UNIT 3 Section 7 - Polymers

Question 1

what is a polymer

Answer 1

long chain molecule made up from lots of small molecules called monomers joined together

Question 2

what is a monomer

Answer 2

a small molecule that joins with other monomers in polymerisation to form polymers

Question 3

what is addition polymerisation

Answer 3

formation of long chain polymers from lots of small monomers joining together with no other product

Question 4

what is condensation polymerisation

Answer 4

where two different monomers with at least 2 functional groups react together to form a link and water is eliminated

Question 5

what are condensation polymers

Answer 5

polymers formed from a condensation reaction between monomers and a small molecule is released as well as a polymer being formed

Question 6

what are the two main types of polymers

Answer 6

polyesters and polyamides

Question 7

are polyesters biodegradable and why

Answer 7

polymers are biodegradable as the they can be hydrolysed by nucleophiles as they have polar bonds in them

Question 8

what intermolecular bonding do polyamides have

Answer 8

hydrogen bonding

Question 9

how do you form amides and polyamides

Answer 9

carboxylic acid + amine —> amide
carbox. acid + diamine –>polyamide
2 amino carbox. acid –> polyamide

Question 10

are polyamides biodegradable and why

Answer 10

yes as they can be hydrolysed in the presence of a strong acid or specific enzyme

Question 11

name the two polyamides you need to know

Answer 11

Kevlar

Nylon

Question 12

how do you form Kevlar

Answer 12

condensation reaction

benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid and 1,4- diaminobenzene

Question 13

what is kevlar and what are the uses

Answer 13

a polyamide that is used in bulletproof vests, car tyres and some sports equipment as it is light weight and strong

Question 14

what is nylon 6,6 and what are the uses and why

Answer 14

polyamide is used in ropes, carpets, clothing and parachutes as it is extremely strong and robust

Question 15

how is nylon 6,6 made

Answer 15

hexanedioc acid and 1,6 diaminohexane

Question 16

how are polyesters formed

Answer 16

reacting a dicarboxylic acids and diols together

Question 17

what is terylene and what are the uses of it

Answer 17

a polyester that is used in plastic drink bottles, sheeting and clothes and this is because it is

Question 18

what is terylene made from

Answer 18

benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid and ethane-1,2-diol

Question 19

what type of polymer is stronger and why

Answer 19

condensation polymers are stronger as they have hydrogen binding between polymer chains as well as dipole-dipole and van der waals forces.

Question 20

what are synthetic polymers used for

Answer 20

plastic bottles, digital technology and non stick pans

Question 21

are polyalkanes biodegradable and why

Answer 21

no as they are saturated molecules and non polar and hence are unreactive which means they don’t react and don’t degrade well

Question 22

what are the ways to dispose of polymers

Answer 22

• landfill if they are too difficult to recycle and are biodegradable

-incineration is the plastics cant be recycled to generate electricity#

• recycling reducing the use of crude oil