Ceramics, Polymers and Composites
Master Ceramics, Polymers and Composites for GCSE Chemistry with this free worksheet and full mark scheme — Foundation and Higher exam-style questions with worked answers for AQA, Edexcel and OCR. A separate (triple) chemistry topic linking the properties of ceramics, polymers and composites to their everyday uses.
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These worksheets and mark schemes are original, written for Virtus Academy and checked against the current AQA, Edexcel and OCR specifications. Every worksheet comes with a full mark scheme.
Topic overview
Glass, ceramics, polymers and composites are important materials whose properties depend on their structure and how they are made. This is a Triple-only topic.
Most glass is soda-lime glass, made by heating sand with sodium carbonate and limestone. Borosilicate glass, made from sand and boron trioxide, melts at a higher temperature. Clay ceramics such as pottery and bricks are made by shaping wet clay and then firing it at high temperatures.
Polymer properties depend on the monomers and the conditions of manufacture. Low density and high density poly(ethene) are made from ethene under different conditions and have different properties. Thermosoftening polymers melt when heated; thermosetting polymers have cross-links and do not melt.
Revision notes
Glass and ceramics
Soda-lime glass is made by heating a mixture of sand, sodium carbonate and limestone.
Borosilicate glass, made from sand and boron trioxide, melts at higher temperatures. Clay ceramics are made by shaping wet clay and firing it at high temperatures.
Polymers
The properties of a polymer depend on the monomers used and on the conditions of manufacture.
Low density and high density poly(ethene) are both made from ethene but under different conditions, giving different properties. Thermosoftening polymers consist of individual chains tangled together and melt when heated.
Thermosetting polymers and composites
Thermosetting polymers have cross-links between the chains, so they do not melt when heated.
A composite consists of two materials: a matrix or binder surrounding fibres or fragments of a reinforcement. Fibreglass and concrete are examples.
Key points
- Soda-lime glass is made from sand, sodium carbonate and limestone.
- Borosilicate glass melts at higher temperatures.
- Clay ceramics are shaped wet then fired.
- Polymer properties depend on monomers and conditions.
- Thermosoftening polymers melt when heated.
- Thermosetting polymers have cross-links and do not melt.
Worked examples
Example 1
Name the three substances heated together to make soda-lime glass. [3 marks]
Model answer
Sand (1 mark), sodium carbonate (1 mark) and limestone (1 mark).
Example 2
Explain the difference between thermosoftening and thermosetting polymers. [3 marks]
Model answer
Thermosoftening polymers consist of individual polymer chains tangled together, so they melt when heated (1 mark). Thermosetting polymers have cross-links between the chains (1 mark), which hold them together in a solid structure so they do not melt when heated (1 mark).
Example 3
Explain what is meant by a composite material. [2 marks]
Model answer
A composite consists of two materials (1 mark): a matrix or binder surrounding fibres or fragments of a reinforcement material (1 mark).
Common mistakes
Saying thermosetting polymers melt at high temperature.
The cross-links prevent melting entirely.
Confusing the two types of glass.
Soda-lime is standard; borosilicate melts at higher temperatures.
Forgetting the firing stage for ceramics.
Clay must be shaped wet and then fired at high temperature.
Naming only one component of a composite.
Both the matrix and the reinforcement are needed.
Exam tips
- Learn the three components of soda-lime glass.
- Explain the polymer difference through cross-links.
- Define a composite as matrix plus reinforcement.
- Remember this is a Triple-only topic.
Key terms
- Soda-lime glass
- Glass made from sand, sodium carbonate and limestone.
- Thermosoftening
- A polymer that melts when heated.
- Thermosetting
- A polymer with cross-links that does not melt.
- Composite
- A material of a matrix surrounding a reinforcement.
Related topics
Written and reviewed against the current AQA, Edexcel and OCR specifications. Spotted an error? Let us know.