Addition

• What is meant by an addition polymer?

  An addition polymer is formed by joining together thousands of small identical molecules called monomers.
• What are the small identical molecules that make up polymers called?

  Monomers
• How do addition polymers differ from condensation polymers?

  Addition polymers are formed from alkenes, while condensation polymers involve the elimination of small molecules during polymerization.
• What is the monomer used to form polythene?

  Ethene
• What happens to the double bond in the monomer when it forms a polymer?

  The double bond in the monomer is converted into single bonds in the polymer.
• What does the prefix "poly" in the name of a polymer signify?

  The prefix "poly" means many.
• What is a repeating unit in the context of polymers?

  A repeating unit is a shorthand way of showing the structure of a polymer, representing the arrangement of atoms in the polymer chain.
• How do you determine the repeating unit from a polymer structure?

  You take any two adjacent carbon atoms in the chain, draw them out with attached hydrogen atoms, place brackets around them, and write a small N to indicate a large number of repeating units.
• What is a key characteristic of the repeating unit in addition polymers?

  The repeating unit has the same atoms as the monomer and does not contain a double bond.
• What is the polymer produced from the monomer chloroethene?

  Poly(chloroethene)
• How do you draw the repeating unit for the polymer produced from the monomer propene?

  You replace the double bond with a single bond, draw bonds on either side of the carbon atoms, place brackets around the structure, and write N on the right-hand side.
• What is the name of the polymer produced from propene?

  Poly(propene)
• What are the steps to draw an addition polymer from a given alkene monomer?

  1. Identify the alkene monomer.
  2. Replace the double bond with single bonds.
  3. Draw the structure with carbon atoms and attached hydrogen atoms.
  4. Place brackets around the repeating unit.
  5. Write a small N to indicate a large number of repeating units.
• What are the key points about addition polymers?

  • Formed from alkenes.
  • Monomers have double bonds; polymers have single bonds.
  • The name of the polymer is "poly" + name of the monomer.
  • Repeating units have the same atoms as the monomer and no double bonds.