4 Synthetic polymers Flashcards
What is polymerisation?
It is the joining up of lots of little molecules (monomers) to make one big molecule (polymer).
What is addition polymerisation?
It is when molecules simple add onto each other without anything else being formed.
What is used to start the process of polymerisation?
Heat and high pressures and an initiator.
How are monomers presented?
How are repeating units (for polymers) presented?
How do you draw the polymer when given a monomer?
Break C = C bonds
How do you draw the monomer when given the polymer?
Add C = C bonds.
How can you draw the repeating unit of poly(ethene)?
How do you draw the repeating unit of poly(propene)?
How do you draw the repeating unit of poly(chloroethene)?
How do you draw the repeating unit of poly(tetrafluoroethene)?
What is non-biodegradeable?
They cannot be broken down by bacteria in the environment.
What are two ways of disposing addition polymers?
- Landfill
- Incineration
What is landfill?
Bury the polymers in landfill sites
What are some advantages of landfill?
- No greenhouse gases or toxic gases produced from plastics.
- Cheap.
What are some disadvantages of landfill?
- Ugly, smelly and noisy; no one wants to live next to a landfill site.
- Uses large areas of land.
- The waste will be there for thousands of years.
What is incineration?
Burning plastics in order to tackle the problem of disposal.
What are some advantages of incineration?
- Requires little space.
- Can produce heat for local homes/offices and/or produce electricity.
What are some disadvantages of incineration?
- It is expensive to build and maintain the plant.
- Produces greenhouse gases.
- Releases toxic gases.
- The ash produced must be disposed of in landfill sites.
