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NSWChemistryQuick questions
Module 7: Organic Chemistry
Quick questions on Addition and condensation polymers explained: HSC Chemistry Module 7
6short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is chain length?Show answer
Longer chains give greater dispersion forces overall, higher melting point and stronger material. Industrial polymers are typically 1000 to 10,000 monomer units long.
What is functional groups in the chain?Show answer
Hydrogen-bond-capable groups (amide, hydroxyl) raise melting point and tensile strength considerably. Halogen substituents add dipole-dipole forces. Aromatic rings add rigidity.
What is crystallinity?Show answer
Regular, regularly-spaced chains can crystallise (form ordered regions); irregular chains stay amorphous. Crystalline regions are stronger and more dense. HDPE is about 90% crystalline; LDPE only about 50%.
What is q1?Show answer
Distinguish between addition and condensation polymerisation, naming one example polymer of each. [3 marks]
What is q2?Show answer
Calculate the average degree of polymerisation of a polyethene chain with average molar mass g mol. [2 marks]
What is q3?Show answer
Polyester (PET) is made from ethane-1,2-diol and benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid. (a) Draw the repeat unit. (b) Explain why PET fibre has high tensile strength.
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