Polymers

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Polymers: The Basics

Polymers are large molecules made from many smaller monomers joined by covalent bonds.
Examples: poly(ethene), PVC, nylon.
Monomers are the repeating units that link to form the polymer chain.

Addition Polymerisation

Addition polymerisation joins monomers containing a C=C double bond (alkenes).
The C=C bond breaks, monomers add together, forming a long chain with only single bonds.
Only one product is formed – the polymer itself.
Example: ethene → poly(ethene).
Polymer name: poly(monomer name), e.g., propene → poly(propene).
To draw a repeat unit: change C=C to C–C, add continuation bonds, and write subscript n.

Addition polymerisation of ethene and chloroethene

Deducing Monomer from Polymer (Addition)

Identify the repeat unit in the polymer chain.
Change the single bond between repeat units to a double bond.
Remove the continuation bonds to reveal the monomer structure.

Deducing the monomer from a repeat unit

Condensation Polymerisation

Condensation polymerisation links two different monomers with the removal of a small molecule (usually water).
Monomers have two functional groups (one at each end).
Forms the polymer plus one water molecule per linkage.
Examples: nylon (polyamide) and PET (polyester).

Nylon – A Polyamide

Nylon is made from a dicarboxylic acid (–COOH at both ends) and a diamine (–NH₂ at both ends).
Reaction forms an amide linkage (–CO–NH–) and releases water.
Represented by boxes for carbon chains with amide links alternating.

Formation of a polyamide from a dicarboxylic acid and a diamine

PET – A Polyester

PET (polyethylene terephthalate) is made from a dicarboxylic acid and a diol (–OH at both ends).
Reaction forms an ester linkage (–COO–) and releases water.
Also known as terylene; used in plastic bottles and synthetic fibres.
Represented by boxes for carbon chains with ester links alternating.

Formation of PET from terephthalic acid and ethane-1,2-diol

Plastics & Their Disposal

Many polymers are non-biodegradable – not broken down by microorganisms.
Incineration: releases CO₂ (greenhouse gas), may produce toxic fumes (e.g., HCl from PVC) or CO if incomplete.
Landfills: take up valuable land; non-biodegradable plastics accumulate.
Ocean pollution: plastic waste harms marine life.
PET recycling: can be depolymerised by enzymes or chemical catalysts under mild conditions, then re-polymerised – saves resources and energy.

Proteins – Natural Polyamides

Proteins are condensation polymers of amino acid monomers.
Amino acids have both –NH₂ and –COOH groups; the amide link is called a peptide link.
Proteins are natural polyamides; there are 20 common amino acids with different R groups.
Represented by boxes for carbon chains with peptide links alternating.

Formation of a protein from amino acid monomers

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Übungsfragen

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1.What is a polymer?
Easy
- AA large molecule made from many smaller molecules called monomers
- BA small molecule used to make larger molecules
- CA molecule containing only carbon and hydrogen
- DA molecule that contains a carbon-carbon double bond
2.Which type of polymerisation forms poly(ethene) from ethene?
Easy
- AAddition polymerisation
- BCondensation polymerisation
- CHydrolysis
- DCracking
3.What is a monomer?
Easy
- AA small molecule that can join with others to form a polymer
- BA large molecule made from repeating units
- CA type of polymer
- DA catalyst used in polymerisation
4.Which of the following is an example of a polymer?
Easy
- APoly(ethene)
- BEthene
- CCarbon dioxide
- DWater
5.What is the key difference between addition polymerisation and condensation polymerisation?
Medium
- ACondensation polymerisation produces a small molecule, such as water, as a by-product; addition polymerisation does not
- BAddition polymerisation produces a small molecule as a by-product; condensation polymerisation does not
- CAddition polymerisation requires a catalyst; condensation polymerisation does not
- DCondensation polymerisation only occurs with alkenes; addition polymerisation occurs with any monomer
6.Which of the following monomers can undergo addition polymerisation?
Easy
- AEthene
- BEthane
- CEthanol
- DEthanoic acid
7.What type of polymer is nylon?
Easy
- APolyamide
- BPolyester
- CPolyalkene
- DPolypeptide
8.What is the name of the linkage formed in polyesters?
Easy
- AEster linkage
- BAmide linkage
- CPeptide linkage
- DCovalent bond

Mehr Fragen

9.Proteins are natural polymers. What type of polymerisation forms proteins?
Easy
- ACondensation polymerisation
- BAddition polymerisation
- CHydrolysis
- DCracking
10.Which of the following is a problem caused by the disposal of non-biodegradable polymers in landfill sites?
Easy
- ALandfill sites fill up quickly because polymers are not broken down by microorganisms
- BPolymers decompose and release toxic gases into the soil
- CPolymers dissolve in rainwater and contaminate groundwater
- DPolymers react with oxygen to form explosive mixtures
11.What is the empirical formula of poly(ethene)?
Medium
- ACH2
- BC2H4
- CCH
- DC2H2
12.Which of the following best describes the structure of a repeat unit in an addition polymer?
Medium
- AIt shows the monomer with a double bond and continuation bonds at each end
- BIt shows the monomer with single bonds and continuation bonds at each end
- CIt shows the polymer with a double bond in the main chain
- DIt shows the monomer with a triple bond
13.Propene is polymerised to form poly(propene). What is the maximum mass of poly(propene) that could be produced from 1 kg of propene?
Medium
- A1 kg
- B0.5 kg
- C2 kg
- D1.5 kg
14.A student burns 10 g of poly(ethene) completely in oxygen. Which gas is produced in the largest amount by mass?
Medium
- ACarbon dioxide
- BCarbon monoxide
- CHydrogen chloride
- DWater
15.The table shows the time taken for three polymers to lose 50% of their mass when buried in soil. Which polymer is most biodegradable? | Polymer | Time to lose 50% mass (months) | |---|---| | A | 2 | | B | 12 | | C | 24 |
Easy
- APolymer A
- BPolymer B
- CPolymer C
- DAll are equally biodegradable
16.Which of the following is a natural polymer?
Easy
- APoly(ethene)
- BNylon
- CProtein
- DPVC
17.The monomer of a polymer has the formula CH2=CHCl. What is the name of the polymer?
Easy
- APoly(chloroethene)
- BPoly(dichloroethene)
- CPoly(ethene)
- DPoly(chloromethane)
18.A polymer has the repeat unit: [-CH2-CH(CH3)-]n. What is the structural formula of its monomer?
Medium
- ACH2=C(CH3)2
- BCH3-CH=CH2
- CCH2=CH-CH3
- DCH2=CH2
19.Which of the following is a problem caused by burning poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)?
Easy
- AIt releases carbon dioxide only
- BIt releases toxic hydrogen chloride gas
- CIt is non-biodegradable and accumulates
- DIt produces a lot of ash
20.What is the name of the linkage formed between amino acids in a protein?
Easy
- AEster link
- BAmide link (peptide link)
- CIonic bond
- DGlycosidic link
21.A polyester is made from a dicarboxylic acid (HOOC-(CH2)4-COOH) and a diol (HO-(CH2)2-OH). How many water molecules are released per repeat unit of the polymer?
Medium
- A1
- B2
- C3
- D4
22.Which type of polymerisation involves the formation of a small molecule such as water?
Easy
- AAddition polymerisation
- BCondensation polymerisation
- CCracking
- DHydrolysis
23.Which two monomers are used to make nylon?
Easy
- AA dicarboxylic acid and a diol
- BA dicarboxylic acid and a diamine
- CA diol and a diamine
- DAn alkene and a diamine
24.Which functional group is formed when a dicarboxylic acid reacts with a diol to form a polyester?
Easy
- AAmide
- BEster
- CCarboxylic acid
- DAlcohol
25.When poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) is burned, which toxic gas is released?
Easy
- ACarbon dioxide
- BCarbon monoxide
- CHydrogen chloride
- DChlorine
26.A student burns 2.0 g of poly(ethene) completely in oxygen. Assuming the polymer is (CH2)n, what mass of carbon dioxide is produced? (Ar: C=12, H=1, O=16)
Medium
- A2.0 g
- B4.4 g
- C6.3 g
- D8.8 g
27.Which of the following is a natural polyamide?
Easy
- ANylon
- BPoly(ethene)
- CProtein
- DPolyester
28.Which of the following is a problem caused by burning synthetic polymers?
Easy
- AThey produce oxygen which supports combustion
- BThey release toxic fumes such as hydrogen chloride
- CThey are biodegradable so they decompose quickly
- DThey produce water vapour that causes acid rain
29.What type of bond joins monomers together in a polymer?
Easy
- AIonic bond
- BCovalent bond
- CHydrogen bond
- DMetallic bond
30.Which of the following is the monomer of poly(ethene)?
Easy
- AEthene
- BEthane
- CEthanol
- DEthyne
31.Nylon is an example of which type of polymer?
Easy
- APolyester
- BPolyamide
- CPolyalkene
- DPolyvinyl
32.Which two functional groups react to form an ester linkage in a polyester?
Easy
- ACarboxylic acid and alcohol
- BCarboxylic acid and amine
- CAlkene and alcohol
- DAmine and alcohol
33.Which of the following describes a monomer?
Easy
- AA large molecule made of many repeating units
- BA small molecule that can join with others to form a polymer
- CA polymer that can be broken down by microorganisms
- DA type of plastic
34.Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) is burned. Which toxic gas is released?
Easy
- ACarbon dioxide
- BHydrogen chloride
- CCarbon monoxide
- DChlorine
35.Polymers are large molecules built up from many smaller molecules called monomers.
Easy
True or false?
36.Which of the following is formed by addition polymerisation of ethene monomers?
Easy
- APoly(ethene)
- BNylon
- CPET
- DProtein
37.During addition polymerisation, a small molecule such as water is always produced.
Easy
True or false?
38.Which type of polymerisation forms nylon?
Easy
- AAddition polymerisation
- BCondensation polymerisation
- CBoth addition and condensation
- DNeither
39.A polymer has the repeat unit: [-CH2-CHCl-]n. What is the monomer used to form this polymer?
Medium
- ACH2=CHCl
- BCH3-CH2Cl
- CCH2=CH2
- DCHCl=CHCl
40.Condensation polymers are formed when two different monomers are linked together with the removal of a small molecule, usually water.
Easy
True or false?
41.PET (polyethylene terephthalate) is an example of which type of polymer?
Easy
- APolyamide
- BPolyester
- CPolyalkene
- DPolyvinyl
42.Proteins are natural polymers formed from amino acid monomers. What type of polymerisation produces proteins?
Easy
- AAddition polymerisation
- BCondensation polymerisation
- CBoth addition and condensation
- DNeither
43.Which of the following are problems caused by burning polymers? (Select all that apply)
Medium
- ARelease of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas
- BRelease of toxic hydrogen chloride gas from PVC
- CProduction of carbon monoxide if incomplete combustion occurs
- DProduction of oxygen which depletes the ozone layer
44.PET can be depolymerised using enzymes or chemical catalysts under mild conditions to recover its monomers.
Medium
True or false?

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