DF7: Polymers and Plastics

Question 1

Define “polymer”

Answer 1

A long molecule made up from many small molecules (monomers)

Question 2

Define “monomer”

Answer 2

Small molecules that make up polymers

Question 3

Define “polymerisation”

Answer 3

Small molecules called monomers joining together to produce long chain polymers

Question 4

What two types of polymers are there?

Answer 4

Homopolymers (aka A-A polymers)

Heteropolymers (aka A-B polymers)

Question 5

How do homopolymers form?

Answer 5

If all monomer molecules are the same

Question 6

What does a homopolymer look like if A is used to represent a monomer?

Answer 6

–A+A+A+A–===>–A-A-A-A–

Question 7

How do heteropolymers form?

Answer 7

If two different monomers are used, the two different monomers alternate along the chain

Question 8

What does a heteropolymer look like if A and B are used to represent the two different monomers?

Answer 8

–A+B+A+B–===>–A-B-A-B–

Question 9

Give two examples of homopolymers

Answer 9

• Poly(ethene)

- Poly(choloroethene)

Question 10

Give two examples of heteropolymers

Answer 10

• Polyamides e.g nylons

- Polyesters

Question 11

How are polymers formed in addition polymerisation?

Answer 11

The monomers usually contain carbon-carbon double bonds e.g alkenes, which open up and join together

Question 12

How do you write a polymer? (Both ways)

Answer 12

poly(insert monomer here)

-[repeating unit]-n (make sure you have the lines poking out of the brackets)

Question 13

What is co-polymerisation?

Answer 13

When more than one monomer is used in addition polymerisation and they are both incorporated into the final polymer