S2: Models of bonding and structure Flashcards
(71 cards)
What is a polymer?
Macromolecule made up of repeating units called monomers linked with covalent bonds.
Three main structural types of polymers
Linear, Branched, Cross-linked
Explain why plastics are electrical insulators
Do not possess mobile charged particles, so they do not conduct electricity
Explain why plastics are unreactive and resistant to chemical attack
Made of long chains with strong covalent bonds which are very stable. They require lots of energy to overcome, so are inert.
Explain why many polymers melt over a range of temperatures
Chain length of polymers vary, so longer chains will melt at higher temps because they require lots of energy to overcome many bonds and vice versa
Describe how the strength of London forces changes as the carbon chain length increases
London forces become stronger in longer chains, because they have a larger number of electrons and a larger electron cloud
Explain why plastics are lightweight
Polymers are loosely packed and therefore have a low density
Explain why plastics do not dissolve in water
They are non-polar molecules
What is addition polymerisation?
The process of joining two monomers (generally the same) with covalent bonds
Describe how propene forms polypropene in terms of bonds broken and formed
The double bond between carbons in propene are broken and they form a single bond instead, then each C atom forms a covalent bond with another monomer at each end.
What is condensation polymerisation?
Bonding of two or more monomers (usually different) with reactive functional groups to make a polymer and a small molecule as a biproduct (e.g. H2O or HCl)
What is a functional group?
Groups found in organic compounds which give it chemical and physical properties
Organic vs Inorganic compounds
Organic compounds contain C atoms and almost always C-H bonds, Inorganic do not contain C atoms
Atom economy
Measure of amount of reacting materials that are incorporated in useful products
What is a polyamide?
Condensation polymer formed from a dicarboxylic acid and a diamide
What are 2 examples of polyamides?
Nylon, proteins
Which type of link forms in a polyamide?
Amide link
What is a polyester?
Condensation polymer formed between dicarboxylic acid and diol (2 -OH groups)
What are 2 examples of a polyester?
Terylene, PET
Which type of link froms in a polyester?
Ester link
How can biological condensation polymers be broken down?
Hydrolysis
Environmental impact of addition vs condensation polymers
Addition are often non-biodegradable, Condensation are sometimes biodegradable (because they can be hydrolised)
Instead of discreet types of bonding, how is bonding described in the bonding triangle?
A continuum between ionic, covalent and metallic models.
Where are the most metallic elements found + what is the most metallic?
At the bottom left of the periodic table, Cs