NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Chemistry Chapter 15 Polymers

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NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Chemistry Chapter 15 Polymers

Polymers are very large molecules having high molecular mass. These are also known as macromolecules. This chapter explains the mechanical properties and applications of polymers. The classification of polymers is also described in detail.

The chapter gives an overview of different polymerization reactions. The chapter explains that the polymers are the backbone of four major industries, plastic, elastomers, fibres and paints.

NCERT INTEXT QUESTIONS

Question 1.
What are polymers?
Answer:
The word polymer has a Greek origm where poly means many and mers or meros stands for unit or part. Thus, polymer may be defmed as a substance of a high molecular mass (10³ – 10⁷ u) formed by the combination of a large number of simple
molecules called monomers by chemical bonds. The process by which monomers are converted into polymers, is called polynierisation.

Question 2.
How are polymers classified on the basis of structure?
Answer:
On the basis of structure, polymers are classified as :
(i)Linear polymers in which the monomers are joined together to form long straight chains of polymer molecules. Forex: HDPE, PVC, nylons, etc.
(ii)Branched chain polymers in which the monomers not only join in linear fashion but also form branches of different lenghts along the main chain. For ex : LDPE, glycogen, etc.
(iii)Cross-linked polymers in which the intially formed linear polymer chains join together to form 3D network structure. For ex : bakelite, Urea-formaldehyde resin, etc.

Question 3.
Write the names of the monomers of the following polymers:

Answer:
(i) The polymer is Nylon 66. Its monomer units are hexamethylenediamine and adipic acid.
(ii) The polymer is Nylon 6. Its monomer units are of caproilactum.
(iii) The polymer is Teflon. Its monomer units are of tetrafluoroethylene.

Question 4.
Classify the following as addition and condensation polymers:
(i) Terylene
(ii) Bakelite
(iii) Polyvinyl chloride
(iv) Polythene
Answer:
(i) Condensation polymer
(ii) Condensation polymer
(iii) Addition polymer
(iv) Addition polymer

Question 5.
Explain the difference between Buna-N and Buna-S.
Answer:
Both Buna-N and Buna-S are synthetic rubber and are co-polymers in nature. They differ in their constituents.
Buna-N: Constituents are : buta-1, 3-diene and acrylonitrile.
Buna-S: Constituents are : buta-1, 3-diene, and styrene. They condense in the presence of Na.

Buna – S: It is a co—polymer of 1. 3 – butadiene and styrene and is prepared by the polymerisation of these components in the
ratio of 3 : 1 in the presence of sodium.

Buna-N (Nitrile rubber):  h is a co-polymer of buta-1. 3-diene and acrylonitrile. It is formed as follows:

Question 6.
Arrange the following polymers in increasing order of their intermolecular forces :
(i) Nylon-66, Buna-S, Polythene
(ii) Nylon-6, Neoprene, Polyvinyl chloride
Answer:
We have studied the classification of polymers based upon intermolecular forces. These follow the order :
Elastomers < Plastics < Fibres.

The polymers listed may be arranged in increasing order of intermolecular forces as follows :
(i) Buna-S (Elastomer) < Polythene (Plastic) < Nylon-66 (Fibre)
(ii) Neoprene (Elastomer) < Polyvinyl chloride (Plastic) < Nylon-6 (Fibre).

NCERT Exercise

Question 1.
Explain the terms polymers and monomers.
Answer:
A substance of a high molecular mass (10³ – 10⁷ u) formed by the combination of a large number of simple molecules called monomers by chemical bonds. The process by which monomers are converted into polymers, is called polymerisation.
Monomer is a simple molecule capable of undergoing polymerisation and leading to the formation of the corresponding polymer e.g., Ethene, Vinyl chloride, etc.

Question 2.
What are natural and synthetic polymers ? Give two examples of each.
Answer:
1. Natural polymers: The polymers which occur in nature mostly in plants and animals are called natural polymers. A few common examples are starch, cellulose, proteins, rubber nucleic acids, etc. Among them, starch and cellulose are the polymers of glucose molecules. Proteins are formed from amino acids which may be linked in different ways. These have been discussed in detail in unit 15 on biomolecules. Natural rubber is yet another useful polymer which is obtained from the latex of the rubber tree. The monomer units are of the unsaturated hydrocarbon 2-methyl-i, 3-butadiene, also called isoprene.
Example of natural polymers: Natural rubber, cellulose, nucleic acids, proteins etc.

2. Synthetic polymers: The polymers which are prepared in the laboraroiy are called synthetic polymers. These are also called man made polymers and have been developed in the present century to meet the ever increasing demand of the modem civilisation.
Example of synthetic polymers: Dacron (or terylene), Bakelite, PVC, Nylon-66, Nylon-6 etc.

Question 3.
Distinguish between the terms homopolymer and copolymer and give one example of each. (C.B.S.E. Outside Delhi 2008, Pb. Board 2008)
Answer:
A polymer in which the monomers are the same is called homopolymer. For example, polystyrene is made from styrene only.
A polymer in which the monomers are different is known as copolymer. For example, in Nylon-66 the monomers are adipic acid and hexamethylenediamine.

Question 4.
How do you explain the functionality of a monomer?
Answer:
Functionality means the number of binding sites in a molecule. For example, the functionality of ethene, propene, styrene, acrylonitrile is one while that of 1,3-butadiene, adipic acid, terephthalic’ acid, hexa methylenediamine is two.

Question 5.
Define the term polymerisation. (C.B.S.E. Delhi 2008)
Answer:
A very widely used polymer is polyethylene which is formed by the polymerisation of ethylene molecules (monomers) by heating under pressure in the presence of oxygen.

It may be noted that all the monomer units in a polymer may or may not be the same, In case, they are the same as in case of polyethylene, then the polymer is called homopolymer. On the other hand, if they happen to be different, then the polymer is known as copolymer or mixed polymer. For example, the monomer units in terylene are of ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid. Similarly, hexamethylene diamine and adipic acid are the monomer units of nylon-66. Both are co- polymers or mixed polymers. We shall discuss these at a later stage in the present unit.

Question 6.

Answer:
It is a homopolymer is nature. It has only one type of monomer units i.e., NH₂ – CHR – COOH. These area-amino acids.

Question 7:
In which classes, are the polymers classified on the basis of molecular forces ?
Answer:
Polymers are classified into four classes on the basis of molecular forces. These are:
elastomers, fibres, thermoplastic polymers and thermosetting polymers.

1. Elastomers: In these polymers, the intermolecular forces are the weakest. As a result, they can be readily stretched by applying small stress and regain their original shape when the stress is removed. The elasticity can be further increased by introducing some cross – links in the polymer chains. Natural rubber is the most popular example of elastomers. A few more examples are of: buna-S, buna-N and neoprene.

2. Fibres: Fibres represent a class of polymers which are thread-like and can be woven into fabrics in a number of ways. These are widely used for making clothes, nets, ropes, gauzes etc. Fibres possess high tensile strength because the chains possess strong intermolecular forces such as hydrogen bonding. These forces are also responsible for close packing of the chains. As a result, the fibres are crystalline in nature and have aJso sharp melting points. A few common polymers belonging to this class are nylon – 66, terylene and polyacrylonitrile etc.

3. Thermoplastics: These are linear polymers and have weak van der Waals forces acting in the various chains and are intermediate of the forces present in the elastomers and in the fibres. When heated, they melt and form a fluid which sets into a hard mass on cooling, Thus, they can be cast into different shapes by using suitable moulds. A few common examples are polyethene and polystyrene polyvinyls etc. These can be used for making toys, buckets, telephone apparatus, television cabinets etc.

4. Thermosetting plastics: These are normally semifluid substances with low molecular masses. When heated, they become hard and infusible due to the cross-linking between the polymer chains. As a result, they also become three dimensional in nature. They do not melt when heated. A few common thermosetting polymers are bakelite, melamine-formaldehyde, urea-formaldehyde and polyurethane etc.

Question 8:
How can you distinguish between addition and condensation polymerisation ?
Answer:
In the addition polymerisation: The monomers are unsaturated in nature i.e., they have atleast one double or triple bond in their molecules. They represent the functionality of the monomers which combine with each other at these sites. The addition polymerisation is generally chain growth polymerisation in nature. For example, polythene, polystyrene, PVC, Teflon etc. are all formed as a result of addition polymerisation.

In the condensation polymerisation: The monomer units have specific functional groups present which represent their functionality. The monomers combine through these functional groups and the polymerisation is step growth polymerisation in nature. For example, terylene, nylon-6, nylon-66, bakelite etc. are all formed as a result of condensation polymerisation.

Question 9:
Explain the term co-polymerisation and give two examples.
Answer:
Co-polymerisation is a process in which a mixture of more than one different monomeric units are allowed to polymerise. The co-polymer thus formed contains multiple units of each monomer in the chain. The formation of buna-S copolymer in which the monomers are : buta-1, 3-diene, styrene and sodium is an example of co­polymerisation.
Another Example of co – polymer: Buna-S is a co-polymer of 1 : 3 – butadiene and styrene in the presence of sodium metal.

Thus, as a result of addition polymerisation, the double bonds change to single bonds. A large number of monomer units can be linked in this way.
The addition polymerisation is normally a chain reaction in which the chain is built up by the successive addition of the monomer units. It involves a number of intermediates such as free radicals, carbocations or carbanions. Let us illustrate the chain growth polymerisation based upon different mechanisms.

Question 10:
Write the free radical mechanism for the polymerisation of ethene.
Answer:
The polymerisation of ethene to polythene consists of heating or exposing to light a mixture of ethene with a small amount of benzoyl peroxide initiator The process starts with the addition of phenyl free radical formed by the peroxide to the ethene double bond thus regenerating a new and larger free radical. This step is called chain initiating step. As this radical reacts with another molecule of ethene, another bigger sized radical is formed. The repetition of this sequence with new and bigger radicals carries the reaction forward and the step is termed as chain propagating step. Ultimately; at some stage the product radical thus formed reacts with another radical to form the polymerised product. This step is called the chain terminating step. The sequence of steps may be depicted as follows :
Chain initiating steps:

Chain terminating step :
For termination of the long chain, these radicals can combine in different ways to form polythene. One
mode of termination of chain is shown as under:

Question 11:
Define thermosetting and thermoplastic polymers with two examples of each.
Answer:
Thermosetting plastics: These are normally semifluid substances with low molecular masses. When heated, they become
hard and infusible due to the cross – linking between the polymer chains. As a result, they also become three dimensional in nature, They do not melt when heated. A few common thermosetting polymers are bakelite, inelamine-formaldehyde, urea-formaldehyde and polyurethane etc.
Examples of thermosetting polymers: polythene, polystyrene.

Thermoplastics: These are linear polymers and have weak van der Waals forces acting in the various chains and are
intermediate of the forces present in the elastomers and in the fibres. When heated, they melt and form a fluid which sets into
a hard mass on cooling, Thus, they can be cast into different shapes by using suitable moulds. A few common examples are
polyethene and polystyrene polyvinyls etc. These can be used for making toys, buckets, telephone apparatus, television cabinets etc.
Examples of thermoplastic polymers: Bakelite, melamine-formaldehyde polymer.

Question 12:
Write the monomers used for getting the following polymers :
(i) Polyvinyl chloride
(ii) Teflon
(iii) Bakelite
Answer:
(i) vinyl chloride
(ii) tetrafluoroethylene
(iii) phenol and formaldehyde.

Question 13:
Write the name and structure of one of the common initiators used in free radical addition polymerisation.
Answer:

Question 14:
How does the presence of double bonds in rubber molecules influence their structure and reactivity ?
Answer:
Chemically natural rubber is polyisoprene in which monomer units are of isoprene i.e., 2-methyl-i, 3-butadiene. It is in fact, 1, 4 polymer in which monomers are linked through CH₂ groups located at 1. 4 positions. The residual double bonds are located at C₂ and C₃ positions in the isoprene units. All the double bonds have cis configurations. Thus, natural rubber is cispolyisoprene.

The high elasticity of natural rubber is due to the absence of polar groups and the cis-configurations about double bonds do I not allow the polymer chains to come closer. Therefore, only weak van der Waals’ forces are present. Since (he chains are not linear, they can be stretched just like springs and exhibit elastic properties.

Question 15:
Discuss the main purpose of vulcanisation of rubber.
Answer:
Vulcanisation of Rubber: Rubber as such is used in temperature range of 283 to 335 K. At higher temperature, it becomes very soft and below this temperature, it tends to become brittle. To make it more useful, natural rubber is subjected to vulcanisation.

Vulcanised rubber has the following advantages over natural rubber :

• It makes rubber quite resistant to the action of organic acids.
• It makes rubber resistant to wear and tear.
• The elasticity of rubber increases and it remains so over a wide temperature range.
• It makes rubber resistant to the attack by air and oxygen.

Question 16:
What are the monomer repeating units of Nylon 6 and Nylon 66 ?
Answer:
Nylon 6: e-amino caporic acid or 6-aminohexanoic acid.
Nylon 66: Adipic acid and hexamethylenediamine.

Question 17:
Write the names and structures of the monomers of the following polymers:
(i) Buna-S
(ii) Buna-N
(iii) Dacron
(iv) Neoprene (C.B.S.E. Delhi 2008)
Answer:

Question 18:
Identify the monomers in the following polymeric structures:

Answer:
(i) Decanedioic acid: HOOC(CH₂)₈COOH
Octamethylenediamine: H₂N(CH₂)₈NH₂

(ii)

Question 19:
How is dacron obtained from ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid ?
Answer:

Question 20:
What is biodegradable polymer ? Give an example of an aliphatic biodegradable polyester.
Answer:
Nature has provided us a variety of polymers which can be produced by the biological systems in plants and animals. These are called biopolymers. Polysaccharides, proteins and nucleic acids are the common examples of biopolymers. In the biological system, these polymers decompose or hydrolyse in the presence different enzymes. This means that they are biodegradable.
The example of aliphatic biodegradable polyester is of PHBV i. e., Polyhydroxybutyrate-Co-p-hydroxyvalerate.

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