4. Synthetic Polymers
No description yet. This curated deck is ready for daily study.
Card preview (8)
What is an addition polymer?
Polymers are large molecules of high relative molecular mass and are made by linking together large repeated numbers of smaller molecules called monomers.
Draw the monomer and polymer of ethene.
Draw the monomer and polymer of chloroethene.
Draw the monomer and polymer of polypropene.
Draw the monomer and polymer of (poly)tetrafluoroethene.
State the problems with disposing polymers.
• Their inertness and inability to biodegrade • The production of toxic gases when they are burned
Why are addition polymers difficult to dispose of by natural means such as landfill or biodegradation?
• Polymers remain in landills indefinitely • As they are inert and do not biodegrade
Why can burning (incinerating) addition polymers cause environmental problems?
• Burning produces greenhouse gasses • Causing climate change and global warming • Burning produces toxic gasses such as carbon monoxide and hydrogen chloride