Chemistry

#17 Polymers

1. What is a polymer?

A polymer is a macromolecule formed by linking together 50 or more monomers, usually

in chains.

2. What is polymersation?

A process in which relatively small molecules, called monomers, combine chemically to

produce a very large chainlike or network molecule, called a polymer.

3. What are the two types of polymersation?

• Addition polymerisation occurs when unsaturated monomers, such as alkenes, are

linked together to form a saturated polymer known as an addition polymer. One bond in
the double bond of each alkene molecule breaks and the molecules bond to one another
in chains by single covalent bonds between adjacent carbon atoms .

• Condensation polymerisation involves linking monomers together in chains by

eliminating a small molecule, usually water, from between adjacent monomers. For this
to occur, the monomer molecules must have two functional groups. The polymers
formed are known as condensation polymers.

4. What are some uses of polymers?

Synthetic polymers, commonly known as plastics, have a great many uses because their
properties make them superior to many other materials.

• They are durable, i.e. they are resistant to physical and chemical damage, and
biological decay.
• They are easily moulded into many different shapes.
• They are light but strong.
• They are easily dyed different colours.
• They can be made to be rigid or flexible.
• They are good thermal and electrical insulators.
• They can be easily welded or joined.
• They can be spun into fibres because their molecules are extremely long.
5. What is the impact of plastics on the environment?

Synthetic polymers can have harmful effects on living organisms and the environment:

• Plastics are made from a non-renewable resource (petroleum). Their manufacture is

contributing to the depletion of petroleum world-wide.
• Most plastics are non-biodegradable. Waste plastics build up in the environment
causing pollution of land and water.
• Plastics are directly harmful to aquatic organisms such as sea turtles, due to ingestion,
entanglement and suffocation.
• Various toxic chemicals are released into the environment during the manufacture of
plastics, and some of these continue to be released from the plastic items during use
and when discarded.
• Many plastics are flammable, therefore they pose fire hazards .
• When burnt, plastics produce dense smoke and poisonous gases which can lead to air
pollution.