
A The amorphous regions transition from glassy to rubbery stateB The crystalline regions of the polymer melt into a viscous liquidC Cross-linking reactions begin between adjacent chainsD Crystallisation of the polymer chains reaches completionShow answer & explanation →
Q62.
Living polymerisation is characterised by:
A No termination or transfer reactions, allowing controlled molecular weightB Very fast termination of every growing chain end overall in most casesC A broad, uncontrolled polydispersity across the product under typical conditionsD Chain lengths that vary randomly with little control over distributionShow answer & explanation →
Q63.
Kevlar has exceptional strength because:
A Extensive hydrogen bonding between amide groups in parallel chainsB A high density of covalent cross-links between adjacent chainsC Weak van der Waals forces between the aromatic rings aloneD Ionic interactions between charged groups along the backboneShow answer & explanation →
Q65.
Which type of polymerisation is used to make epoxy resins?
A Ring-opening polymerisation of epoxide monomersB Free-radical addition polymerisation of a vinyl monomerC Anionic polymerisation initiated by an alkali metal alkoxideD Direct condensation with loss of water at every linking stepShow answer & explanation →
Q66.
Neoprene (polychloroprene) is a synthetic rubber used for its:
A Resistance to oil, weather, and ozoneB High electrical conductivity according to standard textbooksC Transparency in general practiceD Biodegradability as frequently describedShow answer & explanation →
Q67.
Which polymer contains a benzene ring in its main chain?
A PolycarbonateB PolyethyleneC PolypropyleneD PolyisopreneShow answer & explanation →
Q68.
The termination step in free-radical polymerisation occurs by:
A Combination or disproportionation of two radical chain endsB Continued addition of monomer units to the growing chainC The initial homolysis reaction that generates the first radicalD Chain transfer of the radical to a solvent moleculeShow answer & explanation →
Q69.
Which polymer is formed by coordination polymerisation of propylene?
A Isotactic polypropyleneB Atactic polypropyleneC Random copolymerD Cross-linked polypropyleneShow answer & explanation →
Q70.
Cellulose cannot be digested by humans because:
A Humans lack beta-glucosidase enzyme to break beta-1,4 glycosidic bondsB Cellulose is toxic to the human digestive liningC Cellulose is completely insoluble in any aqueous or organic solventD Cellulose contains no carbon-hydrogen bonds capable of providing energyShow answer & explanation →
Q71.
The Carothers equation relates degree of polymerisation (Xn) to conversion (p) as:
A Xn = 1/(1-p)B Xn = 1-pC Xn = p/(1-p)D Xn = 1/pShow answer & explanation →
Q72.
Polyurethanes are formed by reaction of a diisocyanate with:
A Diol (a dihydroxy compound)B Diamine, giving a polyurea instead of a polyurethaneC Diacid, giving a polyamide instead of a polyurethaneD Diepoxide, giving a cross-linked epoxy network insteadShow answer & explanation →
Q73.
Block copolymers consist of:
A Long sequences of one monomer followed by long sequences of anotherB Generally alternating single units of two different monomers as generally observedC Two different monomers distributed in a largely random sequence overallD Mainly a single type of monomer repeated throughout most of the chain lengthShow answer & explanation →
Q74.
The number-average molecular weight (Mn) is defined as:
A Total weight of polymer / total number of moleculesB Total weight / total moles of monomer in most textbook accountsC Sum of all chain weights during normal conditionsD Highest molecular weight in sample as generally observedShow answer & explanation →
Q75.
Which method gives the weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of a polymer?
A Light scatteringB OsmometryC ViscometryD End-group analysisShow answer & explanation →