Polymers

Learning objectives

Define polymers as large molecules built up from many small repeating units called monomers, and state that plastics are made from polymers

Describe the formation of poly(ethene) as an example of addition polymerisation using ethene monomers and, at Extended, identify the repeat unit of a polymer

Deduce the structure or repeat unit of an addition polymer from a given alkene monomer, and deduce the monomer from a given section of polymer (Extended)

Describe the differences between addition and condensation polymerisation, and describe and draw the block structures of nylon, a polyamide made from a dicarboxylic acid and a diamine, and PET, a polyester made from a dicarboxylic acid and a diol (Extended)

Describe proteins as natural polyamides formed from amino acid monomers joined by the same amide linkage as nylon, draw their block structure, and state that PET can be converted back into its monomers and re-polymerised (Extended)

Describe the environmental challenges caused by plastics: disposal in landfill sites, accumulation in the oceans and the formation of toxic gases when they are burned