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A (i) What is meant by the term addition polymerisation? (7) (ii) Name the Du Pont chemist pictured on the right who discovered poly(tetrafluoroethene), PTFE - Leaving Cert Chemistry - Question A - 2005
Question A
A (i) What is meant by the term addition polymerisation? (7) (ii) Name the Du Pont chemist pictured on the right who discovered poly(tetrafluoroethene), PTFE. (3) ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:A (i) What is meant by the term addition polymerisation? (7) (ii) Name the Du Pont chemist pictured on the right who discovered poly(tetrafluoroethene), PTFE - Leaving Cert Chemistry - Question A - 2005
Step 1
What is meant by the term addition polymerisation?
Answer
Addition polymerisation is a chemical reaction in which monomers, which are small molecules, combine to form a large molecule known as a polymer. In this process, the double bonds of the monomers are broken, allowing them to link together to form a long-chain polymer. This results in the formation of a macromolecule with repeating structural units derived from the initial monomers.
Step 2
Step 3
Describe using an equation how poly(tetrafluoroethene) is produced from its monomers.
Answer
The polymerisation of tetrafluoroethylene (CF₂=CF₂) can be represented by the following equation:
In this reaction, the double bond between the carbon atoms in the monomer (CF₂=CF₂) breaks, allowing the monomers to link together, forming the long-chain polymer poly(tetrafluoroethylene).
Step 4