Covalent Bonding and Molecular Structures Flashcards
What kind of structure does a thermosetting polymer have?
A simple molecular structure
What kind of structure does a thermosoftening polymer have?
A simple molecular structure
Describe the strucuture of a thermosoftening polymer
Tangled long chains of hydrocarbon molecules with no cross links held together by weak intermolecular forces
Describe the structure of a thermosetting polymer:
Long chains of hydrocarbon molecules in layers with cross links between the layers
What is a simple molecular structure?
A structure in which there are strong covalent bonds between atoms but weak intermolecular forces between molecules
What is a covalent bond?
Electrostatic attraction between a shared pair of electrons and the nuclei
What is a common example of a thermosoftening polymer?
Polythene used in plastic bottles, bags etc.
What is a common example of a thermosetting polymer?
Rubber tyres
What are the properties of a thermosoftening polymer?
- Melt at low temperatures
- Soft and flexible
- Soften when heated, harden when cooled and can be re-shaped over and over again
What are the properties of a thermosetting polymer?
- Melt at high temperatures
- Strong
- Resistant to heat and water
- Cannot be reshaped
Why do thermosoftening polymers melt at low temperatures?
It is a simple molecular structure so has weak intermolecular forces between molecules which can be broken easily
Why are thermosoftening polymers soft and flexible?
They have no cross links between hydrocarbon chains
Why do thermosetting polymers melt at high temperatures?
-Due to the cross links between the hydrocarbon chains
Why can thermosetting polymers not be reshaped like thermosoftening ones?
Because, once they are moulded, they do not soften when heated and therefore can not be reshaped because the cross links stop the hydrocarbon chains sliding past eachother and consequently give the polymer strength
Do simple molecular structures conduct electricity?
No, because there are no free electrons to carry the charge
What kind of structure is silicon dioxide?
A giant macromolecular structure
What is the arrangement of atoms like in silicon dioxide?
It is a tetrahedral arrangement:
- Each silicon atom is joined to 4 oxygen atoms
- Each oxygen atom is joined to 2 silicon atoms
Does silicon dioxide conduct electricity? Why?
No because there are no free electrons to carry charge or overall electric charge
What is the special property of silicon dioxide?
It is insoluble in water (it is sand)
What is the melting point of silicon dioxide like? Why?
High because it takes a lot of energy to break the strong covalent bonds
What kind of structure is a diamond made of?
A giant macromolecular structure
What is the arrangement of atoms like in diamond?
Tetrahedral arrangement:
-4 carbon atoms covalently bonded to eachother
Does diamond conduct electricity? Why?
No because there are no free electrons and no overall electric charge
What is the melting point of diamond like? Why?
High because it takes a lot of energy to break the strong covalent bonds
What is the special property of diamond?
Hardest substance because all 4 carbon atoms are covalently bonded making a very strong bond
What kind of structure does graphite have?
A giant macromolecular structure
What is the arrangement of atoms and particles like in graphite?
A hexagonal layered arrangement:
- 3 carbon atoms covalently bonded together
- 4th electron is delocalised into layer
What is the melting point of graphite like? Why?
High because it takes a lot of energy to break the strong covalent bonds
Does graphite conduct electricity? Why?
Yes because 4th delocalised electron can carry charge through the layers
What is the special property of graphite?
It is soft and slippery as the layers in the structure can silde past each other