--%>
Assignment Help - homework help

Explain the polymers and its types.

Polymers are the chief products of modern chemical industry which form the backbone of present society. Daily life without the discovery and varied applications of polymers would not have been easier and colourful. The materials made of polymers find multifarious uses and applications in all walks of our life. They have influenced our day to day life to such an extent that it is impossible to get through the day without using a material based on polymers. Common examples of these include plastic dishes, cups, non-stick. Pans, automobile tyres and seat covers, plastic bags, rain coats, plastic pipes and fitting radio, TV and computer cabinets; wide range of synthetic fibres for clothing, synthetic glues, flooring materials and materials for biomedical and surgical operations. 

Word polymer means "many parts" (Greek: poly means many and merors means parts). A polymer is a compound of high molecular mass created by the mixture of large number of small molecules. The small molecules which comprise the repeating units in a polymer are known as monomer units. The process by which the monomers are transformed into polymer is called polymerization. For example, polyethylene is a polymer which is obtained by the polymerization of ethylene. The ethylene molecules are referred to as monomer units.
1000_Polymers.png 
As polymers are single and giant molecules, i.e. big size molecules, they are also known as macromolecules.

Homopolymers and copolymers

Polymers are divided into two broad categories depending upon the nature of the repeating structural units. These are homopolymers and co-polymers.

The polymer formed from one kind of monomer is called homopolymers while polymer formed from more than one kind of monomer units is called copolymer or mixed polymer. For example, polyethylene is an example of homopolymers whereas Buna-S rubber which is formed from 1, 3-butadiene (CH2 = CH - CH = CH2) and styrene (C6H5CH = CH2) is an example of copolymer. 

 

 

 

   Related Questions in Chemistry

  • Q : Describe properties of carboxylic acids.

    1. Physical state: the first three aliphatic acids are colourless liquids with pungent smell. The next six are oily liquids with an odour of rancid butter while the higher members are colourless, odourless waxy solids. Benzoic acid is referred to

    		•
  • Q : Calculating value of molar solution

    Choose the right answer from following. An X molal solution of a compound in benzene has mole fraction of solute equal to 0.2. The value of X is: (a)14 (b) 3.2 (c) 4 (d) 2

    		•
  • Q : Calculate molarity of a solution

    Provide solution of this question. Molarity of a solution prepared by dissolving 75.5 g of pure KOH in 540 ml solution is: (a) 3.05 M (b) 1.35 M (c) 2.50 M (d) 4.50 M

    		•
  • Q : What are homogenous catalyst? Give few

    When a catalyst mixes homogeneously with the reactants and forms a single phase, the catalyst is said to be homogeneous and this type of catalysis is called homogeneous catalysis. Some more examples of homogeneous catalysis are:    SO2

    		•
  • Q : Molar mass of solute The boiling point

    The boiling point of benzene is 353.23 K. If 1.80 gm of a non-volatile solute was dissolved in 90 gm of benzene, the boiling point is increased to 354.11 K. Then the molar mass of the solute is: (a) 5.8g mol-1  (b)

    		•
  • Q : What are emulsions?Describe its

    Emulsions are colloidal solutions in which disperse phase as well as dispersion medium is both liquids. Emulsions can be broadly classified into two types: (i) Oil in water (O/W type) emulsions: in this type of emulsions, oil acts disperse phase and water acts

    		•
  • Q : How haloalkanes are prepared from

    This is the common method for preparing haloalkanes in laboratory. Alcohols can be converted to haloalkanes by substitution of - OH group with a halogen atom. Different reagents can be used to get haloa

    		•
  • Q : Einsteins mass energy relation In

    In Einstein’s mass energy relation e = mc2 for what is c employed or why is light needed for the reactions. As the reactions are with the help of neutrons?

    		•
  • Q : Problem on molecular weight of solid

    The vapor pressure of pure benzene at a certain temperature is 200 mm Hg. At the same temperature the vapor pressure of a solution containing 2g of non-volatile non-electrolyte solid in 78g of benzene is 195 mm Hg. What is the molecular weight of solid:

  • Q : What is heat capacity and how to

    The temperature reliance of internal energy and enthalpy depends on the heat capacities at constant volume and constant pressure. The internal energy and enthalpy of chemical systems and the energy changes that accompany chemical reactions depend on the

    		•