1. What are linear and branched polymers?

A linear polymer is a long continuous chain of carbon–carbon bonds with the remaining two
valence bonds attached primarily to hydrogen or another relatively small hydrocarbon moiety.
Branched polymers are defined as having secondary polymer chains linked to a primary
backbone, resulting in a variety of polymer architectures such as star, H-shaped, pom-pom, and
comb-shaped polymers. Branched polymers occur when groups of units branch off from the
long polymer chain.

2. Define:
a. thermoplastic:
Thermoplastics are a class of polymers that can be softened and melted by the application of
heat, and can be processed either in the heat-softened state (e.g. by thermoforming) or in the
liquid state (e.g. by extrusion and injection molding). When frozen, however, a thermoplastic
becomes glass-like and subject to fracture. Some of the most common types of thermoplastic
are polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinylchloride, polystyrene, polyethylenetheraphthalate and
polycarbonate.

b. thermosetting plastics
A thermosetting plastic is a polymer that irreversibly becomes rigid when heated. Such a
material is also known as a thermoset or thermosetting polymer. Initially, the polymer is a liquid
or soft solid. Heat provides energy for chemical reactions that increase the cross-linking
between polymer chains, curing the plastic. The rate of curing may be increasing in many cases
by increasing pressure or by adding a catalyst.

c. elastomers
An elastomer is a polymer with the property of “elasticity,” generally having notably low Young’s
modulus and high yield strain compared with other materials. Elastomers are amorphous
polymers existing above their glass transition temperature, so that considerable segmental
motion is possible, so it is expected that they would also be very permeable. At ambient
temperatures, rubbers are thus relatively soft and deformable. Their primary uses are for seals,
adhesives, and molded flexible parts. Elastomers may be thermosets (requiring vulcanization, a
form of crosslinking) or thermoplastic, called thermoplastic elastomer or TPE.

d. thermoplastic elastomers
A thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) is a type of thermoplastic polymer. Although sometimes called
thermoplastic rubber, as TPE has the properties and performance of rubber, it’s actually
processed like plastic and recyclable. Because of its elastomeric component, TPEs are soft and
flexible materials that can be repeatedly stretched to at least twice their original length at room
temperature and return to the approximate length of the original shape upon stress release.

3. What electrical and optical applications are polymers used for? Explain using examples.
In general polymers have very poor electrical conductivity; some polymers such as
polytetrafluroethylene find applications as electrical insulators. A common feature that makes
the polymer capable of transporting the electrical charge is the conjugated n electrons
consisting of alternating single and double bonds along the polymer backbone or ring structure.
Photonic polymers are used in optical devices for the storage and processing of data. Optical
technology has the advantage of both speed and compactness of the storage space. Optical
storage of computer data is already common (i.e. CD-ROM and Worm drives). Among materials
that are suitable for optical technology are polymers that exhibit non-linear properties. Polymers
containing pi-electron structures can exhibit non-linear optical effects when these electrons are
optically exuted.

4. What are the major advantages associated with plastics compared to ceramics, glasses and
metallic materials?
The major advantages associated with plastics compared to ceramics, glasses and metallic
materials are:
Creating shapes with plastics is easy due to their low melting point and high
malleability. Finishing touches are easier to add on plastics. Additionally, color can be added
to plastics prior to fabrication which makes the process easier. Plastic fabrication is a faster
process compared to metals. Plastics are lightweight and are easy to move around compared
to their metal counterparts. Plastics are more resistant to chemical attacks and reactions. 
Plastics are more durable than ceramics, glasses and metals. They have higher life
dependency. Some polymerplastics have the ability to be recycled and can be molded into
different shapes again and again with the help of heat unlike ceramics which when used casted
into a shape cannot be remolded easily. Products made of plastics do not tend to break as
plastics are not brittle unlike ceramics, glasses and metals.

5. Explain why low-density polyethylene is good to make grocery bags, however, super high
molecular weight polyethylene must be used where strength and very high wear resistance is
needed.

Low-density polyethylene is good to make grocery bags because it has a good balance of

flexibility, strength, barrier properties, and cost and can have a wide combination of properties. It
has high clarity, is chemically inert, and has good impact strength and excellent tear and stress
crack resistance. Other properties of LDPE include good resistance to Alcohols and Acids, high
impact strength, good electrical insulating properties. Additionally, it has high elongation
properties, which ensures that good quality grocery bags be made using blow film extrusion
technique. Low density polyethylene also has good clarity while forming films, it can be easily be
used as films in packaging industries.
Super-high-molecular-weight polyethylene must be used where strength and very high wear
resistance is needed because it is a type of polyolefin structure and despite relatively weak van
der Waals bonds between its molecules derives ample strength from the length of each
individual molecule. It is made up of extremely long chains of polyethylene which all align in the
same direction. Each chain is bonded to the others with so many van der Waals bonds that the
whole can support great tensile loads. When formed to fibers, the polymer chains can attain a
parallel orientation greater than 95 percent and a level of crystallinity of up to 85 percent. Super-
high-molecular-weight polyethylene fiber is used in numerous high-performance applications
including police and military ballistic-resistant vests, helmets and also used in armor, in
particular, personal armor and on occasion as vehicle armor.