Polymers And Giant Covalent Bonds

Question 1

What are polymers

Answer 1

Lots of small units linked together to form a long molecule that has repeating sections

Question 2

What are all atoms in a polymer joined by

Answer 2

Strong covalent bonds

Question 3

How do you find the molecular formula of a polymer

Answer 3

Write down the molecular formula of the repeating unit in trackers and put an ‘n’ outside representing the amount of time the unit is repeated

Question 4

What is the molecular formula for poly(ethene)

Answer 4

(C2 H4)N

Question 5

Why are most polymers solid at room temperature

Answer 5

Because the intermolecular forces between polymer molecules are large so more energy is needed to break them

Question 6

Why are the intermolecular forces still weaker than ionic or covalent bonds?

Answer 6

Have a lower boiling points than ionic and giant molecular

Question 7

What are all atoms bonded together by in giant covalent structures

Answer 7

Strong covalent bonds

Question 8

What are 2 properties of giant covalent structures

Answer 8

Very high melting and boiling point: lots of energy is needed to break the covalent bonds between the atoms
They don’t contain charged particles so don’t conduct electricity (not even when molten)

Question 9

What are the 3 main examples of giant covalent structures

Answer 9

Diamond
Graphite
Silicon dioxide

Question 10

Describe the structure of diamond

Answer 10

Each carbon atom forms 4 covalent bonds in a rigid giant covalent structure

Question 11

Describe the structure of graphite

Answer 11

Each carbon atom forms 3 covalent bonds to create layers of hexagons to create layers of hexagons, each carbon atom also has one delocalised (free) electron

Question 12

Describe the structure of silicon dioxide

Answer 12

Silica: what sand is made from

Each grain of sand is one giant structure of silicon and oxygen