Polymers Flashcards
(25 cards)
What is a polymer?
A large molecule made by joining many small molecules (monomers) together.
What is polymerisation?
The chemical reaction in which monomers join to form a polymer.
What are addition polymers made from?
Alkenes – unsaturated monomers with double bonds.
What happens to double bonds in addition polymerisation?
They break to allow monomers to join together.
What is the repeating unit in a polymer?
The smallest section that repeats to form the whole polymer.
What is an example of an addition polymer?
Poly(ethene), made from ethene monomers.
Are atoms lost or gained in addition polymerisation?
No – it only involves rearrangement of bonds.
What are the properties of polymers like poly(ethene)?
They are usually strong, flexible, and unreactive.
What is a drawback of addition polymers?
They are not biodegradable and cause pollution.
What is condensation polymerisation?
A reaction where monomers join, forming a polymer and losing small molecules (e.g. water).
What is the difference between addition and condensation polymerisation?
Condensation produces small molecules like water; addition does not.
What types of monomers are used in condensation polymerisation?
Monomers with two functional groups (e.g. –OH, –COOH, –NH₂).
What is an example of a condensation polymer?
Nylon or polyester.
What small molecule is often lost in condensation polymerisation?
Water (H₂O).
What is a diol?
A molecule with two –OH (alcohol) groups.
What is a dicarboxylic acid?
A molecule with two –COOH (carboxylic acid) groups.
What happens when a diol reacts with a dicarboxylic acid?
They form an ester linkage and a polyester polymer.
What is a peptide bond?
A bond formed between amino acids in proteins during condensation.
What are naturally occurring polymers?
Polymers found in nature, like proteins, DNA, and starch.
What monomers make up proteins?
Amino acids.
What monomers make up starch and cellulose?
Glucose (a simple sugar).
What monomers make up DNA?
Nucleotides (each with a sugar, phosphate, and base).
What type of polymer is DNA?
A naturally occurring condensation polymer.
What are the four bases in DNA?
Adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine.
