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Chapter 25: Problem 1

Define the following terms: monomer, polymer, homopolymer, and copolymer.

Short Answer

Expert verified
A monomer is a basic unit that combines together to form polymers. Polymers are large molecules composed of repeating structural units. A homopolymer is a type of polymer that consists of only one type of monomer. A copolymer is a polymer formed when two different types of monomers bind together.

Step by step solution

01

Defining Monomer

A monomer can be defined as the basic unit that combines together to form polymers. Monomers are small, single molecules such as ethylene (C2H4) and propylene (C3H6). They may be simple or complex structures and are often used as the building blocks for larger molecules.
02

Defining Polymer

Polymers are large molecules that are made up of repeating structural units. These units, known as monomers, are connected by covalent bonds. Polymers can have characteristics unlike the monomers that make them up. For example, polyethylene is a tough, durable solid, while ethylene is a gas.
03

Defining Homopolymer

A homopolymer is a type of polymer that consists of only one type of monomer. In a homopolymer, the same monomer unit is repeated over and over again. For instance, PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is a homopolymer that comes from the polymerization of vinyl chloride monomers.
04

Defining Copolymer

A copolymer, on the other hand, is a polymer that is formed when two different types of monomers bind together. These different monomers are arranged in some statistically random or regularly alternating fashion. An example of a copolymer is nylon.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

The following are data obtained on the rate of product formation of an enzyme- catalyzed reaction: $$ \begin{array}{cc} \hline \text { Temperature }\left({ }^{\circ} \mathbf{C}\right) & \begin{array}{c} \text { Rate of Product } \\ \text { Formation }(M / s) \end{array} \\ \hline 10 & 0.0025 \\ 20 & 0.0048 \\ 30 & 0.0090 \\ 35 & 0.0086 \\ 45 & 0.0012 \\ \hline \end{array} $$ Comment on the dependence of rate on temperature. (No calculations are required.)

Nylon can be destroyed easily by strong acids. Explain the chemical basis for the destruction.

When a nonapeptide (containing nine amino acid residues) isolated from rat brains was hydrolyzed, it gave the following smaller peptides as identifiable products: Gly-Ala-Phe, Ala-Leu-Val, Gly-Ala-Leu, Phe-Glu-His, and His-Gly-Ala. Reconstruct the amino acid sequence in the nonapeptide, giving your reasons. (Remember the convention for writing peptides.)

Draw the structures of the dipeptides that can be formed from the reaction between the amino acids glycine and lysine.

Calculate the molar mass of a particular polyethylene sample, \(-\left(\mathrm{CH}_{2}-\mathrm{CH}_{2}\right)-{ }_{n},\) where \(n=4600\).
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