Polymers

Question 1

What is a polymer?

Answer 1

a large molecule made of repeating smaller units called monomers joined together

Question 2

What is addition polymerisation?

Answer 2

formation of joining longer molecules from smaller molecules (alkenes) with no other products

Question 3

What is condensation polymerisation?

Answer 3

When multiple monomers from different functional groups are joined together to form a condensation polymer and smaller molecules (commonly water or hydrogen chloride)

Question 4

Explain addition polymerisation:

Answer 4

this takes one type of alkene, breaks the double carbon to carbon bond to join the monomers together, creating an addition polymer with a carbon backbone.

eg. polythene, polypropene

Question 5

Explain condensation polymerisation:

Answer 5

This involves two monomers with different functional groups. these functional groups must repeat each side of the monomer (eg dicarboxylic acids and dialchols)

Question 6

What are the functional groups of amino acids?

Answer 6

carboxylic acid (COOH)
amine (NH₂)