14-22

14.20 For a copolymer consisting of 35 wt% ethylene and 65 wt% propylene, we are asked to determine the fraction of both repeat unit types. In 100 g of this material, there are 35 g of ethylene and 65 g of propylene. The ethylene (C2H4) molecular weight is m(ethylene) = 2(AC) + 4(AH)

= (2)(12.01 g/mol) + (4)(1.008 g/mol) = 28.05 g/mol The propylene (C3H6) molecular weight is m(propylene) = 3(AC) + 6(AH)

= (3)(12.01 g/mol) + (6)(1.008 g/mol) = 42.08 g/mol

Therefore, in 100 g of this material, there are

35 g = 1.25 mol of ethylene 28.05 g / mol

and
65 g = 1.54 mol of propylene 42.08 g / mol

Thus, the fraction of the ethylene repeat unit, f(ethylene), is just

1.25 mol = 0.45 1.25 mol + 1.54 mol

f (ethylene) =

Likewise,
1.54 mol = 0.55 1.25 mol + 1.54 mol

f (propylene) =

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