Polymers Pt:2

• What type of polymers are made using alkenes?

  Addition polymers
• Why are alkenes considered unsaturated?

  Because they contain a carbon-carbon double bond
• What feature characterizes a molecule as an alkene?

  It has a carbon-carbon double bond
• What happens to the double bond in alkenes under the right conditions?

  The double bond can break into a single bond
• How can three ethene molecules combine to form a polymer?

  By breaking their double bonds and forming new bonds with each other
• How can we represent the reaction of addition polymerization visually?

  • Show all ethene molecules (monomers) on the left
  • Draw the entire polymer on the right
  • Alternatively, show a single monomer and a single repeating unit
• How should the bonds of the monomer be drawn in polymerization equations?

  Facing up and down rather than out at angles
• What do we mean by "repeating units" in a polymer?


  Groups of atoms that are repeated throughout the polymer
• What do the empty bonds in the repeating unit represent?

  They represent how the monomers connect to each other
• What does the variable 'n' indicate in polymerization equations?

  The number of repeating units in the polymer
• If 'n' is 10 in a polymerization reaction, what does that signify?

  There are 10 ethene molecules on the left
• What is the correct way to represent the double bond in butane during polymerization?

  It should be drawn going from carbon to carbon
• How do we write the equation for the addition polymerization of butane?

  By identifying the double bond and arranging the atoms correctly
• How do we name the polymers formed from monomers?

  By putting "poly" in front of the monomer's name
• What is the name of the polymer formed from butane?

  Polybutane
• What is the name of the polymer formed from chloroethene?

  Polychloroethylene
• What conditions are required for addition polymerization reactions to occur?

  High pressures and a catalyst
• What are the steps to draw the addition polymerization of butane?

  1. Identify the double bond in butane
  2. Arrange atoms as separate groups
  3. Draw bonds of the monomer correctly
  4. Add brackets and 'n' for repeating units
  5. Draw the reaction arrow and repeating unit