Making polymers Flashcards
What is a polymer?
> very big molecule
very long chain molecule
molecule made from many small molecules called monomers
What is polymerisation?
The name of the reaction when lots and lots of monomers are joined to make a polymer
What is addition polymerisation
The reaction of many monomers that have carbon-to-carbon double bonds to form a polymer that has single bonds
What does a polymerisation reaction require?
> high pressure
>catalyst
What symbol is used in science which means ‘lots of’?
a small letter ‘n’
What are hydrocarbons?
Molecules made from only carbon and hydrogen
What is a hydrocarbon named according to?
> the number of carbon atoms
>whether it has double or single bonds
What are hydrocarbons called when they only have single bonds?
Akanes
What are hydrocarbons called when they have at least two carbon atoms joined together by a double bond?
Alkenes
What is used to test for double bonds in alkenes?
Bromine solution
What colour is bromine solution before and after it has been added to an alkene?
Orange to colourless
What are polymers made from?
Hydrocarbons that have at least one double covalent bond between two carbon atoms (alkenes), which are saturated
What do unsaturated molecules create when added together?
Addition polymers in a process called addition polymerisation
Is ethane saturated or unsaturated and why?
Ethane is saturated - no double bonds, only single bonds.
Why does bromine solution turn colourless when added to an alkene?
It has formed a new compound in an addition reaction called a dibromo compound, which is colourless
