Introduction to Polymers Quiz

A type of polymerization where monomers with double or triple bonds join together to form a long chain, without the formation of any byproducts.

A type of polymerization where monomers with functional groups react to form a polymer chain, releasing small molecules like water as byproducts.

Polymers that can be repeatedly melted and reshaped without undergoing chemical changes.

Polymers that cannot be remelted or reshaped once formed because they undergo irreversible chemical changes during the initial heating process.

The process of heating natural rubber with sulfur to improve its strength, elasticity, and durability.

In vulcanization, cross-links are formed between long rubber polymer chains, making the material more elastic and durable.

The ability of a material to return to its original shape after being deformed.

The ability of a material to resist deformation or fracture under stress.

The tendency of a substance to dissolve in another substance, often a liquid. It is influenced by the intermolecular forces between the solute and solvent molecules.

The ability of a material to deform under stress and return to its original shape after the stress is removed. Higher elasticity is a key feature of polymers, allowing them to stretch and bounce back.

The ability of a material to allow liquids or gases to pass through it. This property is influenced by the size and arrangement of the polymer chains and the presence of voids or pores.

Stronger intermolecular forces between polymer chains lead to higher tensile strength, meaning the material can withstand greater stress without breaking.

The ability of a polymer to withstand degradation or wear and tear over time, often due to factors like chemicals, heat, or UV radiation. It's a measure of how long a polymer can last under various conditions.

A measure of how much a polymer is made up of crystalline, ordered regions. High crystallinity means the polymer has more tightly packed chains, giving it distinct properties.

Linear polymers have a straight chain structure, allowing them to pack closely together, leading to higher crystallinity.

Branched polymers have side chains branching off the main chain, disrupting their orderly packing and resulting in lower crystallinity.

Cross-linked polymers have a network structure where chains are connected by strong bonds, preventing them from crystallizing.

Isotactic polymers have all side groups on the same side of the chain, allowing for efficient packing and crystallization.

Syndiotactic polymers have alternating side groups that also enable regular packing and crystallization.

Atactic polymers have randomly arranged side groups, preventing regular chain packing and leading to an amorphous (non-crystalline) structure.

Crystalline polymers have a higher melting point than amorphous polymers because the ordered structure of the crystalline regions requires more energy to break.

A type of bonding where electrons are shared equally between two atoms.

A type of bonding where electrons are transferred from one atom to another, creating ions with opposite charges.

A type of bonding where electrons are shared among all the atoms in a metal, forming a "sea of electrons".

A type of bonding involving a special interaction between a hydrogen atom covalently bonded to a highly electronegative atom (like oxygen or nitrogen), and a lone pair of electrons on another electronegative atom.

The process of heating rubber with sulfur to increase its strength, elasticity, and durability.

A type of polymer that is formed from a single repeating unit.

Copolymers are formed when two or more different types of monomers are joined together during polymerization.

Polyethylene is produced by joining together monomers of ethylene through a process called addition polymerization.

Crystalline polymers have a highly ordered, repeating arrangement of monomer units, resulting in a more rigid structure.

Thermoplastics are polymers that can be repeatedly melted and reshaped by heating without undergoing chemical changes.

Thermosetting polymers form permanent bonds upon initial heating, making them unable to be melted and reshaped.

Thermosetting polymers have higher thermal stability than thermoplastics because of their strong, permanent bonds.

Thermoplastics can be recycled because their bonds can be broken and reformed upon heating.

Crystallinity in polymers describes the degree of order or arrangement of the polymer chains. A higher degree of crystallinity means the polymer chains are more organized and packed together.

The chemical structure of a polymer determines how its chains can pack together. Regular and symmetrical structures allow for greater crystallinity, while complex and irregular structures lead to lower crystallinity.

The degree of crystallinity significantly impacts a polymer's transparency. Highly crystalline polymers scatter light more, resulting in reduced transparency. Amorphous polymers, with their irregular chain arrangement, allow light to pass through more easily.

Tacticity describes the arrangement of side groups or pendant groups along the polymer chain. Different tacticity patterns influence chain packing and crystallinity.

Amorphous polymers lack a structured arrangement of chains, resulting in lower density compared to crystalline polymers. They also have lower melting points and tend to be more flexible.