SEARCH
You are in browse mode. You must login to use MEMORY

   Log in to start

level: Polymers and Properties of Materials

Questions and Answers List

level questions: Polymers and Properties of Materials

QuestionAnswer
What are Polymers?-This is when Monomers Join together -Monomers are Small Molecules
What is the Reaction called when Polymers are made? What does it need?-The reaction is called Polymerisation -It needs High Pressure, and a Catalyst
Can Plastics fit into Polymers?-Yes. -They are usually Carbon Bases, with their Monomers being Alkenes
What bonds hold the Atoms in the Polymer Chain?-Strong Covalent Bonds
So how is the Properties of the Polymers determined?-It is done by the Force Between the Chains, or the Polymers. -They determine what they can, and can't do
What are the Properties of Polymers, with Weak Forces between the Chains?-If the Plastic [eg] is made of Chains that are held by Week Intermolecular Force, then the Chains can Slide over Each Other -It can also be Stretched Easily, and has a Low Melting Point -It will also be Unreactive
What are the Properties of Polymers, with Strong Forces between the Chains?-The Plastic [eg] can have Strong Bonds, because of Cross-Links [Covalent Bonds that connect 1 Chain to another] -It will result into having a High Melting Point, Rigid [Cant move really] and Can't be Stretched, because of the Cross Links holding it Firmly. -It will also be Unreactive
What have all the Materials got in common?-The Properties they possess is down to their Structure and Bonding in the Material -The Atoms itself don't have the Properties, but the Type and Strength of Bonds in that Materials that do have the Properties
eg, How is Chlorine good at forming -Ionic -Covalent-In many Common Ionic Compounds, Chlorine is there. Take Sodium Chloride, it has Strong Ionic Bonds, because of the Strong Electrostatic Attractions between the Ions in Every Direction. This happens in the Lattice Structure. So the Strengths of the Bonds gives it the High Melting Point [And Boiling] -Chlorine is also a Simple Molecule; Chloromethane. Chloromethane has Strong Covalent bonds that can hold the Atoms in the Molecule very Tightly, but the Intermolecular Force are very Weak, and these Forces attract the Molecule to each other. Since its Weak, it can easily overdone giving Chloromethane a Low Melting and Boiling Point -Some Polymers, like Polyvinyl chloride have Chlorine. This is Strong and Rigid because of the Intermolecular Forces being quite Strong.