Addition Polymers & Polymerisation

• What type of polymers are made using alkenes?

  Addition polymers
• What feature characterizes alkenes?

  They have a carbon-carbon double bond
• Why are alkenes considered unsaturated?

  Due to the presence of a double bond
• What happens to the double bond in alkenes under the right conditions?

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

  By opening their double bonds to bond together
• What is a monomer in the context of polymerization?

  A single molecule that forms a polymer
• What is a repeating unit in a polymer?

  The group of atoms repeated in the polymer
• How should the bonds of the monomer be drawn?

  Facing up and down
• How should the empty bonds of the repeating unit be drawn?

  Pointing out to the left and right
• What does the variable 'n' represent in polymerization equations?

  The number of repeating units
• How do you write the equation for the addition polymerization of butane?

  Draw butane with a double bond and brackets
• What is the first step in drawing butane for polymerization?

  Identify the double bond between carbons
• How should hydrogen atoms be represented when drawing butane?

  Pointing straight up or down
• How do you simplify the large group attached to butane?

  Count carbons and hydrogens, write as C2H5
• What is the correct way to draw the bond between carbons in butane?

  From carbon to carbon
• How do you represent the repeating unit in the polymerization equation?

  Remove the double bond and extend bonds
• How do you name 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?

  High pressures and a catalyst
• What might be written on the reaction arrow for polymerization?

  Pressure and catalyst