A polymer is a very long-chain molecule built by linking together a large number of small repeating molecules called monomers via strong covalent bonds.

What type of bond must a monomer contain to undergo addition polymerisation?

A monomer must contain a carbon-to-carbon double bond (C=C) to undergo addition polymerisation. Alkenes are the most common examples.

True or False? Addition polymerisation produces two products: the polymer and a small molecule such as water.

False. Addition polymerisation produces only one product. The monomers add to each other in a long chain with no other substance released.

During addition polymerisation, the .......... bond in each monomer breaks open and a new .......... bond forms to link it to the next monomer.

During addition polymerisation, the double bond in each monomer breaks open and a new single bond forms to link it to the next monomer.

A monomer is a small unsaturated molecule that can join with many other monomer molecules to form a polymer chain.

How is the name of an addition polymer derived from its monomer name?

The name of an addition polymer is formed by adding the prefix 'poly-' to the monomer name, usually with the monomer name placed in brackets.

True or False? Ethene can undergo addition polymerisation to form poly(ethene).

True. Ethene contains a C=C double bond, which breaks during the reaction to form the polymer chain poly(ethene).

What is the systematic polymer name for the plastic whose monomer is chloroethene?

The systematic polymer name is poly(chloroethene). Applying the 'poly-' prefix to the monomer name chloroethene gives the systematic name, even though the plastic is commonly known as PVC.

The polymer .......... is made from many molecules of the monomer propene joining together through addition polymerisation.

The polymer poly(propene) is made from many molecules of the monomer propene joining together through addition polymerisation.

What is a repeating unit in a polymer?

A repeating unit is the shortest section of a polymer chain that repeats. It is enclosed in brackets with continuation bonds extending from each side and a subscript 'n' to show the large number of units.

State the four steps for drawing the repeating unit of a polymer from its unsaturated monomer.

The four steps are: Identify the C=C double bond in the monomer Change the double bond to a single bond Add continuation bonds extending from each of these carbons Draw the brackets and the subscript 'n'

True or False? A C=C double bond can appear inside the repeating unit of a polymer.

False. The C=C double bond breaks during polymerisation to form the chain. The repeating unit must never contain a C=C double bond.

To draw the monomer from a repeating unit, remove the .......... bonds, brackets and 'n', then replace the C-C single bond with a .......... .

To draw the monomer from a repeating unit, remove the continuation bonds, brackets and 'n', then replace the C-C single bond with a C=C double bond .

What does the subscript 'n' on a polymer repeating unit represent?

The subscript 'n' represents a very large number of repeating units, indicating that the section shown in brackets is repeated many times to form the full polymer chain.

True or False? When identifying the monomer from a polymer chain, the repeating section must contain at least two carbon atoms.

True. The monomer must be an alkene with a C=C double bond, which requires at least two carbon atoms. A one-carbon section cannot form this bond.

How do you draw the monomer from a section of polymer chain (not a repeating unit)?

Identify the repeating two-carbon section, draw it including all attached atoms, remove the bonds forming the main chain, then replace the C-C single bond with a C=C double bond.

In a correctly drawn repeating unit, bonds that show the chain continues are called .......... bonds and they extend from each side of the .......... .

In a correctly drawn repeating unit, bonds that show the chain continues are called continuation bonds and they extend from each side of the brackets .

What is the repeating unit of poly(chloroethene), and what must you do to convert it back to the monomer?

The repeating unit of poly(chloroethene) contains two carbons with H and Cl substituents and a C-C single bond inside brackets. To convert it to the monomer, remove the continuation bonds, brackets and 'n', then replace the C-C single bond with a C=C double bond to give chloroethene.

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Plastics (SQA National 5 Chemistry): Flashcards

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FrontAddition Polymerisation
What is a polymer?

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Cards in this collection (18)

What is a polymer?
A polymer is a very long-chain molecule built by linking together a large number of small repeating molecules called monomers via strong covalent bonds.
What type of bond must a monomer contain to undergo addition polymerisation?
A monomer must contain a carbon-to-carbon double bond (C=C) to undergo addition polymerisation. Alkenes are the most common examples.
True or False?
Addition polymerisation produces two products: the polymer and a small molecule such as water.
False.
Addition polymerisation produces only one product. The monomers add to each other in a long chain with no other substance released.
During addition polymerisation, the .......... bond in each monomer breaks open and a new .......... bond forms to link it to the next monomer.
During addition polymerisation, the double bond in each monomer breaks open and a new single bond forms to link it to the next monomer.
What is a monomer?
A monomer is a small unsaturated molecule that can join with many other monomer molecules to form a polymer chain.
How is the name of an addition polymer derived from its monomer name?
The name of an addition polymer is formed by adding the prefix 'poly-' to the monomer name, usually with the monomer name placed in brackets.
True or False?
Ethene can undergo addition polymerisation to form poly(ethene).
True.
Ethene contains a C=C double bond, which breaks during the reaction to form the polymer chain poly(ethene).
What is the systematic polymer name for the plastic whose monomer is chloroethene?
The systematic polymer name is poly(chloroethene). Applying the 'poly-' prefix to the monomer name chloroethene gives the systematic name, even though the plastic is commonly known as PVC.
The polymer .......... is made from many molecules of the monomer propene joining together through addition polymerisation.
The polymer poly(propene) is made from many molecules of the monomer propene joining together through addition polymerisation.
What is a repeating unit in a polymer?
A repeating unit is the shortest section of a polymer chain that repeats. It is enclosed in brackets with continuation bonds extending from each side and a subscript 'n' to show the large number of units.
State the four steps for drawing the repeating unit of a polymer from its unsaturated monomer.
The four steps are:
1. Identify the C=C double bond in the monomer
2. Change the double bond to a single bond
3. Add continuation bonds extending from each of these carbons
4. Draw the brackets and the subscript 'n'
True or False?
A C=C double bond can appear inside the repeating unit of a polymer.
False.
The C=C double bond breaks during polymerisation to form the chain. The repeating unit must never contain a C=C double bond.
To draw the monomer from a repeating unit, remove the .......... bonds, brackets and 'n', then replace the C-C single bond with a .......... .
To draw the monomer from a repeating unit, remove the continuation bonds, brackets and 'n', then replace the C-C single bond with a C=C double bond.
What does the subscript 'n' on a polymer repeating unit represent?
The subscript 'n' represents a very large number of repeating units, indicating that the section shown in brackets is repeated many times to form the full polymer chain.
True or False?
When identifying the monomer from a polymer chain, the repeating section must contain at least two carbon atoms.
True.
The monomer must be an alkene with a C=C double bond, which requires at least two carbon atoms. A one-carbon section cannot form this bond.
How do you draw the monomer from a section of polymer chain (not a repeating unit)?
Identify the repeating two-carbon section, draw it including all attached atoms, remove the bonds forming the main chain, then replace the C-C single bond with a C=C double bond.
In a correctly drawn repeating unit, bonds that show the chain continues are called .......... bonds and they extend from each side of the .......... .
In a correctly drawn repeating unit, bonds that show the chain continues are called continuation bonds and they extend from each side of the brackets.
What is the repeating unit of poly(chloroethene), and what must you do to convert it back to the monomer?
The repeating unit of poly(chloroethene) contains two carbons with H and Cl substituents and a C-C single bond inside brackets. To convert it to the monomer, remove the continuation bonds, brackets and 'n', then replace the C-C single bond with a C=C double bond to give chloroethene.

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