Worksheet to Accompany

An Introduction to Polymerization

NAME _____________________________

Part 1: Look at Polymers

1. The term polymer means __________________________.
2. What is a monomer? ________________________________________
3. Define polymerization. __________________________________________________
4. Name the two basic types of polymerization. _______________________________________

Part 2: Look at Monomers

1. Draw the structures of the first four monomers.







2. What is the common feature found in these monomers? _______________________________
3. Name another distinctive feature of these monomers. _________________________________
4. Name and draw the structures of the three functional groups present in the second four monomers.





5. What does difunctional mean? ____________________________________________

Part 3: Monomers: The Double Bond

1. A double bond is vulnerable to attack from a ________________ such as ________________.
2. How is a free radical formed? ____________________________________________________
3. Free radicals can break a _______________ bond and form a ________________ bond.
4. Why is the double bond a great place for a reaction to occur? ___________________________________________________________________
5. Why is this process called addition polymerization? ___________________________________________________________________

Part 4: The Mechanism of Addition Polymerization

1. What is the main characteristic of a chain reaction? ___________________________________________________________________
2. Name the three parts of addition polimarization and tell what is happening in each. ___________________________________________________________________
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3. How can chemists control the steps of polymerization? ___________________________________________________________________
4. What do the physical properties of a polymer depend on? ___________________________________________________________________

Part 5: A Simulation of Addition Polymerization

1. What parameter did you vary? ____________________________
2. How does this parameter affect the average chain length (or molecular mass) of the polymer? ________________________________________________________
3. What trend did you observe in the size vs. 1/(# of initiators) graph? _____________________________________________________________________

Part 6: Monomers: Functional Groups

1. When a carboxylic acid and an amine react, they form a ___________________ and an _________________.
2. Describe the ester linkage. ___________________________________________________________________
3. Why is this process called condensation polymerization? ___________________________________________________________________

Part 7: The Mechanism of Condensation Polymerization

1. Why can the monomers used in condensation polymerization form long-chain polymers? ______________________________________________________________________________
2. What polymer is formed when adipic acid reacts with 1,6-diaminohexane, and what kind of polymer is this? _________________________________________________
3. What polymer is formed when terephthalic acid reacts with ethylene glycol, and what kind of polymer is this? _________________________________________________

Part 8: A Simulation of Condensation Polymerization

1. Describe the distribution of polymers during the earlier and during the later stages of the polymerization process.
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