Chemistry:Polymers

Chemistry:Polymers

1. Alkenes can be used to make polymers. Polymers are very large molecules made when many smaller molecules join together, end-to-end. The smaller molecules are called monomers.

2. lots of monomer molecules → a polymer molecule

3. Alkenes can act as monomers because they have a double bond

4. Ethene can polymerise to form poly(ethene), which is also called polythene. Propene can polymerise to form poly(propene), which is also called polypropylene.

5. Polymers have many different uses

6. One of the useful properties of polymers is that they are unreactive, so they are suitable for storing food and chemicals safely.

7. Polymers can be burnt or incinerated. They release a lot of heat energy when they burn and this can be used to heat homes or to generate electricity.

8. There are problems with incineration. Carbon dioxide is produced, which adds to global warming. Toxic gases are produced unless the polymers are incinerated at high temperatures.

9. Many polymers can be recycled. This reduces the disposal problems and the amount of crude oil used. But the different polymers must be separated from each other first, and this can be difficult and expensive to do.