CHEM 120 Week # 6 Discussion 1 -
Polymers (Graded A)
Section 1: Polymer Fundamentals
Question 1
What is a polymer?
A. A small molecule with a single functional group
B. A large molecule composed of repeating subunits called monomers
C. A type of carbohydrate only found in plants
D. A molecule that cannot be broken down
Answer: B. A large molecule composed of repeating subunits called monomers
Rationale: A polymer is a large molecule (macromolecule) made up of many repeating
structural units called monomers . The word "polymer" comes from Greek roots
meaning "many parts." Polymers can be natural (proteins, cellulose) or synthetic
(polyethylene, PVC).
Question 2
What is a monomer?
A. A large molecule composed of repeating subunits
B. A small molecule that can bond to other identical molecules to form a polymer
C. A type of synthetic fiber
D. A protein found in the human body
,Answer: B. A small molecule that can bond to other identical molecules to form a
polymer
Rationale: Monomers are small molecules that serve as the building blocks for
polymers. They contain functional groups that allow them to react and link together,
forming long chains .
Question 3
Which of the following is an example of a natural polymer?
A. Polyethylene
B. PVC
C. Cellulose
D. Polystyrene
Answer: C. Cellulose
Rationale: Cellulose is a natural polymer found in plant cell walls. It is composed of
repeating glucose monomers. Polyethylene, PVC, and polystyrene are all synthetic
polymers manufactured from petroleum-based monomers.
Question 4
Which of the following is an example of a synthetic polymer?
A. Protein
B. Starch
C. Cellulose
D. Polyethylene
Answer: D. Polyethylene
Rationale: Polyethylene is a synthetic polymer made from ethylene monomers. Proteins,
starch, and cellulose are all naturally occurring polymers .
, Question 5
What is the monomer of polyethylene?
A. Propylene
B. Ethylene (ethene)
C. Vinyl chloride
D. Styrene
Answer: B. Ethylene (ethene)
Rationale: Polyethylene is formed from the polymerization of ethylene monomers
(CH₂=CH₂) . The double bond breaks and monomers link together to form long chains.
Section 2: Common Synthetic Polymers
Question 6
What is the monomer of PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)?
A. Ethylene
B. Vinyl Chloride (CH₂=CHCl)
C. Propylene
D. Styrene
Answer: B. Vinyl Chloride (CH₂=CHCl)
Rationale: PVC is made from vinyl chloride monomers (CH₂=CHCl). This addition
polymer is used in pipes, siding, flooring, toys, and clothing .
Question 7
PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) is commonly used for:
A. Plastic grocery bags
B. PVC pipes
Polymers (Graded A)
Section 1: Polymer Fundamentals
Question 1
What is a polymer?
A. A small molecule with a single functional group
B. A large molecule composed of repeating subunits called monomers
C. A type of carbohydrate only found in plants
D. A molecule that cannot be broken down
Answer: B. A large molecule composed of repeating subunits called monomers
Rationale: A polymer is a large molecule (macromolecule) made up of many repeating
structural units called monomers . The word "polymer" comes from Greek roots
meaning "many parts." Polymers can be natural (proteins, cellulose) or synthetic
(polyethylene, PVC).
Question 2
What is a monomer?
A. A large molecule composed of repeating subunits
B. A small molecule that can bond to other identical molecules to form a polymer
C. A type of synthetic fiber
D. A protein found in the human body
,Answer: B. A small molecule that can bond to other identical molecules to form a
polymer
Rationale: Monomers are small molecules that serve as the building blocks for
polymers. They contain functional groups that allow them to react and link together,
forming long chains .
Question 3
Which of the following is an example of a natural polymer?
A. Polyethylene
B. PVC
C. Cellulose
D. Polystyrene
Answer: C. Cellulose
Rationale: Cellulose is a natural polymer found in plant cell walls. It is composed of
repeating glucose monomers. Polyethylene, PVC, and polystyrene are all synthetic
polymers manufactured from petroleum-based monomers.
Question 4
Which of the following is an example of a synthetic polymer?
A. Protein
B. Starch
C. Cellulose
D. Polyethylene
Answer: D. Polyethylene
Rationale: Polyethylene is a synthetic polymer made from ethylene monomers. Proteins,
starch, and cellulose are all naturally occurring polymers .
, Question 5
What is the monomer of polyethylene?
A. Propylene
B. Ethylene (ethene)
C. Vinyl chloride
D. Styrene
Answer: B. Ethylene (ethene)
Rationale: Polyethylene is formed from the polymerization of ethylene monomers
(CH₂=CH₂) . The double bond breaks and monomers link together to form long chains.
Section 2: Common Synthetic Polymers
Question 6
What is the monomer of PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)?
A. Ethylene
B. Vinyl Chloride (CH₂=CHCl)
C. Propylene
D. Styrene
Answer: B. Vinyl Chloride (CH₂=CHCl)
Rationale: PVC is made from vinyl chloride monomers (CH₂=CHCl). This addition
polymer is used in pipes, siding, flooring, toys, and clothing .
Question 7
PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) is commonly used for:
A. Plastic grocery bags
B. PVC pipes
