... In this case, the solid-like property of paraffin is a reflection of the entanglement of its long molecules when they move. If we keep increasing the number of repeating carbon units to, say, 2000, i.e., CH3(CH2CH2)2000CH3, we have a polyethylene polymer, which is a very strong, brittle solid. The polymer molecules have become so long and so entangled that their movement becomes almost completely restricted. At this point, they appear to be attached to other molecules, which act as "permanent" neighbours. Ethane CH3-CH3 2 C atoms gas Butane CH3-CH2-CH2-CH3 4 C atoms liquid Paraffin CH3(CH2CH2)10CH3 22 C atoms wax Polyethylene CH3(CH2CH2)2000CH3 4002 C atoms solid Monomers link together by two basic methods: * addition polymerization and * condensation polymerization There are many monomer molecules. Here are some examples: Each of these monomer molecules seems very different, but they do have some common features. Actually, these monomers have two distinctive features: carbon-carbon double bonds and side groups The highlighted areas show the side groups on these monomer molecules. These groups give the polymer chain some ...

See this essay or coursework document in full right now