Poly(lauryl methacrylate) is used as an additive in motor oils to counter the loss of viscosity at high temperature. The structure is The long hydrocarbon chain of poly(lauryl methacrylate) makes the polymer soluble in oil (a mixture of hydrocarbons with mostly 12 or more carbon atoms). At low temperatures the polymer is coiled into balls. At higher temperatures the balls uncoil and the polymer exists as long chains. Explain how this helps control the viscosity of oil.

Short Answer

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Poly(lauryl methacrylate) helps control the viscosity of oil by changing its structure with temperature. At low temperatures, the polymer is coiled into balls with minimal interaction with oil molecules. At high temperatures, it uncoils into long chains that interact more with oil molecules, increasing viscosity and countering the natural loss of viscosity at high temperatures.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the properties of poly(lauryl methacrylate)

Poly(lauryl methacrylate) is a polymer with long hydrocarbon chains, making it soluble in oil, which consists mostly of hydrocarbons with 12 or more carbon atoms.
02

Observe the behavior at low temperatures

At low temperatures, the long chains of the polymer are coiled into balls, which have relatively less interaction with the surrounding oil molecules.
03

Observe the behavior at high temperatures

At high temperatures, the balls of the polymer uncoil, and the polymer exists as long chains. The long chains have greater interaction with the surrounding oil molecules, creating a more viscous environment.
04

Understand the effect on viscosity

When the temperature increases, the long chains of poly(lauryl methacrylate) uncoil and interact more with the surrounding oil molecules, which results in an increase in the overall viscosity. This increase in viscosity helps counter the natural loss of viscosity that occurs in motor oil at high temperatures.
05

Conclusion

Poly(lauryl methacrylate) helps control the viscosity of oil by changing its structure with temperature. At low temperatures, the polymer is coiled into balls and has minimal interaction with the oil molecules. However, at higher temperatures, the polymer uncoils into long chains, which interact more with the surrounding oil molecules, thereby increasing the overall viscosity and countering the natural loss of viscosity in motor oil at high temperatures.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Give two examples of saturated hydrocarbons. How many other atoms are bonded to each carbon in a saturated hydrocarbon?

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