MODULE 1

WORKSHEET

ETHYLENE AND POLYMERS

Syllabus reference 9.2.1
1

Complete the following table to identify the products of reactions of ethylene and the uses of these
products.
REACTANTS

USES

Ethanol

Reactant, solvent, antiseptic

CH2CH2 O2 catalyst

ethylene oxide

Fumigant

H2CCH2 H2O H

ethylene glycol
(1,2-ethanediol)

Manufacture of polymer,
antifreeze

Vinyl chloride

monomer for making PVC,

poly(vinyl chloride)

CH2CH2 water catalyst

O
CH2CH2 Cl2 O2
catalyst

PRODUCTS

Complete the following statements using the words from the list below.
low density
polymer
branching
polymerisation
unbranched
addition
polyethylene
thousand
monomers
double
catalyst
a

pressure
temperatures

monomers
A chemical reaction in which many small molecules, called ______________,
combine together
polymerisation
to form one large molecule is called __________________.
The large molecule is called a
polymer
_______________.

addition
An ______________
polymer is formed by molecules adding together without the loss of any
double
atoms. For this type of polymer to form, the basic unit must contain a _______________
bond.

polyethylene
When ethylene polymerises it forms the polymer _________________
which consists of a
thousand
few hundred to a few ________________
monomer units. Another name for this polymer is
polyethene.

There are two processes used to form polyethylene. The older process uses high pressures, high
temperatures
________________
and an initiator. The alkane chains produced in this process cannot pack

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branching
closely together in an orderly way because of the amount of chain _____________.
This product
low density polyethylene.
is called ____________
e

pressure
The newer process uses lower temperature and ____________
than the older process because
catalyst
it relies on a ________________
to promote the reaction. This ZieglerNatter process forms
unbranched chains which are able to pack more closely together in an orderly fashion. This
______________
product is called high density polyethylene.

The arrangement of long chain molecules in (a) high density and (b) low density polyethylene can
be represented as shown below. Low density polyethylene has many side chains which prevent
the molecules packing closely together, while high density polyethylene is more rigid and does not
soften at temperatures below 100C.

(a) High density

(b) Low density

Explain what causes the difference in density between the two types of polyethylene.
High densityclose packing of chains so more chains per unit volume
Low densitybranching keeps chains separated so fewer per unit volume

Which form would you expect to have the greater mechanical strength? Give your reasons.
High density should have greater mechanical strength because chains closer, stronger
intermolecular forces means more difficult to separate.

Which type would be more suitable for the following applications:

i

a washing-up bowl

ii a cordial bottle?
d

high density
low density

Explain why a shopping carrier bag made from polyethylene is a greater hazard to the
environment than a paper one.
Polyethylene is not biodegradable so will not break down and remains in the environment for a
long time while a paper bag is biodegradable and will degrade quickly.

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CONQUERINGCHEMISTRY HSC

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Consider the data for low density and high density polyethylene in the table below. Use this
information to answer the questions which follow.

Polymer

Melting point
C

Density
g/mL

Tensile strength
MPa

% crystalline
regions

LDPE

80

0.92

15

4055

HDPE

135

0.96

29

7080

Will either of the polymers sink in water?

Noboth have a density of less than 1 g/mL.

Why does HDPE have more crystalline regions than LDPE?

No branching so chains are able to line up in a more orderly manner leading to more
crystalline regions.

Why is the melting point of LDPE lower than that of HDPE? (HINT: Recall what you learnt
about intermolecular forces in the water context.)
Both polymers bond through dispersion forces but HDPE has chains which are able to align so
there are a lot more dispersion forces. This means a greater number of bonds so higher MP.

Why is the tensile strength lower for LDPE than HDPE?

Fewer dispersion forces in LDPE means chains are not held together as strongly so are more
easily separated.

Use the information to explain why HDPE is an important material for hospital equipment
while LDPE is used as a plastic food clingwrap.
HDPE is stronger, able to be sterilised. While LDPE is more flexible and able to be stretched.

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Complete the following table.

POLYMER

NAME OF
MONOMER

STRUCTURE OF
MONOMER

COMMON USES

IMPORTANT
PROPERTIES
RELATED TO USE

low density
polyethylene
(polyethene)

ethylene

CH2CH2

Milk bottles,
soft toys,
cling wrap

Soft, flexible,
low melting point

high density
polyethylene
(polyethene)

ethylene

CH2CH2

Kitchen utensils and

containers, rubbish bins,
tough carrier bags

Hard, strong,
high melting point

poly(vinyl
chloride)
PVC

vinylchloride

CH2CHCl

Hard, inflexible

polystyrene

styrene

CH2CH

Electrical insulation, garden

hoses, drainage and
sewage pipes, household
guttering and downpipes
Car battery cases, tool
handles, CD cases,
disposable drink cups,
foam packing

Hard rigid,
stable to heat and
u.v. light

The following items are man-made from a polymer rather than the traditional material listed.
Complete the table below giving one advantage and one disadvantage of the new material over
the old.
ITEM

OLD MATERIAL

NEW MATERIAL

ADVANTAGE

DISADVANTAGE

drainpipe

ferrous material

poly(vinyl chloride)

does not corrode

not as strong or
tough

carrier bag

paper

LDPE

Stronger than
paper, insoluble

Not biodegradable

packaging

straw

Polystyrene

Light weight,
soft

Not biodegradable

carpet

wool

Polyacrylonitrile

Long wearing,
stain resistant

Coarser, emits poisonous

fumes when burnt

electrical wiring
insulation

rubber

PVC or
Longer lasting
polytetrafluoroethylene

soft-drink
bottles

glass

LDPE

Copyright 2007 McGraw-Hill Australia

Harder to break

Less flexible
More difficult to recycle,
not as tough

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