Think, pair, share… Polymers

FACT: As confusing as some of the chemical names are,

DO THIS NOW… they are there to help us identify what they are made of,
so it’s useful to learn the names of different chemicals.

There are 4 substances below. Can you guess what chemicals were used to
make them? Use the chemical shelf to help…
Calcium Zinc Sulfuric Magnesium Oxygen Hydrochloric Sodium
Acid Acid

Zinc Sulfate Sodium Chloride Magnesium Oxide Calcium Sulfate

Bonus Question: Why are we unlikely to keep oxygen in a glass bottle?

 Polymers
Learning Objectives
Understand what polymers are explain some of their properties
Success Criteria –
K- state what a polymer is. state some uses of polymers. describe the structure of a
polymer.
A- represent elements, mixtures, and compounds using particle diagrams and physical
models. explain how polymer properties make them suitable for their uses. explain
how polymer properties depend on their molecules.
E- use particle diagrams to predict physical properties of compounds. compare
properties of different polymers.

Key Words- natural, polymer, synthetic

Think, pair, share…
What do these objects have in common?
 What do these objects have in common?

What do these objects have in common?

They are all made from polymers

 New information- Polymers
Polymers are long chains of molecules. A polymer molecule
has identical groups of atoms, repeated many times.
They are made from smaller molecules called monomers (mono = one)
Jelly, rubber bands, plastic bags and chewing gum are examples of polymers

Polymer means: “many parts”

New information- Polymers

Polymers can be found in nature, for

example starch (glucose is its
monomer), DNA, proteins, and cellulose

Synthetic (man-made) polymers were

only first developed in the 1900s for
example polythene (ethene is its
monomer), PVA, and poly(tertrafluoro-
ethene) aka Teflon®
Task: State what a polymer is.

A substance with very long molecules that is made

from thousands of smaller molecules that are joined
together in a repeating pattern.
 Extension- Polymerisation
Man-made (synthetic polymers) are made by joining lots of monomers together
to make very long molecules (polymer). This process is known
as polymerisation. Many polymers are made from chemicals that are obtained
from crude oil.

Monomer

Polymer

Q1. What is the difference between a monomer and a polymer?

Q2. What would happen to the properties of a monomer as it became a polymer?
 New information- Natural polymers
Plants and animals make natural polymers, including
wool, cotton, DNA, and rubber.

Wool fibres trap This means that

air between them wool traps heat

Why is this a
useful property?
New information- Natural polymers
Rubber trees produce rubber. Rubber molecules are
long and bendy, so they can slide over each other.
It is soft and sticky when hot, but it is hard and
brittle when cold. We use this rubber for glues etc.

The properties of rubber can be changed by

vulcanisation. This means that rubber is harder,
flexible, it is also waterproof and durable. We
use this rubber for tyres.
 Task: Give and example of a natural
polymer, and one of its uses.

An example of a natural polymer is wool for

jumpers and socks/ cotton for summer clothing
like T-shirts/ rubber for tyres.
 New information- Synthetic polymers
Synthetic polymers don’t occur naturally. They are made in
chemical reactions. There are hundreds of synthetic polymers
including plastics such as poly(ethene) and PVC.

Scientists work hard to develop new polymers. Each polymer

has its own properties.
 Synthetic (Man-Made) polymers

Poly(vinyl acetate) or PVA is an unreactive, flexible polymer

used in sealants and glues. Its monomer is vinyl acetate.
Poly(propene) is an strong, flexible, waterproof and
hardwearing polymer used in textiles, ropes and car body
parts. Its monomer is propene.

Poly(tetrafluoro-ethene) or Teflon® is a har, heat-

resistance, low friction polymer used in non-stick surfaces
in pans and baking trays. Can you work out the name of its
monomer?
Task: Give and example of a synthetic
polymer, and one of its uses.

An example of a natural polymer is

polyethene for plastic bags/ PVC for
drainpipes
 Properties of polymers
The property of a polymer depends on its molecules.

For example, polymer molecules are relatively big and heavy. This means that
they melt at higher temperatures than substances with smaller molecules.

Substance No. of atoms in one molecule Melting temperature (oC)

methane, CH4 5 -182
poly(ethene) 1000s 105 to 180
 What material are these items made from?

They are all polythene or polyethene.

 New information- Poly(ethene)
Poly(ethene) is the scientific name for polythene. There are two types of
poly(ethene)-

Low Density PolyEthene High Density PolyEthene

Molecules in this type slide over each Strong and relatively flexible plastic material.
other this makes it more flexible. It is It is harder than LDPE. Its surfaces can be
light weight. LDPE is also strong. It is very smooth. Used for products that need
used for carrier bags. protection and need to last a long time
New information- Problems with poly(ethene)

Both types of poly(ethene) (as well as many other types of polymer) do

not wear away or break down (decay) naturally.

This property is important for artificial knee joints. But the same property
makes it hard to get rid of carrier bags.

What do you think the disadvantages of some polymers might be?

 Challenge activity- Which material?
Task: Think of some advantages or disadvantages of making the following
objects from plastic and other materials.
1.Wooden or plastic ruler

2.Wood and natural hair paintbrush & plastic brush.

3.Glass and plastic bottles