Deck 10: Polymers

Question 1

Low-density polyethylene is composed of

A) primarily linear, unbranched chains of polyethylene in a close packing arrangement.
B) primarily highly branched, non-linear chains of polyethylene in a diffuse packing arrangement.
C) a mixture of polyethylene and polystyrene.
D) polyethylene with low density plasticizers added to increase density.

Answer 1

primarily highly branched, non-linear chains of polyethylene in a diffuse packing arrangement.

Question 2

The first synthetic polymer was produced in 1909 and is known as

A) polyethylene.
B) celluloid.
C) bakelite.
D) plexiglass.

Answer 2

bakelite.

Question 3

High-density polyethylene is composed of

A) primarily linear, unbranched chains of polyethylene in a close packing arrangement.
B) primarily highly branched, non-linear chains of polyethylene in a diffuse packing arrangement.
C) a mixture of polyethylene and polystyrene.
D) polyethylene with high density plasticizers added to increase density.

Answer 3

primarily linear, unbranched chains of polyethylene in a close packing arrangement.

Question 4

The first "practical" application of celluloid was

A) billiard balls.
B) movie film.
C) stiff collars.
D) airplane wings.

Question 5

Which of the following is the simplest synthetic polymer?

A) polymethane
B) polyethylene
C) polyvinyl chloride
D) polystyrene

Question 6

Monomers

A) are small building blocks of polymers.
B) are small polymers.
C) are ethylene.
D) cannot form polymers.

Question 7

Which of the following is a naturally occurring polymer?

A) celluloid
B) nylon
C) starch
D) None of the above is a naturally occurring polymer.

Question 8

Wool and silk are examples of which type of naturally occurring polymer?

A) cellulose
B) polyesters
C) nucleic acids
D) proteins

Question 9

The word polymer means

A) many parts.
B) many sides.
C) many rings.
D) many carbons.

Question 10

The first attempts to make synthetic polymers involved

A) combining monomers of ethylene to form polyethylene.
B) modifying a naturally occurring polymer to form celluloid.
C) compression molding.
D) the synthesis of polyamides.

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a naturally occurring polymer?

A) celluloid
B) cellulose
C) starch
D) wool

Question 12

Polyethylene terephthalate is used for

A) nonstick frying pans.
B) automobile frames.
C) drink.
D) stiff collars on men's shirts that are out of fashion.

Question 13

HDPE finds applications in

A) waxed paper.
B) threaded bottle caps.
C) baggies.
D) cans.

Question 14

Which of the following roots means "many"?

A) mer
B) mono
C) poly
D) tetra

Question 15

Natural polymers which carry the coded genetic information that makes each individual unique are

A) proteins.
B) carboxylic acids.
C) esters.
D) nucleic acids.

Question 16

Polyethylene is NOT

A) tough.
B) flexible.
C) a thermoplastic polymer.
D) a thermosetting polymer.

Question 17

Celluloid is a chemical modification of which natural product?

A) cellulose
B) cells
C) ivory
D) cellophane

Question 18

The word monomer means

A) one bond.
B) one unit.
C) many bonds.
D) many rings.

Question 19

One of the first applications of polyethylene was

A) billiard balls.
B) garbage bags.
C) electrical insulation.
D) parachutes.

Question 20

Which statement relating monomers and polymers is correct?

A) They have the same chemical and physical properties.
B) They have different chemical and physical properties.
C) The monomer is usually a solid, while the polymer is usually a liquid or gas.
D) They have the same chemical formula.

Question 21

Polystyrene is not used for

A) condiment bottles.
B) disposable coffee cups.
C) material for packing.
D) home insulation.

Question 22

Which of the following types of carbon consists of one-atom-thick planar sheets of carbons?

A) buckyballs
B) graphene
C) graphite
D) nanotubes

Question 23

Carbon can exist is several forms. Which of the following is a form of carbon and does not contain other atoms besides carbon?

A) fullerenes
B) celluloid
C) cellulose
D) starch

Question 24

One of the problems in the production of PVC is that

A) vinyl chloride is explosive.
B) vinyl chloride is carcinogenic.
C) vinyl chloride is toxic.
D) vinyl chloride is a solid at room temperature.

Question 25

The most widely used synthetic polymer is

A) polyethylene.
B) polyvinyl chloride.
C) polystyrene.
D) polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon).

Question 26

Which of the following is a copolymer?

A) celluloid
B) cellulose
C) linear low-density polyethylene
D) carbon nanotubes

Question 27

LDPE stands for

A) linearly dense polyethylene.
B) light diffuse polyethylene.
C) low-density polyethylene.
D) lightly doped polyethylene.

Question 28

The polymer segment ~CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂~ represents

A) polyethylene.
B) polypropylene.
C) polystyrene.
D) polyvinyl chloride.

Question 29

Which of the following statements about the difference between HDPE and LDPE is NOT correct?

A) HDPE has a higher density than LDPE does.
B) HDPE holds its shape better than LDPE does when they are put into boiling water.
C) HDPE is more flexible than LDPE is.
D) HDPE has fewer side chains branching off from the main chains than LDPE does.

Question 30

Another name for Teflon is

A) LDPE.
B) PVC.
C) PTFE.
D) HDPE.

Question 31

Polyvinyl chloride is used for drain pipes in plumbing applications. It has replaced traditional cast iron pipe for this purpose. The major advantage of PVC in replacing cast iron for this application (particularly if you are a plumber or homeowner) is that PVC

A) is of lighter weight.
B) is easier to handle and cut.
C) is more resistant to corrosion.
D) All of the above are advantages of PVC.

Question 32

The monomer of polypropylene is

A) CH₂
CH₂.
B) CH₂
CH-CH₃.
C) CH₃CH₃.
D) CH₃CH₂CH₃.

Question 33

LDPE finds applications as

A) plastic film.
B) threaded bottle caps.
C) drain pipes.
D) plastic television trays.

Question 34

Which of the following statements about ethylene and polyethylene is true?

A) The polymer has the same properties as the monomer.
B) The polymer has alternating double and single bonds between carbons, while the monomer has only single bonds between carbons.
C) The polymer has alternating double and single bonds between carbons, while the monomer has only double bonds between carbons.
D) The polymer has only single bonds between carbons, while the monomer has only double bonds between carbons.

Question 35

The development of which polymer enabled the British to have effective radar equipment and thus contributed to the British success in the Battle of Britain in World War II?

A) polystyrene
B) polyvinyl chloride
C) Teflon
D) polyethylene

Question 36

The monomer used to make Teflon is

A) H₂C CH₂.
B) Cl₂C CH₂.
C) H₂C CHCl.
D) F₂C CF₂.

Question 37

The monomer used to make PVC is

A) H₂C CH₂.
B) Cl₂C CH₂.
C) H₂C CHCl.
D) F₂C CF₂.

Question 38

Thermoplastic polymers may be

A) heated and reformed.
B) heated, but not reformed.
C) decomposed by heating.
D) changed in color by heating.

Question 39

HDPE stands for

A) high-density polyethylene.
B) hot-dipped polyethylene.
C) high-dose polyethylene.
D) highly-diffuse polyethylene.

Question 40

A copolymer is composed of

A) two or more different monomers.
B) different polymers linked end to end.
C) different polymers cross-linked.
D) none of the above

Question 41

Vulcanization of rubber was discovered by

A) Charles Goodrich.
B) Charles Goodyear.
C) Charles Firestone.
D) Charles Vulcan.

Question 42

The main use of elastomers is

A) automobile tires.
B) synthetic body parts.
C) waxed paper.
D) wigs.

Question 43

The monomer from which polyethylene is made has ________ attached to the C=C.

A) only H atoms
B) a Cl atom
C) a benzene ring
D) a methyl group

Question 44

This formula in which n can be a very large number represents which of the following polymers?

A) polyethylene
B) polyvinyl chloride
C) polypropylene
D) teflon

Question 45

This formula in which n can be a very large number represents which of the following polymers?

A) polyethylene
B) polyvinyl chloride
C) polypropylene
D) polystyrene

Question 46

Polyvinyl acetate is used for

A) carpet.
B) chewing gum resin.
C) yarns.
D) floor tile.

Question 47

What is Teflon used for?

A) food wrap
B) nonstick cookware
C) bullet-proof vests
D) garbage bags

Question 48

This formula in which n can be a very large number represents which of the following polymers?

A) polyethylene
B) polyvinyl chloride
C) polypropylene
D) teflon

Question 49

The pendant group in polypropylene is a(n)

A) benzene ring.
B) chlorine atom.
C) ethyl group.
D) methyl group.

Question 50

Natural rubber can be made from the monomer

A) propylene.
B) polybutylene.
C) polyvinyl acetate.
D) isoprene.

Question 51

Vulcanization makes rubber

A) hard.
B) sticky.
C) soft.
D) less elastic.

Question 52

Plexiglass is

A) polyvinyl chloride.
B) polymethyl methacrylate.
C) polytetrafluoroethylene.
D) polyvinyl acetate.

Question 53

How does the monomer of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) differ from the monomer of polyethylene (PE)?

A) The PVC monomer has a chlorine atom, but the PE monomer does not.
B) The PVC monomer has two chlorine atoms, but the PE monomer does not.
C) The PE monomer has one chlorine atom, and the PVC monomer has two chlorine atoms.
D) The PVC monomer has a triple bond, and the PE monomer has a double bond.

Question 54

Elastomers are synthetic polymers that mimic the properties of

A) vulcanized rubber.
B) polyethylene.
C) celluloid.
D) PVC.

Question 55

A polymer that conducts electricity is

A) polyacetylene.
B) polyethylene.
C) polyvinyl chloride.
D) polystyrene.

Question 56

Styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) is a

A) condensation polymer.
B) vulcanized rubber.
C) copolymer.
D) all of the above

Question 57

The pendant group in polystyrene is a(n)

A) benzene ring.
B) chlorine atom.
C) ethyl group.
D) methyl group.

Question 58

In the vulcanization of rubber, sulfur

A) is inserted into the carbon chain.
B) breaks long carbon chains into smaller chains.
C) forms links between polymer chains.
D) links all chains into one long chain.

Question 59

This formula in which n can be a very large number represents which of the following polymers?

A) polyethylene
B) polyvinyl chloride
C) polypropylene
D) Teflon

Question 60

This formula in which n can be a very large number represents which of the following polymers?

A) polyethylene
B) polyvinyl chloride
C) polypropylene
D) Teflon

Question 61

The substance in paints that hardens to form a continuous surface coating is called a

A) pigment.
B) binder.
C) solvent.
D) thinner.

Question 62

The temperature in many parts of the world can range between 0°C and 40°C, therefore we want the T_g of car tires to be

A) greater than 40°C.
B) less than 40°C but greater than 0°C.
C) exactly 0°C.
D) less than 0°C.

Question 63

Silicons are NOT used for

A) lubricants.
B) garbage bags.
C) hydraulic fluids.
D) shoe polish.

Question 64

Which of the following is NOT true of composite materials?

A) They contain high-strength fibers, often made from glass, graphite or ceramics.
B) The fibers provide support to the composite material.
C) The fibers are usually held together by a thermosetting condensation polymer.
D) The composite materials are not very strong.

Question 65

Which of the following natural polymers is a polyamide?

A) nylon
B) plant fibers
C) wool
D) amylopectin

Question 66

Nylons are named according to the number of ________ atoms in each monomer unit.

A) hydrogen
B) nitrogen
C) oxygen
D) carbon

Question 67

The temperature inside the mouth is about 37°C. Polyvinyl acetate, a polymer used in chewing gum, has a T_g

A) above 37°C.
B) below 37°C.
C) exactly 37°C.
D) above 100°C.

Question 68

In order for a synthetic polymer to be used as a binder in water-base latex paints, it must have ________ properties.

A) reactive
B) inert
C) rubberlike
D) aromatic

Question 69

Composite materials are used for

A) paint.
B) disposable cups.
C) thread.
D) automobile panels.

Question 70

Which of the following statements about addition and condensation polymers is true?

A) Both addition polymers and condensation polymers contain all of the atoms of the monomers.
B) Both addition polymers and condensation polymers lose some atoms from the original monomers when the polymer is formed.
C) Addition polymers contain all of the atoms of the original monomers, but condensation polymers do not.
D) Condensation polymers contain all of the atoms of the original monomers, but addition polymers do not.

Question 71

The segment of a polymer shown below represents a

A) polyamide.
B) polyester.
C) polyethylene.
D) polystyrene.

Question 72

The segment of a polymer shown below represents a

A) polyamide.
B) polyester.
C) polyethylene.
D) polystyrene.

Question 73

The temperature in many parts of the world can range between 0°C and 40°C, therefore we want the T_g of PVC used as seat covers in cars to be

A) greater than 40°C.
B) less than 40°C but greater than 0°C.
C) exactly 0°C.
D) less than 0°C.

Question 74

One of the disadvantages of polybutadiene rubber for automobile tires is

A) poor resistance to gasoline and oils.
B) its color.
C) density.
D) expense.

Question 75

When polyester is formed as a film as opposed to a fiber, it is used in

A) party balloons.
B) floor tile.
C) bulletproof vests.
D) artificial limbs.

Question 76

An object will be used in an environment that has a temperature range of -20°C to 10°C. The object must remain flexible and rubbery. It should have a T_g that is

A) greater than 10°C.
B) less than 10°C but greater than -20°C.
C) exactly -20°C.
D) less than -20°C.

Question 77

Amorphous polymers are composed of

A) randomly organized polymer chains.
B) highly organized polymer chains.
C) a mixture of random and highly organized polymer chains.
D) one monomer.

Question 78

Silicone is a(n)

A) polyester.
B) plasticizer.
C) conducting polymer.
D) None of the above.

Question 79

Which of the following is NOT a condensation polymer?

A) polypropylene
B) polyester
C) Dacron
D) polyurethane

Question 80

One example of a condensation polymer is

A) polyvinyl chloride.
B) nylon.
C) Plexiglass.
D) polyvinyl acetate.