The diagram shows two ethene molecules about to join by addition polymerisation. When many such molecules react, one very long molecule is produced with no ...
Question 1 Report
The diagram shows two ethene molecules about to join by addition polymerisation. When many such molecules react, one very long molecule is produced with no other product. 
What is the only product of this reaction?
Answer Details
Addition polymerisation is the one type of polymerisation with a single product. Each C=C opens and the units bond directly to one another, so every atom of every ethene molecule ends up in the chain and nothing is left over. The equation is n CH2=CH2 → -(CH2-CH2)n-, giving poly(ethene) only.
Water is lost in condensation polymerisation, as in making nylon or a polyester, which needs monomers carrying functional groups at each end rather than a double bond; expecting water here is the usual confusion between the two types. No hydrogen is released, and ethane cannot form because no extra hydrogen is supplied.
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