DF 7: Polymers and Plastics Flashcards
Define “polymer”
A long molecule made up from many small molecules (monomers)
Define “monomer”
Small molecules that make up polymers
Define “polymerisation”
Small molecules called monomers joining together to produce long chain polymers
What two types of polymers are there?
Homopolymers (aka A-A polymers)
Heteropolymers (aka A-B polymers)
How do homopolymers form?
If all monomer molecules are the same
What does a homopolymer look like if A is used to represent a monomer?
–A+A+A+A–===>–A-A-A-A–
How do heteropolymers form?
If two different monomers are used, the two different monomers alternate along the chain
What does a heteropolymer look like if A and B are used to represent the two different monomers?
–A+B+A+B–===>–A-B-A-B–
Give two examples of homopolymers
- Poly(ethene)
- Poly(choloroethene)
Give two examples of heteropolymers
- Polyamides e.g nylons
- Polyesters
How are polymers formed in addition polymerisation?
The monomers usually contain carbon-carbon double bonds e.g alkenes, which open up and join together
How do you write a polymer? (Both ways)
poly(insert monomer here)
-[repeating unit]-n (make sure you have the lines poking out of the brackets)
What is co-polymerisation?
When more than one monomer is used in addition polymerisation and they are both incorporated into the final polymer
