Designer polymers

Question 1

What are the names of four polymers?

Answer 1

> PVC poly(vinylchloride)
poly(ethene)
poly(styrene)
poly(propene)

Question 2

What two properties make PVC a good polymer for raincoats?

Answer 2

> water proof

>flexible

Question 3

Why can some polymers cause environmental problems?

Answer 3

They are non-biodegradable so last a long time in landfill sites also burning them produce toxic gases

Question 4

What are some ways polymers can be disposed of?

Answer 4

> landfill sites
burning
recycling

Question 5

Why are some plastics stretchy?

Answer 5

> Atoms of monomers in the chains in polymers are held together by strong covalent bonds
The chains are held together by weak intermolecular forces
Plastics therefore have low melting points and can be stretched as the polymer molecules can slide over one another

Question 6

What are covalent bonds?

Answer 6

Bonds between atoms within a molecule

Question 7

What are intermolecular forces?

Answer 7

Forces between chains of molecules