1.

To get the chain contour length, divide MW of the polymer by the MW of the
monomer unit and multiply by the length of the monomer unit.
Now,
End to end distance = (molecular weight * length of monomer)/ MW of monomer
Given, MW of polymer =100000, MW of monomer = 28,
length of monomer = 0.252 nm
End to end distance = 100000*0.252/28 nm
= 900 nm

2. The degree of polymerization, or DP, is the number of monomeric units in a

macromolecule or polymer or oligomer molecule.
Degree of polymerization = Mn/M0
Where, Mn is the number-average molecular weight and
M0 is the molecular weight of the monomer unit
Given, Mn = 150000 , M0= 28
Degree of polymerization = 150000/28
DP = 5357.1428

3. Elasticity is the property of a material to return to its original state after

straining. Steel has a higher elastic modulus (Young’s modulus) than rubber
meaning you can apply a greater force to stretch it before it is deformed
permanently. This is a measure of stiffness and rubber is a soft material.
Some properties are given as follow:
1. Hardness: steal are harder than rubber band
2. Melting point: steal have higher melting point.
3. Arrangement of molecules: in metal it is uniform but in rubber not.

a. Stress-strain curve of rubber band b. Stress strain curve of steel

4. Creep is the tendency of a solid material to move slowly or deform permanently
under the influence of persistent mechanical stresses.
Creep is more severe in materials that are subjected to heat for long
periods and generally increases as they near their melting point.
Creep deformation does not occur suddenly upon the application of stress.
Instead, strain accumulates as a result of long-term stress. Therefore,
creep is a "time-dependent" deformation. It works on the principle of
Hooke's law.
Hence we know that creep is directly proportional to melting point. And
we also know that melting point is directly proportional to the molecular
weight. So, we can say that creep is directly proportional to the molecular
weight. Increasing either the number-average molecular weight or the
weight-average molecular weight gives improved creep behaviour at all
stress levels

a) Applied stress and b) induced strain as functions of time over a short period
for a viscoelastic material.

5. Stress relaxation is the observed decrease in stress in response to strain

generated in the structure. Stress relaxation is a time-dependent decrease in stress
under a constant strain. This characteristic behaviour of the polymer is studied by
applying a fixed amount of deformation to a specimen and measuring the load
required to maintain it as a function of time. Stress relaxation is the time dependent
decrease of the stress in a metal under constant strain, such as in a beam with fixed
deflection.
Temperature was found not to affect the stress relaxation behaviour significantly.
Stress relaxation is dependent on deformation strain amplitude but independent of
prior deformation rate in absence of significant activation of the primary structure.

a) Applied strain and b) induced stress as functions of time for a

viscoelastic material.

6. Molecular weight can have a huge impact on a material’s final properties.

Understanding this materials characteristic can help you better position the proper
material for your application. In general, as molecular weight increase the strength,
toughness and chemical stress crack resistance increase. Lower molecular weight
molecules will typically flow easier.
1. A High molecular weight increases how far the material can stretch before
rupturing.
2. A High molecular weight increases the impact resistance of the material.
3. A High molecular weight increases the viscosity of the material – makes it harder
to process the material using conventional methods. The longer the chains, the
harder it is to get them to flow because they are more tangled.
These are the points which is alter by the presence of higher molecular
weight polymer. Low Molecular Weight polymers have lower properties due to lack
of chain entanglement and higher molecular mobility.
Shorter chains have more end groups which increase free volume and molecular
mobility which makes it easier for the polymer chains to respond to stresses.