Chemical Engineering

Polymers

Long chains of repeating units called monomers. They can be classified by how the monomers are joined together (Addition or condensation). Weak IMF, allowing for flexibility. Lightweight, insulating (no delocalized electrons). Can be put into shape when in their monomers.

Biological polymers

Proteins and carbohydrate, most can be broken down by enzyme

Syntehtic polymers

Nylon and polyester, often non-biodegradable. lightweight, water-repellant and have low reactivity. Derived from petrolleum.

Addition polymers

Addition polymers are created from monomer with a double bond. The resulting polymers has the same repeating formula as the monomer.

Condensation polymers

created when monomers with two functional groups, or two monomers each with two of the same functional group react together in a condensation reaction producing the polymer and water as by-product. Broken down by hydrolysis

Problems with bond enthalpies

They are for the conversion of an entire molecule into atoms which is again not what normally used

The bond enthalpies values are actually an average from many different compounds

Bond Enthalpy

Compare the strength of bonds

Understanding the breaking and formation of substances

Relate bond enthalpies to enthalpies of combustion

Help predict the reaction enthalpy