3.3.12 polymers

Question 1

define polymer

Answer 1

long chain molecules made from lots of small molecules joined together

Question 2

define monomer

Answer 2

small molecules that join together to make polymers

Question 3

what is addition polymerisation

Answer 3

2 or more molecules join together to form 1 molecule which is non polar

Question 4

what is condensation polymerisation

Answer 4

2 or more molecules join together to form 1 polar molecule removing a water molecule

Question 5

what are the 3 types of polymers produced from condensation polymerisation

Answer 5

polyesters formed from dicarboxylic acids and diols
poly amides formed from dicarboxylic acids and diamines
polypeptides formed from amino acids

Question 6

discuss production and use of terylene

Answer 6

terylene is a polyester
benzene - 1,4- dicarboxylic acids + ethane - 1,2- diol produce terylene + water
terylene is used in clothing

Question 7

discuss production of nylon 6,6

Answer 7

nylon 6,6 is a polyamide
hexanedioic acid + hexane -1,6- diamine produce nylon 6,6 + water

Question 8

discuss production of kevlar

Answer 8

kevlar is a polyamide
benzene -1,4- dicarboxylic acid and benzene -1,4- diamine produce kevlar and water

Question 9

how are polymers broken down

Answer 9

via hydrolysis reactions

Question 10

which polymers are broken down/ biodegradable

Answer 10

condensation polymers e.g. kevlar/terylene/nylon
they are biodegradable as they have polar bonds which attract attract from nucleophiles e.g. water

Question 11

describe the intermolecular bonding present in condensation polymers and how this affects melting point

Answer 11

polyesters have permanent dipole forces between the C=O and van der waals between the chains
polyamides and proteins have hydrogen bonding betwen the oxygen in C=O and hydrogens from N-H in different chains and van der waals
therefore polyamides have a higher melting point than polyesters

Question 12

3 methods to dispose of polymers

Answer 12

landfills, burning and recycling

Question 13

advantages and disadvantages of landfills

Answer 13

cheap and easy but release CH4 and take up alot of space

Question 14

advantages and disadvantages of burning

Answer 14

energy produced to generate electricity but toxins and CO2 released

Question 15

advantages and disadvantages of recycling

Answer 15

saves raw material and less CO2 produced but expensive and takes time