New
New
Year 11
AQA
Foundation

Polymer structures

I can describe the structure and properties of a polymer.

New
New
Year 11
AQA
Foundation

Polymer structures

I can describe the structure and properties of a polymer.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Polymers are very large covalent molecules (not giant structures)
  2. Polymers can be represented by showing repeated units
  3. Polymers consist of repeating and identical sections called monomers
  4. Polymers are solid at room temperature because the intermolecular forces between polymer molecules are relatively strong

Common misconception

Not including the bonds either side of the repeating unit.

The slide deck states the need for open bonds to show how repeating units are bonded to each other.

Keywords

  • Polymer - Polymers are long-chained molecules formed by joining together monomers.

  • Monomer - Monomers are small molecules that can join together to form a polymer.

  • Repeating unit - The section of a polymer that repeats is known as the repeating unit.

  • Intermolecular forces - Intermolecular forces are weak forces of attraction between molecules, and molecular substances.

Molymods are useful for showing how the C=C bond in monomers opens up allowing monomers to join together to form a polymer.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Molymods (optional).

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which type of bond is present in alkenes that is not present in alkanes?
single ionic
Correct answer: double covalent
triple covalent
Q2.
Which type of bond involves the sharing of electrons between atoms?
ionic
Correct answer: covalent
metallic
hydrogen
Q3.
Which of the following is a simple covalent molecule?
diamond
graphite
Correct answer: water
sodium chloride
Q4.
Which of the following properties do simple covalent molecules have in common?
Correct answer: low boiling point
high melting point
good electrical conductor
solid at room temperature
Q5.
Why do simple covalent molecules generally have low boiling points?
They have strong ionic bonds within the molecules.
Correct answer: They have weak intermolecular forces.
They have strong covalent bonds within the molecules.
They are made of large molecules.
Q6.
Match the following key terms to their definition.
Correct Answer:polymers,long–chained molecules formed by joining together small molecules

long–chained molecules formed by joining together small molecules

Correct Answer:monomers,small molecules that can join together to form long–chained molecules

small molecules that can join together to form long–chained molecules

Correct Answer:repeating unit,the section of a polymer that repeats

the section of a polymer that repeats

Correct Answer:polymerisation,the process of small molecules joining to form long–chained molecules

the process of small molecules joining to form long–chained molecules

6 Questions

Q1.
What is the key term used to describe the small molecules that can join together to form a polymer?
Correct Answer: monomers, monomer
Q2.
Which of the following is the term for the reaction that forms polymers from monomers?
hydrolysis
Correct answer: polymerisation
combustion
cracking
fractional distillation
Q3.
What are polymers?
small molecules with ionic bonds
Correct answer: large covalent molecules made of repeating units
metals with giant structures
simple molecules with low boiling points
Q4.
What is shown in the image?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: a monomer
a repeating unit
a polymer
polymerisation
Q5.
Which of the following types of bond is found within the repeating units of a polymer formed from alkenes?
metallic
ionic
Correct answer: covalent
hydrogen
Q6.
Why are polymers solid at room temperature?
They have strong ionic bonds between the molecules.
They have strong covalent bonds within the molecules.
Correct answer: The intermolecular forces between polymer molecules are relatively strong.
They have strong covalent bonds between the molecules.