Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Regional Office IX, Zamboanga
Peninsula

1
2
General Chemistry
Quarter 21- Module 7
1 Polymers
2

Name of Learner: ___________________________

Grade & Section: ___________________________
Name of School: ___________________________
Module
Polymers
7

What I Need to Know

Before the development of synthetic polymers, people were limited to using
natural substances such as stone, wood, metals, wool and cotton. By the turn of
the twentieth century, a few chemically treated natural polymers such as rubber
and the first plastic, celluloid, had become available. Celluloid is made by
treating cellulose from cotton or fiber wood fiber with nitric acid. This module
will help you understand the formation and structure of polymers and the
properties of some polymers in terms of their structure.

At the end of this module, you should be able to:

1. Describe the formation and structure of polymers. (STEM_GC11OC-
IIgj-91)
2. Explain the properties of some polymers in terms of their structure.
(STEM_GC11OC-IIg-j-93)

What’s In Score: ___/ 6

Activity 1. Complete Me!

Directions: Let me know your learnings in the previous module. In the 1st
column, we have Reaction formula; in the 2nd column, the reaction type and
for the 3rd column is its corresponding description. Shade the correct answer
in column 3 that best describes the reaction type. (2 pts. each)

REACTION FORMULA REACTION HOW DO YOU KNOW?

TYPE
A hydrocarbon reacts with
CH4 + 2 O 2 CO2 + H2O Combustion oxygen.
There is CO2 formation.
1. 2. Cl2 in the reactant was given
C3H8 + Cl2 C3H7Cl + HCl off separately in the product.
A Cl replaces one of the H
in the hydrocarbon.
3. 4. COO is formed in the middle
CH3OH + CH3 CH2OH of two chains.
CH3OCH2CH3+ H2O H2O is formed.
A large, many monomer is
formed.
 5. 6.
500 C2H4 -(- C2H4-)5000
Reactant and product is
the same.

What’s New Score: ___/ 5

Activity 2. Fill me In
Directions: Answer the diagram below by shading the circle of the
correct answer.
1. What do you call monomer
polyester to a single unit of a
molecules
plastics polymer
metals

4-5. Can you name POLYMERS 2. Where do polymers

some examples? come from?
(shade atleast 2)

organic
when one or more materials
molecules are linked 3. A polymer is inorganic
together materials
when one or more
molecules separate
from each other

In activity 1, you were able to review the previous topic all about the
simple reactions of organic compounds through shading the descriptions of
type of reaction. And in this activity, you were able to know the basics of
polymers, also, you were able to connect the name of polymers to their
structure and description.
This time, let us know more about Polymers. Let’s proceed.

What Is It
POLYMERS
Polymers are large molecular compounds made up of many repeating
units called monomers. They can be natural or synthetic. They are sometimes
called macromolecules because of their high molar masses. The word polymer
comes from the Greek “poly” (meaning many) and “mer” (meaning part or
segment). Therefore a polymer means many parts. Polymers are generally
classified as synthetic or natural. Natural
polymers occur in nature. Synthetic
polymers are manmade and synthesized in
the laboratory.
The compact disc shown in the figure
1 below contain polycarbonate, which is
made of extremely long molecules with group
 of atoms that repeat in a regular pattern. This molecule is an example of a
synthetic polymer.
How are polymers made? The chemical
reaction by which the monomers
Figure 1. Compact disk are linked together to form polymers is
called polymerization. There are several types of polymerization reactions.
The basic types are the addition polymerization and the condensation
polymerization reactions.

Addition polymerization
In addition polymerization, the entire monomer becomes part of the
polymer. They involve molecules with double bonds or triple bonds. Consider
the formation of polyethylene, a stable polymer used widely as packaging
wrap. The polymerization reaction consists of three steps:
Step 1: Initiation
An initiator molecule is heated to produce free radicals. These free
radicals have one unpaired electron each and are therefore very
reactive seeking other electrons from other molecules to pair up with.
The free radicals react with the ethylene molecule monomer breaking
the double bond and forming a new radical.

Figure 2. Initiation
Step 2: Propagation
The radical will react with another ethylene molecule monomer. This
is repeated many times over and a long chain is formed.

Figure 3. Propagation
Step 3: Termination
The process gets terminated when two long-chained radicals combine
to form the polyethylene polymer.

Figure 4. Termination

where (CH2 — CH2)n is a shorthand convention that represents n repeating units.

Polyethylene is an example of a homopolymer. This is a type of polymer
where there is only one type of monomer. Other examples of monomers used
to produce polymers are shown in the table 1 below:
 In the examples given above, ethylene (CH2 = CH2) and
tetrafluoroethylene (CF2 = CF2) are symmetric monomers (the carbons
have the same substituents) while vinyl chloride, styrene, and propene
Table 1. Examples
are asymmetric monomersof(the
monomers used
carbons to produce
in the monomerpolymers
have different
substituents). The examples (polyethylene, polystyrene, polypropylene,
and Teflon) are synthetic polymers.
Condensation Polymerization
These are polymers formed through a condensation reaction; that
is, where monomers join together at the same time losing a small
molecule like water as by-product.
Recall that when a carboxylic acid reacts with an alcohol, an ester
is formed. Now when a monomer which has two carboxylic acid groups,
one at each end, is made to react with a second monomer containing two
–OH groups, one at each end, then many ester linkages are formed
resulting in a polyester.

Figure 5. The reaction of a dicarboxylic acid and a dialcohol to produce a

polyester
For example, the polymer polyethylene terephthalate (PET or
sometimes called PETE) is formed by the reaction of terephthalic acid
and ethylene glycol. PET is a polyester.

Figure acid
If the dicarboxylic 6. Formation of react
is made to Polyethylene terephthalate
with a diamine (instead of a dialcohol),
then a polyamide is formed such as nylon.

Figure 7. The reaction of a dicarboxylic acid and a diamine to produce a

polyamide.

Figure 8. The reaction of adipic acid and Hexamethylene diamine to

produce nylon
Polymer Arrangements and Structures
Polymers can be arranged in a number of ways. The arrangement of
the polymer chains affects their properties such as whether they are stiff or
rigid, crystalline or amorphous. For asymmetric monomers.
A linear polymer is a one where the arrangement of atoms is like that of a
long chain. This long chain is often referred to as the backbone. Atoms or
small groups of atoms attached to the long chain are called pendant atoms.
a.

b.

Figure 9. a) Linear polymer and b) with pendant groups

The long chains are not stiff; they are flexible. They twist and bend and
wrap around one another. They become entangled like strands of spaghetti
especially in the solid state. This makes the polymer strong. When polymers
are dissolved in solvents, the chains move very slowly compared to small
molecules. This is due to the entanglement of the long chain strands. Thus,
polymers dissolved in solvents can be more viscous than the pure solvent.
The arrangement of the pendant atoms or pendant groups attached to the
backbone gives different properties to the polymer. Three distinct
arrangements are observed: syndiotactic, isotactic, or atactic.

The isotactic arrangement is where all the pendant groups or substituents

(represented by R — ) are on the same side of the polymer chain. They pack
efficiently resulting in polymers with high melting point, high crystallinity, and
superior mechanical strength. A syndiotactic polymer chain is one where the
substituent group alternates from left to right of the asymmetric carbons. They
pack less efficiently than isotactic chains. In atactic polymers, the
substituents occur randomly. Therefore, they do not pack well. These
polymers are rubbery, not crystalline, and relatively weak.

Industrial synthesis is capable of producing pure syndiotactic or only

isotactic polymers through the use of special catalysts. Depending on
synthesis conditions, the chains can also be branched. Branched chain
polymers are more flexible and less dense than straight chained polymers. For
example, high density polyethylene (HDPE) polymers are used for firm plastic
bottles and containers while low density polyethylene (LDPE) are used for
plastic food bags and plastic wraps.
 Figure 10. The structure of Isotactic, Syndiotactic and
Atactic polymers

Sometimes, the polymer chains are cross-linked as in the case of vulcanized

rubber. Rubber is a natural organic polymer formed by the addition of the
monomer isoprene. In vulcanized rubber, the polymer strands of isoprene
are crossed linked or bridged by short sulfur chains. The cross-linked
polymers can be visualized by the following diagram:

Figure 11. The cross-linked polymers

The crosslinks tie or bind the polymer strands together. Therefore,

when these crosslinked polymers are heated, the strands cannot flow past
each other. They do not melt or break apart.
Sometimes, there are two or more different monomers that are joined
together to form a polymer. Such is called a copolymer. Let us say that the
two monomers are monomer A and monomer B. These two monomers may be
arranged in several ways in a polymer giving different physical properties to
the polymer:
 PROPERTIES OF POLYMERS
Why do we use so many different polymers today? One reason is that
they are easy to synthesize. Another reason is that the starting materials
used to make them are inexpensive. Still another, more important, reason is
that polymers can be drawn into fine fibers that are softer than silk, while
others are as strong as steel. Polymers do not rust like steel does, and many
polymers are more durable than natural materials such as wood. Fencing
and decking materials made of plastic, do not decay and do not need to be
repainted.
Another reason why polymers are such great demand is that it is easy
to mold them into different shapes or to draw them into thin fibers. It is not
easy to do this with metals and other natural materials because they must
be heated either to high temperatures, do not melt at all, or are too weak to
be used to form small, thin items.
As with all substances, polymers have properties that result directly from
their molecular structure. For example, polyethylene is a long-chain alkane.
Thus, it has a waxy feel, does not dissolve in water, is nonreactive, and it is
poor electrical conductor. These properties make it ideal for use in food and
beverage containers and as an insulator in electrical wire and TV cable.

PLASTICS AND POLYMERS

The word ‘plastic’ comes from the Greek ‘plastikos’ meaning ‘to mold’.
Generally, plastics refer to synthetic polymers. Plastics are polymers
(example: disposable glass) but not all polymers are plastic (example: epoxy).
Plastics are classified into two types: thermoplastics and thermosets.
Thermoplastics are those that keep their plastic properties: they melt when
heated and harden when cooled. On the other hand, thermosets are
permanently “set” once they are formed. They cannot be melted or reshaped;
if enough heat is added, they will crack or become charred. Thermoplastic
materials are made of long linear polymer chains that are weakly bonded to
each other. When heated, the bonds are easily broken and the polymer
chains easily glide past each other. Therefore, they are readily remolded. On
the other hand, thermosets are made up of linear chains that are cross-
linked to one another preventing the material from being melted and
reformed.

What’s More Score: ___/ 4

Activity 3. Tell the truth

Directions: Shade the correct answer complete the organizer to show your
understanding about polymers and plastic, its classification and examples.

Polymers Plastic

Monomer Thermoplastic Thermosetting

Synthetic
Natural Synthetic Thermostat
Organic

Examples: Examples: Examples: Examples:

starch,cellulus, rubber polyethylene PVC,PET,PP,PVA Polyesters,melamine
 Score: ___/ 7
Activity 4. Polymers Mind Map
Directions: Shade the correct answer to complete the concept map below
that talks more about Polymers.

Polymers

are made up of

Monomers
1.
Organic
The chemical reaction by which
these are linked together to
form polymers is called
Polymerization
2.
Etherification
Basic types

Addition Polymerization
Condensation Polymerization
Propagation Polymerization

the entire monomer becomes monomers join together at the

part of the polymer. Three steps same time losing a small molecule
are Initiation, Propagation and like water as by-product.
Termination Example
Example
Nylon
Polyvinylchloride
PVC
Polyethylene

In Activity 3 & 4, you were able to know the difference of plastics

with polymers, also you were able to make a concept map of a
polymer. Congratulations for being able to answer. Now let’s try to
answer the next activity to check your understanding.

What I have learned Score: ___/ 15

Activity 5. I’m Home

Directions: Inside your home, Look for a plastic product with any of
the recycling code listed below and give the property (/ies) of the
material. Number 1 is provided as your guide.
 Polymer Name Picture Recycling Properties/
codes Uses

1. Polyethylene Strong; Stiff

terephthalate

2. High- Density
polyethylene

3. Polyvinyl
chloride

4. Low-density
polyethylene

5. Polypropylene

6. Polystyrene

Score: ___/ 15

Activity 6. Connect Me
Directions: Match the names in Column A to its structure in Column B and
its description in Column C. Write the letter and Roman Numerals of the
correct answer in the blank provided in Column A (so you have two answers).
 Column A Column B Column C
I. High strength
_____1.Polyvinyl a. thermoplastic material
widely used in applications,
chloride (PVC) such as pipes, medical
devices, wire and cable
_____2.Polyvinylidene b. insulation.
II. It is heat-sealable and
chloride serves as an excellent
barrier to oxygen, water
c.
_____3. Polymethyl vapor, odors and flavors.
III. Also known as acrylic or
methacrylate acrylic glass, is a
transparent and rigid
_____4. Polystyrene d. thermoplastic material
(PS) widely used as a
shatterproof replacement for
_____5. Polyethylene glass.
e. IV. Versatile plastic used to
terephthalate (PETE)
make a wide variety of
consumer products. As a
hard, solid plastic, it is often
f. used in products that
require clarity, such as food
packaging and laboratory
ware.
V. One of the most recycled
thermoplastic, and has the
number "1" as its recycling
symbol.
VI. It is a
thermoplastic “addition
polymer” made from the
combination of propylene
monomers.

Score: ___/ 25
What I Can Do
Activity 7. Sharing is caring…
Directions: Sharing is one way of showing that we
care. In this activity, you will use your skill in letter
writing. You are to share what you have learned to a
friend or someone dear to you.
You will write a friendly letter with detailed
explanation about the formation, properties and
structures of polymers to demonstrate your
understanding of the Parts of the letter concept. You
must include an unworked example and detailed
instructions in your letter. Write your letter on the
space provided below the rubric.
You will be graded using the rubric below.

25 Excellent 20 Good 15 Developing 10 Unsatisfactory

 Letter Parts Has heading, date, Has five of the six letter Has four of the six Has three or fewer letter
greeting, body, closing, parts letter parts. parts.
and signature.

Presentation Margins are present on all Margins are present on all Margins are present on Margins are present on all
four sides and text is four sides. all four sides. Spacing four sides.
visually centered on top Text is not centered. has 1-3 errors. Spacing has four or more
and bottom. Spacing Spacing follows correct Unevenly written or errors.
follows correct friendly friendly letter format. typed Handwriting or typing
letter format Neatly Neatly written or typed interferes with readability
written or typed

Conventions Excellent punctuation, Very good punctuation, Punctuation, spelling, Punctuation, spelling, and
spelling, and grammar spelling, and grammar and grammar slightly grammar
with fewer than three with fewer than five errors. distract the reader and significantly distract the
errors. interfere with meaning. reader.
There are ten errors or There are more than ten
less. errors.

Content Message stated is clear, Message is clear and Message is mostly Message is unclear or
precise, and shows demonstrates clear. disorganized.
insight into task. Letter is understanding of task. Letter is only one Demonstrates a lack of
three or more Letter contains only two paragraph in length. understanding of the
paragraphs. Letter paragraphs or does not assignment.
encourages a response encourage a response
from the reader. from the reader.

Write your answer here.

______________________
______________________
______________________

______________________

_____________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

____________________
____________________
Score: ___/ 8
Additional Activity
 Directions: Give at least 4 advantages and 4 disadvantages of polymers. Number 1
and 6 is given as an example.

Advantage Disadvantage
1. Biocompatibility 6. Non degradable
2. 7.
3. 8.
4. 9.
5. 10.
Score: ___/ 15
Assessment: (Evaluation)
Directions: Read and understand each question and select the letter of the best
answer from among the given choices.
____1. What do we call to a large molecule that consists of many repeating units?
A. Monomer C. Polystyrene
B. Polymer D. Polyethylene
____2. What do we call to each unit that comes together to form a polymer?
A. Monomer C. Thermoset
B. Copolymer D. Amino acid
____3. What do we call to the reactions in which polymers are produced?
A. Synthesis C. Decomposition
B. Polymerization D. Single displacement
____4. Which of the following is an example of a natural polymer?
A. Nylon C. Polyethylene
B. Dacron D. Rubber
____5. Which reaction describe for the synthesis of a polymer, a small molecule is
removed from the reacting materials and produced as a by-product.
A. Elimination C. Addition
B. Substitution D. Condensation
____6. What do we call to Polymers that can be heated easily to form other shapes?
A. Thermoplastics C. Foams
B. Malleables D. Gels
____7. Which statement is TRUE about the properties of polymers (thermoplastic)?
A. Thermoplastics can only be melted once.
B. Thermoplastic can be melted twice.
C. Thermoplastic melt when heated and harden when cooled.
D. Thermoplastic are permanently set once they are form

____8. This is one of the coding symbols adopted by the plastics industry for packaging
materials. What is the purpose of these coding symbols?

A. To create a code that shows how the polymer ranks in tons produced per year
B. To indicate the hardness of the polymer.
 C. To indicate the solvent to use for the degradation process.
D. b and c
____9. Which statement is TRUE about polymers?
A. All units in a polymer need to be from the same monomer.
B. All polymers are plastic
C. All polymers can be melted on
D. All polymers has pendant atom

____10. Which statement describe the structure of PVC?

A. High strength thermoplastic material widely used in applications,
such as pipes, medical devices, wire and cable insulation.
B. It is heat-sealable and serves as an excellent barrier to oxygen, water
vapor, odors and flavors.
C. Versatile plastic used to make a wide variety of consumer products.
D. One of the most recycled thermoplastic, and has the number "1" as its
recycling symbol

____11. Which type of polymer has only one type of monomer?

A. PVC C. Epoxy
B. Polyester D. Nylon
____12. What is Polyester?
A. PET C. PPT
B. PETE D. EPT
____13. What do you call to Atoms or small groups of atoms
attached to the long chain?
A. Pendant atoms C. linear atom
B. less dense atoms D. carbon atoms
____14. Which of the following is a requirement for monomers to be able to
undergo addition polymerization?
A. The presence of an oxygen atom
B. The presence of a lone pair
C. The presence of a carbon to carbon double bond
D. The presence of a nitrogen atom
____15. When asymmetric alkenes polymerize (such as chloroethene to
produce PVC), the pendant group like chlorine can be arranged in different
ways. An arrangement in which the –Cl groups are arranged on the same side
of the polymer chain is called a(n) ___________ arrangement.
A. Atactic C. Syndiotactic
B. Isotactic D. Sporadic

Answer Key
 References
Activity 1
1. Substitution 2. A Cl replaces one of the H in the hydrocarbon
3. Etherification 4. An ether is formed ( O in the middle of two chains)
5. Polymerization 6. a large, many monomer polymer is formed
Activity 2
1. Monomer
2. From organic materials
3. When monomers are linked together they form polymers
4-5. Polyester and Plastics
Activity 3 Activity 6
[Link] 1. d, I
2. natural 2. f, II
3. thermoplastic 3. c, III
4. thermosetting 4. e, IV
5. a, V
Activity 4 Activity 7
1. Monomers Rubrics
2. Polymerization
3. Condensation Polymerization
4. Polyvinylchloride
5. nylon
Activity 5 Activity 8
(depends on the available material) Advantage Disadvantage
* low cost * low yield
*basic equipment *low purity
Assessment ( Evaluation )
1. B 6. A 11. A
2. A 7. C 12. A
3. B 8. D 13. A
4. D 9. A 14. C
5. D 10.A 15. C
(1) Chang, R. & Goldsby, K. (2016). Chemistry. (12th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.
(2) Zumdahl, S.S. and Zumdahl, S.A (2013). Chemistry, 8th ed. Cengage Learning
(3) Joesten, Melvin & Hogg, John. The World of Chemistry. 2012. Cengage Learning
(4) Glencoe Science CHEMISTRY matter and changecopyright @2008 The McGraw-Hill Campanies, inc.
(5) SHS GENERAL CHEMISTRY 1 TEACHERS GUIDE
(6) [Link]
(7) [Link]
(8) [Link]
(9) [Link] format/[Link]?attredirects=0
(10) [Link]

Development Team Mi último Adiós"

BY: JOSE RIZAL
¡Adiós, Patria adorada, región del sol querida,
Ora por todos cuantos murieron sin ventura,
Perla del mar de oriente, nuestro perdido Edén!
Por cuantos padecieron tormentos sin igual,
A darte voy alegre la triste mustia vida,
Writer: Nuevalyn F. Inovejas Y fuera más brillante, más fresca, más florida,
Por nuestras pobres madres que gimen su
amargura;
También por ti la diera, la diera por tu bien.
Por huérfanos y viudas, por presos en tortura
Y ora por ti que veas tu redención final.
Editors: Margie Lou C. Jacob, En campos de batalla, luchando con delirio,
Otros te dan sus vidas sin dudas, sin pesar;
Laarni A. Adonis, El sitio nada importa, ciprés, laurel o lirio,
Y cuando en noche oscura se envuelva el
cementerio
Kathleen Joy B. Padilla Cadalso o campo abierto, combate o cruel
Y solos sólo muertos queden velando allí,
martirio,
Joly C. Baradero Lo mismo es si lo piden la patria y el hogar.
No turbes su reposo, no turbes el misterio,
Tal vez acordes oigas de cítara o salterio,
Soy yo, querida Patria, yo que te canto a ti.
Reviewer: Sandy R. Albarico Yo muero cuando veo que el cielo se colora
Y al fin anuncia el día tras lóbrego capuz;
Illustrator: si grana necesitas para teñir tu aurora,
Y cuando ya mi tumba de todos olvidada
No tenga cruz ni piedra que marquen su
Layout Artist: Vierte la sangre mía, derrámala en buen hora lugar,
Y dórela un reflejo de su naciente luz
Management Team: Deja que la are el hombre, la esparza con la
azada,
Majarani M. Jacinto, Ed.D., CESO VI Mis sueños cuando apenas muchacho
Y mis cenizas, antes que vuelvan a la nada,
adolescente,
SDS-ZDS Mis sueños cuando joven ya lleno de vigor,
El polvo de tu alfombra que vayan a formar.
Fueron el verte un día, joya del mar de oriente, Entonces nada importa me pongas en olvido.
Visminda Q. Valde, Ed.D. Secos los negros ojos, alta la tersa frente,
Tu atmósfera, tu espacio, tus valles cruzaré.
Sin ceño, sin arrugas, sin manchas de rubor
ASDS Vibrante y limpia nota seré para tu oído,
Aroma, luz, colores, rumor, canto, gemido,
Ensueño de mi vida, mi ardiente vivo anhelo,
Constante repitiendo la esencia de mi fe.
¡Salud te grita el alma que pronto va a partir!
Raymond M. Salvador, Ed.D. ¡Salud! Ah, que es hermoso caer por darte Mi patria idolatrada, dolor de mis dolores,
ASDS vuelo,
Querida Filipinas, oye el postrer adiós.
Morir por darte vida, morir bajo tu cielo,
Ahí te dejo todo, mis padres, mis amores.
Y en tu encantada tierra la eternidad dormir.
Voy donde no hay esclavos, verdugos ni
Juliet A. Magallanes, Ed.D. opresores,
CID Chief Si sobre mi sepulcro vieres brotar un día
Donde la fe no mata, donde el que reina es
Entre la espesa yerba sencilla, humilde flor,
Dios.
Acércala a tus labios y besa al alma mía,
Florencio R. Caballero, DTE Y sienta yo en mi frente bajo la tumba fría,
Adiós, padres y hermanos, trozos del alma
De tu ternura el soplo, de tu hálito el calor.
EPS- LRMDS mía,
Amigos de la infancia en el perdido hogar,
Deja que el sol, ardiendo, las lluvias evapore
Dad gracias que descanso del fatigoso día;
Y al cielo tornen puras, con mi clamor en pos
Sandy R. Albarico Deja que un ser amigo mi fin temprano llore
Adiós, dulce extranjera, mi amiga, mi alegría,
Adiós, queridos seres, morir es descansar.
EPS -Science Y en las serenas tardes cuando por mí alguien
ore,
José Rizal,
¡Ora también, oh Patria, por mi descanso a
1896
Dios!