Author Question: Contrast and discuss the difference between amorphous and crystalline regions in a polymer. What ... (Read 196 times)

tuffie

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 534
Contrast and discuss the difference between amorphous and crystalline regions in a polymer.
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Why must average molecular weights be used for polymers rather than exact molecular weights based upon the molecular formula as is done for small molecules?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 3

What is the difference between a number average and a weight average molecular weight?
 
  What will be an ideal response?



prumorgan

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 326
Answer to Question 1

In crystalline regions the polymer chains are tightly packed which results in a high density. The polymers in these crystalline regions have relatively strong intermolecular bonds which increase the stability of the polymer and increase most mechanical and physical properties. Amorphous regions are zones within the polymer structure where no crystallinity exists. Even highly crystalline polymers usually have some amorphous regions. The physical and mechanical properties for largely amorphous polymers are lower than analogous crystalline polymers.

Answer to Question 2

Small molecules have exact formulas which always apply. In polymers, the chains can be of varying length and so a general formula must be used. This general

formula represents the number of monomer units by an unknown

Answer to Question 3

The number average is dominated by the actual number of molecules and gives equal value to both large and small molecules. The weight average molecular weight gives greater value to the large, heavy molecules.



Related Topics

Need homework help now?

Ask unlimited questions for free

Ask a Question
 

Did you know?

In ancient Rome, many of the richer people in the population had lead-induced gout. The reason for this is unclear. Lead poisoning has also been linked to madness.

Did you know?

Blastomycosis is often misdiagnosed, resulting in tragic outcomes. It is caused by a fungus living in moist soil, in wooded areas of the United States and Canada. If inhaled, the fungus can cause mild breathing problems that may worsen and cause serious illness and even death.

Did you know?

There used to be a metric calendar, as well as metric clocks. The metric calendar, or "French Republican Calendar" divided the year into 12 months, but each month was divided into three 10-day weeks. Each day had 10 decimal hours. Each hour had 100 decimal minutes. Due to lack of popularity, the metric clocks and calendars were ended in 1795, three years after they had been first marketed.

Did you know?

When taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors, people should avoid a variety of foods, which include alcoholic beverages, bean curd, broad (fava) bean pods, cheese, fish, ginseng, protein extracts, meat, sauerkraut, shrimp paste, soups, and yeast.

Did you know?

If all the neurons in the human body were lined up, they would stretch more than 600 miles.

For a complete list of videos, visit our video library