Addition Polymers

This lesson covers:

  1. How alkenes can combine in an 'addition reaction' to become a long chain polymer
  2. How to the draw 'monomer units' and 'repeating units' of a polymer
  3. How to name polymers

What name is given to the small molecules that combine together to form a polymer?

Hydrocarbons

Compounds

Monomers

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Diagram showing the repeating unit, polymer, and monomer in addition polymers.

Match the letters A to C on the diagram above with the following labels:


Repeating unit:

Polymer:

Monomer:

C
A
B

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Which of the following does not contain a C=C double bond?

Poly(propene)

Propene

Bromopropene

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Diagram showing how to draw monomers and repeating units with bonds facing vertically, empty bonds through brackets, and the use of n to signify many units.

The three things to remember when drawing monomers and repeating units:


  1. Draw the bonds of the monomer vertically up and down.
  2. Have the empty bonds go through the brackets in the repeating unit.
  3. Have the 'n' to signify a large number of monomers and repeating units.
Equation showing the repeating unit for addition polymers with a question mark indicating the need to complete the equation.

Using pen and paper, complete the equation above by drawing the repeating unit.


When you're ready to check your answer, press 'Continue'.

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Equation showing a polymer with a placeholder for the monomer to be drawn.

Using pen and paper, complete the equation above by drawing the monomer.


When you're ready to check your answer, press 'Continue'.

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How to name polymers


  1. Take the alkene name
  2. Put brackets around it
  3. Add 'poly' to the front of the name, before the first bracket.


So ethene would become , while chloroethene would become .

poly(ethene)
poly(chloroethene)

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Many bromopropene molecules combine in an addition reaction to form a polymer.


What is the name of the polymer formed?

poly(bromopropene)

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What is the name of the monomer that would make the polymer poly(tetrafluoroethene)?

Fluoroethene

Chloropropene

Tetrafluoroethene

Phenylethene

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A is a large molecule that is made from multiple smaller monomers.

polymer

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Alkenes join together by __________ polymerisation. 

positive

addition

condensation

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Which of these could not be used as a monomer in addition polymerisation?

Propene

Ethene

Butane

Butene

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