Polymers Flashcards
What are polymers?
A polymer is a large molecule made up of repeating subunits known as monomers.
What is the name for the process of turning many monomers into a polymer?
Polymerisation
What is the difference between addition polymerisation and condensation polymerisation?
- Addition: monomers are molecules with C=C bonds, product is just the polymer
- Condensation: monomers are diols, dicarboxylic acids or diamonds, product is polymer and water
What happens in addition polymerisation?
C=C bonds break in each molecule, carbon atoms then link together
What does the ‘n’ represent in addition polymerisation equations?
A large number of molecules.
What do the brackets/bonds at the end represent in addition polymerisation equations?
The next molecule in the chain (lots of molecules so not all drawn)
What is the inside of the brackets in a polymerisation equation known as?
The repeating unit -> it repeats over thousands of times in the polymer
What do the monomers in condensation polymerisation need?
Two functional groups
What are 4 examples of natural polymers?
Proteins/amino acids, DNA, starch, cellulose
What 2 types of functional groups do amino acids have?
- Amine
- Carboxylic acid
In an amino acid, what bonds do the amine functional group have?
A nitrogen bonded to a carbon and 2 hydrogens
What is the simplest amino acid?
Glycine
What is a polypeptide?
A polymer made from many amino acids
What is a protein?
A polymer made from amino acids (not as many as polypeptide)
What is DNA made of?
Two long polymers that form a double helix
What are the 3 components of nucleotides?
Phosphate, deoxyribose sugar and a base
What type of molecules make up starch and cellulose?
Glucose
How is condensation polymerisation different from addition polymerisation?
Condensation polymerisation: monomers do not need a C=C double bond
Addition: do need a C=C double bond
What is a natural polymer?
A polymer produced naturally by organisms
