M7 Polymers

Question 1

How are polymers made

Answer 1

polymerisation

Question 2

what are the steps of polymerisation

Answer 2

Initiation
Propagation
Termination

Question 3

what happens during initiation

Answer 3

when diomer splits into two radicals (molecules that have have unpaired electrons)

Question 4

what happens during propagation

Answer 4

the radical monomer reacts with a monomer, creating a radical polymer, causing a chain reaction

Question 5

what happens during termination

Answer 5

the radical polymer reacts with the a radical monomer, stopping the chain reaction

Question 6

what types of polymers are there (2)

Answer 6

• Addition

- Condensation

Question 7

what are additions polymers

Answer 7

a polymer made from monomers containing a double bond

Question 8

list examples of addition polymers (4)

Answer 8

• (LDPE) Low Density Polyethylene
• (HDPE) High Density Polyethylene
• (PVC) Polyvinyl Chloride
• polystyrene

Question 9

what monomer is used in the polymerisation of (LDPE) Low Density Polyethylene

Answer 9

ethylene (Ethene)

Question 10

what is the structure of (LDPE) Low Density Polyethylene (3) and draw it

Answer 10

Has ethylene branches due to back biting
polymer chains can not stack as densely
dispersion forces between adjacent chains aren't as effective
 H  H
 ︱ ︱
(-C-C-)ₙ         
 ︱ ︱
  H  CH3

Question 11

what properties does the structure of (LDPE) Low Density Polyethylene give (3)

Answer 11

Flexible
Soft
Low density

Question 12

what uses does the properties of (LDPE) Low Density Polyethylene give (3)

Answer 12

Wrapping materials
Squeeze bottles
Plastic grocery bags (soft plastic)

Question 13

what monomer is used in the polymerisation of (HDPE) High density polyethylene and draw it

Answer 13

Ethylene(ethene) ( see polymer table)

Question 14

what is the structure of (HDPE) High density polyethylene (3)

Answer 14

Straight chains of carbon atoms
Molecules pack closely
Stronger dispersion forces between adjacent molecules

Question 15

what properties does the structure of (HDPE) High density polyethylene give

Answer 15

High melting point
High density
Hard

Question 16

what uses does the properties of (HDPE) High density polyethylene give(3)

Answer 16

Kitchen utensils
Building materials
Toys

Question 17

what monomer is used in the polymerisation of (PVC) Polyvinyl Chloride and draw it

Answer 17

Chloroethene ( see polymer table)

Question 18

what is the structure of (PVC) Polyvinyl Chloride (3) and draw it

Answer 18

Straight carbon chain
Has polar chlorine group.
Dipole-dipole intermolecular interactions between adjacent molecules

Question 19

what properties does the structure of (PVC) Polyvinyl Chloride give (3)

Answer 19

Water resistant
Flame/heat resistant
(Fairly useless due to chlorine atoms creating stiffness) plasticiser added to reduce intermolecular dispersion forces making it malleable, to be turned into different shapes

Question 20

what uses does the properties of (PVC) Polyvinyl Chloride give (3)

Answer 20

Sewerage pipes
Electrical insulation
Garden hoses

Question 21

What monomer is used in polystyrene and draw it

Answer 21

Ethenylbenzene ( see polymer table)

Question 22

What is the structure of polystyrene (3) and draw it

Answer 22

Straight carbon chain
Intermolecular dispersion forces
Large phenyl groups prevent close packing, and give rigidity

Question 23

What properties does the structure of polystyrene give it (4)

Answer 23

Hard
Stiff
Expanded(Gas added):
- low density
- Good insulator

Question 24

What uses do the properties of polystyrene give it (3)

Answer 24

Tool handles
CD cases
Foam drinking cups

Question 25

what are condensation polymers

Answer 25

polymers made when monomers go through a condensation reaction , making a byproduct (commonly water)

Question 26

list examples of condensation polymers (3)

Answer 26

- Nylon - Polyester - Polylactic Acid

Question 27

what monomers are used in the polymerisation of Nylon and draw it

Answer 27

Hexanedioic acid + 1,6 diaminohexane | ( see polymer table)

Question 28

what is the structure of Nylon(3) and draw it

Answer 28

- Alternating dicarboxylic acid and diamine in polymer - Amide bond very polar form powerful H bonds between adjacent molecules - Linear chain

Question 29

what properties does the structure of Nylon give IT (3)

Answer 29

- crystalline structure and forms fibres - does not absorb water - Damage resistant to oil and chemicals

Question 30

what uses does the properties of Nylon give (3)

Answer 30

- Toothbrush - rope - clothing

Question 31

what monomers are used in the polymerisation of polyester and draw it

Answer 31

benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid (terephthalic acid) + ethane-1-2-diol

Question 32

what is the structure of polyester and draw it (2)

Answer 32

- large benzene ring gives the polymer rigidity | - 2 carbonyl group provide strong dipole dipole attraction between adjacent molecules

Question 33

what properties does the structure of polyester give (3)

Answer 33

- extremely strong - resistant against chemicals, stretching,shrinking and wrinkles - hydrophobic (lack of polar groups on its back bone)

Question 34

what uses does the properties of polyester give (3)

Answer 34

- clothing - seatbelts - car tyres

Question 35

what monomer is used in the polymerisation of Polylactic acid and draw it

Answer 35

lactic acid (only, natural polymer)

Question 36

what is the structure of polylactic acid and draw it(2)

Answer 36

- non polar | - molecular chain segment difficult to rotate gives rigidity

Question 37

what properties does the structure of polylactic acid give (3)

Answer 37

- biodegradable - high strength - high elesticity

Question 38

what uses does the properties of polylactic acid give (2)

Answer 38

- plastic film | - biodegradable medical devices(surgical) ( screws,pins, plates)