Addition Polymers

Question 1

Give two types of polymers

Answer 1

• Natural Polymers (DNA)
• Synthetic polymers e.g poly(ethene)

Question 2

What are polymers

Answer 2

Long chain molecules when monomers join together

Question 3

Give examples of synthetic polymers

Answer 3

Nylon and Kevlar

Question 4

Addition polymers are formed from what?

Answer 4

Alkenes

Question 5

What are addition polymers

Answer 5

This is when alkenes act as monomers because their double bond can open and join together to make long chains

Question 6

What is another name for addition polymers

Answer 6

Polyalkenes

Question 7

What type of bond chain are polyalkenes and give their properties

Answer 7

• Saturated molecules
• Non-polar
• Unreactive

Question 8

Give the properties of polyalkenes based on their intermolecular forces

Answer 8

• They are non-polar so the bonds are held together by vander waals forces

• Chains are longer, closer which result in strong vander waals forces between the chains

Question 9

What is the difference between long, straight polyalkenes chains and short, branched chains

Answer 9

• long and straight = strong and rigid
• Short and branched = weaker and more flexible

Question 10

What is the function of a plasticiser and how does it work?

Answer 10

• Makes polymers more flexible
• Get between the polymer chain and pushes them apart
• Reduces the strength of the intermolecular forces between the chains
• They slide around more, making the polymer easy to bend

Question 11

What is the full meaning of PVC

Answer 11

Chloroethene

Question 12

Give characteristics of PVC

Answer 12

• Closely packed polymer chains
• Hard but brittle at room temperature
• Rigid PVC is used to make drainpipes and window frames

Question 13

Give characteristics and functions of plasticised PVC

Answer 13

• Much more flexible than rigid PVC
• Used to make electrical cable insulation, flooring tiles and clothing

Question 14

What are polymers made up of?

Answer 14

Repeating units

Question 15

What is the difference between a polymer and a repeating unit?

Answer 15

Repeating unit has got the double bond opened out

Question 16

How do you write the name of an addition polymer

Answer 16

• Write the name of the alkene monomer in brackets
• Stick a ‘poly’ in front

Question 17

How do you draw a monomer of a repeating unit?

Answer 17

Add a double bond

Question 18

Explain why pentan-2-ol has a higher boiling point than pent-1-ene

Answer 18

• pentan-2-ol has stronger intermolecular forces
• Pent-1-ene has vander waals forces only
• Pentan-2-ol has vander waals and hydrogen bonds

Question 19

Give an equation, showing structural formulas, for the conversion of chloroethene into poly(chloroethene).

Answer 19

Check physical flashcards for answers

Question 20

State what you would observe if bromine water was added to poly(chloroethene) and explain this observation

Answer 20

• No reaction
• Polymer is saturated/ no double bonds

Question 21

Explain why poly(propene) is unreactive

Answer 21

No polar bonds/non-polar

Question 22

Suggest why it is beneficial for some polymers to be biodegradable

Answer 22

To prevent build up of waste (in landfill) they can be broken down by natural processes

Question 23

Golf balls recovered from lakes and ponds can be used again even after being in water for several years.

Explain why these golf balls do not biodegrade

Answer 23

• Carbon Carbon bonds are non polar or too strong or not attacked by nucleophiles
• Carbon Carbon bonds cannot be hydrolysed