Ch20 Petrochemicals And Polymers Flashcards
Define fossil fuels:
Fuels, such as coal, oil and natural gas, formed underground over geological periods of time from the remains of plants and animals
Define coal:
A black, solid fossil fuel formed underground over geological periods of time by conditions of high-pressure and temperature acting on decayed vegetation
Define natural gas:
A fossil fuel formed underground over geological periods of time by conditions of high-pressure and temperature acting on the remains of dead sea creatures
Natural gas is more than 90% methane
Define petroleum/crude oil:
A fossil fuel formed underground over many millions of years by conditions of high pressure and temperature acting on the remains of dead sea creatures
Define non-renewable (finite) resources:
Sources of energy, such as fossil fuels, and other resources formed in the earth over many millions of years, which we are now using up at a rapid rate and cannot replace
Define chemical feedstock:
A chemical element/compound which can be used as a raw material for an industrial process making useful chemical products
Define fractional distillation:
Method of distillation using a fractionating column, used to separate liquids with different boiling points
Define fractions (from distillation):
The different mixtures that distill over at different temperatures during fractional distillation
Define fractionating column:
The vertical column that is used to bring about the separation of liquids in fractional distillation
Define fractionating column:
The vertical column that is used to bring about the separation of liquids in fractional distillation
Define polymer:
A substance consisting of very large molecules made by polymerising a large number of repeating units/monomers
Define proteins:
Polymers of amino acids formed by a condensation reaction
They have a wide variety of biological functions
Define monomer:
A small molecule, such as ethene, which can be polymerised to make a polymer
Define Polymerisation:
The chemical reaction in which molecules (monomers) join together to form a long-chain polymer
Define amino acids:
Naturally occurring organic compounds that possess both an amino (-NH₂) group and an acid (-COOH) group in the molecule
There are 20 naturally occurring amino acids, and they are polymerised in cells to make proteins
Define addition polymer:
A polymer formed by an addition reaction - the monomer molecules contain a C=C double bond
Define condensation reaction:
A reaction where two or more substances combine together to make a larger compound, and a small molecule is eliminated (given off)
Define polyamide:
Polymer where the monomer units are joined together by amide (peptide) links
Ex. nylon and proteins.
Define polyester:
A polymer where the monomer units are joined together by ester links
Ex. PET
Define condensation polymer:
Polymer formed by a condensation reaction
Example nylon is produced by the condensation reaction between 1,6-diaminohexane and hexanediodic acid
This is the type of polymerization used in biological systems to produce proteins, nucleic, acids, and polysaccharides
Define define amid link (peptide link):
The link between monomers in a protein/nylon formed by a condensation reaction between a carboxylic acid group on one mono and an amine group on the next monomer
Define ester link:
The link produced when an ester is formed from a carboxylic acid and an alcohol
Also found in polyester and in the esters present in fats and vegetable oils
Define plastics:
Polymers that can be molded/shaped by the action of heat and pressure
Define hydrolysis:
A chemical reaction between a covalent compound and water
Covalent bonds are broken during the action, and the elements of water are added to the fragments
Can be carried out with acids/alkalis or by using enzymes
Define micro plastics:
Small pieces of plastic less than 5mm in length that enter natural ecosystems from a variety of sources, including cosmetics, clothing, and industrial processes
Nurdles and microbeads are different types of micro plastics
