Synthetic polymers

Question 1

What is polymerisaton?

Answer 1

when small monomers join up to form a larger polymer

Question 2

What are the two types of polymerisation?

Answer 2

• addition

- condensation

Question 3

What is an addition polymer?

Answer 3

long-chain molecule formed from many small monomers

Question 4

What happens during the formation of an addition polymer?

Answer 4

part of the double broken and then more molecules are added, so no molecules in this way

Question 5

What is another name of chloroethene?

Answer 5

vinyl chloride

Question 6

What is the name of the polymer of chloroethene

Answer 6

poly(chloroethene)

polyvinylchloride - PVC

Question 7

Uses of PVC

Answer 7

• electrical insulation
• sheet floor coverings
• drainpipes

Question 8

Uses of poly(ethene)

Answer 8

• low density: thin film/plastic bags

- high density: plastic bottles

Question 9

Uses of poly(propene)

Answer 9

• ropes

- crates

Question 10

What is a condensation reaction?

Answer 10

when many monomers join up to form a larger polymer with the release of a small by-product

Question 11

Examples of by-product

Answer 11

• water

- hydrogen chloride

Question 12

What are the two types of condensation polymers?

Answer 12

• polyesters

- polyamides

Question 13

how are polyesters formed?

Answer 13

reaction between di-alcohol and di-carboxylic acid

known as esterification

Question 14

example of a polyestser

Answer 14

terylene

Question 15

how are polyamides formed?

Answer 15

reaction between di-amine and di-carboxylic acid

Question 16

example of a polyamide

Answer 16

nylon

Question 17

Uses of nylon

Answer 17

• textiles
• ropes
• cogs and bearings in machines

Question 18

How is nylon formed?

Answer 18

• hexanedioyl chloride dissolved in organic solvent
• 1,6-diaminohexane is dissolved in water
• solutions are placed in a beaker - one floats on top of each other
• nylon formed at the boundary