Addition Polymers

• What are addition polymers made up of?


  Long-chain molecules called polymers
• Why are addition polymers considered useful?

  They have wonderful properties that make them suitable for various applications
• What is the process called when unsaturated monomers form addition polymers?

  Addition polymerization
• What type of bond do the monomers in addition polymers have?

  A double covalent bond
• How do saturated molecules (alkanes) contribute to the formation of addition polymers?

  They can open up their double bonds and join together
• What is an example of a monomer that can form an addition polymer?

  Ethene
• What is the result of the reaction of ethene molecules in addition polymerization?

  They form polyethene
• What does the addition polymer contain in relation to the monomers that formed it?

  It contains exactly the same type and number of atoms as the monomers
• How do you draw the repeating unit of an addition polymer from its monomer?

  • Replace the double bond with a single bond
  • Add an extra single bond to each carbon
  • Fill in the rest of the groups as they were in the monomer
  • Enclose the repeating unit in brackets and add 'n' to indicate repetition
• How do you convert the displayed formula of a polymer back to its monomer?

  Remove the two bonds going out through the brackets and put a double bond between the carbons
• How is the name of a polymer derived from its monomer?

  By adding 'poly' in front of the monomer name
• What is the significance of the monomer used in a polymer?

  The monomer affects the plastic's properties
• What are the two possible polymers that can be formed from butene based on the location of the double bond?


  • Polybutene with the double bond in the middle
  • Polybutene with the double bond at the end
• What is the topic associated with the study of addition polymers?

  Organic Chemistry
• What is the displayed formula of a polymer derived from ethene?

  Polyethene
• What is the role of a catalyst in the formation of addition polymers?

  A catalyst helps facilitate the reaction under high pressure