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The following structure represents the repeating unit of a polymer used in the manufacture of contact lenses - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 20 - 2007 - Paper 1
Question 20
The following structure represents the repeating unit of a polymer used in the manufacture of contact lenses. Which one of the following is a correct statement abou... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:The following structure represents the repeating unit of a polymer used in the manufacture of contact lenses - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 20 - 2007 - Paper 1
Step 1
Step 2
B. Two different monomers react to form the polymer, one with carboxyl groups and the other with hydroxyl groups.
Answer
This statement is correct. The structure suggests that one monomer contains carboxyl groups (–COOH) while the other contains hydroxyl groups (–OH), facilitating the formation of the polymer through condensation reactions.
Step 3
C. The total mass of the monomers is greater than the mass of the polymer formed because water is eliminated in the polymerisation reaction.
Answer
This statement is false. In condensation polymerisation, a molecule of water is released, resulting in a decrease in the total mass of the system as monomers combine to form a polymer.
Step 4
D. Each monomer contains both a carboxyl and a hydroxyl group which allows condensation polymerisation to take place, forming a polyester.
Answer
This statement is only partially correct. While the presence of both carboxyl and hydroxyl groups typically enables condensation reactions leading to polyester formation, the structure indicates that the polymer is formed from monomers with separate functional groups rather than the same one.