Addition Polymers
Polymers Worksheet
1. Draw the following polymers:
a) Poly(tetrafluoroethene)
Answer
b) Poly(chloroethene)
Answer
c) Poly(but-2-ene)
Answer
d) Poly(phenylethene)
Answer
2. Draw an equation to represent the formation of the following from their monomers:
a) Poly(propene)
Answer
b) Poly(ethenol)
Answer
Teacher Note: Ethenol is an unstable tautomer of ethanal and does not exist in stable form to polymerise directly. Industrially, Poly(ethenol) is produced by the hydrolysis of poly(ethenyl ethanoate).
3. PVC is the common name for a common polymer.
a) State the IUPAC name of the polymer PVC.
Answer
Poly(chloroethene)
b) Draw an equation to represent the formation of PVC from its monomer.
Answer
c) State the purpose of a plasticiser in PVC.
Answer
It makes the polymer more flexible.
The plasticiser molecules sit between the polymer chains, pushing them apart. This weakens the intermolecular forces between chains, allowing them to slide over each other more easily.
4. Draw a section of polymer three repeat units long for the following polymers:
a) Poly(propenoic acid)
Answer
b) Poly(pent-2-enoic acid)
Answer
5. The following polymers are made up of a mixture of two addition monomers. For each one, draw the structure of the two monomers.
Answer
Answer
Note: The monomers do not have to be alternating in the polymer chain.