CBSE Class 12 Chemistry HOTs Polymers

Refer to CBSE Class 12 Chemistry HOTs Polymers. We have provided exhaustive High Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) questions and answers for Class 12 Chemistry Unit 15 Polymers. Designed for the 2025-26 exam session, these expert-curated analytical questions help students master important concepts and stay aligned with the latest CBSE, NCERT, and KVS curriculum.

Unit 15 Polymers Class 12 Chemistry HOTS with Solutions

Practicing Class 12 Chemistry HOTS Questions is important for scoring high in Chemistry. Use the detailed answers provided below to improve your problem-solving speed and Class 12 exam readiness.

HOTS Questions and Answers for Class 12 Chemistry Unit 15 Polymers

 

VERY SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS
 
Question. Define the term ‘homopolymerisation’ giving an example.
Answer. The polymer formed by the polymerization of single/same monomeric species is known as homopolymerisation. E.g., Polythene/PVC/Polypropene. 


Question. Give an example of elastomer.
Answer. Natural rubber or Buna-S or Buna-N or Neoprene. 


Question. Why is bakelite a thermosetting polymer ?
Answer. Because bakelite have three dimensional network of covalent bonds with crosslinking between chains. 


Question. Write the monomers of Buna-N.
Answer.
Polymers 4


Question. Is  [H2CCH(C6H5)]n a homopolymer or copolymer ? Why ?
Answer. Homopolymer, because it is formed by polymerization of one kind of monomer species. 


Question. Write the structure and one use of urea formaldehyde resin.
Answer.  [HNCONHCH2 ]n
It is used in unbreakable crockery.
 
 
SHORT ANSWER-I TYPE QUESTIONS
 
Question. Draw the structure of monomers of each of the polymers :
(i) PVC (ii) Nylon-6
Answer.
Polymers 5
 


Question. What is the repeating unit in the condensation polymer obtained by combining HOOCCH2CH2COOH (succinic acid) and H2NCH2CH2NH2 (ethylene diamine) ?
Answer.
Polymers 6

Question. Draw the structure of monomers of the following polymers :
(i) Teflon (ii) Polythene
Answer. (i) F2C = CF2 Tetrafluoroethene
(ii) H2C = CH2 Ethene 


Question. Name the two groups into which polymers are classified on the basis of magnitude of intermolecular forces.
Answer. (i) Elastomers
(ii) Fibres
(iii) Thermoplastic polymers
(iv) Thermosetting polymers 


Question. Mention two important uses of each of the following :
(i) Bakelite (ii) Nylon-6
Answer. (i) Bakelite : For making combs, electrical switches, handles of utensils, computer disc etc.
(ii) Nylon-6 : For making tyre cords, fabrics, ropes etc. 


Question. Distinguish between homopolymers and copolymers with an example of each.
Answer. Homopolymers : Polymers whose repeating structural units are derived from only one type of monomer units are called homopolymers. For example, Polythene.
Copolymers : Polymers whose repeating structural units are derived from two or more types of monomer units are called copolymers. For example, Nylon-6, 6. 


Question. What is step growth polymerisation ? Explain with an example.
Answer. Step growth polymerisation involves condensation between monomers having multifunctional groups. It is also known as condensation polymerisation. E.g.,
Polymers 7


Question. What is the difference between elastomers and fibres ? Give one example of each.
Answer. Elastomers : Polymers in which the intermolecular forces of attraction between the polymer chains are weakest are called elastomers. E.g., Natural rubber.
Fibres : Polymers in which intermolecular forces of attraction are the strongest are called fibres. E.g., Nylon-6, 6. 


Question. Mention the important uses of each :
(i) Nylon-6, 6 (ii) PVC
Answer. (i) Uses of Nylon-6, 6 :
(a) It is used in making carpets, textile fibres etc.
(b) It is used for making elastic hosiery.
(ii) Uses of PVC :
(a) It is used for making raincoats, hand bags etc.
(b) It is used in making water pipes.
 

Question. Write the names and structure of the monomers of the following polymers :
(i) Buna-S   (ii) Neoprene   (iii) Nylon-6
Answer.
Polymers 8


Question. Write names and structure of monomers of following polymers :
(i) Bakelite    (ii) Nylon-6   (iii) Polythene
Answer. (i) Phenol and formaldehyde
C6H5OH + HCHO
(ii) Caprolactum
Polymers 9
(iii) Ethene
H2C = CH2
 

Question. Write names and structure of monomers of following polymers :
(i) Polystyrene (ii) Dacron (iii) Teflon
Answer. (i) Styrene
Polymers 10
(ii) Ethylene glycol + Terephthalic acid
Polymers 11
(iii) Tetrafluoroethene
F2C = CF2
 

Question. (i) What is the role of t-butyl peroxide in the polymerisation of ethane ?
(ii) Identify the monomers in the following polymer :
[ HN(CH2 ) NHCO(CH2 )4 CO ]
(iii) Arrange the following polymers in the increasing order of their intermolecular forces :
Polystyrene, Terylene, Buna-S
Answer. (i) Catalyst/initiator of free radical
(ii) Hexamethylenediamine and adipic acid
(iii) Buna-S < Polystyrene < Terylene 


Question. Write the mechanism of free radical polymerisation of ethane.
Answer. (i) Chain initiation step
Polymers 12
Polymers 13
 

Question. Write chemical equation for the synthesis of :
(i) Nylon-6, 6 (ii) Neoprene (iii) Terylene
Answer. (i) Nylon-6, 6 :
Polymers 14
Polymers 15



Question. Write the monomers which are used for the synthesis of following polymers :
(i) Terylene (ii) Polythene (iii) Bakelite
Indicate the type of polymerisation for each which forms polymers.
Answer. Monomers                                        Type of polymerisation
(i) Ethylene glycol + Terephthalic acid               Condensation
(ii) Ethene                                                      Addition
(iii) Phenol + Formaldehyde                             Condensation

 

 
 

 

VERY SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

Question.
Polymers 16
a homopolymer or a copolymer ?
Answer. Homopolymer.
 

Question. Which of the following is natural polymer ?
Buna-S, Proteins, PVC
Answer. Proteins.
 

Question. Based on molecular forces what type of polymer is neoprene ?
Answer. Elastomer.
 

Question. Which of the following is a fibre ?
Nylon, Neoprene, PVC
Answer. Nylon
 
 

SHORT ANSWER-I TYPE QUESTIONS 

Question.Arrange the following polymers in the order of increasing intermolecular forces :
(i) Nylon-6, Buna-S, Polythene
(ii) Nylon-6, Neoprene, Polyvinyl chloride
Answer. (i) Buna-S < Polythene < Nylon-6
(ii) Neoprene < Polyvinyl chloride < Nylon-6
 

Question.Define thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers. Give one example of each.
Answer. Thermoplastics : Polymers in which the intermolecular forces of attraction are in between those of elastomers and fibres are called thermoplastics. E.g., Nylon-6, PVC, etc.
Thermosetting polymers : These are semi-fluid substances with low molecular
masses which when heated in a mould undergo a permanent change in chemical composition to give hard, infusible and insoluble mass. E.g., Bakelite.
 

Question.What is biodegradable polymer ? Give an example of a biodegradable polymer.
Answer. Biodegradable polymers are those which are decomposed by micro organisms.
E.g., PHBV (Poly-B-hydroxybutyrate – Co – B – hydroxyl valerate).
 

Question.How does vulcanization change the character of natural rubber ?
Answer. It introduce sulphur bridge or cross-link between polymer chain.
 

Question.Name a polymer each for the following applications :
(i) Insulation of electrical switches
(ii) Making laminated sheets
Answer. (i) Bakelite (ii) Urea formaldehyde resin
 

Question.How does the presence of double bonds in rubber influence their structure and reactivity ?
Answer. Natural rubber is a cis-polyisoprene. These cis- double bonds do not allow to polymer unit to come close for effective interaction. Hence rubber show elasticity.
 
 

SHORT ANSWER-II TYPE QUESTIONS 

Question. How are polymers classified on the basis of mode of polymerisation ? Explain with examples.
Answer. Addition polymers : Are formed by repeated addition of a large number of same or different monomers possessing double or triple bonds. E.g., Polythene.
Polymers 17
Condensation polymers : Are formed by repeated condensation reaction between two bifunctional or trifunctional monomer units usually with the elimination of small molecules like water, alcohol, ammonia, etc. E.g., Nylon-6, 6.
Polymers 18

Question.A monomer of a polymer on ozonolysis gives two moles of CH2O and one mol of
Polymers 19
Write the structure of monomer and polymer and each step of reaction.
Answer. Structure of monomer :
Polymers 20

Question.Can a copolymer be formed in both addition and condensation polymerisation ? Explain with examples.
Answer. Yes. Buna-S, Buna-N : Addition polymer
Nylon-6, 6, terylene : Condensation
 
 
LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS 
 
Question. How are following polymers obtained ? Write the names and structures of monomers and structure of respective polymers :
(i) Dacron (ii) Nylon-6 (iii) Buna-N
(iv) Glyptal (v) PHBV
Answer.

Polymers 21
 
 

HOTS for Unit 15 Polymers Chemistry Class 12

Students can now practice Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) questions for Unit 15 Polymers to prepare for their upcoming school exams. This study material follows the latest syllabus for Class 12 Chemistry released by CBSE. These solved questions will help you to understand about each topic and also answer difficult questions in your Chemistry test.

NCERT Based Analytical Questions for Unit 15 Polymers

Our expert teachers have created these Chemistry HOTS by referring to the official NCERT book for Class 12. These solved exercises are great for students who want to become experts in all important topics of the chapter. After attempting these challenging questions should also check their work with our teacher prepared solutions. For a complete understanding, you can also refer to our NCERT solutions for Class 12 Chemistry available on our website.

Master Chemistry for Better Marks

Regular practice of Class 12 HOTS will give you a stronger understanding of all concepts and also help you get more marks in your exams. We have also provided a variety of MCQ questions within these sets to help you easily cover all parts of the chapter. After solving these you should try our online Chemistry MCQ Test to check your speed. All the study resources on studiestoday.com are free and updated for the current academic year.

Where can I download the latest PDF for CBSE Class 12 Chemistry HOTs Polymers?

You can download the teacher-verified PDF for CBSE Class 12 Chemistry HOTs Polymers from StudiesToday.com. These questions have been prepared for Class 12 Chemistry to help students learn high-level application and analytical skills required for the 2025-26 exams.

Why are HOTS questions important for the 2026 CBSE exam pattern?

In the 2026 pattern, 50% of the marks are for competency-based questions. Our CBSE Class 12 Chemistry HOTs Polymers are to apply basic theory to real-world to help Class 12 students to solve case studies and assertion-reasoning questions in Chemistry.

How do CBSE Class 12 Chemistry HOTs Polymers differ from regular textbook questions?

Unlike direct questions that test memory, CBSE Class 12 Chemistry HOTs Polymers require out-of-the-box thinking as Class 12 Chemistry HOTS questions focus on understanding data and identifying logical errors.

What is the best way to solve Chemistry HOTS for Class 12?

After reading all conceots in Chemistry, practice CBSE Class 12 Chemistry HOTs Polymers by breaking down the problem into smaller logical steps.

Are solutions provided for Class 12 Chemistry HOTS questions?

Yes, we provide detailed, step-by-step solutions for CBSE Class 12 Chemistry HOTs Polymers. These solutions highlight the analytical reasoning and logical steps to help students prepare as per CBSE marking scheme.