C-polymers+&+polyvinyl+acetate

Catherine Shih SCH4U-03 Presentation Date: October 27, 2010

Topic: __What are polymers? Explain the chemistry and application of one polymer.__ - A polymer is made up of a very long chain of organic molecules composed of many repeating smaller molecules called monomers. - Properties of a polymer are determined by its monomer - Another name for polymer is macromolecules (“Macro” means large) - Polymers can be created by bonding monomers together through a chemical process known as polymerization. ** Types of Polymers: ** - Natural polymers include protein (which is a polymer of amino acids), cellulose (which is a polymer of sugar molecules), fats, oils, starch, silk, cotton and DNA. - Synthetic polymers are man-made and consist of plastics, vinyl, s tyrofoam, clay, nylon, paints, etc. ** Structures of Polymers: ** - Homopolymers have only a single repeating monomer unit o represented as [A-A-A-A-A-A] - Copolymers have two or more different repeating monomer units o represented as [A-B-A-B-A-B] ** Chemistry of polyvinyl acetate: ** - Molecular formula of polyvinyl acetate is H2CCHOOCCH3  or (C4H6O2)n. (The “n” subscript indicates the number of repeat units in the polymer chain) - Its monomer is vinyl acetate - It is a synthetic polymer because it is a type of plastic known as thermoplastic o Thermoplastic is a type of plastic that becomes soft and moldable when heated and firm when cooled. - Molecules are made of chains of carbon atoms with an acetate group attached - The acetate comes from acetic acid, (a compound that gives vinegar its odor and flavor) - polyvinyl acetate is non-polar and insoluble in water, fats and oils ** Applications of polyvinyl acetate: ** - Polyvinyl acetate is used to make adhesives, films, inks, latex paints, paper coatings, water based paints and chewing gum - In white glue, the polyvinyl acetate is mixed with water o The polyvinyl acetate in glue, similar to spaghetti, is all tangled together, which makes the glue thick and viscous. o When the glue is exposed to air, the water evaporates and the tangled polymers stick to the surface where it is dried. - Polyvinyl acetate can also create “Gluep” (similar to slime and silly putty) by mixing Borax solution with white glue and water. Check out this website on how to make Gluep: [] - Monomers are often toxic and stinking - Most polymers are safe and non-toxic
 * __What is a polymer?__**
 * __Polyvinyl Acetate:__**
 * __Some Interesting Facts:__**

(2009). //The Knowledgebook: Everything You Need to Know to Get by in the 21st Century.// Washington, D.C.: National Geographic.
 * __Bibliography__**

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