Addition polymers and polymer disposalEdexcel International A Level Chemistry: Flashcards

What these 13 flashcards ask

What happens to the C=C bond in addition polymerisation?
How many products form in addition polymerisation?
What is a repeat unit?
Draw the repeat unit of poly(propene).
What is the monomer of PVC?
What is the monomer of PTFE?
How do you deduce the monomer from a repeat unit?
Why does PVC not decolourise bromine water?
Why are addition polymers not biodegradable?
Which toxic gas does burning PVC release?
How do chemists remove acidic gases from incinerator waste gases?
How does a biodegradable polymer limit disposal problems?
How do you find the number of monomer units in a chain?

Exam questions on Addition polymers and polymer disposal

A packaging company makes reusable storage crates from poly(propene). The polymer is produced by heating propene under pressure with a catalyst, and the company recycles off-cuts from the moulding process.
Draw the repeat unit of poly(propene) and explain, in terms of the structure of propene, why its formation is an addition polymerisation.2 marks
An electrical contractor specifies poly(chloroethene), PVC, as the insulation for cables because it is flexible and does not conduct electricity. PVC is made by addition polymerisation of chloroethene, CH₂=CHCl.
Explain why bromine water is decolourised by chloroethene but not by PVC.2 marks
A non-stick pan manufacturer coats its pans with poly(tetrafluoroethene), PTFE. The repeat unit of PTFE is –CF₂–CF₂–. A chemist at the company is preparing advice on what should happen to the polymer at the end of the product's life.
Deduce the structural formula and name of the monomer used to make PTFE, and write an equation, using n, for its polymerisation.3 marks

Written by the Exaim team, led by Shaun Daswani (Head of Upper Secondary, Improve ME Institute; MSc Financial Mathematics, Imperial College London; BSc, UCL) and Jason Daswani (operational lead, Improve ME Institute; LSE).