Understanding Polymers Essay

Polymers a large molecules made up of a chain of smaller molecules, known as monomers. The monomers that a polymer is made up of decide its structure and therefore it's function. These monomers are linked and coiled in a very specific manor giving the polymer a specific tertiary structure (an extensively coiled and linked polymer chain caused as a result of the formation of more bonds forming). This tertiary structure is crucial to the function of a polymer as it denotes the necessary shape of the complementary molecule. This is easier explained through an example.

Hairspray is a solution of long, chainlike molecules (called polymers) in a very volatile solvent. Spraying deposits a stiff layer of the polymer on your hair after the solvent evaporates.

Proteins are polymers made by joining up small molecules called amino acids. Amino acids and proteins are made mainly of the elements carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen.

In fact, many of the major plastics used today began when commissioned to be used for the war effort (Freinkel, 6). When plastic was first brought to The United States, the American people loved it. Not only can plastic imitate other materials, but it is also much more affordable. Overall, plastic is cheap. The leap in plastic produced from the ‘40s until now is extremely substantial. For instance, in 1940 plastic was hardly used, in 1960 a single American used close to 30 pounds of plastic per year, today each individual uses more than 300 pounds of plastic per year (Freinkel, 6). A major impact on the amount of plastic used is directly related to the way Americans, starting in the 1940s, were now able to mass produce plastic products. For instance, a single plastic comb making machine could reproduce ten combs in less than one minute (Freinkel, 22). Overall, plastic is relatively inexpensive and it is made for mass manufacture. Considering this it is east to see why plastic became so popular in the first place, it was a plastic miracle. However, there is a direct relationship between the amount of plastic produced and the amount of plastics that are being polluted into the

To keep it as simple as possible, (K.I.S.S.) this topic involves the study of: 1. POLYMERS FROM PETROCHEMICALS & BIOMASS

Plastics are also called polymers, are produced by natural products like oil, natural gas or coal.

The two molecules on the left are the chemicals that reacted to make Kevlar, which is the molecule on the right. Kevlar can be grown to different lengths so when people manufacture it, it can be fine tuned to a specific standard depending on what the intended use is for. This makes it so there are many different Kevlar grades that you can purchase and use. The chemicals used to make Kevlar are polyparaphenylene terephthalamide and terephthaloyl chloride. After this reaction is finished, the polymer that is produced is spun into strong, thick fibers. This polymer is extremely strongly bonded, and each strand is bound together by hydrogen

Polymers are formed through a process of polymerisation reactions (10), the most common reaction types being addition and condensation reactions (10). In an addition polymerisation reaction (Figure 1), double-bonded hydrocarbons (alkenes) react together to break their double bonds and covalently bond to form monomers (10). Highly branched molecules have the inability to 'line up' with one another which causes an amorphous solid, which does not have a predictable arrangement or repeating pattern (10). Long-chain molecules have regular and repeating structure which causes cyrstallinity, due to the increased attraction of intermolecular forces (10). Condensation reactions occur when a hydrocarbon molecule also contains oxygen, where two functional groups containing hydrogen are present on each molecule (10). These molecules form a dimer when attached together which then combine to create a polymer, and results in a water product

We found that Polypropylene was our 5th unknown. Polypropylene (C3H6) or more commonly referred to as PP, is used for labeling, packaging, textiles, and stationery. In 1957, the crystallization of polymer was discovered. Soon fabric was made from the polymer, and was in high demand. It can also be used for moldings of cars, film, tape, foam and carpet. Polypropylene can not be glued to any objects or itself, and so it is melded. After Polyethylene, Polypropylene is the highest produced synthetic plastic. Polypropylene also holds up well over time, which is one of the reasons that it is the second most produced plastic. The melting point is between 130-171 degrees celsius. Because polypropylene is tough and flexible it can be used as an engineering plastic. Finally, polypropylene can be used be manufactured into a living hinge. A

The Graduate is a 1967 film directed by Mike Nichols who won an Oscar for his direction.  This hit of the 60's focuses on the development and the maturing of the ultra-naïve college graduate Benjamin Braddock.  This movie is about "just one word...Plastics."  Mr. McQuire sums up this entire movie when he tells Ben that there is "a great future in plastics."  In this film the relationships, except the one between Ben and Elaine, are like plastic because they are not real, they are molded, and they are artificial. 

"Plastic" entered the world through chemistry in 1909 and was originally coined to describe Bakelite, the first fully synthetic resin. What make's plastic so unique is when it is heated it can be molded but it retained its shape when cooled (Reddy, 2010). The modern plastic bag was not possible until the accidental discovery of the first industrially practical method of polyethylene synthesis in 1933. Fast forward to today, the use and

There were three types of polyethylene, Low-density polyethylene, High density polyethylene and Low linear density polyethylene. Polyethylene produced from ethylene. Ethylene is produced from oil or natural gas. Ethylene plants separated either naphtha molecules (derived from crude oil) or ethane molecules (derived from natural gas). The ethylene derived from this

Charles Goodyear was a man of determination, He dedicated most of this life to creating vulcanized rubber it is more or less a moldable and water-resistant rubber. He received is patent in 1844 for his invention.

Polymers are also commonly referred to as plastics so now you can put in to perspective how much we use polymers. You can also realize

Oxford Plastics, the plant was located in a town near Beatty, about 45,000 people. They manufactured a variety of products, from lawn ornaments, patio furniture to automobiles. They employed about 3,000 workers. The company played an important part in the economy and the entire state, offering few well paying factory jobs.