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GCSE Chem > Polymers > Flashcards

Polymers Flashcards

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1
Q

Name a Protein Polymer?

A

Polypeptides.

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2
Q

Name a Sugar Polymer?

A

Polysaccharides.

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3
Q

Name two types of Polymerisation:

A

Addition.

Condensation.

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4
Q

How is a Polymer created?

A

Joining many smaller molecules (monomers) into long chains.

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5
Q

What is a Biopolyester?

A

A polyester that is capable of biodegrading.

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6
Q

What type of Polymer is formed from Unsaturated Monomers?

A

Addition Polymers.

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7
Q

What is an Unsaturated Monomer?

A

C=C Double Covalent Bond present (AKA an Alkane).

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8
Q

State the formula of Poly(Ethene):

A

(C2H4)n

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9
Q

How do you find the name of a polymer?

A

The name is always Poly, Followed by the monomer in brackets.

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10
Q

How do you find the formula of a Polymer?

A

Place brackets around the monomer formula and put an ‘n’ after it.

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11
Q

Give the formula for Poly(Propene):

A

(C3H6)n

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12
Q

Why can Unsaturated Monomers become Addition Polymers?

A

They can open up their carbon-carbon double bonds and join together in polymer chains.

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13
Q

How do you draw the displayed formula of an addition polymer from the displayed formula of its monomer?

A

Replace the double bond(s) with single ones,
Place the (repeating) formula in brackets,
Place an ‘n’ after the brackets,
Draw the bonds from carbons through the brackets.

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14
Q

How do you find the displayed formula of the monomer from the displayed formula of the addition polymer?

A

Draw out the repeating formula (inside brackets),
Get rid of the brackets and all bonds through them,
Place a double bond between the Carbons.

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15
Q

Explain why most Addition Polymers are inert.

A

They have many Carbon-Carbon bonds that are very strong and aren’t easily broken.

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16
Q

Why are most Addition Polymers not biodegradable?

A

The strong Carbon (single)bonds are hard to break, meaning that it takes very long for bacteria to break them down.

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17
Q

Burning Addition Polymers creates many deadly toxic gases. Name one and state its danger.

A

Dioxides, which have many health implications such as the impaired immune system. Some Dioxide are carcinogenic (cancer causing).

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18
Q

Why is it hard to dispose of Addition Polymers?

A

They cannot be placed in landfill, they don’t decompose.

They cannot be burned, toxic gases and global warming.

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19
Q

Due to the difficult disposal of non-biodegradable polymers, what is suggested that they are done with?

A

Reused as many times as possible then recycled if possible.

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20
Q

Name an Addition Polymer.

A

Poly(Ethene)
Poly(propene)
Poly(Chloroethene)
Poly(Tetrafluroethene)

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21
Q

What happens to the ends of the chain of Addition Polymers?

A

Bits of the initiator are bonded on at either end.

Not on GCSE though!

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22
Q

What is the typical chain length for an Addition Polymer?

A

Varies from 4,000 to 40,000 Carbon atoms.

23
Q

State the homologous series of Poly(Ethene).

A

Although it has ‘ethene’ in the name, it is an alkane. The polymer is saturated and will not decolourise bromine water.

24
Q

What is an Initiator?

A

Used to start the process of Addition Polymers, it is not a catalyst as it is consumed in the reaction.

25
Q

Why is an Initiator different to a catalyst?

A

It is used up in a reaction.

26
Q

What conditions are required for Addition Polymers to be formed?

A

Heat,
High Pressure
An Initiator.

27
Q

The main example of Addition Polymerisation is Poly(Ethene). What are the two types of this this polymer?

A 
LDPE = Low-Density Poly(Ethene)
HDPE = High-Density Poly(Ethene)
28
Q

What is the main use for LDPE (Low-Density Poly(Ethene))?

A

Used mainly as thin film to make polyethene bags (plastic bags). - It is flexible but weak.

Also used in various containers, dispensing bottles, wash bottles, tubing

29
Q

What is the main use for HDPE (High-Density Poly(Ethene))?

A

Mainly used in plastic bottles and containers such as milk cartons. - It has greater strength than LDPE.

30
Q

What brackets are used for repeat units of polymers?

A

Square Brackets

31
Q

What is the new name for polypropylene?

A

Poly(Propene)

32
Q

What is Poly(Propene) used for?

A

Creating ropes and crates (among other things).

33
Q

Name an addition polymer that is recyclable?

A

Poly(Propene) - It is still not Biodegradable though.

34
Q

What is commonly known as PVC?

A

Poly(Chloroethene)

35
Q

What is the new name for the polymer commonly known as Polyvinylchloride?

A

Poly(Chloroethene)

36
Q

What are the uses of Poly(Chloroethene)?

A

Water pipes, replacement windows, electrical insulation

37
Q

What is the name for the polymer commonly known as Teflon?

A

Poly(Tetrafluroethene) [or PTFE]

38
Q

What are the uses for Poly(Tetrafluroethene)?

A

Non-Stick coating for pots and pans, lining for corrosive chemicals.

39
Q

What are the advantages of Landfill as a method of Disposal?

A

Cheap

No greenhouse gases or toxic gases released

40
Q

What are the disadvantages of Landfill as a Disposal method?

A

Ugly, Smelly and Noisy
Uses large areas of land
The waste will be there for thousands of years

41
Q

What are the advantages of Incineration as a method of Disposal?

A

Requires little space

Can produce heat for local homes / offices and power electricity

42
Q

What are the disadvantages of Incineration as a method of Disposal?

A

Expensive
Greenhouse and toxic gases
Ash produced must still be placed in landfill sites

43
Q

What is a polyester?

A

Polymers that contain ester links that join together repeating units.

44
Q

What are biopolyesters?

A

Biodegradable polyesters can be broken down by bacteria and other organisms in the environment over time.

45
Q

Addition Polymers involve repeated units of the same monomer, what do condensation polymers have?

A

Two different types of monomers, reacting together and bonds forming between them, creating polymer chains.

46
Q

In condensation Polymers, for each bond that is formed between two monomers, what happens?

A

A small molecule, such as water of hydrogen chloride is lost. This is why it is called condensation.

47
Q

Polyesters occur when which two monomers react together?

A

Dicarboxylic Acid monomers

Diol Monomers

48
Q

What is a diol?

A

an alcohol molecule with one -OH at each end.

49
Q

What is a Dicarboxylic Acid?

A

a molecule containing two (-COOH) groups, one at each end.

50
Q

Some biodegradable Polymers can be made from Lactic Acid, how is this acid obtained?

A

From Corn Starch

51
Q

Name a substance that can self-polymerise:

A

Lactic Acid, (AKA 2-hydroxypopanoic acid)

52
Q

What does the code ‘di-‘ in Diol and Dicarboxylic acid mean?

A

That there is two functional groups in the molecule; (one at each end).

53
Q

Suggest the reason for the naming for Condensation Polymerisation process?

A

Water is often the small molecule lost during the formation of the polyester.

54
Q

Analyse the following compound:

ethene-1,2-diol

A 
eth- = indicates two carbons.
di- = indicates two functional groups.
-ol = indicates the functional group is alcohols (OH).
-1,2- = The OH groups are attached to the 1st and 2nd Carbons.

CH2OHCH2OH

GCSE Chem (19 decks)

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