From models to materials - polymers Flashcards
(22 cards)
What are polymers?
Large molecules built by linking 50 or more smaller molecules called monomers
Why are polymers known as macromolecules?
They are relatively large compared with other molecules
How are repeat units in polymers connected?
Via covalent bonds
What is a homopolymer?
A polymer that contains just one type of unit
Give two examples of homopolymers.
- poly(ethene)
- poly(chloroethene) (PVC)
What is a copolymer?
A polymer that contains two or more different types of monomer units
Give two examples of copolymers.
- nylon
- biological proteins
What are some examples of linkages in polymers?
- covalent bonds
- amide links
- ester links
How is poly(ethene) formed?
By the addition polymerisation of ethene monomers
What is addition polymerisation?
The addition of many monomers to make a long chained polymer
What causes the joining of ethene monomers in poly(ethene)?
The carbon-carbon double bond breaking
How are the structures of polymers represented?
As repeating units
What does ‘n’ represent in the context of polymers?
The number of monomers in the polymer
What is one property of plastics related to weight?
Low weight
Why are polymers considered unreactive?
They are saturated compounds with no double bonds and the main carbon chain is non-polar
What property of polymers makes them water resistant?
They are hydrophobic and repel water
What contributes to the strength of polymers?
Many strong covalent bonds between the monomers
List four uses of plastics.
- packaging
- construction
- clothing
- transportation
What are examples of natural polymers?
- proteins
- DNA
- starch
What has been a major focus of biochemical research regarding natural polymers?
Understanding their structure and function
What is a significant environmental concern regarding plastics?
Their non-biodegradability and accumulation in natural environments
True or False: Plastics are biodegradable.
False
