SHS

General Chemistry 1
Activity Sheet
Quarter 2- MELC 13
Week 7
Formation & Structure of Polymers

REGION VI – WESTERN VISAYAS

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General Chemistry 1
Activity Sheet No. 13: Formation & Structure of Polymers
First Edition, 2020

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Introductory Message
Welcome to General Chemistry 1!

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Name of Learner: ____________________________________________________________
Section: __________________________________ Date: ___________________________

General Chemistry 1 Activity Sheet 13

Formation & Structure of Polymers

I. Learning Competency with Code

Describe the formation and structure of polymers. (STEM_GC11OCIIg-j-91)

II. Background Information for Learners

The world you live in practically stands and is held by polymers. Most of the structures
you take for granted like the chairs you sit on, the beds you sleep in, even the clothes you wear,
are polymers. Your body survives and thrives on polymers as well.
In the formation of new organic substances, one of the reactions results to a combination
of two smaller molecules. If this reaction is made to continue further, the final product is a
polymer.
So what is a polymer? A polymer is a single chain of interconnected units called
monomers. Imagine a simple metal chain where each single unit is the same and stuck
consecutively together, a long chain is formed. The single unit is the monomer. Mono-mer
refers to one unit, and combining them we form a poly-mer, meaning many-units.

monomer polymer = many monomers

This learning activity focuses on how polymers are formed and their basic structures.

Formation of Polymers
The formation of polymers occurs in nature and has also been duplicated in the
manufacturing industry. This is generally referred to as polymerization, the formation of
polymers. This process can involve the linking of multiple units of the same kind as well as
linking two or more combinations of monomers and forming a long chain called a copolymer.
Polymerization generally has three stages:
1) Initiation stage – where the monomers are prepared for bonding usually by the action
of a catalyst. They are essentially activated in this stage.

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 2) Propagation stage – where the activated monomers attach to the bonding site of the next
monomer, forming a continuous link.
3) Termination stage – where the growing of the chain is stopped by the bonding or the
last monomer with a free radical or a terminating species.
There are two major polymerization processes. These are:
1. Addition Polymerization
Carbon compounds with multiple bonds between the C atoms can
be added to form a chain. One very well-known example of a polymer
formed this way is poly(ethene), or more commonly known as
polyethylene. From the name poly(ethene), it is a chain of many
C2H4 or CH2CH2
ethene molecules linked together. Study the illustration below:
ethene
Addition of multiple ethene, C2H4 or CH2CH2 , molecules
CH2CH2 + CH2CH2 + CH2CH2 + …
condensed structural
formulas of ethene

expanded structural
formulas of ethene

break C-C bonds to

link with other
ethene molecules to
form a chain

condensed structural
formula of
poly(ethene)

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The reaction is summarized as follows:
C2H4 + C2H4 + C2H4 + … → (C2H4)n
Poly(ethene) or polyethylene is therefore given the chemical formula (CH2CH2)n or
(C2H4)n, with n representing the infinite number of ethene molecules that are linked to
form the polymer. To read more about polyethylene, try visiting online sites such as this:
https://byjus.com/chemistry/high-density-polyethylene/

2. Condensation Polymerization
Another method of combining individual units is by the removal of small components
such as –H, or –OH, which form small molecules such as water, H2O, hydrogen chloride,
HCl, or ammonia, NH3. As introduced in the previous learning activity on organic
reactions, the term condensation refers to a special type of reaction of organic compounds
that result to a new molecule while producing a by-product. Extend the process to involve
multiple linkages of the molecules and you get a polymer. Study the examples that follow.

https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Organic_Chemistry/Supplemental_Modules_(Organic_Chemistry)/Polyme
rs/Condensation_Polymers

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 In the first example, the formation of polyester, the initial stage in the process is the
combination of two different molecules, an acid and an alcohol, releasing a water molecule.
The resulting combination, called a dimer (2 monomers joined), would now represent the
repeating unit of the polymer. As the dimers bond together or polymerize, water is again
released. The name polyester actually refers to polymers that contain the ester functional
group. See the bonding sites of the repeating unit enclosed in the box.
The second example is another copolymer, just like polyester, since its dimer is actually
a combination of two different molecules, this time an acid and an amine. Their initial
combination again releases a water molecule, and the succeeding formation of links
between the monomers also release water molecules. The polymer is called polyamide,
since the repeating unit (the dimer) is an amide.

Structure of Polymers
The linkages between repeating units are actual bonds that define what a polymer is. In
addition to its composition, the following characteristics of the polymer define its properties,
and consequently, its functions. These are:
a. average chain length – refers to the number of repeating units present in the polymer.
In the illustration of poly(ethene), this would correspond to the “n” in its chemical
formula.
b. degree of branching – refers to how “frilly” the chain is due to its branches. This
depends on the original structure of the monomers as well as the bonding sites used
to form the polymer.
c. nature of constituent monomers – refers to the inherent characteristics and structures
of the monomers, which determine branching and how they link together.

The structure of polymers and how these affect their properties and
functions will be discussed further in the next learning activity. Something
interesting to look forward to!

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III. Activity Proper
Directions: The following are two exercises for you to test your comprehension and
understanding of the formation and structure of polymers. For the first exercise, try to recall
the concepts introduced by identifying the terms. Try not to look at the discussion while
answering! ☺ Check yourself afterwards, then in the second exercise, classify the
polymerization process based on your assessment of the illustration.
Activity 1: Read the given description and identify the matching concept from the word box
below. Write your answer on the space provided.

polymer addition polymerization monomer branching

water propagation alkene dimer termination

condensation polymerization chain length initiation

________________________ 1. the repeating unit in a polymer

________________________ 2. the process of breaking a multiple bond to link with another
monomer
________________________ 3. a repeating unit composed of two combined molecules
________________________ 4. where the monomer is activated in preparation for bonding
________________________ 5. a common by-product from condensation polymerization
________________________ 6. refers to the presence of attached species to a chain

Exercise 2: Classify the following reaction as “A” for addition polymerization or “C” for
condensation polymerization and describe your answer. Write you answer on your answer
sheet.

1.

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 2.

3.

4.

5.

IV. Reflection
How is polymerization similar to the coming together of individuals to form a committee
or organization? Do people also “lose something” to form “new connections” as in addition or
condensation polymerization? Share your ideas briefly.

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V. References for Learners
Zumdahl, Steven S. (2004) Introductory Chemistry, 5th Ed. Houghton-Mifflin
Company, Boston, MA, USA
Coronel-Magno, Marcelita. (2016). Basic Chemistry (For Senior High School), Anvil
Publishing, Mandaluyong City, Philippines
https://www.britannica.com/science/polymerization
https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Introductory_Chemistry/Book%3A_Introduct
ory_Chemistry_(CK-
12)/25%3A_Organic_Chemistry/25.18%3A_Condensation_Reactions
https://byjus.com/chemistry/high-density-polyethylene/
https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Organic_Chemistry/Supplemental_Modules_
(Organic_Chemistry)/Polymers/Condensation_Polymers
for other illustrations - https://commons.wikimedia.org/ & https://chem.libretexts.org

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Answer Key
Exercise 1 Exercise 2
1. monomer 1. A
2. addition polymerization 2. C
3. dimer 3. C
4. initiation 4. A
5. water 5. A
6. branching

1. Addition polymerization because carbon compounds with multiple bonds like ethene were
added to form a chain.
2. Condensation polymerization because adipic and hexeldiamine were combined to form
nylon by removing OH and H .
3. Condensation polymerization because 2 phenols and formaldehyde were combined to form
bakelite by removing double bond O and Hydrogen.
4. Addition polymerization because styrene monomers were added and form polystyrene
without losing any atoms present in the reactant.
5. Addition polymerization because a monomer with double bond between the carbon atoms
were added and form a polymer without losing any atoms present in the reactant.

Reflection
To form polymers, the individual monomers have to either break a multiple bond or lose a
branch or substituent to form a new bond with the other monomer. In the same way, for
people to have new connections or form new relationships, they need to risk losing some
personal time or even resources. Sometimes, to form a new relationship, an old one has to
be broken. (Other ideas are encouraged.)