Synthetic & Natural Polymers (AQA GCSE Chemistry)
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What are polymers?
Polymers are very large molecules formed from many small molecules called monomers linking together.
What is the process of making polymers called?
The process of making polymers is called polymerisation.
What type of bonds connect monomers in a polymer?
Monomers in a polymer are connected via covalent bonds.
State the meaning of monomer.
A monomer is a small molecule that can be reacted together in a polymerisation process to form a polymer.
Describe addition polymerisation.
Addition polymerisation is a type of polymerisation in which monomers are added to form a polymer chain without the loss of any molecules.
What is the name of the addition polymer formed from the following alkene?
The name of the polymer formed from the following alkene would be (poly)propene.
What is X?
X is the repeating unit.
Draw the repeat unit for the monomer, butene.
The repeat unit for the monomer, butene is:
Draw the monomer for the following polymer.
The monomer is:
True or False?
Poly(ethene) is an addition monomer formed from ethene monomers.
True.
Poly(ethene) is and addition monomer formed from ethene monomers.
How are condensation polymers formed? (Higher tier only)
Condensation polymers are formed when different monomers with two functional groups are linked together with the removal of a small molecule, usually water.
What is the key difference between condensation and addition polymers? (Higher tier only)
In addition polymerisation, only the polymer molecule is formed.
In condensation polymerisation, the polymer molecule and one water molecule per linkage are formed.
How many functional groups are present in the monomers for condensation polymers? (Higher tier only)
The monomers have two functional groups present, one on each end.
Give an example of a condensation polymer and its monomers. (Higher tier only)
An example of a condensation polymer is a polyester made from ethanediol and hexanedioic acid.
What happens when an ester linkage is formed in condensation polymerisation? (Higher tier only)
For every ester linkage formed in condensation polymerisation, one molecule of water is formed from the combination of a -H and an -OH group.
What is a polyester? (Higher tier only)
A polyester is a type of condensation polymer formed by the reaction between a dicarboxylic acid and a diol, with the elimination of water molecules.
What is a dicarboxylic acid? (Higher tier only)
A dicarboxylic acid is a carboxylic acid with two -COOH groups, one at each end of the molecule.
What is a diol? (Higher tier only)
A diol is an alcohol with two -OH groups, one at each end of the molecule.
Explain what is meant by an ester linkage. (Higher tier only)
An ester linkage is the functional group formed when a carboxylic acid and an alcohol react, with the elimination of water.
What is labelled X? (Higher tier only)
X is an ester linkage.
Which two functional groups are found in amino acids? (Higher tier only)
Amino acids contain the amine -NH2 and carboxylic acid -COOH functional groups.
Name the polymer formed from amino acid monomers. (Higher tier only)
Polypeptides / proteins are formed from amino acid monomers.
True or False?
Polypeptides are examples of condensation polymers. (Higher tier only)
True.
Polypeptides are examples of condensation polymers.
True or False?
There are approximately 30 amino acids. (Higher tier only)
False.
There are approximately 20 amino acids.
Name the link formed between amino acid monomers. (Higher tier only)
The link formed between amino acids monomers is a peptide link.
True or False?
Amino acids have three different functional groups in a molecule. (Higher tier only)
False.
Amino acids have two different functional groups in a molecule
Describe how polypeptides are formed. (Higher tier only)
Polypeptides are formed when amino acids with two different functional groups react by condensation polymerisation.
What is the shape of DNA called?
The shape of DNA is called a double helix.
What type of monomer makes up starch?
Sugars are the type of monomer that make up starch.
What are the monomers called that make up DNA?
The monomers that make up DNA are called nucleotides.
True or False?
DNA encodes for genetic information for the development of living organisms.
True.
DNA encodes for genetic information for the development of living organisms.
Describe the structure of DNA.
DNA has a double helix structure consisting of two polymer chains made up of nucleotides.
Give two examples of natural polymers.
Natural polymers include:
Proteins
DNA
Starch
Cellulose
True or False?
Cellulose is made from amino acid monomers.
False.
Cellulose is made from sugar monomers.
What type of polymer are starch and cellulose?
Starch and cellulose are both condensation polymers.
What type of monomer make up proteins?
Amino acid monomers make up proteins.
