Addition Polymers

Question 1

how does an addition polymer form?

Answer 1

when molecules with a C=C double bond add into chains?

Question 2

what are monomers?

Answer 2

small molecules that add together

Question 3

what are polymers?

Answer 3

long chain that small molecules form when added together

Question 4

what is a repeating unit?

Answer 4

• something that can represent an addition polymer
• the little ‘n’ represents the number of repeats in the polymer chain
• this is usually a very big number

Question 5

how do you know the name of an addition polymer?

Answer 5

• it is former by putting ‘poly’ in front of the monomer name
• e.g. ethene would be polyethene

Question 6

what are the uses of polyethene?

Answer 6

• drink bottles
• shopping bags

Question 7

what are the uses of polypropene?

Answer 7

• storage boxes
• climbing ropes

Question 8

what are the uses of polychloroethene?

Answer 8

• wire insulation
• drainpipes

Question 9

what are the uses of polytetrafluoroethene?

Answer 9

• non stick coating

Question 10

addition polymers are inert - what does this mean?

Answer 10

they are chemically unreactive, which means that don’t break down very easily

Question 11

what are the four disposal methods of addition polymers?

Answer 11

1. reuse it
2. recycle it - allows it to be reshaped for another use
3. incinerate it - use the energy released to generate electricity
4. chuck it into landfill