Assessment and Qualifications Alliance (AQA) GCSE Chemistry Paper 2 Practice Exam

Polymers formed through condensation polymerisation are typically insoluble in water due to their large molecular size and strong intermolecular forces. These forces arise from the repeating units that are bonded together, creating a structure that is less likely to interact with water molecules, which generally affects solubility.

In contrast, polymers that are soluble in water would usually have more polar or hydrophilic groups that can interact favorably with water, which is not characteristic of all condensation polymers. While some small molecules are released during the formation of condensate polymers, indicating option C is not correct, the options about being easily broken down by water (A) and consisting of identical monomers only (D) do not accurately describe the diverse nature and stability of these polymers. Therefore, the statement that they are typically insoluble in water is the most accurate depiction of polymers produced by condensation polymerisation.