Addition and condensation polymerisation and how they differ, drawing repeating units, and the naturally occurring polymers including proteins, starch and DNA. Chemistry only content.
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1.What is a polymer?
A very large molecule made by joining many small molecules called monomers.
2.What is a monomer?
The small molecule that repeats to build a polymer.
3.What is addition polymerisation?
Many unsaturated monomers join together to form a single large molecule, with no other product formed.
4.What type of monomer is needed for addition polymerisation?
One containing a carbon to carbon double bond, so an alkene.
5.What happens to the double bond during addition polymerisation?
It opens up, allowing each monomer to bond to the next.
6.What polymer is made from ethene?
Poly(ethene).
7.What polymer is made from propene?
Poly(propene).
8.How many products does addition polymerisation give?
Only one: the polymer itself.
9.How is the repeating unit of an addition polymer drawn?
The same as the monomer but with the double bond replaced by a single bond, and a bond extending from each end, all inside brackets with n outside.
10.What is condensation polymerisation?
Monomers join together and a small molecule, usually water, is lost each time a link forms.
11.What must a monomer have to take part in condensation polymerisation?
Two functional groups, one at each end.
12.What is formed from a diol and a dicarboxylic acid?
A polyester, with water lost at each link.
13.How many products does condensation polymerisation give?
Two: the polymer and the small molecule that is lost, usually water.
14.State two differences between addition and condensation polymerisation.
Addition uses one monomer with a double bond and produces only the polymer. Condensation uses monomers with two functional groups and also produces a small molecule.
15.What are amino acids?
Molecules with two different functional groups, an amino group and a carboxylic acid group.
16.What do amino acids form by condensation polymerisation?
Polypeptides, which make up proteins, with water lost at each link.
17.Why can amino acids polymerise?
They have a functional group at each end, so each molecule can bond to two others.
18.What is DNA?
A large molecule essential for life, made of two polymer chains wound together in a double helix.
19.What are the monomers of DNA called?
Nucleotides. There are four different ones.
20.What does DNA do?
It encodes the genetic instructions for the development and functioning of living organisms.
21.Name three other naturally occurring polymers.
Proteins, starch and cellulose.
22.What are starch and cellulose made from?
Sugars, in particular glucose.
23.Why are polymers solid at room temperature?
The molecules are so large that the intermolecular forces between them are strong, so a lot of energy is needed to separate them.
24.Are the bonds within a polymer chain strong or weak?
Strong. They are covalent bonds. It is the forces between chains that are comparatively weak.
25.Why is poly(ethene) hard to dispose of?
It is unreactive and not biodegradable, so it persists in the environment for a very long time.
26.What is the repeating unit of poly(ethene) in words?
Two carbon atoms joined by a single bond, each carrying two hydrogen atoms, with a bond extending from each end.
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