NAME : ___________________________________

CLASS : __________________________________

DATE : ___________________________________
CHEMISTRY FORM 5
CHAPTER 2 : CARBON COMPOUND
NATURAL RUBBER

A. Natural polymer

1. Natural rubber is one of the natural polymers that is obtained from the latex secreted by rubber
tree.
2. Monomer of natural rubber is isoprene. The IUPAC name of this isoprene is
_________________________.
3. Draw the structural formula of isoprene.

Isoprene contains two carbon-carbon double bonds. Thus, these monomers of isoprene undergo
addition polymerisation to produce___________________ that is natural rubber.
Draw the polymer obtained from the addition polymerisation of isoprene.

B. Coagulation process of latex.

1. Latex is a colloid that consists of rubber particles dispersed in water.

2. A rubber particle is made up of many long chain rubber molecules enclose by a protein
membrane which negatively charged.

(a)
Rubber particles which are negatively charged
repel each other. Hence, the latex does not
coagulate.
 (b)
If formic acid (methanoic acid) is added,
___________________ from the acid will
neutralise the negative charges on the protein.

These rubber particles become ______________

and can come close to each other. When the rubber
particles collide with one another,
_____________________.

_______________________ inside the rubber

particles are set free and start entangling with one
another. Hence, latex coagulates.

TEST YOURSELF

1. Although acid is not added to the latex, latex still coagulates when exposed to air.
Explain why.

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2. How can the aqueous ammonia solution prevent the coagulation of latex?

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3. Why does the latex take a longer time to coagulate when exposed to air as compared to the
addition of formic acid?

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C. Comparing the properties of vulcanised rubber and unvulcanised rubber

Vulcanised rubber Unvulcanised rubber
Similarities

Differences

Elasticity

Hardness

Strength

Resistance to
temperature

Resistance to oxidation
TEST YOURSELF
Match each of the properties of vulcanised rubber with the correct description.

Property of
Description
vulcanised rubber
Long-chain rubber molecules become
Harder and
  more difficult to slide over one another
stronger
due to the sulphur cross-links

Higher melting Formation of sulphur cross-links reduces

point and higher   the number of carbon-carbon double
heat resistant bonds
The addition of sulphur increases the
relative molecular mass. Inter molecular
More elastic  
forces become stronger. More heal energy
is needed to overcome the stronger forces
The presence of sulphur cross-link pulls
More resistant to
  the rubber molecules back to their original
oxidation
position