Tut 1

Question 1

Give a reasonable explanation why the modern era maybe referred to as the age of plastics.

Answer 1

Due to their relatively low cost, ease of manufacturing, versatility and being impenetrable by water. Plastics are used in an enormous and expanding range of products.

• Plastics are have replaced many traditional materials, such as wood, stone, bone, paper, leather, glass, ceramic etc.
• In the modern era plastics are used for many different things such as building, packaging, gadgets, furniture, toys, and also in the medical field etc.

Question 2

Provide a definition for a polymer

Answer 2

A large molecule built up from numerous small molecules. these large molecules may be linear, slightly branched or highly interconnected.

Question 3

What is the difference between a synthetic and natural polymer

Answer 3

*NATURAL POLYMERS:
Are obtained naturally from plants and animals. examples: starch cellulose, proteins, natural rubber

*SYNTHETIC POLYMERS:
Are man-made polymers or polymers that are synthesised in a lab. examples: polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, nylon, synthetic rubbers.

Question 4

Give three examples of a natural polymer

Answer 4

Starch, Cellulose, Proteins, Natural rubber

Question 5

Give the full name for PVC.

Answer 5

Polyvinyl Chloride

Question 6

Name two monomers used to make polyetehylene glycol and provide the chemical structures for the two monomers

Answer 6

Ethylene Oxide

Ethylene Glycol

Question 7

Give the name and chemical structure for the monomer used to make PVC

Answer 7

Chloroethene

Question 8

What is a telechelic polymer

Answer 8

A polymer that contains a reactive end group

Question 9

What is a macromere?

Answer 9

A monomer containing a large chain

Question 10

What is a terpolymer?

Answer 10

a polymer synthesised from 3 different monomers

Question 11

What is the difference between a homopolymer and a co-polymer?

Answer 11

*HOMOPOLYMER:
A polymer synthesised from one kind of monomer

*CO-POLYMER:
A polymer synthesised from more than one kind of monomer(i.e. two to be exact)

Question 12

Describe and illustrate the differences between a linear, branched and network polymer.

Answer 12

*LINEAR POLYMER:
A polymer consisting of a single continuous chain of repeat units. e.g Polyvinyl Chloride

*BRANCHED POLYMER:
A polymer that consists of side chains of repeat units connected to the main chain of repeat units

*NETWORK POLYMER:
A crosslinked polymer that includes numerous interconnections between chains e.g. Vulcanised rubber

Question 13

Define a thermoplastic, thermoset, and an elastomer and give examples of each

Answer 13

*THERMOPLASTIC:
A material that becomes soft when heated and hard when cooled. Polyethylene Terephthalate

*THERMOSET:
Polymers that are joined together by chemical bonds, acquiring highly crosslinked polymer structures. e.g. Phenol formaldehyde resins.

*ELASTOMER:
polymers that are good insulators, withstand deformation and are easily moulded into different shapes. e.g. Natural and artificial rubber.

Question 14

Give 3 examples of polymers and their monomers

Answer 14

1. Polyethylene. (Monomer: ethylene)
2. Polyvinyl Chloride. (Monomer: Chloroethene/vinyl chloride)
3. Polyethylene Glycol. (Monomer: Ethylene Oxide and Ethylene Glycol)