Addition polymers

• what is a polymer? how do molecules containing C=C bond form polymers?

  • long chain molecule which is made by lots of smaller molecules joining together
  • C=C bonds open up and many smaller molecules (monomers) join together to form a chain (a polymer)
  • called an addition polymerisation reaction
• give 3 examples of addition polymers and their uses

  • polyethene - plastic bags
  • (poly) tetrafluoroethene (PTFE) - teflon surfaces, for use in non-stick kitchenware
  • (poly) chloroethene (polyvinylchloride, PVC) - water pipes
• what is a repeating unit of a polymer?

  • it is a smallest structure which, upon numerous translations, yields the structure of the polymer
  • in addition polymers: to draw it, take a monomer, change C=C to C-C and show additional single bonds extending away from these carbons