3.12 Polymers

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Total cards: 24•Content version: v4•Public deck•Updated: 8/1/2026

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Front (Question)

Condensation polymerisation

Back (Answer)

The reaction between monomers containing two different functional groups with the loss of a small molecule

Front (Question)

What can polyesters be formed from?

Back (Answer)

• A dicarboxylic acid / diacyl chloride and a diol • A monomer with both of these groups

Front (Question)

Small molecule formed when polyester is formed from a diol and a dicarboxylic acid?

Back (Answer)

Water

Front (Question)

Uses of polyesters

Back (Answer)

• Sportswear • Carpets

Front (Question)

What can polyamides be formed from?

Back (Answer)

• A dicarboxylic acid and a diamine • A monomer with both of these groups

Front (Question)

Small molecule formed when polyester is formed from a diol and an acyl chloride?

Back (Answer)

HCl

Front (Question)

Uses of nylon

Back (Answer)

• Clothing • Rope • Parachutes • Carpet

Front (Question)

Properties of nylon

Back (Answer)

Strong and resistant to abrasion

Front (Question)

Uses of kevlar

Back (Answer)

• Bullet proof clothing • Flame resistant materials

#10

Front (Question)

Why is kevlar strong

Back (Answer)

• Chains are flat and can pack close together • So stronger intermolecular forces • Hydrogen bonding between the nitrogen and hydrogen atoms of the amide link

#11

Front (Question)

Condensation polymers are _______ and _____________ than addition polymers

Back (Answer)

stronger, more rigid (because of the intermolecular forces)

#12

Front (Question)

Intermolecular forces in polyesters

Back (Answer)

Permanent dipole dipole forces

#13

Front (Question)

Intermolecular forces in polyamides

Back (Answer)

Hydrogen bonding

#14

Front (Question)

Which polymers can be hydrolysed?

Back (Answer)

Condensation polymers. Addition polymers are chemically inert due to their C-C backbone

#15

Front (Question)

Catalysts for the hydrolysis of polymers

Back (Answer)

• Strong aqueous acid • Strong aqueous base

#16

Front (Question)

Products of acid hydrolysis of polyesters

Back (Answer)

Alcohol and carboxylate acid

#17

Front (Question)

Products of alkaline hydrolysis of polyesters

Back (Answer)

Alcohol and carboxylate salt

#18

Front (Question)

Products of acid hydrolysis of polyamides

Back (Answer)

Ammonium salt and carboxylate acid

#19

Front (Question)

Products of alkaline hydrolysis of polyamides

Back (Answer)

Amine and carboxylate salt

#20

Front (Question)

Why are addition polymers inert?

Back (Answer)

The strong C-C bonds between repeat units are non-polar, so are not attacked by nucleophiles. This makes addition polymers non-biodegradable

#21

Front (Question)

Methods for the disposal of polymers

Back (Answer)

• Burying • Combustion • Reusing • Recycling

#22

Front (Question)

Advantages and disadvantages of burying polymers

Back (Answer)

Advantages: - Relatively cheap - Easy Disadvantages: - Requires land - Releases toxins into water supplies and methane

#23

Front (Question)

Advantages and disadvantages of combusting polymers

Back (Answer)

Advantages: - Can produce heat energy Disadvantages: - Carbon dioxide - Incomplete combustion (carbon monoxide and C particles)

#24

Front (Question)

Problems with burning polystyrene

Back (Answer)

Can form toxic styrene vapour under some conditions