Polymers and Polymerization

Question 1

What is molecular weight of a polymer reported as?

Answer 1

Reported as an average - the # of mers may vary greatly from one molecule to another

Question 2

T/F A high # of low mw molecules - a low # high mw molecules may have the same average mw but have different properties

Answer 2

T

Question 3

What does thermopalstic mean?

Answer 3

Materials that undergo softening when heated and hardening when cooled

Question 4

What does thermoset mean?

Answer 4

Cross linked polymers do not soften when heated and are termed thermoset

Question 5

What are the three stages of free-radical polymerization?

Answer 5

Initiation stage, Propagation stage, Termination stage

Question 6

What is the initiation stage of free radical polymerization addition polymerization?

Answer 6

Creates free radicals, these free radicals attack the double bonds of monomer molecules. Unshared electrons are moved to the end of the monomer = activated monomer molecule