Document page
chemistry igcse acapprinted 113 · PDF 113
145 pagesrevision 46934
printed 113 · PDF 113
Page image rendered from the stored file at 110 dpi; it sharpens as you zoom. Outlines are placed from each region’s stored position on the page (612 × 792 pt).
readable
Source of this text: embedded text layer. The better of the embedded text and OCR is kept.
113
Deducing the Monomer from the Polymer
To identify the monomer:
1. Find the repeating unit in the polymer.
2. Change the single bond in the repeat unit back to a double bond for the monomer.
3. Remove the continuation bonds.
Plastics & Their Disposal
- Plastics are made from polymers and are non-biodegradable, meaning they don’t break down
easily, leading to environmental issues.
Incineration
- Burning plastics releases heat and carbon dioxide (CO₂), a greenhouse gas.
- Toxic fumes may be released by some polymers:
- Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) releases hydrogen chloride gas when burned.
- Incomplete combustion can release carbon monoxide (CO), a toxic gas.
Environmental Impact
1. Polluting Oceans: Plastic waste disrupts marine ecosystems.
2. Landfills: Non-biodegradable polymers accumulate, taking up valuable land as they do not
decompose.
Disposal of Polymers
PET Re-Polymerisation