Chapter 1 (book)

Question 1

Define polymer

Answer 1

a large molecule made up of smaller building blocks

Question 2

Define monomer

Answer 2

the building blocks

Question 3

define homopolymer

Answer 3

when all the monomers are the same

Question 4

define copolymer

Answer 4

a polymer composed of different monomers

Question 5

define blends

Answer 5

a mixture of polymers

Question 6

What is the difference between a plastic and a polymer?

Answer 6

A plastic is a type of material, whereas a polymer is a type of molecule. Plastics are polymers, but so are many things.

Question 7

In terms of molecular weight and molar mass, how are molecules like water and benzene classified?

Answer 7

low molecular weight and low molar mass

Question 8

Under what molecular weight is a polymer considered to have a “low molecular weight”?

Answer 8

500 g/mole

Question 9

What are some of the properties of high molecular weight polymers?

Answer 9

1. Covalently bonded
2. Chain-like molecules
3. molecular weight 10k+ g/mol

Question 10

What are polymers in between low and high molecular weight often referred to as?

Answer 10

oligomers

Question 11

As chain length increases, what happens?

Answer 11

Viscosity increases

ex: we go from liquid materials used for baby oils to “semi-solid” materials used as soft and hard candle waxes

Question 12

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