7 min read
Polymerisation (addition, Names)
Ethene many times: poly(ethene), addition polymer, no extra product. Repeat unit drawn from the monomer with the double bond opened. PVC from chloroethene named. Poly(propene) named. Conditions as the book (high P, catalyst names) are exam labels, not a reactor design. Meaning: plastics are long alkanes with optional side groups. Disposal and recycle slogans, not a burn-how-to. Addition: alkene mo
Choose Your Level
Polymerisation (addition, Names)
What is it?
Ethene many times: poly(ethene), addition polymer, no extra product. Repeat unit drawn from the monomer with the double bond opened. PVC from chloroethene named. Poly(propene) named. Conditions as the book (high P, catalyst names) are exam labels, not a reactor design. Meaning: plastics are long alkanes with optional side groups. Disposal and recycle slogans, not a burn-how-to. Addition: alkene monomers, C=C opens — polyethene, PVC, polystyrene named. Show curly arrows on addition mechanisms; Markovnikov reasoning must precede the product structure.
In simple words
- Ethene many times: poly(ethene), addition polymer, no extra product.
- 1. REPEAT UNIT: Open the double bond, brackets, n.
- 2. ISSUES: Inert, litter, microplastics named (water chapter).
- Exam reminder: Exam polymer: many ethene molecules add repeat unit -CH2-CH2- name poly(ethene); conditions are names, not a plant
Important terms
POLYMERISATION (ADDITION, NAMES): Ethene many times: poly(ethene), addition polymer, no extra product.
1. REPEAT UNIT: Open the double bond, brackets, n.
2. ISSUES: Inert, litter, microplastics named (water chapter).
What you should learn
- Explain polymerisation (addition, names) in simple chemical language.
- Connect 1. repeat unit with 2. issues using equations, observations, or trends where needed.
- Answer a short Federal Board question with the correct terms and a clear reason.
Examples
- PE named
- PVC named
- n large
REPEAT UNIT
Open the double bond, brackets, n. Side groups stay. PTFE from tetrafluoroethene named if in the book. Repeat unit drawn in brackets with n; no small molecule lost.
ISSUES
Inert, litter, microplastics named (water chapter). Recycle slogan, less single-use slogan. Incineration named as a waste option with pollution slogans — not instructions. Condensation different chapter idea — addition only adds monomers.
Recommended for Class 11
Full school-level explanation
Ethene many times: poly(ethene), addition polymer, no extra product. Repeat unit drawn from the monomer with the double bond opened. PVC from chloroethene named. Poly(propene) named. Conditions as the book (high P, catalyst names) are exam labels, not a reactor design. Meaning: plastics are long alkanes with optional side groups. Disposal and recycle slogans, not a burn-how-to. Addition: alkene monomers, C=C opens — polyethene, PVC, polystyrene named. Show curly arrows on addition mechanisms; Markovnikov reasoning must precede the product structure.
Draw the unit, then names:
WHAT — POLYMERISATION (ADDITION, NAMES)
Ethene many times: poly(ethene), addition polymer, no extra product. Repeat unit drawn from the monomer with the double bond opened. PVC from chloroethene named. Poly(propene) named. Conditions as the book (high P, catalyst names) are exam labels, not a reactor design. Meaning: plastics are long alkanes with optional side groups. Disposal and recycle slogans, not a burn-how-to. Addition: alkene monomers, C=C opens — polyethene, PVC, polystyrene named. Show curly arrows on addition mechanisms; Markovnikov reasoning must precede the product structure.
WHY — Why this topic matters
POLYMERISATION (ADDITION, NAMES) is an independent FBISE learning unit because students must use its definitions, conditions, equations, or trends separately in explanations and calculations.
HOW — How it works
REPEAT UNIT: Open the double bond, brackets, n. Side groups stay. PTFE from tetrafluoroethene named if in the book. Repeat unit drawn in brackets with n; no small molecule lost. Examples: PE named; PVC named; n large. ISSUES: Inert, litter, microplastics named (water chapter). Recycle slogan, less single-use slogan. Incineration named as a waste option with pollution slogans — not instructions. Condensation different chapter idea — addition only adds monomers. Examples: Recycle named; Litter; No reactor SOP. Exam polymer: many ethene molecules add repeat unit -CH2-CH2- name poly(ethene); conditions are names, not a plant
REPEAT UNIT
Open the double bond, brackets, n. Side groups stay. PTFE from tetrafluoroethene named if in the book. Repeat unit drawn in brackets with n; no small molecule lost.
Remember
- open C=C
Examples
- PE named
- PVC named
- n large
ISSUES
Inert, litter, microplastics named (water chapter). Recycle slogan, less single-use slogan. Incineration named as a waste option with pollution slogans — not instructions. Condensation different chapter idea — addition only adds monomers.
Remember
- environment
Examples
- Recycle named
- Litter
- No reactor SOP
Remember
- monomer C=C -> polymer chain
- repeat unit
- repeat unit
- names only
- open C=C
- environment
- monomer C=C -> polymer chain
- repeat unit
How the ideas connect
Exam polymer: many ethene molecules add repeat unit -CH2-CH2- name poly(ethene); conditions are names, not a plant
Deeper understanding
Go beyond memorising Polymerisation (addition, Names). Connect the definition to reasons, relationships, exceptions, and exam wording.
How the ideas connect
Exam polymer: many ethene molecules add repeat unit -CH2-CH2- name poly(ethene); conditions are names, not a plant
Common mistakes
Exam focus
Core Idea
1. REPEAT UNIT
2. ISSUES
Exam Example
Exam focus
Quick revision
- monomer C=C -> polymer chain
- repeat unit
- names only
- POLYMERISATION (ADDITION, NAMES): Ethene many times: poly(ethene), addition polymer, no extra product.
- 1. REPEAT UNIT: Open the double bond, brackets, n.
- 2. ISSUES: Inert, litter, microplastics named (water chapter).
Named plastics. No polymer-plant or PVC-factory design.
For long answers on Polymerisation (addition, Names): define clearly → explain the main parts → give one example → state one exam caution.
Exam Focus
Exam Focus
Important points
- monomer C=C -> polymer chain
- repeat unit
- names only
- POLYMERISATION (ADDITION, NAMES): Ethene many times: poly(ethene), addition polymer, no extra product.
Important formulas
- monomer C=C -> polymer chain
- repeat unit
- repeat unit
Common exam traps
- Do not confuse 1. REPEAT UNIT with 2. ISSUES; state the difference before giving an example.
- Writing only “monomer C=C -> polymer chain” is not enough. Explain what it means in a complete sentence.
Long question structure
Definition → key parts → example → exam caution
Common Mistakes
Common Mistakes
- Mistake
Do not confuse 1. REPEAT UNIT with 2. ISSUES; state the difference before giving an example.
- Mistake
Writing only “monomer C=C -> polymer chain” is not enough. Explain what it means in a complete sentence.
- Mistake
Named plastics. No polymer-plant or PVC-factory design.
- Mistake
Named plastics. No polymer-plant or PVC-factory design.
Revision Zone
60-Second Revision
Quick cues from this topic — use them for last-minute revision.
monomer C=C -> polymer chain
repeat unit
names only
POLYMERISATION (ADDITION, NAMES): Ethene many times: poly(ethene), addition polymer, no extra product.
Ethene many times: poly(ethene), addition polymer, no extra product. Repeat unit drawn from the monomer with the double bond opened. PVC from chloroethene named
monomer C=C -> polymer chain
- Definition
- Ethene many times: poly(ethene), addition polymer, no extra product. Repeat unit drawn from the monomer with the double bond opened. PVC from chloroethene named
- Formula
- monomer C=C -> polymer chain
- Example
- PE named
- Critical warning
- Do not confuse 1. REPEAT UNIT with 2. ISSUES; state the difference before giving an example.
Did you understand this topic?
Your answer is saved with your learning record. It does not mark the topic as mastered.
Ready to test yourself?
You've completed the learning section.
Exam Practice
Define
Q1. Define Polymerisation (addition, Names).
Explain
Q2. Explain: REPEAT UNIT.
Example
Q3. Give one clear example of Polymerisation (addition, Names) and say why it fits.
Mistake
Q4. State one common mistake students make about Polymerisation (addition, Names).
Exam note
Q5. Write a short exam note on Polymerisation (addition, Names): definition, two points, one example.
Sources & References
School-standard facts for Matric and Intermediate. Original explanations — not copied from textbooks.