Polymers Flashcards
What is one thing crude oils make
Polymers
What are polymers
Plastics
What are plastics/polymers made up of
Small molecules called monomers
What do ethene monomers make
Polyethene
What do Propene polymers make
Polypropene
Polyethene
Strong
Easy to shape
Transparent (except when add colouring)
Carrier bags, dustbins, washing up bowls, cling film,
Polypropene
Strong Tough Carpets Milk crates Ropes
How do monomers join together?
Alkene molecules join with C=C
Double bond replaced by single C-C bond
C atoms join forming polymer chains
This process = addition polymerisation
Polymer formed by chains = addition polymer
(Diagram you get rid of double and put single, with ( ) and n at bottom right)
What bond do all monomers contain?
Double
C=C
What is condensation polymerisation
Involves a small molecule released in the reaction, as the polymer forms
Summarising addition condensation polymers
Addition -> the addition polymer
Condensation polymerisation -> condensation polymer + a small molecule
Monomers used for addition polymerisation
Condensation polymerisation = 2 different polymers used
1 monomer has certain functional group at both ends of molecule
Other monomer has different functional groups at each end
2 different monomers react together
Long polymer chain formed
Forming a polyester
Alcohol + carboxylic acid -> ester + water
What is one alcohol monomer and carboxylic acid monomer represented as
Alcohol monomer = -OH
Carboxylic acid monomer = -COOH
Making nylon
Put thin layer of monomer A into bottom of beaker
Pour layer of monomer B on top
Draw thread out of beaker with tweezers
Wind it around test-tube
