Question

Explain the free radical polymerization of ethene to form polythene. (3marks)

Answer 1

An addition reaction is one in which two or more molecules join together to give a single product. During the polymerisation of ethene, thousands of ethene molecules join together to make poly(ethene) - commonly called polythene.

Answer 2

lots of monomer molecules → a polymer molecule. ... Alkenes can act as monomers because they are unsaturated (they have a double bond): ethene can polymerise to form poly(ethene), also called polythene. propene can polymerise to form poly(propene), also called polypropylene. . .