Using Alkenes to Make Polymers

Question 1

Alkenes can be used to make what?

Answer 1

Polymers.

Question 2

What is the most useful thing you can do to alkenes?

Answer 2

Polymerisation.

Question 3

What is polymerisation?

Answer 3

Joining together lots of small alkene molecules (monomers) to from large molecules.

Question 4

What are the long-chain molecules called?

Answer 4

Polymers.

Question 5

EG.

Many ethene molecules join together to produce what?

Answer 5

Polyethene.

Question 6

EG Many propene molecules join together to produce what?

Answer 6

Polypropene.

Question 7

What do different polymers have?

Answer 7

Different physical properties which make them suitable for various different uses.

Question 8

What do the physical properties of a polymer depend on?

Answer 8

What’s its made from.

Question 9

What is polyamides usually stronger than?

Answer 9

Polyethene.

Question 10

What are a polymer’s physical properties also affected by?

Answer 10

The temperature and pressure of polymerisation.

Question 11

What is polyethene like when its made at 200C and 2000 atmospheres pressure?

Answer 11

Flexible and has low density.

Question 12

What is polyethene like when made at 60C and a few atmospheres pressure with a catalyst?

Answer 12

Rigid and dense.

Question 13

Give an example of a light stretchy polymer.

Answer 13

Low density polyethene.

Question 14

Light stretchable polymers are used to make what?

Answer 14

Plastic bags.

Question 15

What are elastic polymer fibres used to make?

Answer 15

Super stretchy LYCRA fibre for tights.

Question 16

What else does polymers make?

Answer 16

Waterproof coatings for fabrics.

Question 17

What are dental polymers used in?

Answer 17

Resin tooth fillings.

Question 18

What keeps wounds moist?

Answer 18

Polymer hydrogel wound dressings.

Question 19

What is being produced NOW?

Answer 19

New biodegradable packaging materials made from polymers and cornstarch.

Question 20

Give an example of a smart material?

Answer 20

Memory foam.

Question 21

What is memory foam?

Answer 21

Its a polymer that gets softer as it gets warmer.

Mattresses can be made from memory foam- mould to your body shape.

Question 22

What are most polymers?

Answer 22

Biodegradable they’re not broken down by microorganisms so they don’t rot.

Question 23

How are polymers difficult to get rid off?

Answer 23

If you bury them in a landfill site they will still be there years later.
Best thing to do is re-use them as may times as possible then recycle them if you can.

Question 24

What is the difference betweeen polymers and metal?

Answer 24

The things made from polymers are usually cheaper than those of metal.

Question 25

How will crude oil products like polymers become more expensive?

Answer 25

As crude oil resources get used up, the price of crude oil will rise.

Question 26

Name naturally occurring polymers?

Answer 26

Rubber and silk.

Question 27

Name synthetic polymers?

Answer 27

Polyester.

PVC.