Polymers

Question 1

what are the 2 types of polymerisations?

Answer 1

addition
condensation

Question 2

what is a polymer?

Answer 2

a substance of high relative molecular mass that is made up of small repeating units called monomers

Question 3

how do you draw a monomer structure?

Answer 3

(structure)n

Question 4

what is additional polymerisation?

Answer 4

creating a long polymer by joining up unsaturated alkenes, by breaking their C=C double bond

Question 5

what are four polymers made by using additional polymerisation?

Answer 5

poly(ethene)
poly(propene)
poly(chloroethene) - PVC
PTFE

Question 6

what are some properties of poly(ethene)

Answer 6

flexible, cheap, electrical insulator

Question 7

what are some properties of poly(propene)

Answer 7

flexible, shatterproof, high softening point

Question 8

what are some properties of poly(chloroethene) - PVC

Answer 8

tough, cheap, long-lasting, electrical insulator

Question 9

what are some properties of PTFE?

Answer 9

tough, slippery, resistant to corrosion, electrical insulator

Question 10

what are some uses of poly(ethene)

Answer 10

plastic bags, plastic bottles, clingfilm

Question 11

what are some uses of poly(propene)

Answer 11

buckets and bowls

Question 12

what are some uses of poly(chloroethene) - PVC

Answer 12

window frames, gutters/pipes, insulation for electrical wire

Question 13

what are some uses of PTFE?

Answer 13

non-stick coatings for frying pans, containers for corrosive substances, insulation for electrical wires

Question 14

what methods are used to create esters

Answer 14

condensation polymerisation

Question 15

what two monomers are needed for condensation polymerisation

Answer 15

a molecule containing 2 carboxylic acid groups
a molecule containing 2 alcohol groups

Question 16

what is an ester link?

Answer 16

is formed each time a carboxylic group and alcohol group react

Question 17

what is the byproduct of condensation polymerisation?

Answer 17

water

Question 18

what are 3 natural polymers?

Answer 18

DNA
protein
Starch

Question 19

what are the monomers in DNA and how many types are there

Answer 19

4 nucleotides (C, A, T, G)

Question 20

what makes up a nucleotide

Answer 20

phosphate
sugar
base

Question 21

what polymerisation method do biological polymers use

Answer 21

condensation

Question 22

what are proteins made up of

Answer 22

amino acids

Question 23

what is a starch made up of

Answer 23

glucose

Question 24

why is manufacturing polymers a problem

Answer 24

use crude oil which is a finite source, its supply and cost will vary over time

Question 25

what is the definition of biodegradable

Answer 25

a material that will eventually rot away due to microbes that feed on them

Question 26

what are a benefit and disadvantages of polymers not being biodegradable?

Answer 26

• will last for a long time
• will not break down when they are disposed

Question 27

what are 4 ways to dispose of polymers?

Answer 27

landfill sites
burning
recycling
biodegradable polymers

Question 28

what are the 2 benefits of landfill sites?

Answer 28

waste is disposed of quickly
waste is out of sight once it is covered over

Question 29

what are the 3 disadvantages of landfill sites?

Answer 29

space for landfill sites is running out
most polymers are not biodegradable so they will last for years
are ugly and attract pests

Question 30

what is an advantage and a disadvantage of burning polymers?

Answer 30

• the energy can be used
• release toxic gases