polymers

Question 1

what are polymers

Answer 1

Polymers are very large molecules made when hundreds

of monomers join together to form long chains.

Question 2

where does the word polymer come from

Answer 2

The word ‘polymer’ comes from the Greek words
poly (meaning ‘many’) and meros (meaning
‘parts’).

Question 3

What are plastics

Answer 3

Plastics are synthetic polymers that

can be shaped by heat or pressure.

Question 4

what keeps the chain together

Answer 4

the monomers in a polymer are joined together by covalent bonds
between atoms.
In a covalent bond, each atom shares one or more electron with
another atom. The bonds are sometimes shown as sticks.

Question 5

What are polymers made from

Answer 5

Many polymers are formed from alkenes, which are a family of
hydrocarbon molecules with the general formula CnH2n.
Alkenes contain at least one double covalent bond between carbon
atoms. The double bond makes them very reactive.

Question 6

what is the simplest alkene

Answer 6

The simplest alkene is

ethene (C2H4).

Question 7

What is the second simplest alkene

Answer 7

The second simplest

alkene is propene (C3H6).

Question 8

what is polythene

Answer 8

Polyethene (sometimes called polythene) is a polymer made from
ethene.

Question 9

What is the process which polyethene and pother polymers are made

Answer 9

The process by which polyethene and other polymers is made is called
addition polymerisation. This is because many monomers (ethene
molecules) are added together.

Question 10

What is the shorthand formula for polypropene

Answer 10

1. Draw two C atoms that were in
the double bond with a single
covalent bond.
2. Draw the brackets and the ‘n’.
3. Add the links outside the brackets
4. Add the atoms that were attached
to each C atom of the double bond.

Question 11

What do monomers react together to form

Answer 11

Monomers react together to form the polymer and another small
product. This product is usually water or hydrogen chloride.

Question 12

What is condensation polymerisation

Answer 12

Condensation polymerisation involves two different monomers, each
with two functional groups.

Question 13

what is an example of Polyamides

Answer 13

Nylon 6,6 is an example of a polyamide

Question 14

What is an example of Polyesters

Answer 14

Polyesters: Terylene is an example

Question 15

what is a type of macromolecules

Answer 15

Proteins and some carbohydrates (starch) are

macromolecules

Question 16

What gives us energy and helps in growth and repair of cells

Answer 16

Food gives us energy and helps in growth and repair of
cells
• Energy: carbohydrates and fats
• Growth and repair: Proteins

Question 17

What are proteins

Answer 17

Proteins have the same amide linkage as nylon.
• The monomers are amino acids. There are 20 different
types. They all have the same general structure.

Question 18

Protein condensation reaction

Answer 18

When proteins are made an amide link is formed of the
amine group of one amino acid with the carboxyl group
of another. This is a condensation reaction…water is lost.

Question 19

who do our bodies break down the enzymes with

Answer 19

In our bodies, proteins are broken down by enzymes with

the help of HCl.

Question 20

What does carbohydrates mean

Answer 20

Means carbon with water

Question 21

what is glucose

Answer 21

Glucose is a monosaccharide. We can join monosaccharide monomers
together to make a polysaccharide.

Question 22

Hydrolysis of Carbohydrates

Answer 22

• Heat polysaccharides with HCl they are hydrolysed to simple sugars