Polymers

Question 1

Polymer

Answer 1

A substance of high relative formula mass made up of small repeating units called monomers

Question 2

How can alkenes act as monomers to form polymers?

Answer 2

By opening up their double bond
And joining together in a long chain

Question 3

Addition polymerisation

Answer 3

Process of opening up the double bond to ‘add’ monomers together to form a large molecule

Question 4

Monomer represented as

Answer 4

The displayed formula of the Alkene with small n

Question 5

Polymer represented as

Answer 5

No double bond
Bracket around monomer
Bonds extend out of the bracket
n on the outside

Question 6

Repeating unit

Answer 6

A short hand way of representing a polymer using a bracket and n

Question 7

How to name polymers

Answer 7

Poly(Alkene)

Question 8

Waste polymers

Answer 8

After a product has been manufactured, requires sorting into 3 ways

Question 9

3 ways waste polymers dealt with

Answer 9

Recycling
Incineration to release energy
Use as feedstock for cracking into new plastics or other chemicals

Question 10

Recycling polymers

Answer 10

By sorting polymers first, then converting to other materials to be reused
By melting + remoulding

Question 11

Incineration to release energy

Answer 11

Burning polymer waste for fuel by breaking bonds which releases energy

Question 12

Problems with incineration to release energy

Answer 12

Some polymers contain toxic chemicals such as chlorine which release toxic hydrogen chloride (HCl gas)

Question 13

How can chemists can prevent problem of incinerators releasing toxic gas?

Answer 13

Pass through scrubbers which will neutralise toxic gases
Separate plastics to avoid burning of chlorine containing ones

Question 14

Chemical feedstock

Answer 14

By cracking a polymer back down into monomers it can be used to make new products: new plastics or other chemicals

Question 15

Life cycle analysis

Answer 15

Illustrating the processes of making a polymer product including manufacture etc so chemists can contribute to more sustainable production

Question 16

How to solve problem of polymers?

Answer 16

Unsustainable because made of non renewable fossil fuel hydrocarbons
So make biodegradable polymers

Question 17

Biodegradable polymers

Answer 17

Can be decomposed by microbes so no problems with dealing with waste

Question 18

What are biodegradable polymers made of?

Answer 18

Renewable materials eg Maize
Oil fractions

Question 19

Advantages of using biodegradable polymers

Answer 19

Raw materials won’t run out like oil
Growing plants eg maize takes in co2 as it’s biodegraded so carbon neutral
Saves energy compared to oil based polymers

Question 20

Disadvantages of biodegradable polymers

Answer 20

Collect + separate the biodegradable polymers from non biodegradable polymers so in right condition to decompose
More expensive

Question 21

Sustainable polymer manufacturing process in terms of reactant molecules

Answer 21

Use safe + environmentally friendly reactant molecules
Use as few solvent molecules
Use renewable raw materials when possible

Question 22

Sustainable polymer manufacturing process in terms of energy use

Answer 22

Energy use kept at a minimum
Use catalysts to lower energy use

Question 23

Sustainable polymer manufacturing process in terms of product made

Answer 23

Limit waste products made which are hazardous to human health and environment
Make sure lifespan is appropriate for its use