1. What does ‘poly’ mean? What does ‘mono’ mean? Monorail Monobrow
Mono – one
Poly - many

2. Objectives Define the terms ‘monomer’ and ‘polymer’
Describe how alkenes are used to make polymers
Draw the repeat unit of addition polymers, including poly(ethene) and poly(propene)
Deduce the structure of a monomer from the repeat unit of an addition polymer

3. Molymod kits
Using the molymod kits make an ethene molecule (C2H4) in pairs
Once you have made one, join up with another group and join your two ethene molecules together
What had to happen for them to join?
Get them to think about what they have to do to the double bond in order to join the molecules up

4. Monomers and polymers
Ethene is a monomer (a small reactive molecule subunit used to create large molecules known as polymers)
Ethene monomers join together to create poly(ethene) in a process known as polymerisation.
To allow the monomers to join, the carbon double bonds are ‘opened up’ and replaced by single bonds.
Poly(ethene) used to make plastic bags, bin bags, drinks bottles, cling film, etc

5. POLYMERISATION So what is a POLYMER?
Polymers are two or more …………………. bonded together!
Monomers

6. To help you remember: POLYMERS
What do you call hundreds and thousands of Olly Murs forming a very long chain?
Found this from another ppt. on TES, but it worked really well with my class so slotted it into mine!
POLYMERS

7. Polymerisation
Ethene monomers
Poly(ethene)
Repeating unit of poly(ethene)
Copy the diagram and describe what happens in this reaction using the words in the box below
n is the number of monomers joined together
monomer polymer polymerisation
ethene poly(ethene) carbon double bond

8. Draw the polymer that was produced from this alkene.1
Draw the polymer that was produced from this alkene.

9. Did you get it?

10. Same elements in same places No double bond
Lines outside of the brackets
n on right hand side

11. Draw the polymer that was produced from this alkene2
Draw the polymer that was produced from this alkene

12. Did you get it?

13. What is the monomer used to make the polymer called3
What is the monomer used to make the polymer called
poly(but-1-ene)

14. Poly(butene)
Poly means polymer
The word in the bracket is the SAME as the monomer from which is was made

15. 4
Draw the monomer used to make the polymer called poly(2-methylprop-1-ene)

16. Uses of polymers Many polymers are plastics.
Poly(ethene) is very useful as it is easy to shape, strong and transparent (unless we add colouring to it). ‘Plastic’ bags, plastic drinks bottles, dustbins and clingfilm are all examples of poly(ethene) aka polythene.
Poly(propene) forms a strong, tough plastic which is used to make many things including carpets, milk crates and ropes.

17. Polymers form different structures:
Separate polymer chains with no bonds/ weak intermolecular forces between them results in a flexible plastic so the plastic can be melted and reformed
Separate polymer chains with bonds between them means the chains can’t separate or slide past each other which is more rigid

18. Task
GROUP A’S – focus on new and useful polymers Your job is to create a summary poster/mind map detailing uses of newly developed polymers. GROUP B’S – focus on plastic waste detailing the problems associated with disposing of plastics and how these problems can be solved.
You will be explaining to other groups what you have found out!

19. Objectives Define the terms ‘monomer’ and ‘polymer’
Describe how alkenes are used to make polymers
Draw the repeat unit of addition polymers, including poly(ethene) and poly(propene)
Deduce the structure of a monomer from the repeat unit of an addition polymer