Topic 5 - Addition Polymers Flashcards
Define addition polymers
Produced from alkenes, where the double bond is broken to form a repeating unit. Alkenes are short-chain monomers which joijn together to form long-chain polymers.
The repeating unit must always be shwon with what?
To be shown with extended bonds through the brackets, showing that it bonds to other repeating units on both sides.
Define polymers
Unreactive hydrocarbon chains with multiple strong, non-polar covalent bonds. This makes them useful for manufacturing many everyday plastic products, such as poly(ethene) shopping bags.
What does the unreactive nature of the bonds in the addition polymer mean?
It refers to them not being biodegradable and unable to be broken down by species in nature.
How can waste polymers be processed in different ways?
They can be recycled; some are used as feedstock for cracking, and some are incinerated to produce energy for other industrial processes.
What negative consequence does incinerating waste have on the environment?
Incineration can release toxic gases, which must be removed to reduce the impact on the environment